It’s an advantage for Man City after Arsenal and Liverpool boosted their lines, but does not rule out further twists and turns in the tightest Premier League title race in years, writes SAMI MOKBEL

Tome. For you. Tome. No, yours. Your turn. No, after you.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the race for the 2023/2024 Premier League title: a race with breathtaking undulations – but one that three of European football’s superpowers are trying hard to lose.

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

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

Crossing the finish line, a procedure Pep Guardiola has perfected with surgical precision over the years.

Manchester City don’t have the air of invincibility that characterized their Treble campaign

Yet this City team does not have the air of invincibility that characterized their historic quest for the treble last season.

They dropped points in just 10 matches en route to a third consecutive Premier League title last season.

They have already reached that total this season with six matches remaining.

In reality, the smart money is on City, but the unpredictable nature of this season’s race for the crown suggests we may well revise our predictions before too long.

As news of Liverpool’s shock home defeat to Crystal Palace circulated around the Emirates Stadium before kick-off here on Sunday afternoon, you felt the anticipation.

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

There was no escaping the irony. The man at the heart of Aston Villa’s victory here in north London was the same man who was unceremoniously dumped by the Gunners after just 18 months in charge in 2019.

It was quite the moment for Unai Emery, his celebrations after Ollie Watkins’ second brilliant showing his euphoria.

Unai Emery will be very happy to have guided Villa to victory against his former club, Arsenal.

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

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

It’s poppy, of course. If he felt a sense of revenge, it would be completely natural.

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

Arsenal were fractured when he arrived in 2018. And let’s be frank, replacing Arsène Wenger was always going to be an impossible task.

But his work is convincing – and here, at his old home – Emery burst the Arsenal ball with a striking swagger to add to his reputation as one of Europe’s most astute managers.

And of course there’s Emiliano Martinez – the former Arsenal goalkeeper sold by Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2020.

His stunning save from Leandro Trossard in the first half was mind-boggling. With his fists clenched and fire in his eyes, the Argentinian rightly received the adulation of his colleagues.

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

Although Arsenal will be depressed, there could still be further twists and turns in the title race

Arsenal will only be responsible if they fail in the title race again

Villa deserved their victory. It was a shock – but definitely not a smash and grab.

Still, it was a result entirely in keeping with a season that neither Arsenal, Liverpool or City seem too keen to grab by the horns.

It’s captivating, of course. You can’t take your eyes off him.

But if Arsenal fail again, they will only be responsible. They should be a point ahead of City and three adrift of Liverpool at this morning’s summit.

Instead, their title mettle is in question for a second consecutive season. Will City let Arsenal and Liverpool get away with it?

Given the way this season has gone, we couldn’t pass them up.