Injury-hit Arsenal have little room for error when Premier League leaders Liverpool visit the Emirates on Sunday, despite losing just once so far this season.
Two under-pressure managers face off at the London Stadium, as Julen Lopetegui aims to quell discontent among West Ham supporters against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
Depleted Arsenal Face Liverpool Test
Arsenal were expected to challenge Manchester City for the title this season after coming close last year. However, Liverpool currently leads the table after a near flawless start under manager Arne Slot. The Gunners’ recent 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth leaves them four points behind the Reds and three adrift of second-placed City.
Arsenal could be without three key players: William Saliba (suspended), Martin Odegaard (ankle injury), and Bukayo Saka (hamstring doubt). Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber might also be missing. Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to be the “12th man” on Sunday, saying, “The place has to be rocking here against Liverpool to give us all the possible energy that they can.”
Liverpool is flying high with 11 wins from 12 matches in all competitions. A victory against Arsenal would send a clear signal that they are genuine title contenders.
Manchester United Hunt Goals Against Struggling West Ham
Manchester United showed signs of life in their comeback win against Brentford last week, with Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Marcus Rashford forming a promising attacking trio. Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal of the season, while Rashford looked sharp, assisting Garnacho’s goal.
However, United has struggled for goals this season, scoring only seven in eight league matches, with only Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Ipswich scoring fewer.
Lopetegui is under scrutiny after a second-half collapse in a 4-1 defeat at rivals Tottenham last weekend. West Ham has managed just eight points from eight games, failing to meet expectations after a £120 million ($156 million) summer investment.
Pressure Mounts for Winless Quartet
For the first time in English top-flight history, four clubs remain without a win from their opening eight games. Predicting a win for any of the three sides in the relegation zone is challenging this weekend: bottom team Wolves face Brighton away, Southampton travels to Manchester City, and Crystal Palace hosts Tottenham.
Winless Ipswich, currently fourth from bottom, could distance themselves from the drop zone with a victory against Brentford.
Crystal Palace, who finished 10th last season, is experiencing a sharp decline, scoring just five goals this season—the lowest in the league. Manager Oliver Glasner acknowledges a lack of confidence within the squad, stating, “I don’t think it’s a tactical problem; it’s a mentality problem, it’s a lack of confidence, and this is what we have to change.”
Everton and West Ham have a four-point cushion over the bottom four, a crucial buffer as the season progresses.
Fixtures
Friday
Leicester v Nottingham Forest (1900 GMT)
Saturday (1400 unless stated)
Aston Villa v Bournemouth, Brentford v Ipswich, Brighton v Wolves, Manchester City v Southampton, Everton v Fulham (1630)
Sunday (1400 unless stated)
Chelsea v Newcastle, Crystal Palace v Tottenham, West Ham v Manchester United, Arsenal v Liverpool (1630)