Arsenal top of the Premier League at Christmas but will they end the season as champions?

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Lee Hendrie and Clinton Morrison analyise yesterday’s top of the table clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp was left confused with the decision not to award Liverpool a penalty for a handball by Martin Odegaard during their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Arsenal ensured they will top the Premier League table on Christmas Day with the stalemate at Anfield.

The Anfield faithful, summoned by Klopp this week to make a good atmosphere, was not dampened by the early Arsenal goal from Gabriel and Mohamed Salah drew Liverpool level.

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An assist or just a poor touch from Center for perspective you would have said it was a it was a lay it was a great tou fromint are you saying you saw a few of those from Clinton in his time well not necessarily him but I’ve seen

It off a few where they’ve took the the credit for it and that was definitely was his own it certainly was a Lee hry finish absolutely let’s talk about the events at anfield last night Liverpool won Arsenal won so it’s still very very tight at the top of the premier League

Table and did we see Clinton how little there is to choose between these teams we can see it in the league table but we saw it over 90 minutes as well definitely this title race is going to go to the right to the end um two outstanding teams I did probably think

Um Liverpool did shade it but I thought Arsenal the way they started the first 15 20 minutes I thought they were outstanding and I thought they were going to blow Liverpool away but credit to Liverpool they kept on going I thought for a 1-1 game that was a great

Watch I think the intensity that was played out from both sides sides they both got at each other Arsenal with frantic at the start and then Liverpool I thought they showed class and and uh you know credit to them getting back on on level turns but I just think it was a

Great advert again for the Premier League of what we’re seeing in that top title race you know to think that Liverpool I think lots of people would have said Liverpool have gone and got a result but credit to Arsenal they’ve looked so solid defensively you know two

Two best defenses and then you want you look at the stats at the end of of possession shots and it was literally identical and that just showed what um what two teams are at at the moment really really good spectacle for for the Premier League that was good spectacle for the Premier

League was it a good advert for the officials once again should Liverpool have had a penalty for a hand ball from Martin erard this is what Jurgen klopp made of it I was waiting until Mr D explains to me the next day what was really the case he will find a way to

Explain me that it was not hand I don’t know I that’s me a clear hand ball I have no idea if that would have influenced the result or not I don’t even know exactly when it was because I only saw it after the game and not in

The game the good news is that durm will be here on boxing day morning so Jurgen can tune in for that one as Liverpool prepared to face Burnley next does he have a point though Lee in terms of that hble I I just can’t I can’t get my head

Round it I literally can’t get my head round it the more I watch it and the more I try and see what White’s not I just cannot understand it is that a hand ball anywhere on the pitch it’s a hand ball it’s as simple as that I know his

Is falling away but does it matter if you’re falling over anyway you clearly and the the big thing for me about that is I think Sal gets on the other end of the of the of of the ball that’s going round past odard and that’s why I think

It’s blatantly a penalty so I will be tuning in as well to see what got me for me Mr klopp is watching now and I’m going to be I’m Mr gallager so listen Mr is real upgrade it is an upgrade it is a penalty that’s a penalty anywhere cuz

The letter of the Lord says his hands out it’s not like it’s by side it’s out I know it’s deflected off him but his hands out so I think Arsenal got away with one there but for me it’s a penalty and again Lee it’s the consistency question isn’t that we’ve seen penalties

Given this year where it is within a player’s movement even though the hand is a little bit up it’s in their stride or something like that I remember seeing one very clear one Joel Gomez for WS against L where he’s he’s running so his hands like that and it hits him whereas

That he’s out there and that’s what I’m saying it’s it’s it’s it’s getting the consist you right and that’s what I think if I mean listen I’m not even a Liverpool fan but it frustrates me to watch it and I can only think and imagine what to think what the fans

Think you know watching theame once he goes to went Viller had one on Friday and and you you look at situation but that for me I just cannot I just can’t get my head round what they can’t see or why why it’s not and that’s why I just I

Just feel that the V situation again is that we’re constantly going over and over things during games we’re stopping things we’re waiting it’s taking he taking a little bit of excitement out of the game I feel you know players are not celebrating players are scared to go

