Title Contenders Arsenal Take on Newcastle in Vital Encounter as Relegation Scrap Intensifies

Mikel Artetas team enters the weekend fully aware that securing less than a win at the Emirates Stadium would immediately return the upper hand to Manchester City, who claimed the top spot in the league by the narrowest of advantages following their 1-0 triumph over Burnley on Wednesday.

Manchester City and Arsenal remain even on 70 points alongside a goal difference of 37, with Pep Guardiolas outfit holding a slender lead of just three goals scored more, though the overall view of the title contest has altered yet again.

Arsenal, having enjoyed a dominant position only a short time back, now find themselves pursuing both form and outcomes in equal measure.

Their recent 2-1 loss to City last weekend, coupled with the opponents unyielding chase, has removed all remaining cushion, turning the upcoming home game against Newcastle into an absolute necessity for victory.

Arteta maintained that his players feel more certain than ever about claiming the league title.

"Its a new league now," Arteta said. "Everything is still to play for. Were not going to stop and were going to go again, thats for sure."

Manchester City sit out league fixtures this weekend owing to their FA Cup semi-final matchup with Southampton on Saturday, yet they will keep a sharp eye on proceedings, assured of their ability to mirror the outstanding end-of-season displays seen in prior campaigns.

Down at the lower end of the standings, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley have already faced demotion, rendering the battle to avoid the drop every bit as merciless.

West Ham United entertain Everton at home, recognising that claiming all three points might well be pivotal in their efforts to distance themselves from the danger area.

Tottenham Hotspur, for their part, confront a match of immense importance away at Wolves, with failure to secure a win risking a direct confrontation with the nightmare of relegation, as the gaps in the lower reaches of the table keep shrinking match by match.

This represents the first instance in 49 years that Spurs have occupied a relegation position at such a late stage, currently 18th with 31 points and trailing 17th-placed West Ham by two.

Tottenhams head coach Roberto De Zerbi is convinced his squad can deliver five wins in a row to confirm their top-flight status.

"I always believe in the qualities of the players," he said following Saturdays damaging 2-2 stalemate against Brighton. "In this moment, we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and its not finished yet."

Champions Liverpool have the chance to strengthen their claim for Champions League spots by defeating Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday. Arne Slots charges hold fifth in a tightly packed upper section of the standings, yet they are at last building some consistency thanks to successes in their previous two league outings.

Though attaining a top-five berth would mark progress in what has been a lacklustre campaign, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk asserted that it does not meet the teams usual benchmarks.

"Its definitely not the standards I expect and envision myself being a Liverpool player - just to qualify for the Champions League," the Dutch centre-back remarked after last weekends 2-1 success against Everton in the Merseyside Derby.

Manchester United welcome Brentford on Monday, poised to lock in Champions League participation, boosted by Chelseas midweek reverse to Brighton that sent the London side tumbling to eighth and resulted in head coach Liam Rosenior being dismissed on Wednesday amid their seventh loss in eight outings across every competition.

United have excelled during the tenure of temporary boss Michael Carrick, recording eight triumphs and two stalemates across their 12 fixtures managed by the ex-midfielder.

They sit third with 58 points, holding an eight-point buffer over Brighton in sixth, and collecting a further six points at most would guarantee entry into Europes premier club tournament.