After losing their first game of the season on the weekend, City face Arsenal on Monday (EST) in a game which will have significant ramifications for the contenders. City could well find themselves knocked off the top of the ladder after this game for the first time in a long time with a loss- a result which could put Arsenal just two games off the pace. However, if City get a win at Eastlands, thewill extend their lead 12 points in front of Arsenal, an improbable gap to make back up for the Gunners.
Robin van Persie's goal against Everton proved again what he is capable of, being the form striker of the world he has scored goals left, right and centre this year and is really carrying the results of this Arsenal team. Many are asking what they will do if he gets injured or loses his form, but for the time being watching him score goals like that is just bliss amongst the resurrection of Arsenal's title challenge after their worst start to a season in 64 years.
Chelsea will take a lot of confidence from their 2-1 win against the League leaders, and now have a run of games in December and January that they will be hoping to take maximum points from. Andres Villas-Boas has been developing his squad from an outfit that wasn't gelling to genuine title runners, and while Chelsea's form had been less than inspiring since their 5-3 loss to Arsenal, they have now pulled to together three impressive wins, and start to look imposing.
United's 4-1 win against Wolverhampton put them back in form following their disappointing midweek Champions League exit. After a string of seven games in which they didn't score more than one goal, scraping together wins was the flavour of the month but it could not be said they were in form. Despite not being spectacular, United's ability to score goals has been rekindled and they are hoping they have just played themselves into form.
Tottenham's 2-1 loss to a gritty Stoke City ended an eleven game unbeaten streak as part of their best start to a season ever. While their title challenge still looks healthy on the ladder (they hold a game in hand over all the other top five teams), they will be looking to bounce back from their loss. Younes Kaboul, one of their key defenders, will miss a couple of games for his red card, however their world-class midfield, and strikers Jermaine Defoe and Emmanuelle Adebayor are in ominous form.
Joshua Mathew is studying his Bachelor of Theology and volunteers in the senior high youth ministry of Hillsong Church.
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