Arteta has questions to answer
In bouncing back from three successive defeats, Fulham were excellent. Arsenal were just as pale as they were against West Ham. When even Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, two of the world’s most durable footballers, are on the bottle, it may be time to rethink the rotation policy. Recent ties with Ivan Toney have centered around the Brentford striker being the final piece in the puzzle, but a heavy workload has blown other holes in the squad. Arteta’s pursuit of the game by deploying forwards and leaving Rice to battle alone in midfield against the excellent, superior João Palhinha and Tom Cairney was a risk too far. Arteta remained cagey on the sidelines as defeat approached, but his team has a tendency to panic when the pressure is on. He did them few favors by leaving them formless rather than maintaining faith in their ability to dig themselves out. John Brewin
Losing the next match is unthinkable for Ten Hag
Manchester United may have averted the crisis on Boxing Day, but the delay only lasted so long. Three days in fact, when United ended the year with a very unconstructive defeat at Nottingham Forest. The bad news for Erik ten Hag is that Sir Dave Brailsford, who will take on a prominent role in football’s governing body once Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover is confirmed by the Premier League, was present. United’s FA Cup third round trip to Wigan, 18th in League One, next Monday has suddenly taken on extra significance. United have won 14-0 in their last four meetings with Wigan, but on current form Ten Hag would settle for a win of any kind. The only time United got out of trouble against Wigan, in 2012, their current manager, Shaun Maloney, scored the winner and Jonny Evans, parachuted into the heart of this disjointed and demoralizing United team, was in defence. For Ten Hag, a repeat is unthinkable. Ben Visser
Jackson may be erratic, but he’s no flop
Here’s a controversial, popular version of the season: Nicolas Jackson is a good player. The Chelsea striker is raw, has produced a series of comical lapses and his attempts to stay in the side have at times made him seem like a tribute to Timo Werner. His hat-trick against nine-man Tottenham only came after a particularly frustrating performance. But there is no doubt that the 22-year-old has potential. He is a handful for defenders, his link-up play is effective and he is versatile. Jackson performed well on the left flank during Chelsea’s win over Luton. His pace caused problems in the first half and he set up Cole Palmer’s second goal in the second half. Whether he is capable of becoming an elite striker remains to be seen, but after seven goals and two assists in the league since joining from Villarreal, it would be wrong to call Jackson a flop. The challenge is to become less erratic. Jacob Steinberg
Abu Dhabi and De Bruyne to lift City?
Manchester City may be getting into shape at just the right time and will also be able to train in warm weather during the winter break that follows their next league match on January 13. “If it is possible, after Newcastle we will all go to Abu Dhabi together again,” Pep Guardiola said. “We were there last season during the World Cup. It had an incredible impact on the staff and everyone, and the five titles prove it. We are going there to train in better weather, to be together, to train, to train and to train again and to be ready for the second part of the season. Today that is the plan, but maybe we will change along the way, I don’t know.” Before then, Huddersfield may see the return of Kevin De Bruyne in Sunday’s FA Cup third round, who was absent with the hamstring injury he suffered in the opening day victory over Burnley. “He is very close,” Guardiola said. Jamie Jackson
Postecoglou gets Bentancur bonus
Much has been made of Tottenham’s long injury list this season, but Ange Postecoglou was able to pull off a positive selection surprise against Bournemouth for a change. Rodrigo Bentancur had not started a match for Spurs since February, when he tore an anterior cruciate ligament against Leicester. His return for a handful of substitute appearances in the autumn was derailed by an ankle injury that was expected to rule him out until February, but the Uruguayan was back in the XI more than a month ahead of schedule on Sunday. “I thought he was great today,” said Postecoglou, whose side were nine points behind their north London neighbors Arsenal at the start of December and go into January just a point behind after beating the Cherries. “Apart from the win, that was probably the most pleasant thing that he got through the 60 minutes and that he can help us from now on.” The injury news wasn’t all good, however. Alejo Véliz left the stadium on crutches, while Pape Sarr’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations looks in doubt after he left with a hamstring injury. John Ashdown
Kompany’s human touch revives Foster
