EPL Review: Arsenal show early growth, Haaland already on fire

Following each weekend of Premier League motion, theScore examines a very powerful developments and largest speaking factors to emerge from the slate of matches. Under, we dissect Matchweek 2 of the 2024-25 season.

Arsenal vanquish some demons

Arsenal arguably performed higher in every of their two matches in opposition to Aston Villa final season – each crippling defeats – than they did in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Unai Emery’s aspect at Villa Park.

A few of that’s merely the randomness of the game. If not for 2 inexplicable misses from Ollie Watkins – one a close-range shank and the opposite a very sensational save from David Raya – and an excellent restoration deal with from William Saliba, we might be sitting right here speaking about Villa because the Gunners’ bogey group. As an alternative, due to the well timed ending of Leandro Trossard and a uncommon blunder by Emi Martinez, the dialog is geared towards Arsenal showcasing a extra ruthless, scientific edge of their renewed effort to unseat Manchester Metropolis.

“The 2 earlier performances (in opposition to Aston Villa) on paper, you need to win comfortably and we did not, so there was one thing lacking – at the moment we did it,” Mikel Arteta mentioned after the match, in line with ESPN.

Arsenal haven’t got the luxurious of taking part in nicely and dropping factors. Pep Guardiola’s title-winning machine leaves no room for even the tiniest slip. Saturday’s triumph ought to present an early-season enhance for Arteta’s males and is particularly beneficial contemplating their subsequent three fixtures are, extremely, at dwelling in opposition to high-flying Brighton, away to bitter rivals Tottenham, after which away in opposition to the reigning champions.

We’ll discover out inside the subsequent month if Arsenal have taken the step ahead that Arteta believes they’ve.

Fast free-kicks

Acquainted frailties: Manchester United, to the shock of many, saved the religion with Erik ten Hag, entrusting him to ship the progress he promised when employed. However Saturday’s last-gasp loss appeared rather a lot like so many different capitulations below the Dutchman, with a number of defenders standing round whereas Joao Pedro was left all by his lonesome to attain Brighton’s winner. A few of that’s teaching, a few of that’s on the gamers, however the continued defensive lapses have gotten a fixture of his tenure.

Newcastle’s remorse: Newcastle had little selection however to promote Yankuba Minteh this summer season to not run afoul of the league’s Revenue and Sustainability Guidelines (PSR). After the Gambian winger’s first two video games for Brighton, it seems to be just like the sort of sacrifice that can hang-out the Magpies within the years to return. Minteh is a continuing risk. His closing contact or go wasn’t all the time crisp in opposition to Manchester United, however that can include time. What cannot be taught is the dynamism the teen so clearly possesses. His potential is very large.

Woeful Everton: Everton’s first two matches of the brand new season could not have gone a lot worse. They’re backside of the desk after dropping each video games by a mixed 7-0 scoreline, they usually look quick on general high quality after one other summer season clouded by uncertainty over the membership’s future possession. There is not any magical repair coming within the closing days of the switch window, as a result of, in line with Sean Dyche, there isn’t any cash. After flirting with relegation for 3 straight seasons, one other nervy marketing campaign appears inevitable.

Muric errors: Because the hole in high quality between Championship and Premier League golf equipment continues to widen, the margin of error for promoted groups to take care of their top-flight standing is dwindling. Ipswich City want almost all the things to go proper this season, however in Aro Muric, they paid round £15 million for a goalkeeper who may undercut all their constructive efforts. Getting outclassed by Manchester Metropolis is clearly nothing to be ashamed of, however Muric, at fault for 2 of 4 objectives, seems to be like a worrying weak hyperlink.

Palmer powers Chelsea: Irrespective of how a lot larger Chelsea’s gigantic squad turns into – there’s nonetheless 5 days left within the window to create extra bloat – this group will nonetheless be led by Cole Palmer. His scoring numbers, aided by penalties, obtained the eye final season, however his highest quality is his potential to create openings for teammates, as evidenced by his three assists for Noni Madueke within the 6-2 win over Wolves on Sunday. Amid all of the chaos on the membership, Enzo Maresca will all the time be capable to rely on Palmer to ship.

Star performer

Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis)

Bear in mind when there have been real conversations final season asking if Haaland was contributing sufficient to Manchester Metropolis’s buildup play?

It was preposterous then and appears extra nonsensical every time he finds the online. Which is nearly each time he steps on the pitch. Haaland’s hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich City gave him 94 tallies in 101 appearances for Manchester Metropolis. He accomplished simply seven passes in his 89 minutes of play. That got here after he accomplished solely three within the season-opening win over Chelsea. He scored there, too. After all he did.

Haaland, who now has seven Premier League hat-tricks in simply 68 video games, has already created area for himself within the Golden Boot race, the place he is seeking to turn out to be simply the third participant in EPL historical past to say the award three consecutive occasions. The opposite two? Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry. First rate firm for somebody who is not concerned sufficient in his group’s general play.

Finest XI

(Courtesy: FotMob)

Spotlight of the weekend

There have been some splendid objectives this weekend. Yves Bissouma unleashed a rocket for Spurs, Micky van de Ven ran the size of the pitch to arrange Son Heung-min, and Emile Smith Rowe opened his Fulham account in type. However the very best play did not contain the ball discovering the online in any respect. Fairly the other.

Stat of the weekend

Is that this karma for years of “Fergie Time” coming to the rescue?

Social media second

Noni Madueke wrote on Instagram that all the things in regards to the metropolis of Wolverhampton is “shit” – and by accident made the publish public – forward of Chelsea’s match at Molineux. Booed by the aware Wolves followers each time he touched the ball, he proceeded to attain a hat-trick inside 14 second-half minutes. He later apologized for the remark. What a novela.

The place we stand

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