Arsenal

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Saka's not the only Arsenal attacker set for a spell on the sidelines.

Raheem Sterling has missed the last five matches with a knee injury, while Kai Havertz missed Saturday's draw against Brighton through illness.

Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal's scorer on the south coast, had to be taken off at half-time with a 'muscular issue' and Arteta appeared downbeat about the teenager's injury in his post-match press conference.

It leaves the Gunners seriously short on options up front.

Arsenal

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Only league leaders Liverpool (47) and arch rivals Tottenham (42) have scored more goals than Arsenal (39) in the league this term.

But injury to Bukayo Saka poses a serious threat to the Gunners' hopes of pushing Liverpool all the way.

The winger has played a hand in 15 of the Gunners' 42 goals this season, scoring five and providing 10 assists.

That's 35% of Arsenal's league goals. Can they compete without him in the coming months?

Liverpool are six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand.

On Saturday, the Gunners drew 1-1 with Brighton after conceding a second-half penalty.

Here are both Liverpool and Arsenal's next eight Premier League fixtures. Remember, Liverpool have a rearranged game with Everton to fit in somewhere.

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Next, I think we should focus on Arsenal and the general title race for a bit.

This is your final call for questions for Phil McNulty.

Send them his way using the usual channels.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Seamus, Ireland: Phil, I can’t help but feel that Liverpool are always playing on the edge of draws and wins by the sheer strength of their attack. If they get ahead they usually win. But their defence is shaky at best, if pressed. Yesterday, they were exposed for speed and were pressed. Do you feel if other teams attacked them like Manchester United, would they be in as good a position as they are now?

Only Arsenal have a better defensive record in the Premier League than Liverpool, who have conceded 19 goals in 19 games, so there are not too many faults to pick at.

I do take your point, though, that Liverpool have looked a little vulnerable defensively on occasions this season.

When teams play against Liverpool, they have to achieve a fine balancing act between defensive solidity and ambition going forward because Arne Slot’s side hold so many attacking cards in players like Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota. Over-commitment is a very dangerous game for anyone playing Liverpool.

The one team who got it absolutely spot on this season was Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest, who won at Anfield in what is still Liverpool’s only league defeat this season.

Very cryptic that, very cryptic.

Liverpool

What do you make of this, Reds?

In the last hour, Salah's posted a photo on X of himself, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold from Sunday's match.

On the face of things, it could be nothing. But some fans are questioning Salah's choice of photo.

All three players pictured are out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season.

Salah said last week that he is 'far away' from signing a new deal.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Karl, Nottingham Forest fan: Hi Phil. Now that Nottingham Forest are sitting third in the league and playing well, how do you see the second half of the season going for us and what signings, if any, should we look at? And do you think we can grab a European spot this season? Thanks.

Hi Karl. What a season it has been for Nottingham Forest and another huge game tonight. I’m sure Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking at squad strengthening but not sure there will be any huge incomings at The City Ground as January is a difficult month and it would take something pretty expensive to strengthen the current team – although we should never doubt the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

As for Europe, absolutely. I have my doubts about top four – which would be the dream of course, especially with your club’s great European history – but certainly a place there next season must be Forest’s sights and rightly so.

Manchester City

Looking at their respective performances this season, it's a one-way contest between Savinho and Grealish in the Brazilian's favour. Grealish

• Appearances: 19
• Minutes played: 1,204
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 1

Savinho

• Appearances: 23
• Minutes played: 1,475
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 7

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Alan: Phil, do you subscribe to the view that despite his success, Pep Guardiola is not enamoured of individualists? He is not in favour of those who dribble with the ball or those who shoot from outside the area? I think Jack Grealish has had that coached out of him.

Hi, Alan. I think Pep Guardiola, like all great managers, wants individuals to work within a team framework, as he has done at Barcelona (Lionel Messi for example), Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

No one can say players such as Kevin de Bruyne are not individualists but they are also consummate team players. Jack Grealish was outstanding in City’s “Treble” season but has not hit those heights since then. I’m sure if he did, he would be a regular.

Some players do see individualism reduced by coaching and greater tactical discipline, which is what the great teams and managers require for success.

It was even seen in someone like Wayne Rooney, who became a great individualist but also a team player under Sir Alex Ferguson, whereas he was a little untamed as a footballer when he was a teenager at Everton.

Still a world-class player though. Grealish simply needs to improve his form.

Thanks Chris. Maybe Pep Guardiola should use Jack Grealish in a deeper role again.

Keeping hold of possession, and winning free kicks to get Manchester City up the pitch.

Manchester City

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Grealish's stats in 2024 don't make for happy reading.

As well as failing to score a single club goal, Grealish provided just three assists.

Perhaps most worryingly for City fans, Grealish registered just eight shots on target.

• Appearances: 32
• Minutes played: 1,601
• Goals: 0
• Shots: 34
• Shots on target: 8
• Assists: 3

Manchester City

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Savinho put in his best display of the season during City's win against West Ham, providing both assists for Erling Haaland's goals.

Asked whether the Brazilian could be an example for Grealish to win back his place, Guardiola said he's focused on helping the former Villa captain recapture the form he showed when City won the treble in 2023.

"Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that's why I played Savinho [against West Ham]," said Guardiola.

"Do I want the Jack that won the Treble? Yeah I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that.

"I don't have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players. They would not be here [otherwise]."

Thanks Phil. Also worth pointing out that fifth may be good enough for the Champions League next season - depending on Uefa league coefficients.

Plus, Man City could always qualify for next season's Champions League by winning it...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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R, Lancaster: Will their lack of European fixtures favour Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in the race for a Champions League place? Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Chelsea (who look to have the easiest route) will all want a say. On current form, I think Liverpool and Arsenal get two spots. Who gets the others?

It will certainly help them to keep a freshness about their squads, as we saw when Newcastle United were in the Champions League last season and their league performances declined.

On current form, I still say Manchester City and - with not much confidence at all - Chelsea. And I mean not much confidence at all.

Jack Grealish will be hoping for a better 2025 after a torrid 2024.

The England winger failed to score a club goal for City in 2024 and saw his year blighted by injuries.

Grealish made his return from injury in City's 4-1 win against West Ham on Saturday, emerging from the bench for the final six minutes of normal time at the Etihad.

But he finds himself down the pecking order and Guardiola says he must 'fight' to regain his spot.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Pep Guardiola was quick to shoot down my question about whether Manchester City were on their way back following a season-best 4-1 win against West Ham on Saturday.

But there has to be some sense of optimism after recording successive victories for the first time since October.

City now have an FA Cup meeting with League Two Salford ahead of Premier League trips to Brentford and Ipswich before they try to resurrect their Champions League campaign against PSG on 22 January.

Guardiola knows there is some work to do before the anxiety that seems to sweep the Etihad Stadium when the four-time Premier League champions find themselves in trouble will disappear.

"That reaction is normal," he said. "Why? Because they saw something unique, that this country never saw before.

"But we will do it. We'll back again. I wanna, I wanna fight, I wanna try to deliver to make them proud."

City are looking to bring in new faces during this month's transfer window.

Hello to those just joining us and keep your questions for chief football writer Phil McNulty coming in.

In the next hour we'll be focusing on Jack Grealish and Manchester City.

And we've got a Mikel Arteta press conference to come.