As the Premier League nears its halfway stage, another eventful gameeweek concludes with pulsating action across the division.
The importance of each game continues to be more pertinent as we are now reaching the business end of the season and teams are feeling the pressure. Games are coming thick and fast and although there is still a lot to play for, the League table is beginning to take shape.
The battles at the top, middle and bottom of the Premier League table are heated with teams trying their best to accomplish their goals but the main focus of this article is at the top of the Premier League table. Specifically, the title race.
In what has been a surprising season so far, three of the current top four finished outside the Champions League places last season and the three that did are currently struggling.
After the conclusion of this weekend’s fixtures, we look at what the (quite interesting) results could mean in the context of the title race and take a look at what could still happen in the near future.
Arsenal snap winless run at Tottenham to open right point lead
Arsenal football club are riding a special wave at the moment. They went across the city to the home of their biggest rivals where they had not won or kept a clean sheet in 7 attempts and came away with a win and a clean sheet. If such a feat does not qualify them as title contenders then I don't know what else will.
A howler from Hugo Lloris in the 14th minute ensured a strong start for the Gunners. Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure for much of the first half with Eddie Nketiah coming close and Thomas Partey hitting the bar in spectacular fashion from long range. They finally got the second they deserved through a moment of brilliance from Martin Odegaard.
Tottenham came alive in the second half and posed a threat in that period but Aaron Ramsdale was up to the task and came up with seven brilliant saves in the moments the defenders in from of him were beaten.
Mikel Arteta’s men showed the mentality of potential Champions and never seemed to panic in what a very hostile atmosphere. This result proves that Arsenal have become this season’s mentality monsters.
This result extends their lead up to eight points and makes sure that their fate will remain in their hands leading up to when they faceoff with Manchester City later in the season.
Was that the final nail in Manchester City’s Coffin?
Surely not, but it may well turn out to be.
Manchester City’s loss to bitter rivals Manchester United was a psychological blow not just because of the result and the controversy around their concession of the equalizing goal, but in the manner of their performance.
The Citizens may have had 71% of the ball at full time but they were rarely in control of the match. The only period in the game where they looked genuinely in control was a 15-minute spell after half time and their dominance paid off with the opening goal which was scored by substitute Jack Grealish on the hour mark.
Phil Foden’s poor form continued as he was taken off in the 57th minute for Jack Grealish and when he scored three minutes later, it looked like City had figured out how to solve the problem United presented them in the first half but that was not the case.
Two goals in a very chaotic four-minute span for United meant Pep Guardiola’s men would lose a match in which they have scored first for the first time in 42 games. A damning statistic indeed.
What is even more troubling is the recent form of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian was brought in last summer to become the final piece in the City jigsaw and his incredible return of 21 league goals so far this season proves that he is one of the best finishers on the planet but he is in a bit of a cold spell.
He hasn't scored in his last three games in all competitions and he has struggled to involve himself in the buildup phase of City’s play. He had a total of 20 touches of the football throughout the game which was the lowest of any outfield player and only managed a single shot in the whole game.
Saturday afternoon was not the first time that Haaland would rarely be involved in City’s buildup play but he more often than not scores regardless. In this game, United were able to stifle City and the supply line to Haaland was taken away as a result. In order to win games like these, the Norwegian will have to show more than his predatory instinct in front of goal and add a new dimension to his game.
Arsenal’s win over Tottenham means that at the moment, the title is Arsenal’s to lose and City can only try to be near perfect between now and the end of the season and hope Arsenal crack under pressure.
Will Manchester United’s resurgence lead them to the top of the mountain?
On the other end of the spectrum, Manchester United showed character and resilience to come from behind and redeem themselves against a rival that handed them a 6-3 thrashing just three months ago. This win has put them in third position, only a point behind city and nine behind leaders arsenal. How the times have changed.
United’s tactics in the first half worked to perfection as they held City to only two shots in the first half while they had two very good chances to score in transition. The beginning of the second half saw City dominate and eventually take the lead but United showed resolve and determination despite the setback and turned their fortunes around.
They created a total of 1.72 expected goals (xG) and had four shots on target while limiting City to only 0.65 xG and one shot on target the whole game. In Pep Guardiola’s six years as manager, he had never managed a shot tally that low.
Questions were asked regarding weather Ten Hag’s men were really as good as their winning run suggests. They had faced teams during this run that they would've expected to beat and this will be the real test to see where they truly are in the grand scheme of things. It's safe to say that they have passed this test with flying colors.
Ten Hag’s men have two tough trips to London in the next seven days with Crystal Palace coming up on Wednesday and a huge showdown at the Emirates stadium against Arsenal next Sunday. Winning both games will cut the gap between themselves and Arsenal to just three points. If United manage this, they will no doubt be considered title contenders.
From wondering if Erik Ten Hag will be nicknamed Erik Ten Months in August to being on the cusp of a title challenge in January, United have certainly turned things around regardless of what happens in the next seven days.