Arsenal battle to stay top of Christmas charts

COULD fast-charging Manchester City top the Premier League at Christmas or will Arsenal cling on to the festive number one spot?

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PORTUGUESE midfielder Bernardo Silva (left) will be looking to help Manchester City leapfrog Riccardo Calafiori's Arsenal as the sides chase each other at the log summit. | AFP

(AFP)

Pep Guardiola's City host struggling West Ham at home today after six straight wins in all competitions, while the Gunners face a tricky trip to Everton later in the day.

Aston Villa take on Manchester United, looking to maintain an astonishing run that has catapulted them into the title race, while Liverpool travel to face stumbling Tottenham.

Here we look at three talking points ahead of the weekend action:

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have clicked ominously into gear and are just two points behind longtime Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners have a tough run of league fixtures coming up, starting away at Everton, with Brighton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool to follow.

City, hungry to reclaim the title they lost to Liverpool last year, will go top of the table, at least temporarily, if they beat the Hammers.