Arsenal aim to continue their strong start to the Premier League season as they prepare for their next fixture away to Burnley on Saturday, hoping to build momentum after a string of positive results.
The Gunners have been in fine form with a four-point lead on the log, blending youthful energy with experienced campaigners, and manager Mikel Arteta will be looking to maintain consistency in both attack and defense.
Arsenal have only lost once in the Premier League and have conceded only three goals after nine games.
North-London derby
Meanwhile, North London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea are set to face off in a highly anticipated clash that could have major implications for the top half of the table. Spurs, buoyed by recent performances, will seek to assert dominance at home, while Chelsea look to recover form following a mixed start to the season.
The weekend promises intense competition as teams jostle for position in one of the most tightly contested campaigns in recent memory.
Liverpool look to bounce back from four straight defeats.
Liverpool face an in-form Aston Villa as the Premier League champions look to arrest their remarkable collapse on Saturday, while Arsenal aim to surge further clear in the title race.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot badly needs his star names to get back on track after being dumped out of the League Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday to compound a miserable run for the Premier League champions.
Slot made his priorities clear by making 10 changes as Palace cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield against a youthful Liverpool selection.
The Dutchman said he could not risk any more injuries to his key players with the visit of Villa quickly followed by clashes against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
“I don’t think it is possible if you lose six out of seven that there is even more pressure,” said Slot. “If you are on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, you know the pressure is there.”
Five games into the Premier League campaign, Liverpool led Villa by 12 points. Four matches later, they meet separated only by goal difference.
Villa have overcome their difficult start with four consecutive wins, including notable scalps against Tottenham and City, to surge back into contention for the Champions League places.
At the same time, Liverpool’s title defence has imploded.
The Reds have not kept a clean sheet for 10 games as Slot struggles to find the right balance for a side disrupted by a huge squad turnover during the transfer window.
Liverpool spent a Premier League record near £450 million, but crucially lost more players than they recruited, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz particularly missed.
“To see the champions lose four games in a row in the Premier League with the expenditure in the summer, I think we’re in a crisis time for Liverpool right now,” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Here are the fixtures for a thrilling English Premier League this weekend
Saturday
Brighton v Leeds
Burnley v Arsenal
Crystal Palace v Brentford
Fulham v Wolves
Nottingham Forest v Man Utd
Tottenham v Chelsea
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Sunday
West Ham v Newcastle,
Man City v Bournemouth
Monday
Sunderland v Everton
