Arsenal sent the strongest message yet to their ever diminishing number of title rivals by outlasting old enemies Manchester United 3-2 in a pulsating game played at the Emirates Stadium. Eddie Nketiah continued his blistering home form by grabbing a brace to move Mikel Arteta’s relentless side to 50 points at the halfway stage of the season. It is Arsenal’s best ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Reigning champions Manchester City are five points behind the leaders after whitewashing Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 courtesy of a hat-trick from division top scorer Erling Braut Haaland. Newcastle United moved into third place, above Manchester United on goal difference despite being held to a barren stalemate at Crystal Palace. Fading giants Liverpool and Chelsea remain trapped in mid-table obscurity after the two sides battled to a goalless draw.
Serie A pacesetters Napoli enhanced their chances of winning a first Scudetto title in 33 years by subduing Salernitana 2-0 to extend their advantage atop the standings to twelve points. Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma outlasted Spezia 2-0 to go joint third with Inter Milan who were due to host Empoli on Monday night. Record titlists Juventus were held to an entertaining 3-3 draw by Atalanta but fell from second to ninth after being docked 15 points for irregularities in their transfer dealings.
In Germany, Bayern Munich moved five points clear of the chasing pack despite being held to a 1-1 draw at RB Leipzig because Freiburg, who begun the weekend in second place dropped to fourth after being eviscerated 6-0 at Wolfsburg. Oliver Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt moved up to second by seeing off Schalke 3-0 while Union Berlin are third after fighting back from a goal down to topple Hoffenheim 3-1.
Barcelona maintained a three point cushion ahead of Real Madrid by edging hard battling Getafe 1-0 thanks to a Pedri Gonzalez strike. Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos are still in hot pursuit following a clinical 2-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao. Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad stay third after registering an impressive 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano while Atletico Madrid are 13 points off title pace in fourth after pummeling relegation threatened Real Valladolid 3-0.
