Arsenal continued their 2022/23 Premier League title charge with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United. The victory means Mikel Arteta's men sit seven points clear at the top of the table and will enter 2023 as league leaders.
The Gunners have now won 13 of their 15 league games this season and go into the January transfer window full of confidence. As Arteta's side outplayed their London rivals, work behind-the-scenes continued and the club's first official bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk was submitted to Shakhtar Donetsk.
An added option within Arsenal's ranks will place them in good stead to compete with Manchester City for their first title in 18 years. Pep Guardiola's side currently have a game in hand against the Gunners, with a trip to Leeds United approaching on Wednesday evening.
READ MORE: Bukayo Saka reveals what Gabriel Jesus did inside Arsenal dressing room after West Ham win
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at Arsenal's next five fixtures as Arteta looks to defend the Gunners' place at the top of the Premier League.
31/12 - Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - Premier League - 5:30pm
The fixtures come thick and fast for Arsenal and they face a 58-mile trip to the Amex Stadium on New Year's Eve to conclude an impressive 2022. A result here could ensure that they go into 2023 at the top of the Premier League table for the first time since 2016.
Brighton have provided many banana skins for the Gunners in recent years, with the Seagulls dumping Arteta's side out of the Carabao Cup before the World Cup break. That could now come as a blessing in disguise with one less fixture out of the congested festive fixture schedule.
03/01 - Newcastle United (H) - Premier League - 7:45pm
This is set to be one of Arsenal's toughest games of the season with Eddie Howe's side really pushing for a place in the top-four. One consolation is that the clash is at the Emirates Stadium and not St. James' Park otherwise the Gunners could have been in for a gruelling pair of away days at opposite ends of the country.
09/01 Oxford United (A) - FA Cup - 8pm
Arsenal will want to go the distance in the FA Cup. Ordinarily, a trip to Oxford United would have been the perfect chance for Arteta to rotate his squad and, while it still does offer the boss that opportunity, the Gunners have a nice break either side of the fixture to give Arteta some freedom in his decision making.
15/01 - Tottenham (A) - Premier League - 4:30pm
The north London Derby. A game which is not to be missed. Tensions will be high and yellow cards will be dished out as red mist descends.
Not much has separated the two rivals in recent times with either side winning three from the previous six meetings. Prior to that, Arsenal and Tottenham drew twice - but no matter the final score there has always been plenty of goals.
22/01 - Manchester United (H) - Premier League - 4:30pm
Erik ten Hag's side are closing in on a place in the top-four, so a result against the Red Devils would be huge. Historically, this has been a fearsome fixture and, with both sides nearing their best again, it's poised to be a great game between Mikel Arteta's side and the only team to beat them so far in the Premier League.
04/02 - Everton (A) - Premier League - 12:30pm
This is a game Arsenal will expect to win with Everton just outside the drop zone. The Toffees are just one point from the bottom-three and Goodison Park will be rocking.
Next five fixtures for Arsenal's top-six rivals
Man City
28/12 - Leeds United (A) - Premier League - 8pm
31/12 - Everton (H) - Premier League - 3pm
05/01 - Chelsea (A) - Premier League - 8pm
08/01 - Chelsea (H) - FA Cup - 4:30pm
10/01 - Southampton (A) - Carabao Cup - 7:45pm
Newcastle United
31/12 - Leeds United (H) - Premier League - 3pm
03/01 - Arsenal (A) - Premier League - 7:45pm
07/01 - Sheffield Wednesday (A) - FA Cup - 6pm
10/01 - Leicester City (H) - 7:45pm
15/01 - Fulham (H) - 2pm
Manchester United
27/12 - Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League - 8pm
31/12 - Wolves (A) - Premier League - 12:30pm
03/01 - Bournemouth (H) - Premier League - 8pm
06/01 - Everton (H) - FA Cup - 8pm
10/01 - Charlton (H) - Carabao Cup - 8pm
Liverpool
30/12 - Leicester City (H)- Premier League - 8pm
02/01 - Brentford (A)- Premier League - 5:30pm
07/01 - Wolves (H) - FA Cup - 8pm
14/01 - Brighton (A) - Premier League - 3pm
21/01 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League - 12:30pm
Tottenham next five fixtures:
01/01 - Aston Villa (H) - Premier League - 2pm
04/01 - Crystal Palace (A) - Premier League - 8pm
07/01 - Portsmouth (A) - FA Cup - 12:30pm
15/01 - Arsenal (H) - Premier League - 4:30pm
19/01 - Tottenham (H) - Premier League - 8pm
READ NEXT:
Nketiah's most important goal, talisman Odegaard: Arsenal winners and losers after West Ham win
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Mykhaylo Mudryk bid, Arsene Wenger return and Nketiah's display
Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard star
Edu given key Arsenal backing to complete striker transfer to replace Gabriel Jesus in January
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
