Online Reporter
ARSENAL walk into today’s English Premier League football clash with Newcastle United with their margin for error gone, knowing that any stumble at the Emirates could prove fatal to their title hopes.
Arsenal can reclaim the Premier League summit this weekend as in-form Manchester City focus on the FA Cup, while Tottenham and West Ham battle to avoid the final relegation spot.
Mikel Arteta’s side go into the weekend knowing that anything less than victory at the Emirates would hand the initiative straight back to Manchester City, who moved top of the table by the smallest of margins after Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Burnley. City and Arsenal are level on 70 points and goal difference (37), with Pep Guardiola’s side ahead by only three goals scored, but the optics of the race have shifted once again.
Arsenal, who only recently held a commanding lead, are now chasing momentum as well as results.
A 2-1 defeat by City last weekend and their rivals’ relentless pursuit have stripped away any buffer, making Newcastle’s visit a must-win fixture. Arteta insisted his side are “more convinced” than ever that they can hoist the league trophy.
“It’s a new league now,” Arteta said. “Everything is still to play for. We’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”
City are not in league action this weekend as they are playing Southampton in an FA Cup semi-final today, but will watch closely, confident that they can reproduce their superb late-season form of previous seasons.
City, who have netted three more times than Arsenal, have never failed to go on and win the title, having led after 33 games or more in the Premier League. The Gunners, who lost 2-1 at the Etihad last weekend, can return to the top with a win or a draw at home to Newcastle, with City taking on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The following week, Arteta’s men play first, meaning they could be six points clear before City face Everton on May 4.
Perennial runners-up Arsenal, who have the easier run-in on paper, must shrug off their recent collapse and put the pressure back on City. The Blues, currently topping the table for the first time since August, are favourites, but it is not over yet.
At the bottom, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already relegated, the fight for survival is just as unforgiving.
West Ham United host Everton knowing that three points could prove decisive in their bid to stay clear of the drop zone.
Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, face a season defining trip to Wolves, where anything less than victory would leave them staring at the unthinkable as the margins at the foot of the table continue to tighten with every passing game. It is the first time in 49 years that Spurs have been in the drop zone this late in the season, sitting 18th on 31 points, two adrift of 17th-placed West Ham.
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi feels his side can string together five consecutive wins to ensure their survival.
“I always believe in the qualities of the players,” he said after Saturday’s costly 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion. “In this moment we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it’s not finished yet.”
Tottenham desperately need a win at relegated Wolves today to restore hope that they can avoid dropping down to the second tier for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The London team, now under the leadership of De Zerbi, are still winless in the Premier League since December after conceding a late goal in last weekend’s draw with Brighton.
Spurs, 18th in the table, are two points from safety with five games left.
This week the club posted an advert for a lead psychologist as De Zerbi focuses on improving the squad’s mentality.
“I have no time to see negative people, to see sad players or sad assistants,” the Italian said after the Brighton match.
West Ham, in 17th spot, host Everton today, while Nottingham Forest, three points above the Hammers, travelled to face Sunderland last night. Leeds, on 40 points, are all but safe.
Analysts Opta predict Spurs will go down but a win could inject new confidence into the side.
Holders Liverpool can firm up Champions League qualification with a victory over Crystal Palace today at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s men are fifth in a congested top half of the table, but are finally enjoying some momentum with victories in their last two league games.
While securing a top-five finish would be a positive in a disappointing season, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said that is not the club’s standard.
“It’s definitely not the standards I expect and envision myself being a Liverpool player – just to qualify for the Champions League,” the Dutch defender said after last weekend’s 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside Derby.
Manchester United host Brentford on Monday on the verge of securing Champions League qualification, aided by Chelsea’s loss to Brighton this week that dropped the Blues to eighth place and led to manager Liam Rosenior being sacked on Wednesday after their seventh defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions.
FIXTURES
Today (4pm unless stated): Fulham v Aston Villa (1:30pm), Liverpool v Crystal Palace, West Ham v Everton, Wolves v Tottenham, Arsenal v Newcastle (6:30pm)
Monday: Manchester United v Brentford (9pm) – AFP Sport.
