How many points do Arsenal need to WIN the Premier League title? How difficult is their run-in? All the key fixtures and past title-winning tallies you need to know as Mikel Arteta's men go for glory

• e-mail

Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, with a crucial game in hand over nearest rival Manchester City. 

Mikel Arteta believes his burgeoning side - who will hit 100 points if their trajectory remains over 38 games - will likely need to accumulate over 90 to have a chance of winning their first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger's Invincibles in 2003/04.

Sportsmail takes a look at what factors will come into play as Arsenal look to continue on their current path, how many points it has previously taken to win the Premier League and how Arteta's teams have fared during his tenure. 

Fresh off a 3-2 victory against rivals Manchester United, the Gunners are poised to win the title

Who do Arsenal play in the run-in? 

Arsenal's only defeat this campaign came away from home against Man United in September

Arsenal have already faced some stern tests away from home this season, including Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea. Yet, there are some sizable tests ahead. 

Mikel Arteta's men must play Manchester City twice - on February 15 (H) and April 26 (A) - before some challenging away days. 

Anfield, the site of many hidings, awaits. A trip to what is sure to be a fired-up Goodison Park is Arsenal's next match following the FA Cup break, before Newcastle host the Gunners in the first week of May. 

London foes Fulham and West Ham could look to spoil the party in the coming months too. 

April is shaping up to be the most pivotal of months for the Gunners with trips to Liverpool, West Ham and Manchester City.

Just three days following the all-important clash at the Etihad, Chelsea arrive at the Emirates.

If Arsenal are to get through the penultimate month, they could be on their way to glory.

May, Newcastle aside, looks to be rather favourable with Brighton (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Wolves (H) to come in Arsenal's final three games. 

With Tottenham and Manchester United out of the way, there is reason for optimism heading into the second half of the season. 

Having lost one game so far this season, there should be little rationale for fear of any kind, irrespective of the venue or club in which Arsenal face. 

Previous title-winning tallies 

The 90-point mark is widely thought of as being enough for Arsenal to secure the league this season, and rightly so. 

Historically, just 11 of the Premier League's 30 title-winning teams have lifted the trophy with 90+ points.  Though in recent years, it has been a borderline necessity - just ask Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. 

Manchester City, in a recent rarity, cruised to the 2020/21 title as Liverpool fell off a cliff, accruing 86 points with a final 12-point buffer over Manchester United.  

Since Leicester's triumph in 2015/16, City's 2020 team are the sole club to win without hitting the famed figure as five of the last six title-winners have accrued over 90 points. The five previous winning totals are 93, 86, 99, 98 and 100 respectively.  

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are hunting their third successive title and fifth in six years

How many points can Arsenal get?

In theory, Arsenal can achieve a maximum of 107 points in the 2022/23 Premier League season. 

That is, if they were to win all remaining 19 games. Such a tally would break the current points record, of 100, held by Manchester City. 

For Arsenal to equal City, the Gunners must maintain their record over the first 19 games of the campaign. So far, the North London club have won 16, drawn two and lost one. 

Arsenal have shown great skill and fortitude both at home and away from the Emirates so far

Naturally, there is much excitement as to how and when Arsenal could pick up points throughout the second half of the season. Though, Mikel Arteta isn't overly concerned with getting his calculator out. 

'I don't want to do too many calculations,' he said immediately following the 2-0 win at Tottenham earlier this month. 

'You ask me about points but it's happened (90 points) in the last four or five seasons so it will demand almost perfection.' 

How the 2022/23 Arsenal team compares to Arteta's past sides 

After failing to qualify for the Champions League following a spectacular collapse during the run-in last season, Arsenal were not thought of as bona fide title contenders in the summer. Yet with half the season to play, they - currently, at least - look the more convincing of the top clubs. 

Pressure mounted on Mikel Arteta as Spurs snatched the fourth - and final - Champions League place from under Arsenal's nose at the end of 2021/22, but he has repaid the faith shown in him by Gunners owner Stan Kroenke and the board. 

Arsenal's ascent to the Premier League apex has taken time, but there has been a gradual progression over recent seasons. During Arteta's first full season, in 2020/21, the Gunners finished eighth with 61 points. 

Last campaign, Arsenal spring-boarded to fifth, accumulating an extra eight points. Although it was severely dampened after missing out on the Champions League to Tottenham by two points. 

Already this season, Arsenal have 50 points and would need seven wins in their next 19 to eclipse Arteta's best season. Whether or not Arsenal can hold on, this campaign has been a stunning rise for the north London club.

Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal into a genuine title race against Guardiola's vaunted Man City side