Key events
Here is a clip via the Premier League of Lewis Cook throwing a snowball at Wilfred Ndidi. Great festive banter.
Premier League “Big Six” all opposed to European Super League
The Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ have all now distanced themselves from the possibility of joining any new European Super League. Arsenal became the last of the clubs who joined the original Super League in 2021 to confirm their position on Friday.
The Gunners issued a statement saying they will continue in Uefa competitions despite a European Court of Justice ruling which has at least opened the possibility of a club-led tournament to rival the Champions League being launched.
Liverpool have not commented directly since Thursday’s ruling but the it is understood legal consent on the issue of joining new competitions has rested with the recognised supporters’ trust, the Spirit of Shankly (SoS), since the Reds’ withdrawal from the Super League two years ago.
SoS’s statement on Thursday said Liverpool’s position had not changed since 2021. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all issued statements on Thursday pledging commitment to Uefa competitions.
The original Super League plan fell apart within 72 hours, as the English clubs withdrew one by one amid fan protests, pressure from the British Government and opposition from UEFA and FIFA. (PA Media)
Karen Carney
Often when managers arrive at a struggling club the immediate response is a complete overhaul in a desperate attempt to turn things around, but in Unai Emery’s 14 months at Aston Villa he has transformed them from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls without any such tear-up.
When the Spaniard arrived from Villarreal Aston Villa were 16th in the Premier League and a point above the relegation zone. On Friday night he has a chance to take them top when they host Sheffield United, a match they will be expected to win.
Revealed: The 100 best male footballers in the world 2023
You don’t have to wait until Christmas Day to complete the Guardian’s footballing advent calendar … the votes are in, and our 218-strong panel of experts has named Erling Haaland as top dog in men’s football this year:
The top five:
Erling Haaland
Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappé
Harry Kane
Rodri
Sid Lowe
In November 2021, Florentino Pérez stood before the members’ assembly and, to a standing ovation, declared that someone should remind Uefa who Real Madrid are, vowing they would not give in on their fight for the Super League. They would go it alone if they had to.
Two years on, he stood before the club’s 14 European Cups, a show of strength even though he stood alone, and said “freedom” had triumphed. So had football, according to Pérez. “Our destiny is in our own hands,” he said. The ruling from the European court of justice, he continued, represented a “before and after”.
Cheerful Roy Hodgson was asked after the 1-1 draw against Brighton if he felt under pressur given Palace’s poor run: “What are you actually coming with there? Feel the pressure in what respect?” he responded.
“Well, I suppose that’s football … if that’s the suggestion, that every time a team slides down the table, the manager should feel under pressure, then I suppose I should feel under pressure.
“But I don’t believe the players could be doing much more than they are at the moment. If that is pressure then I don’t feel it, no, not at all.”
A tremendous header by Danny Welbeck earned a point for Brighton against Palace last night.
Ed Aarons was on the scene for us:
The Wolves head coach, Gary O’Neil, has called on his side to learn from last weekend’s defeat at West Ham and “try to put things right” against Chelsea on Sunday.
“Three counterattack goals gave us no chance to take anything from the game, but they were really easy fixes that we’ve been over with the lads to ensure that we understand,” O’Neil said.
“The first one from a corner, the second one a slight misunderstanding in the structure and the third one, still disappointing, but we’re pushing at that point. It’s my job to analyse the game without emotion and when you do, loads of the stuff in it was really good.
“Numbers were good in terms of final-third entries, penalty-box entries, shots, so lots of stuff in there is positive, but when you lose 3-0 no-one is interested in that, so we need to fix the bits that need fixing and get back onto a home game this weekend and try to put things right.”
Wolves have been boosted by Pedro Neto’s return to training this week, having been out with a hamstring injury since October. The Portugal international provided seven assists in 10 Premier League games before his injury, but O’Neil insisted the club will “protect him” and make sure he is ready before returning. (PA Media)
Newcastle are off to Luton in the Premier League tomorrow and their gaffer, Eddie Howe, has been speaking to journalists before the match.
On Antony Gordon’s fitness following a heavy challenge by Moises Caicedo in the Carabao Cup loss at Chelsea: “Horrible challenge on him I thought … really disappointed with the tackle,” Howe says. “We’ll see how he is today.
“Emile [Krafth] had a nasty cut on his shin … he’s quite sore as well … Alexander Isak is 50-50 to play at Luton.”
Howe is asked about Luton’s captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest last weekend: “Watching the game as I did, it was a really difficult moment for everyone connected with Luton,” Howe says.
“Tom’s the most important thing … it puts football into perspective … we want to send him our best wishes, from everyone connected with Newcastle.”
On playing at Luton tomorrow: “Very difficult place to go. I’ve been there many times as a player … their games at home have been interesting … they ran Manchester City very close. Couldn’t have run Arsenal much closer … they had a good draw against Liverpool … they are physically good and committed to how they play … We’re going to have to be absolutely at our best to win this game.”
“It will be an emotionally charged game … Luton fans will be thinking of Tom. For us, we have to focus on our performance.”
Howe adds he was happy with the performance at Chelsea if not the result: “There’s a lot to take from it. I couldn’t ask any more of the players … we have to analyse that properly and move forward positively.”
And finally, a journalist mentions if he can ask about the European Super League. “It’s probably best you don’t,” Howe says dismissively. “It came out of the blue for me … supporters of football let their feelings be known last time this was mentioned … and ultimately it’s their decision on how they want this to go.”
Preamble
The European Super League reared its head again this week, and Arsenal have become the latest club to distance themselves from potential involvement. (While failing to entirely rule out that they may take part in future …)
“Arsenal Football Club notes the judgement by the European Court of Justice on Thursday, 21 December 2023 and our position in relation to the European Super League has not changed,” the club announced on Friday morning.
“We will continue to play in Uefa competitions and continue to work with fellow European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA).”
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal head coach, has also been having a chat with the media. “We love playing in the Champions League, and we’ll continue to do so,” he insisted at his standard 9am media briefing. “The game belongs to the supporters and the players … we have to look after them.”
On the pitch, meanwhile, Manchester City are preparing for the Club World Cup final against Fluminense of Brazil, a match which logically enough takes place in Saudi Arabia. The Gunners are preparing for a seismic Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow evening, and there’s plenty more going on besides.
Here we go then. Press conferences, team news and European Super League-related teeth-gnashing coming right up.
