The Premier League, as in most domestic championships the world over, is a marathon not a sprint. Yet, as far as this SBOTOP writer is concerned, all Premier League 2025 betting on the title race would have been redundant as early as the second day of February if the runners up of the past two seasons had not won at home against the side that beat them to the title in both campaigns.
Hit by key injuries to key players at key times – and they still need to strengthen before tomorrow’s transfer window closes – the way Arsenal set about Manchester City was a riposte to their critics and a performance for which they deserve enormous credit.
In one of England midfielder Declan Rice’s finest games in which he set up two goals and helped dominate midfield, the Gunners ran riot. Yes, they were helped by City errors and the lack of confidence which is clear with each passing week, but Arsenal were emphatic.
When defender Manuel Akanji lost possession just two minutes in, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard steered in a pass from Kai Havertz. A failure to add to their tally looked like it could come back to haunt them 10 minutes after the break when Erling Haaland headed City level.
However, within two minutes a shot by Thomas Partey, another star man in the hosts’ engine room, was deflected wide of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (highlighting City’s misfortune at the moment too) and Arsenal were on their way.
Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first goal for Arsenal put them in the ascendancy before Havertz made the game safe and there was even time for another teen, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, picked out superbly by Rice, to add a fifth in stoppage time.
When these sides met in September, a dramatic finish saw the sides share four goals but, crucially, City lose to injury their midfield metronome, Rodri. They’ve barely recovered since.
If their Premier League 2025 highlights will not make anything like as pleasant viewing as their previous seasons, then Arsenal will still believe.
In truth, Liverpool can really only throw away their advantage at this stage – six points clear of the summit with a game in hand. Is it luck?
They certainly were saved by the woodwork twice in their 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday when the majestic Mohamed Salah delivered again – a likely shoo-in for footballer of the year in what could well be his final season on Merseyside.
Or could their luck run out though?
And what of Nottingham Forest? Or should I rename them fantastic Forest. I tipped them to see off a Brighton side who are overachieving but to hit seven without reply was a result no-one saw coming.
As acclaimed writer Henry Winter noted following an incredible scoreline from the City Ground, what a job the Portuguese manager is undertaking. Good recruitment allied to superb team-building, organising and man-managing by Nuno.
Personally, it’s hard to know what his fellow countryman is doing at Old Trafford. One of my best friends tells me that Ruben Amorin will prove a masterstroke appointment for Manchester United and I have to trust him. He says his determination to instil a style of play within his preferred system with the right squad members will pay dividends.
Personally, and perhaps I am being impatient, I think what he calls determination and doggedness is a stubbornness which is unlikely to succeed long-term and is causing a talented squad to lose confidence.
And while no-one knows what is going on behind the scenes with Marcus Rashford, his pending loan move to Aston Villa begs serious question marks. Rashford may have been wildly inconsistent this term but why part with a player who is better than most of the forwards at Amorin’s disposal.
I certainly would expect Unai Emery, a very detailed and tactical coach, to bring the best out of such an underperforming talent.
Certainly, Amorin has much to answer for after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half double gave Crystal Palace victory and Amorin his fifth home league defeat in just six games.
If the title race appears a done deal, the race at the bottom is exciting. On the basis that rock bottom Southampton, Ipswich Town, Leicester and Wolves are the four candidates vying for one place of safety, the Saints and Wolves did themselves the power of good at the weekend.
Paul Onuachu scored a dramatic late winner as Southampton secured their first top flight victory since November at fellow strugglers Ipswich. Meanwhile, Wolves moved out of the bottom three as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha goals saw off Aston Villa for their first league victory of the calendar year.
Do I think it has come to late for the south coast club? Probably. But for the other three teams, I suspect it’s all to play for and I expected a few twists and turns over the next few months.
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