The weekend served up drama by the bucketload. Arsenal discovered that even against bottom-dwelling Wolves, you can't take anything for granted – but fortune favours the persistent. Mohamed Salah's turbulent week ended with history made and goodbyes left hanging in the Anfield air. And across the continent, title races tightened, manager pressure intensified, and a few giants stumbled against opponents they had no business struggling with.
Top Stories
Arsenal Ride Own-Goal Luck to Extend Title Lead
Arsenal moved five points clear at the Premier League summit after the strangest of 2-1 victories over bottom club Wolves – a match in which both Arsenal goals were own goals. Bukayo Saka's 70th-minute corner struck the post and rebounded in off Sam Johnstone, only for Tolu Arokodare to stun the Emirates with a 90th-minute equaliser. Then, in the 94th minute, Yerson Mosquera headed Saka's cross past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Gabriel Jesus.
The bigger concern for Mikel Arteta? Arsenal failed to register a shot on target in the first half against the league's weakest team, and Viktor Gyökeres extended his goal drought to five matches. The return of William Saliba was offset by yet another injury setback – Ben White limping off with a hamstring problem. In a title race that could come down to fine margins, Arsenal will take the points, but the performance offered more warnings than comfort.
Salah Makes History, Then Heads for AFCON Amid Uncertainty
Mohamed Salah's final Liverpool appearance before the Africa Cup of Nations was laced with emotion and record-breaking significance. Introduced early after Joe Gomez's injury, Salah received a rapturous Anfield reception before providing the assist for Hugo Ekitike's second goal in a 2-0 win over Brighton – taking him to 277 Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool, surpassing Wayne Rooney's single-club record.
Ekitike had earlier scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season (46 seconds), his second brace in consecutive matches. But all eyes remained on Salah, who applauded the Kop at full-time in what felt like a farewell gesture. Arne Slot confirmed post-match that he and Salah had held "positive" talks following last week's explosive interview. Whether Salah returns from AFCON in a Liverpool shirt remains uncertain – but his impact on Saturday served as a pointed reminder of his irreplaceable value.
Cole Palmer Returns as Chelsea End Winless Run
A four-game winless streak felt like longer at Stamford Bridge, so Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Everton carried relief as much as satisfaction. The real headline? Cole Palmer's return to the starting lineup – his first home start in almost four months following a groin injury that has derailed his season.
Palmer swept in the opener from Malo Gusto's clever through ball, immediately reminding everyone why Chelsea's form has mirrored his fitness. Gusto doubled the lead before half-time with a well-taken finish from Pedro Neto's low cross. David Moyes' Everton created occasional openings – Iliman Ndiaye struck the post late on – but this was a controlled Chelsea performance that suggests Enzo Maresca's team can push for the top four when Palmer is purring.
Bayern Stunned by Bottom-Placed Mainz
Bayern Munich's seemingly invincible Bundesliga campaign hit an unexpected speed bump as they were held 2-2 at home by rock-bottom Mainz. Harry Kane's 87th-minute penalty rescued a point after goals from Kacper Potulski and Lee Jae-sung had turned the match on its head following Lennart Karl's opener.
The goal was Kane's 50th of 2025 for club and country – a remarkable milestone – but Bayern dropped their first home points of the season. Vincent Kompany's side dominated possession (85%) but lacked clinical edge. For Mainz, a point at the Allianz Arena represents survival-sized hope, moving them within four points of safety. Bayern remain clear at the summit, but this was a reminder that even champions-elect can have off days.
Inter Seize Serie A Summit After Milan and Napoli Stumble
Inter Milan's 2-1 win at Genoa vaulted them to the top of Serie A after both Milan rivals dropped points. AC Milan were held 2-2 at home by Sassuolo despite teenage defender Davide Bartesaghi scoring his first two senior goals. Antonio Conte's Napoli, meanwhile, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Udinese.
The result sees Inter one point clear of Milan and two ahead of Napoli in what's shaping up as a three-way title race. Lautaro Martinez and Yann-Aurel Bisseck scored for Simone Inzaghi's side, who now face a pivotal festive period that will test the depth of their squad. For Milan, conceding late to a newly promoted side highlighted familiar defensive frailties, while Napoli's defeat – their first since October – suggested Conte's men may finally be feeling the pressure.
