Premier League weekend preview: Arsenal, Spurs and Man United eye crucial wins
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United head into crucial Premier League clashes with pressure mounting, as injuries, form and league positions shape key encounters.
The Premier League returns with three high-stakes fixtures as Arsenal host Newcastle United in a test of top-four ambition, while relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers face a desperate Tottenham Hotspur side fighting for stability. Meanwhile, Manchester United take on Brentford with Champions League qualification in sight and pressure mounting on both ends of the table.
ARSENAL vs NEWCASTLE
In what could be a very important clash in Arsenal’s title race, both teams will be under pressure to deliver results. Newcastle United have endured a dreadful season despite having talented players and a good coach, but injuries have played a big part in their failure to climb the table.
Yoane Wissa was bought to score goals, but he is unlikely to play, having been available for only 17 minutes in six matches. Joelinton is suspended after receiving ten yellow cards, and Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar are still out. Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento could be available, but Newcastle were unable to confirm their fitness status at the time of writing this column.
Arsenal have been solid at the Emirates Stadium, having scored in 21 of their last 22 home games, whereas Newcastle have lost their last three matches and have an abysmal away record, this season.
Midfield will again be crucial for possession, with Declan Rice and returning club captain Martin Odegaard likely looking to dominate the game from its off-set. Tactically, Arsenal should control possession, playing their 4-2-3-1 formation with high control and territorial dominance. Add to that, Arsenal’s defence – Mosquera, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie – all have moulded together under Mikel Arteta to become a very strong defensive unit.
Newcastle will hope to break on the counter, getting the ball up to Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga through Jacob Ramsey and Lewis Miley, but inconsistency in executing plans could prove to be a hindrance. There is also a possibility for Bruno Guimaraes to return after spending time on the sideline because of a hamstring injury, and Newcastle will look to build around him if he plays.
WOLVES vs TOTTENHAM
A relegation derby? Wolverhampton Wanderers are already relegated, and Tottenham Hotspur could join them if they do not start grinding out positive results.
Wolves haven't been able to get their act together this season, having suffered heavy defeats recently, including an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Leeds United. Their attacking players have been way-off, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong repeatedly letting coach Rob Edwards down.
Their defence has conceded too many goals while playing a 3-4-2-1 formation, and their backline of Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes and Ladislav Krejci has struggled week after week. The midfield should be stronger with four players - Jackson Tchatchoua, Andre, Joao Gomes and Hugo Bueno - matching up against Tottenham’s 4-3-3 line-up, but there is little opportunity for them to create chances with only one striker up front in Armstrong.
Bellegarde and Gomes will undoubtedly have their hands full trying to prevent Tottenham’s mid of Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma from creating chances in the final with Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani.
On paper, Tottenham should have the stronger team, and if they perform as they did against Brighton & Hove Albion, they should weather the storm and emerge as winners. Spurs supporters and Roberto De Zerbi can only hope.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs BRENTFORD
Manchester United are third in the table, and Michael Carrick has had a great tenure as the interim coach and is likely to be named permanent manager in the summer if things do not go wrong.
On the other hand, Brentford sold their top forwards, Bryan Mbeumo to United, who will return against his former club in this match, and Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United. Before that, they sold Ivan Toney to the Saudi Pro League, but once again they have found a gem in Igor Thiago, who is second only to Erling Haaland in the goal-scoring charts this season.
Thiago has added motivation in this match because United are struggling with injuries in defence.
Harry Maguire is injured, as is Matthijs de Ligt, while Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card against Leeds United for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. That leaves United with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw to cope with Thiago. Carrick is fortunate to have such a talented substitutes’ bench.
Brentford’s attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard will be their playmaker, while Bruno Fernandes will perform the same role for United. Casemiro will likely partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and United will miss the Brazilian when he leaves in the summer, as his leadership and goal-scoring instinct have been vital. Mathias Jensen and Yehor Yarmoliuk will occupy similar roles for Brentford and will aim to contain Fernandes as he supplies passes to striker Benjamin Sesko, if he starts. If Mbeumo, Fernandes and Matheus Cunha click, it could be a long and challenging afternoon for Brentford.