Top of the table clash at the Emirates

A top of the table clash at the Emirates on Sunday is a game which has been heavily influenced by recent events at both clubs: Liverpool’s shock revelation that Jurgen Klopp is leaving in a few months and Mikel Arteta believing he has got his team absolutely perfect. Probably the two most influential forwards, Mo Salah for Liverpool and Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal will not meet this weekend. Salah has returned from AFCON following Egypt’s surprise elimination from the tournament but Klopp has said he will miss the next two games because of a hamstring injury. The coach said, “We cannot rush. If we could rush the healing process, believe me, Thiago Alcantara wouldn’t have been out for ten months. Mo is not ready for the next game or the one after. He’s injured and muscle injuries take time..he is just doing his rehab.” Mo has been running on a track during a training session which has convinced fans that he could be available for Sunday.

Adding spice to the tie is Chelsea’s long term view that Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk could be their replacement for 39 year-old Thiago Silva. Liverpool fans do not appreciate the disruptive dialogue. Van Dijk insisted this week that he will not be leaving Anfield in the summer despite many reports to the contrary. Both he and Klopp insisted that the coach’s summer departure would not mean a mass exodus of players and fans should remain calm as everything is stable and on course.

Arteta intends to play Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah. Jesus had a sit down meeting with the coach and insisted he can handle the pressure of being the central striker. He said his mental attitude is perfect to cope after playing for Man City and Brazil.

City looking strong for title

Would you seriously bet against Manchester City retaining their Premier League title?

FAAN, CBN’s relocation aimed at reducing operational costs – FG

Nigeria would have been worse without subsidy removal – FG

Aiming for a consecutive fourth title, City are back to their best with the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. De Bruyne was missing for five long months and Haaland for 10 games. The Norwegian was given a standing ovation when he came onto the field against Burnley this week. City last lost to Aston Villa on December 16th and have since won 16 points from a possible 18. Against Burnley on Wednesday De Bruyne was involved in everything good about City…he ran the game. He was anxious to make up for those lost months and ran and ran like a man possessed. Alongside Rodri for the rest of the season, City look perfectly capable of overhauling Liverpool and cementing another title. Away at Brentford on Monday evening Pep Guardiola once again intends to play De Bruyne, Rodri, Foden and Haaland which will severely test the London club. Bee’s coach Thomas Frank has been concentrating on making breakaway moves and set pieces. His training ground routines were highly effective against Tottenham in midweek and he plans to use that strategy again but I fear for Brentford with City in their current rich vein of form.

Arteta to Barca is fake news!

Arsenal fans were worried this week when a Spanish media source claimed that Mikel Arteta had told a member of his staff that he is interested in taking over from Xabi as coach of Barcelona. “Fake News!” shouted the Gunner’s coach. “It is totally untrue and I do not like it. I am in the right place.”

It was revealed this week that Mikel sympathised with Jurgen Klopp and his decision to leave Liverpool in the summer. The Arsenal man said that during the season his brain is working at 100 miles an hour and you have to find time to relax. He chooses to meditate when he is not enjoying time with his family or taking a well-earned holiday which he says is essential to survival in the Premier League.

Palace does it the Eze way

Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson has made his opinion perfectly clear. Despite all the rumours and attention given to Michael Olise leaving the club in the summer, Roy says it would be very wrong of the club to sell him and he is the future of the team. The France Under-21 international has been suffering from niggling injuries lately but has still scored five goals in nine appearances. Many suspected that Roy would have been sacked if they had lost at home to Everton but a remarkable turnaround saw them run out as 3-2 winners and the pressure on the coach eased.

Maupay pays for tormenting Spurs

The problem with making fun of your opponents was very clear on Wednesday evening. Brentford star Neal Maupay wound up the crowd and Tottenham players by celebrating his goal with a pin point dart throwing action which was aimed at Tottenham’s James Maddison. The very annoyed Tottenham player grabbed Maupay round the neck before realising he could be sent off. Maupay also continued shouting insults and making niggling fouls in order to frustrate and annoy both Spur’s players and their fans. That is all well and good if you win the game but after leading during the first half Tottenham won 3-2 and Maupay was left embarrassed. Three goals in seven minutes from Tottenham finally quietened him and it was Richarlison’s turn, with Maddison, to celebrate with the dart throwing action.

Ten Hag’s strategy questioned again

Once again Erik Ten Hag’s strategy is being questioned. The Dutchman is intent on playing the sort of game which won him awards at Ajax. The fans do not like it and his players are constantly questioning his tactics. Many players feel United sit far too deep and entice teams to drive at them making breakaways from defence. What they should be doing is winning the ball high up the pitch and pressuring their opponents, not the other way around. Playing Ten Hag’s system against a lowly club such as Newport in the FA Cup knockout competition was asking for trouble and the Welsh club duly equalised at 2-2 before United won back control and were the eventual 4-2 winners. Playing against Premier League opposition by sitting back and waiting for an opponent’s attack to break down can only lead to problems in the Premier League whereas in Holland in the Eredivisie league, Ajax had the best players and were far better than their opponents.

Liverpool could lose their finest

Not many people would argue against Jurgen Klopp as a great leader, an inspiration to his players and a true friend of the Liverpool community. No one would argue against him as one the most outstanding coaches of his generation. Probably Liverpool’s three best coaches over the past 60 years are Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp nurtured, coached and improved Mo Salah from a good player to world class.

Together they turned Liverpool into a European powerhouse reflecting the glories of decades past.

At the end of the season it is possible both will be gone from Anfield.

Wolves will lose Neto

Gary O’Neill has done a good job at Wolves and they are marching towards Wembley in the FA Cup and are secure in the league. However, no matter how big the club is, there are bigger and better clubs and Wolves’ Pedro Neto will be the next one to leave in the summer. Wolves lost Diogo Jota who went to Liverpool and Matheus Nunes to Manchester City. Neto has the ability to play at the very top of the profession and at 24 it is the perfect time for him to move upwards.