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PREMIER LEAGUE RACE HEATS UP AS JAMIE CARRAGHER MAKES CALL

Jamie Carragher warns Arsenal that the Premier League title race pressure in March and April is their biggest hurdle. He believes their squad is currently better than Liverpool's but cites the run-in as a major test.

Premier League race heats up as  Jamie Carragher makes call
Jamie Carragher during his role as a Sky Sports pundit.

Arsenal has received an alarm from Jamie Carragher about the many traps that could cost them the Premier League championship. Before Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, the Gunners defeated West Ham United to take the top spot in the league table during the October international break.

After an incredible seven-game winning streak at the beginning of the season, Arne Slot's team suffered their third straight loss after losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. Arsenal lost four points to Manchester City and Liverpool during this period, but they have since started a winning run of their own, winning four straight games with just one loss.

With just three goals given up in the Premier League, they defeated West Ham last weekend to record their seventh clean sheet of the year. Even though Mikel Arteta's team is beset by injuries, new additions have greatly increased the team's depth.

Carragher praised his contribution as a substitute in last month's comeback victory over Newcastle United, even though he has not been playing at his best lately.

Carragher also shared his thoughts on the title fight, offering a new angle on Arsenal's prospects as they compete against Liverpool for the championship.

On the most recent episode of The Overlap, he said, "The only thing that can stop you is that thing that has probably stopped other teams in the past, when you get to March and April, and there is so much hanging over your shoulder."

"I agree with what you stated; we have all said it: they have a team, and they are currently superior to Liverpool. They will come and play a little, but I never put my ticket [on Liverpool].

"I believe that, going into January in particular, what you used to do and what others used to say is three or four points behind the lead. Even in February, Liverpool might fall five or six points behind, in my opinion.

This last point is not conclusive, though, since Liverpool struggles with inconsistent play and loses some games. Significant changes were made to the playing group during the summer transfer window, and the situation is definitely being impacted by the record transfer of Alexander Isak's delayed signature.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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