Premier League preview: Wednesday's big talking points as Slot looks to stop Sunderland and Arsenal face London derby

The busy December period begins with some midweek Premier League action across three days this week, continuing with a busy Wednesday night. 

There are six games across the evening, with Liverpool looking to get back on track as they host high-flying Sunderland, another West London clash for table toppers Arsenal and a classic grudge match between Leeds and Chelsea. 

Here are the big talking points headed into night two of Matchday 14. 

Can Slot continue to halt slide? 

Arne Slot finally gave in on Sunday and mixed up his line-up and formation to try and halt Liverpool's slump, and it seemed to work as the Reds managed to get a 2-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. 

Slot went more functional in midfield by leaving out Mo Salah, and it saw some better balance in the middle, with Florian Wirtz having one of his best games for the club so far. It also allowed the defence to just concentrate on defending, especially with a more recognised full-back in Joe Gomez in the problem right area. 

The move paid off. Liverpool won, Alexander Isak scored, and it brought some small relief to what has been a dismal run for the champions. But is it a long-term answer? 

Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Sunderland will offer a lot more than West Ham did, especially given the zest that the Black Cats have been playing with this campaign and with how fragile Anfield has become. 

Will the Dutchman leave Salah out again? Will he stick with what worked against the Hammers? Maybe right now, all that matters is catching up and making sure they can at least achieve a top-four place this season. 

North meets West again

Arsenal would have been pretty happy to come away from Stamford Bridge with a point at the weekend, despite having a numerical advantage for most of the match. 

Stamford Bridge is arguably the toughest place to go right now given Chelsea's form, and they came out of it unscathed and still five points clear at the top of the league. 

Next up for Mikel Arteta is another West London opponent as they welcome Brentford to The Emirates, in a game that in previous seasons you could see as a potential banana skin during their title bids. 

However, this Arsenal side is different, and this is the chance to show just that. They had a tiny setback at the weekend, but given their depth, their position and the season they are having, it's the kind of game to show why they are now almost champions-elect in 2026. 

Arsenal

Can the bottom three stop the rot? 

After some flirtation from Nottingham Forest and West Ham, the bottom three almost feels like it could already be settled with Leeds, Burnley and Wolves taking occupancy right now. 

Of course, there's a long way to go, but failing a dramatic fall from Sunderland or Fulham and Brentford going on bad runs, it's hard to foresee anyone else being dragged below the dotted line. 

Wolves are currently on course for a worse points total than Derby's infamous 2007-08 campaign, while Leeds and Burnley are struggling for wins, with only three between them all season. 

The trio are all at home on Wednesday, with Wolves and Burnley possibly looking at games against Forest and Crystal Palace as ones they could realistically get points out of if they have any desires of staying up. 

Leeds, meanwhile, host Chelsea, which does present a tougher task, but with the history between the clubs (Norman Hunter, Ron Harris and all that) and Elland Road under the lights, it could be just the night they relish. 

Michael Regan/Getty Images

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