Arsenal boost as new final Premier League table is forecast after Liverpool draw with Everton

Arsenal received a boost in their pursuit of their first Premier League title since the 2003/04 season, as Liverpool dropped points in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.

The Reds went 1-0 down after just 11 minutes to a Beto goal for Everton. However, they equalised just five minutes later through Alexis MacAllister before Mo Salah took the lead in the 73rd minute.

However, Everton equalised in the 98th minute through James Tarkowski’s stunning volley in the last-ever meeting between the two teams at Goodison Park.

It was a game in hand for Liverpool, meaning that they have now played the same number of matches as Arsenal, and have a seven-point lead over Mikel Arteta’s side, who beat Manchester City 5-1 in their last league game.

Arsenal’s title chances increase in the latest simulation

The Gunners will have watched on Wednesday with intrigue and the hope of a Liverpool defeat. However, a draw means that the gap is at just seven points, and considering that Arsenal have a game against a struggling Leicester side this weekend, things look more positive for Mikel Arteta’s side.

According to a new simulation by Opta of the rest of the Premier League season, Arsenal remain the second favourite to win, but their chances have increased slightly after Liverpool’s draw at Everton. It gives Arsenal a 10.9% chance of winning the league, compared to Liverpool’s chances of 89.05%, an increase after the draw on Wednesday night. Prior to the game, the Reds were given over a 90% chance of winning the title while the Gunners’ hopes were in single figure percentages.

It predicts that the Gunners will finish the season on a total of 79.58 points, which is roughly 10 points less than their tally last season, when they finished just two points off title champions Manchester City.

Whereas it has Liverpool finishing on 87.41 points, a gap of roughly eight points to the Gunners, who will need to capitalise if Liverpool do drop points in their upcoming matches. The prediction also has Manchester City and Nottingham Forest making up the top four just ahead of Chelsea.

Arsenal’s favourable next five games compared to Liverpool

The Gunners face Leicester this weekend, a game in which they will be expected to comfortably win. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have won just one of their last five games. Arsenal won 4-2 in their last meeting.

They then play against West Ham, who are winless in three, and then a tougher game against Nottingham Forest. After that, they play an out-of-sorts Manchester United, before facing Chelsea in a tough game on March 16.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have some tricky fixtures coming up, as they next play against Wolves, which should provide three points. But they then play Aston Villa next week, before Champions League chasing Manchester City and Newcastle - three teams that could warrant dropped points for Arne Slot’s side.

Following the Newcastle match, Liverpool will then have a home game against Southampton, which they should find comfortable at Anfield. Arsenal and Liverpool will play each other on the second-to-last game of the season in what will be a huge clash at Anfield.