Arsenal are still Arsenal, Louis van Gaal can't expect sympathy, Claudio Ranieri deserves 'Tinkerman' tag

Five talking points from Boxing Day's Premier League action: Arsenal's abjectness, Kevin de Bruyne's brilliance, Claudio Ranieri's tinkering, Tottenham's consistency and Louis van Gaal's vulnerability

Arsenal players Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud (Getty Images)

Arsenal are still Arsenal

Once again, we’re in ‘death and taxes’ territory. There is, after all, little else in life as certain as Arsenal failing to take advantage.

Arsene Wenger’s side played like formidable title contenders against Manchester City. The rush to install them as favourites was understandable, if premature, but last night’s crushing defeat at St. Mary’s was a reminder of this sport’s short memory span.

Southampton had not won since 7 November. It was the Gunners’ second chance to go top of the league since that day. They seized neither opportunity. Instead, they have left their supporters frustrated and the rest of us unsurprised.

In this fluid, unpredictable Premier League season, some kind of mental steeliness may just be enough provide the difference. Few, if any, are showing it but some at least have previous in dragging their bloodied carcasses across the final finish line. This Arsenal team, as of yet, do not. It will probably count against them.

Kevin de Bruyne could make the difference this year

Despite, on balance, looking the most competent of all the title-chasing sides, we know Manchester City are still vulnerable. The reaction to Vincent Kompany’s injury despite yesterday’s 4-1 rout over Sunderland said as much. For all the money spent on it, the performances of Manuel Pellegrini’s side are still contingent on the form and fitness of a couple of key performers (namely the aforementioned Kompany, Sergio Aguero and, more so than any other, Yaya Toure.)

Yesterday, however, Kevin de Bruyne confirmed that he belongs in that bracket. His was a marvellous display, dismantling Sam Allardyce’s organised backline time and again. If he can start to perform as well on the road as he does at the Etihad Stadium, then the Citizens could canter to this title. That remains, however, a considerable ‘if’.

The same old Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri (Getty Images)

Most of the time, the ‘Tinkerman’ nickname has been used against Claudio Ranieri in a disparaging and unfair fashion. Almost every manager rotates nowadays, those that don’t are not around for long. This weekend, however, we were reminded that he was given it for a reason.

The Leicester City manager’s decision to remove Riyad Mahrez, with his side only one goal down and gaining momentum, was surprising and somewhat reminiscent of when, under pressure to see out a win at Stamford Bridge eleven years ago, he threw Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on at right-back.

He went on to lose that game, a Champions League semi-final against Monaco, just as he did at Anfield yesterday. Perhaps, considering the time of year and the upcoming Manchester City match, he should be offered the benefit of the doubt. It was, nevertheless, a reminder of the Italian’s limitations.

Tottenham’s consistency could prove invaluable

In a season when every side seems on the verge of spontaneously combusting, Tottenham Hotspur are flame-retardant. They encountered few problems when turning over Norwich City yesterday, despite Alex Neil’s well-organised team offering some resistance in the last few weeks, and look likely to keep up such steady, consistent form.

This is a balanced, talented side that can benefit from the chaos that surrounds them. A top-four finish should now be the bare minimum.

The vulnerable Louis van Gaal cannot expect sympathy

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal gave no assurances he would remain manager (Getty Images)

Did anybody else think that the Manchester United manager had something in his eye as he walked off the Britannia Stadium? Maybe. He was certainly in a reflective mood following last weekend’s defeat to Norwich, admitting that the past few weeks had caused him to question whether he still deserves his standing in the game.

“I always evaluate,” he said in the post-match press conference. “This is why I am, or maybe I now have to say was, a very successful manager.”

The 64-year-old Dutchman, perhaps, expected that showing such extraordinary candidness to the media would mean they'd cut him a little slack. They did not and his spikiness in the post-match press dealings following yesterday’s defeat at Stoke suggested that he has, to his disappointment, realised as much.

The fact is, if his side are going to continue playing terribly, criticism and speculation will persist. There’s not much to be said for Louis van Gaal at the moment except that he is the most honest man to be on the verge of being sacked by Manchester United.