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London. — Arsenal could leapfrog Manchester City in an early season showdown for the Premier League title tomorrow as crisis-hit Manchester United seek some respite at home to Brentford.
Tottenham have the chance to go top when they travel to Luton on Saturday thanks to a controversial win over Liverpool last weekend.
The Reds are looking to channel their fury at being wronged by a VAR error at Spurs to bounce back at Brighton.
AFP Sport picks out three talking points ahead of the action in the English top flight.
Arteta sweats on Saka fitness as City loom.
Arsenal’s dreams of a first Premier League title since 2004 were shattered by City’s strong finish to last season.
That included two victories for Pep Guardiola’s men over the Gunners and Mikel Arteta’s record against his former mentor does not read well.
Arteta has lost all seven league games against Guardiola during his time in charge at the Emirates, with the aggregate score reading a painful 19-3.
Arsenal smashed their transfer record to beat City to the signing of Declan Rice with the aim of wrestling the title away from Manchester.
And City gave the contenders to their crown a huge boost when the champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Wolves last weekend.
But the Gunners could be without the talismanic talent of Bukayo Saka for Sunday’s clash.
The England winger, who has started 87 consecutive league games, limped out of the midweek Champions League defeat by Lens. City are also without one of their key men as Rodri completes a three-game ban for his red card against Nottingham Forest last month.
Man Utd at low ebb
United were supposed to be in the middle of a run of winnable fixtures that would get their season back on track.
Instead, they find themselves battling to avoid a third straight defeat when Brentford visit Old Trafford on Saturday after painful home losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. Erik ten Hag’s men are already seven points off the top four after losing four of their opening seven games of a Premier League season for the first time.
Brentford have only beaten United once since 1938 but that came last season, when Thomas Frank’s men won 4-0 at their London ground.
Ten Hag did not expect an easy ride after an encouraging first campaign at the helm but the problems are piling up.
Fixtures
Saturday (4pm unless stated)
Luton v Tottenham (1.30pm), Burnley v Chelsea, Everton v Bournemouth, Fulham v Sheffield United, Manchester United v Brentford, Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest (6.30pm)
Sunday (3pm unless stated)
Brighton v Liverpool, West Ham v Newcastle, Wolves v Aston Villa, Arsenal v Manchester City (5.30pm)
Online Reporter