I am not going to complain too much about the way that the Arsenal fixture schedule has worked out, because it has been a lot worse for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners in the past. We do still have the possibility of the Premier League and the TV companies making it hard for us and we do not know which teams Arsenal will be facing on the Champions League games, but for now it is looking pretty friendly for Arsenal.
Three of our Champions League game will be followed by domestic away games but as they are against two of the promoted clubs in Burnley and Hull City, with the other being Bournemouth, I don’t think we can complain, although the fact that EPL champions Leicester City have all of their following games at home is a bit suspicious in my opinion.
The three home games Arsenal face after European nights are Middlesborough, Tottenham and Stoke, so that is all three of the promoted sides and only our north London rivals the spuds that is a really tough looking test. Spurs’ own post UCL games are at home to Sunderland and then Man City, away to Bournemouth, us, Chelsea and then Man United so on the face of it they have had a much worse fixture draw. What a shame eh Gooners?
The other Champions League entrants Man City, assuming they get past the play-offs, have Bournemouth at home, Tottenham away, Southampton and Middlesborough at home and Burnley and Leicester City away which is not too bad on the face of things.
Jose Mourinho and Man United have Europa League games to worry about and their first group game is followed by a home game against Southampton who are also in the second European competition. Then United have Stoke City at home, Chelsea away, Swansea away, West Ham at home and they will be playing in Europe as well if they get through the play-offs and their last group game is followed by Tottenham at home, so there are some tough ones for Mourinho.
All in all and until we know more about our European games and opponents I think you have to say that Arsenal have done pretty well don’t you think?
Bob.