In the thrilling encounter between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal emerged victorious, but not without some nerve-wracking moments. Despite holding a commanding 3-0 lead, Arsenal allowed Spurs to claw back with two goals, raising concerns of a potential draw reminiscent of previous seasons.

How Did the Game Playout?

The match presented a challenge to categorize. Despite being 3-0 up at halftime, there seemed to be little to separate the two sides, a sentiment echoed by the statistics. In the first 45 minutes, the hosts commanded more than double the possession (72 percent), boasted a higher expected goals total (0.85 to 0.7), and registered eight shots compared to Arsenal’s four. However, Arsenal capitalized on crucial moments with ruthless efficiency. 

The opening goal unfolded in an unexpected manner, originating from an own goal off a corner kick. As Arsenal applied pressure, Bukayo Saka whipped a menacing corner into the penalty area, creating chaos in the Tottenham defense. Hojbjerg’s unfortunate own goal handed Arsenal an early advantage and further displayed Spurs’ weakness from set pieces.

Tottenham had an equalizing goal disallowed for offside following a VAR review, and within five minutes, Arsenal doubled the lead to 2-0. The second goal coincided with a penalty appeal for Spurs being denied. Although Tottenham hit the post in the first half, Havertz managed to score the third goal with only the second shot on target in the entire game.

Subsequently, Tottenham capitalized on a mistake from David Raya, who opted for long passing for much of the first half. Raya’s pass went right to a Spurs player and Romero slotted the ball in the net with a calm finish from the center-back. VAR intervened again to award a late penalty for the home side. In the remaining ten minutes, including injury time, Arsenal faced mounting pressure, but held firm. Raya excelled in claiming every cross into the box, and ultimately, they did not face another shot on target. The celebrations at the final whistle were tempered with a palpable sense of relief.

Player Ratings – Tottenham vs Arsenal

Tottenham Player Ratings

• Guglielmo Vicario: 6 – Made some crucial saves and wasn’t to blame for Arsenal’s goals, but struggled to deal with corners.
• Pedro Porro: 6 – Kept Trossard in check and provided attacking threat with crosses, although lacked precision.
• Cristian Romero: 8 – Impressive performance, scored a goal, hit the post, and was involved in numerous challenges, setting the tone for Tottenham.
• Micky van de Ven: 7 – Scored a goal that was disallowed, utilized his pace to help Spurs defensively, but questions remain about his role in conceding Havertz’s goal.
• Ben Davies: 4 – Had a difficult time containing Saka and seemed overwhelmed, possibly not suited for his role in the defensive system.
• Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 5 – Put in effort but struggled to influence the game against Arsenal’s midfield quality.
• Rodrigo Bentancur: 3 – Poor display, subbed off at halftime, failed to control the midfield and left Spurs vulnerable defensively.
• Dejan Kulusevski: 6 – Worked hard and created chances both from the right and centrally, showing directness in his play.
• James Maddison: 4 – A subpar performance, lost possession frequently under pressure from Arsenal’s midfield.
• Timo Werner: 5 – Substituted early due to injury, had limited impact in the opening half-hour.
• Heung-min Son: 5 – Had a quiet game for the most part, aside from scoring a penalty, missed a crucial chance before halftime.

Arsenal Player Ratings

• David Raya: 5 – Made a costly mistake for Romero’s goal but handled crosses confidently.
• Ben White: 7 – Provided excitement in set-pieces and defended effectively against Werner and Johnson.
• William Saliba: 7 – Maintained composure amidst the chaos, delivering a solid defensive performance.
• Gabriel: 7 – Formed a strong partnership with Saliba, effectively neutralizing Son’s threat.
• Takehiro Tomiyasu: 5 – Struggled against Kulusevski and made some careless passes.
• Martin Odegaard: 6 – Had limited involvement in the first half and was substituted late in the game, unable to make his usual impact.
• Thomas Partey: 7 – Broke up play effectively and distributed the ball well to initiate Arsenal’s attacks.
• Declan Rice: 7 – Dominated the midfield but conceded a penalty with a tired challenge, adding tension to the finish.
• Bukayo Saka: 9 – Outstanding performance, scoring a well-taken goal, delivering excellent crosses, and showing resilience despite heavy challenges.
• Kai Havertz: 9 – Scored and showcased impressive movement and hold-up play, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s attack.
• Leandro Trossard: 6 – Put in effort on the left flank but couldn’t influence the game significantly.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The outcome of this derby holds significant implications for both Arsenal and Tottenham as they navigate the remainder of the season. For Arsenal, who are just one point behind Manchester City with a game in hand, every match becomes crucial in their pursuit of the league title. With Manchester City holding the advantage, any slip-up from them could provide Arsenal with a fighting chance to clinch the title. As the race for the top spot intensifies, Arsenal must maintain their form and capitalize on opportunities to close the gap on Manchester City.

