Arsenal’s challenging fixture list has been tossed around the media of late, almost as if people are waiting for our season to go kerplunk.

It is true that in recent years, the month of February has been of little comfort to Arsenal fans, crashing out of the F.A Cup or the Champions League, perhaps both, and there is a growing feeling we are teetering on the brink as we enter the most challenging part of the season.

The goings gets tough

Competing for a trophy is never going to be a walk in the park, and a season is likely to entail ups and downs throughout. The Gunners could well be at a cross-roads as we enter a difficult period of the season.

Wenger announced a fresh blow as this month of fixtures will have to be played without the Welsh maestro Ramsey. So far this year we have managed to stay in contention without him, although his work-rate is sorely missed. Along with the absence of Wilshere and Flamini puts a considerable chink in the once robust midfield.

So much so that the signing of experienced Swede, Kim Kallstrom, 31, has been brought into fill the gap. Only time will tell what Kallstrom can bring to the squad, and many will be surprised not only that he has come to the Emirates, but that a striker hasn’t.

It highlights the emphasis that Wenger places on the midfield, and they certainly will need to clicking if we are to get through the next month unscathed.

The fixtures

Crystal Palace (H) - Palace will be riding a wave of optimism as Pulis has given them a sniff of survival. It will take a considerable attacking performance to break them down, but Arsenal earned a hard-fought victory at Selhurst Park and a performance of equal standard should see them victorious at the Emirates.

Liverpool (A) - Liverpool’s impressive performance against Everton has them as favourites for fourth spot, but they will have higher aspirations and will be looking to atone after being outclassed at the Emirates.

The game at Anfield is one in which we will probably be trying our best not to lose, rather than going all full throttle for the victory. Arsenal will have to significantly shift up the gears from the draw at St. Mary’s, or they could be looking over their shoulders sooner than they had anticipated.

Man Utd (H) - Our record against United has not been one to relish for a few seasons now and the defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season, made it look like a psychological issue. At home and against the current United crop you hope the mentality can be reversed, although this will have become slightly harder with the introduction of one Mata, scoring four and assisting three in his last five against Arsenal.

It would be extremely satisfying to stem the optimism growing around the Moyes’s tenure.

Sunderland (H) - Another side that have risen from the depths after a change in manager,  although Arsenal have won enough of these games at home to muster up the necessary  performance. Games like these have often caused slip-ups for Arsenal in recent seasons, but we have progressed enough this year to feel confident going into these matches.

Assessing the Competition

As much as it pains me to say, I think we could be seeing the Premier League taking a more defined shape by the end of this month. Not that the display against Southampton was a turning point, and I would love to be proved wrong, but the Gunners will have to respond by shifting up the gears if they want to remain in contention.

Mourinho’s proclamation that Wenger loves a complaint took an ironic twist this week, as he lives up to his reputation as the most hypocritical manger in world football. Chelsea enjoy three extra days rest this month, and his quip at Big Sam highlights his worry in being six points behind Man City when their teams meet on Monday.

Pellegrini certainly has his Manchester City side purring, and although they might be some way from Sherwood’s declaration of the best team in the world, they have transformed into a juggernaut that look difficult to stop. A huge game at home to Chelsea should assert their dominance at the top, although Arsenal fans will be keen for a draw.

I can’t see the Gunners not slipping up this month, although the optimist inside me (as small as he may be) fancies a victory against United if we play without the handbrake. Despite this Man City could well be extending their lead at the top of the table this month.

Latest: