Derby poorly timed for Arsenal's failure
Arsenal – Tottenham, Wednesday, kick-off 8 p.m
Extra time and penalties, new injuries and another evening that undermines confidence in an increasingly tense Emirates Stadium. Arsenal's FA Cup loss to Manchester United, following the defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, was not ideal preparation for the visit of Tottenham.
Arsenal, who were already without Bukayo Saka, will now probably have to do without Gabriel Jesus for even longer. Their attacking injuries, with Ethan Nwaneri also out, have left them dependent on the struggling Kai Havertz. Jurrien Timber and Jorginho were also forced to be eliminated in Sunday's match.
Physically they looked jaded even before the two cup games, and their exhaustion was clearly visible in their second-half collapse against Brighton. With no time for a restorative trip to Dubai this year, Mikel Arteta must find a way to revive his players straight away.
It's a tough task. How the Arsenal boss would have liked to have had a clear schedule this week. Instead, he must battle his way through one of their biggest games of the season, where anything less than victory will be even tougher for the club's supporters.
Of course, Tottenham endured an FA Cup ordeal of their own on Sunday, needing extra time to beat non-league Tamworth. But the physical demands of that game were much more modest than those of Arsenal. Ange Postecoglou also had the luxury of turning his side.
Their recent Premier League form has been much worse than Arsenal's, with a single point from their last four games. But last week's Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool suggested a corner. They should make the journey through North London because they sense an opportunity. Nick Wright
If anything can take Isak to the next level…
Newcastle vs Wolves, Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm
Alexander Isak has become an unstoppable force against Premier League defenses and if there is anything that can take him one step further, Newcastle have given it to him.
A rest.
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 play against Wolves on Wednesday.
In the absence of any real competition due to Callum Wilson's ongoing injury problems, the onus fell on the Swedish goalscoring machine, and he did just that, with fourteen goals during that run.
It is the longest run of consecutive club starts since he moved to Tyneside in 2022. Despite the need, he achieved results, which in itself was far from a guarantee.
This is a player who scored just six goals in his last season at Real Sociedad before joining Newcastle. One who was brought to Borussia Dortmund as the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but left without a league strike to his name.
A tough opening campaign at Newcastle was largely hampered by injury, but he hasn't looked back since. His ability to hold the ball up, play with his back to goal, drift wide or play as a conventional number 9 lacked only one thing: the confidence that every top striker needs.
Is there a better attacker in world football at the moment? His nine goals since the start of December top the Premier League charts, and with a full week between games for the first time since mid-October, Wolves had better be careful. Ron Walker
Could Moyes' return lead to Everton being sacked?
Everton vs Aston Villa, Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm
David Moyes' first time in charge of Everton started with a goal after 30 seconds from David Unsworth as they secured a 2-1 win over Fulham, despite a first-half red card from Thomas Gravesen. It led to a run of three wins from four games, which saw them reach safety.
Thirteen years later, they would like a repeat. Moyes, now 61, once again inherits a team in need of a savior. They have gone five games without a win and are one point above the drop zone.
His first challenge is to let them score. Everton worked to a 2-0 win over Peterborough in the FA Cup on Thursday under the interim management of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, but in the five games in the Premier League they only found the net once. Only bottom side Southampton have scored fewer goals this season.
The numbers are grim to read. Everton are even lower than Southampton in expected goals, underscoring how blunt they have been under Sean Dyche. But the hope for supporters is that Moyes' return will provide an immediate confidence boost to those who fought so hard for the goal.
Unai Emery's Aston Villa are a tough opponent but they have obvious defensive weaknesses and head to what is likely to be a revitalized Goodison Park having lost their last five away games in the Premier League, conceding a total of 14 goals in the process . Nick Wright
Welcome signs for Leicester
Leicester vs Crystal Palace, Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm
Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted the Premier League is Leicester's priority this season, but the emphatic win against QPR in the FA Cup was exactly what they needed ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
A run of five defeats on the rebound had quickly soured the initial optimism that Van Nistelrooy's arrival had provided, until a 6–2 win against the Hoops took them into the fourth round.
Apart from breaking the losing streak, it is the manner of victory that will please Leicester fans the most.
Wasteful finishing played a major role in the club walking away with zero points from promising performances against Manchester City and Aston Villa. So it would have been a welcome sign for Van Nistelrooy and his team to see the goals pouring in from all angles.
Transferring this form to the league is now imperative for their season and survival prospects. Starting with Palace.Patrick Rowe
Saints clash in a test of Man Utd's mettle
Man Utd vs Southampton, Thursday, kick-off 8pm
Amid all the euphoria of the FA Cup third round, on top of a spirited performance at Anfield, it's easy to forget that Manchester United are without a win in their last six. Since their last win, a 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City, United have lost four and drawn twice.
The last two performances showed a different side of United, a new one. There was a side to the team that Ruben Amorim had hoped for since he took charge, but had to wait. United have risen to the challenge at Anfield and the Emirates showing great mental strength, but the real challenge for Amorim's men is whether they can maintain their level against some of the so-called 'lesser sides'.
There is no better test of United's resolve at the moment than a home game against the bottom of the Premier League. If they win convincingly, then we can start taking this supposed new magazine seriously. William Bitibiri
Can Brighton win Premier League form?
Ipswich v Brighton, Thursday, 7.30pm
After just three defeats in fifteen games in all competitions at the start of the season, Brighton went eight games without a win – albeit still with just two defeats.
But for a club with European football ambitions, consistent signing will not get them there. Their ten draws this season are the most in the Premier League.
However, the Seagulls will be hoping that a 4-0 win against Norwich in the FA Cup will give them the boost they need to start picking up points in the competition. One of the best moments from the third round tie was Solly March's beautiful goal, scored after a lengthy injury break.
On Tuesday evening it's another trip to East Anglia, where they take on Ipswich, a team who are only in the relegation zone on goal difference and are improving with every Premier League game. The Tractor Boys also won their FA Cup appearance this weekend and are now three games unbeaten.
It won't be an easy evening for either team and both will feel they can take maximum points. They need them for different reasons, but equally important. Charlotte Marsh
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