Arsenal made the most of Manchester City’s home defeat by Brentford to beat Wolves and head into the World Cup break with a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Bees striker Ivan Toney sent a message to England boss Gareth Southgate with a double to sink City, while Chelsea and Everton both suffered another defeat. On Sunday, Aston Villa continued their revival under new boss Unai Emery with victory at Brighton.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what we learned from the weekend’s games as the Premier League now takes a break until Boxing Day.
Gunners march on
? Arsenal – 37 points? Man City – 32 points
.@Arsenal‘s 5️⃣ point lead at the top of the #PL table is their biggest since 13th December 2013 ?#WOLARS pic.twitter.com/sGI3L1fLY9
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 13, 2022
While no-one really knows how teams will respond when top-flight action resumes again following the World Cup, the signs are all positive for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage of Brentford’s unexpected win at Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off to later grind out another impressive victory at Wolves. More sterner tests will lie ahead rolling on into 2023, but that will not stop Gunners fans allowing themselves to dream that it could just turn into a vintage year.
Toney sends England message
Everton fans get shirty
Potter has the blues
While Newcastle head into the World Cup break in high spirits after a 1-0 win over Chelsea at St James’ Park left them in third, Blues boss Graham Potter faces more questions about the direction of his side following three successive league defeats and five without a win. Having also been knocked out of the Carabao Cup at Manchester City, the positivity following his appointment in early September has ebbed away. All is not yet lost, though, and perhaps the break will be just what Potter needs to start working his magic once again.
Emery revival just the tonic
Back-to-back @PremierLeague wins. ✅
What a start. ? @UnaiEmery_ pic.twitter.com/786ochI9yU
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 13, 2022
The new manager bounce has continued at Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s men came from behind to win at Brighton on Sunday. It was a second straight Premier League victory for the Spaniard, whose much-changed side had been knocked out of the Carabao Cup at Manchester United on Thursday night. The feelgood factor is certainly back at Villa Park – and it will be tested to the limit when Liverpool visit on Boxing Day.
