Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham's next six fixtures as City challengers emerge

25 September 2023 , 10:23

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Liverpool sit two points behind Manchester City in second place (Image: Getty Images)

So, can anyone stop Manchester City?

Such questions are not supposed to be asked just six games into the season of what is billed as the most competitive league in the world. But despite losing key players in the summer, a mounting injury list, and Erling Haaland only converting eight of what seems like 800 clear chances, City are top of the table on 18 points.

Saturday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest came despite a needless second half red card for Rodri, making it six Premier League wins from six for Pep Guardiola and co. And despite the gap between them and second placed Liverpool being just two points, the signs for title rivals are ominous.

Mirror Football has looked at the three teams who appear to be City's main threat to their quest for four in a row, and how they can keep in touch over their next six games. And Brighton fans, apologies.....

Liverpool

Next six Premier League games:Tottenham (A), Brighton (A), Everton (H), Nottingham Forest (H), Luton (A), Brentford (H).

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There are two ways of assessing Liverpool's season so far.

One narrative may point towards the fact they have appeared at sixes and sevens in defence on a weekly basis, have three times come from behind to win when the opposition should have been out of sight, and will soon be found out. A separate argument is any team with 16 points from 18 whilst clearly not at their best is one underpinned by an elite winning mentality.

Regardless, the table doesn't lie. And if the Reds can continue their winning form through tough trips to Spurs then Brighton, then the four fixtures that follow suggest Klopp's side could be cemented as firm challengers by the time they go to Man City on November 25.

Mohamed Salah's penalty set up a 3-1 win over West Ham on Sunday (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

HAVE YOUR SAY! Can anyone stop Man City winning the Premier League this season? Comment below.

Arsenal

Next six Premier League games:Bournemouth (A), Man City (H), Chelsea (A), Sheffield United (H), Newcastle (A), Burnley (H).

The Gunners remain unbeaten, but lingering doubts over Arsenal's capability of burying the heartbreak of last season are emerging.

Four wins and two draws is hardly cause for concern, but the nature of the dropped points - relinquishing second half leads at home to Fulham and then Spurs - could yet be telling. Mikel Arteta's side were taught a ruthless lesson last season in how costly dropping points from winning positions can be, with the draws at Liverpool and West Ham proving telling.

And it's no exaggeration to say that the next six games could yet define their season. The upcoming run includes the visit of Rodri-less City, and trips to Chelsea and Newcastle. Even accounting for the current mediocrity of the Blues, it's a run laced with jeopardy and one will which severely test the mettle of Arteta's men - especially if the Declan Rice injury proves long-term.

Arsenal and Spurs played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday (AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham

Next six Premier League games: Liverpool (H), Luton (A), Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Chelsea (H), Wolves (A).

If the nature of Sunday's north London derby draw represented a chance missed for Arsenal, it signified the belief currently flowing through Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham.

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Twice, they conceded in unfortunate circumstances and twice, they responded in a manner that defied the tedious 'Spursy' tag that would have inevitably been banded about had their unbeaten league run ended. Instead, it's also 14 points from 18, and a continuation of the wave of positivity being enjoyed since the big Australian walked through the door.

Another acid test lies in wait when Liverpool visit next weekend, but that game is followed by fixtures with five teams hardly setting the world alight. In reality, Tottenham's squad lacks the depth to keep pace with Manchester City all season long, but don't be surprised to seem them still in the mix come the end of November.

Now, if only they had a talismanic striker to accompany Son up front. Then we'd be talking....

Fraser Watson