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After an uninspiring run of form in recent weeks, the Gunners will have to ignore all negativity and focus on getting maximum points in perhaps the most important month of the season.
With us slipping five points behind Leicester, three behind Man City and allowing Spurs to creep up on us, we have a lot of work to do in the Premier League to get back on track. We also have two crucial cup ties with Hull in the fifth round of the FA Cup and defending champions Barcelona in the first-round of the last 16 in the Champions League.
I’ve had a look at the remaining five games we have in February, and I give my predictions for what will be a defining month for the club.
7th February, Premier League
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
We have to win this match, and the pressure will be on this one, perhaps more so than the Leicester game. We haven’t scored in three Premier League games and with us dropping points to our rivals, this game has banana skin written all over it.
Fortunately, we have far too much class for Eddie Howe’s men and although they’ve sprung a few surprises on top clubs this season, wI’ve no doubt we will take maximum points from this one.
Prediction: 1-3
14th February, Premier League
Arsenal vs Leicester City
Nobody would have predicted this would be a potential title-deciding game at the start of the season, but that’s exactly what it is.
Alexis Sanchez scored a hat-trick as we thumped them 5-2 in the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium but I would expect a much closer game at the Emirates with the pressure that’s on both sides. It will be almost like a Cup final for both teams.
Despite the unbelievable form of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, I still think we just have too much for them and the occasion may get the better of them. I’m going for a nervy first period due to the pressure, but I think it will be a solid win for us.
Prediction: 2-0
20th February, FA Cup Fifth round
Arsenal v Hull City
We meet our 2014 final opponents yet again in this year’s competition, which naturally brings back memories of Arsenal’s tremendous fight-back two years ago.
There’s always potential for a slip-up with hungry Championship sides, particularly as it is sandwiched through hugely tough games, but I feel we will have too much for them at home and should win this one to make into the next round.
Prediction: 2-1
23rd February, Champions League Round of 16 1st leg
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Drawing Barca at this stage is a nightmare when you look at some of the lower-quality sides that made it through. It’s a shot to nothing really against the defending Champions and the best side in the world right now.
With the Emirates crowd behind the team and an extremely open game, this one could be a goal-fest. It’s tough to predict a win for us with the quality of their attack, but anything is possible at the Emirates.
We’ve pushed them to the brink before and call me an optimist, but this time we could well just beat them…
Prediction: 3-2
28th February, Premier League
Man United vs Arsenal
United are the ugliest and most boring footballing side in the Premier League, but their form has had a big upturn since the start of the year, making this one a much tougher game than it might have been before Christmas.
Old Trafford has lost its fear factor, and far worse teams than us have gone there and beat them comfortably. We have too much quality and pace for them, and although it will be a tough and closed game where they try to stop our creativity, I have no doubt we will win this game, which bizarrely is perhaps the least threatening of the whole month.
Prediction: 0-1
