Manchester (England): The three-way race for the Premier League title looks likely to go down to the wire after wins for Arsenal and Manchester City kept the pressure on Liverpool. Arsenal moved back to the top of the table by beating Luton 2-0 on Wednesday, while City routed Aston Villa 4-1 to go level on points with second-place Liverpool.
Just one point separates the top three teams in what is shaping up to be the most compelling title fight in recent history. Liverpool had taken advantage of its two rivals drawing 0-0 on Sunday and moved two points clear at the top. By the end of Wednesday's games, Jurgen Klopp's team was playing catch-up to Arsenal again and was ahead of City only on goal difference even if it had a game in hand on both. Liverpool hosts last-place Sheffield United on Thursday with the margins getting tighter at the top of the standings.
Arsenal Leads
The question for Arsenal is whether it can go the distance after falling away so badly at the end of last season. The Londoners led the table for 248 days before eventually being overtaken by a City team that won its third title in a row and completed a treble of trophies which also included the Champions League and FA Cup.
Arteta's players have already improved head-to-head against City winning and drawing against the defending champion. But it remains to be seen how they handle the pressure with just eight league games to go. While Arsenal was expected to beat relegation-threatened Luton at home, there was always the potential for a slip. That never looked likely after Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the 24th minute and an own goal from Daiki Hashioka in the 44th made it 2-0 by halftime. A fuss-free three points without Bukayo Saka and with Declan Rice named as a substitute was just the type of performance that suggests Arteta's team is better prepared to complete the job this time around.