The next seven games are crucial to Arsenal's season

After a credible 0-0 stalemate at White Hart Lane last Sunday with ten men, Arsenal remain five points behind Chelsea in fourth spot and seven behind Aston Villa in third. Arsenal fans the world over are understandably concerned that their beloved club will not make it into the all important top four, which brings with it Champions League football.

The next seven games are vital to Arsenal's season. First of all let's look at our competitors fixtures:

Aston Villa's next seven games are:

Chelsea (H)
Stoke (H)
Manchester City (A)
Tottenham (H)
Liverpool (A)
Manchester United (A)
Everton (H)

Villa play the remaining clubs in the top four during this period and play host to Everton who are impressing in fifth place, Tottenham who are improving and Stoke who are fighting for their Premiership status. They also face a difficult trip to Manchester City who on their day could beat anyone.

Chelsea's next seven fixtures are:

Aston Villa (A)
Wigan (H)
Portsmouth (A)
Manchester City (H)
Tottenham (A)
Newcastle (A)
Bolton (H)

On paper, these fixtures look easier than Aston Villa's. Difficult trips to Villa, Portsmouth, Tottenham and Newcastle, are all traditionally difficult places to visit. Home games against Wigan, Manchester City and Bolton shouldn't cause too much trouble but Chelsea's home form has been erratic so far this season. The Blues also have the added problem of not currently having a manager as Phil Scolari was sacked yesterday.

Arsenal's next seven games are:

Sunderland (H)
Fulham (H)
West Brom (A)
Blackburn (H)
Newcastle (A)
Manchester City (H)
Wigan (A)

The four home games are 'must win' fixtures but Arsenal would feel confident that they can. Away games against West Brom, Newcastle and Wigan could cause some problems, but Arsene Wenger would probably hope to come out of this period unbeaten.

With Aston Villa facing difficult games ahead and managerless Chelsea also facing a tough period, the next seven league games will make or break Arsenal's season, you would feel if they have not caught up by the time they've played Wigan at the JJB Stadium, their season would be over