Arsenal sense Premier League glory as Spurs eye safety

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Arsenal are firmly back in control of the Premier League title race and a win at struggling West Ham on Sunday could all but seal the Gunners’ first English title in 22 years.

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Manchester City stormed back into contention last month but a costly 3-3 draw at Everton earlier this week might ultimately prove fatal to their chances.

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Tottenham host Leeds knowing a win, combined with dropped points for West Ham, would move them to within touching distance of safety after a tumultuous season.

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AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the action:

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Arsenal belief

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A major wobble from Arsenal allowed Manchester City back into the title race, but consecutive league wins have lifted the mood at the north London club.

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Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at a pulsating Emirates, which secured a place in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, added to the feel-good factor.

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Arsenal are five points clear of City, who have a game in hand, with matches to come against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

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The relegation-threatened Hammers have not beaten their London rivals at home in the league since 2019 but they are now fighting for their lives.

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Arsenal great Thierry Henry, a key member of the club’s last title-winning side in 2004, fears the game at the London Stadium could be a potential banana skin.

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“I always thought that City might drop points against Everton and my worry was West Ham away,” he told Sky Sports.

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“So I’m going to stay in my lane and not celebrate too early because nothing is done, but I could see that happening.”

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Have Spurs turned a corner?

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Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has warned his team are not yet safe from relegation — but seven points from three games suggest they may have turned a corner.

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The Italian, who took charge at the end of March following Igor Tudor’s woeful interim spell at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, played down the importance of last week’s 2-1 victory at Aston Villa, saying nothing is decided yet.

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“We can’t forget what was the situation before Wolverhampton (a 1-0 win last month),” De Zerbi told TNT Sports. “Before Wolverhampton, it was a very sad situation and these memories have to stay in our head every day.”

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After the Leeds game Spurs, currently 17th in the Premier League table, one point above West Ham, face Chelsea and Everton, who both still have European ambitions.

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Victory for Leeds on Monday would guarantee their top-flight status, though they could already be safe if other results go their way.

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Can Chelsea stop the rot?

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Chelsea’s Premier League season has imploded, with six straight defeats all but ending their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

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The Blues, under interim boss Calum McFarlane, still have a chance to end the season on a high if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final but their league form is an embarrassment.

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Ninth-placed Chelsea have not won in the Premier League since early March and have scored just one goal in their past six top-flight matches — in Monday’s 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest.

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The west London side face a tough assignment this weekend as they take on Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s men close to securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

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Fixtures (all times GMT)

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Saturday (1400 unless stated)

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Liverpool v Chelsea (1130), Brighton v Wolves, Fulham v Bournemouth, Sunderland v Manchester United, Manchester City v Brentford (1630)

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Sunday (1300 unless stated)

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Burnley v Aston Villa, Crystal Palace v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Newcastle, West Ham v Arsenal (1530)

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Monday

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Tottenham v Leeds (1900)

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AFP

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