Dan’s New Year EPL Predictions – Will Man City game define Arsenal’s season?

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

No exaggeration to say this month could decide which direction our season is heading into.

These are the type of fixtures which are a true reflection of how much progress we have made. I wrote this same thing when we went to Anfield.

It’s not a disgrace to lose to the Champions, but it’s how you lose.

I want to see some character and bravery from the Gunners.

Do they believe they can actually beat Man City?

Will they show smart game management?

If we concede first do, we feel sorry for ourselves and fall apart?

I just want to see Arteta has learnt from previous encounters…

Watford 1-4 Spurs

Watford have a system of ‘we play you play’, which will get them results, but against the likes of Spurs could see a heavy defeat.

Whisper it quietly, Kane and Son might have found their mojo again

Palace 2-0 West Ham

It showed on Boxing Day that West Ham have a small squad who can’t cope with the schedule.

A New Year’s Day at Selhurst Park should be buzzing and will give the Eagles some added energy.

Brentford 1-1 Villa

The atmosphere at Brentford makes this a tough fixture for Villa.

In general under Gerrard they have mastered the art of getting results even when not playing well.

This would be a decent point.

Everton 2-0 Brighton

Goodison on New Year’s weekend should be a great atmosphere but also one some Toffees players might not enjoy playing in.

Evertonians will be showing up thinking this is an ideal chance for a rare win, and it won’t take long for them to get frustrated if things are not going well.

Pressure would be huge on Rafa if he doesn’t get the three points.

Leeds 0-1 Burnley

Burnley start the day 5 points behind Leeds, so this is a big game.

Bielsa has had the last two fixtures postponed so hasn’t had a chance to show that he can learn from recent heavy defeats and adapt his tactics.

I’m just not sure at 66 he’s going to change his ethos.

This will play into the visitors’ hands.

Saints 1-1 Newcastle

I expect Newcastle to splash the cash in the next month which will be enough to keep them in the division.

In the short term though the Toon can take so much confidence from how they played against Man United, a game they should have won.

They played so well though, they can take that momentum into this fixture.

Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Depending on how we fare on Saturday, Chelsea and Liverpool could be 12 and 11 points behind Man City respectively in the title race.

They say you learn about how great managers are when things are going wrong.

How Tuchel has responded to a few dropped points by blaming officials, injuries and the fixture list had come across as a man not coping with the pressure when there’s a bit of adversity.

Chelsea suddenly is making small mistakes defensively making it a bad time to face Liverpool’s attack.

Man United 1-1 Wolves

The reason Man United are in their current position is they lack consistency.

It wouldn’t be a shock if they didn’t show up and dropped points here.

A lot been made of Ronaldo’s body language when things are going wrong.

It reminds me how Henry used to act in his final season with us, not hiding his frustration if one of his peers misplaced a pass.

The problem is that asking Ronaldo to change is asking him to change the personality that made him the player he has been in the first place.

LAST WEEKS TABLE

Remember top 32 qualify for next year’s World Cup

Sue 128
Gotanidea 125
keV 82- 125
Turbo 121
Terrah 121
Kenya 001- 121
I 120
Edu 120
Ackshay 119
Mambo 118
Samson A 118
Dotash 117
Adiva 117
Prince 116
Declan 116
Phenom 115
Matthew 115
Rob 49- 115
Khadii 113
J gunner 113
Sid 113
Okobino 113
Dotash 112
Admin 112
Me 112
Toney 111
Sue P 110
Stephanie 110
Easy guys 110
Dan Kit 106
Tom 105
HH 103
Splendid 103
Ernie Blaze 100
Goonersia 100
Uzi Ozil 99
Rusty 98
Dunchrado 96
MTG 94
SJ 93
Yayo 91
Sagie 89
K Tyson 88
Loose cannon 88
Owei 86
Adamjim 84
Oslo gunner 82
Shakir 82
Seroti 79
Onyango 73
BA Thea 65
Famochi 64
Kobin 63
Die hard 57
Instrooments 57
Voyageur 56
Dendrite 55
Gunner Rey 54
Guy 53
Timothy 53
Zeek 49
Dhoni 47
Labass 47
Angus 44
Indian gunner London 44
Elvis 39
Adeski 36
Gogo 34
Blue 17-33
Baron 29
Mark 2.0- 28
Kelvin A- 26
Abbass 25
Illiterate 25
PJSA 23
Jo Gunz 22
Sol 21
Tomorrow 20
J Legend 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
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
Charlie 5
Kedar 5
Joe Ginner 5
Lisg 5
Big Sam 5
Arsha 4
Collins 4
Girl 2
Varka 2
Steve Shaffelbury 2
Akaymoney 2
Now

Good luck peeps

THE JUST ARSENAL SHOW – Dan Smith has a rant over Arteta and ‘Players Welfare”