The international break is almost over and it is time to focus on the Premier League and the eight games left for us to navigate as we pursue a top-four finish.
I have drawn up a quick summary of those remaining fixtures with my personal opinions on how I see each of those matches. Bear one thing in mind, if I was able to predict football results I would be a millionaire, I am not and therefore take these summaries for what they are, a personal opinion on how I see each of the games ahead of us, nothing more.
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Newcastle are in form right now, they have the fifth-best record in the Premier League over the last six games, however, we are formidable at home and while Rafa Benitez is a top quality manager that sends out well-organised teams I fully expect us to collect all three points, we simply will have too much firepower for the Toon defence to handle.
Everton v Arsenal
Everton done us a huge favour beating Chelsea but that was more because of the poor performance from Chelsea than the brilliance of Everton, that said we cannot be complacent, this is a very winnable match for us and we have to remember that was only their third win over the last ten Premier League games they have played, they are hardly in great form and as long as we stay focused we will win.
Watford v Arsenal
Now, this is a dangerous game and a potential banana skin and a lot will depend on how we approach this game. If we go into this game thinking it is only Watford then we will come unstuck, if we enter this game recognising that this is a team that is eighth in the Premier League and a bloody difficult team to play against then we will win, this game for me is all about mentality.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
I have to be honest, I see this game as a banker three points, Palace flatter to deceive, they are not that good really, they get the odd decent result but they are only five points above the relegation zone for a reason. We are also at home and I cannot see us blowing this one, three points all day long for me.
Wolverhampton v Arsenal
Another tricky game and potentially our most dangerous opponent of those we have left to face, they have just knocked Man Utd out of the FA Cup, they were very unlucky not to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in the game before their triumph over United and they have beaten Tottenham away, Chelsea home and drawn with us and United in the league. We are more than good enough to beat Wolves but this is one game that will not be easy and the one game that makes me the most nervous.
Leicester City v Arsenal
Who knows what Leicester team we will face, will it be the team that loses 4-1 at home to Crystal Palace or the team that beats Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and draws with Liverpool at Anfield? I am confident we will beat them in their own back yard but I will be nervous for sure, Leicester is more than capable of springing a surprise but in all reality, we are the better team and if we play the game right, we will win.
Arsenal v Brighton
If this game was at Brighton I would be cautious but it is not, it is at the Emirates and we surely should be collecting all three points against a team that has lost ten times on the road in the Premier League and that is far from safe from relegation. Brighton can be tricky but come on, this is surely a banker and yes, I know that is being slightly complacent but if we cannot be overconfident against Brighton when we are at home then when can we be.
Burnley v Arsenal
I hope that Burnley is either safe from relegation or already relegated when this game comes around. The last thing we want is to have to travel to Turf Moor on the last day of the season needing points to secure a top four spot and you really do not want to be playing a team that is fighting for their lives in front of their own fans. Should we win this? of course we should but circumstances can make this game a very dangerous one indeed.
Conclusion
Some very tricky games but if we play to our abilities there is no reason why we cannot pick up 24 points, we have gone on those sort of runs before and we can again, none of these opponents are the top six but I am fully aware that we can also slip up and while I am very confident in our players, I will also approach each game with extreme caution.