On the other hand, Tottenham’s aspirations lie in securing a top-four finish to qualify for the Champions League. Currently, they sit seven points behind Aston Villa in the battle for fourth place. With the extra Champions League spot probably going to a team from Germany or Italy, Tottenham cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to maintain their aspirations for the tournament. With the competition for the coveted Champions League places heating up, Tottenham must rally and put in consistent performances to stay in contention for a top-four finish.

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Over the weekend we witnessed Chelsea F.C. and Liverpool F.C. go head to head in the Carabao Cup final, and it was a good day if you’re a Liverpool supporter. However, this final showed 2 very contrasting stories. On one end, you have a flourishing team that gets it done no matter what. On the other side, you have an accomplished team that seems to be spiraling downward. 

Liverpool came into the game not at their full strength, having several players missing from the starting squad as well as ending the match with more than half of their team coming from the youth team. Chelsea on the other hand, were at their full strength squad playing the same team that drew against treble winners Manchester City the week before.

Down for Chelsea

Chelsea’s ownership has spared no expense in building a squad designed for success, making headlines with a series of high-profile signings. With a financial commitment exceeding $1 billion, expectations were understandably sky-high for the club’s performance. However, the correlation between investment and on-field success is proving to be more complex than anticipated, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the efficacy of the considerable expenditures.

Despite their substantial investment, Chelsea FC’s performance in the Premier League has been underwhelming this season. Inconsistencies in form, unexpected losses, and an inability to secure crucial points have left the club trailing behind their competitors. Currently sitting in 11th place in the prem with 10 points behind the top 6, this season may be a bust for Chelsea if they can not win the FA Cup. The disparity between financial outlay and on-field results raises questions about the team’s synergy, managerial strategies, and the challenges of integrating the expensive signings into a cohesive unit.

Still Climbing Liverpool

Liverpool on the other hand, seems to be in a very good spot for the remainder of the season and can do the unthinkable. With one trophy in their cabinet this season already and multiple chances to win more, can Jurgen Klopp win the quadruple on what would be his last season with Liverpool FC? This would make Liverpool the first-ever English team to have ever won the quadruple(4 trophies in one season) and only the second in history, the first coming in 66/67 by Celtic’s Lisbon Lions.

What sets Liverpool apart this season is their relentless pursuit of success on multiple fronts. Despite the managerial change on the minds of the fans and players, the team is still in contention for three prestigious trophies – the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Europa League. Liverpool’s ability to maintain focus and competitiveness across various tournaments is a testament to the depth of their squad and the resilience instilled within the club.

What are both teams looking to do?

For Liverpool, the primary objective this season is clear – clinching the coveted Premier League title. The league trophy has eluded them for a few seasons after winning it in the 19/20 season, and with their current form, they remain strong contenders next to Man City. Beyond the Premier League, Liverpool eyes success in the Europa League, offering an additional avenue for silverware. While not as big as the Champions League, the Europa League is still a highly sought-after European cup. Jurgen Klopp’s side, known for their attacking prowess and resilient defense, is well-positioned for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

In contrast, Chelsea, despite a challenging season, has an opportunity to salvage their campaign by targeting the FA Cup. This domestic competition offers the Blues a chance at redemption and a silver lining to what might otherwise be considered a below-par season. Winning the FA Cup would not only provide a morale boost but also add a tangible achievement to Chelsea’s trophy cabinet, making the season more palatable for the fans and stakeholders.

