Mikel Arteta has been preparing his players this week for a major Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday amid their title battle with Manchester City. The Gunners have a healthy eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola's side, but the race for the Premier League crown could take a seismic shift this weekend with Manchester City taking on bottom side Southampton.
A defeat to Liverpool would not be enough to knock Arsenal off the top, however, with City's game in hand to come and a home clash against Arteta's side, the reigning champions could be back in the driving seat if results go their way. Beating Arsenal in their league meeting earlier this season saw City leapfrog their fellow title challengers at the top, but that position was short-lived after they dropped points the following weekend to Nottingham Forest.
Following a slight dip in form through February, which saw the Gunners go winless in three games culminating with that defeat to Man City, the north Londoners have recovered superbly. A late winner at Aston Villa started a seven-game winning streak where Arsenal have scored 23 goals in the process.
