Concerning statistic emerges ahead of Arsenal's must win match at Brentford

Can Arsenal end a concerning streak at Brentford on Thursday?
Brentford FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Brentford FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | David Price/GettyImages

League-leaders Arsenal have already ticked off many of their toughest Premier League away games, but there are a few more still to go. The Gunners have already left Old Trafford and St James' Park victorious, also getting trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Villa Park and others out of the way.

Arsenal's remaining Premier League away fixtures

Opponent

Date

Current league position

Brentford

12 February

7th

Wolves

18 February

20th

Tottenham Hotspur

22 February

16th

Brighton & Hove Albion

4 March

14th

Manchester City

18/19 April

2nd

West Ham United

9/10 May

18th

Crystal Palace

24 May

13th

Of course, the visit to the Etihad in mid-April looms large but, that aside, Thursday's night's trip to Brentford is, on paper, Arsenal's toughest remaining fixture on the road. The Bees come into this one having won six of their last nine, enjoying back-to-back away wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle.

The Gunners have won each of their last four at the Gtech, but Keith Andrews' side will certainly be no pushovers. If Mikel Arteta's team are going to depart West London victorious, they'll need to overcome a concerning recent trend.

Can Arsenal handle the pressure of the title race?

Since Arsenal's convincing 3-0 victory over Sunderland, title rivals Manchester City have won twice, thereby closing the gap at the top to just three points. Pep Guardiola's team left it late to beat Liverpool on Merseyside at the weekend, before demolishing Fulham 3-0 on Wednesday.

The Gunners therefore go second of the two in this mid-week round of fixtures, which is something they've not handled well recently.

Arsenal's results when playing before or after Manchester City

Opponent

Result

Player before or after Man City?

Sunderland

3-0 win

Before

Leeds United

4-0 win

Before

Manchester United

2-3 loss

After

Nottingham Forest

0-0 draw

After

Liverpool

0-0 draw

After

Bournemouth

3-2 win

Before

Aston Villa

4-1 win

Before

Brighton

2-1 win

After

Everton

1-0 win

After

Wolves

2-1 win

Before

Each of Arsenal's last four Premier League victories have come when playing first of the two title contenders. The last time Arteta's team were able to collect all three points when playing second was two days after Christmas, seeing Man City win late at Nottingham Forest in the early kick off, before also being able to beat Brighton by the same 2-1 scoreline.

Concurrently, when the Gunners dropped points in three successive matches, held to goalless draw by Liverpool and Forest, before defeat at the hands of Man United, they were in action second. This is a concerning trend, given that Arsenal need to respond to the Citizens' victory in West London, while they also go second in upcoming matches against Tottenham and Chelsea.

Does playing first or second make a material difference? Well, it would appear so. Being able to go first and pile the pressure onto your rivals with a victory is an obvious psychological advantage. Around 60% of penalty shootouts are won by the team kicking first, and a similar principle is applicable in this scenario, too.

Gooners everywhere are scarred before previous title races against Man City that have ultimately ended in heartbreak, so the mental battle, as well as that with opponents on the pitch, is where this latest race will be won and lost.

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