Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Arsenal have made huge strides over the last 12 months. When they ended last season with two emphatic defeats in three games to miss out on a top-four finish, their prospects of then competing for the title looked fanciful. But the summer signing of Gabriel Jesus changed the mood from despondency to excitement, and after what looks like a second consecutive run-in disappointment – despite their fine win at Newcastle – Mikel Arteta could do with pulling off the same trick: picking a player so obviously the right fit his arrival inspires teammates and supporters with the certainty of progress. Most likely, the plan is to recruit a midfielder to replace Granit Xhaka, as good at St James’ as he has been all season but still lacking the class required in a champion team. If rumours are to be believed, Declan Rice will be the man, and though his lack of finesse might be a problem, his physicality would make facing Arsenal an even more unpleasant task than it is already. Daniel Harris

Match report: Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal

With David de Gea yet to agree to a contract extension which will keep him at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season, the last few weeks may have given the club hierarchy a stronger hand in negotiating a mooted pay cut. While De Gea’s limitations with the ball at his feet have been much-scrutinised, his shot stopping – usually the strongest aspect of his game – failed him against West Ham. With Liverpool on a six-match winning run and now only one point behind Manchester United in fourth, albeit having played a game more, his failure to keep out Saïd Benrahma’s weak bouncer from distance could prove hugely costly. Having given another nightmare performance as Erik ten Hag’s side crashed out of the Europa