Arsenal, City win to keep pressure on Liverpool

No-one, actually.

The two teams played out an uneventful goal-less draw on Waitangi Day in a game that was billed as a blockbuster back then too.

Despite missing a host of players due to injury and suspension, the Phoenix held out for 88 minutes before Central Coast finally managed to get a shot on target.

Italiano said after the match that he was happy to take a point as the result kept the Phoenix top of the table.

Central Coast have been listed as huge favourites at home but don’t be surprised if this one ends in a draw too.

The Phoenix players insist they will go into the game with a positive attitude and won’t settle for a point.

However, they really don’t want to lose and a draw would still be a decent result for the Phoenix as it would maintain their three-point advantage over Central Coast, meaning they could afford to draw one of their final three games and still be guaranteed top spot.

The Phoenix have lost captain and midfield talisman Alex Rufer to suspension after he was sent off against Brisbane Roar last weekend, which is a huge blow for such an important game.

His unavailability should see Ben Old come back into the starting line-up. As an elite dribbler, Old has the ability to open up Central Coast on the counter-attack if the Phoenix do decide to sit back and pick their moments to strike.

Arsenal have launched a pivotal month in their pursuit of silverware by returning to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a routine 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Luton Town.

Martin Odegaard’s 10th goal of the season set the Gunners on course for a straightforward evening at Emirates Stadium in London yesterday.

Daiki Hashioka’s own goal completed the job before halftime as Mikel Arteta’s men backed up a battling goal-less draw with title rivals Manchester City to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record in 2024.

Pep Guardiola’s City remain third, one point behind Arsenal, after beating Champions League-chasing Aston Villa 4-1 thanks to a brilliant Phil Foden hat-trick.

After Jhon Duran cancelled out Rodri’s opener, the 23-year-old put City back in front with a freekick late in the first half before two excellent strikes settled it just after the hour mark, taking Foden to 21 City goals for the season.

Injury-hit Luton posed little threat in north London and remain only three points from safety during a winless run which now stands at 10 games.

The 18th-placed Hatters were back in the capital four days on from a narrow 2-1 loss at Tottenham. Ross Barkley’s long-range freekick, which was comfortably collected by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, was their only attempt on target in a one-sided opening period.

In the face of relentless Arsenal possession, a resolute Luton starting XI held out until being undone by costly defensive dithering in the 24th minute.

Emile Smith Rowe dispossessed the dawdling Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu inside the visitors’ half before captain Odegaard exchanged passes with Kai Havertz to slam a first-time left-footed finish beyond Thomas Kaminski.

The visitors dug in and looked set to go into the interval only a goal behind after goalkeeper Kaminski saved well from Smith Rowe and Havertz. But Rob Edwards' side suffered a setback a minute before the break when Japan defender Hashioka inadvertently turned Smith Rowe's low centre into his own net under pressure from Reiss Nelson.

In yesterday’s other match, Brentford and Brighton drew 0-0.