Odegaard’s return is vital for Arsenal as they face a tough challenge in the title race, especially with Liverpool extending their lead. Meanwhile, a former Liverpool Champions League hero, once celebrated for his unforgettable moments on the European stage, now finds himself struggling at the bottom of League Two, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football.
Odegaard’s Return Crucial, But Is Arsenal’s Title Gone?
Arsenal have had a tough stretch; there’s no denying it. In their last four Premier League matches, they’ve lost 10 points. Add a Champions League defeat to Inter, and it’s been anything but a usual month for Mikel Arteta’s team.
The international break offers a much-needed break and the opportunity to bring back some key players gearing up for a busy festive schedule. The Gunners will only leave London once before December ends, for a Champions League match against Sporting in Lisbon.
Arteta and his team will aim to close the gap during this busy stretch, but they already have a significant challenge ahead. Liverpool widened their lead over Arsenal to nine points this weekend, while Manchester City’s defeat has created a five-point gap at the top of the table.
A nine-point gap is challenging, but not impossible to close. However, given Arsenal’s current form, it’s hard to imagine it happening unless there’s a swift turnaround.
“I was Liverpool’s unforgettable Champions League hero, but now I’m at the bottom of League Two.”
The team ended their last 10 Premier League matches unbeaten, with eight victories. Most notably, they triumphed away at Arsenal and Manchester United, securing a Champions League spot after their chances had nearly been dismissed.
In what was arguably Liverpool’s toughest season in recent memory, the Reds miraculously clinched a top-four finish on the last day of the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk had ruptured his ACL in a controversial tackle by Jordan Pickford during the derby against Everton earlier that season, leaving Liverpool’s defense weakened and battered.
As a result, Jurgen Klopp was forced to make significant changes to his starting lineup, and soon, he needed fringe players to step up and deliver key performances as the fixtures came thick and fast.
Rhys Williams: Emergency center-back
Rhys Williams is one of the young Liverpool academy graduates who quickly found himself in the spotlight.
At just 19, the English center-back was highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp, and during that injury-plagued season, Liverpool quickly turned to the young talent for support.
Notably, he made his Champions League debut in Liverpool’s group alongside Ajax, Atalanta, and Midtjylland, playing in all six matches and helping the Reds finish top of the group with 13 points.
During that period, he partnered with Joe Gomez, Fabinho, and Joel Matip in the center-back position.
Alongside Williams was Nat Phillips, a fan-favorite who embodied the resilience and determination of a team that had fought through adversity all season.
Klopp praises ‘incredible’ Williams
As the first-choice defenders regained full fitness, the club moved on from Williams. However, he was crucial to Liverpool’s strong finish to a challenging season, and when called upon, he gave everything in his performances.
When Liverpool reached the Champions League final the following season, facing Real Madrid in a match they ultimately lost, Jurgen Klopp reflected on how remarkable it was that Liverpool had even qualified for Europe the previous season.
He said: “I messaged Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips – we wouldn’t be there without them. I remember the final game of last season, and they left the pitch with a bandage around the head and cuts on their faces, and that was really a symbol for the whole period.
“Hopefully nobody forgot how hard we fought to get here. We felt it mentally. We had no centre-halves, had to play midfielders in the last line, then had to use other players in midfield and nothing worked really.
“In the end, we played with two incredible players – Rhys and Nat – but we couldn’t use them earlier because they needed time to adapt. So, yes, there was a bit of a point to prove, and I’m really happy that the boys did that.”
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