3 things Arsenal really need from this weekend

2. A Favour From Leicester & Newcastle

Not too much to ask, right?

While the players always get asked about other results and insist they don’t pay attention to what happens elsewhere, we all know full well that is nonsense. There will be precious few of them not keeping tabs on whether Tottenham or Manchester United drop points.

Maybe Benjamin White won’t, but that’s about it.

First up on Saturday is United’s home visit of Leicester, with Brendan Rodgers’ side picking up form at a welcome time with five wins from their last seven matches, and if they can carry some of that over to Old Trafford it would be most welcome.

Of the games this weekend, it’s that one which Arsenal can pin most of their hopes on.

The other fixture to keep a watchful eye of is unlikely to provide any favours. Tottenham host Newcastle in the late game on Sunday with Eddie Howe’s men having lost their last two league outings, albeit by narrow scorelines.

Spurs favour sides that come on to them and leave the gaps in behind, which is exactly what the Magpies will do with Howe’s preference to press from the front. You never know, but don’t get any hopes up.

The final favour to ask is equally unlikely. Chelsea Women host Reading and Arsenal desperately need them to drop any points with their one-point lead over the Gunners having to get cut at some point with just five matches left to play.

After Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League to Wolfsburg on Thursday, they need a pick-me-up. Winning their game Leicester is included in that.

Continued on next page…