If Manchester City’s wobbles may hearten Arsenal, Liverpool’s blindside run to lead the Premier League has maintained the usual margin for error. Will Mikel Arteta end up counting the cost of Martin Ødegaard’s autumn absence? As Arsenal climbed to second nobody should doubt the importance of the playmaker or his understanding with Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal contain further multitudes. Their London derby win will probably be best recalled for the proficiency of set pieces. West Ham’s disorganisation within a record-equalling seven-goal first half puts the pressure back on Julen Lopetegui. Monday’s win at Newcastle had been well-executed but public opinion swings back against him. “We have to do better for sure,” he offered. “We didn’t take good decisions in a defensive way – that’s why it was a strange match.”
