Looking at Arsenal’s Action-Packed January Fixture Schedule

Arsenal rounded off 2025 with an impressive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates. This win ensured the Gunners hold a five-point lead at the end of the year. During the 2025/26 season, Mikel Arteta’s team have only suffered two defeats in all competitions and made the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Chelsea. As we prepare to start 2026, Arsenal are set for a jam-packed fixture list for January. Here are the Gunners’ fixtures for the first month of 2026.

Arsenal Fixture List: The Gunners Set for Busy January

Bournemouth – January 3

The first fixture for the Gunners in 2026, sees them travel to the south coast to face the unpredictable but dangerous Bournemouth. They have proved their mettle with a 2-2 draw against Chelsea and a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Andoni Iraola’s team cannot be overlooked. But it’s difficult to see Arsenal not collecting three points in this fixture.

Liverpool – January 8

The first Arsenal home fixture will see the Gunners face Liverpool, one of only two teams to defeat Arsenal in this season’s Premier League. Arne Slot’s team appears to have turned a corner after enduring a terrible run of form. Arsenal vs Liverpool is always an entertaining fixture, with a plethora of attacking talent on display.

Portsmouth – January 11

On January 11, the Gunners travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup. The South Coast club are currently 21st in the Championship. Even with the Gunners’ expected changes, it’s difficult to see anything other than a comfortable win for Mikel Arteta’s team.

Chelsea – January 14

The next fixture on Arsenal’s stacked January schedule is the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners recently played Chelsea, who, despite being down to ten men, produced an impressive and resolute performance to draw 1-1 with Mikel Arteta’s team. We can expect Chelsea to pick a near full-strength team, while Arsenal have tended to rest players in this season’s Carabao Cup.

Nottingham Forest – January 17

Nottingham Forest have undoubtedly improved on their disastrous early-season form. Sean Dyche has installed a resoluteness, which they seemed to lose under the brief guidance of Ange Postecoglou. They still need to improve in the second half of the season to reach the safety of mid-table. They proved recently how tough they can be to play, losing narrowly, 2-1, to Manchester City. They have the attacking talent to hurt Arsenal, but can they keep the Gunners out?

Inter Milan – January 20

Arsenal have a 100% record in this season’s Champions League, and will return to European action on January 20, where they will face Inter Milan at the San Siro. Milan are currently top of Serie A and have the talent to trouble Arsenal, with players such as Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella.

The Gunners look relentless in the Champions League and have already beaten Bayern Munich 3-1.

Manchester United  – January 25

Returning to Premier League action on January 25, Arsenal will face their old bitter rivals, Manchester United. Ruben Amorim’s team have undoubtedly improved this season, but are still struggling for consistency. 

Despite their improvements, it would take a season-best performance to beat Arsenal.

Kairat – January 28

In the Champions League, Arteta’s team will host Kairat. Kairat are currently top of the Kazakhstan top flight. Despite their dominant form in their own league, they have struggled to make any kind of impact in Europe, collecting only one point from their first six games in Europe’s premier club competition.

Leeds United – January 31

The final fixture in January will see Arsenal travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United. Travelling to Leeds can be a challenge for even the best team’s but with Arsenal in such dominant form this season, it’s difficult to see the Gunners getting anything less than three points to maintain their charge towards the Premier League title.