Arsenal, Liverpool fight to keep Premier League race alive

Arsenal have no time to dwell on their Champions League exit as they return to Premier League action this weekend with the chance to reclaim top spot.

Manchester City were the big winners last week, hammering Luton 5-1 before Arsenal and Liverpool both lost, and are now firm favourites to claim an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight title.

But City are in FA Cup semifinal action against Chelsea on Saturday and could find themselves shunted down to third spot.

At the bottom of the table, relegation-threatened Everton and Nottingham Forest, both hit with points deductions, go head to head.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the weekend's action.

CAN ARSENAL RESET?

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal still have a "beautiful" opportunity in the title race, but their campaign is in danger of ending in a whimper for the second straight year.

The second-placed Gunners, who face mid-table Wolves on Saturday, led the way in the Premier League for the bulk of last season but faded badly in the run-in, allowing City to cruise past them.

They appeared to have toughened up this campaign, taking four points off both Liverpool and City and going on a run of 10 wins in 11 games.

But last week's 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa was a huge blow, compounded by their midweek Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Arteta knows his men need an arm around their shoulders after their "painful" defeat in Germany.

"What we still have to play (for) is beautiful and I said before, it's time to be next to our players and in this moment, not when you win 10... and a draw," he said.

Arsenal must beat Wolves – both to stay in the title hunt and to prove they have what it takes.

KLOPP SEEKS CUTTING EDGE

Jurgen Klopp's