Title race intensifies as Arsenal ready for Emery reunion Football News

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are locked in a fierce battle for Premier League supremacy, with Unai Emery threatening the Gunners’ top spot and Phil Foden in the title spotlight. Brentford, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United at the bottom of the standings are all locked in a desperate battle for survival. AFP Sport has picked out three talking points ahead of this weekend’s games.

Emery threatens Arsenal’s title dreams

Leaders Arsenal face a potentially fateful reunion with former boss Unai Emery as the title race enters its final stages.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are chasing a first title since 2004 and currently lead second-placed Liverpool on goal difference and a point ahead of third-placed Manchester City.

Arsenal will have no room for error when Emery takes Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester City are favorites to beat Luton, while Liverpool may have too much pressure on Crystal Palace, but fifth-placed Villa represent the sterner test.

Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal in November 2019 after just 18 months in charge, has performed brilliantly in reviving Villa, in contrast to his troubled time in north London.

Arsenal are in hot form in the league, winning 10 of their last 11 games to take pole position, but Emery has already beaten his old club this season, with John McGinn winning 1-0 at Villa Park in December. .

Young players eyeing key roles at Manchester City and Liverpool

Phil Foden has just reached the peak of his form, leading Manchester City to a second consecutive treble, as evidenced by his stunning goal in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg draw with Real Madrid 3-3.

The 23-year-old England striker, who also scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa last week, said: “I seem to be in good goal-scoring form this year. When you score, your confidence is really high. high.”

“I always believed I was going to get opportunities and hoped I could put them away.”

Foden’s impact could resonate at Anfield and Harvey Elliott believes he can emulate the Manchester City star’s impact on the title race if he plays a more prominent role in Liverpool’s plans.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been largely used as a substitute by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in the team’s most important games of the season.

“I want to be a player who leaves, not a player who comes in,” Elliott said.

“I’m not a kid anymore, I’m a man. I need to take responsibility for myself. If that means knocking on the manager’s door, then it has to happen.”

Everton ‘won’t waste energy by deducting points’
Everton are mired in relegation after being deducted two points this week, but their young defender Jarrad Branthwaite is adamant they will not be affected by the damaging blow.

The Toffees were handed the latest penalty for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, after having their points reduced from 10 points to six following an appeal for similar breaches earlier in the season.

Sean Dyche’s side are now just two points above the relegation zone as they look to avoid slipping into the second tier, which they last played in 1954.

Everton, who are away to Chelsea on Monday, are still confident of defeating their opponents.

Branthwaite said: “We can only perform well on the pitch and try to rectify that by winning games between now and the end of the season to keep us safe.

“If you sit down and think about it, there’s no point in wasting energy.”

Fixtures (all times in GMT)

Saturday (unless otherwise stated, 1400)

Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur (1130), Brentford v Sheffield United, Burnley v Brighton, Manchester City v Luton, Nottingham Forest v Wolves, Bournemouth v Manchester United (1630)

Sunday (unless otherwise stated, 1300)

Liverpool v Crystal Palace, West Ham United v Fulham, Arsenal v Aston Villa (1530)

on Monday

Chelsea v Everton (1900)

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