It's a momentous week for Everton as they welcome Chelsea to Goodison Park after completing their takeover and moving into their new stadium. The Toffees will be focused on getting crucial points back on the board after a recent win against Wolves and a draw against Arsenal. With live updates and post-match analysis, follow Joe Thomas, Chris Beesley, Connor O'Neill and Paul Wheelock for all the action.
With just 11 days left in the January transfer window, Premier League teams are scrambling to secure their squads for the second half of the season. One player who may be on the move is Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who has expressed a desire to leave the club. Meanwhile, Liverpool faces the challenge of resolving contract issues with key players such as Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, while Chelsea and Arsenal look to bolster their squads with new signings. Keep up with all the latest transfer news and gossip on Mirror Football.
Despite Manchester City's struggles in recent matches, manager Pep Guardiola remains optimistic about their chances of regaining their confidence and climbing the league table. A late goal from Phil Foden was not enough for City to avoid a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery. This defeat has also brought attention to the decrease in goal-scoring form of striker Erling Haaland, who believes he and the team need to do better. However, Haaland remains confident in Guardiola to lead them to success.
Despite long-standing interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United's manager, Eddie Howe, is confident that Alexander Isak will remain at the club. The Sweden international recently scored a hat-trick in their match against Ipswich Town, showcasing his goalscoring abilities and attracting more attention from top clubs. However, Howe remains determined to keep Isak and build a successful team around him, with no plans to let him leave anytime soon. Talks of a potential contract extension are also being put on hold for now, as there is no urgency to get a new deal done.
After an 11-month goal drought in the Premier League, Gabriel Jesus scored a brace against Crystal Palace to solidify his place in the Arsenal squad. With five goals in two games, the former Manchester City striker has proven his worth in the title race and is ready for more opportunities. His versatility and ability to play as a number nine adds a new dimension to Arsenal's attack and gives manager Mikel Arteta a strong attacking option. With a renewed confidence and smile on his face, Jesus' message to Arteta is loud and clear - he's here to stay and make a significant impact.
In a dominant London derby, Arsenal secured a 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace with Gabriel Jesus leading the Gunners with two goals in four days. Arsenal's other goals came from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice, putting them just three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Ismaila Sarr's equalizer for Palace was not enough to stop Arsenal's relentless attack, with Jesus' brace leading the way.
Crystal Palace's hopes of securing a win against Arsenal were dashed after a dismal performance and "terrible" defending in the box. Manager Oliver Glasner spoke out against his team's performance, stating that they were no match for Arsenal's "ruthless" attacking. The defeat is a blow for Crystal Palace, who will need to regroup and improve their defensive strategy in order to secure future wins.
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta expresses concern over the hamstring injury sustained by winger Bukayo Saka during their 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace. Saka was forced off in the first half and had to leave the stadium on crutches. With fellow England player Raheem Sterling also injured, Arteta admits he is worried about the extent of Saka's injury.
Gabriel Jesus has been facing criticism from Arsenal fans due to a lack of consistent goalscoring, leading to a pressure to perform for the club. In recent games, he has shown promise with five goals in two games, but he recognizes that he needs to be more clinical in order to secure more playing time. Despite competition from teammate Kai Havertz, who has 11 goals this season, Jesus is motivated by the pressure to deliver as the club's central attacker.
Gabriel Jesus' hat-trick against Crystal Palace marks a triumphant return to form for the Brazilian striker, giving Arsenal a much needed boost in their quest for the Premier League title. While it may seem premature to talk about a title bid, the decline of Manchester City and Liverpool's potential to stumble gives the Gunners a glimmer of hope. But with a lack of firepower in their squad, Arteta may need to consider strengthening in the January transfer window to truly solidify their chances.