As the Premier League title race intensifies, front-runners Arsenal brace for a pivotal encounter against their former manager, Unai Emery.
In pursuit of their first league title since 2004, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lead second-placed Liverpool by virtue of goal difference and hold a slender one-point advantage over third-placed Manchester City.
The Gunners will have no room for error as Emery’s Aston Villa visits the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
While City are heavily favored against Luton and Liverpool are expected to overcome Crystal Palace, Villa, currently in fifth place, pose a formidable challenge.
Emery, dismissed by Arsenal in November 2019 after a brief 18-month tenure, has orchestrated an impressive revival at Villa, a stark contrast to his turbulent tenure in north London.
Despite Arsenal’s scorching form in the league, winning 10 of their last 11 matches to claim the top spot, Emery has already outwitted his former club this season, securing a 1-0 victory at Villa Park in December, with John McGinn netting the decisive goal.
While Phil Foden’s stellar performance arrives just in time to spearhead Manchester City’s push for a second consecutive treble, highlighted by his stunning goal in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The 23-year-old English forward, who recently netted a hat-trick against Aston Villa, remarked, “I’ve been finding the net consistently this year. Scoring boosts my confidence significantly. I always back myself to seize opportunities and hopefully convert them.”
Foden’s impact could reverberate at Anfield, where Harvey Elliott aspires to mirror the City star’s influence on the title race if granted a more substantial role in Liverpool’s plans. Despite the 21-year-old midfielder largely featuring as a substitute in Liverpool’s crucial fixtures this season under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Fixtures
Saturday
Manchester City v Luton
Sunday
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Arsenal v Aston Villa
