Essential Football

Is Ronaldo's time up at Old Trafford? Are Arsenal genuine title contenders? Do Spurs performances need to improve?

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Episode notes

Essential Football is back hot on the heels of the news Steven Gerrard has been sacked as Aston Villa boss and with three big games for Ron Walker, Pete Smith, Declan Olley and Jack Wilkinson to preview in the shape of Chelsea vs Man Utd, Southampton vs Arsenal and Tottenham vs Newcastle.

PART ONE | After we look back on Gerrard's dismissal, is this the end of the road for Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford with the announcement he won't feature at Stamford Bridge? What's Erik Ten Hag been doing so right in his opening 10 games and what's clicked for his opposite number, Graham Potter? Whose style will rule victorious on Saturday night, and who will be the game changers?

PART TWO | Should Arsenal now be talked about as genuine title contenders? What's stopping them challenging Man City for the league? Is Ralph Hasenhuttl lucky still to be in charge at Southampton, or does he deserve time to turn things around? Plus why Spurs' performances and results just haven't matched up, and why Newcastle can hurt them in north London on Super Sunday.