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Key occasions
Paul Barber: “I joined Brighton on a handshake”
Interview: Brighton’s chief government on his mission to assist children and why the membership is stronger after Chelsea’s raids. Phrases: Ed Aarons.
Rashford to overlook United’s journey to Anfield
Liverpool v Manchester United: Ruben Amorim is the most recent cab of the managerial rank and he has advised reporters that Marcus Rashford won’t be within the United matchday squad making the brief journey to Anfield. Nevertheless, he additionally added that the choice to exclude the disaffected striker is out of his arms.
“In the intervening time he’s unwell,” he advised reporters. “He isn’t coaching. He’s going to be out this week.” Amorim went on so as to add that United are able to set off a one-year contract extension for Harry Maguire and stated that the membership are near agreeing a contract extension for Amad Diallo.
Pep Guardiola: ‘Possibly we signal, perhaps we do not’
Requested if Metropolis can be recruiting through the January window, Pep was predictably non-committal in accordance with Will Unwin, who’s at his press convention for the Guardian. “I don’t know proper now,” he stated. “It’s not straightforward, it won’t be straightforward. Possibly we signal, perhaps we don’t signal anybody.
“The membership needs to be clever, don’t signal gamers simply so as to add gamers. For the scenario that now we have and for the angle of gamers which have had constant accidents for a lot of, many, many instances, after all the membership has to do it however I don’t know if it is going to be attainable to do it.”
Manchester Metropolis v West Ham: Sizzling on the heels of their unconvincing however doubtlessly rot-stopping win in opposition to Leicester, Manchester Metropolis host West Ham tomorrow, hoping to place back-to-back wins collectively for the primary time since late October, when the rot began. Pep Guardiola has been flapping his gums …
“It was a recreation the place we didn’t play at our greatest stage,” he stated of Sunday’s victory. “We received however video games are like that in soccer. It’s good for the temper to get outcomes. We’re away from being in step with outcomes however now we have one other probability to get a victory in opposition to West Ham which is able to assist sooner or later.”
Pep stated that he didn’t anticipate to have any of Metropolis’s lame and halt again from the therapy room this weekend and upon being requested a few attainable contract extension for Kevin De Bruyne, answered by saying “it’s not my enterprise”.
Southampton v Brentford: Together with his aspect already 10 factors adrift of Premier Leaghue security and internet hosting Everton tomorrow, Ivan Juric has addressed the dimensions of the duty going through him if he’s to maintain Southampton within the Premier League. The 59-year-old Croatian has been in cost for 2 video games up to now, back-to-back defeats by the hands of West Ham and Crystal Palace.
“I believed it could be extraordinarily troublesome however it was my want to return right here,” he stated. “I see a number of good gamers [in the Premier League] and the extent is absolutely excessive,” Juric stated the Croatian. “We have now already seen one thing [in our team]. In opposition to West Ham, now we have seen moments that I actually favored.
“I used to be delighted with how they performed, how they took the ball, enjoying ahead instantly and even once we stored the ball to create conditions. It was one recreation that I favored. In opposition to Crystal Palace it was one other scenario and there have been moments that we weren’t prepared for this type of recreation. We have now to work so much to dwell with the scenario. In opposition to Palace, they suffered in opposition to their aggressiveness and on this factor, we will take just a little little bit of time and it’s getting higher.”
Southampton are reported to be open to affords for striker Ben Brereton Diaz through the present window and will likely be with out Mateus Fernandes, who serves a one-match ban after amassing his fifth yellow card of the season through the defeat at Selhurst Park. Midfielder Flynn Downes is a doubt as he recovers from a lifeless leg.
Bournemouth v Everton: The Toffees journey to the Vitality Stadium having received one, drawn three and misplaced one among their earlier 5 video games and Sean Dyche has referred to as on his staff to show extra of these attracts into wins.
“We want outcomes and we all know that,” he stated. “We’ve had run of not shedding video games however turning it into wins is very large. We’ve achieved sufficient to construct that interior confidence, it’s about transferring that forwards and breaking the cycle of occasions: good spell, dangerous spell, good spell. Can we win a recreation, which makes all these attracts look even higher?”
Southampton v Brentford. Good afternoon everyone and nd what higher approach to get my stint on the Friday hamster-wheel rolling than by eavesdropping on Thomas Frank, who has been addressing his staff’s fairly atrocious type on the street … in opposition to admittedly extra superior groups than they’ve hosted at Fortress Gtech. Thomas expects an upturn in that type imminently and never simply because they journey to Southampton this weekend.
