Arsenal have a favourable Premier League fixture schedule over the coming weeks in comparison to title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa after their win against Bournemouth
19:32, 03 Jan 2026
Arsenal beat Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday evening(Image: (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images))
Arsenal survived an early blow and late onslaught at Bournemouth on Saturday evening to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League. Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice (x2) sealed the triumph in between strikes from Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi.
Despite being winless in 10, the Cherries have looked good at home and that was proven by the blistering start to the game with Evanilson capitalising on a big Gabriel mistake to put his side in front after just 10 minutes.
However, the Gunners defender made amends for his error just after the quarter-hour mark when he swept home a loose ball after superb work by Noni Madueke.
The Cherries kept Arsenal at bay for the remainder of the half but found themselves behind 10 minutes after the break when Rice side-footed an effort past Djorde Petrovic following a great pullback from Martin Odegaard.
Bukayo Saka helped add to the score line just four minutes after coming on as he raced in behind Adrien Truffert and pulled back for Rice to notch his second of the game. Kroupi made it a nervous end for the visitors with an excellent strike, but they held on to win a fifth consecutive league outing.
Three points were vital for Arsenal following Aston Villa’s victory over Nottingham Forest earlier in the day before Manchester City host Chelsea. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the fixtures awaiting Arsenal, Man City and Villa.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League fixtures
Liverpool (H) – Jan 8
Nottingham Forest (A) – Jan 17
Manchester United (H) – Jan 25
Leeds United (A) – Jan 31
Sunderland (H) – Feb 7
Verdict: Arsenal are next in action at Emirates Stadium with reigning champions Liverpool as the visitors. Mikel Arteta’s side will be clear favourites to triumph given the two teams’ contrasting campaigns since the reverse fixture.
The Gunners then take on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the City Ground before returning to north London for a clash against Manchester United. Arsenal close out January with a trip to Leeds United before hosting another newly-promoted team in Sunderland.
Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes all played roles in Arsenal’s three goals against Bournemouth(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s next five Premier League fixtures
Chelsea (H) – Jan 4
Brighton (H) – Jan 7
Man United (A) – Jan 17
Wolves (H) – Jan 24
Tottenham (A) – Feb 1
Verdict: Man City could soon be breathing right down Arsenal’s neck, considering their upcoming games. Two home games are up next as Pep Guardiola’s side face Chelsea and Brighton at Etihad Stadium.
A Manchester derby at Old Trafford follows that with City looking to complete a domestic double over Manchester United. Wolves are yet to win away from home with City hosting the Premier League’s bottom side towards the end of the month.
A trip to Tottenham, who won the reverse fixture 2-0, is how City kick off February as they look to avoid another defeat to Spurs.
Aston Villa’s next five Premier League fixtures
Crystal Palace (A) – Jan 7
Everton (H) – Jan 18
Newcastle (A) – Jan 25
Brentford (H) – Feb 1
Bournemouth (A) – Feb 7
Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
Verdict: Villa will have been glad to get back to winning ways considering what awaits. A trip to Crystal Palace, who they have not defeated in their last six attempts, is up first though they are six games without a win.
Everton will be the visitors to Villa Park after that and while a potentially easy match on paper, David Moyes’ side have lost just one of their last six away games. A clash at St James’ Park is their final league match of this month with it unlikely to be another goalless draw, as it was between the two on the opening day.
Villa face Brentford on the first day of February before a trip to Bournemouth, who have only lost two league games at the Vitality Stadium this season.
