The balance shifts from Arsenal to Manchester City, Chelsea could take a defining step away from the pack and Jack Wilshere’s chance to crack onGiven Chelsea’s rampaging form at the top of the table, the first Premier League meeting between Pep Guardiola and Arsène Wenger feels hugely significant, particularly for Manchester City who could find themselves 10 points off the title pace should they suffer defeat at the Etihad. A week ago Arsenal might have started this contest as favourites, but their 14-game unbeaten streak in the league came to an end in the midweek defeat at Goodison Park, while City rectified their recent slump with a confident 2-0 win over Watford. City’s performance was enhanced by Raheem Sterling’s return...
Jürgen Klopp was right to take Loris Karius out of the spotlight, Tottenham’s back three can set their full-backs free and Marcos Rojo has not learnedIn truth, Simon Mignolet did not have much to do during Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough, but Loris Karius was taken out of the spotlight nevertheless. The saga involving Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper before the midweek fixtures overshadowed all else at the club, but Jürgen Klopp’s team responded with a convincing performance, one of their best this season. On Karius, the Liverpool manager said: “I’m not interested in public pressure, I’m interested in the boy and there’s no reason to push him through this situation.” Mignolet appears set for an extended run in the team while...
Arsenal have proved they have team spirit, Cesc Fàbregas is invaluable to Chelsea despite sub’s role and Gylfi Sigurdsson is the man to guide Swansea to safetyAre Arsenal made of sterner stuff these days? It is not the first time the question has been aired in recent years, and the answer usually goes down a predictably shaky path. Having said that, Arsène Wenger has observed a few clues in their victory against a strong Stoke City side that give him quiet optimism. Among the good habits his team are enjoying this season, the capacity to come back from a deficit encourages him. “It’s the sixth time that we are down in the game and come back or win since the...
Spanish international and England veteran lay the foundations for Premier League victory over Tottenham at Old TraffordIn José Mourinho’s quest for the winning formula, he had at least found his midfield axis: Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick. As Manchester United hunted for a first three points since beating Swansea City on 6 November this match against Tottenham Hotspur was the fifth game the two players started together in the engine room and the second league outing in succession following the draw at Everton last week.Mourinho required some time to be convinced of Carrick’s worth, in particular. Perhaps the United manager harboured reservations over the ability of the England international, now aged 35, to deal with the physical demands of the...
Today’s fluff is only lonely when your homey ain’t got a ride or no loot Tottenham have drawn up a shortlist of potential new goalkeepers, should Hugo Lloris turn down their contract offer and swan off elsewhere, with Manchester City outcast Joe Hart and Sunderland’s shot-stopping supremo Jordan Pickford both upon it. They are also linked this morning with Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, as for that matter are Liverpool (again) and Arsenal, though the Gunners may be short of cash if a rumoured £20m move for Milan’s 30-year-old Colombian goal-grabber Carlos Bacca comes to fruition, with the clubs apparently already discussing terms.Long-term Arsenal target Julian Draxler appears certain to leave Wolfsburg in January, if anyone’s after a talented German 23-year-old...