The
Premier League returns with a bang this weekend amid a thrilling three horse title race. Champions
Manchester City face leaders
Arsenal on Sunday in what looks a defining fixture. It's an opportunity for the Blues to strike a heavy blow on the Gunners as both battle with
Liverpool for the crown. City start the weekend third, a point adrift of the leading pair, but firmly in contention as they chase an historic fourth successive championship while also eyeing a double treble. But this season's victor is very difficult to call given the form of the three leading contenders. Arsenal have won eight top flight games on the bounce, Liverpool have lost one league game since September, City are undefeated in 22 games. Someone has to blink first. Here, we get the lowdown from inside all three camps. ALSO READ: 'So much disquiet' - City fan groups hit back at club in season ticket row ALSO READ: 'Also a fact' - Clichy comes out strongly on Man City 115 charges Manchester City (Simon Bajkowski, MEN) There has been a feeling at City this season that they haven't had the credit for what they have done when a Treble hangover would have been easy to hide behind. That the blips in form have been overplayed and the good performances and runs - such as the ongoing 22-match unbeaten streak in all competitions featuring 19 wins - are too easily brushed off as to be expected. City are being fuelled by that perceived slight as they attempt to make more history and win four leagues in a row. They know how to win titles and believe they have put themselves into a position to achieve what they want to this season. The visit of Arsenal is a six-pointer but this team knows more than Arsenal and Liverpool that every victory could be the difference between silverware or not. At the same time, there is an acceptance that they do need to step up and play their best and that has to begin on Sunday against one of their biggest rivals and then a few days later against Aston Villa; that means the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne as well as Phil Foden and Rodri continuing with their levels. It is the time of the season that everyone at the Etihad relishes and all of that experience and skill will go into trying to get the Blues over the line again. If they are to do it, making the most of their home advantage - and winning at Spurs again - will likely be the reason. However, this is a new title race for Guardiola in the sense that three teams are involved so it is harder for City to take control - even beating Arsenal won't see them top if Liverpool have beaten Brighton. That makes it more exciting for neutral but potentially more difficult for City. For the latest Manchester City news and opinions from inside the Etihad Stadium subscribe to Talking City, the definitive Manchester City podcast from the Manchester Evening News Arsenal (Kaya Kaynak,
Football London) As we come into the home straight of the season, Arsenal are looking in pretty good shape. They have been arguably the best team in Europe in 2024, but it’s a mark of how competitive this title race is that they’re only leading the way on goal difference. Key players are retuning from injury at just the perfect time. Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchekno and Gabriel Jesus have all been absent for long periods this year, but they’re expected to play a part in the run in. Having lost so many crucial players at this exact stage of last season, that’s been something Mikel Arteta has been keen to work on. There are of course plenty of testing away trips to come. Arsenal’s last five away games are Man City, Brighton, Wolves, Spurs and
Manchester United . That’s a daunting run at any stage of the season, let alone the title run in. Still though, all noises from the camp are that they are confident they can write the wrongs of last season. This is a young and hungry Arsenal squad who are hellbent on delivering on their potential. Liverpool (Joe Rimmer, Liverpool Echo) Liverpool are nicely poised heading into the final 10 games of the season. Second on goal difference, they will be keen to do the business at home to Brighton before sitting back and watching their two title rivals face off later that day. Arsenal may lead the table but to continue to do so they will have to pass a huge test of their credentials at the Etihad. Liverpool's final fixtures seem, on paper, potentially a little kinder than their rivals. Trips to Manchester United and Everton stand out, but the Reds will be confident they can win both of those games. Drawing at home to Man City was disappointing, but anyone who watched that match would have been impressed by just how dominant Liverpool were in the second half. It was a game that almost saw them convince themselves of how good they actually are. And when you consider that the Reds have put themselves in this position with by far the worst luck with injuries of all the contenders, they should only get stronger from here. Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Stefan Bajcetic should all return in the coming weeks. They'll be wary of Man City especially - Liverpool know all too well the type of form Pep Guardiola's side can display when it comes to the crunch weeks of the league season - but boosted by the emotion of Jurgen Klopp's final months as boss, there is more desire than ever to finish the season in extraordinary
fashion.