League leaders Arsenal might have discovered a brand new aspect to their assault which might show pivotal within the title race as Chelsea boss Graham Potter appears extra like a lifeless man strolling with every passing day.
Liverpool regarded like a group bereft of confidence as their Madrid hangover continued whereas a sleeping big wakened for the primary time in months and will show to be a game-changer within the race for survival.
Catch up on all the moments that mattered this weekend within the newest version of Premier League Talking Points!
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ARSENAL UNLOCK SECRET $37M WEAPON
Arsenal’s title problem regarded to have been dealt a blow when the Gunners have been gazumped by Chelsea for long-term goal Mykhailo Mudryk within the January switch window.
But plan B is popping out simply advantageous for the league leaders as they as an alternative picked up Leandro Trossard from Brighton for a fraction of the payment Chelsea paid for Mudryk, with the Gunners in the end paying $AUD37 million for the Belgian winger.
Trossard began in an unfamiliar “false 9” position on the King Power and was very unlucky to not get a objective as his thunderous strike into the highest nook was dominated out by a VAR assessment for a foul on Leicester ‘keeper Danny Ward by Ben White.
The Belgian nonetheless had a decisive impression because it was from his cross that Gabriel Martinelli scored the one objective to maintain Arsenal prime of the desk and with a recreation in hand to return.
The two loved a dynamic partnership with loads of interchanging motion, one thing that Arsenal’s different ahead, Eddie Nketiah, doesn’t do as usually.
With Martinelli trying his harmful self alongside a teammate who’s completely happy to roam throughout the entrance, it left opposition defenders puzzled.
It is value noting that Trossard and Martinelli hadn’t even performed a single minute collectively, with one man changing the opposite.
But extra importantly, it demonstrated Arteta has discovered one other aspect to his assault with out talismanic striker Gabriel Jesus.
It might be a partnership which may simply edge the title race even additional in favour of the Gunners.
Arsenal prolong their lead on the prime | 01:34
THE DAMNING STATS EXPOSING BLUES’ $600M NIGHTMARE
Chelsea at the moment are nearer to the relegation zone than the highest 4 after a primary defeat in 9 Premier League video games to Tottenham.
The Blues, languishing in tenth within the desk, are nonetheless ready for a return on a world document $600m funding within the switch market.
Manager Graham Potter recognised he’s on borrowed time after a run of simply two wins in 15 video games in all competitions.
“I do know the place my tasks lie if outcomes aren’t adequate which they aren’t,” stated Potter.
“You can not depend on help without end.”
What’s much more damning about Potter’s nightmare run are a number of the stats surrounding it.
Since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup, no group has scored fewer objectives than Chelsea, with a measly six objectives in 12 video games.
Additionally, the loss to Spurs meant Chelsea’s winless run on the highway prolonged to eight video games, the membership’s worst away run since March 2001.
Potter has already been given extra time than was the norm throughout Roman Abramovich’s period at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s new house owners have put their belief in Potter, however chairman Todd Boehly regarded a pissed off determine as he watched one other toothless efficiency on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The stats behind Chelsea’s latest malaise don’t make for fairly studying. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WORRYING SIGN IN ‘FRAGILE’ REDS’ DOUR DRAW
With consecutive Premier League wins within the financial institution — together with one in opposition to high-flying Newcastle — there have been many who thought Liverpool had turned a nook of their league kind.
A humbling 5-2 midweek defeat to Real Madrid within the Champions League supplied a well timed reminder that issues have been nonetheless not fairly excellent within the purple half of Merseyside, however a recreation in opposition to Crystal Palace might assist Jurgen Klopp’s aspect shake off the hangover.
Instead, Liverpool performed out a dour 0-0 draw by which they struggled to create many clear lower alternatives and have been weak to the counter-attack on many events.
Star winger Mohamed Salah got here closest to scoring when his curling effort smacked the crossbar, however there was treasured little else to crow about other than a Cody Gakpo likelihood.
The outcome left the Reds 9 factors adrift from the highest 4 and susceptible to dropping to eighth on the ladder ought to Brighton win their recreation in hand.
Such a toothless attacking show, particularly in opposition to a group who had not gained a league match from their final seven, had former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp anxious.
All will not be precisely nicely at Liverpool. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I believe, with Liverpool proper now, that’s the efficiency I anticipated from them,” Redknapp informed Sky Sports.
“They’re fragile, their confidence is extraordinarily low, they’re not enjoying with any freedom.
“The clear sheet is clearly a plus, as a result of once you concede 5 in midweek you clearly should dig in. But it’s powerful instances in the intervening time.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a degree gained as a result of groups round them like Spurs will suppose that’s an excellent outcome for them, however proper now it’s nearly slowly constructing their confidence again once more.
“Liverpool had the odd likelihood right here and there however they didn’t actually do sufficient. And proper now that’s simply the place they’re at. In the summer time there must be adjustments however you possibly can’t fear about that.”
The fixtures don’t get any simpler for Liverpool, with a recreation in opposition to a resurgent Wolves aspect on Thursday morning (AEDT) earlier than they host Manchester United on Monday.
Fulham ‘tremendous sub’ clinches draw | 00:52
LEEDS’ STATE OF GRACIA
Leeds had been ready since November for a Premier League win, nevertheless it took Javi Gracia simply 90 minutes to ship a much-needed three factors.
Junior Firpo scored the one objective at a relieved Elland Road as the house aspect acquired the higher of Southampton in a battle between the underside two heading into the weekend.
“We comprehend it’s just one win, solely three factors, nevertheless it’s one thing actually particular for us,” stated former Watford boss Gracia.
More than only a much-needed win, The Times’ Ian Whittell remarked Leeds have been “composed, affected person and assured,” three traits seldom seen at Elland Road this season.
Whether it’s sufficient to sign Gracia will certainly preserve Leeds up or if it’s simply the notorious new supervisor bounce stays to be seen, however a win is a win and in a relegation dogfight, each victory counts.
The battle to beat the drop stays tightly full of six factors separating Bournemouth in nineteenth from Crystal Palace in twelfth.
