Wild stat after Gunners’ $49m gamble; sleeping giant’s shock charge: PL Talking Pts

Arsenal’s prized recruit from the January window continues to prove his signing was a masterstroke, while a rather explosive press conferences proves their neighbours in white won’t be catching them any time soon.

There’s also a sleeping giant sneakily creeping up on the European places while the gap from 12th place to the relegation zone shrunk to just three points.

Gunners respond to penalty heartbreak in perfect style

Fatigued and frustrated after their agonising Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting Lisbon in midweek, Arsenal responded with the kind of stylish display that bore all the hallmarks of champions in the making.

Mikel Arteta’s side crashed out on penalties against the Portuguese giants after Gabriel Martinelli missed the crucial spot-kick.

So it was symbolic of Arsenal’s new-found resilience that Martinelli was the man to put the Gunners on course for an easy afternoon at the Emirates by scoring the opening goal.

The Brazilian’s cool finish laid the foundations for a sixth successive league win before Bukayo Saka struck twice either side of Granit Xhaka scoring Arsenal’s third.

January recruit Leandro Trossard also proved his worth once again, assisting a goal in the Crystal Palace rout.

The Belgian winger took his tally to six assists in 10 games since moving to the Emirates in January in a $49m deal.

In comparison, Trossard’s assists figure is twice as many as any other player in the competition since his first game in Arsenal colours.

With Gabriel Jesus working his way back to full fitness and the Martielli-Saka double act continuing to score for fun, Trossard looks likely to be the final piece to the puzzle that could help Arsenal over the line in the title race.

However, defending champions City have a game in hand and host Arteta’s side in April, meaning the London outfit is by no means home and hosed just yet.

Fiery presser shows deep spurs cracks

Antonio Conte arrived at Tottenham as the serial winner seen as capable of instilling a winning culture at a club used to underachievement.

Instead the Italian looks set to join a number of Spurs managers to come and go without lifting a trophy.

Conte’s contract expires at the end of the season and the question over his future now is whether he even sees out the remaining 10 Premier League games.

The former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan boss called his players “selfish”, lacking in heart and too used to not playing under pressure or stress.

Spurs still sit fourth, but are only two points ahead of Newcastle, who have two games in hand.

The question for the Tottenham board is whether his relationship with the dressing room is now beyond repair.

The sleeping giant sneaking up on Euro spots

When Steven Gerrard was sacked in October, only goals scored was keeping Villa out of the relegation zone.

Five months on, they are a club transformed under Unai Emery.

Bournemouth were swept aside with ease 3-0 at Villa Park on Saturday for a third win in four games for Emery’s men.

Indeed, only four teams have taken more Premier League points in total since the former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain boss was appointed.

Manchester United and City’s progress to the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend has increased the possibility that seventh could be good enough for European football, which remains well within Villa’s reach.

“We can add a new step, an objective, looking at the teams in the top 10 now,” said Emery after all but guaranteeing survival.

“They have an advantage over us, we have to fight starting behind them.

“But we are going to play here against Fulham, we are going to play here against Brighton, we are going to play at Brentford, at Chelsea. Of course, it is going to be very difficult, but we are going to try to add a new target in our minds.”

Four points, nine teams: the survival fight is on

It feels like it’s been some time since we had a memorable relegation race where, at least at this point in time, no-one is safe.

A measly four points separates last-placed Southampton to 12th-placed Crystal Palace, with the Saints sitting on 23 points.

One win for Southampton and they can climb to safety, although a nightmare goal difference of -23 doesn’t help things.

A crucial comeback against Spurs helped the Saints to a 3-3 draw to keep in touch with the safety.

There were also a handful of other teams milling about in the bottom half who had some major results, too.

Nottingham Forest copped a heartbreaking loss to Newcastle, conceding a penalty in second-half stoppage time in a 2-1 defeat.

Leicester City performed valiantly in a 1-1 draw away to the high-flying Brentford, while Everton came back to secure a vital 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

But the result that perhaps had the biggest impact was Leeds United’s 4-2 triumph over nine-man Wolves.

Well, ten-man Wolves considering Matheus Nunes’ red card arrived in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.

The win helped Leeds move two points clear from the drop zone while Wolves, who have looked good under new boss Julen Lopetegui, remain on 27 points.

With some teams having as many as 12 games left in the season, this relegation race has plenty of twists and turns left in it.