Where can Arsenal win the 2017 title?

The fixture list was released this morning and as is customary for any self-respecting Gooner I immediately sought out the North London Derby fixtures. Arsenal host Sp*rs on November 5th and travel to White Hart Lane on April 29th in what could be a title showdown.
If this past season has taught us anything it's not to pick out title-clashes so early in the season but I'm a football fan and I'm wont to do stupid things I know I shouldn't — like predict Arsenal will win the title this season.
Should Arsenal follow the script they will follow up their 2nd place finish with a title winning campaign but to do that they need to navigate a relatively tricky fixture list. In recent years we've had a pretty good run-in which has helped propel us up the table; no such luck this time around. Here's a breakdown of the fixtures.
August
Arsenal kick off their campaign at home to Liverpool on August 13th before travelling to the King Power to face champions Leicester — hopefully devoid of leading scoring Vardy — a week later. They finish the month with an away trip to Watford.
This is one of the hardest opening months we've had in years and if Arsenal are to be serious title contenders this time around they need to pick up points early to help them through three particularly tricky months down the line. As the only team to beat Leicester home and away last season I think we'll continue to be Ranieri's bogey team and we really need an opening day win. A draw against Watford would probably unleash a lot of dissent so 9/9 is required for this month.
September
After hopefully dispatching Watford, Arsenal will have two weeks rest before they welcome Southampton to the Emirates. Without Ronald Koeman as manager it's hard to predict what type of team we will face. Promoted Hull City will prove a tough opponent at their own ground and a financially boosted Chelsea and their new manager, Antonio Conte, close out the month at the Emirates. 7/9 would be a respectable return from September.
October
On paper this is our easiest month and a chance to pull away from the pack. However, we face two promoted sides in Burnley (A) and Middlesbrough (H) on the 1st and 22nd of the month respectively and host our own bogey side in Swansea on the 15th. Sunderland away ends the month and they've been adept at frustrating us with 0-0 draws. Any dropped points in this month would be heavily scrutinised for the rest of the season and constantly referenced in any post-mortem should we fail to win the title again. 12/12.
November
This is the least tricky of our three trickiest months but still sees Arsenal's first NLD at home on the 5th *insert pun about fireworks* followed by Wenger facing a Mourinho-led United at Old Trafford. Wenger really needs to beat Mourinho in the league and Old Trafford would be a sensational place to do it considering our form there since 2006 but I admit to not being too confident about scraping a win. Bournemouth travel to the Emirates on the 26th of November. 5/9 should be the minimum target with any more being treasured as a gift.
December
This is possibly our most tricky month because of the sheer frequency of games and the opponents. West Ham host us at the Olympic Stadium on the 3rd of December before we face Stoke (H), Koeman-managed Everton (A) and Guardiola's Manchester City (A) in 8 days. We actually get a nice 8 day rest before we host West Brom on Boxing Day and another 4 days before Crystal Palace travel north on New Year's Eve. Each of those teams has the ability — and recent experience of beating us — to take all three points. If we are to weather the hurricane of tough fixtures from March to May we need to head into 2017 with momentum and a cushion so 15/18 is required.
Should Arsenal pick up the minimum points listed we will start 2017 on 48 points. 80 points should be enough to claim the title with an emboldened middle table and a resurgent Manchester, west London and Liverpool so with 48 Arsenal will only need 32 from their remaining 19 fixtures. 10 wins and 2 draws.
January
The first month of 2017 brings an almost identical tale as October. If we follow the script of the past 10 seasons this is the month we capitulate. This cannot be allowed to happen. Bournemouth (A), Swansea (A), Burnley (H) and Watford (H) will not lie down for us but 6/12 wouldn't be a terrible return as it's likely we'll be a little light in midfield. Arsenal will undoubtedly suffer injuries and Elneny will be away at the AFCON.
February
Chelsea (A), Hull (H) and Southampton (A) make up the February fixtures. Hopefully Arsenal will have integrated a January signing and Elneny comes back from AFCON with strength in his legs. Depending on the manner of performances 5/9 would be respectable.
March
The start of our gauntlet run! Arsenal have little to no respite from the first fixture of March to the final day. A trip to Anfield kicks off the month followed by a visit to the Emirates by Leicester who I predict will be hovering around midtable due to the European fixtures they did not have last time around. West Brom away is the final game of March before a 12-13 day break. 7/9 is probably needed to see us through April.
April
Tricky part 3. Back to back home games against Manchester City and West Ham will test our resolve followed by two away games to Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Sunderland at home on the 22nd could be tough as I expect both north east clubs to be battling relegation. The final game of the season is the 2nd NLD and potentially the last at White Hart Lane. This would be the perfect place to claim our first title since 2004. It would be a hilarious send off and would be a St Totteringham's to top all St Totteringham's. At the very least a guard of honour is what we should be aiming for here. 10/15 could be enough to take the league.
May
If we play to our ability May should be a rubber month but if we are in need of points the opponents are not ideal. Manchester United at home followed by a trip to our bogey ground to play Stoke precede our final game of the 2016/17 season against Everton. 6/9 would be a decent return.
82 points would be the total in this scenario and should give Arsenal their 14th title but it requires a strong first half of the season and a resilient second. In short, we need to play the 2016/17 season like we played the Manchester United home game last season. Aim of obliteration in the first half and defend like madmen in the second.
Are you feeling confident about this coming season? Which fixtures do you think could be the ones to look out for? Leave a comment below and join the discussion.
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(Dates listed are subject to change)
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