The main talking points ahead of the midweek Premier League action.Â
Chelsea ill-discipline back in the spotlight
Moises Caicedo became the latest Chelsea player to receive a red card this season, taking their total number of sendings off in all competitions to seven. That’s more than any other Premier League club this term.
Fortunately for the Blues, it didn’t hurt them as they managed to take a point from Arsenal despite playing most of the match with ten men. Perhaps they have become used to playing at a disadvantage; after losing to Manchester United and Brighton while down a man, they have won each of their last five games in which they have had a red card (that includes Enzo Maresca’s red following their stoppage time winner against Liverpool).
The west London outfit have proven they can deal with diversity, but it’s not sustainable. At some point you pay a price for such ill-discipline. Caicedo will miss the Leeds game, which will have a knock-on effect for Maresca’s plan. The Italian would probably prefer not to have to start Reece James in midfield after exerting himself so much against the Gunners, so Andrey Santos seems likely to partner Enzo Fernandez. But with Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are still working their back to fitness, another injury or suspension in that area could leave them very short of options in the busiest period of the season.
A sneaky new title contender?
It’s gone under the radar, but Aston Villa are the form team in the Premier League right now. With seven wins, one draw and one defeat from their last nine games, no club has won more points (22) since gameweek five than the Villans.
The second placed team in the table is, of course, Arsenal. And wouldn’t you know it, they face each other at Villa Park this coming weekend. In the meantime, a trip to Brighton beckons. Win that and they put themselves in a position to close the gap on the leaders.
Villa currently occupy fourth position in the overall table, but only sit six points off the Gunners, meaning they can cut that deficit in half this Saturday.
The fact that is even possibility after the start they had is incredible. Unai Emery was under massive pressure after failing to win of the opening six matches in all competitions. And yet, it doesn’t feel he or his team have gotten the credit they deserve for such an impressive turnaround.
Yes, a title tilt seems fancible, but they are firmly in the hunt for the top four yet again.
Salah’s starting place in doubt
“We have to find a way to play without him.” That was the message from Arne Slot in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Sunderland.
The Dutchman dropped Mo Salah from his starting lineup against West Ham United and it worked. His side won 2-0, Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the club, and they stemmed the bleeding for now, ending a three-game losing streak.
It was the first time in almost two years the winger was named on the bench. The question is: does he come straight back into the lineup on Wednesday?
Given his poor form this season, it would make sense to give his other attackers another chance to prove their worth. But given the health of some of their attackers, it appears certain the Egyptian will start against the Black Cats.
Isak was cramping towards the end of Sunday’s victory, while Slot said that neither he or Wirtz are able to play three full games in a row.
Whatever his decision, the era of dependence on Salah has come to an end. He will be off to play in AFCON soon and the responsibility will fall on his teammates to get them back up the table.
Frank on the brink
Spurs have lost three matches in the space of six days. They haven’t won a Premier League game since 26th October. Their only victory since then came against Copenhagen.
It’s not just the results that look bad for Thomas Frank at the moment, but the manner of the defeats too. They seem incapable of creating great chances, and against Chelsea and Arsenal they created next to nothing.
A trip to Newcastle United could not be coming at a worse time for Frank. What he and his team needed was a nice, easy fixture against one of the so-called lesser clubs in the league to try and build their confidence with a commanding win. Instead they will have to battle for their very lives against the ultra physical Magpies.
Three points would here be a ginormous boost for the manager, but feels incredibly unlikely. Does he even make it to Christmas at this rate?
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