Arsenal must shake off their sudden bout of title nerves as the Premier League leaders prepare for a crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have the chance to crank up the pressure with victory over Newcastle United, while Michael Carrick takes Manchester United to Everton hoping to strengthen his case to land the job permanently.

Saka expects Arsenal to respond

Defiant Bukayo Saka insists Arsenal will eventually “get over the line” and end their long wait for major silverware.

Mikel Arteta’s side risk letting a commanding position slip after back-to-back draws against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers left them with just two wins from their last seven league outings.

Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Wolves was particularly painful. Arsenal led 2-0 before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, raising fresh concerns about their ability to handle the mounting pressure.

The Gunners remain five points clear of Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand and a potentially decisive clash with Arsenal to come in April.

Having been overhauled by City in the 2023 and 2024 title races, and without a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, Arsenal are again facing questions about their staying power.

Saka, however, remains confident.

“I believe the next few years are going to be the years that we get over the line, and we’re able to win trophies and make history for this club,” he said. “We’re back where we belong, fighting for everything.”

City ‘on the hunt’

Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has warned Arsenal that Manchester City are ready to capitalise on any further slip-ups.

Recent wins over Liverpool and Fulham have revived City’s title charge. Victory against Newcastle on Saturday would move them to within two points of the leaders, turning up the heat ahead of Sunday’s derby in north London.

“The mood’s been good,” Reijnders said. “Of course, we’ve dropped some points as well, but we are on the hunt and we keep going.

“We have to see, but if we keep going like this, who knows?”

Carrick making his case

At Old Trafford, interim boss Michael Carrick continues to strengthen his claim for the permanent role after replacing Ruben Amorim in January.

Carrick enjoyed a dream start with a 2-0 derby win over Manchester City and followed it up with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Arsenal. Four wins and a draw from his first five matches have lifted United into fourth place ahead of their trip to Everton.

Club legend Wayne Rooney believes his former team-mate could be the right man to restore stability to a club that has not won the league since 2013.

“We’ve tried different managers — Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag and Amorim — and for me Carrick makes sense,” Rooney said.

“Having someone there who knows the club and cares for the club makes a big difference. Michael is managing the whole squad and managing them well.”