Home   >   Opinion   >   4 things to watch for as the Premier League returns

4 things to watch for as the Premier League returns

By on November 20, 2014

Arsenal need to capitalize on United’s injury list to avoid a key midseason slump

Arsenal’s annual January-February slump has become infamous — a meme even (#ArsenalSwoon). It has been their unfortunate trademark for the past eight years, and last year it cost them the title. For exactly half of the league season last year they sat atop the Premier League, yet a string of poor results, including a 5-1, 3-0, and even 6-0 loss saw them drop to fourth in the span of a few weeks, where they then stayed for the remainder of the campaign.

Coming into the weekend, Arsenal aren’t in a similar position this season, but still they face a crucial match hosting Manchester United. After the first weekend of play, they were top of the table, but have slowly been coming down since. Now in sixth, they are on a ledge – one win from the top four, but also one loss from the bottom half of the table. After United, their fixture list isn’t particularly intimidating until the New Year, so kicking off a run of form and staying high in the standings will be critical for Arsene Wenger, especially given their penchant for the dreaded #ArsenalSwoon.

Thankfully for them, they couldn’t be playing United at a better time. While the Red Devils were perhaps starting to find form with their new squad, over the international break as luck would have it, Daley Blind, perhaps the most important cog in Louis Van Gaal’s midfield, suffered an injury and will be sidelined for the match. Angel Di Maria, their spark on the attack, is also in doubt and will scanned to test the severity of a foot injury following Argentina’s friendly with Portugal. Marcos Rojo and Falcao are also out, so despite Arsenal’s recent shaky form they should have the upper hand at home. The match will also hold host to England’s two goal scorers in their recent win over Scotland, Wayne Rooney and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Make sure to watch for our coverage of the match, as it will be live from the Emirates on Saturday.

Manchester City’s back-line
Manuel Pellegrini’s side struggled last time out, drawing QPR 2-2, largely due to Vincent Kompany’s injury. Kompany remains doubtful for this weekend, when City host Swansea City on Saturday. Thus, Eliaquim Mangala is likely to start again, despite a shaky performance that might have otherwise found his place in jeopardy. Martin Demichelis seems certain to start, however, we may see Matija Nastasić return as his partner. No matter, City’s back line will be weaker than usual.

Aleksander Kolarov is also out sidelined, thus James Milner could likely start, in what may be a positive, as Milner has looked strong in his nine Premier League appearances so far this season, with two assists despite mostly appearing as a substitute.

West Ham United favorites over Everton

Everton are clearly struggling, so much so that it will take three or four good results, not just good performances, to turn the tide. Halfway down the table, even West Ham United meet them this weekend four points to the better. In fact, with their last loss coming six matches ago against Manchester United, and having beaten Manchester City recently, they come into their meeting with Everton clearly in better form, sitting in fourth place, but also possibly with the higher expectations of the two.

Daniel Sturridge injury leaves Liverpool once again turning to Fabio Borini

Liverpool’s striking crisis days, when they heavily relied on Fabio Borini to score goals, seemed long over, what with Luis Suarez’s and Daniel Sturridge’s dominance last season, but with Suarez’s departure and Sturridge recurring injuries, they are hauntingly close to returning. With both Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert misfiring, both having failed to score a single goal in the Premier League this season, Fabio Borini may start at the weekend against Crystal Palace. While Borini is also yet to score a goal in four Premier League appearances this season, he has looked more promising than his peers, and earned appearances in many of Liverpool’s recent games.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.