Arsenal handed title race opening after Man City slip up to Brighton
Manchester City's surprise 1-0 home defeat to Brighton has handed Arsenal a significant opportunity to seize control at the top of the Premier League table ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield.
Pep Guardiola's side sit on 21 points after nine matches, level with Arsenal on points but ahead on goal difference. Brighton's victory has also thrust them into genuine title contention, with the Seagulls now just two points behind the leading pair after six wins from nine matches, 24 goals scored and a goal difference of plus 17.
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The key distinction is games played. Both City and Brighton have now played nine Premier League matches, while Arsenal have played just eight. A win at Anfield on Sunday would take Mikel Arteta's side three points clear at the top of the table, with Brighton five points adrift.
Liverpool also have something to play for
Arsenal's trip to Anfield is far from straightforward. The Gunners have not recorded a Premier League victory there since September 2012, and Liverpool are beginning to find form under Andoni Iraola.
As Paul Merson noted in his Sky Sports assessment of the fixture, Liverpool need a win to boost their own title credentials. A victory for the home side would move them onto 18 points, just one behind Brighton and three behind Arsenal and City, tightening the race considerably.
Conversely, an Arsenal win would leave Liverpool nine points behind the leaders, handing Arteta's side an early psychological and points advantage over another of their challengers.
Responding to a difficult week
The fixture also represents a chance for Arsenal to put a difficult week behind them following the Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town in midweek. Arteta will be keen for his players to show that result was an isolated setback rather than the start of a wider dip in form.
There is some encouragement on the team news front, with three players potentially available for selection again against Liverpool, according to Just Arsenal.
Even a draw at Anfield would be enough to move Arsenal one point clear of Manchester City at the top, hardly a disastrous outcome given the venue's history. Arsenal have won seven of their opening eight league fixtures this season as defending champions, and few would argue there is a stronger platform from which to pursue three points.
It remains early in the season, and no title is decided in November. But with City stumbling and Brighton applying pressure from behind, the chance to open up daylight at the top is one Arsenal will want to take at Anfield on Sunday.
