Arsenal 2020-21 Premier League fixture list released

If there has been one upside to last season’s wild situation, it has been that we have not had to wait very long at all for the new season to take shape. Keeping with the quick turnaround, the Premier League released their fixture lists for the upcoming season today, Arsenal included.

Quick takes:

• Arsenal have two tune up games before being thrown into their first gauntlet. Matches against Liverpool (A), Sheffield United (H), Manchester City (A). Leicester City (H), and Manchester United (A) mean that the end of September through October will show us a lot about the team and Mikel Arteta early on.
• The Boxing Day match against Chelsea is the only home match against a top 6 rival in the first half of the season. Considering the Gunners’ poor form away from home in past seasons, especially against top 6 sides, this is less than ideal. However, it does set up for (hopefully) more favorable home ties for the remainder of the season.
• Outside of October, the remainder of the fixture list seems to be pretty nicely spaced out for Arsenal, but in fairness, Arsenal certainly cannot afford to overlook any team after last season’s calamity.
• Looking at the end of the season, the May fixtures look far more navigable than this past season’s (based on traditional table placement of the clubs). The last several seasons have seen Arsenal lose crucial ground over the last month of league play, a trend that they will absolutely want to end if they want to get back into the Champions League.

Without factoring in any cup ties, the 20/21 fixture list looks pretty fair to the Gunners outside of an early slate of big matches. Arsenal managed to end the last season on a high note with an FA Cup trophy and some statement wins against some very big clubs. If Mikel Arteta can navigate the first two months without too many major let downs, the Gunners will have a very balanced slate ahead of them.

Key match dates include:

• September 26th - Liverpool (A)
• October 17th - City (A)
• October 31st - United (A)
• December 5th - Spurs (A)
• December 26th - Chelsea (H)
• January 30th - United (H)
• February 20th - City (H)
• March 13th - Spurs (H)
• April 3rd - Liverpool (H)
• May 12th - Chelsea (A)

So which match-up(s) has you most intrigued? Most concerned? Let’s hear your thoughts below!