Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend as the title race takes centre stage, with Mikel Arteta's side looking to pile pressure on Manchester City. The Gunners currently sit three points clear of City at the top of the table, although Pep Guardiola's team have a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola's Title Race Admission
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that he will probably tune into Arsenal's Premier League clash against Fulham as the title race heats up. Arsenal have the chance to increase the pressure on City, with Guardiola's side not in action until Monday night.
When asked in his pre-match press conference if he would watch Arsenal's game on Saturday evening, Guardiola said: "What time do they play? It's after a training session, so maybe I will watch it."
A win for Arsenal would see them pull six points ahead of City, although their rivals would then have two games in hand. City travel to face Everton just over 48 hours after Arsenal's match.
Mikel Arteta's Comments Slammed
Mikel Arteta has been criticised by former Arsenal defender William Gallas. The Gunners' boss hit out at the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to his side in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
Eberechi Eze appeared to have been tripped during the match. While the decision was originally given, referee Danny Makkelie changed his mind after a VAR review. It led to an angry reaction from Arteta post-match.
But Gallas has slammed the approach from the Spaniard. "In terms of the Ebere Eze penalty which was overturned, and Mikel Arteta's comments on it after the game… look, I can only say so much about it because I'm not the manager, and I know there are lots of emotions on these occasions," he told Ladbrokes. "But, for me, regardless of whether it was or wasn't a penalty, you shouldn't be coming out of a game like that and looking for something or someone to blame."
"I'm not happy about that, because if you go back and look at decisions made by referees throughout the season – and this isn't just about Arsenal, by the way – both in the Premier League, and in Europe, you will find plenty of examples of moments where certain decisions have gone in your favour, and you aren't coming out after those games and talking about how the wrong decision was made."
"You know, on Wednesday night, that decision didn't favour Arsenal, but there have been other moments in other games where certain decisions have favoured them… I like to see the manager staying focused and talking about the way his team played, or what they could have done better, rather than jumping on that opportunity to blame the referee or the people behind VAR."
Arsenal's Busy Schedule
Arsenal are in action on Saturday evening as they take on Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. The game comes just three days after the club's Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. Penalties from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez saw the last-four tie end in a 1-1 draw, with it all to play for in the second leg. That match will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The next few days could be decisive for Arsenal in determining their season, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
