Arsenal seems ready for the title race
In what felt like a big day in the title race, Arsenal showed their mettle. So do they have what it takes to be right in the mix come May?
First of all, they have a very good goalkeeper. David Raya showed why he is a reliable number 1 between the sticks with five big saves and conceding 1.71 expected goals.
Reason two: They are defensively astute. William Saliba and Gabriel didn't have the best game at Selhurst Park, but if a 5-1 defeat is a bad day it's a positive sign.
They also have the opportunity to play without Bukayo Saka, who limped off injured in the first half, and still score five goals. A few seasons ago, they would have struggled with losing their best player. Saturday it turned out that there are layers to this team. There have been enough positive performances of late to show that they are not completely reliant on set pieces, another key asset in their cupboard.
There is also flexibility. Kai Havertz operated efficiently in midfield, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori could afford to rest, while Gabriel Martinelli filled in well for Saka on the right. Opponents will keep guessing.
In fact, Arsenal have shown that they can deal with multiple injuries and still keep up. Their left side of defense has been decimated to the point where Myles Lewis-Skelly has emerged as a reliable option. Suspensions and injuries have occurred regularly, but Arsenal are still in the race.
It is what sets them apart from Manchester City, where injuries have had an impact. All these factors could separate them and the rest will come in May.Sam Blitz
Questions about Man City's mentality
Manchester City looks ordinary, which feels like Pep Guardiola's biggest problem at the moment. Much has been made of the impact Rodri's absence has had, and rightly so. But now it feels much more deeply rooted than just a matter of lack of staff.
Erling Haaland spoke about a team lacking confidence after the match and how that proves the humanity of the once indomitable City.
But pointing to the fact that this is a team of winners, the current Premier League champions who have proven their worth time and time again, raises further questions as to why their seasoned professionals have not joined forces to turn the tide . disappointing football and disappointing results.
Kyle Walker, a stalwart under Guardiola, was introduced at half-time but to no avail. He was a shadow of the shouty right-back we have become accustomed to over the years. Kevin De Bruyne was an unused substitute as his side's centre-forward struggled to get involved in the game. Ilkay Gundogan, City's 'Mr Reliable' of the past, has been unable to keep up with the game since returning to Manchester.
Guardiola can claim that his team has what it takes to turn things around, but at the moment the defeats in the last 12 games reflect not only his side's declining strengths, but also their tired mentality.
Don't forget Murphy
Alexander Isak's first Premier League hat-trick will rightly grab the headlines after Newcastle's thrashing of Ipswich, but don't let that distract you from another stunning performance from Jacob Murphy.
The story of his senior season was one of frustration, just like the rest of his teammates. Often they show up in the right places, but the end product to complete opportunities is lacking. That all changed in the past week.
Murphy's goal against Ipswich was his third in two Premier League games. It had taken him 37 appearances before this run to match that number.
However, against Ipswich his contribution was much bigger than just his goal. He was involved in Isak's first and set up the striker's third with a contender for assist of the season.
After cutting through a number of Ipswich defenders in the penalty area, he passed the ball to Isak and smashed the ball into the ground, bouncing it perfectly into his teammate's path.
Newcastle are finding their best form of the season and Murphy has been a key part of their revival. Zinny Boswell
Time to ask if Forest are the real deal
With almost half a season over and Nottingham Forest refusing to relinquish the top four, it's time to wonder how far they can actually go.
Nuno Espirito Santo says he doesn't look at the table but his selection was one of a manager with confidence in his team to get the best from their attacking talent and end Brentford's unbeaten home run – as they rightly did.
Three defeats from four in late autumn would have stalled many previous early pacesetters, but Forest have bounced back with three wins from three – particularly impressive at Old Trafford, the Gtech and at home to Aston Villa.
The backbone of this Forest team is strong and Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo are as solid a defensive partnership as you will find in the Premier League. Up front, Chris Wood could easily score fifteen or more goals.
A big question mark is where else the goals will come from, with 43 percent so far coming from the big frontman.
But the bigger question is whether the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United will find the form to knock Forest off their European position or whether they can recreate some flashbacks from the Brian Clough era this season.
Good teams build from the back and if Nuno has done that, Nuno can utilize the pace and quality of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White behind Wood more often – the trio is less than half way up so far of Forest's games started – there's no reason why a European spot shouldn't be achievable.Ron Walker
Kudus is key to West Ham's revival
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui gushed post-match about Mohammed Kudus' electric display in the draw against Brighton, secured thanks to the Ghanaian international's well-taken header, meaning he has now scored (two) or assisted a goal ( An). each of his last three Premier League appearances at the London Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, Lopetegui wanted to place more emphasis on Kudus' 'improving' defensive contributions to his side's hard-earned point, although he really caught the eye in attack, with him and Jarrod Bowen on the other flank, the most dangerous of the Hammers. outlets during the afternoon.
The duo combined to equalize for the home side and are certainly key to Lopetegui's hopes of continuing West Ham's recent mini-revival – and perhaps even challenging for a European place in the second half of the season. Rich Morgan
Comments