With Liverpool in the League Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday, the chasing pack have a chance to close the gap on the Premier League leaders. Manchester City can move to within one point of Jurgen Klopp’s side if they win their game at Bournemouth, while Arsenal must beat Newcastle to stay in touch with the title contenders. AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend’s action:

Arsenal can’t afford the hangover

Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to use the disappointment from the surprise defeat in the Champions League last-16 first leg at Porto to boost their bid for Premier League glory.

The Gunners returned from Portugal empty-handed after Gelano’s stoppage-time strike gave the hosts a 1-0 win on Wednesday.

While the disappointment will linger until the second leg on March 12, England midfielder Rice knows Arsenal cannot afford a Champions League hangover.

Mikel Arteta’s third-placed side will move just two points behind Liverpool if they beat Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but defeat would be a major blow to their bid for a first title since 2004.

“Look, we’ve lost games and drawn games this year, and I’ve looked in the changing rooms after that and it’s been really bad,” said Rice, whose team has won its last five league games.

“We have just lost (to Porto) but there is real positivity in the group at the moment.

“We have had such a good start to 2024, I think we will take positive things from this game, but also look at where we can improve.”

‘No worries’ for Man City regarding Haaland

Manchester City have no concerns about Erling Haaland’s form, according to the Norway striker’s close friend and teammate Oscar Bob.

After scoring in just one of his last seven games – two goals against Everton – Haaland silenced his critics with a priceless winner against Brentford on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old broke down Brentford’s stiff resistance in the second half at the Etihad Stadium with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.

This put City ahead of Liverpool in the race for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

To make history, City boss Pep Guardiola will need Haaland to be at his best, but he fell short of his own stellar standards as he missed several clear chances in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

However, Norwegian winger Bob said there was never any anger in the camp towards Haaland, who is mourning the death of his grandmother.

“No real worries. When you’ve got his quality, it’s about getting into the right places,” Bob said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

“As long as he’s in those situations, if he misses a few games it’s not like he’s going to start missing all his chances.”

Man Utd begins the Ratcliffe era

After Jim Ratcliffe finally completed the purchase of a 25 percent stake in Manchester United this week, the British billionaire boldly expressed his desire to dethrone Liverpool and Manchester City.

Having spent the last decade in the shadow of his two arch rivals, Ratcliffe, who will take control of football operations from majority owners the Glazer family, knows that repackaging former United boss Alex Ferguson’s old line will go down well with a disgruntled fan base. Will Work.

But Ratcliffe, 71, also admitted it will take time to get United into position for a first title since 2013.

For now, Eric ten Hag’s side have the more modest goal of trying to salvage a troubled campaign by finishing in the top four and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

United, currently five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, have little margin for error as Fulham visit Old Trafford on Saturday to officially begin the Ratcliffe era.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest, Brighton vs Everton, Crystal Palace vs Burnley, Manchester United vs Fulham, Bournemouth vs Manchester City (17–30), Arsenal vs Newcastle (2000)

sunday

Wolves vs Sheffield United (1330)

monday

West Ham vs. Brentford (2000)

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)