Arsenal heads into the international break atop the Premier League table, courtesy of Liverpool and Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, securing a crucial late win. Their hopes were buoyed by the outcome between their title contenders, propelling Arsenal ahead of Liverpool based on superior goal difference, with a one-point lead over Manchester City.
As the league action resumes after the break, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City faces Arsenal on March 31. Guardiola confirmed a significant setback for his side against Liverpool, as Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson sustained an injury following a collision with Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez in the 47th minute. Despite attempting to continue, Ederson was substituted for Stefan Ortega in the 56th minute.
The extent of Ederson’s injury and his availability for the clash against Arsenal remains uncertain, but Guardiola acknowledges it as a substantial setback.
The absence of their key goalkeeper for the showdown with Arsenal would undoubtedly be a major setback for Manchester City, potentially offering a significant advantage to the Gunners. A victory at the Etihad Stadium could significantly bolster Arsenal’s title aspirations, as they aim to accumulate enough points from their remaining nine fixtures.
With an impressive eight-game winning streak – their best run since the tenure of Arsene Wenger – Arsenal’s focus now turns to extending this record. Their upcoming matches against Chelsea, Luton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Everton present favorable opportunities for maintaining their momentum and mounting a serious title challenge.