5 Reasons why Arsenal can win the League – Part 2
2. Best away record
This is a strange one really. Arsenal’s away form has been the cause of concern for Arsene Wenger over the past few seasons. However, it is the other way round this season. Not only Arsenal’s away record is the best in the league, it’s better than their own home record.
Arsenal have collected an impressive 24 points from a possible 36 on their travels this season and 19 out of 30 at home. If Arsenal can manage to keep their away form going till the end of the season, they will have a serious shout at the title.
Arsenal’s home form has been a cause of concern for Arsene Wenger, where they have dropped all three points to the likes of Newcastle United and West Brom. However, their record and performance have been on the up in the last month or so.
There is little doubt that Arsenal will be able to win more games at home, especially now they have both Fabregas and van Persie back from injuries.
The Gunners have surprised everyone with the way they have gone away from Emirates and applied themselves. They haven’t been shaken by the taunts of away fans and credit must go to Arsene Wenger for developing such mentality in his players which has resulted in much improved displays from his side, and especially from two unsung heroes, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win at St Andrews was an indication of how far they have come in grinding out results from tough places. All title hopefuls have failed to collect all three points against Birmingham away from home this season and yet the Gunners went there and conquered the Midlands fortress.
With only 7 away games left from their last 16 league games, Arsenal fans can hope that their team can keep up their away form intact until the end of the season.
3. Relatively easier fixtures ahead
Arsenal have played most of their title rivals already. They have played http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and Manchester City twice and Manchester United and Spurs once. This leave them with a home game against Manchester United and an away trip to White Hart Lane as their two main tough fixtures.
Compared to their rivals both Manchester United and Chelsea are yet to play each other this season in the league and have to play 4 big matches before the end of the season. Whereas Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have 3 title defining fixtures left in the season.
Matches against rivals can prove decisive as last weekend was a proof of that. Both Manchester United and Tottenham dropped points after playing out a goalless draw.
Add to that, the number of home games Arsenal have to play. Four of their next 6 league matches are at the Emirates and a good run could see them top of the pile towards the end of February.
Compared to Arsenal, who have 9 home and 7 away games left, Manchester United play 9 times away from home and only 8 times at Old Trafford. The fixture list can prove to be the difference as to which team goes on to win the title.
It’s true that injuries and squad strengths are going to play their part but home games in the second half of the season are pivotal especially against a weaker opposition. Managers can rest players and make substitutions earlier than normal to keep their star players fresh.
If prediction on who will win the league this year is to be based on the fixture list, then it’s Arsenal who are favourites for the title.
Continued in part 3
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