Arsenal face 20 daunting days that could define their season

Arsenal have kept themselves in the title picture and their showdown with leaders Leicester on Sunday is likely to provide a clearer indication of their credentials.

The match at Emirates Stadium could be pivotal to the outcome of the race at the top of the table.

Arsenal will move to within two points of Leicester with a win but defeat will leave them eight points behind Claudio Ranieri’s team.

“It is a very big one for us,” said Arsene Wenger after his side beat Bournemouth yesterday to move above Manchester City and level with Tottenham in second place.

Leicester maintained their remarkable title charge with a 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday but Arsenal are back in the hunt after a routine victory that ended a run of four Premier League games without a win and three without a goal.

It was a timely return to form for the Gunners ahead of a testing period over 20 days that could define their season.

After facing Leicester, they host Hull in the FA Cup fifth round, entertain Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, travel to Manchester United, take on Swansea at home and then conclude with the derby away to Tottenham.

It promises to be true test of mind and matter but Arsenal enter that daunting passage buoyed by a result that restores some belief.

Focus has already turned to their midday kick-off against Leicester and Wenger has cranked up the heat on their rivals by saying they are now title favourites. Ranieri, meanwhile, believes the leaders can play without fear while other teams in the title race are “nervous” of his side.

But Wenger insists Arsenal have “enough quality and nerve” to deal with the occasion and Aaron Ramsey feels they have built some vital momentum ahead of the game.

“It was important to win against Bournemouth and bounce back,” said the midfielder. “Especially with the result that Leicester got against Manchester City on Saturday.

“It was important to stay within touching distance of them. It is going to be an interesting game now. What they have done this season is quite remarkable. We have got to be right on it to get three points.

“Hopefully we can take some momentum into that game and come away with a victory.”

There remain doubts about whether Arsenal can go the distance in the title race and Thierry Henry has questioned whether they can hold their nerve. But former Arsenal striker Benik Afobe, who was in the Bournemouth side yesterday, believes his old team can win their first title since 2004.

“This time of the season they normally fall a bit behind and lose games they should be winning,” said Afobe. “It has been the same every year but it can be different for them this season. I think they can win it. No one believed there would be this many teams in the title race and it is all to play for. If Arsenal win the League it would be great for them after so many years. But there are fantastic teams who are fighting against them.”

Arsenal were not at their fluent best against Bournemouth but first-half goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were enough to end their winless run.

Ramsey and Ozil were instrumental and another source of comfort was the sight of Francis Coquelin back after more than two months out with a knee injury. Coquelin came off the bench in the second half and could play an important role in the holding midfield position during the title run-in, which starts in earnest this weekend.