Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 3:08 PM EST
Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s news blog.
This weekend’s Premier League action has been severely affected by COVID-19 outbreaks. Aston Villa’s crunch game with Burnley and Leeds’ clash with Arsenal are the only two remaining Premier League games on today.
The four other fixtures — Manchester United vs Brighton, Southampton vs Brentford, Watford vs Crystal Palace, West Ham United vs Norwich City — have all been postponed.
Meanwhile, there have been 19 postponements across the English Football League.
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s Women’s Super League game against West Ham has also been postponed due to a number of COVID-19 cases within Emma Hayes’ squad. The positive test results follow their exit from the Women’s Champions League after they lost 4-0 against five-time finalists Wolfsburg on Thursday evening.
Join us as we provide you with all the latest football updates throughout the day.
Background reading
Newcastle v Manchester City – two English football teams, two Middle Eastern allies
(Photo: Visionhaus)
December 18, 2021 at 3:08 PM EST
What travelling fans can expect at the World Cup in Qatar
A year from today the world’s gaze will be on the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
World Cup organisers believe the last few weeks have proved Qatar is almost ready for its moment in the spotlight, but what experience can supporters expect if they want to be part of it?
The Athletic’s Phil Buckingham has detailed what fans can expect if they travel to the tournament.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Cheap transport, scarce accommodation and potential boycotts: What travelling fans can expect at the World Cup in Qatar
December 18, 2021 at 2:37 PM EST
Arsenal to remain in top four over Christmas
After a convincing 4-1 win over Leeds, Mikel Arteta’s side have secured themselves an early Christmas present as they guarantee a top-four spot over the winter period.
They trail third-place Chelsea by five points and have moved four points clear of West Ham.
For all the post-match reaction, head over to our live blog by clicking here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 18, 2021 at 2:09 PM EST
What a penalty by Raphinha!
This is going to be an exciting end to the match at Leeds!
Raphinha has fired his penalty into the top right corner to make it 3-1.
Can Leeds pull off a stunning comeback?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 18, 2021 at 1:54 PM EST
When goalkeepers used to hoof it
Ah, the life of a goalkeeper. Sometimes you’re the hero, you have to do a lot of shouting and one mistake makes you a high-profile villain. It’s a strange life.
You have to be able to play out from the back these days, start moves, pick out passes under pressure and often play very high and act as a sweeper. You need a full skill set.
But back in the 70s and 80s, goalkeepers used to hoof the ball forward.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
‘It was like kicking a piece of concrete’ – When goalkeepers used to hoof it
December 18, 2021 at 1:26 PM EST
Arsenal dominate against Leeds
It is half-time at Elland Road and the visitors, Arsenal, lead 3-0 as they head down the tunnel.
Leeds have been distant in a game they’ve struggled to get control of.
A brace for Gabriel Martinelli before Bukayo Saka made it three make it seem impossible for Leeds to gain any points. To follow the match live, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 18, 2021 at 12:58 PM EST
A great start for Arsenal!
Arsenal, after 16 minutes, have taken the lead at Elland Road.
Leeds have been on the back foot for the opening stages of the match.
Gabriel Martinelli opened up the scoring for his team after Leeds lost possession within their own half. To follow the match live, click here to head over to our live blog.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 18, 2021 at 12:31 PM EST
Kick-off at Elland Road!
It’s finally time — the only top-flight game today has started!
Leeds vs Arsenal, two teams with completely opposite runs of form.
You can follow the game over at our match live blog with Rob Sills. Click here to head over.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
December 18, 2021 at 12:03 PM EST
De Gea at his best when United are at their worst
When Manchester United are at their worst, David de Gea is often at his best and this has been true again this season.
The main thing for United is that the best-paid goalkeeper in world football is playing well again. Under Michael Carrick and now Ralf Rangnick, De Gea has three clean sheets in his last five games. Before that… no, let’s not go there.
Here is an analysis on De Gea finding form again.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
David de Gea is often at his best when Manchester United are at their worst
December 18, 2021 at 11:34 AM EST
We have team news!
Real life team news! I don’t believe it either.
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 11:16 AM EST
Nearly time for Leeds vs Arsenal
I’ve never waited so long on a Saturday for a game of football. This video from the visitors might get you in the mood.
They’ve arrived at the ground at least!
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 10:51 AM EST
Was it fair to make Brighton play against Wolves?
They were decimated by both COVID-19 and injuries.
Jacob Whitehead
Brighton are still furious that they were refused a postponement against Wolves.
They feel they’ve been punished for acting swiftly in trying to control Covid numbers. #BHAFC— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) December 18, 2021
December 18, 2021 at 10:18 AM EST
Three years ago today: Man Utd sack Mourinho
Manchester United sacked Jose Mourinho on this day in 2018, as they sat 6th in the Premier League and a mere 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.
They replaced him with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was made caretaker manager…
Rob Sills
December 18, 2021 at 9:52 AM EST
Tammy Abraham on scoresheet for Roma
Elsewhere in Europe, there are only a handful of games being contested at the moment. In Serie A, Roma are leading 2-1 away against Atalanta at half-time, with Tammy Abraham bagging his fifth league goal of the season there.
Real Vallecano are close to beating Deportivo Alaves 2-0 in Spain, with that game almost finished. And there are five Bundesliga games that kicked off at 2:30pm in Germany which are all goalless at the time of writing, apart from Union Berlin who have taken an early lead at VFL Bochum.
(Photo: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Rob Sills
December 18, 2021 at 9:24 AM EST
Leeds issue COVID match details
Ahead of the only surviving Premier League fixture of the day, Leeds have issued fans with all the information they need regarding COVID measures at Elland Road.
Rob Sills
December 18, 2021 at 8:54 AM EST
West Ham also donate to local foodbanks
Their game against Norwich was cancelled on Thursday.
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 8:33 AM EST
Villa vs Burnley update
The Athletic understands that the Premier League met just before noon today to decide whether the game could proceed. Villa had requested for the game to be called off at 10.30, with Burnley receiving confirmation at 12.15 that the game was off.
The Burnley players, who have returned no positive results, were still at the hotel having their pre-match meal when the game was called off.
Full story here.
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 8:13 AM EST
What is happening on MOTD tonight?
Better night-time viewing than the Ashes, I suppose.
Jacob Whitehead
The @BBCMOTD running order: Leeds United v Arsenal. Surely no one disagrees this week….then again, it is Twitter.
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) December 18, 2021
December 18, 2021 at 8:10 AM EST
Burnley fans begin their journey home from Birmingham
Leeds vs Arsenal is the only game today still scheduled to go ahead.
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 7:54 AM EST
It’s off!
Full story here.
More cases emerged in the Villa camp overnight. That’s the tenth game cancelled in the past week.
(Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Jacob Whitehead
December 18, 2021 at 7:38 AM EST
Villa game going ahead?
It’s less than three hours until kick-off, but things suddenly aren’t looking so promising.
Jacob Whitehead
#AVFC have recorded more positive COVID cases overnight. Waiting for an update on whether the game with #BurnleyFC goes ahead…
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) December 18, 2021
