Alan Smith: Arsenal to Widen City Gap Before North London Derby 

Key Points

• Arsenal legend Alan Smith predicts the Gunners will extend their lead over Manchester City from the current seven-point gap to eight points or more before the North London derby at the end of February.
• Smith’s assessment covers Arsenal’s next five fixtures: home against Manchester United this weekend, away at Leeds, home versus Sunderland, away at Brentford, and home against Tottenham Hotspur.
• He describes Arsenal’s run as “not an easy run” but believes they are capable of securing full points, potentially drawing one or two games, with Leeds flagged as tricky and a win still fancied against Spurs.
• On Manchester City, Smith highlights their upcoming games against Liverpool away and Newcastle at home, suggesting City could drop points given their form.
• The prediction stems from an interview conducted by Best Betting Sites UK, where Smith was asked to evaluate the fixtures.

North London (North London News) January 22, 2026 – Arsenal legend Alan Smith has predicted that Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will extend their seven-point lead over Manchester City despite a challenging run of five fixtures leading up to the North London derby at the end of February.

Smith, speaking to Best Betting Sites UK, acknowledged the difficulty of Arsenal’s schedule but expressed confidence in their ability to gain ground on the champions.

“Not an easy run [for Arsenal]. Who knows? They’re well capable of getting full points. Chances are, they might draw one or possibly two. I’d still fancy them to beat Spurs. Leeds might be a tricky one,”

he stated.

He further noted Manchester City’s own testing matches, including an away trip to Liverpool and a home clash with Newcastle, predicting they might falter.

“Looking at City, they’ve got Liverpool away, Newcastle at home. So, the kind of form they’re in, they might drop points as well. So, the gap’s seven at the moment. I’ll say it’d go up to eight, possibly.”

Who Is Alan Smith and Why Does His Prediction Matter?

Alan Smith, a former Arsenal striker who won the league title with the club in 1989 and later played for Leicester City and England, brings decades of insider perspective to his analysis. His comments, as reported exclusively by Best Betting Sites UK in their fixture preview feature, carry weight among fans and pundits given his history with the Gunners.

Smith’s verdict aligns with Arsenal’s current strong form under Mikel Arteta, who has transformed the team into title contenders. The prediction underscores the high stakes of the upcoming games, where any slip could reignite City’s dominance.

As a neutral observer, Smith balances optimism for Arsenal with realism about the challenges ahead, avoiding overconfidence.

What Are Arsenal’s Next Five Fixtures in Detail?

Arsenal’s immediate schedule, as outlined by Smith in the Best Betting Sites UK interview, begins this weekend with a home match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. This fixture pits Arteta’s side against a resurgent United team under their management.

Next follows an away trip to Leeds United, which Smith specifically highlighted as potentially tricky due to the home side’s pressing style and Elland Road atmosphere. “Leeds might be a tricky one,” Smith remarked directly to Best Betting Sites UK.

The run continues with a home game against Sunderland next month, followed by an away fixture at Brentford, known for their organised defence. It culminates in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates, where Smith remains bullish: “I’d still fancy them to beat Spurs.”

These matches represent a mix of top-six clashes and mid-table tests, demanding consistency from Arsenal’s squad.

How Does Smith See Arsenal Performing in These Games?

Smith’s outlook is cautiously positive, starting with his direct quote to Best Betting Sites UK:

“Not an easy run [for Arsenal]. Who knows? They’re well capable of getting full points. Chances are, they might draw one or possibly two.”

He envisions Arsenal navigating the sequence with minimal losses, leveraging their depth and home advantage. The Leeds away game stands out as the potential stumbling block, but overall, he tips them to emerge stronger.

This assessment reflects Smith’s belief in Arteta’s tactical setup, which has seen Arsenal grind out results even when not at their fluid best.

Could Draws Cost Arsenal Dearly?

Smith explicitly allows for one or two draws, stating to Best Betting Sites UK,

“Chances are, they might draw one or possibly two.”

Such outcomes would still position Arsenal favourably if City drops points.

However, in a tight title race, draws against lower opposition like Sunderland or Brentford could invite criticism, though Smith’s view prioritises points accumulation over perfection.

Why Might Manchester City Drop Points According to Smith?

Turning to Arsenal’s rivals, Smith dissected City’s calendar with precision.

“Looking at City, they’ve got Liverpool away, Newcastle at home. So, the kind of form they’re in, they might drop points as well,”

he told Best Betting Sites UK.

The Liverpool away fixture evokes memories of intense Anfield battles, where City have occasionally faltered. Newcastle at home, meanwhile, pits them against a physical side buoyed by St James’ Park energy.

Smith ties this to City’s current form, implying recent inconsistencies could amplify the risk. The existing seven-point gap, as he noted—“the gap’s seven at the moment”—provides Arsenal breathing room.

What Is the Predicted Gap After These Fixtures?

Smith’s headline forecast is clear: “I’ll say it’d go up to eight, possibly,” he concluded in the Best Betting Sites UK piece. This would extend Arsenal’s advantage heading into the derby, intensifying pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men.

Such a margin would mark a psychological blow for City, who have dominated recent seasons. Smith’s prediction hinges on Arsenal’s resilience matching or exceeding City’s stumbles.

When Is the North London Derby and Why Is It Pivotal?

The North London derby against Tottenham, scheduled at the end of February, serves as the endpoint for Smith’s analysis.

“I’d still fancy them to beat Spurs,”

he asserted to Best Betting Sites UK, betting on Arsenal’s derby pedigree.

This clash often transcends league standings, fuelling narratives of rivalry. A win here, per Smith, would cement Arsenal’s authority in the title chase.

Victory would not only add points but boost morale ahead of March’s international break.

How Has Arsenal’s Form Supported Smith’s Confidence?

Arsenal’s trajectory under Arteta justifies Smith’s faith. Recent wins have built the seven-point lead Smith referenced—“the gap’s seven at the moment”—through disciplined defending and clinical finishing.

Key players like the forward line have stepped up, while midfield control has stifled opponents. Smith’s familiarity with the club’s DNA lends authenticity to his endorsement.

What Challenges Lie in Arsenal’s Squad Depth?

Beneath the optimism, fixture congestion tests squad rotation. Injuries or fatigue could force reliance on fringes, though Arteta’s management has mitigated this so far.

Smith’s allowance for draws—“might draw one or possibly two”—accounts for such variables without pessimism.

Who Conducted the Interview with Alan Smith?

The insights originate from Best Betting Sites UK, a platform specialising in football previews and expert opinions. Their feature prompted Smith with:

“Asked to assess the upcoming fixtures by Best Betting Sites UK.”

This attribution ensures transparency, as the outlet captured Smith’s unfiltered views verbatim.

Could External Factors Influence the Run?

Weather, VAR decisions, or midweek cups add unpredictability, yet Smith’s focus remains on on-pitch merits. His broad experience tempers such externalities.

Neutrality demands noting both clubs’ capabilities, as Smith did without bias.

What Do Fans Make of Smith’s Prediction?

Arsenal supporters have welcomed Smith’s words, circulating quotes like “They’re well capable of getting full points” across social media. City fans counter with their squad’s quality.

As a journalist, reactions amplify the story’s resonance without dictating outcomes.

Broader Title Race Implications?

Extending to eight points, as Smith predicts—“it’d go up to eight, possibly”—shifts dynamics. Liverpool and others lurk, but Arsenal-City remains the duel.

Smith’s verdict, rooted in Best Betting Sites UK’s probing, positions the Gunners as frontrunners through February.