Arsenal midfielder Jorginho believes that their advantageous schedule of home games during the festive period could bolster their Premier League title challenge against Liverpool.
The Gunners overwhelmed West Ham United with a commanding first-half performance at the London Stadium on Saturday evening, surging to a 5-2 lead before the break. Arsenal maintained that scoreline, advancing to second place in the Premier League table, nine points behind an almost impeccable Liverpool.
With 25 top-flight matches and 75 points still up for grabs, each team’s title ambitions will be rigorously tested in the coming month. Arsenal and Liverpool both face nine fixtures before a brief week-and-a-half hiatus in the Premier League schedule for the FA Cup third-round ties.
Mikel Arteta’s side will enjoy a series of four home games in their next five matches, beginning with Wednesday’s clash against Manchester United. The North London outfit won’t leave the capital until their 50-mile trip south to Brighton on January 4th.
In contrast, Liverpool will play only one of their next six matches at Anfield – a league encounter with Fulham on December 14 – resulting in significantly more travel for the team.
Jorginho believes home fixtures rush could be an advantage for Arsenal
When asked about these contrasting schedules following the 5-2 victory in East London, Jorginho told assembled reporters:
“I think it might help. But we need to be ready for anything and trying to win in any context. We need to try and use our strength at home to win as much as possible.”
Arsenal are one of only three Premier League clubs still unbeaten at home this season. During their dip in form between the October and November international breaks, all three losses occurred away from home.
Arteta was confident that Arsenal’s title bid remained strong even before witnessing his side capitalize on West Ham’s woeful defending. The Spanish coach emphasized that it will be “extremely difficult” for Liverpool to sustain their stellar form.
“Suddenly, when you think you’ve got it, one day it all collapses,” he said, drawing from experience. Perhaps this stretch of away games will be the first obstacle that Arne Slot’s side fails to overcome.
The Premier League is already getting to an exciting period and December if famously known for causing upsets at the top pf the table due to the large number of games in such a short period of time. It would be interesting to see if Liverpool will still maintain their huge lead beyond the festive period.
