If the Premier League title is to end up in Arsenal's trophy cabinet for the first time since 2004 this season, the Gunners are going to have to produce something of a miraculous comeback.
Twelve games into the Premier League season and with the busy festive fixture schedule upon us, Arsenal are fourth in the table. They are, however, nine points off the top, with Liverpool, under new head coach Arne Slot, enjoying an impressive start to the campaign.
It was expected to be something of a transition season for Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp departing the club after nine years in charge, but Slot has hit the ground running and the Reds have been near faultless, not just in the Premier League but in the Champions League as well.
Arsenal can make up ground on one of Liverpool or City this weekend, with it being Liverpool versus City on Sunday afternoon - the day after Arsenal face West Ham United at the London Stadium.
And Arsenal have been handed a major advantage in the title race thanks to the fixture computer. This is always the busiest time of year, with the Gunners playing every weekend and midweek between now and the new year.
Arteta's side face eight games in 28 days in all competitions, with an extra two in the new year making it ten games in 36 days. Crucially for Arsenal in that run, they only leave London once - and that's a short trip to Brighton on January 4.
The Gunners have four Premier League home games, with a home tie in the Carabao Cup and three away matches at West Ham, Fulham and Brentford before that trip to Brighton.
Even after January 4 they then have three straight home games in the Premier League and Champions League, meaning there are no long trips for the next two months. London derbies bring with them their own pressures, but while Liverpool and City face the prospect of trips around the country, Arsenal do not have that problem and it could be huge come the final standings.
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