Arsenal's Nail-Biting Run-In: Ranking Their Last Seven from Breeze to Title-Killer

Arsenal are perched top of the Premier League with seven games left, nursing a nine-point lead over Manchester City – who’ve got a game in hand. It feels like title glory’s within grasp for Mikel Arteta’s lads after two decades of hurt, especially with recent cup flops against Southampton and in the Carabao Cup final sharpening their focus. But football’s a cruel mistress, innit? We’ve ranked their remaining fixtures from total doddle to proper heart-attack material, eyeing potential slip-ups.

The Gimme Games: Home Comforts and Fading Foes (7th to 5th)

Kicking off with the softest: Arsenal vs Burnley on May 17. By then, the Clarets might be relegation toast, and Arsenal already stuffed them 2-0 earlier. Arteta’s unbeaten against them in yonks – this could be champagne football if the title’s in the bag.

Next, Crystal Palace away on May 24, the finale. Palace have nicked just one win under Arteta, back in 2022, but it’s always tight. Remember that penalty shootout in the EFL Cup? Or the draw before Liverpool pipped them last year? If it’s still live, Selhurst could get spicy – but Arsenal might’ve sealed it already.

Sliding up to Arsenal vs Bournemouth on April 11. The Cherries shocked them with a double last season, and they led at the Emirates in January before Arsenal flipped it 3-2. Andoni Iraola’s mob are gritty, drawing with United, Villa, and Chelsea, even beating Liverpool. Sandwiched between Champions League quarters vs Sporting, fatigue could bite.

Mid-Pack Menaces: Distractions and Old Nemeses (4th to 2nd)

Arsenal vs Fulham on May 2 looks straightforward – Arteta’s lost once to them, but margins are slim lately. Cottagers probably mid-table by then, yet slotted between potential CL semi-finals, it screams distraction. Don’t sleep on a Craven Cottage rerun.

Then Arsenal vs Newcastle on April 25. The Magpies have Arsenal’s number, winning five under Arteta, including that September thriller where Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes bailed them out late (84th and 96th minutes!). Eddie Howe’s lot are fading, but they’ve got that Geordie punch.

West Ham away on May 9 ramps it up. Hammers are scrapping relegation – way feistier than Burnley. Arsenal have banged in goals there recently, and a point might do if they’ve smashed the prior four (City included). Still, London derbies in dogfights? Proper tense.

The Do-or-Die: City Showdown Tops the Terror (1st)

Top billing goes to Manchester City vs Arsenal on April 19 at the Etihad. City are Arteta’s bogey team – nine losses already, including the Carabao final spanking. With their tiny error margin, Pep’s crew will be feral. Lose here, and that nine-point cushion evaporates. Win, and it’s party time. This is the title race pivoter.

Schadenfreude Sells, But Arsenal Deserve Their Shot

Amid the cup woes, there’s a weird glee in some corners at Arsenal’s wobbles – ‘bottlemageddon’ headlines everywhere. It’s like everyone’s waiting for the choke, a payback for their sleek style or whatever grudge du jour. Truth is, every top dog gets this treatment; it’s football’s twisted love language. Arsenal’s form screams champions – don’t jinx it, yeah?

Fixtures favour them outside City, but banana skins lurk. Arteta’s crew must stay ruthless. Seven games from history books – or heartbreak. What d’you reckon, over to you lot.