Mental health issues are no longer taboo in football and Vincent Kompany is happy to see Lyle Foster enjoying his football after the Burnley striker, signed for £11million last January, was called time-out earlier this season. The South African international, who scored in Saturday’s ill-fated 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa, looks brilliant, a happy by-product of the care given to him by his club and manager after receiving specialist care for two months without action . . “We were actually dealing with a human tragedy, a young boy who had completely lost it, such a good boy too,” Kompany said. “To see him back up, just enjoying the game… standing on the pitch, with his teammates, smiling after the game, I can walk away as a manager. [and] as a human being I am very happy to be part of this moment.” Peter Lansley
The unplayable Olise is the key for Palace
Michael Olise was unplayable for Crystal Palace in Saturday’s overdue win and the forward can push his side forward in this form. Olise produced a masterclass against Brentford, scoring two goals and running numerous runs to fool their beleaguered opponents. Six shots and seven dribbles highlighted his impact at Selhurst Park as he set up Palace’s first win in nine games. Olise only returned from a hamstring injury in mid-November after missing the start of the season, but has already made a big impact. Four goals in his past four appearances is an impressive return and the 22-year-old forward, who turned down the chance to play for Chelsea last summer, will undoubtedly attract more interest if he can maintain this level. Roy Hodgson said: “He’s actually been doing great since coming back from injury. The injury lasted so long, almost six months after the match, but even from his first match he was very good. He helped us move forward.” Simon Mail
Cunha is the new leader of O’Neil’s pack
Matheus Cunha cost Wolves £44m after originally being loaned out a year ago and started in disappointing fashion with two goals in 20 games. Julen Lopetegui was desperate to sign the Brazilian from Atlético Madrid but he failed to live up to expectations. When the Spaniard quit days before the season started, Cunha may have been concerned about how he would fit in under Gary O’Neil, but he was a leading role for the new manager. From the opening day, when he repeatedly tore through Manchester United, to his role in Saturday’s win over Everton, Cunha has been vital to Wolves’ success. He created two goals and scored another as Everton were swept aside to further strengthen Wolves’ position in mid-table. The Brazilian and Hwang Hee-chan have a great understanding, something Everton could not handle. If he can keep up this form, Wolves will have nothing to worry about other than whether they need to cash in on their star man this summer. Will win
Press Liverpool as rivals stumble
Suddenly it feels like the period 2018-2022 again. Arsenal’s abrupt Christmas hiatus and Aston Villa’s uncertain recent performances, combined with Manchester City’s high spirits after the Club World Cup, have certainly diminished the chances of the title race, a new race between Pep Guardiola and Liverpool. No pressure then, as Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders host Newcastle in what would look to be one of their toughest home games, were it not for the visitors’ recent poor form. Much has been said about this being Mo Salah’s last game before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, which could make the demands for victory on Monday night even more intense, but the good news for Liverpool is that Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez are watching. decent nick. However, their depleted defense could be stretched by a Newcastle side whose injury concerns are easing with Joelinton and Callum Wilson back to full fitness. This is a match that has had a major influence on title races in the past; this could be another one of those meetings. Tom Davis
European adventurers collide
The battle between the European overachievers of the Premier League is just as difficult as that in the top flight. West Ham’s win at Arsenal showcased the David Moyes era at its best – resilient, ruthless and well-organised – while Brighton’s dismantling of Tottenham similarly advertised the essence of Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls. Brighton also have a fine record in east London – their only top-flight defeat to West Ham came at Upton Park in 1983 – but they are likely to find this match tougher than in recent seasons, although there are doubts about the availability of two of West Ham’s most creative talents are Lucas Paquetá, who has a knee problem, and Mohammed Kudus, whose impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations puts his clearance to play on Tuesday in doubt. This should provide an intriguing clue as to which of these sides are best placed to qualify for further European adventures next season. T.D