Arsenal, Man City face Premier League derby dates

Arsenal’s English striker Eddie Nketiah (R) celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the FA Cup third round football match between Oxford United and Arsenal at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, west of London, on January 9, 2023. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) //

Arsenal faces a searching test of their title credentials in the hurly-burly of a north London derby this weekend as in-form Manchester United host defending champions Manchester City.

There are also multiple clashes between teams at the wrong end of the table, with Frank Lampard’s nosediving Everton side travelling to basement club Southampton.

Liverpool know they cannot afford too many more stumbles while it is crunch time for Graham Potter’s Chelsea, who are well adrift of the Champions League qualifying places.

AFP Sport takes a look at some of the key talking points ahead of the action.

Arsenal eye Spurs scalp Mikel Arteta’s young Arsenal team are in the middle of a run of fixtures that could make or break their title challenge.

They will be keen to get back to winning ways at the home of their fiercest rivals on Sunday after a goalless draw with high-flying Newcastle last week. Manchester United are the next visitors to the Emirates while City come calling in February.

Arsenal, with only one league defeat this term, are five points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table with nearly half the season gone.

Tottenham Hotspur have been inconsistent but are within touching distance of the top four and have not suffered a home league defeat against Arsenal since 2014.

Emile Smith Rowe, who returned this week after a long injury lay-off, believes the Gunners can use defeat at Tottenham last season as added motivation for the trip to their local