Overview
- Arsenal stay top, but centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes limped off for Brazil with an apparent groin issue, and Riccardo Calafiori returned early from Italy duty with no serious problem expected.
- Further Arsenal fitness uncertainty includes Martin Odegaard being short of a comeback, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli also working back toward full availability.
- Manchester City sit four points behind after defeating Liverpool and will play before Arsenal in each of the next three league rounds, giving them a chance to apply scoreboard pressure.
- Sky Sports/Opta difficulty ratings list Manchester United’s next five fixtures as the easiest and Liverpool’s as second-easiest, with Arsenal facing a relatively tougher run.
- Liverpool’s slump—five league losses in six—continues, but Alexander Isak returned as a substitute for Sweden and is likely to be available when Nottingham Forest visit next week.