Amidst their on-field challenges, Chelsea may begin exploring strategies to navigate Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations for the upcoming season. Speculations suggest that the club might consider selling some of their homegrown players to ensure compliance with FFP guidelines. This strategic move aims to balance financial responsibilities while maintaining the competitive edge that has defined Chelsea in recent years.

Titans in Turmoil: Final Thoughts

As Liverpool and Chelsea navigate the complexities of the remaining fixtures, both clubs have distinct aspirations and challenges. Liverpool’s emphasis on securing the 2023/24 Premier League title and making strides in the Europa League underscores their ambition for domestic and European success. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s focus on the FA Cup provides them with a tangible goal to salvage a season that has fallen short of expectations. Additionally, the strategic considerations surrounding FFP hint at the intricate balance that top football clubs must strike between on-field prowess and financial sustainability. The coming weeks promise a thrilling culmination to the season for both Liverpool and Chelsea, each aiming to make the most out of their contrasting situations.

Liverpool are just hanging onto their lead at the top of the EPL ladder and going down to Arsenal didn’t help their chances. Man City is slowly and steadily reeling in Liverpool. Now, with Haaland and de Bruyne being back in the side, Man City is poised to go on one of their famous runs where they win game after game down the stretch.

Haaland’s Return Should Equal Goals

Haaland’s second season in the EPL hasn’t been nearly as electrifying as during his first season. However, the young Norweigan striker still has the most goals of any EPL player. Haaland has the perfect balance of size, pace and strength. He’s a defender’s nightmare as trying to stay in front of him and bump off the ball is almost impossible.

Haaland is also an incredibly clinical finisher. Whenever he gets the ball in the box, a goal is almost inevitable. Even without Haaland, Man City has been keeping the goals flowing thanks to Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva. It’s scary to think just how much better Man City’s attack will be when Haaland is fully fit and back in the starting lineup.

There are still questions about Haaland’s fitness. He came off the bench against Burnley but failed to make an impact. He’s been battling a foot injury, which has seen him miss 10 games. Liverpool will be praying that Haaland doesn’t return to his pre-injury form, as the sheer number of goals he can generate makes Man City exceptionally difficult to beat. 

KDB Back in the Starting Lineup

Kevin de Bruyne returned to the starting squad against Burnley on 31st January. The Belgium midfielder has been a major factor in Man City’s success over the years. He’s known for his incredible football IQ, almost god-like control of the ball and always finding the perfect pass at the perfect moment.

Haaland and de Bruyne instantly formed an unstoppable duo last year that saw them score goal after goal and resulted in Man City winning the league, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. Man City fans are hoping that de Bruyne and Haaland can get back into last season’s form.

The issue is time! There are only 16 games left in the season, Haaland is yet to return to the starting lineup, and de Bruyne has very little match experience during 2023-2024. 

Jose Mourinho gives Man City a 51% chance of winning the league. He’s been impressed by Liverpool but knows that Man City has shown time again that they can rise to the occasion and win big matches. If Haaland and de Bruyne were 100% and had been in the starting lineup for weeks, we’re sure that Mourinho would give Man City a much higher chance of winning.

Liverpool Has Other Ideas

Liverpool and Man City are neck and neck. Liverpool defense has been incredible this season, conceding just 19 goals, which is by far the best in the league. Getting past defenders like Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté has proved extremely difficult this season. However, their recent performance against Arsenal showed the defensive duo is human after all. Liverpool conceded three goals, and Konaté was sent off after receiving two yellow cards after two blatant fouls on Kai Haivetz.

While at the other end of the pitch, Mo Salah continues to score goals with ease and is still a top-five striker in the EPL. Salah has found an amazing partner in Darwin Nunez. Rival fans were ready to write off the Uruguayan last season, however, during this campaign, he’s been in much-improved form, scoring seven goals and recording seven assists.

Both teams need to be almost perfect in their remaining games. At most, they can spare one loss and a few draws, and it’ll take a massive effort to defeat Man City. As this is Jurgen Klopp’s last season with Liverpool, we expect the players to play extra hard for their legendary manager, and Liverpool’s attack and defense have proven effective.

However, Man City are masters at navigating the backend of the season. And with Haaland and de Bruyne back in the team and Liverpool’s poor performance at Arsenal, expect Mourinho to revise who he thinks wins the 2023/24 premier league!