LONDON: With Liverpool in League Cup final action against Chelsea on Sunday, the chasing pack have a chance to close the gap on the Premier League leaders.

Manchester City can move within one point of Jurgen Klopp's team if they win their game in hand at Bournemouth, while Arsenal must beat Newcastle to stay in touch with the title pacesetters.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend's action:

Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to use the frustration from their surprise Champions League last-16 first-leg loss at Porto to fuel their bid for Premier League glory.

The Gunners returned from Portugal empty-handed after Galeno's stoppage-time strike gave the hosts a 1-0 victory on Wednesday.

While the disappointment will linger until the second leg on March 12, England midfielder Rice knows Arsenal cannot afford a Champions League hangover.

Mikel Arteta's third-placed side will be just two points behind Liverpool if they beat Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but a defeat would be a major blow to their bid for a first title since 2004.

"Look, we have lost games this year and drawn games, and I have seen the changing room after and it's been really bad," said Rice, whose side have won their past five league games.

"We have just lost (to Porto) but there is a real positivity around the group at the minute.

"We have had such a good start to 2024, I think we take the positives from this game, but also see where we can improve."

Manchester City have no concerns over Erling Haaland's form, according to the Norway striker's close friend and team-mate Oscar Bobb.

After scoring in just one of his previous seven matches -- two goals against Everton -- Haaland silenced his critics with a priceless winner against Brentford on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old broke Brentford's stubborn resistance in the second half at the Etihad Stadium with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.

That kept City hot on Liverpool's heels in their chase for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown.

To make history, City boss Pep Guardiola will need Haaland at his sparkling best, but he fell below his own stellar standards when he missed several clear-cut chances in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 24 2024

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