LONDON, April 30 (Xinhua) — Arsenal can pile pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League title race at home to Fulham on Saturday, but coach Mikel Arteta must juggle his resources as he balances domestic and European ambitions.
A narrow win over Newcastle United last weekend lifted Arsenal back to the top of the table, three points ahead of City, who played in the FA Cup. Victory against Fulham would extend that lead to six points before City’s trip to Everton on Monday. Although Arsenal will have played two games more, such a cushion would increase the pressure on a City side facing a congested run-in.
The difficulty for Arteta is that Saturday’s match falls between the two legs of the Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
The first leg ended 1-1 in Madrid on Wednesday, with Arsenal denied what appeared to be a clear penalty late on. While Atletico can afford to rest key players this weekend, Arsenal’s title push leaves Arteta with fewer options. Changes are expected, but he must keep his side strong enough to overcome a typically resilient Fulham.
City coach Pep Guardiola will be able to assess the situation before his side travels to Everton, a match that follows defender John Stones announcing he will leave the club after 10 seasons. Rodri and Ruben Dias could return in what is expected to be a tight contest at Goodison Park.
Elsewhere, Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool may be overshadowed by the title race, but it remains crucial in the battle for Champions League qualification. Liverpool will be encouraged by the availability of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as it looks to salvage a disappointing campaign.
Aston Villa slipped to fifth after losing to Fulham last weekend, leaving coach Unai Emery facing a similar balancing act. Villa hosts Tottenham on Sunday between the two legs of its Europa League semifinal against Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham travels to Villa Park two points inside the relegation zone. The club will hope last week’s win at Wolverhampton can lift morale, although the loss of Xavi Simons to a serious knee injury adds to an already lengthy injury list.
West Ham, which hovered near the bottom three last weekend, holds a two-point advantage over Tottenham ahead of a difficult trip to Brentford. A win would move the London side five points clear and raise the stakes further at Villa Park.
Nottingham Forest, five points above Tottenham, visits managerless Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where inconsistency has plagued the hosts. The Blues, preparing for the FA Cup final, are also seeking to end a run of five straight league defeats that cost Liam Rosenior his job.
Leeds United can ease any lingering relegation concerns at home to already-relegated Burnley on Friday, while Sunderland travels to Wolves and Newcastle United faces in-form Brighton, which has climbed to sixth. Bournemouth, also chasing European qualification, hosts Crystal Palace. ■
