Arsenal vs Chelsea is definitely the match of the round.
Chelsea haven’t won at Arsenal since 2021 which is a long time for a club of their stature. So the Gunners rightfully start as favourites after they silenced some critics with that 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
But this is an even more difficult London derby for Arsenal and Chelsea absolutely have an upset in them.
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Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s fourth goal. Getty
The only two losses they’ve had in their last 11 games came in the two-legged League Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Liam Rosenior has steadied the ship since replacing Enzo Maresca in January.
They are sitting fifth on the Premier League ladder and it’s a red-hot battle for Champions League places with Manchester United and Liverpool. Poor discipline has really hurt Chelsea this season. Chelsea have received nine red cards in all competitions, if you include Maresca being given his marching orders.
I thought they were a dark horse for the title at the start of the season so things really haven’t gone to plan. They went five straight games in the league without a win which cost Maresca his job.
Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy. Getty
The Italian manager also apparently tried to use interest from Juventus and Manchester City as leverage for a new deal.
That backfired. They are a young side and they’ve shown their potential but the Maresca saga clearly unsettled the club for a while.
Rosenior hasn’t done anything unbelievable but he is doing a solid job so far. Champions League qualification will be a big tick.
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THE QUIET ACHIEVER BEHIND UNITED SUCCESS
I must admit I didn’t think Michael Carrick would be more than a caretaker manager for the season after Ruben Amorim got the flick.
But he’s doing an outstanding job and long may it continue. If he continues to win then the powers that be at Manchester United will have no option but to install him full-time.
Carrick, who still hasn’t lost as caretaker manager, seems to have freed up the players from a mental perspective.
Michael Carrick acknowledges the fans. Getty
Just look at their last game against Everton. United were by far the better team in the first half but couldn’t break the 0-0 deadlock.
In the past, we’ve seen them lose games like that but they hung in there and got the reward.
The goal they scored sums it up. Under pressure, get the ball back, play to Bryan Mbeumo’s strengths running in behind and Benjamin Sesko scores again off the bench. I’m really happy for all of them.
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates after scoring. Getty
As with Chelsea, Champions League football will relieve the club of so many issues. Carrick deserves all the credit he is getting but I’d also like to mention the influence of his assistant Steve Holland.
He’s huge behind the scenes, he’s got a wonderful tactical mind and has worked under some of the best managers in the world.
Holland is a quiet man but he also did an outstanding job with Gareth Southgate and England. Everyone he works with speaks really highly of him and he’s got a strong reputation around the world.
Oliver Glasner gestures to his players. Getty
As for Crystal Palace, results have been very up and down since Oliver Glasner announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. At one stage he was a favourite to take over at United but that looks shaky now.
His recent press conference quote went down like a lead balloon with the Palace faithful.
“I always said the most important thing is stay humble and it’s the same for the fans,” Glasner said.
Fans of Crystal Palace show criticism of the club. Getty
“Never forget where you’re coming from. I think a few who are so critical are not so humble and forget where they came from, and you get punished for this.”
Don’t tell the fans to stay humble. They’re like, ‘you’re leaving mate.’ I know he’s a very direct guy and maybe something got lost in translation there. It’s a shame because he really built something very special.
They won the first major trophy in their history, the FA Cup, backed up with the Charity Shield. But then they started losing their best players – Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi – and it was just too much to overcome.
Bodo/Glimt players celebrate in front of the fans. UEFA via Getty Images
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY BODO/GLIMT
It would be remiss not to acknowledge a brilliant Champions League performance from the little but mighty Bodo/Glimt midweek. Beating Inter Milan home and away is an incredible achievement.
People will say OK, AstroTurf pitch, but away from home, they’ve beaten Atletico Madrid, drew with Borussia Dortmund, and now beaten Inter, who are leading Serie A by 10 points.
They are the first Norwegian team since Rosenborg in 1996-97 to get to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The competition needs these Cinderella stories and it’s even more remarkable given they haven’t played in their own league since December 1.
The harsh winter conditions means the league doesn’t restart until March 15. They are laser-focused on the Champions League and no team – no matter how big – will want to play them now.
A special mention must also go to Galatasaray after their amazing 7-5 aggregate win over Juventus. The English clubs are flexing their muscle. Every Premier League club involved in the three UEFA competitions have reached the round of 16.
It is hard to argue that the Premier League is not the best competition in the world at present.
Finally, congratulations to Vinicius Junior, who scored the winner for Real Madrid against Benfica. He was the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg. You just think ‘really?’ It’s 2026.
UEFA will deal with this in the correct manner because we don’t need any of these stains on the biggest club competition in the sporting world. It is just out of order.
Any form of racism or prejudice because of skin colour, creed, or religion shouldn’t happen anywhere in society. But football reflects society and so we have to keep trying to educate people.