Liverpool Hunt for Solutions as Arsenal Gear Up for Chelsea Clash

Has Liverpool hit their lowest point or is there more decline ahead as they gear up for a challenging encounter at West Ham this weekend?

The Premier League title holders have endured six losses in their last seven domestic outings with scant evidence that Arne Slot is gaining control over matters.

On the other hand buoyant frontrunners Arsenal face second placed Chelsea displaying evident readiness to finally snap their 20 year wait for league glory.

AFP Sport examines three key discussion points before this weekends fixtures.

Liverpool woes intensify

Liverpool have dropped nine of their last 12 fixtures across all tournaments a complete meltdown for one of the globes premier outfits.

The Anfield squad are enduring their poorest sequence in over 70 years with mounting scrutiny on manager Arne Slot mere months after he steered them to their 20th English top flight crown.

The Dutch coach conceded he had struggled to rest after Wednesdays crushing 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Liverpool are plagued by a lack of clinical finishing and persistent defensive lapses.

They have shipped more goals in all competitions 34 than any other Premier League team this term.

Sundays visit to West Ham poses a stern test the Hammers have found new life under Nuno Espirito Santo who replaced the dismissed Graham Potter in September.

Yet despite their dismal streak Liverpool sitting 12th in the standings trail fourth placed Aston Villa by just three points.

Arsenal reveal squad strength

Leading the Premier League and favourites in the Champions League Arsenal are hinting this campaign might prove extraordinary.

Data experts Opta rate the Gunners at 76 percent likelihood of claiming the Premier League title for the first time since 2004 under Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained cautious following Wednesdays commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League swiftly turning attention to Sundays clash at Chelsea.

The triumph over the six time European winners at the Emirates highlighted the Gunners robust bench options.

Two strikes were netted by replacements Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli while Arsenal continue without several key figures including Gabriel Magalhaes Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres.

Arteta whose side lead Chelsea by six points expressed satisfaction with his available talent.

I assess the incoming players and they possess the ability to alter the contest he noted.

We have undoubtedly enhanced that aspect not just through talent but also via the determination of those entering the fray and that factor is creating a significant impact.

Villa advance steadily

Aston Villa drew blanks in their initial five Premier League ties but boss Unai Emery has orchestrated a remarkable revival since.

Should outcomes favour them this weekend Villa hosting beleaguered neighbours Wolves could rise to second behind Arsenal.

Villa netted zero in their opening four league matches but a streak of six victories in seven has propelled them into the top four.

Emery's charges have not generated vast opportunities yet notably eight of their 15 Premier League strikes have originated from beyond the box.

Fresh Wolves boss Rob Edwards will dread the journey to Villa who remain unbeaten on home soil since August.

The Midlands club have scraped just two points from 12 outings and sit nine adrift of the drop zone.

Fixtures

Saturday 1500 GMT unless stated

Brentford v Burnley Manchester City v Leeds Sunderland v Bournemouth Everton v Newcastle 1730 Tottenham v Fulham 2000

Sunday 1405 unless stated

Crystal Palace v Manchester United 1200 Aston Villa v Wolves Nottingham Forest v Brighton West Ham v Liverpool Chelsea v Arsenal 1630

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