The Gunners boss should select between Hincapie or Mosquera to switch the injured Brazilian in defence
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes picked up an damage whereas on worldwide responsibility with Brazil. Photograph: AFP
LONDON:
Arsenal are anticipated to be with out defensive lynchpin Gabriel Magalhaes once they host London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as Manchester Metropolis search to maintain up the stress on the Premier League leaders.
Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis might minimize the Gunners’ lead on the prime of the desk to only one level, not less than for twenty-four hours, in the event that they beat Newcastle on Saturday.
Reigning champions Liverpool desperately want a win after 5 defeats of their final six Premier League matches, whereas Rob Edwards takes cost of his first match as Wolves supervisor.
AFP Sport appears at three speaking factors forward of this weekend’s motion:
Arteta’s Gabriel conundrum
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a significant headache as he considers how one can reshuffle his defence in opposition to Spurs within the probably absence of the injured Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian has been on the coronary heart of the near-impregnable Gunners again line that has conceded simply 5 targets in 11 Premier League matches.
However stories recommend he could possibly be sidelined for weeks after struggling a thigh damage throughout Brazil’s 2-0 pleasant win over Senegal on the Emirates Stadium final weekend.
Gabriel, who has shaped a formidable central defensive partnership with William Saliba and can be a risk from set-pieces, is probably going to get replaced by Piero Hincapie or Cristhian Mosquera.
The Gunners are 4 factors away from Manchester Metropolis after they drew 2-2 with Sunderland earlier this month, ending a streak of eight wins in all competitions with no targets conceded.
Arsenal stay favourites to safe a primary Premier League title since 2003/04 and have an eye catching file in opposition to their London rivals — dropping simply as soon as within the league at residence to Tottenham since 1993.
However Spurs journey to the Emirates boasting the very best away file within the league this season — with 4 wins and a draw from 5 video games.
Liverpool want fast repair
Liverpool’s hopes of a profitable title defence seem like over after 5 defeats in six video games left them eight factors behind leaders Arsenal.
Sports activities analytics firm Opta places the champions’ possibilities of successful the league at simply over seven %, following their 3-0 humbling by Manchester Metropolis earlier than the worldwide break.
Liverpool face Nottingham Forest, the one staff who beat them at residence final season, on Saturday with Arne Slot’s males determined to place their current woes behind them.
The Reds’ points have been effectively documented however Liverpool’s largest downside is their leaky defence, which has thus far conceded not less than two targets in six of their previous seven league video games.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has warned the membership might even miss out on Champions League qualification in the event that they fail to strengthen their defence within the January switch window.
Experiences this week recommend they continue to be excited about signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after a deal collapsed on switch deadline day, however Liverpool want a right away enchancment.
Howe appears for ‘large response’ from Newcastle
Newcastle are languishing in 14th spot within the Premier League, with simply three wins this season, as they put together to welcome Manchester Metropolis to St James’ Park on Saturday.
“It has been troublesome to pinpoint one factor however actually we all know we’ve to enhance the overall performances,” Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe informed the BBC.
“We’re in search of extra consistency — we’re in search of extra targets. We’re in search of an enormous response on this second.”
Howe wouldn’t have chosen Metropolis as his opponents this weekend. Pep Guardiola’s males haven’t misplaced to the Magpies within the league, both residence or away, since 2019.
Some sections of the northeast aspect’s fan base are disgruntled however Howe will certainly be given the good thing about the doubt by membership chiefs after successful the League Cup final season and qualifying for the Champions League.
Fixtures
Saturday (1500 GMT except acknowledged)
Burnley v Chelsea (1230), Bournemouth v West Ham, Brighton v Brentford, Fulham v Sunderland, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Wolves v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Manchester Metropolis (1730)
Sunday
Leeds v Aston Villa (1400), Arsenal v Tottenham (1630)
Monday
Manchester United v Everton (2000)
