5 Key Fixtures for Arsenal Fans to Focus on in 2016/17 Premier League Season
Although the eyes of football fans may be on this summer’s international tournaments, excitement for the 2016/17 Premier League season will be growing now that the fixture list has been announced.
Arsenal supporters will be scouring the schedule looking out for certain key games. In this piece, we identify five of the fixtures that will catch their eye. These are determined partially by the opposition, but also by when they fall in the course of the campaign.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool, 13 August 2016
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Arsenal had a difficult start to last season, losing 2-0 to West Ham United on the opening day. Although they recovered with a decent run of form after that, it did start the campaign off on a poor footing and dampened the mood around the club.
The first match of the season is a hugely important one. Rightly or wrongly, fans perceive it as a barometer for the team’s chances of success in that campaign.
In 2016/17, Arsenal face a particularly testing game, hosting Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. After Klopp’s first pre-season at Anfield, his side should be significantly stronger and more cohesive than they were prior to the summer break.
Arsenal owe Liverpool one, too. Their late comeback in the 3-3 draw in January arguably precipitated the collapse of the Gunners’ title challenge.
The Gunners will hope they’re able to conclude the majority of their transfer business before the season starts in order to give themselves the best chance of beating Liverpool and beginning on a positive note.
Leicester City vs. Arsenal, 20 August 2016
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Arsenal’s start does not get any easier after the Liverpool game. In their very next fixture, they travel to face champions Leicester City.
It’s not unreasonable to suggest Leicester may not be quite the force they were last season. Teams may grow wise to their tactics, and their players may struggle to match the levels of motivation that propelled them to their unlikely triumph.
Nevertheless, they are sure to provide a stern test for Arsenal. It’s vital the Gunners come through these opening two matches relatively unscathed. Last season, Leicester lost just three games on their way to lifting the title. Imagine the unrest if Arsene Wenger’s men lost their first two matches. The margin for error would become incredibly small incredibly quickly.
This match could also be particularly intriguing if Jamie Vardy chooses to leave Leicester for Arsenal later this summer. Claudio Ranieri has confirmed to Sky Sport Italia (h/t Calcio Mercato and ESPN FC) that the Gunners are willing to pay Vardy’s release clause, saying:
"We want to keep him. Arsenal have said that they are willing to pay the clause but he hasn't accepted yet. It's up to the player to say yes or no."
If Vardy does decide to move, this match could represent an emotional return to the club where his star truly exploded.
One thing is certain: Arsenal would rather have Vardy on their team than lining up against them in this potentially tricky encounter.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham, 5 November 2016
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For Arsenal fans, the first fixtures to look for are always the two north London derbies. Next season they will feel as important as ever: With Spurs resurgent under Mauricio Pochettino, both clubs will hope to play a major role in the 2016/17 title race.
Tottenham will be out for revenge, too. Arsenal humiliated them once again by leapfrogging above them on the final day of the Premier League season, when Spurs suffered an unexpected 5-1 defeat to relegated Newcastle. It was a disappointing end to what had been an impressive campaign from Pochettino’s men.
The timing of this fixture is interesting, too: It falls at the start of November, a month that is historically difficult for the Gunners.
Arsenal did not beat Spurs in league competition last season. They will be determined to put that right in 2016/17.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal, 29 April 2017
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The second north London derby falls at the end of April, at the start of what looks like a very difficult run-in for the Gunners.
If Tottenham and Arsenal are both in the race for honours at this point, this match could take on huge ramifications. Under the right circumstances, this could go down as one of the biggest north London derby’s ever. It’s not difficult to envisage a scenario where one or both of these teams are involved in a tussle for the title.
Even if there is no chance of silverware for either side, there could still be plenty to play for. After losing their lead over Arsenal on the final day of last season, Spurs will be more determined than ever to finish above their north London rivals.
The three points available in this game could play a significant part in determining which of north London’s two teams finish the campaign on top.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United, 6 May 2017
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Speaking to Arsenal.com, former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour admitted there is one game he always used to look out for above all others:
"It was Manchester United always, that was our big game. Looking back at 1998, that was a top side then and if you look at their midfield, they had David Beckham on the right, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs - they had a wonderful midfield.
They were always the games we had to win, or maybe get four points from - win at home, draw away from home and you had every chance of winning the league.>
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However, in recent seasons—particularly since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement—this fixture has lost some of its sheen. Neither United nor Arsenal have figured as prominently in the title picture, and subsequently some of the glamour and drama around the game has evaporated.
That could all change in 2016/17—especially with the appointment of Jose Mourinho as United manager. The rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Mourinho is infamous, and it will be fascinating to see them lock horns once again.
Of course, Wenger has yet to beat Mourinho in a competitive fixture. He secured a win in the Community Shield match that opened last season, but he would dearly love to record a victory in a Premier League campaign. With his being the final season of Wenger’s contract, time may be running out for him to get one over on the Portuguese.
This second meeting between the two sides in 2016/17 comes just three games away from the end of the league campaign. If Arsenal are still in the hunt at that stage, it could be a huge match with major repercussions for both teams.
