10 things to keep in mind this weekend

The gunners forget the commotion to hit the white ones

The good news keeps coming for Arsenal. They are closing in on a new deal with Ben White and it is the latest evidence of an efficient approach that avoids the types of confusion they have seen in the past when contracts dry up. White’s backup right-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu, played superbly in the rout of Lens, but the Englishman could return to the starting line-up for the visit of Wolves on Saturday. Mikel Arteta and Gary O’Neil, old adversaries from their time as players who have forged a firm mutual admiration as coaches, may wish to discuss their respective VAR-related grievances if a free moment presents itself. Wolves are hoping to cause an upset, but Arsenal and White, with recent performances as clean and clinical as the club’s off-field dealings, are hoping for the kind of uncomplicated victory that has become a very promising hallmark of late. Nick Ames

Luton look up but must get to work against Bees

After picking up their first home win of the season by beating Crystal Palace and considering Everton’s plight, Luton’s chances of avoiding relegation have improved. But to enter the Christmas period in the bottom three, Rob Edwards’ side may need to pick up points from their next three games. Considering Arsenal and Manchester City are the next visitors to Kenilworth Road, some sort of result at Brentford would be helpful. Perhaps only Thomas Frank’s team matches Luton for energy output, and the GTech Stadium is almost guaranteed to host a fierce physical battle. Brentford have the most knowledge of the Premier League, although Ross Barkley’s ability to take on opponents and distribute play from midfield was crucial in beating Palace. Chiedozie Ogbene’s speed on both flanks was Luton’s other main weapon last week. Brentford will offer two such players in Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to test Luton’s defence. John Brewin

The story continues

Burnley’s Blades date full of consequences

Something must give at Turf Moor, for the sake of Vincent Kompany and Paul Heckingbottom. Burnley have not won at home in the Premier League all season, nor have they picked up a single point, while Sheffield United have not won away. Together, two of the division’s bottom three clubs have won just two of 26 games this season, underlining the growing gulf between the top flight and the Championship. But while Kompany looks confident, even after the sickening defeat to West Ham last week which ensured Burnley equaled Newport County’s unwanted league record of seven consecutive home defeats at the start of a season, criticism of its counterpart are growing among Blades fans. A first away win may help Heckingbottom’s cause but, for both clubs, this match is fraught with consequences. andy hunter

Cooper’s Forest’s future in doubt once again

Steve Cooper’s time at Nottingham Forest has been a rollercoaster ride, with sporadic speculation surrounding his future. Last season, Sean Dyche, out of a job after being sacked by Burnley, was announced to return to the club where he apprenticed under Brian Clough. Now, as speculation begins to surround Cooper again, Dyche is at Everton. Dyche’s team’s response to their 10-point penalty in last week’s game against Manchester United managed to be impressive in the first half and submissive in the second. Meanwhile, Forest came off worse in a tough defeat to Brighton, after which Cooper’s complaints about refereeing failed to dispel a poor defensive performance. For now, local reports say Cooper retains the “full support” of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, but Dyche’s side dragging his former club down could quickly alter that situation. J.B.

Ten Hag covets Pope’s consistency in goal

Nick Pope shone in Newcastle’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, but that is nothing new. In fact, the goalkeeper is invariably so outstanding that there cannot be many better goalkeepers in Europe. The only caveat surrounding Pope is his sometimes less-than-stellar footwork; Suffice to say, he is no street sweeper. Unlike Jordan Pickford, he will never be the star outfield on five-man teams. This arguably explains why Gareth Southgate now appears to have dropped him from his England squad. That said, Pope’s rare errors have tended to coincide with Southgate’s visits to St James’ Park. Whatever the reason, many on Tyneside are baffled by the goalkeeper’s international exile. At least publicly, Eddie Howe plays a straight diplomatic bat, which begs the question: is he privately studying videos of goalkeepers as he plots the next stage of Newcastle’s tactical evolution? For the moment, Howe can rest assured that he has a starting goalkeeper infinitely more reliable than his Manchester United counterpart, Erik ten Hag. Louise Taylor

Klopp hopes Kelleher seizes the moment

The quality of Liverpool’s squad should make up for the loss of a goalkeeper of even Alisson’s caliber against an inconsistent Fulham, and offer enough protection for any replacement, but this is a key period in Caoimhin Kelleher’s career nonetheless. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has had to wait for Carabao Cup and Europa League matches to demonstrate his undoubted ability this season but, with Alisson sidelined with a hamstring injury over the next two weeks, he now has a greater opportunity to prove it. why Jürgen Klopp wants him to stay at Anfield, after Thursday’s clean sheet against Lask. As the Liverpool manager said: “No one wanted Ali to get injured, but if these things happen then you need the strongest possible option and for us that is Caoimh. To be honest, that’s the only positive we can put into Caoimh. He now has the opportunity he deserves and I hope he can show his full potential.” oh

Gilmour will have his chance at the Bridge

There was a lot of excitement after Billy Gilmour’s first appearances for Chelsea. He was confident on the ball and caught the eye during a win over Liverpool in March 2020. However, a knee injury disrupted his momentum and he fell out of favor with Thomas Tuchel. There was a disappointing season on loan at Norwich and Gilmour decided to move on in the summer of 2022. Brighton came calling and the Scottish midfielder is starting to find consistency. After struggling for opportunities last season, this campaign has been more productive for Gilmour. An intelligent passer and a player capable of dictating the pace of the game, the 22-year-old will be eager to impress when Brighton visit Stamford Bridge. Jacob Steinberg

Iraola and Emery will renew the rivalry in LaLiga

Bournemouth’s revival has left them seven points above the relegation zone. Andoni Iraola’s Basque team-mate Unai Emery has Aston Villa in fourth place and at the top after last week’s patient and systematic defeat to Tottenham. If Villa add their away form to their imperious home record, the Champions League will be played at Villa Park next season. At Spurs, Villa absorbed his opponent’s forceful start and high pressing and then took advantage of set pieces to equalize through Pau Torres. Both will know everything about the other; Not long ago they had Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal punching above their weight in La Liga. Emery enjoyed the better of his two previous meetings, winning 5-1 against Villarreal in Madrid and 2-0 in Castellón. Villa may regret the loss of Boubacar Kamara to suspension as the Frenchman has excelled in midfield all season, although Jacob Ramsey is a worthy replacement upon his return from a foot problem. J.B.

Palace injuries pile pressure on Hodgson

It’s one step forward and two steps back when it comes to injuries for Crystal Palace. Michael Olise is back after a long absence with a hamstring problem and the winger scored a goal against Luton last week, but others have entered the treatment room. Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucouré came off early during the defeat to Luton and will be absent when Palace visit West Ham on Sunday. Roy Hodgson, under pressure after one win in six games, must wonder when his fortunes will change. Doucouré, who could be out for the season, is a calming presence in midfield and Palace are much more creative when Eze plays. Hodgson needs replacements to step up. js

Will Postecoglou’s luck change at City?

Ange Postecoglou must wonder what more misfortunes the football gods have in store for him. Last Sunday, Aston Villa’s Matty Cash shattered the ligaments in Rodrigo Bentancur’s ankle, which will keep the midfielder out until February, in what was his first appearance after an eight-month layoff after tearing an ACL early in anus. Bentancur became Tottenham’s ninth injured player as Postecoglou’s side have fallen from the attractive Premier League leaders to fifth place. The Australian is a former coach of Yokohama F Marinos, of which the City Football Group is a part, so he can expect a warm welcome backstage at the Etihad Stadium. Until Pep Guardiola sends out his Manchester City hat-tricks, of course. Jaime Jackson