High point of Walcott's, and Arsenal's, season is the 5-2 win over us. You would have thought that outcome would have propelled each club in different directions. It has, but not the way you'd think. They went on to draw their next two, then lose at home to Swansea, while we went on a three-win run.
Despite Arsenal enjoying a four-win run through Christmas, we've nicely outpaced them since our last meeting, taking nine ponts more than they have. We've taken 24 out of a possble 33 points, they've taken 15 out of 30, with tomorrow's home match with West Ham to balance out games played. Let's assume they'll win that because West Ham always seem to submit to their inferiority complex with Arsenal. And we know who Karren Brady will be cheering for. So, assuming they're four points back after tomorrow, here's the fixture lists until our next meeting:
We get Norwich and WBA away, home to Saudi Sportswashing Machine, then away to West Ham.
They get home to victims and Stoke, away to Sunderland, home to Aston Villa.
I'm sure we look at all four as winnable. They'd be looking at victims and Stoke as worrisome. Anything that works to increase our lead would be good since we've got the tougher run-in after we play them.
We've got away trips to victims, Swansea, Chelsea and Stoke, and home games with Everton and ManCity. They've got away trips to Swansea and, maybe, QPR to worry about, plus ManU and Everton at home.
For four weeks beginning the end of March to Feb. 20, we go Swansea away, Everton home, Chelsea away, ManCity home. Very tough stretch.
They have a far easier time of it with Reading home, WBA away, Norwich home, Fulham away.
Apart from part two of the NLD, That's where the rubber meets the road in our season. If we're still in fourth(or better) after that, we're in good shape.
PS - I haven't overlooked Everton in my thoughts. Until we play Arsenal, they have a fairly easy schedule, with only a visit to ManU to concern them. The run-in has them playing a tougher set of matches.
And victims? Tough twosome coming up, both away, to Arsenal, and ManCity. Be good to see a bigger gap form as they have all remaining matches against top clubs at home - Us, Swansea, Chelsea and Everton.