Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

17.02.2023 - 03:39 theguardian.com

With Arsenal travelling to Villa Park for Saturday’s early kick off, Manchester City will have the opportunity to capitalise on any slip-up from Mikel Arteta’s side when they take on Nottingham Forest in what might, on paper, seem a fairly straightforward assignment at the City Ground.

It is one they should not take lightly following their win at the Emirates, as Forest are unbeaten in seven league matches at home, taking 15 of the past 21 points available.

City’s shortcomings are few and far between but before their win over Arsenal they had lost back-to-back matches on their league travels, the two defeats coming after another away loss at Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

Any show of complacency after their statement midweek win could be brutally punished. Barry Glendenning Nottingham Forest v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm (all times GMT) Aston Villa have big plans.

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Roberto Firmino scoring Liverpool’s seventh and final goal on Sunday was such an apt way to complete their perfect day. Two goals each for Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo pointed to Jürgen Klopp having found his next all-star forward line, and then on came the outgoing legend to cap it all with a neat finish and that trademark smile. Neither of the new men – nor Diogo Jota – is a like-for-like replacement for what Firmino and Sadio Mané once brought to Liverpool but Gakpo’s speed and finishing, plus Núñez’s chaotic element, can still complement Salah. Gakpo arrived at Liverpool in January as a player unfamiliar with playing centrally but Sunday confirmed him as the heir apparent to Firmino. Salah, Liverpool’s new record Premier League goalscorer, was at his brilliant best, a pest to Manchester United even during his team’s difficult first half. He remains a cut above, near-impossible to stop in full flow and drove Luke Shaw, in particular, to distraction. John Brewin

Martinelli stars as Premier League leaders Arsenal crush Everton to go 5 points clear

Gabriel Martinelli starred as Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 rout of struggling Everton on Wednesday.

Premier League: Gabriel Martinelli Stars As Leaders Arsenal Crush Everton To Go Five Points Clear

Gabriel Martinelli starred as Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 rout of struggling Everton on Wednesday. Bukayo Saka broke Everton's stubborn resistance late in the first half before Brazilian forward Martinelli doubled Arsenal's lead at the Emirates Stadium. Martin Odegaard bagged the third and Martinelli wrapped up Arsenal's biggest victory since October on a night that could serve as another landmark moment in their surge towards the title. It was essential for Mikel Arteta's side to win their game in hand on second-placed Manchester City as the title race approaches its climax.

Arsenal extend Premier League lead, Leeds climb out of bottom three

Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli (C) scores his team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 25, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP)

'A mark of respect' - Oleksandr Zinchenko named Arsenal captain for Premier League clash against Leicester City

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been named Arsenal captain for their Premier League match away at Leicester City to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine conflict. The Gunners announced the news on their social media channels and said the move was made “as a mark of respect,” with Zinchenko temporarily taking the armband away from Granit Xhaka. Ad The statement read: “Alex Zinchenko is our captain today, as a mark of respect and love on the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine.” Premier LeagueArteta upbeat on Jesus' return to fitness — 'He's really pushing the boundaries'21 HOURS AGO Mikel Arteta has replaced Eddie Nketiah with Gabriel Martinelli in the only change to the side that beat Aston Villa 4-2 last Saturday.