Talking Points of the Weekend

West Ham in deep trouble after five straight losses

West Ham were sitting inside the Champions League places this time last season but one year later they find themselves in danger of being in a relegation fight. After five straight losses in the league and the club only outside the bottom three on goal difference, the Hammers are in deep trouble.

Goals have been their biggest issue this season as they haven't looked at all clinical in front of goal with just 13 scored. Part of the reason for this could be the chopping and changing of their forward line. David Moyes has experimented with different players in his attack pretty much every week and it's had a negative impact on the team. He needs to find a solution to this problem and quickly because his side need to start winning games.

You could say that their recruitment hasn't been great with none of their signings making any serious impact. Gianluca Scamacca has impressed on the odd occasion but hasn't really found his best form. Thilo Kehrer and Lucas Paqueta are yet to produce their best since their arrivals in the summer with Kehrer looking unconvincing at the back and Paqueta yet to register a goal. The only two signings you can let off are Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet as they have barely played due to injuries.

Europe certainly hasn't helped them due to the amount of games they've had to play. They don't have the squad to deal with the Thursday-Sunday schedule and it's lead to them picking up some crucial injuries. They had a lot of games last season because of them being in Europe and the effect of that and a short pre-season might have played a part on their form this season. But with Europe out the way until February, they should put their sold focus on getting themselves up the league and away from the relegation zone.

Arsenal look like the real deal

Arsenal went into the new year seven points clear at the top after their win over Brighton where they looked very good on the eye despite a slight wobble during the game. With the lead they have at the top and the current form they're in and showing, they're very much looking like the real deal.

They do have some tough games coming up over the next couple of months against the likes of Spurs, Man United and Man City but Mikel Arteta's side will go into those games with confidence. They've already beaten Liverpool and Chelsea as well as Spurs earlier in the season and will go into those big games with a belief that they haven't had for a long time. They have a stronger mentality this season and it will surely help them in those games.

Their team looks strong in pretty much every position and you need that if you're to go on and win a title. They're defensively sound with a solid keeper in Ramsdale behind them, a good balance in midfield and an attack that is capable of scoring goals. Strength in depth is an issue as you need that to go the distance but with the strong 11 they have, they have every chance of going all the way.

Is Antonio Conte under pressure?

Spurs dropped out of the top four following their defeat to Aston Villa where they again went behind for the 10th game in a row in all competitions. With just two wins from their last 8 games and the club now outside the top four; Is Antonio Conte under pressure?

Some Spurs fans haven't been happy with the football they've watched under Conte with it being a defensive brand instead of a more front footing style. They're just happy to sit back before later hitting the opposition on the counter instead of going after the opposition from the off. This is definitely playing a part in them going behind in almost every game as they're inviting the opposition onto them and dropping points as a result of it.

They were always a team who would start on the front and press high under Mauricio Pochettino and they got many good results by playing that way. It's been a huge contrast since then as they're sitting back more instead of putting the opposition under pressure from the very start.

It looks like their current of way of playing isn't going to change any time soon and they're probably going to carry on starting games slowly because of it. If their slow start to games continue and their form doesn't improve within the next few weeks, Conte could find himself under pressure.