Three talking points from the Premier League weekend
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his team are much more consistent this season and they are more than capable of winning the Premier League.
PHOTO: EPA
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1 Can Arsenal crack Christmas curse?
Arsenal will be top of the table on Christmas Day for the third time in four years after grinding out a first Premier League away win in four games
In the four previous times they have led at Christmas in the Premier League era, the Gunners have not gone on to win the title. That includes two recent examples as Mikel Arteta’s men were reeled in by City in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Arteta, though, is confident his side will finally get their reward for continuing to put themselves in pole position for a first league title in 22 years.
“What gives me belief and confidence is the level of performance and the consistency of that,” he said. “That’s very, very difficult to do in this league and that means that the team is constantly there.”
Tottenham Hotspur's Danish head coach Thomas Frank gestures during the English Premier League match against Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dec 20.
PHOTO: AFP
2 Spurs fury does Frank no favours
Tottenham Hotspur could not be accused of a lack of fight to save their under-pressure manager. But indiscipline was their downfall as another home defeat, 2-1 against Liverpool
Frank tried to shift the blame onto referee John Brooks for not ruling out Liverpool’s second goal for a push by Hugo Ekitike on Cristian Romero. But by then Tottenham attacker Xavi Simons had already seen red for a wild lunge on Virgil van Dijk.
Romero was booked for his protests after Ekitike’s goal and then got himself sent off in stoppage time for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate, just as Tottenham had the Reds on the ropes.
Frank finds himself in a familiar position to many Spurs managers in recent years, unable to produce a team fit to match their world-class stadium.
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards greeting his players such as Joao Gomes and Andre after their loss to Brentford.
PHOTO: REUTERS
3 Wolves set for unwanted history
With relegation already appearing inevitable, Wolverhampton Wanderers are in danger of becoming the worst side in EPL history. A 2-0 home loss to Brentford
Derby’s record low points total of 11 from 2007-08 is under threat, with Wolves having the joint lowest points tally at Christmas in Premier League history alongside Sheffield United in 2020-21. AFP
