To me. To you. To me. No, to you. Your turn. No, after you.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2023/2024 Premier League title race: one of heart-stopping undulations – but one that three of European football’s superpowers are falling over themselves to lose.
So it’s advantage Manchester City. Well, until the next twist.
Getting over the line a procedure Pep Guardiola has perfected with surgical precision over the years.
Arsenal’s title nerve is being questioned again after Mikel Arteta’s team lost to Aston Villa
Manchester City don’t have the air of invincibility that characterised their Treble campaign
Yet, there’s not the air of invincibility with this City side that characterised their historic pursuit of last season’s Treble.
They dropped points in just 10 matches on their way to a third straight Premier League title last term.
They have already reached that total this season with six matches still to play.
Realistically, the smart money is on City pulling clear again but the unpredictable nature of this season’s race for the crown suggests we may well be reviewing out predictions before too long.
As news of Liverpool’s shock home loss to Crystal Palace filtered round the Emirates Stadium prior to kick off here on Sunday afternoon, you sensed the anticipation.
This was it. The day Arsenal finally took control of their destiny. Don’t choke. Oh…
You couldn’t escape the irony. The man at the heart of Aston Villa’s victory here in north London was the very man unceremoniously dumped by the Gunners after just 18 months in charge in 2019.
This was quite the moment for Unai Emery, his celebrations after Ollie Watkins’ brilliant second illustrative of his euphoria.
Unai Emery will take great delight at having guided Villa to victory over his former club Arsenal
Emiliano Martinez, who also has strong Arsenal connections, produced an impressive display
The Spaniard will feel this victory to his bones, although he insisted it didn’t mean any more to him than any other triumph during his post-match media duties.
That’s poppycock, of course. If he felt a sense of vindication, that would be entirely natural.
There will always be a sense of right guy, wrong time with Emery and Arsenal.
Arsenal were fractured upon his arrival in 2018. And let’s be frank, replacing Arsene Wenger was always going to be the impossible job.
But his body of work is compelling – and here, at his former home – Emery popped Arsenal’s balloon with a striking swagger to add to his reputation as one of Europe’s most astute coaches.
Then, of course, there is Emiliano Martinez – the former Arsenal goalkeeper sold by Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2020.
His astonishing save to deny Leandro Trossard in the first half was gobsmacking. With fists clenched and fire in his eyes, the Argentine rightfully received adulation from his colleagues.
Needless to say Martinez was front and centre of Villa’s celebrations after the full time whistle.
Although Arsenal will be dejected, there could still be more twists and turns in the title race
Arsenal will only have themselves to blame if they fall short in the title race again
Villa deserved their victory. It was a shock – but certainly no smash and grab.
Yet, it was a result totally in keeping with a season that neither Arsenal, Liverpool or City appear overly fussed about grabbing by the horns.
It’s gripping, of course. You can’t take your eyes off it.
But if Arsenal fall short again, they’ll only got themselves to blame. They should be a point clear of City and three adrift of Liverpool at the summit this morning.
Instead, their title nerve is being questioned for a second successive season. Will City let Arsenal and Liverpool off the hook?
The way this season has developed, you wouldn’t put it past them.
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