WHO remembers when last Arsenal won the Premiership? You will need to scroll down the records to 2003/04 when Arsenal was emphatic, winning with 90 points ahead of Chelsea who were 11 points behind.
Arsenal are nowhere near winning this season but watch the surge of the team which has resulted in new converts to the resurrection of Arsenal fans who live on memories, none so recent. Their fans are proud of their performance so far, the best in Week 21 for years.
Everything Arsenal would be tested on New Year Day when they take on Manchester City, a team you hardly associate with defeat these days. City want to win the Premiership in style again. If they do, it would be Pep Guardiola’s fourth title in five seasons with City.
Fifteen points separate both teams though Arsenal have an outstanding game. If Arsenal are able to take a point away from City, the beneficiaries would include Chelsea, Liverpool, who are looking forward to what can slow City down. Anything short of a win would be a major upset.
The fight for the top three which is where the actions are hot will be more defined on 2 January in the Chelsea-Liverpool clash. Both sides have been erratic throughout the season. Their unexpected slips have seen them creating the opportunities that City have explored.
Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Leicester was unexpected. It gave burgeoning City further dominance at the top. Chelsea split the points with lowly Brighton in the 91st minute of Wednesday’s encounter, the type of unbelievable loss that proves it isn’t over until the last blast of the whistle.
Chelsea would be happy with a draw. A Liverpool victory would put City under some pressure; Liverpool have an outstanding game.
COVID-19 has hit teams differently. Chelsea appear to be most affected in terms of top team players who have tested positive. Games postponed due to COVID-19 are unlikely to impact the top six places.
Crystal Palace are ever unpredictable. The 30 October 2-0 away win to City remains their most spectacular performance against the top teams to round off a great October for Palace. West Ham who Palace play on Sunday are serious contenders for top four and are focused on it. Again, Palace can pull off another surprise.
The match people await with apprehension is Manchester United against Wolves. United have been at best chaotic this season, dealing with poor coaching of a disorganised team that barely reflect their pedigree. Their pairing with Wolves who are just behind them will be fiercely contested. Currently 22 points adrift of City’s leadership, their three matches in hand can only get them to the top five, if they get the maximum points. Goals from the 70th minute have handed United three league victories most recently.
Wolves can be stubborn. City squeezed out a goal against them 11 December – it was a penalty, in a game Wolves played the entire second half down to 10 men.
Burnley have five unplayed games. If they win all of them, well out of character for Burnley, the 15 points would lift them out of their relegation doldrums. Nothing more. The top seven places would not be affected.
Looking still down, Watford, Newcastle, and Norwich need the extraordinary to get out of the relegation zone. Even with nine points to play for in postponed games, Watford would not still breathe easier.
It promises another great week with 17 weeks left to end the title chase.
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