It’s getting to that stage of the season where we start to look at the table every weekend. Arsenal will be paying particularly close attention when Premier League football makes its return after the international break.
The Gunners go into the home stretch of the season, leading a thrilling three-way title race on goal difference. Behind them sit Liverpool who surrendered their lead in the last round of fixtures with a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City.
The Reds have been in fine form this season and have the intangible factor of Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure hanging over their charge for this title. They return to action with a game against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday.
Brighton have been something of a bogey team for Liverpool in recent teams. The Reds have won just one of their last eight encounters with the Seagulls and have failed to beat them at Anfield since 2019.
Arsenal will be hoping this can be a good omen for them. The Reds have a far more favourable run in and any points that could be dropped at this stage of the season will be massive.
The Gunners themselves meanwhile will have the chance to capitalise on any Liverpool slip ups later in the day on Sunday when they face Manchester City at the Etihad.
It’s a ground where Arsenal have typically struggled. In five visits there under Mikel Arteta the Gunners have lost by an aggregate score of 14-1.
Having beaten City twice already this season in the Community Shield and Premier League, Arsenal will be far more confident of securing a result this time.
Equally, ahead of last season’s game they were missing key players like William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu. This time around they should be welcoming a few back to the squad, while there is some hope that Gabriel Martinelli could be available.
If Arsenal are able to get a win at the Etihad this could significantly bolster their chances of winning a first Premier League title in 20 years.
The Gunners still have tough trips to Manchester United and Tottenham to come, but it would be a perfect weekend if they’re able to open up a three point lead at the top of the table.
