After all the 20 Premier League teams completed a hectic festive period and at least ten days of rest in between, the Premier League returns in full after the weekend’s FA Cup action.

On Tuesday, 5 Premier League fixtures will go on as the Premier League title race resumes. One of the teams in the title race, Arsenal, who did not take part in the last round of the English FA Cup, will be in action.

The Gunners have not played a game since their 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on January 20; Mikel Arteta’s men will travel to City Ground to face Nottingham Forest. 

Arsenal took a deserved break in Asia and returned with a 5-0 lead in their last game to keep up with the Premier League summit. However, the Arsenal camp has been thrown into the mix of the recent managerial shakeup in England and Spain.

Rumors emanated that manager Mikel Arteta was linked to the Barcelona managerial position after Xavi revealed his decision to leave the La Liga club at the end of this season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was the first to announce his exit plan on Friday at the end of the season. However, Mikel Arteta has tagged the rumors as untrue as the Gunners hope to get all three points, which will take them above second-place Manchester City and put them within 2 points of catching up with Liverpool.

Liverpool tops the table with 48 points from 21 games, Manchester City are in second with 43 points from 20 games with 1 match outstanding, and Arsenal have 43 points from 21 games.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa could move into second position and take advantage of any potential slip-up from Arsenal if they beat Newcastle United at Villa Park on Tuesday. Unai Emery’s men also have 43 points from 21 games as well, and a win can take them above both Arsenal and Manchester City.

In other games on Tuesday, Fulham will welcome Everton, Luton v Brighton, and Crystal Palace will face Sheffield United.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu