Arsenal vs Fulham: Premier League fixture list begging for consistency

Arsenal have their season riding on a Europa League triumph. Having dug themselves into the hole they find themselves in domestically, all eyes are on two meetings with Unai Emery’s Villarreal and then whatever may await beyond.

Does that mean the Premier League is an empty void? A string of nothingness only useful for resting first team stars ahead of European ventures? It does not.

Following the superb 4-0 success away at Slavia Prague in the Europa League, Arsenal have five of their eight matches to come against sides in the bottom half of the table, with four of those coming against sides placed 15th or under – at the time of writing.

There is also a frail Crystal Palace side to come with Chelsea and Everton the standout fixtures before the end of the season.

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Arsenal vs Fulham: Premier League fixture list begging for consistency as there is momentum to build for Mikel Arteta’s side

As has been repeated many times, Arsenal may still be left with no European football next season as Villarreal and one of either Roma or Manchester United tough matches in wait to lift a Europa League title, so league form can, at least, set a precedent for the coming campaign.

It remains wholly unlikely that their place in next season’s continental competitions will be secured via league position, and lord knows nobody wants to be playing in the UEFA Conferance National Embarrassment C League Cup. Thus, build a run together, see what happens and forge some momentum heading into a summer of extensive overhauling.

That starts with Fulham on Sunday.

Matches that Arsenal, on paper, should be winning must end up as such. Relegation fodder on home soil is the ideal confidence boosting clash to kick-start a strong end to the season, one that could still be ever so slightly uplifted by celebrating St. Totteringham’s Day.

It means little in the grand scheme of things, as an eighth(ish) finish with European heartbreak is impossible to remedy, but at least from a fans’ perspective it would be welcome to have something, however small, to cheer about.

But beyond finishing above another football club, the path needs to be laid. One that Arsenal will hope to proudly trod and not perilously tread.

Consistency has been a word only used in north London to describe what the Gunners’ lack. Stringing some positive results together will filter through into the Europa League. Start laying foundations. Bury that pre-Christmas run as deep into the soil as you can.