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Ed Aarons is our Arsenal man<\/strong>, and he\u2019s been considering what Mikel Arteta will do in the absence of Gabriel.<\/p>\n Statistics show Gabriel has played a crucial role in Arsenal conceding only five goals in the Premier League. He has more blocks (20) than anyone else in the division and is also his side\u2019s highest-ranked player for aerial duels, clearances and headed clearances. The Brazilian\u2019s prowess in the air means he is also a significant threat at the other end. He has scored twice and added three assists already this season, taking his total since arriving from Lille in 2020 to 18 goals from set pieces \u2013 three more than anyone else in that period. And when Gabriel is not playing, Arsenal\u2019s win rate in the Premier League drops from 64.3% to 40%, or 2.1 points per game compared to just 1.5.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thomas Frank is under a modicum of pressure<\/strong> but he\u2019s still capable of stonewalling a journalist\u2019s question.<\/p>\n Via PA Media.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thomas Frank has brushed off the topic of one-time summer target Eberechi Eze ahead of Tottenham\u2019s trip to rivals Arsenal, the transfer hijacked at the last minute.<\/p>\n Frank joked: \u201cWho\u2019s Eze? Very good player. He plays for Arsenal. A team we want to beat on Sunday. I really like to speak about players who are here. The only other two I will speak about are [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve said before I\u2019m happy with my squad. It\u2019s two clubs on two different journeys. I hate to say it but they\u2019re a little bit ahead of us. But we know that\u2019s one thing, on one game, 100 per cent sure we will be very competitive. Of course we can win on Sunday. Then of course in general we know squad depth is good and important but I\u2019m not really looking at other teams. I\u2019m just looking at my team there.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n To build up to the north London derby<\/strong>, David Hytner spoke to key Tottenham midfielder, Joao Palhinha.<\/p>\n Palhinha has nonetheless heard criticism, most searingly from Jamie Carragher after the Chelsea debacle, the Sky pundit accusing him of not being good enough to progress the ball. There has also been muttering from the Spurs support about Frank\u2019s use of Palhinha alongside Rodrigo Bentancur in front of a back four. Does the partnership lack zip in possession?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s key fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n Scottish Premiership<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Aberdeen v Hearts, 3pm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n La Liga<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Elche v Real Madrid, 8pm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Serie A<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Inter v Milan, 7.45pm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The table, as it stands.<\/strong><\/p>\n And the top scorers in the Premier League.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n No Palmer, still party for Chelsea at Burnley.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Doom for Wolves on Rob Edwards\u2019 first game in charge.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I was at Fulham where the match<\/strong> was almost as rotten as the weather though the best team won. Sunderland were a little disappointing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Brighton made a fine comeback in the battle of the B-teams<\/strong>, while another B, Bournemouth, showed their fighting qualities.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Talking of fallen champions.<\/strong> Manchester City\u2019s title charge faltered on Tyneside.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The story of the season is the fall of the champions. Just what is going on at Liverpool?<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A historic day on Saturday<\/strong>, the new Nou Camp open for business. Sort of. Sid Lowe was on architectural duties.<\/p>\n Above all, for most there was a kind of comfort, familiarity, the sense that this could be both a way back to where they were and a new beginning. The Camp Nou rebuild is not done: only three sides of the lower two tiers are open, allowing for a maximum 45,401 of the 105,000 it will eventually hold, and at times, in truth, the day of fiesta was a little flat, quiet and underwhelming, but Flick said \u201cit\u2019s a really good feeling to be back here\u201d, and back is the word.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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