The 2017/18 Premier League fixtures have been released and while Arsenal have one of the toughest starts in the top five, they’ve got a relatively smooth run-in to secure Champions League football.

Arsenal’s opening games include trips away to Stoke and Liverpool; two teams Arsene Wenger’s side have struggled against on their turf.

The Gunners’ fifth fixture is Chelsea, last season’s title winners, at Stamford Bridge, which will also prove to be a huge test early in the campaign.

However, after this, Arsenal have a relatively easy run-in.

The maths bit

If all the Premiership teams are ranked one – 20, with one being the ‘best’ (Chelsea) and 20 being the ‘worst’ (Hudderfield), and you add five points on for home advantage, Arsenal score 64 points for game weeks one to six. This is the lowest score, i.e. the hardest run, out of the entire top five.

However, from week seven onward, Arsenal have at least one team in the top five with a lower score.

Chelsea, for example, only have a marginally easier start (70), and then from game week 27 – 32, they have a horrific time (66), facing Manchester United away, City away, and Tottenham at home.

This comes at a crucial point in the season.

Tottenham, however, also score lowest only once: game weeks 20 – 26.

Perhaps there’s hope for Arsenal yet? Or will we just see a repeat of another tight season?