Over I mean it it’s annoying that for me is is just it tops off another another game where V you know have got it wrong totally wrong what about the other fullback Costa simic without Andy Robertson that is a a big blow for Liverpool at left back yeah it is isn’t

It I mean it was quite a nasty Collision wasn’t it um but I mean to look at it you just felt it I mean I think everyone’s sort of seen the funny side of it at the first at the initial thing but then to see how he actually fell and

And the Collision I mean it’s one of them horrible horrible decisions listening to klopp at the end saying that you know he was shook up himself he was more concerned about you know the player and I mean what what a big miss it will be um you know Gomez came in

Didn’t he and and and sort of did a job in there but again you don’t want you want all your players you know available fit and available going into to the business end of the season don’t you so that that’ll be a big blow for Liverpool strangers weling the types of

Injuries you know shoulder for Andy Robertson a collarbone for Costa Simas Lee touched on the fact that Joe Gomez that pretty much you would say the only option Liverpool have not even like they can call on James Milner who used to play at fullback a lot in a crisis oh

You’re right but I think Gomez done well when he came on I think Joe Gomez is a good Defender you can play him anywhere and I don’t and I think Andy Robertson is not too far away from maybe making making his comeback so that would be

Good news for but as I said they’ll have to cope without it I think Gomez can play Anywhere um he’s a good player used to he played a few times for England as well so I like Gomez but Simas is a huge blow because I thought he’d been

Outstanding coming in for Robertson just sticking with Defenders Clinton who do you think you’d find it tougher to play against Virgil Van dijk or William celra both they’re both outstanding to be fair they’re both brilliant van D dijk and celra if I had to pick a team of the

Season that would be my Center back pairing because I just think they both oo class Alba is brilliant he’s been outstanding he can match you for Pace he’s he’s good on the ball maybe Virgil is just a bit is better than CRA on the ball but they’re both outstanding

Defenders I’d hate to play against both of them simple we talked Lee obviously about what it means for for Arsenal’s title challenge but we maybe saw towards the end of last season that that was the big thing wasn’t it as they sort of fell away a little and City surg past them

That being without William CBA is was the big thing if they can keep him fit they’re in business a million percent I mean you only need to look at like I said the goals they’ve conceded this season and you know I think that’s that’s been the standout thing is that

They’ve been defensively a lot more sand um you know there’s been obviously a lot of talk around the goalkeeper change and and whatnot but you know defensively I think that they’ve just been well they have they’ve been absolutely phenomenal I think the only flip side to it is that

And I think and I I’ll keep saying it is that I think if they can get someone an Out andout Center forward I think Arsenal put them put themselves in a category of literally going and and I I I looked at the both sides yesterday and

I feel a little bit like that with Liverpool as well I think if they’ve got someone who’s like that out and Out Center forward that can go and get him and add to the goals I just think that that’s that’s the area they’re missing because both sides look said van dijk’s

Been back to his best hasn’t he since that injury uh celba has been solid so listen if you can get the front end of the pitch working out all of a sudden you put them in the category of literally pushing City to the Wi who would be the man then Clinton in terms

Of a striker would you say loads of debates about this one but obviously one that stands out is Ivan Tony he’s been linked um to the football club but do I think brenford will let him go no I think they’ll they’ll need him from January to the end of the season and

Maybe he moves in the summer so maybe Arsenal don’t dip into the market because you know what the January transfer window is the hardest time to get a player in no clubs are going to let they go and if you want a top Striker the top teams are not letting

Their best Striker go so they have to stick with what they got listen I like like Jesus I think jayus is a brilliant Striker but is he going to get you the 20 to 25 goals I think he does all of his good work outside of the box but he

Could prove us all wrong and get the 2025 goals but I yeah I I I I think I think how tight the league is this season I know it was tight with with City last and Arsenal in a in a great position but I just think that you know

They’ll have they have been there thought about it and and what can they do that’s going to progress in this season they they pushed to get ryer in didn’t they which they did I just think that might be just a missing piece of the jigsaw for for Arsenal I really do