Tactical Spotlight: Arsenal's Set-Piece Dependency
Arsenal's victory over Wolves extended a telling trend: excluding penalties, no Premier League team has scored more set-piece goals this season (11), with nine of those coming from corners. On Saturday, both goals arrived via Saka's deliveries from the flag.
This reliance on dead balls is both strength and weakness. Arteta has clearly drilled his team to maximise these opportunities – Saka's wicked inswingers are now among the most feared in the league. Yet Arsenal's inability to break down Wolves' low block from open play for 70 minutes raises questions about their Plan A when facing deep-defending opponents.
Gyökeres' continued struggles are part of the equation. The Swedish striker, so prolific at Sporting Lisbon, has now gone five matches without a goal. His hold-up play remains effective, but Arsenal's £85m investment looks short of its potential when clear chances are squandered. With the festive fixture pile-up approaching – including trips to Everton and Crystal Palace – Arteta may need to find solutions beyond corner kicks.
Transfer Tracker
Salah Saga Intensifies Ahead of AFCON Exit
The biggest transfer story in world football continues to evolve. Fabrizio Romano reports that Slot and Salah held "positive and constructive" discussions on Friday following the Egyptian's explosive interview where he claimed to feel "thrown under the bus." Salah's assist against Brighton took him past Wayne Rooney for the most goal involvements for a single club in Premier League history – a parting gift, perhaps, or a negotiating statement.
With Salah now departing for AFCON, talks between Liverpool and his representatives will continue. The 33-year-old is out of contract in June, and Saudi Arabian clubs remain interested. Whether Saturday's historic performance and warm reception sways his decision remains to be seen. What's clear: Liverpool without Salah would be a fundamentally different proposition.
Real Madrid's Alonso Situation "Delicate"
Romano also provides insight into mounting pressure at the Bernabéu, where Xabi Alonso's position remains "conditional" after a run of two wins in eight matches. Sunday's 2-1 victory at Alaves – secured through goals from Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo – offers temporary relief, but with Barcelona four points clear, Madrid cannot afford further slip-ups.
Zinedine Zidane has been spotted at recent matches, fuelling speculation about a potential return. Romano insists there are currently "no talks" about Zidane replacing Alonso, noting the Frenchman's verbal agreement to become France manager after the 2026 World Cup. Still, the situation bears monitoring.
Business / Culture Story
Wolves' Freefall Continues Under Edwards
Rob Edwards' return to Molineux as a conquering hero has turned into a relegation battle nightmare. Saturday's defeat at Arsenal marked Wolves' ninth consecutive Premier League loss – a record that puts the club on course for the worst season in their modern history. With just two points from 16 games, no team has ever survived after such a dismal start.
The broader context makes this worse. Edwards left second-placed Middlesbrough to take the job, lured by emotional ties to a club where he made over 100 appearances as a player. Wolves paid £3.8 million in compensation for him and assistant Harry Watling. Yet the squad he inherited – picked clean of talent over successive transfer windows – looks woefully ill-equipped for a survival fight.
Saturday offered some hope: Wolves defended resolutely for 70 minutes and even equalised in the 90th minute before that cruel own goal. But Edwards' Premier League managerial record now stands at six wins from 44 matches. The financial implications of relegation could be seismic for a club already operating under constraints. Time is running out.
Other Stories
Real Madrid edge past Alaves: Mbappé scored his 17th of the season and Rodrygo struck late as Los Blancos won 2-1 to temporarily ease pressure on Xabi Alonso. Barcelona host Osasuna with a chance to extend their four-point lead. | Outlook India
Union Berlin upset Leipzig: Union's resurgence continued with a 3-1 home victory over RB Leipzig, dealing a blow to Leipzig's top-four aspirations and confirming their poor away form this season. | Bundesliga.com
Bayer Leverkusen keep pace: Xabi Alonso's former club maintained their title push with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cologne in the Rhine derby, keeping the pressure on Bayern at the summit. | WhoScored
Closing Note
A weekend that proved no lead is safe, no record is unbreakable, and no job is secure. Arsenal grind on, Liverpool adjust to life without Salah (temporarily, at least), and Wolves pray for a Christmas miracle. The fixture chaos of December rolls on – perfect weather, as they say, for hot takes and cold drinks.
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