Who Arsenal's Premier League game in hand is against after Liverpool title race twist

It was just over one week ago that Arsenal faced a nine-point gap to the top of the Premier League table. They now have a game in hand themselves to cut it down to five.

The momentum has started to swing after a tricky run for Liverpool. Although they remain unbeaten in the league since September's defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield - the only loss of the season - a run of two draws in three have changed matters.

Add in the shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle and a Champions League loss at PSV Eindhoven - albeit in a dead rubber - in the last months and there have been signs of frailty from Arne Slot's men. With Manchester City next up and Newcastle United to follow, this is a key period for the campaign's long-term leaders.

Despite some turbulence - losing both Carabao Cup semi-final ties to Newcastle and being beaten by Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup third round - there has still been a relentless nature to Arsenal in the league. It is now 15 games since they were bettered by Newcastle (again) at the start of November.

That week, which included defeat at Bournemouth and a draw to Liverpool, is really the only thing keeping Arsenal from being right on top of their rivals. The rest has been strong results-wise. And even now, there is still a big lead to overcome in 14 matches, but the picture is a lot more healthy.

Arsenal still have to go to Liverpool as well in what could be a true decider in May. Before then, the task is to stay within touching distance and to keep the pressure on.

It is a visit from West Ham immediately on the horizon for Arteta's men as they look to crank things up on Liverpool before their trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal are the chasers in this scenario and know that anything but perfection will allow a chance for Liverpool to reassert themselves at the summit.

The key factor is that just like Liverpool's Merseyside derby game in hand, Arsenal do not have the points on the board even if the potential difference is only five. Liverpool know all too well how dangerous counting their chickens too early can be as they squandered the opportunity to go nine clear last week at Goodison Park.

Arsenal can keep in mind that on March 16 the whole landscape will switch again. With Liverpool at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, the game in hand will be played and matches will be back to being level.

There are three games before that - at home to West Ham and then away to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United either side of the international break. At the end of March 16, both Arsenal and Liverpool will have played 29 league games.

Arsenal know that they cannot afford for Liverpool to extend their lead from eight before that weekend if they are to realistically have a chance of winning the league in the sprint finish. The good news is that their game in hand is against Chelsea.

Although Enzo Maresca's side have proven to be dangerous opponents and managed a draw at Stamford Bridge when the two teams met earlier this season, they are currently on a shocking run and are struggling for form or confidence. Arsenal also hold a strong recent record in meetings at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea's only away win at Arsenal since 2020 came at the start of the 2021/22 campaign when Arteta saw his team languishing at the bottom of the table after three games. Going back to 2016 Chelsea have just two victories on the red side of north London.

Consecutive draws at Stamford Bridge in the last two years are also temporary respite for Chelsea, who have found themselves regularly being beaten by Arsenal home and away. Arsenal have beaten their rivals seven times in the last 10 meetings, losing just the one.

Chelsea will have something to play for when the two sides come face-to-face next month as they attempt to reignite a top-four push that has come under threat. They will have memories of being crushed 5-0 just over 12 months ago at the Emirates Stadium when they do arrive and Arsenal will back themselves to take another three points, inflicting more misery.

The bigger picture is that this match being their game in hand should provide hope that the title race really is well and truly alive. Getting another win over Chelsea on their way is just an added bonus.

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