Um you know I look at the Liverpool as well you know gpo’s not really hit the heights that you’d expect him to hasn’t filled the boots of firmino who added to the goals um you know the JS but that’s where I just feel that that might be the

Void that’s just missing from them two to go and really say you know they should G get you two will be happy go and get OE Watkins couldn’t afford I wouldn’t be happy with that no sank go get let’s let’s talk Clinton about Liverpool’s forwards then um Cody gakpo

Has not scored in the Premier League since September the 30th leis Diaz has scored just once in the Premier League since August the 19th and Darwin Nunes has scored just once in the Premier League since September the 24th um he’s brilliant but they can’t keep relying on

Moos Salah and in and in January they won’t be able to rely on Moos Salah so those three have to step up and obviously jot is injured at the moment so hopefully he comes back but these numbers he’s been putting up these numbers year upon year he’s fantastic

I’ve said he’s not even a natural number nine he plays from the right hand side he’s fantastic and they are going to miss him I don’t know how many games he missed four or five games but they’re going to need the others to step up and listen they’re all good Strikers Nunes

He just needs a goal he’s getting in there but he’s not taking his chances but he must be a nightmare for Defenders because he plays on the shoulders and Diaz listen he’s had a lot of off field problems I think now you’ll start seeing

Him get back to his best and gapo he’s a clever player isn’t he but these do need goals and you’re just hoping they can kick on because they’re going to miss Sal when he goes to the African I I mean I was watching the West Ham game

Yesterday and you know I could see a Jared Bowen in that Liverpool side I really could because I think sorry to interrupt hand you know what um jgen klopp said he’s one of his favorite players in the Premier League I really do think he he if you know when you pick

You look at a player in the Premier League at this moment in time and you think he’s in great form and he has been brilliant let’s face it since he came from Hall where he was excellent and he’s he has hit the numbers at West Ham

Um and he can playing different roles I just I watch him and and I know West Ham fans won’t want me to say that but I watch him and I just think he is ideal for for a Liverpool setup I just really do I find him he’s very similar in the

Way of of zot you know he can come in he can score goals he can create goals I just think he would be a perfect fit for for for anfield and and Jurgen clout but I think it’ come at a big price to ex we managed to annoy brenford fans probably

In the last few minutes avoiding V yeah avoiding Villa but brenford fans and West Ham fans we’ve managed we’ve managed to annoy over the course of the last couple of minutes just to go back to to Salah Clinton 121 goal involvements in 120 matches at anfield he’s gone past Steven je Gerard’s record

Last night um he’s also only missed 10 games in six full premier league Seasons remarkably durable never gets injured this almost January feels although they’ve not got loads of League games like a real test of Liverpool’s title credentials can they do it without their star man they’re gonna have to do it

Without him they’re gonna have to step up listen Mo Salah is world class as simple as that he’ll go down as a a premier league great win on one day he leaves them but you look at these pictures they’ve got listen Burnley on the back of a good result but you’re

Thinking Liverpool going there full of confidence Newcastle always a tough game you know I don’t care what that’s actually home that graphic home needs a little tweak okay so they are so they are at home but it’s still a tough game you know what Newcastle even though they

Lost recently and then they’ve got the FA cup the efl cup and then Bournemouth away so their games you look but Bournemouth are doing well Bournemouth have been brilliant but their games you’re thinking can Liverpool go and get the points they can get the points but

As you said other the play other players and Strikers around apart from Salah have to step up but they can step up and it feels it feels key to get jot back doesn’t it I think so I think as you know you start taking Salah out the equation and you’re taking a massive

Massive void out of that that side he is one they go to he’s one they look to to go and win games he’s the one they look to to to pull something a rabbit out of a hat at times because he’s got that in his locker he proved that yesterday

Again you know something out of nothing really moment for for Mo Sal and I I just want to Echo what what Clinton’s saying this guy is phenomenal absolutely phenomenal because as he said he’s not that out andout Center forward and that’s what his numbers are just they’re incredible what what he’s actually

