Liverpool v Leeds is the stand-out fixture but there are plotlines involving Arsenal, Potter v De Zerbi and more this weekend. Every weekend is a big one now...
In a Premier League table comprised of results since Chelsea appointed Graham Potter as manager, the Blues sit unbeaten and with the best defensive record in fourth, while only three clubs have scored fewer goals than Brighton, who are only kept off the bottom by Leeds.
But this is crunch time. Either De Zerbi gets his first victory in five or Potter reaches 10 games unbeaten. It is a match both managers and teams will be more desperate than usual to win.Mikel Arteta stressed the need to “reset” after Arsenal lost for the first time in 10 games after an “extremely poor” defeat to PSV in the Europa League. But it was less the result and more“There have been periods recently when we have been excellent and others when we have suffered,” Arteta said post-match.
But Arteta won’t settle for that as a full explanation and there will be a demand for improvement at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Steve Cooper’s side has found a vague groove and they already proved in January they can beat the Gunners – although the subsequent churn from both mean the teams will be unrecognisable from that FA Cup tie.