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Get ready for another hectic week of football action.
The SportsJOE scout is your one-stop shop for all the latest goings on in the footballing world, with a nice mix of transfer news, upcoming fixtures, breaking stories and comments from the players, coaches and pundits.
Last week seen another twist in this pulsating title race as Liverpool loosened their grip on the Premier League trophy by drawing 2-2 away to Old Trafford, while Arsenal and Man City all picked up victories, meaning that this weekend’s results could be vital.
What is happening this week?
Newcastle kick off the weekend as they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to town, in a game that might just decide who gets a Champions League spot. Last year Newcastle got a taste for the big European nights, but Spurs are finally in the top four and they won’t want to lose it.
Man City are playing Luton, who are prone to throwing a surprise or two in the mix, but the big game on Saturday is Man United vs Bournemouth because if Erik ten Hag has any chance of reaching the Champions League, then they need to win their remaining games.
Of course this looks easy on paper, but United have conceded late goals in their last three matches, and failed to get a win in any of them, so Bournemouth could be smelling blood.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are in action on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp’s men looking to regain some control in this race with their game against Crystal Palace, and Mikel Arteta will throw everything at Aston Villa so they can keep that top spot.
The standout game.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa has loads of potential to be an important game, not just this weekend, but for the shape of the league as a whole this season.
Villa’s manager Unai Emery was of course sacked by Arsenal before being replaced by Arteta, so e certainly won’t want to give them any favours, plus the pressure will really be on because the Gooners are the last of the three contenders to play.
If City and Liverpool pick up wins before Arsenal even kick off, then they will be feeling the two clubs breathing down their necks as they try to get a result against a very good Villa side.
Injury updates.
Man United fans were concerned when they saw Marcus Rashford limp off against Liverpool, and when asked about the injury, Erik ten Hag said that he didn’t know how bad it was, but did say that “it won’t be long term.”
Liverpool will be licking their wounds after drawing against the Red Devil’s but their mood will be boosted by the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold is to return to training this week, and that Diogo Jota could be making his return as well.
As they race for the title draws closer to an end, the Reds will need every bit of firepower that they have to try and clinch a second league, and give Jurgen Klopp the farewell that he deserves.
Transfer news.
Arsenal are reportedly growing in confidence that they can pull off a shock swoop on Real Madrid for Eduardo Camavinga after it was claimed the Spanish giants are open to the Frenchman’s sale.
Speaking of Frenchmen, Kylian MbAppe has been linked away from PSG, pretty much since he joined the club, and Real Madrid always seemed like the likely destination, so this summer might finally see it happen. Amazingly, the World Cup winner is actually a free agent, so he could be the most high profile transfer in history if it were finally to happen.
In addition to a new midfielder, Arsenal are also in the market for a new centre forward this summer, having cleared the way for a signing by informing Eddie Nketiah he is free to leave this summer. The Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee has been reported as their main target.
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