Gunners are facing a tough task

Spanish war

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said his side is embracing the challenge of facing the Premier League’s runaway leaders, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who head into today’s clash on a 17-match winning streak.

Arsenal have little margin for error in their pursuit of a European spot and their upcoming fixtures present an opportunity to bridge the gap to the Premier League’s top six sides, manager Mikel Arteta has said.

Arteta’s side host leaders Manchester City today before playing third-placed Leicester City, with games against Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and champions Liverpool also lined up.

“It could define our season if we are unable to close the gap to them, but it can create momentum for us if we can get closer to them,” Arteta told reporters.

“We know the margin for error is minimal with the season that we have had, so we need to kick on.” Arteta said his side were embracing the challenge of facing Pep Guardiola’s City, who head into today’s clash on a 17-match winning streak.

Derby against Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United manager David Moyes said he will start discussing his side’s topfour prospects when they have got through a tough run of fixtures starting with today’s home derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Moyes has turned the Hammers from relegation battlers last season into contenders for Europe and they will face Spurs full of confidence after winning six of their last eight league games.

West Ham, who are level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, are 19 points better off than at this stage last season and a win over Tottenham would leave them nine points above Jose Mourinho’s side who have slumped to ninth after 23 matches.

Manchester United will hold talks with Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani over extending his stay at the Premier League club, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said.

Cavani joined United on transfer deadline day in October on a year-long deal with an option for a further year following his exit from Paris St Germain.

The 34-year-old was widely seen as a “panic signing” by British media but with seven goals and two assists in 24 games in all competitions he has impressed Solskjaer.

“I can only say Edinson has done well,” Solskjaer said before today’s home game against Newcastle United. —