Produced and and he can create is that the games that potentially he misses depending on how far Egypt go yeah oh wow I bet hope to get knocked out in a lot of games I thought it was only for defended the whole of Egypt as well brilliant good but Liverpool fans were

We Happ yeah Liverpool fans would be thrilled to to have him have him back do you go along with what Lee said there that if Liverpool were to go big in one area and we know they don’t tend to make huge numbers of signings in January that

They brought in Lis Diaz at a crucial stage two januaries ago would you be looking in the Ford areas again no you know what you know what I wouldn’t be looking in the fourward areas you know where I’d be looking in the number six area that’s where even though endo’s

Coming and done well that’s what you know me personally if Liverpool had a Dean rice I’d make them strong strong um they’d be challenging massively they are challenging in but I think they could go and win it because I think Dean R what he’s done at Arsenal has been

Outstanding I believe those Strikers will score goals it’s just they’re going through a phase at the moment it happens to Strikers where you’re not going to score goals as soon as one goes in they’ll go on a good run and at the moment they still got Salah to do it I

Think nun I think nunz is he’s one I I think he’s he’s a fantastic play and I think he will eventually come to the Forefront of things but I think at this moment in time it’s like well he needs to start doing it now and and you take

Salah out of the equation and then you’re saying you’ve got to step up and be the man to do that I don’t see it from gakar I’m sorry but I’ve watched him beforehand before he came to to Liverpool and I wasn’t overly convinced that he was going to be the man for it

And he’s still I watch him and he doesn’t seem a Liverpool player if that if you understand what he’s not is not a natural goal scorer what he likes to do is drop into little pocket he likes to be like Bobby firmino but he’s not that

I don’t think he’s as good as Bobby firmino but that enables Salah I think they’ll start playing Nunes sometimes off the left hand side with J down the middle yeah with J down the middle and Muhammad Salah and then interchange you can bring Diaz on but they’ve got a lot

Of options they will score goals I don’t worry about Liverpool you do wonder whether those two drawing yesterday Liverpool drew the previous week home against Manchester United as well that as they made their way back from Saudi Arabia Manchester City just allowed themselves a quiet smile because oh pep

Was laughing Liverpool has not been been able to put a bit of scoreboard pressure on you can always say City have’ got the games in hand but you got to go and win those games but they’ve not galloped away from Liverpool over the last week

Or so no they haven’t but we get to the January February and we know what man city can do we’ve seen it season upon season where they can go 10 games unbeaten but there’s still a lot to play for I’ve always said it I always still

Think man city had a team um to beat but it’s so tight and you know what it’s going to be a proper title race this is not going to be 10 points this is going to be like one or two points and this is why we this is why this is the best

League in the world difference in comparison to last season with early in Harland you know he he’d scored that many goals himself hadn’t he you know for for uh for Man City and I just think again the the top teams this weekend have missed a real big trick I think

Because you start putting more pressure on Manchester City and they are under pressure there’s no doubt you know that they haven’t been anywhere near what they they should be um but we coming back now we got a game in hand we win that and we’re three points and you’re

Just think thinking to yourself how on Earth are we talking who wins it man city manity oh you’re presenting that way I to ask you that’s manity the Le manity I think it’s going to be a great title race and we’re going to see loads of good football it be Man City and

Villa let me ask you let me ask for let me ask you and said how many teams do you think can win it five can win it two three uh five that I’m going to go four and that’s Arsenal Liverpool Villa and Man City okay I’m Tottenham I’m leaving Tottenham

Out of it oh yeah have you just gone from five to four I’m leaving to no I’m leaving Tottenham in it I’m leaving totam yeah I got to leave Tottenham they still got a chance if you look at the points table son son son’s flying away

He’s gone yeah but M but Madison comes back in January and vaner yeah but take son out the equation we yeah we have to sign they got no hurricane they’ve got no no can I just say by the way I really like the way that you prepared yourself

For the Christmas Day shads by saying flying away people didn’t know how he was going to get there sorry thank you very much