When English football’s top-flight returns following the World Cup break. Arteta wants Arsenal to continue where they left off by winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
When the league was suspended in an unprecedented manner to allow Qatar to host the first World Cup held in winter in the northern hemisphere, the Gunners were in excellent form, winning 12 of their 14 matches.
Fans and experts have debated all season whether the break will help or hurt clubs’ ambitions. Arsenal is without Gabriel Jesus because he was sent home early from the World Cup with a knee injury from Brazil’s surprise loss to Cameroon.
Arteta, on the other hand, was upbeat ahead of his team’s Monday match at the Emirates against West Ham, a London rival.
Manchester City, the current champion, is five points behind Arsenal.
When City travels to struggling Leeds on Wednesday, they will be the final title contenders in action during the holiday round of games.
On Monday, Newcastle, backed by Saudi Arabia and currently in third place, travels to Leicester.
of the League Cup. The Magpies last won a major domestic trophy in 1955, and the northeast club’s desire to end that drought led to the use of all five of his players.
Champions League qualification is still a possibility, and Tottenham and Manchester United, currently ranked fourth and fifth, are closing in on Newcastle.
‘World class’ Kane
Given their status, ‘World class’ Kane United may be most under pressure to finish in the top four, despite what manager Erik ten Hag said: I also believe that the managers of Chelsea (Graham Potter) and Newcastle (Eddie Howe) put a lot of money into their teams. It is evident that every manager feels a great deal of pressure to advance to the Champions League.
Antonio Conte is optimistic that Harry Kane will have recovered from his disappointment at the World Cup when his team travels to Brentford.
In England’s 2-1 quarterfinal loss to France, Kane’s missed penalty kick late on against Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris was a crucial moment.
On Monday, Liverpool will face Aston Villa and attempt to get their season off to a good start.
When Julen Lopetegui, a former Spain and Real Madrid coach who led the team to a midweek League Cup victory over Gillingham, makes his Premier League debut against Everton, bottom-of-the-table Wolves begin their quest for top-flight survival.
Lopetegui, who stepped in for the fired Bruno Lage, stated, “For me, the only aim in front is the next match.”
Monday’s match against Crystal Palace will be Fulham’s first since the 83-year-old death of club legend and England 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen.
All top-flight matches between Boxing Day and December 28 will be preceded by a moment of applause in memory of Cohen, and players and officials will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)
Wednesday: Leeds v Manchester City (2000 GMT)