Doubts are beginning to surface over Arsenal’s ability to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table — and their next fixture could hardly be more demanding.

The Gunners face arch-rivals Tottenham in the North London derby, a match that could have a major impact on the title race. For Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, however, the timing feels ideal.

Speaking to The Sun, Rice said: “The North London derby is the perfect game to respond to that. It’s a massive game, one that is going to be massive in our season.

“There is a long way to go, there’s still a lot to be positive about, there’s perspective here.

“We’re still having an amazing season and we can’t let any outside noise disturb that.

“When we talk about mentality, we’ve shown unbelievable mentality all season to be where we are. We aren’t going to let anything get in the way of that.”

With pressure mounting and the title race tightening, Arsenal now have the opportunity to silence critics in the most emphatic way possible, by delivering a statement performance against their fiercest rivals.

A former Al Nassr player has shared an unexpected insight into Cristiano Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia, pointing to the Portuguese star’s curiosity and respect for the country’s traditions.

Speaking on the Thmanyah Sports podcast, Shaye Sharahili revealed that Ronaldo chose to observe Ramadan fasting alongside his Muslim teammates last year, despite not being a Muslim himself.

“Last year, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to fast with the Muslim players at Al Nassr during Ramadan. He did it for two days to understand what Muslims experience while fasting,” Sharahili explained.

The story resurfaced just as Ramadan began for Muslims around the world, a time that often leads to discussion in football circles about how fasting can affect performance and daily routines.

In Saudi Arabia, however, the situation is less complicated. Many players observe the fast, and the league adjusts training sessions and match kick-off times accordingly.

Ronaldo’s brief decision to take part was viewed within the club as a sign of respect and openness, further reinforcing his professionalism and willingness to embrace the culture around him during his time in Saudi Arabia.

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has revealed how summer arrival Matheus Cunha immediately changed the mood within the squad, stepping into the dressing room without carrying any of the disappointment from the previous campaign.

Speaking during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s “Rio Meets” series, Dalot explained that Cunha’s mindset stood out from the moment he arrived.

“What happened the season before… he wasn’t involved in it,” Dalot said.

“So he came in with fresh energy and a different mentality. It was like, ‘I know what happened last year, but that has nothing to do with me.’

“I don’t care.’”

The clip has struck a chord with supporters, many of whom feel it perfectly captures Cunha’s fearless and straightforward approach.

Cunha joined United from Wolves last summer and has quickly established himself as an important figure in attack. The Brazilian has registered six Premier League goals and two assists so far, bringing pace, direct running and a renewed cutting edge that has played a key role in United’s improvement.