Christmas has come and gone, and we’ve seen some fantastic Premier League action over the festive period. But as January approaches, things are about to heat up.
Agents are getting busy, players and managers are becoming twitchy, and Manchester United fans are waiting to see what happens as and when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25-per cent purchase of their club goes through.
But there are more worried faces in the North East and in North London, as Newcastle United and Arsenal are at pivotal moments in their campaign.
While the Gunners are trying hard to stay in charge of the title race and struggling to do so, the Magpies have had a wretched time recently, and their Saudi owners will be anxious to see their investment moving in the right direction.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has asked his owners to back him, but admits it won’t be easy, saying: “January is a difficult month to bring in quality players. FFP continues to play a part in our decision making.”
The Magpies’ shock reversal to strugglers Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day left them down in ninth place and eight points off the top four, and they have already crashed out of the Champions League. And Howe has had to cope with a horrendous injury list.
Defenders Sven Botman and Dan Burn have recently returned, but they looked well off the pace against Forest, while the long-term injury to Nick Pope has put the spotlight on reserve keeper Martin Dubravka.
The defencive group needs protection, and with summer recruit Sandro Tonali into his long-term ban for betting irregularities, this is another area where Howe needs to strengthen and there could be a solution.
Reports have emerged in the UK press to suggest that champions Manchester City are ready to let England star Kalvin Phillips go, and Newcastle are now at the front of the queue.
City returned from Saudi and got straight back into action on Merseyside with a 3-1 win over in-form Everton. And with the best midfield line-up in the league that has Rodri, opportunities for Phillips are few and far between.
Newcastle may have competition from Juventus and Everton, but the Geordies are confident of landing the 28-year-old.
Meanwhile, down in London, Arsenal’s Thursday date with West Ham gave Mikel Arteta’s Gunners a chance to return to the top of the league, but they fluffed their lines, losing 2-0 despite having 75-per cent possession, 30 shots, and eight on target.
The Premier League 2023 betting odds here at SBOTOP rate the Gunners as third favourites to win the 2023/24 title, and they have drifted out to a price of 5.00 following defeat to the Hammers, and they desperately need a proven goal scorer.
Gabriel Jesus is a wonderful player, but he us not an out-and-out striker, while Eddie Nketiah is yet to prove that he can be.
Arsenal have been strongly linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is due to return from his eight-month betting ban, but two factors might stand in their way.
First, the price tag may be out of the Gunners’ reach and, second, the Bees might try to persuade their man to stay in an attempt to arrest their slide down the league table.
Arsenal could turn their attention to Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, who is finally looking like a top class Premier League striker, scoring 12 goals and chasing down Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal are looking for reinforcements in defence, and they are tracking Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutch star moved from Ajax to Juventus in 2019 before switching to Bayern in 2022 on a five-year deal. Arteta might try to arrange a loan deal, but he may have to wait until the summer.
Pedro could be in demand
Brighton got back to winning ways with a highly entertaining 4-2 triumph over early season pacesetters Tottenham, a victory which took them back up to eighth in the Premier League table and ahead of the super-rich Magpies.
Roberto De Zerbi has done a fine job at the helm, and he is the perfect man to help the club grow while selling on its most valuable assets.
Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo left in the summer in mega money deals, while attacking midfielder Joao Pedro arrived after switching from Championship club Watford.
The Brazilian ace scored two penalties and made an assist against Spurs, and he has now scored 13 goals for the Seagulls. De Zerbi praised his dynamism in attack and how he played like a seasoned centre-back in defencive phases
“He’s becoming a top player,” said the manager, “I hope in the next year to work with him, but it will be very tough.”
In other Premier League 2023 news, rumours are circulating in South London that Roy Hodgson’s time may be running out at Crystal Palace. The 76-year-old has been a brilliant manager, but there are suggestions his enthusiasm may be on the wane.
He has worked miracles to keep the Eagles in the top-flight but, following the departure of talisman Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray, he has lost the other man who is most responsible for Palace’s top-flight status.
While the club has remained tight-lipped, the UK press is speculating that former Forest manager Steve Cooper could rock up at Selhurst Park before long, though Championship club Birmingham City are also reported to be interested in the talented Welshman.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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