Matchweek 23

Arsenal v Man U ...the prem report gets a case of the 'tudes

Author

Gabriel Howley
January 23, 2026


Matchweek 23 is here and the Prem Report is even more…Prem Reporty.

In today’s edition, a red hot Man U visits league leaders Arsenal, in a test of their title chasing ambitions. Anddd we have some especially funny links in our Three Things to Watch section (sorry about the AI babies but we couldn’t help it).

Enjoy!
-Gabe

In this edition

Matchweek 23 Fixtures

Saturday

  • ⚒️ West Ham vs 🐈‍⬛ Sunderland — 4:30 AM — NBC

  • 🟣 Burnley vs 🐓 Tottenham — 7:00 AM — Peacock

  • 🏠 Fulham vs 🐧 Brighton — 7:00 AM — Peacock

  • 🌙 Manchester City vs 🐺 Wolves — 7:00 AM — USA

  • 🍒 Bournemouth vs 🔴 Liverpool — 9:30 AM — NBC

Sunday

  • 🐝 Brentford vs 🌲 Nottingham Forest — 6:00 AM — Peacock

  • 🦅 Crystal Palace vs 🦁 Chelsea — 6:00 AM — Peacock

  • ⚫️ Newcastle vs ⭕ Aston Villa — 6:00 AM — USA
    Sunday’s matchup feels like it’s got a little big 6 energy, as Newcastle and Aston Villa run it back in a matchup that’s quietly become must-watch for the top four race. Villa may be sitting 3rd and comfortably ahead of the Magpies in the table, but St. James’ Park still feels like a haunted house for visiting claret and blue. Newcastle have started 2026 strong at home with back-to-back league wins, and they’re unbeaten in eight straight top-flight games on Tyneside (W6 D2).

    The history here is… borderline rude. Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 17 home league meetings with Villa (W11 D6) and have won the last four at St. James’ by an aggregate 13–1. They’ve also scored 2+ goals in each of their last eight home league matches—and can make it nine in a row for the first time since 1932 (yes, 1932… when playing defense was basically a suggestion). Villa do travel well, but their away form comes with chaos: plenty of goals scored, plenty conceded, and a whole lot of “hold onto your drink” moments.

    There is a bit of a attacking constipation at play here; Villa have fired 33 shots without scoring across their last two league games, and Morgan Rogers—who’s been electric all season with 14 goal involvements—hasn’t scored in his last 15 shots (league leader in that unfortunate stat). Newcastle were eager to move forward after a disappointing nil nil draw against Wolves last week but have bounced back with a big European win midweek. If Eddie Howe gets a W, he’ll move level with Roy Hodgson on 136 Career Premier League wins…not too shabby.

  • 🔫 Arsenal vs 🟥 Manchester United — 8:30 AM — NBC
    Defense wins championships.
    What year is this, 2004?? It feels like it’s been that long since these two met in a game that had such a feeling of magnitude around it. Apparently it only took Michael Carrick and one win against City to solve 13 years of pain and suffering for United.

    Arsenal vs Manchester United might look lopsided on paper, but United arrive with a little glimmer of hope and confidence under Michael Carrick. Fresh off a derby win that has supporters ready to erect a statue in his honor, he has really shown is coaching aptitude with every chance he’s been given. You can bet Mikel Arteta has watched that City game on repeat… with a stress ball in hand.

    United’s derby performance was pure chaos in the best way: they had just 31.8% possession, but still rattled off 11 shots, put 7 on target, had three goals disallowed, and hit the woodwork twice. That wasn’t a lucky win, that was a blitz strategy set up to punish mistakes. And even with all their season-long drama, United is able to put together a multitude of chances: they’re 3rd in the league for goals (38), and they lead the Premier League for shots (362) and shots on target (126). In other words… they shoot. A lot.

    But Arsenal, who stand in solitude atop the league, has the power to absolutely neutralizing their opponents. Their last two league matches have finished 0–0, and they haven’t allowed a single shot on target across those two games (something they’ve now managed five times this season).
    With Gabriel + Saliba locking down the center with vicious defensive fortitude, United will likely need many attempts to break through.


    All in all I’m looking forward to an entertaining match with Man U having nothing to lose and an Arsenal team eager to show everyone their mettle.

Monday

  • 🟦 Everton vs 🦉 Leeds — 12:00 PM — USA

Times are in Pacific Standard Time and channels are based in the U.S.
Stats are supplied by Opta Analyst.

Three Things to Watch

(links👇 )

  1. 🥷 AFCON Final - Battle for Mendy’s Towel

  2. 👶 AI Man U Babies…

  3.  ❌Worst Penalty of the Year Nominee

See you soon!