Arsenal under pressure as Premier League title race heats up

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 29 : Arsenal enter the Premier League weekend clinging to a four‑point lead at the summit, their title advantage reduced after a damaging 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United last Sunday that has raised all-too-familiar fears.

That result, combined with recent draws against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, has allowed both Manchester City and Aston Villa to close in during a critical stretch of the campaign leading to questions about whether Mikel Arteta's perennial runners-up might be headed for another collapse.

The Gunners travel to Elland Road on Saturday to face a Leeds United side who have steadily strengthened their survival credentials. Leeds sit 16th but have suffered only two home league defeats all season and are unbeaten in five at Elland Road, scoring in 10 of 11 home games.

Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive on a three‑match winless league run. Their away record has broadly been strong this season, but only two of their last six league matches on the road have been victories. With their lead narrowing, Arteta's side cannot afford another slip.

Former City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, whose Galatasaray side lost 2-0 to his old team in the Champions League on Wednesday, said he was watching England's title chase as a fan. He is betting on City.

"I think so yes," Gundogan said when asked after Wednesday's game if City can knock Arsenal off their perch.

"I think they have the momentum right now and the past has always shown that once they get that momentum it's very, very difficult to get something out of the games against them.

"They can go for a long winning streak right now. It looks like they have to do that because both teams play at a very high level but that's why the Premier League is one of the