Arsenal battle to stay top of Christmas charts

Ilian Ivanov Football

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City eye top spot

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have clicked ominously into gear and are just two points behind long-time Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners have a tough run of league fixtures coming up, starting away at Everton, with Brighton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool to follow.

City, hungry to reclaim the title they lost to Liverpool last year, will go top of the table, at least temporarily, if they beat the Hammers.

Mikel Arteta's team looked jaded in their 2-1 win against bottom side Wolverhampton last week and were lucky to escape with three points after an own goal deep into stoppage time. They managed just two shots on target despite their rich attacking resources.

Arteta also lamented "horrible defensive habits that are nowhere near the levels required" against Wolves, but that must be put in the context of a spate of serious injuries.

William Saliba was back but Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera are on the treatment table while the Gunners lost Ben White with a hamstring injury during the match. Arsenal remain favourites to win their first Premier League title since 2004 but cannot afford to let City take charge.

Xhaka 'lifted Sunderland standards' - Ballard

Ilian Ivanov Football

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While Xhaka is new at Sunderland, Ballard has been with the Black Cats since 2022 and was a key player in last season's promotion.

Prior to his move, he did not make a senior appearance in three seasons with Arsenal.

Now a Premier League regular and Northern Ireland international, Ballard said he didn't have the easiest pathway into professional football.

"I wasn't really the best player in my age groups and stuff," he added.

"I had to fight for every opportunity and every chance. It wasn't smooth sailing, but coming up at an academy like that [Arsenal's], there's so many good coaches and so many people to teach you things if you're willing to listen and learn.

"You can start a career out there for yourself, and I've managed to do that."

'I've learned so much from Le Bris'

While both Xhaka and Ballard have impressed with their performances, the club's boss has received a lot of credit too.

French coach Regis le Bris joined in the summer of 2024 and his tactical nous has been key to Sunderland getting impressive results - winning at Chelsea, drawing with Premier League leaders Arsenal and reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield, and overseeing the win against rivals Newcastle.

"He's been amazing for us, a really good fit," said Ballard.

"It was a really young team last year, but the way he plays and sets things out so simply [is key].

"He knows exactly what he wants, and he'll tell you exactly what he wants, and there's no beating around the bush, he's always coaching you.

"I've learned so much, probably more in the last year of my career than all the years before that.

"He has got us playing really well this last year, and he's made us a really strong, competitive team."