EPL preview: Can Arsenal recover from their latest setback?
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LONDON, 02/10/2023 (AFP) – Premier League leaders Arsenal and holders Manchester City are desperate to get back to winning ways this weekend, while Jurgen Klopp searches for answers to Liverpool’s poor form.
Chelsea face a tough trip to West Ham, with Graham Potter forced into an act of juggling after an influx of expensive new players, while Manchester United take on Leeds for the second time in five days.
AFP Sport looks at some of the key talking points ahead of the action:
Can Arsenal keep their nerves?
Arsenal traveled to Goodison Park last week as hot favorites to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League but left the team after suffering just their second league defeat of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s men, who are chasing the Gunners’ first championship title in 19 years, struggled to silence doubters earlier this season, even after starting in the sprint.
But in recent weeks they have shown their skills, drawing against Newcastle before beating Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Arsenal take on in-form Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday before hosting Manchester City next week.
The Gunners’ most recent record against the reigning champions is pathetic, having lost their last 10 league games by an aggregate score of 26-3.
Arteta said after the Everton defeat his players didn’t feel the pressure and they were helped by City’s loss to Tottenham the following day.
But he knows he has to keep the veteran winners of Pep Guardiola at bay.
Derby test for ailing Liverpool
Liverpool need to find their mojo quickly after three heavy defeats in four Premier League games saw them falter in midfield, but Jurgen Klopp will be wary of a revitalized Everton.
The Blues travel with a dip to Anfield on Monday after the shock win over Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game at the helm.
Liverpool’s home record against relegation-threatened Everton is impressive: before losing at Anfield in 2021, they had not lost to their home neighbors in more than two decades.
But if Everton can repeat the energy and intensity they showed against Arsenal then after a terrible run they will have their chances against a Liverpool side lacking in confidence.
A team once hailed by Klopp as a “mentality monster” who came agonizingly close to an unprecedented quadruple victory last season have quickly lost their way.
The German described last week’s 3-0 defeat by Wolves as the “high point of our troubles”. He’ll hope that gives him a vantage point to see the way forward.
Can Joao Felix put Chelsea in the goal lane?
Graham Potter’s new look Chelsea start their Premier League campaign at the London Stadium on Saturday, with Joao Felix likely back in the squad after serving a three-game suspension.
The Atletico Madrid striker was sent off on loan in his first appearance for Stamford Bridge Club in Fulham last month.
He will return and will find a very different dressing room from the match against Fulham, which Chelsea lost 2-1.
The club opened up in spectacular fashion last month, bringing on eight new faces in total, including wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, and breaking the UK transfer record by signing Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Potter knows his team must rally quickly if they are to have any hope of closing the 10-point gap in the top four.
Chelsea won’t stand a chance unless they boost their disappointing return of just 22 goals in 21 Premier League games.
fixtures
Saturday
- West Ham United vs Chelsea
- Arsenal vs Brentford
- Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
- Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Southampton vs Wolverhampton
- Bournemouth vs Newcastle United
Sunday
- Leeds United vs Manchester United
- Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Monday