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Premier League preview: Arsenal to be without key player, a new era at Wolves and West Ham set for acid test
After an eventful international break, it’s full steam ahead in the Premier League with this run of fixtures going into Christmas and beyond a brutal one.
Arsenal have a four-point lead at the top of the table, but after Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 two weeks ago, the Blues are ready to pounce on any slip up from Mikel Arteta's side.
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Up next for the Gunners is the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday while at the bottom of the table, there is a new manager in the dugout in what could be pivotal for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the battle for Premier League survival.
Ahead of the Premier League’s return, DAZN News’ Matt Astbury picks out the key storylines.
Can Arsenal cope without Garbiel?
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal fans were hit with worrying news this week that centre regarding centre back Gabriel who might be out injured until January.
He picked up a thigh injury in Brazil’s match with Senegal last weekend and limped off with some discomfort. The full extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but the time out could range from four weeks to three months.
Gabriel’s absence will be a huge miss for Arsenal who are a defensive juggernaut conceding just five Premier League goals this season along with being a serious threat at set pieces.
The North London Derby is next against Spurs is next for Mikel Arteta’s side and he does have Piero Hincapie or Cristhian Mosquera as possible replacements for Gabriel.
However, with Bayern Munich and a trip to Chelsea to follow, the Arsenal rearguard is set for some tough tests without one of their defensive stalwarts.
New Wolves manager Rob Edwards to take charge of first match
Brett Patzke - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
The Molineux faithful will hope Saturday is the start of a revival with new manager Rob Edwards set to take charge of Wolves for the first time against Crystal Palace.
Palace is a tough test for Edwards’ first game. The Eagles have become a formidable force in the Premier League and Wolves have not managed to beat Palace since a 2-0 win in April 2023.
While many Wolves fans will not be expecting much from this particular match, they will be hoping that Edwards and the players can provide a glimmer of hope. Show some passion, commitment and something to get the fans excited about.
The atmosphere has turned toxic in this corner of the Black Country, and it is down to Edwards to turn it around, but he does not have much time to do it.
Can West Ham make it three back-to-back wins against impressive Bournemouth?
West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images
Is the tide turning at West Ham United?
Before the break, Nuno Espirito Santo got his first two wins as Hammers manager. A 3-1 win over Newcastle United was then followed by a 3-2 victory against relegation rivals Burnley.
Now fans will find out whether the tide has really turned with a trip to the South Coast to face Bournemouth.
The Cherries have continued to excel, but there could possibly be some signs of stalling. Comprehensive 3-1 and 4-0 defeats to Manchester City and Aston Villa respectively have shown that Bournemouth are not ready just yet to challenge the established names in the league.
It could be an intriguing game at the Vitality Stadium with an improving West Ham taking on an out of form Bournemouth, and if the Hammers do get the win, then Nuno may just have got the East London side purring ahead of a make-or-break period in the season.
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