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Premier League preview: Arsenal battle league's in-form team and Thomas Frank welcomes old friends
The action is non-stop this time of year, and after a full midweek programme, the Premier League resumes this weekend as we enter further into the busy festive period.
Arsenal still lead the way ahead of Manchester City, but this weekend face the league's most in-form side, whereas City host a Sunderland team that took a point from Anfield on Wednesday.
The round concludes on Monday when Wolves look for their first win of 2025-26 at the fifteenth attempt as they host Manchester United.
Here are the big talking points headed into Matchday 15.
Gunners latest test
After earning what Mikel Arteta would see as a decent point at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal saw off Brentford in midweek to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. However, the tests for the Gunners come thick and fast and on Saturday travel to the league's most in-form side.
Aston Villa's dismal start to the season has been long forgotten, because they are currently on a four-match winning streak and back looking like the team that gatecrashed the Champions League places.
On Wednesday, their current momentum was on display for all to see as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Brighton 4-3 at the Amex. Now, Unai Emery faces his former side with Villa looking to continue their impressive run.
Interestingly, only Arsenal and Manchester City have more Premier League points in 2025 than Aston Villa - even champions Liverpool- showcasing what a job the Spaniard continues to do at Villa Park.
Saying all that, this still feels like a different Gunners team, who, in that cliched way, are finding ways to win games in a hallmark of potential Premier League champions. Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Liverpool's Elland Road worry
Four points from games against West Ham and Sunderland isn't exactly the record of champions, but given Liverpool's recent run, it's the improvement that was badly needed.
Next up, as Arne Slot looks to find the right formula among his team, is a visit to Elland Road, which feels like a much more daunting prospect than it did a week ago.
Daniel Farke stumbled on a formation in the second half against Manchester City that seems to suit Leeds much better, so much so, it played a huge part in their win over title-chasing Chelsea in midweek.
That victory would have given Farke and his side a huge boost and made life even more difficult for the reigning champions, who will face a feverish atmosphere as well as a team who have suddenly found a bit of momentum.
Could the Bees sting former boss Frank?
With the pressure increasing on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, the last thing he needs right now is a visit from his former side to hammer another dent in the fans' patience with the Danish boss.
A point on the road at Newcastle was a decent result for Spurs, but it's their home form that's been the problem this season, as evidenced by last weekend's defeat to Fulham.
So far, they've recorded just one win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season - a 3-0 win over Burnley in August - with bottom-placed Wolves the only side with a worse record.
Frank needs to turn the tide at home sooner rather than later, or the heat will only continue to rise amongst the locals.
In contrast, the Bees have won only one of their away trips so far, losing the other six, but will see Saturday as an opportunity to improve on that record and get one over their former manager.
Can Cheeries halt the slide?
It's been a Premier League season of streaky teams, with Aston Villa going from one extreme to the other, and now it's the turn of Bournemouth.
The Cherries' start to the season had the South Coast club dreaming of finally making it into Europe, nothing short of what has been deserved during Andoni Iraola's reign, but now their form has taken a nose-dive.
It's now just one point from the last five games for Ireola's team, with the latest defeat coming at the hands of inconsistent Everton in midweek.
That loss has seen them drop to 14th in the table, albeit only a few points off the top six, thanks to the nature of this season's league, but alarm bells are starting to ring.
This weekend they welcome Chelsea, who, having held leaders Arsenal, succumbed to a surprise defeat at Elland Road and in the process dropped vital points as they chase down the Gunners.
It feels like a game where both sides could do with the win, but which way will it go?
How to watch the Premier League in Canada
Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.
With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga, and more.
For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.
