Premier League talking points
March 14 (Reuters) - Talking points from the Premier League weekend:
NO STRIKERS, NO GOALS FOR CHELSEA
Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten in 12 games as Chelsea manager and, while the German has got most things right since replacing Frank Lampard, starting with no genuine strikers in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Leeds United left him open to criticism.
Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud were on the bench while Tammy Abraham was injured, Tuchel playing Kai Havertz as a false nine.
While Chelsea did create chances, this was a third 0-0 draw since Tuchel took charge and they have scored only 13 goals in that time. Defensively they look watertight, although Leeds did hit the woodwork, but Tuchel may need to take a few more risks to make sure his side clinch a place in the top four.
ARTETA SHOWS HE IS NOT TO BE MESSED WITH
Mikel Arteta was always the consummate professional whenever he pulled on an Arsenal shirt and in punishing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a "breach of protocol" by leaving him on the bench for the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur the Spaniard showed he expects nothing less from his players.
It was a brave and admirable call by Arteta who could have been castigated by the fans had Arsenal not recovered from conceding an Erik Lamela wonder strike to win 2-1 with goals by Martin Odegaard and Alexander Lacazette, the second a penalty.
A vibrant display also proved Arsenal can prosper without their skipper who apparently took his medicine in good faith, later posting on social media: "North London is red, and that's it!"
MAN UNITED THRIVING FROM SQUAD DEPTH
Manchester United will not challenge old foes Manchester City for the Premier League title but a top-four finish looks within reach after an industrious 1-0 win over West Ham United.
Manchester United have shown the kind of grit to grind out results which they often lacked under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's predecessors, with squad depth playing a big part.
With Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial injured and Marcus Rashford looking half-fit after a knock, it was 19-year-old Mason Greenwood who stood out against the Hammers.
Solskjaer will welcome the international break in the last week of March in a bid to make a final push for the runners-up spot as United also aim to win the Europa League and FA Cup.
FUTILITY OF WILDER'S DEPARTURE
For whatever reason, Sheffield United's second season back in the top flight has been a miserable episode with the team spending the campaign at the bottom of the table.
Relegation has appeared a formality for weeks, yet respect around the game for manager Chris Wilder was undiminished and many argued that he would be the best man to get them back up next season, having earned two previous promotions.
Yet Wilder left on Saturday after five years in charge and with him went any remaining spirit the club had, as proven by a 5-0 hammering at Leicester, United's worst defeat of the season.
MISERY PILES ON SOUTHAMPTON
Every season a club that starts well embarks on a downward spiral but Southampton's descent has been spectacular.
Sunday's 2-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion was their 10th in the last 12 league games -- a period in which they have managed only four points, easily the worst in the division.
The end of the season cannot come soon enough for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side who, while seven points clear of third-bottom Fulham, might have to be saved by the bell.
"There was no power, no energy in the team," said the Austrian, whose side have not won at home since beating champions Liverpool in early January. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, Manasi Pathak and Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Ken Ferris)
