Friday, January 13, 2023, 7:00 PM
If the Premier League season was a marathon, rather than a sprint this weekend, Arsenal and Manchester City will be at the halfway point of the title race.
They will be facing bitter rivals as they do so. This could have a significant impact upon their momentum for the second half.
Arsenal could be leading the table by two points or more depending on how City performs against Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime. Arsenal’s result at Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow morning could also affect this lead.
Although it’s too soon to call the deciding run, it will decide whether each team takes home a spring in its step or stumbles.
Tottenham – Arsenal
Arsenal are already at their best personal level after making their strongest ever start in the Premier League season.
Only the third time MikelArteta’s side lost points this season was when they played Newcastle United in a goalless draw.
They had already beat Tottenham 3-1 at home in October, as did Liverpool and Chelsea, and showed no signs of slowing down due to a World Cup break, or losing out to Gabriel Jesus, an injured striker.
Tottenham shared a similar stride with their north London rivals in the opening weeks, and were only one point behind after eight matches.
They have been beaten by their neighbors and trail Arsenal by 11 points.
Tottenham can take heart in their recent home record in this match. They have not lost a North London derby at the top-flight level since 2014.
Their May victory of 3-0 swung the race to last place in Champions League and Arteta’s men were never able to recover.
They must not give him the chance to repeat the mistake that threatened to cause a slide under Arsenal’s unexpected tilt to their first Premier League title in 2004.
Manchester United v Manchester City
City could be on their shoulders if Tottenham Hotspur kicks off, should the Manchester derby go their way 24hrs early.
Their last meeting was in October. Champion won 6-3They are eight points ahead of United, which is an embarrassing feat.
United is a team that has been transforming recently. They have won eight consecutive matches in all competitions, and 11 of their previous 12.
Arsenal are currently vying to be England’s most glamorous club and have moved up four points to the fourth spot, four behind Pep Guardiola’s team.
City were not bad, but they dropped points at home against Brentford and Everton on either side of the World Cup break. They also suffered a shock Carabao Cup loss against Southampton on Wednesday.
Kane and Rashford
It appears that England’s top strikers will have a major say in this weekend’s derbies and, therefore, the rest of title race.
Harry Kane seems to improve his game when he faces Tottenham’s most formidable foes. Scored 14 times in 16 starts against Arsenal.
Kane could surpass or equal the record by Sunday, as Kane is currently one goal short of Jimmy Greaves’ 266 Tottenham goals.
Marcus Rashford, who has scored seven goals in six United appearances, may be in the best shape of his life.
Rashford has flourished since Cristiano Ronaldo’s ouster, and is now Erik Ten Hag’s strongest weapon.
Arsenal and City may be losing to their domestic rivals at the moment but Kane, Rashford and others are in good form to break them.
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