10 things to watch out for this weekend

Gunners forget the fuss of getting it right with white

The good news just keeps pouring in for Arsenal. They are nearing agreement on a new deal with Ben White and it is the latest evidence of an efficient approach that avoids the kind of confusion they have seen in the past when contracts expired. White’s replacement at right-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu, played excellently in the defeat to Lens, but the Englishman could return to the starting line-up for the visit of Wolves on Saturday. Mikel Arteta and Gary O’Neil, old adversaries in their playing days who have built up a solid mutual admiration as managers, may want to discuss their respective VAR-related grievances if a spare moment arises. Wolves will be hoping to pull off an upset, but Arsenal and White, with their recent performances as clean and clinical as the club’s off-field activities, will be hoping for the kind of easy victory that has become a promising feature of late. Nick Ames

Luton looks up, but has to deal with Bees

After securing a first home win of the season by beating Crystal Palace and considering Everton’s state, Luton’s chances of avoiding relegation have improved. But to move out of the bottom three into the Christmas period, Rob Edwards’ side may need to pick up points from their next three games. Given that Arsenal and Manchester City are the next visitors to Kenilworth Road, some sort of result at Brentford would be helpful. Perhaps only Thomas Frank’s team can match Luton in terms of their energy output, and the GTech Stadium is all but guaranteed to host a full-blooded, physical battle. Brentford have the better Premier League stock, although Ross Barkley’s ability to tackle opponents and spread play from midfield was crucial in beating Palace. Chiedozie Ogbene’s speed down both flanks was Luton’s other main weapon last week. Brentford will offer two such players, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, to test Luton’s defence. John Brewin

The story continues

Burnley’s Blades date has consequences

Something has to be done at Turf Moor, in the interests of Vincent Kompany and Paul Heckingbottom. Burnley have not won at home in the Premier League all season, or picked up a single point, while Sheffield United have not won away. Between them, two of the bottom three clubs in the division have won just two of 26 games this season, highlighting the growing gap between the top flight and the Championship. But while Kompany looks safe even after last week’s sickening defeat to West Ham that saw Burnley equal Newport County’s unwanted league record of seven consecutive home defeats at the start of a season, criticism of his counterpart is growing among fans of Blades. A first away win could help Heckingbottom’s cause, but this match has consequences for both clubs. Andy Hunter

The future of Cooper’s Forest is once again in question

Steve Cooper’s tenure at Nottingham Forest has been a rollercoaster, with sporadic speculation surrounding his future. Last season, Sean Dyche, who was out of work after being sacked by Burnley, was touted to return to the club where he was an apprentice under Brian Clough. As speculation surrounding Cooper begins again, Dyche is at Everton. Dyche’s team’s response to the ten penalty points in last week’s match against Manchester United was both impressive in the first half and submissive in the second. Forest, meanwhile, came off the worst after an ill-tempered defeat to Brighton, after which Cooper’s complaints about the referees failed to draw a fig leaf over a poor defensive performance. For now, local reports have Cooper retaining the “full support” of Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, but Dyche’s team dragging his old club down could soon change that situation. JB

Ten Hag covets Pope’s consistency in goal

Nick Pope starred in Newcastle’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, but that is nothing new. Indeed, the goalkeeper is always so excellent that there cannot be many better shot stoppers in Europe. The only caveat surrounding Pope is his sometimes less-than-stellar footwork; suffice it to say, he is not a sweeper proprietor. Unlike Jordan Pickford, he will never star in five-on-five games. This perhaps explains why Gareth Southgate now appears to have dropped him from his England squad. That said, Pope’s rare mistakes often coincided with Southgate’s visits to St. James’ Park. Whatever the reason, many on Tyneside are puzzled by the goalkeeper’s international exile. Publicly at least, Eddie Howe is playing a diplomatic bat, which begs the question: is he privately studying videos of sweeper keepers as he plans the next phase of Newcastle’s tactical evolution? At this point, Howe can rest assured that he has an infinitely more reliable first-choice goalkeeper than his Manchester United counterpart, Erik ten Hag. Louise Taylor

Klopp hopes Kelleher will seize the moment

The quality of Liverpool’s squad should compensate for the loss of a goalkeeper of even Alisson’s caliber against an inconsistent Fulham and provide ample protection for any replacement, but this is nevertheless a key period in Caoimhin Kelleher’s career. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has had to wait for the Carabao Cup and Europa League matches to showcase his undoubted abilities this season, but with Alisson sidelined for the next two weeks with a hamstring injury, he has now an extended opportunity to demonstrate why Jurgen Klopp wants him to stay at Anfield after Thursday’s clean sheet against Lask. As the Liverpool manager said: “Nobody wanted Ali to get injured, but when these things happen you need the strongest possible option and that is Caoimh for us. That’s honestly the only positive thing we can put into Caoimh. Now he gets the chance he deserves and hopefully he can show his full potential.” AH

Gilmour to get his chance on the bridge

There was a lot of excitement after Billy Gilmour’s first few appearances at Chelsea. He was confident on the ball and stood out in a win over Liverpool in March 2020. Yet a knee injury disrupted his momentum and he fell out of favor under Thomas Tuchel. There was a disappointing season on loan at Norwich and Gilmour decided to move on in the summer of 2022. Brighton came calling and the Scottish midfielder is starting to find consistency. After struggling for opportunities last season, this season has been more productive for Gilmour. The 22-year-old is a clever passer and a player who can dictate the pace of the match. He will be keen to impress when Brighton come to Stamford Bridge. Jacob Steinberg

Iraola and Emery renew the rivalry in La Liga

Bournemouth’s revival has taken them seven points clear of the relegation zone. Andoni Iraola’s compatriot Unai Emery has moved Aston Villa into fourth place and is riding high after last week’s patient, systematic defeat of Tottenham. Should Villa add away form to their imperious home record, Champions League football will be played at Villa Park next season. At Spurs, Villa enjoyed the strong start and high pressure from the opponent and then took advantage of set pieces to equalize through Pau Torres. Both will know everything about the other; it wasn’t that long ago that Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal were both punching above their weight in La Liga. Emery made the most of their two previous meetings, winning 5-1 against Villarreal in Madrid and 2-0 in Castellón. Villa may rue the loss of Boubacar Kamara to his suspension as the Frenchman has excelled in midfield all season, although Jacob Ramsey is a worthy replacement on his return from a foot problem. JB

Palace injuries increase pressure on Hodgson

It’s one step forward, two steps back when it comes to injuries for Crystal Palace. Michael Olise is back after a long absence with a hamstring injury and the winger scored a stunner against Luton last week, but others have entered the treatment room. Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure both left early in the defeat to Luton and will be missing when Palace visit West Ham on Sunday. Roy Hodgson, under pressure after one win in six games, must be wondering when his luck will turn. Doucouré, who could be out for the season, is a calming presence in midfield and Palace are much more creative when Eze plays. Hodgson needs replacements to step up. JS

Will Postecoglou’s luck turn at City?

Ange Postecoglou must be wondering what further misfortune the football gods have in store for him. Aston Villa’s Matty Cash last Sunday mangled Rodrigo Bentancur’s ankle ligaments, keeping the midfielder out until February, in what was his first appearance after an eight-month layoff due to tearing an anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the year . Bentancur became Tottenham’s ninth injured player, while Postecoglou’s team have fallen from attractive Premier League leaders to fifth place. The Australian is a former coach of Yokohama F Marinos, which is partly owned by the City Football Group, and can therefore expect a warm welcome behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium. Until Pep Guardiola sends his Manchester City treble winners onto the pitch, of course. Jamie Jackson