Arsenal look the real deal, Newcastle relentless as Premier League fires up
28 December 2022 - 17:57
byMartyn Herman
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka celebrate after the match against West Ham United at Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, December 26 2022. Picture: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/ACTION IMAGES/REUTERS
After an unprecedented midseason shutdown because of the Qatar World Cup, the Premier League burst back to life over the festive holiday with a bumper fixture package.
The 44-day stoppage gave top-flight managers time to gather their thoughts while those players not involved in Qatar could recharge their batteries.
Monday’s resumption was also a chance for those jostling at the top of the table to lay down a marker and for the strugglers to enjoy a fresh start.
But what did we learn so far from an absorbing holiday programme that concludes later on Wednesday with champions Manchester City taking on Leeds United?
Arsenal begin where they left off
When Mikel Arteta’s table toppers went behind early on against struggling West Ham United there were mutterings around the Emirates Stadium with fans perhaps fearing Arsenal’s pre-break momentum had been lost.
The way they responded, however, underlined that Arsenal’s Christmas lead of the Premier League for the first time since 2007, was justified and they might take some stopping.
There was a swagger about Arteta’s side as they hit back with goals by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah to win 3-1 and open a seven-point lead.
Former manager Arsene Wenger, back watching in the stands, would have been impressed as Arsenal showed that a first title since the French coach’s 2003-04 triumph is now a real possibility.
Newcastle: everything is possible
Any suggestion Newcastle United might suffer a sense of vertigo during the break were put to bed as they restarted their campaign in sensational fashion to rise into second place.
Boxing Day opponents Leicester City had shown great form before the World Cup, but were blown away on their own turf as Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton all scored inside the opening 33 minutes for the visitors.
Newcastle have won six successive league games, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in that sequence. With signings expected in January, Eddie Howe’s assertion that everything is possible looks realistic.
Tottenham continue to puzzle
Tottenham’s inability to show consistency, even throughout 90 minutes, was evident again in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Antonio Conte’s side, packing five World Cup players, were outmuscled and out-thought in the opening 55 minutes at Brentford as they trailed 2-0. But, as so often this season, they showed that when in a self-inflicted hole, they can actually look like a good side.
Goals by Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg earned them points and the way they dominated the final half an hour had pundits baffled at Tottenham’s fickle nature.
They have taken 14 points from losing positions this season and while that is impressive, it is not sustainable and their place in the top four looks increasingly fragile.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their first goal against Nottingham Forest with Christian Eriksen at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, December 27 2022. Picture: PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS
Man United and Liverpool show strength
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence no longer hanging over the club like a cloud, Manchester United are playing with a new freedom as shown in Tuesday’s win over Nottingham Forest that left them one point off the top four.
Marcus Rashford scored one and assisted another as the forward continues to thrive while Casemiro oozed class in his deep midfield role and Christian Eriksen pulled the strings.
After a difficult start at Old Trafford, manager Erik Ten Hag has got his team on the same page and United, and Liverpool, head into January looking dangerous.
Liverpool were too good for Aston Villa and while their title hopes are long over, watching them and United battle for a top-four spot will be compelling in 2023.
Hard slog for stragglers
Christmas offered little cheer for clubs facing a relegation struggle. West Ham look a shadow of the side that were so impressive last season and a fourth defeat running heaped more pressure on manager David Moyes.
Like West Ham, Everton are just above the drop zone, but a home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers was ominous and manager Frank Lampard will need positive results quickly to silence his critics.
Wolves have reason for optimism as Julen Lopetegui’s reign began with a win to lift them to 18th, but the same cannot be said of Southampton under their new manager Nathan Jones after defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion left them rock bottom.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Arsenal look the real deal, Newcastle relentless as Premier League fires up
After an unprecedented midseason shutdown because of the Qatar World Cup, the Premier League burst back to life over the festive holiday with a bumper fixture package.
The 44-day stoppage gave top-flight managers time to gather their thoughts while those players not involved in Qatar could recharge their batteries.
Monday’s resumption was also a chance for those jostling at the top of the table to lay down a marker and for the strugglers to enjoy a fresh start.
But what did we learn so far from an absorbing holiday programme that concludes later on Wednesday with champions Manchester City taking on Leeds United?
Arsenal begin where they left off
When Mikel Arteta’s table toppers went behind early on against struggling West Ham United there were mutterings around the Emirates Stadium with fans perhaps fearing Arsenal’s pre-break momentum had been lost.
The way they responded, however, underlined that Arsenal’s Christmas lead of the Premier League for the first time since 2007, was justified and they might take some stopping.
There was a swagger about Arteta’s side as they hit back with goals by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah to win 3-1 and open a seven-point lead.
Former manager Arsene Wenger, back watching in the stands, would have been impressed as Arsenal showed that a first title since the French coach’s 2003-04 triumph is now a real possibility.
Newcastle: everything is possible
Any suggestion Newcastle United might suffer a sense of vertigo during the break were put to bed as they restarted their campaign in sensational fashion to rise into second place.
Boxing Day opponents Leicester City had shown great form before the World Cup, but were blown away on their own turf as Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton all scored inside the opening 33 minutes for the visitors.
Newcastle have won six successive league games, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in that sequence. With signings expected in January, Eddie Howe’s assertion that everything is possible looks realistic.
Tottenham continue to puzzle
Tottenham’s inability to show consistency, even throughout 90 minutes, was evident again in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Antonio Conte’s side, packing five World Cup players, were outmuscled and out-thought in the opening 55 minutes at Brentford as they trailed 2-0. But, as so often this season, they showed that when in a self-inflicted hole, they can actually look like a good side.
Goals by Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg earned them points and the way they dominated the final half an hour had pundits baffled at Tottenham’s fickle nature.
They have taken 14 points from losing positions this season and while that is impressive, it is not sustainable and their place in the top four looks increasingly fragile.
Man United and Liverpool show strength
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence no longer hanging over the club like a cloud, Manchester United are playing with a new freedom as shown in Tuesday’s win over Nottingham Forest that left them one point off the top four.
Marcus Rashford scored one and assisted another as the forward continues to thrive while Casemiro oozed class in his deep midfield role and Christian Eriksen pulled the strings.
After a difficult start at Old Trafford, manager Erik Ten Hag has got his team on the same page and United, and Liverpool, head into January looking dangerous.
Liverpool were too good for Aston Villa and while their title hopes are long over, watching them and United battle for a top-four spot will be compelling in 2023.
Hard slog for stragglers
Christmas offered little cheer for clubs facing a relegation struggle. West Ham look a shadow of the side that were so impressive last season and a fourth defeat running heaped more pressure on manager David Moyes.
Like West Ham, Everton are just above the drop zone, but a home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers was ominous and manager Frank Lampard will need positive results quickly to silence his critics.
Wolves have reason for optimism as Julen Lopetegui’s reign began with a win to lift them to 18th, but the same cannot be said of Southampton under their new manager Nathan Jones after defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion left them rock bottom.
Reuters
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