The next couple of weeks could make or break Arsenal's season, with fixtures coming thick and fast
17:00, 07 Jan 2026
Head Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Bournemouth, England
View 3 Images
Mikel Arteta has some tough games coming up(Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Arsenal have enjoyed a brilliant first half of the season, but the next couple of weeks could crush Mikel Arteta's hopes of finally getting his hands on a piece of silverware. Since replacing Unai Emery in the dugout, the Gunners boss has only won one major trophy.
Shortly after taking the reins at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, Arteta helped Arsenal win the FA Cup. With his predecessor's squad, he led the north Londoners to a behind-closed-doors victory against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Arteta went on to win a couple of Community Shields and a few Premier League runner-up medals, but he's not lifted a major trophy since. The Spaniard will be determined to finally break his duck this year and celebrate a piece of silverware in front of the club's supporters.
Fortunately, he's well-positioned to do so. The north Londoners have established a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League, and they've already qualified from the UEFA Champions League 'league phase'.
Arsenal also remain in each of the domestic cup competitions, unlike many of their rivals. While the Gunners look set to compete on all fronts, the next couple of weeks could turn the season on its head.
This month, according to Bill Edgar at The Times, Arteta's side will become the first top-flight team in history to play four away games in four different competitions in just 10 days.
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (C) jumps in to join the celebration after Arsenal's Swedish striker #14 Viktor Gyokeres scored the opening goal to take the lead 0-1 during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2025.
View 3 Images
Arsenal face Liverpool on Thursday night(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal will begin by locking horns with Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the FA Cup on Sunday before facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
On the following Saturday, November 17, the Gunners are back in Premier League action in the East Midlands, taking on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Arsenal will then have no more than two days to recharge their batteries before jetting off to Italy to play Inter at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League.
Although the north Londoners have a pair of favourable fixtures in the FA Cup and the Premier League, a disappointing result in either could prove costly – whether that's getting knocked out of a tournament or losing ground in the title race.
Declan Rice of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
View 3 Images
Declan Rice will look to continue his goalscoring form(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Not to mention the fact that Arteta will need to heavily rotate his starting lineup in an effort to keep key players fit and focused. If the Spaniard can successfully lead his side through the 10-day period unharmed then they will stand a great chance of hoovering up silverware in May.
When faced by reporters at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Wednesday, Arteta was asked whether this is the best Arsenal team he’s had. He replied: "I don’t know, I don’t really like comparing.
"I think every week the team is different because of the players available, so the position is different. So to maintain a lot of the great things the team and individuals are doing, consistency is going to be the key to that.
"We know the difficulty of every game, and we are approaching that with a lot of excitement, understanding where we are and with the huge desire that we have to achieve what we want to do in May."
Article continues below
Welcome to 'Seeing Red' - our new Arsenal podcast
We've launched a new Arsenal podcast 'Seeing Red' with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
We'll provide insight and reaction - and have fun along the way - as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.
Click here to view our YouTube channel
Click here to download our podcasts