It’s advantage Man City after Arsenal and Liverpool fluff their lines, but don’t rule out more twists in the tightest Premier League title race in years, writes SAMI MOKBEL

To me. To you. To me. No, to you. Your turn. No, after you.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2023/2024 Premier League title race: a race of heartbreaking waves, but one that three of European football’s powerhouses are desperate to lose.

So it is Manchester City’s advantage. Well, until the next twist.

Of course City has the experience, the know-how and the knowledge.

Surpassing a procedure that Pep Guardiola has perfected over the years with surgical precision.

Manchester City do not have the invincible look that characterized their Treble campaign

Yet this City team lacks the air of invincibility that characterized their historic pursuit of the Treble last season.

They dropped points in just ten games on their way to a third successive Premier League title last season.

They have already reached that total this season with six games left to play.

Realistically, the smart money is on City again, but the unpredictable nature of the race for the crown this season suggests we may be revising our predictions soon.

When news of Liverpool’s shock home loss to Crystal Palace spread around the Emirates Stadium before kick-off here on Sunday afternoon, you could sense the anticipation.

This was it. The day Arsenal finally took control of their destiny. Don’t choke. Oh…

You couldn’t escape the irony. The man who was at the heart of Aston Villa’s victory here in north London was the very man who was unceremoniously dumped by the Gunners after just 18 months in charge in 2019.

This was the right moment for Unai Emery, his celebration following Ollie Watkins’ brilliant second illustration of his euphoria.

Unai Emery will be delighted to have led Villa to victory over his former club Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez, who also has strong Arsenal connections, produced an impressive display

The Spaniard will feel this victory in his bones, although he insisted it meant no more to him than any other win during his post-match media duties.

That’s poppy, of course. If he felt a sense of vindication, that would be completely natural.

There will always be a sense of right man, wrong time with Emery and Arsenal.

Arsenal were shattered upon his arrival in 2018. And let’s face it, replacing Arsène Wenger was always going to be an impossible task.

But his body of work is compelling – and here, at his former home – Emery burst the Arsenal balloon with striking swagger to further cement his reputation as one of Europe’s most astute coaches.

Then of course there is Emiliano Martinez – the former Arsenal goalkeeper who was sold by Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2020.

His astonishing save against Leandro Trossard in the first half was astonishing. With clenched fists and fire in his eyes, the Argentinian rightly received the admiration of his colleagues.

Needless to say, Martinez was at the center of Villa’s celebrations after the whistle.

While Arsenal will be disappointed, there could be more twists and turns in the title race

Arsenal will have only themselves to blame if they fall short in the title race again

Villa deserved their win. It was a shock, but certainly not a slap and grab.

Still, it was a result entirely in keeping with a season in which neither Arsenal, Liverpool or City have been too concerned about grabbing things by the horns.

It is of course moving. You can’t take your eyes off it.

But if Arsenal fall short again, they will have only themselves to blame. They should be one point ahead of City at the top this morning and three behind Liverpool.

Instead, their title credentials are in doubt for the second consecutive season. Will City release Arsenal and Liverpool?

You wouldn’t put it past them the way this season has developed.