Mikel Arteta only has a couple of days on the training pitches at London Colney before Arsenal return to action. After being held to a draw at Craven Cottage by Fulham, the Gunners must begin preparations for a clash against Monaco in the Champions League.
Arsenal will host the French side at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, with an automatic knockout stage qualification place up for grabs. The two clubs almost have an identical record; a one goal difference separates the Gunners in seventh from Monaco in eighth.
The Ligue 1 outfit defeated Barcelona earlier in the campaign, so Arsenal will have to be at their very best.
AS Monaco (H) – Champions League – Wednesday, December 11
Fortunately for Arsenal, this is the first of three successive home games. The festive fixture schedule takes no prisoners, so the Gunners must be ready for what the French outfit throws at them.
Everton (H) – Premier League – Saturday, December 14
Arsenal have won each of their last three games against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, with their last defeat to the Toffees on home soil coming in April 2021. Back then, Carlo Ancelotti was in charge of the Merseyside outfit and Dani Ceballos was still a Gunner.
Crystal Palace (H) – Carabao Cup – Wednesday, December 18
Arsenal will play Crystal Palace twice in quick succession before Christmas, with the first of which being in the Carabao Cup. Having struggled to get his hands on silverware, Arteta will be determined to go the distance.
Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 21
Before the Gunners enjoy their– albeit brief – festive break, they must face the Eagles again. Arsenal currently trail Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race, but could very easily narrow the deficit over the festive period.
Ipswich Town (H) – Premier League – Friday, December 27
After a well-deserved festive break, Arsenal are back in action at the Emirates Stadium. This will be the Gunners’ final game of 2024, and Arteta will be hoping to end the year at the top of the table.
