Arsenal looked set for all money to lose their unbeaten record to start the 2023/24 Premier League season at Chelsea on Saturday evening.
A couple of tactical spanners from Mauricio Pochettino and the Gunners' own sloppiness saw the Blues take full control of the London derby at the Bridge. Arsenal were seemingly a couple of paces off their effusive opponents and entered the final 15 minutes of the contest 2-0 down.
Declan Rice then handed the visitors a lifeline out of absolutely nothing, and despite their struggles, the distinct momentum shift thrust Chelsea onto the back foot. An equaliser became inevitable, and Leandro Trossard duly provided the moment by poking home at the back post from a wicked Bukayo Saka cross.
The sign of champions, or the continuation of a worrying trend in regards to Arsenal's sluggishness? It remains to be seen how Saturday's draw will be viewed in the weeks and months ahead. While they beat Man City before the break and currently sit level on points with them in the table, the Gunners must improve if they are to gazump the Cityzens at the Premier League summit come the end of term.
Here's how Arsenal's next six fixtures compare to the champions.
Arsenal's next six fixtures
Arsenal's progression in the Carabao Cup means they'll play in three competitions in their next six games. The Gunners have a tricky tie in the fourth round of that competition after beating Brentford as they visit West Ham on 1 November.
Before that, Arsenal are back in Champions League action as they visit Sevilla on Tuesday night. Following their defeat in Lens on Matchday 2, this is a game Mikel Arteta's men could do with getting something from.
The Gunners should then bank three Premier League points when they host bottom dwellers Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. A mightily difficult fixture then awaits after their cup tie in east London as they travel to Newcastle. While Arsenal won on Tyneside at the end of last season, they'll be walking into a fervent cauldron against an in-form Magpies outfit.
Arsenal's next six conclude with the reverse fixture in the Champions League against Sevilla and another kind home league fixture as Vincent Kompany's Burnley come to town.
Manchester City's next six fixtures
Man City will take on Young Boys home and away in the Champions League group stage during their next fixtures. The Cityzens have unsurprisingly taken full control of Group G after beating RB Leipzig in Saxony on Matchday 2.
Pep Guardiola's men were beaten by Newcastle in the third round of the Carabao Cup, so there's no quadruple for the Cityzens to chase in 2023/24. Nevertheless, that defeat does ease their fixture congestion somewhat over the next couple of weeks.
City will be able to focus on several challenging Premier League duels. Their next domestic fixture is the first Manchester derby of the season away at Old Trafford. However, given the Red Devils' indifference, many will expect the visitors to cruise.
A gimme awaits thereafter at home to an incredibly underwhelming Bournemouth side, and after they host Young Boys on Matchday 4 of the group stage, City travel to Chelsea and host Liverpool in a pair of huge Premier League fixtures. Two victories there and many will be proclaiming the Sky Blues champions (again).
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This article was originally published on 90min as Arsenal's next six fixtures compared to Man City after Chelsea draw.