Arsenal have no time to lick their wounds after losing top spot in the Premier League to Manchester City. The Gunners aim to snap a four‑game winless streak at Aston Villa on Saturday, while City must end Nottingham Forest’s five‑month unbeaten run at the City Ground to maintain momentum toward a fifth title in six seasons.
Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle could have big implications for the top‑four race, and a crucial relegation six‑pointer awaits at the bottom as Leeds visit Everton. AFP Sport looks at some key talking points ahead of the weekend’s action.
**Arteta still believes** – Arsenal’s unbeaten home record ended on Wednesday when City stormed the Emirates 3‑1 and went top for the first time since November. After dropping just seven points in their opening 19 league games, Arsenal have slipped eight points in the last three, following a defeat at Everton and a controversial 1‑1 draw with Brentford. “I have more belief than I had before the game,” said a defiant Mikel Arteta after the loss. “With the performance and the level the team put in, we felt we could beat them. Until the second goal we had them. But we gave them three goals and the game at the end. Certain errors at this level you can’t make. At the same time, the team put the level very high.” City lead only on goal difference, and Arsenal still have a game in hand on their title rivals. A victory at Villa Park would right the ship for Arteta’s men, but fatigue and injuries are beginning to hamper the young squad. Influential midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to miss Saturday’s clash with a muscle injury, and Gabriel Jesus remains out.
**Last chance for Liverpool?** – Liverpool’s first league win of 2023 against Everton on Monday night brought the Reds back into contention for a top‑four finish. Jurgen Klopp’s side still have a lot of ground to make up if they are to qualify for the Champions League for a seventh consecutive season. Liverpool are nine points behind fourth‑placed Newcastle but have a game in hand on the Magpies and can cut the gap at St James’ Park on Saturday. Newcastle’s only league defeat so far came at Anfield in August, but five draws in their last six games have slowed their charge toward a Champions League place for the first time in 20 years.
**Everton back to earth** – An upturn in form for West Ham, Wolves and Leicester makes it increasingly likely that one, if not both, Leeds and Everton will face the drop. The Toffees were brought back to reality in the Merseyside derby after shocking Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge. Everton’s struggle for goals will not be helped by the continued absence of Dominic Calvert‑Lewin with a hamstring injury. “The Arsenal game’s a reminder of the quality that is here,” said Dyche. “Of course the striking department has got less options than you would like in the Premier League, especially for a club of this size and the expectation of its fans.” Leeds remain under caretaker Michael Skubala after failing to secure a permanent manager to replace Jesse Marsch. Skubala oversaw two positive performances against Manchester United last week, but Leeds have only taken one point and remain winless in the league since November.
**Fixtures (all times GMT)**
Saturday: Aston Villa v Arsenal (12:30), Brentford v Crystal Palace, Brighton v Fulham, Chelsea v Southampton, Everton v Leeds, Nottingham Forest v Man City, Wolves v Bournemouth (all 15:00), Newcastle v Liverpool (17:30)
Sunday: Man United v Leicester (14:00), Tottenham v West Ham (16:30)
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