Mikel Arteta revived one of his mentor’s talking points last month, after Arsenal lost their League Cup semi-final first leg 2-0 to Newcastle. “We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot,” said Arteta. “It’s just different, very different to the Premier League ball. It flies different when you touch it, the grip is very different as well. You have to adapt to that.”
Only one of the top six made a notable signing – and they spent £172m – in a frustrating window for several managers
When Nuno Espírito Santo and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis held talks before the January transfer window, there was only one objective for the weeks ahead. Keeping Forest’s stars together was the absolute priority, and that is why last month will be regarded as another huge success in their season as Nuno hunts down Champions League football.
Which sharp-shooting forwards are in the running for the Golden Boot? Our standings will update through the season