Will Arsenal benefit from Liverpool’s stumble in the North London derby against Tottenham? Premier League talking points | Football news

Will Arsenal take advantage of Liverpool’s stumble?

Arsenal vs Tottenham, Wednesday, 8pm

Extra time, penalties, new injuries and another confidence-sapping evening at an increasingly exciting Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Manchester United, followed by defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, was not ideal preparation for the visit of Tottenham.

Arsenal, who were already without Bukayo Saka, are now without Gabriel Jesus for even longer. Their attacking injuries, with Ethan Nwaneri also out, leave them reliant on the struggling Kai Havertz. Jurian Timber and Jorginho were also forced out of Sunday’s game.

Physically, they were looking exhausted even before the two cup matches, and their fatigue was evident in their second-half collapse against Brighton. With no time for a recuperative trip to Dubai this year, Mikel Arteta must find a way to revitalize his players quickly.

It’s a difficult task. How the Arsenal coach would have liked a clear schedule this week. Instead, he must play one of the club’s biggest games of the season, one in which the club’s supporters will be hard pressed to stomach anything less than a win.

But after Liverpool drew with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening, an Arsenal win would put them four points clear of the leaders, who have a game in hand.

Of course, Spurs have a long-term injury problem as well. They also endured an ordeal of their own in the FA Cup on Sunday, needing extra time to beat non-league Tamworth. But the physical demands of that match were far more modest than Arsenal’s. Ange Postecoglou was also able to rotate.

Their recent form in the Premier League has been much worse than Arsenal’s, with them taking one point from their last four matches. But last week’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool hinted that a corner had been converted. Despite exhausting themselves, they must make the journey across north London sensing an opportunity.
Nick Wright

If anything could elevate Isaac to another level…

Newcastle vs Wolverhampton, Wednesday, 7:30 pm

Alexander Isak has become an unstoppable force against Premier League defences, and if anything could elevate him to another level, Newcastle have given him just that.

comfort.

Isak started all 16 of the Magpies’ games ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup win over Bromley, where he was not even in the squad due to a minor hamstring complaint, but should be fit to feature against Wolves on Wednesday.

In the absence of any real competition and Callum Wilson’s ongoing injury problems, the onus has been on the Swedish goal machine and he scored 14 goals during that run.

It is his longest run of consecutive starts for the club since his move to Tyneside in 2022. In the face of necessity, he delivered, which in itself was far from a guarantee.

This is a player who scored just six goals in his final season with Real Sociedad before joining Newcastle. A player who was brought to Borussia Dortmund as the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic but left without making his name in the league.

Newcastle’s difficult opening season was largely hampered by injury, but they haven’t looked back since. His ability to keep the ball, play with his back to goal, drift wide or play as a traditional number 9 was missing just one thing – the confidence any top striker needs.

However, is there a better striker in world football right now? His nine goals since the start of December top the Premier League charts, and with a full week between matches for the first time since mid-October, Wolves had better be smart about them.
Ron Walker

Will Moyes’ return cause Everton’s dismissal?

Everton vs Aston Villa, Wednesday, 7:30 pm

David Moyes’ first spell with Everton began with a goal after 30 seconds from David Unsworth as the team secured a 2-1 win over Fulham despite a first-half red card for Thomas Gravesen. It sparked a run of three wins from four games that lifted them to safety.

Thirteen years later, how much they would like to do it again. Moyes, now 61, once again inherits a team in need of a savior. They are winless in five matches and are one point above the relegation zone.

His first challenge is to make them score goals. Everton battled back to a 2-0 victory over Peterborough in the FA Cup under the interim leadership of Seamus Coleman and Leyton Baines on Thursday, but they have found the back of the net just once in five Premier League matches. Only bottom club Southampton have scored fewer goals this season.

The numbers make grim reading. Everton are even lower than Southampton in terms of expected goals, which shows just how brutal they have been under Sean Dyche. But the hope for fans is that Moyes’ return will provide an immediate boost of confidence to those who have struggled badly in front of goal.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa make for a tough opponent, but they have obvious weaknesses defensively and head to what is likely to be a revamped Goodison Park having lost their last five away games in the Premier League, conceding 14 goals in the process.
Nick Wright

Welcome signs Leicester

Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m

Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted that the Premier League is Leicester’s priority this season – but a huge win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup was exactly what they needed ahead of the match against Crystal Palace.

A run of five defeats on the bounce dampened the initial optimism provided by Van Nistelrooy’s arrival until a 6-2 win over the Hoops propelled them into the fourth round.

Aside from stopping the losing streak, it is the manner of the win that will please Leicester fans the most.

Wasteful finishing played a major role in seeing the club walk away from promising displays against Manchester City and Aston Villa with no points – so watching the goals pour in from all angles was a welcome sign for Van Nistelrooy and his team.

Taking that form into the league is now essential to the season and chances of survival. Starting from the palace.
Patrick Rowe

Saints clash is a test of Manchester United’s strength

Manchester United vs. Southampton, Thursday, 8 p.m

Amidst all the euphoria of the FA Cup third round, added to the lively display at Anfield, it is easy to forget that Manchester United are winless in their last six matches. Since their last win, a 2-1 win over Manchester City, United have lost four times and drawn twice.

The last two games have shown a different side to United, a new side. There was an aspect to the team that Ruben Amorim had hoped for since taking over but had to wait.

United have risen to the challenge at Anfield and the Emirates by showing great mental fortitude, but the real challenge for Amorim’s men is whether they can maintain their form against some of the so-called ‘lesser teams’.

There is no better test of United’s resolve at the moment than a home clash against the bottom of the Premier League. If they win convincingly, we can begin to take this supposed new page seriously.
WILLIAM PETTYBERRY

Can Brighton shine towards winning the English Premier League?

Ipswich vs Brighton, Thursday, 7:30pm

After just three defeats in 15 games in all competitions at the start of the season, Brighton went eight games without a win over the festive period – despite only two losses.

But for a club aspiring to European football, constant draws will not get them there. Their 10 draws this season are the most in the Premier League.

However, the Seagulls will be hoping that a 4-0 win over Norwich in the FA Cup will give them the boost they need to start picking up points in the league. One of the best moments of the third round match was Solly March’s wonderful goal, which he scored after a long absence due to injury.

It’s another trip to East Anglia on Tuesday evening where they take on Ipswich – the only team in the relegation zone on goal difference and improving with each Premier League game. The Tractor Boys also won their FA Cup tie at the weekend and are now unbeaten in three games.

It won’t be an easy evening for either side and both will feel they can get maximum points. They need it for different reasons, but it is equally important.
Charlotte Marsh

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