Arsenal
Premier League Winners And Losers – Ramsey, Rooney And Liverpool Take The Headlines
Hello and welcome to the winners and losers column where we go over this week’s round of games and discuss the teams, players and coaches that should either pat themselves on the back for a job well done or take a hard long look at their recent actions and should perhaps start making drastic life changes.
This column is in the spirit of good fun and as usual, your comments and opinions are welcomed.
Winners and Losers for Game Week 13
Winners:
Manchester City Home Form
Only one half of Aquerdo scored this weekend, but that did not prove to be a problem as Samir Nasri helped himself to some goals. City never looked like conceding throughout the match and whiles their away form could hamper their chances of winning the league, this imperious home form could very well push them into the top 4 for that vital Champions League position. Many doubted Nasri could deputize as City’s creator-in-chief in Silva’s absence. His has stepped his game and as this column pointed out after City’s demolition of AVB team’s last week, he is showing the kind of form that made the Manchester clubs battle for his signature. Negrado’s free-kick showed that the man they call the Mechanic has another dead-ball expert in his team, many options is a good thing.
On the goalkeeping front, Pantilimon continues to turn in solid displays. Pellegrini has no reason to reinstate Joe Hart. Should Joe Hart be worried? Well, Casillas is still trying to get back into the 1st team after his injury, not even a loss of form. Yes, Joe Hart should be worried if he is not already.
Aaaron Ramsey
A well taken brace score on both sides of a Flamini goal. Should Ramsey magically get as bad as he was last season, he would still have an amazing season by any player’s standard. A wonderful player who is laying stake to the claim as the most entertaining player in the EPL.
Frank Lampard
The Happy one left him out of the line-up to rest him. Well, Essien put a kibosh on that plan. His introduction after Oscar’s ankle injury helped stabilized the troops at the Bridge and extend Mourinho’s unbeaten home record to a ridiculous 65 games. Surely I can’t be the only one anticipating Ramsey and Co. Visiting Stamford Bridge right?
Everton
Roberto Martinez during the pre-game interview mentioned that he was looking forward to the challenge of finding a replacement for Baines. There are few managers that will view the loss of their best player as an exciting challenge but after Everton’s goal fest this weekend, his faith in his team was entirely justified. Ryan Oviedo and Seamus Coleman both grabbed a goal a piece with the former providing an assist for Lukaku’s goal.
It was a gamble to start the Barcelona loanee. A gamble that paid off handsomely. With Lee Osman and Gareth Barry doing all the heavy lifting in the midfield, Martinez’s young ward was free to express himself and express himself he did. A wonderful team performance.
Norwich
A well-taken goal gives the canaries a vital win over Crystal Palace. As the relegation battle continues to heat up, these are vital 3points that could keep them in the league come next season.
Wayne Rooney
Easily United’s player of the season so far and his brace takes him up to 5thin the premier league all-time goal scorers’ chart. Rooney has still not commented on committing to United and he could very well leave the club this season but so far, he has been a consummate professional. For United, should he decide to leave, they can surely demand more for his transfer fee as he was mostly sub-par last season.
United’s transfer activity will not only give fans and casual observers an idea of what the new look United but give an indication to whether or not Old Trafford will continue to be Wayne Rooney’s home.
Aston Villa
Despite Shane’s long 1sthalf heroics, Paul Lambert was able to mastermind a 2ndhalf performance that almost saw his team win the game. The kicker? Their star forward, Benteke did not find the back of the net. For West Brom, it is another 3pts dropped and after that penalty decision going against them versus Chelsea, they needed this win before the headed into next week’s all important December games.
Newcastle
Looking at the performances of the teams involved in the Tyne-Wear derby, the loss seemed to have galvanized Alan Pardew’s team. Remy and Ameobi are proving to be an effective duo and the rest of the team ‘ain’t looking that bad’. Not bad at all.
Click the next page to read about the losers
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
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”