With Mesut Özil, FC Arsenal has returned to success in the Premier League. Liverpool are extending their lead at the top of the standings with Manchester City surprisingly failing Crystal Palace. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes his debut at Manchester United.

After online-betting.org had speculated during the week about Özil’s early departure during the winter break, Arsenal coach Unai Emery ordered the playmaker back into the starting eleven for the first time in 41 days. Özil, who even made his comeback as captain, played a major part in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over FC Burnley on Saturday (22.12.2018).

Aubameyang with double pack for Arsenal

The German playmaker introduced the early lead for Arsenal with a nice pass to Sead Kolasinac, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang used the template (14th minute). Curious: For the first time this season, Arsenal went into the half-time break with a lead.

Aubameyang increased to 2:0 shortly after the restart after a counterattack. Ashley Barnes brought Burnley back up with the following goal (63rd). But in injury time, substitute Alex Iwobi, once again on Özil’s side, made the decision. The “Gunners” returned to the successful track after two defeats in the last two games and at the same time caught up with FC Chelsea. The Blues conceded a 1-0 defeat at home to Leicester City.

Home bankruptcy for Manchester City

Manchester City, Liverpool’s first chaser, suffered a bitter setback in the title race. Coach Pep Guardiola’s side lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace in their own stadium.

German international Ilkay Gündogan (27) took the hosts into the lead in the 27th minute, but Jeffrey Schlupp (33), Andros Townsend (35) – with a dream volley from almost 30 metres away – and Luka Milivojevic (51 / penalty) turned the game around in favour of the guests from the south of London. City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne’s follow-up five minutes from time came too late. The surprising bankruptcy increased the gap to Liverpool to four points.

Liverpool continue without defeat

Liverpool had already defended the top of the table on Friday evening with a 2-0 (1-0) victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The still undefeated “Reds” are thus close to the perfect end of the first round. The club with coach Jürgen Klopp is only one game away from the first half of the season without losing their Premier League history.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk rejoices after his goal to 2-0

On Friday evening (21.12.2018), the upcoming Bayern Munich Champions League opponent celebrated his 15th victory of the season with the rising star on the 18th matchday – an almost flawless result that is reflected in an excellent mood among the Liverpool fans.

Salah with season goal number eleven

The goals for the superior “Reds” in the previous surprise team of the season scored offensive star Mohamed Salah (18 th minute) and defender Virgil van Dijk (68 th). Salah once again underlined his status as Liverpool’s life insurance company and used it for the eleventh time this season. The online bookmakers increased their odds.