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SCOTT PARKER OFFERS TITLE VERDICT ON ARSENAL AFTER SHOCK BURNLEY DEFEAT

Burnley boss Scott Parker believes Arsenal have "everything they need to win the league" after his side's 2-0 defeat. He praised the Gunners' all-round quality, set-piece threat, and relentless consistency.

Scott Parker offers title verdict on Arsenal after shock Burnley defeat
Declan Rice’s corner helped create a goal for Viktor Gyokeres against Burnley (Credits: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

After watching his Burnley team be destroyed by the league leaders, Scott Parker thinks Arsenal has everything they need to win the Premier League.

Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres' goals in the first half made the Gunners' triumph comparatively easy, as they kept their sixth consecutive clean sheet across all competitions.

In the absence of Martin Zubimendi, who was also substituted as a precaution, and Gyokeres, who was substituted at the interval due to a muscular ailment, Mikel Arteta's unrelenting winning machine eased off after the break.

Arsenal had more than enough left over to secure three points that increased the lead at the top, even without the absence of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke—all of whom are expected to return following the international break.

In his press conference after the game, Parker said, "They are just a very, very excellent team."

They are a club that, in my opinion, possesses all the necessary components to win the league this year.

They are a very good team in every aspect of their game, including set plays, attacking, and defence. Today, we just did not quite measure up.

Viktor Gyokeres headed home Declan Rice's corner after Gabriel's clever delivery back across the goal, breaking the tie for Arsenal via a well-known path.

"If you do not have those players, you probably do not score as many as Arsenal are scoring," Parker continued, referring to Arsenal's threat from set pieces.

There are more people involved than only Gabriel and Saliba. You have a person who takes deliveries. It goes back post each time you want it to do so. When you request that it be placed in the front post, it is placed there.

They are quite skilled at it, and you also have the timing and physicality of the runs. It can be challenging at times, aside from their innate talent and determination to attack the ball.

Numerous teams have struggled against them. You are constantly looking for solutions.

For us, it was about attempting to exert more control than we have when playing against elite teams, such as Manchester United and Liverpool. Is it possible for us to maintain control while posing a threat?

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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