Week 23 sees us moving closer and closer towards the final run-in, and with the European competitions heating up again midweek, this weekend served as a reminder of the importance of every point in this campaign where teams feel closer than ever. The weekend showed Manchester United may actually be back to their best under a former player (where have I heard that one before), Arsenal aren’t invincible at home, City could play the big challenger and Liverpool under Slot are uncertain while Alonso waits in the wings.

As always, in this post we will be picking out 3 of the biggest talking points of the weekend, along with giving out the game of the week and player of the week awards. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the weekend please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

Give Him The Job?

Few fixtures carry more weight than Arsenal vs Manchester United, and this one delivered a reminder of why. Arsenal arrived at the Emirates looking every bit a title favourite, buoyed by a formidable home record and a sense of control at the top of the table. When they took the lead, it felt like another routine step in a measured, confident campaign. What followed, however, was anything but routine.

United’s response was immediate and fearless. They played with a freedom that has not always been present away from home in recent seasons, moving the ball quickly and attacking Arsenal’s defensive line with purpose. The equaliser settled them, and from there United looked like a side growing in belief by the minute rather than simply clinging on. Their second goal early in the second half shifted the entire mood of the stadium, exposing rare nerves in an Arsenal back line that has otherwise looked unshakeable.

Even when Arsenal clawed their way back into the game, United refused to retreat. Instead of protecting a draw, they continued to press, and that ambition was rewarded late on with a stunning winner that silenced the home crowd. It was a moment that spoke volumes about United’s evolving mentality, this was not a smash-and-grab, but a performance built on resilience, courage, and tactical clarity.

The wider impact of the result cannot be overstated. Arsenal remain in a strong position, but the sense of inevitability around their title charge has been punctured. United, meanwhile, have announced themselves as genuine contenders, proving they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best in the most hostile environments. Suddenly, the title race feels alive again.

City Close The Gap

Manchester City’s visit to Wolves arrived at a delicate moment in their season. A run of four league games without a win had raised unfamiliar questions about form, fatigue, and focus. Injuries had disrupted rhythm, key players were under scrutiny, and the margins that City usually control so effortlessly had begun to slip away.

Their response was calm rather than spectacular, and that was precisely the point. City dominated possession, controlled territory, and limited Wolves to fleeting moments of threat. The 2–0 score line reflected a performance rooted in discipline and structure, a reminder that Guardiola’s side don’t need fireworks to reassert authority.

What stood out most was City’s defensive composure. Clean sheets have often been the foundation of their title-winning campaigns, and this one felt symbolic. There was a sense of order restored, of a team rediscovering its internal compass after drifting slightly off course during a congested winter schedule.

This win doesn’t magically solve every issue, but it steadies the ship. City remain firmly in the conversation, and history suggests they thrive when underestimated. With momentum rebuilt and pressure subtly shifting back onto their rivals, this could yet be the result that marks the start of another relentless run.

Bournemouth Leave It Late

While the spotlight naturally gravitated toward the title race, one of the weekend’s most telling stories unfolded further down the table. Bournemouth’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Liverpool was a result that captured the Premier League’s unpredictability, and exposed some lingering questions surrounding Liverpool’s season.

Liverpool were expected to control the game, and in spells they did. Yet familiar issues resurfaced: defensive lapses at key moments, an inability to fully kill the contest, and a vulnerability when pressed aggressively. Bournemouth sensed this, playing with energy and bravery, refusing to accept their underdog status.

For Bournemouth, the win was a statement of intent. This was not a backs-to-the-wall fluke, but a performance built on attacking commitment and belief. Their willingness to commit bodies forward late in the game was rewarded, and the scenes at full time reflected just how significant the result felt for a side often battling perceptions as much as opponents.

The ramifications ripple outward. Liverpool’s inconsistency keeps them hovering rather than climbing, while results like this compress the table further. With multiple teams sniffing around European places, every dropped point now feels amplified. Week 23 served as a reminder that in this league, reputations guarantee nothing, and complacency is punished swiftly.

Game of the week: Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United With a Sunday afternoon treat, Arsenal were rattled as they lost to a reborn Manchester United side under Carrick. With narrative at the very top of the table, United continue to grow in momentum as they look to settle in the Champions League spots.

Player of the week: Jarrod Bowen With West Ham needing to continue building momentum, Bowen produced a goal and assist to ensure 3 points at home to Sunderland as the captain and leader showed his quality. With questions over his future amid a relegation battle, he showed his ability at the top level and ensured his side have a chance to escape the drop zone.