4 key talking points ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action

The gameweek kicks off with Arsenal travelling to Aston Villa for a clash they must win to keep their lead in the title race.

Liverpool and Newcastle then round out Saturday’s action before Manchester United vs Leicester and Tottenham vs West Ham end out the gameweek on Sunday.

Here are four talking points ahead of the upcoming gameweek.

Arsenal must win

Arsenal’s league form in February does not make for pretty reading. They have lost two and drawn one of their last three.

As a result, Manchester City are top of the league by goal difference. The Gunners do have a game in hand but if they lose to Aston Villa on Saturday, that game in hand will make little difference as Manchester City will very likely win this weekend.

Are Manchester City back?

Speaking of Manchester City, their 2022/23 title hopes had been written off this time last month.

Now though, the Sky Blues are top of the league and picking up wins, even when they were not the better side – like vs Arsenal on Wednesday.

City went on a 14-game winning running around this time back in 2018/19 when they needed to catch Liverpool to win the league. Can they do it once more vs Arsenal?

Liverpool’s chance

Liverpool picked up a 2-0 win over Everton on Monday. That result means the Reds are nine points off 4th place with a game in hand.

4th place is currently held by an out-of-form Newcastle, whom Liverpool face this weekend. If Liverpool beat Newcastle and win their game in hand, they would be three points adrift of the current 4th-place side.

Now or never for Chelsea

Whilst Liverpool have a great chance to gain some ground in the Champions League hunt, Chelsea simply need to score.

The Blues have scored one in their last four matches and if they cannot manage a few goals at home to 20th-place Southampton this weekend, they will have no chance of securing 4th place or maybe even a Europa League spot.

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