“In fact, we will get extra away from residence, which is the purpose however we have to look extra on the performances,” he stated. “Within the 19 video games now we have performed, we’ve had one dangerous efficiency over 90 minutes – that was in opposition to Fulham [a 2-1 defeat in early November] and we have been very near successful that anyway.
“Then there have been spells in video games once we haven’t been at our greatest however have usually carried out properly. If we maintain these performances away from residence, then we’ll win video games.”
Talking particularly about Southampton, Frank had this to say: “They’re staff and I do know they’re backside of the league. Southampton will win video games earlier than the tip of the season so we want to ensure now we have achieved our half to keep away from that taking place in opposition to us.
“They’ll be our away type and see it as a must-win recreation to get out of the relegation battle, we’re very conscious of that. However it’s about us, our method and the way we’ve ready.”
And this appears an applicable time handy over the weblog to Barry Glendenning. Baton being exchanged proper now.
Right here’s a pleasant lunchtime learn from Max Rushden. Phrases: 2025. Picture: 2010. As Max factors out: “Ethan Nwaneri was three when that image was taken.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe can’t rule out in-form goalkeeper Martin Dubravka leaving the membership through the switch window. The Slovakia worldwide, who turns 36 later this month, has stored 4 clear sheets within the 5 video games he has performed since changing the injured Nick Pope, however has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Professional League membership Al Shabab.
Requested if he may go away Tyneside this month, Howe stated: “The scenario with Martin is we’d not need him to depart, however after all it’s a must to respect and perceive the participant’s needs as properly on this. It’s not as clear-cut as everybody would essentially have you ever assume.
“Martin is out of contract as properly in the summertime, in order that’s a special dynamic so as to add into the combination. However it’s all hypothetical. Martin is, and has been, totally dedicated. He’s been excellent, he’s been a superb skilled to work with. I’ve acquired a number of respect for him and I feel he’s achieved very well when you think about he didn’t have a number of soccer when coming into the staff, so honest play to him and the way he’s dealt with that scenario.”
(PA Media)
A few of these characters will likely be very familar. Nice article right here by Harry Pearson for When Saturday Comes the place I as soon as did a six-week work placement as a pupil when it was based mostly throughout the street from the outdated Guardian Towers in Farringdon. Pleased days.
On electronic mail krishnamoorthy v writes: “Morning David and a Pleased New 12 months. When was the final time the league was wrapped up by Christmas? As my buddy aptly identified – the league is often received by who tops at Christmas except it’s Arsenal.”
And HNY to you too! Properly, it’s not as clearcut as you could assume. In actual fact the strike-rate is a mere 50%.
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In 16 of the Premier League’s 32 full seasons up to now, the staff sitting prime on 25 December went on to elevate the trophy, however within the different 16 campaigns they missed out.
Your buddy is correct about Arsenal because the Gunners have didn’t convert on all 4 events once they have been prime at Christmas. However in 1997/98 they got here from 13 factors behind Manchester United to grab the title.
Liverpool are very dodgy Christmas converters too having been prime six instances within the Premier League and gone on to win it simply as soon as. Nevertheless, that was the yr (2019/20) that they had a giant lead (10 factors). They went into this Christmas with a four-point lead and a recreation in hand over nearest rivals Chelsea.
Some Liverpool staff information from boss Arne Slot forward of that Manchester United conflict at Anfield on Sunday and it’s all in regards to the defence.
The dangerous information surrounds Joe Gomez, who pulled up with a hamstring drawback through the 5-0 rout of West Ham. “Joe is, after all, not in place relating to his damage. He’s out for just a few weeks, that’s for certain,” stated Slot.
However there’s extra optimism surrounding central defender Ibrahima Konate (knee) and right-back Conor Bradley (hamstring), who’ve been sidelined not too long ago.
“Conor and Ibou will prepare with us as we speak for the primary time so I’m to see the place they precisely are. They’ve labored arduous to return again to the staff however the subsequent step is at all times ‘how do you deal with staff classes?’.”
The Soccer Affiliation stays dedicated to variety within the England males’s senior staff teaching employees, with recent appointments to Thomas Tuchel’s group because of be made within the coming weeks, sources on the governing physique have advised the PA information company.
Not one of the teaching group appointed by new head coach Tuchel up to now are from ethnically numerous backgrounds, however sources near the governing physique insist variety stays a prime precedence.
Ashley Cole has reverted to his position with the under-21s, having served as an interim assistant for the senior staff alongside Lee Carsley within the autumn. Whereas Anthony Barry has successfully crammed Cole’s position, there stay vacancies throughout the senior teaching group and it’s anticipated Tuchel will assess appropriate candidates within the coming days, having formally began work on January 1.
