Gunners start with slight edge

IT wasn’t so long ago that Arsenal looked like they were on the cusp of winning the English Premier League title, which would be a first since 2004 – 19 years on.

As things stand, they would finish second if Manchester City were to go on and win their nine remaining fixtures. And that is why the Gunners will be desperate for victory when they visit West Ham United in the early game tomorrow.

Mikel Arteta, who has obviously learned more than a trick or two in his time serving as the No.2 at Manchester City, will also be looking anxiously ahead to next week Wednesday. That is when Arsenal make the trip to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester for a coming together of the teacher and the student – Pep Guardiola versus Arteta, second place versus first.

Of course, lots could change by then. City are down to play Leicester in the late game today, and then take on Sheffield United in an FA Cup semi-final tie next Saturday. A day before that, the Gunners are at home against Southampton in another league game, in which they will also be as keen as ever to win.

Arsenal have sat atop the Premier League standings all season, and they have been good value for money there, winning more than a couple of games where they looked well out of it, only to triumph through sheer grit and determination. They will need to call on more of that same resolve to hold off the champions’ late-season rally and start by getting past the Hammers at London Stadium.

But West Ham are unlikely to just roll over and get beaten to a pulp. They drew with Gent in a Europa Conference League quarterfinal first leg clash at the Ghelamco Arena in Belgium on Thursday. And despite languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, where they are a mere three points from the drop zone and three points from 12th place, they know what’s at stake and should prove tough to beat.

Of course, Arsenal will be the favourites to pick up all three points, even if they did drop two against Liverpool last weekend. That result opened things up for City, who now have a game in hand and are five points behind the leaders with that all-important clash coming up.

Third-placed Newcastle United also face a tricky game this weekend. With 56 points from 29 matches, the same as Manchester United in fourth spot but with a better goal aggregate, the Magpies are away to Aston Villa in the early kick-off today.

The home side have found a bit of form in the run-in to the end of the season and will fancy their chances against Newcastle. Unai Emery has done a decent job since taking over from Steven Gerrard in October. Indeed, he has lifted the club to sixth place on the log, and only Arsenal and Man City have won more points since the former Villarreal manager took charge.

Ollie Watkins, who has blossomed under Emery and taken his goal tally to 12 in 28 outings, will be expected to continue his fine goal-scoring form. The England-born striker has scored in each of their last three league games and will have Newcastle firmly in his sights today.

Alexander Isak and Ivan Toney are two exciting players who could swing the Magpies to victory and will be closely watched on their visit to Villa Park. This game, like Arsenal’s trip to West Ham for the London derby tomorrow, has the potential for loads of goal-mouth action.