Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland
| Photo Credit: AFP
With Liverpool in League Cup remaining motion in opposition to Chelsea on Sunday, the chasing pack have an opportunity to shut the hole on the Premier League leaders.
Manchester City can transfer inside one level of Jurgen Klopp’s group in the event that they win their recreation in hand at Bournemouth, whereas Arsenal should beat Newcastle to remain in contact with the title pacesetters.
Arsenal can’t afford hangover
Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to make use of the frustration from their shock Champions League last-16 first-leg loss at Porto to gasoline their bid for Premier League glory.
The Gunners returned from Portugal empty-handed after Galeno’s stoppage-time strike gave the hosts a 1-0 victory on Wednesday.
While the frustration will linger till the second leg on March 12, England midfielder Rice is aware of Arsenal can’t afford a Champions League hangover.
Mikel Arteta’s third-placed aspect will probably be simply two factors behind Liverpool in the event that they beat Newcastle on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, however a defeat can be a significant blow to their bid for a primary title since 2004.
“Look, we have lost games this year and drawn games, and I have seen the changing room after and it’s been really bad,” mentioned Rice, whose aspect have received their previous 5 league video games.
“We have just lost (to Porto) but there is a real positivity around the group at the minute.
“We have had such a great begin to 2024, I feel we take the positives from this recreation, but in addition see the place we will enhance.”
‘No worries’ for Man City over Haaland
Manchester City have no concerns over Erling Haaland’s form, according to the Norway striker’s close friend and team-mate Oscar Bobb.
After scoring in just one of his previous seven matches — two goals against Everton — Haaland silenced his critics with a priceless winner against Brentford on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old broke Brentford’s stubborn resistance in the second half at the Etihad Stadium with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
That kept City hot on Liverpool’s heels in their chase for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown.
To make history, City boss Pep Guardiola will need Haaland at his sparkling best, but he fell below his own stellar standards when he missed several clear-cut chances in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
However, Norwegian winger Bobb said there had never been any angst in the camp regarding Haaland, who has been mourning the death of his grandmother.
“There’s no actual worries. When you might have the standard he has, it’s nearly attending to the suitable spots,” Bobb said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.
“As lengthy as he will get in these conditions, if he misses a number of one recreation it is not like he will begin lacking all his possibilities.”
Man Utd begin Ratcliffe period
After Jim Ratcliffe lastly accomplished his buy of a 25 % stake in Manchester United this week, the British billionaire boldly declared his need to knock Liverpool and Manchester City off their perch.
Having spent the previous decade within the shadow of their two bitter rivals, Ratcliffe, who will take management of soccer operations from majority homeowners the Glazer household, is aware of that repackaging an previous line from United’s former boss Alex Ferguson will play nicely with a disgruntled fanbase.
But even Ratcliffe, 71, acknowledged it would take time to place United in place for a primary title since 2013.
For now, Erik ten Hag’s aspect have the extra modest aim of making an attempt to salvage a troubled marketing campaign by qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League by way of a top-four end.
United, presently 5 factors behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, have little margin for error as Fulham go to Old Trafford on Saturday to formally kick off the Ratcliffe period.
Source: www.thehindu.com