The FA has operated an elite teaching placement programme with the help of the Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation to spice up variety since 2018, however it’s understood any new appointments to the senior teaching group wouldn’t be a part of that programme.
Cole’s appointment was not linked to the programme and nor was that of Paul Nevin, who labored within the England teaching group at totally different ranges over two spells earlier than leaving to hitch Stoke earlier this week.
Three additional appointments to Tuchel’s backroom staff have been confirmed on Thursday. Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario will occupy the identical position with England, Nicolas Mayer has been confirmed as a efficiency coach and James Melbourne joins as an analyst.
The FA confirmed the primary match Tuchel would attend as England head coach can be the Tottenham v Newcastle Premier League match on Saturday lunchtime, earlier than taking in different top-flight matches throughout the weekend.
Brighton’s present type is certainly open to interpretation. They’re winless in seven however have additionally suffered simply 4 defeats of their 19 Premier League matches this season as they put together to host Arsenal on Saturday night.
Boss Fabian Hurzeler has had this to say about his staff which have became draw specialists (5 of the final seven and 9 in all) this time period.
“You possibly can say we aren’t capable of win video games in opposition to these groups, or on the opposite perspective you possibly can say we’re actually troublesome to beat, as a result of ultimately I feel there are just one or two groups within the league with fewer losses than now we have.
“So I feel you at all times can see it from that or that perspective, and ultimately I’m a really constructive man, so I see that the glass is half full, and I see extra the constructive issues than the unfavorable issues basically in my life. I attempt to keep constructive and I attempt to give the belief and the assumption to the membership and to the gamers. Then I’m certain the glass will likely be additionally actually, actually full someday.”
Right here’s an fascinating physique language tackle Pep Guardiola from Simon Hattenstone, who says it’s within the Manchester Metropolis supervisor’s spit that we will start to grasp his quest for perfection and its latest unravelling.
Ed Aarons
Mikel Arteta has stated that signing a brand new striker in January isn’t any assure that they may win the Premier League however nonetheless left the door open for reinforcements this month.
Arsenal face Brighton on Saturday night and can welcome again Kai Havertz after the Germany ahead missed the win over Brentford because of sickness. However with Gabriel Jesus having scored six objectives in his final 4 video games in a well timed return to type, Arteta rejected solutions that he must bolster his ahead line.
“Signing someone isn’t sufficient, that’s for certain,” he stated. “As a result of that signing has to attain then what number of objectives? It needs to be a number of issues, signal after which rating 20 objectives from right here to the tip and you’ve got a greater probability? Possibly sure, I don’t know, however I’m very proud of the gamers that now we have and the quantity of objectives we’ve scored as properly, it’s greater than sufficient to win a Premier League, our numbers as properly however the actuality is somebody is doing extra so now we have to be higher, that’s life.”
But requested whether or not supporters need to be sensible about who they’ll signal within the midseason switch window, Arteta added: “That market clearly it’s way more restricted than the one in the summertime however, I don’t know, individuals’s expectations and desires are one thing good.”
Arteta additionally admitted that Arsenal should keep their consistency if they’re to overtake Liverpool within the title race.
“Within the final yr now we have been the most effective staff within the league, damaged varied data and nonetheless haven’t received a significant trophy so one thing is lacking. It may be very tiny, small particulars, you possibly can choose up sure video games, sure conditions, however on the finish we’re so shut and we simply must flip that coin to the opposite aspect to make that occur. It’s solely going to occur if we do what now we have to do and what we will management, the remainder is uncontrolled.”
Slot responds to Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold method
Arne Slot has been talking forward of Liverpool’s residence recreation in opposition to Manchester United on Sunday however hasn’t precisely cleared up something surrounding the way forward for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Reds supervisor says the defender is dedicated to Liverpool in mild of an method by Actual Madrid however hasn’t come out and stated the right-back received’t be offered in January. Choose via it right here. Slot begins by being requested if all of the discuss is having a destabilising impact:
“I fully perceive the query and why you ask it, however you already know the reply: these conversations I’ve by no means shared, not about Trent, not about any others, about what I discuss to them about,” stated Slot. “It was a dialog as many others we had, me and Trent, so let’s go away it at that. I can let you know he’s enjoying on Sunday and hopefully he brings the identical performances as he introduced in for the final half-year, as a result of everyone noticed how nice a primary half of the season he had, how a lot he’s right here, how a lot he needs to win right here. I see him on the coaching floor every single day working his ass off. He’s totally dedicated to us and he’ll play on Sunday.
