Premier League preview: Carrick faces Arsenal test, and can Man City turn poor form around?

The Premier League returns this weekend, and all the focus will be on Arsenal’s clash with rivals Manchester United at the Emirates.

Interim United boss Michael Carrick is off to a flying start following a dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend, and there is hope a similar performance can be produced against the Gunners.

Elsewhere, City will be looking to bring a dismal couple of days to an end, while Tottenham manager Thomas Frank will be hoping to continue a turn in fortunes in the team’s trip to Burnley.

Here are the key storylines to look out for in this weekend’s Premier League matches.

Can United shock league leaders Arsenal?

The vibe is good around United following the team’s battering of rivals City. Interim manager Carrick has awoken a new intensity within the team, and it showed at Old Trafford, which for the first time this season, was a cauldron.

Up next, a trip to north London to face league leaders Arsenals in one of English football’s most heated fixtures.

The Gunners are riding high at the top of the table with a seven-point lead, but any slip up could be fateful, and United would love nothing more than to derail Arsenal’s Premier League title plans.

• Read next | Could a win over Arsenal put Michael Carrick in the driving seat to be Manchester United's permanent boss?

It will be interesting to see whether Carrick will once again opt for a high press and the swift counter attacks which troubled City last weekend, or if they will attempt to soak up Arsenal pressure.

Every one of Arsenal’s players in and around the starting eleven are in-form and pose plenty of threat, but United have proven in the past that they can spoil the party at the Emirates.

Under fire Spurs manager Thomas Frank seeks turnaround against Burnley

Spurs manager Thomas Frank was given some much-needed relief after his team beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

But this will be temporary, he needs to start delivering in the league where Spurs currently sit 14th and could find themselves tumbling down even further if they do not start picking up points.

Burnley have proved they can mix it with the ‘Big Six’, recent draws with Manchester United and Liverpool have shown that they are still a danger despite being written off by many.

With the game taking place at Turf Moor, Burnley will fancy themselves against a Spurs side who for most of the season have looked very vulnerable.

Can City get their first league win since December?

The past week has been one to forget for City and manager Pep Guardiola.

A humiliating derby defeat to United was then followed up by a shock 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League which has sent the club into a spin.

Up next is certain relegation side Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad, it should be an easy afternoon for City.

• Read next | What went wrong for ‘fragile’ Manchester City in 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt

However, with how the team are playing currently, Wolves will fancy their chances.

City have not won in the league since a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in December, and more dropped points will rule the Blues out of the title race completely.

Manager Guardiola labelled his squad on Tuesday as “fragile” after the loss to Bodo, but he needs to reinstall some belief into his players and their mentality, who currently appear to be close to rock bottom.

Aston Villa aim to end St. James’ Park hoodoo

Aston Villa still find themselves in the Premier League title race.

Seven points behind Arsenal, Villa travel to Newcastle United, and St. James’ Park is a place which the Villains do not enjoy visiting.

The last league win in the North East came in April 2005, and if Unai Emery’s side want to keep pushing the Gunners all the way, they need to win games like these.

Newcastle will be confident after a 3-0 win over PSV in the Champions League, but with a trip to PSG next week which will be vital in securing a top eight finish, do not be surprised if manager Eddie Howe rotates his squad ahead of such an important game.

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