Arsenal set for make-or-break period as Premier League dream comes under threat

Arsenal have emerged as unlikely Premier League title contenders after winning six of their opening seven league games, but their credentials will be put to the ultimate test over the next six weeks as the fixtures begin to pile up ahead of the World Cup.

Mikel Arteta may have fallen short in his bid to end Arsenal's multi-year exile from the Champions League, but the Spaniard did manage to bring the feel-good factor back to the Emirates and repair the disconnect that had grown between the club and it's fanbase.

But the onus is now on Arteta to go one further following another summer of significant backing. No Premier League side spent more than the Gunners did 12 months ago, and the club invested heavily again in the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira during the off-season.

All three have played a significant role in Arsenal's impressive start to the season, which saw them win their first five matches. The Gunners stormed past Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Fulham and Aston Villa before their perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end at the hands of Manchester United.

Arsenal brushed themselves down rebounded in style and to retain their at the top of the table with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Brentford prior to the international break.

But after seeing their side fall away in the chase for the top-four in the final weeks of last season, fans will not be taking anything for granted at this early stage - particularly with some of the fixtures that lie ahead in the six weeks before the Premier League pauses for the World Cup.

Join the debate! Where do you think Arsenal will be in the Premier League table before the mid-season break? Let us know here.

October fixtures in full:Tottenham (H) Oct 1, FK Bodo/Glimt (H) Oct 6, Liverpool (H) Oct 9, FK Bodo/Glimt (A) Oct 13, Leeds (A) Oct 16, PSV Eindhoven (H) Oct 20, Southampton (A) Oct 23, PSV Eindhoven (A) Oct 27, Nottingham Forest (H) Oct 30.

Arsenal kick off a hectic run of fixtures with the chance to exact a measure of revenge on Tottenham after their north London rivals pipped them to a Champions League spot last year. The Gunners could be forced to start the month without some key first-team stars, though, with Thomas Partey expected to miss out through injury. It was also confirmed this week that Emile Smith Rowe has undergone groin surgery, meaning he is unlikely to return to training until December.

Following Saturday's derby date, Arsenal host Liverpool in between consecutive Europa League matches against FK Bodo/Glimt. The Gunners failed to score in any of the four matches they played against Liverpool last year, but with Jesus now leading the line and Liverpool out of form, Arsenal could be entertaining Jurgen Klopp's side at the perfect time.

Fixtures against Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham Forest represent a good opportunity for Arsenal to get more points on the board during a relentless 30 day period, while home and away matches against PSV Eindhoven are likely to go a long way in determining who will top Group A.

November fixtures in full: FC Zurich (H) Nov 3, Chelsea (A) Nov 6, Brighton (H) Nov 9, Wolves (A) Nov 12.

Arsenal start the final round of fixtures ahead of the World Cup with a return match against FC Zurich, who they beat 2-1 earlier this month.

The Gunners will then tangle with another 'Big Six' rival as they travel to Chelsea. Stamford Bridge was a happy hunting ground for Arsenal, who ended a run of five consecutive league defeats with a resounding 4-2 win over their London rivals.

Eddie Nketiah bagged a brace in that monumental win while Bukayo Saka also played a crucial role in that match and netted a late penalty. The latter was recently crowned England's Player of the Year but has not exactly been firing on all cylinders in the Premier League so far this term - something both Arsenal and Saka will be eager to change before the action pauses for the World Cup.

Matches against Brighton and Wolves cap a hectic run of fixtures which will go a long way to defining Arsenal's season before the domestic campaign is put on hold for six weeks.

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