Arsenal face must-win clash with Newcastle as English Premier League title race tightens

LONDON – Arsenal walk into the English Premier League clash with Newcastle United on April 25 with their margin for error gone, knowing that any stumble at the Emirates Stadium could prove fatal to their title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side go into this weekend knowing that anything less than victory would hand the initiative straight back to Manchester City, who moved top of the table by the smallest of margins after a 1-0 win at Burnley on April 22.

City and Arsenal are level on 70 points and goal difference (37), with Pep Guardiola’s side ahead by only three goals scored, but the optics of the race have shifted once again.

The Gunners, who only recently held a commanding lead, are now chasing momentum as well as results.

A 2-1 defeat by City last weekend and their rivals’ relentless pursuit have stripped away any buffer, making Newcastle’s visit a must-win fixture.

Arteta insisted his side are ready to give it all they have got.

“Five games to go, tomorrow Game 1, all in let’s go for it,” he said on April 24.

“Win tomorrow, Game 1 win and we will be much closer (to winning the title). I believe in our players, in our people to achieve what we want.”

When asked about goal difference potentially deciding the title, he added: “We don’t know. We’re only talking about our potential, about deserving to win matches and then achieving that.

“Depending on the situation, we can think about other things later. The priority is to be better than the opponent and then win.”

On the injury front, the Arsenal boss said that Bukayo Saka is expected to be in the squad, with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber also included.

City are not in league action this weekend as they are playing Southampton in an FA Cup semi-final on April 25, but are confident that they can reproduce their superb late-season form of previous seasons.

At the bottom, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already relegated, the fight for survival is just as unforgiving.

West Ham United host Everton knowing that three points could prove decisive in their bid to stay clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, face a season-defining trip to Wolves, where anything less than victory would leave them staring at the unthinkable as the margins at the foot of the table continue to tighten.

It is the first time in 49 years that Spurs have been in the drop zone this late in the season, sitting 18th on 31 points, two adrift of 17th-placed West Ham United.

Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi feels his side can string together five consecutive wins to ensure their survival.

“I always believe in the qualities of the players,” he said after the costly 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on April 18. “In this moment, we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it's not finished yet.”

Holders Liverpool can firm up Champions League qualification with a victory over Crystal Palace on April 25 at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s men are fifth in a congested top half of the table, but are finally enjoying some momentum with victories in their last two league games.

The manager on April 24 warned that “margins are small”.

“One or two results can make a big difference, as we saw, because I think two weeks ago we weren’t five points clear of the No. 6, and two results later we are, so it can also go both ways,” he said.

“So my full focus is on Palace.”

Manchester United host Brentford on April 27 on the verge of securing Champions League qualification. They were aided by Chelsea’s loss to Brighton this week that dropped the Blues to eighth place and led to manager Liam Rosenior being sacked on April 22.

United have been on a brilliant run under interim manager Michael Carrick, with eight wins and two draws in their 12 matches under the former United midfielder.

They are third on 58 points, eight points ahead of sixth-place Brighton and a maximum of six points would secure qualification for Europe’s elite club competition.

Aston Villa, who trail Manchester United only on goal difference, travel to Fulham on April 25.
AFP, REUTERS