Why Arsenal Premier League title feelings have changed as Mikel Arteta told of fixtures boost

Mikel Arteta has come through Arsenal’s nightmare fixture gauntlet and emerged ready to take control of the title race.

The Gunners’ late win at Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon represented a massive step forward for the club in their hopes to win the Premier League this season. While Mikel Merino’s late equaliser would have been a boost, Gabriel’s 96th-minute winner changed everything.

When the fixture computer presented Arsenal with their opening six matches, there was little doubt that, while not ideal, coming through it still within touching distance of Liverpool would represent an opportunity grabbed.

With all six games played, the gap to the Reds is just two points following Arne Slot’s side’s first defeat of the campaign, courtesy of former Gunner turned Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah. A red and white weekend, most certainly.

While the mood, particularly after the draw with Manchester City, had been somewhat low, the win on Tyneside transformed the feeling. In reflection, the collection of opening clashes have plenty of signs to give confidence about this year’s chances.

Last season, Arsenal dropped a total of 21 points from winning positions, so far they are yet to let a lead slip. While Sunday’s comeback against Newcastle represented the first time the club had indeed come from behind to win in the league since January 15 in the North London Derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

There have been five games since then that Arsenal fell behind and were unable to turn around the score. Two came this season against Liverpool and Manchester City, but the switch of fortunes on Sunday needs to become a regularity in these scenarios.

The win was also the first Premier League game of the new season in which Arsenal has not seen an injury to one of its players. This definitely needs to become a normality if Arteta is to get his hands on the title, even with the added reinforcement from the eight summer signings.

Gabriel’s headed goal was the first directly scored from a corner since Jurrien Timber’s against Leeds United on the second matchday of the season. Set piece goals became a bedrock for Arsenal and while there have been successes with short routines and volleys from the edge, maintaining the threat from these moments could again prove a differential.

Lastly, of these same six games played compared to the corresponding fixtures in the previous season, with Leeds replacing Leicester City as the Championship winner, Arsenal have improved their points return by two. If this continues at the same rate, the Gunners could accrue more than 12 more points compared to the previous season.

Not to mention that these specific six matches include trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park while also hosting Manchester City. An improvement of 12 points on last season’s total would have seen them lift the trophy, finishing two points clear of Liverpool’s 84-point tally.

Arsenal now enter October without needing to leave London a single time across three competitions. With Liverpool’s fixture difficulty creeping above the Gunners’, the trends could see this being the month that tips the title race on it's head.

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