“If it could destabilise gamers at Liverpool if different individuals speak about them, then we’d actually have an issue as a result of in case you play at one of many greatest golf equipment on the earth everyone is at all times – for 12 months lengthy – speaking about you, typically in relation to different golf equipment. That occurs so many instances for our gamers, so if that destabilises them then we actually would have had an issue, not solely now however within the final six months as a result of there have been some talks about our gamers within the final six months and I don’t assume it destabilised them in any respect.”
Tom Garry
Information from our WSL author, Tom Garry, on Arsenal.
Because the Arsenal squad return to coaching as we speak after the winter break, Renée Slegers stays in interim cost of the aspect and is in cost as we speak, simply as she was earlier than Christmas. The WSL membership’s course of to nominate a long-term head coach stays ongoing.
Arsenal are at the moment third within the WSL, already seven factors behind leaders Chelsea after simply 10 video games.
To present these top-flight fixtures even further which means, our writers have picked out some angles.
These are the ten fixtures within the Premier League this weekend/Monday. Enjoyable info: Bournemouth may go fifth if every part went their manner; Manchester United may finish it 4 factors off the drop zone.
Saturday
12.30pm Spurs v Newcastle
3pm Bournemouth v Everton
3pm Aston Villa v Leicester
3pm Crystal Palace v Chelsea
3pm Man Metropolis v West Ham
3pm Southampton v Brentford
5.30pm Brighton v Arsenal
Sunday
2pm Fulham v Ipswich
4.30pm Liverpool v Man Utd
Monday
8pm Wolves v Nottingham Forest
The unusual case of Dani Olmo rumbles on. In the event you’ve been following, Barcelona misplaced a second attraction to register the participant for the rest of the season on Monday, with the membership unable to satisfy La Liga’s wage cap. They continue to be hopeful of discovering an answer for the remainder of the marketing campaign – Olmo isn’t capable of kick a ball for them till one thing modifications – however Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United have their ears pressed up in opposition to the wall if an consequence can’t be discovered.
However what does the Spanish worldwide himself assume as he twiddles his thumbs on the sidelines? Properly, we all know just a little extra now after his agent, Andy Bara, gave these quotes to Givemesport.
“It’s a disturbing scenario for Dani as it could be for every other participant. However he’s an amazing participant and particular person, he’s attempting to be calm. In fact, Dani is a winner and he likes to play the video games, to not watch them! We’re not negotiating with any membership. Dani is a Barcelona participant and he needs to be a Barcelona participant. He has made a giant effort in his life to be at Barcelona. It was his want for a very long time. Barcelona is the primary and final choice! Dani, his father, household, me, we’re not fascinated by different choices.”
And particularly replying to the tales surrounding Metropolis and United, Bara replied: “To be trustworthy, I really feel calm. It may really feel unusual however I imagine in president Laporta, Deco and I really feel they may discover a answer for Dani. It’s an enormous membership. I imagine that Barcelona will finalise every part and make it occur. La Liga ought to assist them, as an alternative of those reviews of Dani not being obtainable for the nationwide staff, however I’m certain he will likely be at Barca for a few years. He’s pleased on the membership and Dani has a want to be there.”
This might need been enjoyable in a automobile crash sort of manner however the Wayne Rooney Plymouth doc received’t be seeing the sunshine of day.
With Bukayo Saka sidelined, the plain answer for Arsenal is to get busy within the switch market. Right now’s Hearsay Mill factors to 2 potential targets for the Gunners and simply what has Darwin Núñez been as much as on social media?
Preamble
With Chelsea faltering over Christmas and Manchester Metropolis wanting too far again and nonetheless in semi-crisis, it looks like Arsenal symbolize the most important risk to Liverpool within the title race. A formidable 3-1 win at Brentford on New 12 months’s Day stored the leaders in sight and the Gunners may shut the hole to only two factors by successful at Brighton on Saturday night. The snag for Arsenal is that Liverpool can have two video games in hand by then and the primary of these is at residence to ailing Manchester United on Sunday.
Nottingham Forest received’t finish the weekend as Liverpool’s nearest challengers within the desk as they’re not enjoying till Monday. However a victory at Wolves may transfer them second if Arsenal fall to defeat at Brighton.
The highest-flight motion kicks off with Tottenham v Newcastle at 12.30pm on Saturday, a recreation absolutely destined to present the weekend Premier League aim tally a shot within the arm. We’ll have build-up, staff information, managers chatting, switch information and way more because the day goes on. Let’s do that.
One different drawback for Arsenal of their pursuit of Liverpool: damage issues. And that’s not what you need when going through a January schedule peppered with at least 9 fixtures. Right here’s Ed Aarons.
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