Dan’s EPL Predictions – Can Arsenal get back on track against Brighton?

Arsenal produced a performance Monday that I was always fearing, that maybe after wins at Wolves and Villa, I was being convinced we had moved on from our inconsistency.

With 4th spot up for grabs and what that would mean for the club, it’s inexcusable at this stage of the season for any Gunner to show up for a fixture and not have the appetite. The manner of defeat at Selhurst Park is a reminder that with the youngest squad in the division, we might lack the leadership to handle the pressure. 

Our destiny remains in our own hands but 4 out of our last 9 games are against those in the top 7, meaning we are going to have to most likely get results at the Lane or the Bridge. 

There is also the small matter of a game which could go a long way to deciding the title? 

Newcastle 1-0 Wolves  

Think it’s harsh to accuse the Toon of being on holiday after a few defeats. 

Eddie Howe has improved their home form and a live game under the flood lights against Wolves, I fancy them.

Everton 2-2 Man United  

In a strange kind of way this isn’t a bad game for Everton. Which is reflective of how bad Man United have become. 

The visitors are flaky enough, where you can’t guarantee they will show up and battle, yet still a big enough scalp that I think the Goodison faithful will realise their boys need some support. 

Confidence is so low; it would be counterproductive for home fans to turn on their own, and it might suit Frank Lampard’s men to be underdogs for the afternoon. 

 Arsenal 1-0 Brighton  

Mikel Arteta can’t dwell on Monday, he has to get his players to look at the positives, which is our fate is in our own hands. 

With the fixtures we have left though, we can’t afford to drop any silly points which makes this a nervous afternoon 

I’m still not convinced we have the mentality to cope with those nerves, but the Emirates has been brilliant at sticking with the players this season and can help us get over the line on Saturday.

Saints 2-2 Chelsea  

So suddenly Chelsea have conceded 7 goals at the Bridge in 2 games, making mistakes uncharacteristic for them. 

They have enough experience not to allow a wobble turn into a crisis and will regroup for their FA Cup Semi Final. 

In the short term though, this is a nightmare fixture after the week they have had. 

The Saints are high energy, and the visitors might be jaded physically and mentally.  

Watford 1-3 Leeds  

Getting close to a last chance for Watford. 

Win and they will be 5 points behind Leeds with a game in hand, lose and the gap is an untenable 11 points. 

Roy Hodgson has never set up the Hornets to go out and win games, so they might be out of their comfort zone. 

 Villa 1-1 Spurs  

I said for weeks, I don’t have the faith Arsenal have the mentality to qualify for the Champions League. 

Then I watch our rivals and I become more confident. 

If we beat Brighton, we send Spurs to Villa Park in a must win situation. You can’t trust the visitors in that scenario.  

Brentford 2-1 West Ham 

I think it’s only natural that West Ham will have one eye on the 2nd leg of their Europa League quarter final and that will have an impact here. 

Leicester 0-1 Palace  

Like West Ham, Leicester might have one eye on their European 2nd leg. 

Vieira again showed Monday why he could be a future Arsenal boss. 

Every player understands his ethos and knows what his job is. 

Funny how Palace celebrated a 3-0 winl ess enthusiastically than when we drew with them 2-2 at the Emirates… 

 Norwich 0-0 Burnley  

You can’t underestimate how huge Burnley’s win was over Everton was. 

At 2-2, their campaign was on life support, now they are breathing again. 

Yet they are not used to being in a position of expecting to win which brings different pressure going to Norwich. 

Man City 1-1 Liverpool. 

Real simple, the winner takes control of the title race, the loser is mentally scarred. 

Both managers won’t play for a draw. 

So much at stake that I’m sitting on the fence.   

 LAST WEEK’S TABLE

Top 32 qualify for the World Cup
 

keV 82- 203  

Rob 49- 194 

Gotanidea 193 

Kenya 001- 192 

Terrah 191 

Sue 185 

Ackshay 185 

Prince 183 

Matthew 182
 

Turbo 181 

j gunner 178 

Dotash 178 

HH 176 

Declan 176 

Samson 175 

Goonersia 175 

Dkit 174 

I 173 

Edu 173 

Adiva 170 

Toney 170 

Sid 169 

Phenom 168 

Easy guys 167 

okobino 164 

Tom 159 

Dunchirado 157 

Sue P 156 

Me 155 

Admin 150 

Stephanie 148 

Khadi 146 

SJ 144 

Tayo 141 

loose cannon 140 

Rusty 137 

MTG 137 

K Tyson 136 

Sagie 136
Mambo 131 

Adajim 126
 

Eblaze 127 

Serot 127 

Kobin 125 

Uzi Ozil 124 

Splendid 122
Shakir 118
Dendrite 102
Die hard 93 

Famochi 93 

labass 88
Owei 87 

Oslo gunner 82 

Zeek 77 

Onyango 73
BA Thea 65 

Jo gunz 65
Instrooments 57
Voyageur 56
Gunner Rey 54
Guy 53
Timothy 53 

Dhoni 47 

illiterate 46
 

Angus 44
Indian gunner London 44
Elvis 39 

misgan 38
Adeski 36 

Arsha 36 

Illiterate 35 

gun down 35
Gogo 34
Blue 17-33 

John Legend 32 

James Gacheru 32
Baron 29
Mark 2.0- 28
Kelvin A- 26
Abbass 25
PJSA 23 

walidomy 23 

FK 23
Sol 21
Tomorrow 20
Hackiubee 19 

lucia 19
Third Man JW 18 

Drayton 16
Longbenark 15
Anti keV 15
phil 14
Olushorlor 14
Anti virus 13 

Odi 12
Kuz 11
Montana 11
Diddie 11
Musa 11
Davars 10
George 10
BTG 10
Leno happy 10.
Ezegou Kevin 9
mubz ug- 9
Mena 8
Lucia 8
Tjay 8
Gunner 4 lyf 8
Buddy 8 

Nasiru Kwalli 8
Sylvander 7
Quincy Okebe 7
Geo 7
Dendrite 7
Mark 7
football lovers 6
Gooner 19-6
Khaly 6
David 6
Arsenal Why 6
Ezekiel 6
Joseph 6 

BME 12- 6
Charlie 5
Kedar 5
Joe Ginner 5
Lisg 5
A Samson 5
Big Sam 5
Siddharth Mohapatra 4
Collins 4
Tas 4 

gunsmoke 3 

Girl 2
Varka 2
Steve Shaffelbury 2
Akaymoney 2
V 2 – 2