Arsenal’s commanding lead in the Premier League could extend even further this weekend with a straightforward win over Sunderland, setting the stage for a critical showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool that highlights the champions’ long-standing struggles on Merseyside.
The Gunners, currently six points clear at the top, are closing in on their first league title since the 2003-04 season, a campaign famously known as the Invincibles. That season, under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal went unbeaten, amassing 90 points without a single loss—a triumph that etched their name in Premier League history. This achievement marked Arsenal’s third title in seven years, cementing their status as one of the dominant forces in English football. With 13 top-flight championships since the club’s founding in 1886, Arsenal trail only Manchester United (20 titles) and Liverpool (19) in terms of league success.
Now, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are building on recent near-misses, including second-place finishes in the past two seasons. This year, they’ve positioned themselves as the frontrunners in the title race, having dropped just 10 points from their first 24 matches—a remarkable performance that has them on track to end their 19-year wait for a league title.
Sunderland, having secured their place back in the top flight after promotion, have defied expectations with a solid mid-table standing. However, their visit to the Emirates is unlikely to derail Arsenal’s momentum. While the Black Cats have shown defensive resilience, registering seven clean sheets this term, they face an Arsenal side that has scored 52 goals—second only to Manchester City’s 61—posing a daunting challenge for the visitors.
Arteta’s side recently advanced to the League Cup final with a hard-fought victory over Chelsea, where Noni Madueke’s impressive performances in earlier rounds had briefly threatened to close the gap between Arsenal and the top. But despite that scare, the Gunners have maintained their dominance and look poised to claim another significant trophy under Arteta’s reign.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s bid to defend their title hangs in the balance after a string of recent setbacks. A dramatic collapse at Tottenham saw them squander a two-goal lead, and their away form remains a major concern. With just five wins from 12 road games, City have conceded 18 goals on their travels. This vulnerability becomes even more glaring as City prepare for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, a venue where they’ve had limited success. City have only won two Premier League games at Anfield in their history, with eight draws and 18 losses to their name. Their sole victory in Merseyside since 2003 came in February 2021, behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions, highlighting the daunting challenge that awaits them.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot noted this historical trend ahead of the game: “That tells you, combined with the game we played against them, what a force City still is and always will be,” referencing City’s dominant 3-0 win at the Etihad earlier this season. Despite rotating five players, Pep Guardiola’s squad secured a 2-0 victory in the League Cup semi-final against Newcastle, with stars like Omar Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders, and Antoine Semenyo playing pivotal roles. Despite some inconsistencies, City continue to showcase their depth, with 14 wins, five draws, and five losses to their name, leaving them six points behind Arsenal.
The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City is not just one of footballing dominance, but of historical and industrial roots. Dating back to the 18th century, the competition between the cities Liverpool’s port dominance versus Manchester’s canal innovations has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most intense rivalries. In the modern era, especially under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, the clubs have contested tightly-fought title races, with City edging Liverpool out by a point in the 2018-19 season before the Reds claimed the 2019-20 title. The head-to-head stats reflect this fierce competition, with Liverpool leading City 95 to 53 in 200 meetings, including memorable 6-0 victories for both sides in 1995 and 1935.
Liverpool have been dominant at home, losing just one of their last 22 league games against City at Anfield, with 14 wins and seven draws. This remarkable record adds to the historical challenge City faces in their attempt to beat Liverpool on Merseyside.
Beyond the title race, the chase for Champions League berths is heating up. England’s strong European showings this season are poised to earn the country a fifth spot in the Champions League for the 2026-27 season, the second consecutive year of such a bonus. This would benefit clubs like Aston Villa, who currently sit third with 46 points, just seven ahead of Liverpool in sixth place.
Villa, under Unai Emery, have defied expectations with a fourth-place finish in 2023-24 that earned them Champions League football, but recent losses to Everton and Brentford, along with injuries to key midfielders John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara, have left them vulnerable. The battle for the top four is tight, with just seven points separating third-place Villa from sixth-place Liverpool, and Manchester United and Chelsea closing in as well.
United, seeking a fourth consecutive win under interim manager Michael Carrick, will host Tottenham, while Chelsea travel to bottom-side Wolves. “It’s the end phase of the season, so results matter more and more,” Slot said, emphasizing the importance of every match as the race tightens.
At the lower end of the table, Crystal Palace face Brighton in a crucial south-coast derby. Winless in their last 12 games, Palace have invested heavily in the winter transfer window, spending over £80 million on Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves and winger Brennan Johnson from Tottenham. These signings, which break their transfer record, reflect the desperation to avoid relegation, with a nine-point cushion over the drop zone. Brighton, just two points ahead after one win in 11 league games, have seen their European ambitions fade.
The Premier League weekend kicks off Friday with Leeds versus Nottingham Forest at 20:00 GMT, followed by Saturday’s fixtures: Manchester United against Tottenham at 12:30, Arsenal-Sunderland, Bournemouth-Aston Villa, Burnley-West Ham, Fulham-Everton, and Wolves-Chelsea at 15:00, and Newcastle-Brentford at 17:30. Sunday brings Brighton-Palace at 14:00, followed by Liverpool-City at 16:30.
This weekend’s fixtures capture the unpredictability and excitement of the Premier League Arsenal’s charge for a first league title in nearly two decades, City’s struggle to overcome their Anfield woes, and the fierce competition for European spots, all shaping the storylines for the final stretch of the seas
