The Premier League leaders Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are engaged in a fierce struggle for the top spot, with Unai Emery posing a danger to the Gunners’ hold on the title and Phil Foden leading the way for the winners.
Brentford, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United are battling it out for survival at the foot of the standings.
Three talking points are selected by AFP Sport in advance of this weekend’s activity. Emery harms Arsenal’s hopes for a title. Leaders Arsenal and their former manager Unai Emery might have a significant reunion as the title race nears its finish line.
In pursuit of their first championship since 2004, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are one point ahead of third-place Manchester City and ahead of second-place Liverpool on goal differential.
When Emery sends Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal won’t have any room for error.
While Liverpool is expected to easily defeat Crystal Palace and City is the clear favorite to defeat Luton, Villa, in fifth place, will provide a far tougher challenge.
In sharp contrast to his turbulent tenure in north London, Emery has been successful in revitalizing Villa after being fired by Arsenal in November 2019 after just 18 months in charge.
Although Arsenal has been playing exceptionally well lately—winning ten of their last eleven games to take the lead in the league—Emery has already defeated his former team this year, with John McGinn clinching a 1-0 victory at Villa Park in December.
