Gunners need to fire back

Gunners need to fire back

Tomorrow’s TAB Soccer Any 13 Xtra gives bettors a chance to win big as the pool should exceed R1-million, and with three massive English Premier League games included in the list of matches to choose from, it’s game on!

By Mark Gleeson

Arsenal will have to produce a strong response tomorrow when they face Aston Villa after being toppled from the top of the Premier League table by Manchester City in midweek.

The Gunners held a five-point lead over their nearest rivals for months, but it was washed away swiftly – first by a controversial draw last weekend against Brentford and then the 1-3 loss to Pepe Guardiola’s team on Wednesday, their first loss at home this season.

Man City are now not only ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, but they also have momentum with them going into the business end of the season.

While Arsenal travel to Aston Villa tomorrow, Man City have what seems a much easier task away at Nottingham Forest.

Against Villa, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is up against one of his predecessors in Unai Emery, a fellow Spaniard who has much ambition and, given time, is expected to turn Villa into a club that can finish in the top six and earn a place in a European club competition.

Emery and Villa are a work in progress, as proven by the fact that Villa have conceded seven goals in their last two games, losing both. One of those losses was, admittedly, to Man City.

Of course, the title race in England is far from concluded. Manchester United are in third spot five points behind the leaders but need more consistency if they are to edge closer to the leading pair.

The Red Devils have won only two of their last five Premier League games and have a tough home game against the unpredictable Leicester City on Sunday.

Leicester are still in the bottom half of the table but with manager Brendan Rodgers surviving the sack, now look to be getting some rhythm back. They are a much better side than their 13th place in the standings suggests and will be a tricky customer on Sunday.

Arguably the pick of the weekend’s meetings is fourth-placed Newcastle hosting Liverpool, who hauled themselves out of potential crisis by beating Everton in Monday’s Merseyside derby.

Newcastle are looking for their first league win against Liverpool December 2015. The Reds have outscored the Magpies 25-10 during their unbeaten 12-match streak.

This game is a real test of Newcastle’s credential as a top four finisher and qualifier for next season’s Champions League. But if Jurgen Klopp’s team find their mojo, they will surely win at St James’ Park again.