Arsenal
Liverpool Flying High As West Brom And United Sink Further: Corresponding Fixtures Table Game-week 26
It’s been a while since we looked at the Corresponding Fixtures Table and a lot has happened in the Premier League since. Last week saw two sets of games as midweek fixtures were played keeping in mind the weekend’s FA Cup commitments.
While Arsenal moved to the quarter finals of the oldest football tournament in the world by defeating Liverpool at the Emirates, exactly a week before, Liverpool tore Arsenal apart at Anfield- recording an emphatic 5-1 win in the process. They were 4-0 up by 20 minutes, in a game which saw Liverpool at their attacking best. Constantly exploiting the space between the Gunners’ midfield and defence, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling ran rings around the Arsenal side. While this game brought into focus the improvements made by Brendan Rodgers’ side over the past 12 months, their next game- a 3-2 win at Fulham-also exposed what can be considered a chink in their armour- their defensive instability.
With Kolo Toure at the heart of the defence, a tragicomic error is never faraway and as we saw in the games at West Brom and Craven Cottage, the Ivorian is prone to lapses of concentration which have the cost the team dear on some occasions. Despite these lapses, Liverpool have moved into 4th place in the Premier League with 53 points-just 4 points behind league leaders Chelsea. While Liverpool’s stated aim has been to finish in the Champions League places, they are in with a genuine chance to win the title. Add to that their elimination from the FA Cup which means they only have the Premier League to focus on as other title contenders contend with European exertions.
Keeping the title talk aside, our Corresponding Fixtures Table shows how much Liverpool have improved this season compared to the last season. As has already been mentioned in this series of articles, for the purpose of uniformity we are comparing Hull City’s fixtures to Reading; Crystal Palace’s fixtures to QPR; and Cardiff City’s fixtures to Wigan.
Here is the table
Liverpool have displaced Southampton at the top of our Corresponding Points Difference with a differential of +17. By any means, this is a remarkable achievement and Liverpool are one of the few sides in the league who have improved both their home and away point tallies(statistically) this season. They have especially been devastating at home, taking 34 points from a possible 39. Only Chelsea(35 from 13 games) have a better record. Even Manchester City are a point behind Liverpool with 33 points but they have a played a game less. Let us now look at the Corresponding Home Fixtures Table to further illustrate this point.
Liverpool are the most improved home side taking 13 points more from their home fixtures this season vis-a-vis the last season. From the table we can see that barring Tottenham and Manchester United, every top-half team has fared better at home this season which makes upcoming games between them all the more important. Liverpool, in fact, face Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham at home in the coming months.
Even if they end up taking the same number of points as last season from the rest of the fixtures- they should take more considering their form- Liverpool will end up with 78 points– a points tally that should see them comfortably finish in 3rd of 4th place.
West Brom in trouble
In sheer contrast, as we can see from the Corresponding Home Fixtures table, West Brom occupy the bottom of the pile. While their recent results have seen them take creditable draws at home against Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton, they have dropped points against lesser opposition like Norwich and Crystal Palace. This, more or less, sums up their predicament, as does the Corresponding Home Points difference of -14- the lowest in the league. Their last win at home was against Newcastle on New Year’s day.
They are not doing well on their travels too as we can see from the Corresponding Away Fixtures table.
Quite startlingly, West Brom have recorded only one away win this season: at Old Trafford in September. Incidentally, Manchester United are the only side below them in our Corresponding Away Fixtures Table.
Their next two games against Fulham and Sunderland are quintessential relegation six-pointers. Results in those games may go a long way in deciding whether they survive the dreaded drop.
Stats are compiled by Chaitanya Gööner with the help from footballwebpages.co.uk
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers has confirmed that Emily Fox is likely to miss Wednesday’s League Cup semi final clash with Manchester United after the defender suffered a head injury in the FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The United States international came off in the 22nd minute of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory and was replaced by January signing Smilla Holmberg.
Fox has been an ever present figure in the Arsenal team this season, featuring in all 12 of their WSL clashes. Her absence for such a crucial semi final represents a significant blow to the Gunners, though Slegers will be hopeful that Fox can return for Arsenal’s vital WSL clash with Chelsea this weekend.
Slegers Taking Cautious Approach
The Arsenal manager explained the club’s careful handling of Fox’s injury. “We assessed her yesterday and today, and we just want to make really good decisions with Foxy. It’s looking likely she won’t be in the squad tomorrow, and then we will assess her again tomorrow and the day after. That’s where we’re at now with Foxy.”
This is the right approach from Slegers, who cannot afford to rush Fox back and risk a more serious injury. Head injuries must be treated with extreme caution, and Arsenal are sensibly prioritizing the player’s long term health over short term results.
Holmberg Could Start Against United
Fox’s absence will likely present a chance for new signing Holmberg to start against the Red Devils. The Swedish defender impressed after coming on against Villa and will be eager to prove herself in such a high profile fixture.
Slegers also confirmed that goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar will be in the squad after missing matches since November 19, while Leah Williamson remains unavailable.
Arsenal face a hectic schedule with the League Cup, Chelsea in the WSL, and the Women’s Champions Cup all upcoming.
Also read: Renee Slegers Signs New Arsenal Contract Until 2029 After Champions League Glory
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Star Katie McCabe Attracting NWSL Interest as Contract Expires This Summer With High Impact Player Rule Making Move Financially Viable
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal. Several NWSL sides have shown ongoing interest for the past 18 months, fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. Having tasted Champions League triumph last summer, she wants to compete at the top level and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes. Arsenal face losing one of their most recognizable figures unless they act quickly.
Ten Arsenal Stars Out of Contract
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a staggering number of senior players out of contract this summer including Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Laia Codina, Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Manuela Zinsberger.
This list is frankly ridiculous for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward, and Arsenal cannot afford to lose multiple stars simultaneously.
High Impact Player Rule Changes Game
The introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule in July is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe. The rule allows NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for high impact players, making moves for European stars like McCabe financially viable.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal. Whether her future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest stories to watch as summer approaches.
Also read: What Is The NWSL High Impact Player Rule and Who Could Be The First To Benefit From It?
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
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