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Arsenal will be looking to regain its spot among the top four on Saturday as the Barclay’s Premier League returns from the international break. The Gunners will host a slumping Birmingham City side on Saturday that has won just once in its past five matches. Arsenal meanwhile has won three straight fixtures in the Premier League, climbing back to within just one point of a spot in the top four. Kickoff between the two sides is set for 15:00 at the Emirates Stadium in London, UK. Game is live from ESPN+ TV channel (Might change or add more channels before kick off).

Arsenal continued to rebound from two ugly losses last month with an emphatic 6-2 victory two weeks ago over Blackburn Rovers. The Gunners appeared to have a battle on their hands in the opening minutes as Blackburn came out firing. The Rovers struck first with a goal in the fourth minute to take the early 1-0 lead. Arsenal would equalize in the 16th minute. Blackburn would go out front again in the 30th minute 2-1. This time Arsenal had two answers. The Gunners scored in the 32nd and 37th minutes to take a 3-2 lead into halftime. The second half belonged to Arsenal as the Gunners added goals in the 56th, 75th, and 89th minutes to seal a commanding 6-2 victory. Six different players scored for Arsenal two weeks ago. Birmingham City has been in a terrible slump of late, losing two straight and four of their last five matches. City’s last outing was a 2-1 defeat at fortress Turf Moor against Burnley. The Clarets scored in the 52nd and 61st minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Birmingham City could muster only a consolation goal on a fantastic dead ball strike from Sebastian Larsson in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Manone believes he performed well in the absence of Manuel Almunia, enough perhaps to warrant consideration on a more frequent basis between the sticks for Arsenal. Almunia was recently sidelined with a pesky chest infection and Manone performed admirably in his absence, prompting him to believe he deserved more time in net. The appearances were for the first for the 21 year old Italian with the first team since the season finale last May against Stoke City.

Saturday’s match will be very important for both sides. Arsenal is just a few points away from climbing back into the top four. Birmingham City meanwhile needs to pick up points to avoid falling into the relegation zone. At this point, City is out of the relegation zone only on goal differential. A loss would continue their recent fall down the table and raise concerns in Birmingham.