Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Our talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Unai Emery’s edge over Arsenal and Brentford’s summer signings looking to haunt their old side.

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Manchester United must combat Seagulls speedsters

Stats have a funny way of skewing stories. For anyone who has watched Manchester United over the last two seasons, the club’s vulnerability has been clear. Only Sheffield United (who conceded a record-breaking 104 goals on route to relegation) averaged more shots against them in 2023/24. The flip side is that during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, only Arsenal (33) have kept more league clean sheets than Manchester United (27 – level with Manchester City).

You see, stats can fit any agenda.

United’s 1-0 win over Fulham last week offered some signs of encouragement, though a soft centre – particularly on the break – was evident. Fulham wasted several promising positions and the Red Devils can not be so accommodating to this weekend’s opponents. Brighton ripped Everton apart in their season opener with Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh menacing in the wide roles. With Georgino Rutter and Brajan Gruda added to the armoury, United need to stop the Seagulls from getting into full flight.

Defensive departures a risk for Crystal Palace

There was an argument last season that Crystal Palace had the best centre-back pairing outside the Premier League’s elite teams. Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi were complementary central defenders, providing the foundation for the Eagles’ flair players to strut their stuff.

Palace, however, look likely to end the transfer window without both of their defensive pillars. Andersen is set to sign for Fulham in a £30m deal, while Newcastle are accelerating their pursuit of Marc Guehi, who will earn Palace a club-record windfall.

The funds brought in can overhaul Oliver Glasner’s squad and the likes of Maxence Lacroix, Odilon Kossounou and Victor Nelsson offer reputable replacements, but there’s certainly an element of risk to the Eagles’ business. With Michael Olise having already departed, the core of the team who caused a stir during last season’s run-in is being replaced.

Returning hero might be the summer’s smartest signing

Manchester City have announced the return of Ilkay Gundogan to the club, capitalising on Barcelona’s need to free room in their wage bill to snap up the midfielder. Just a year on from his exit, Gundogan makes his return to the Etihad in what might be the smartest signing of the summer.

City’s desire for a midfielder capable of performing as a six or eight was well-documented, and in Gundogan the club has added a quality option already well-versed in the intense demands of the manager. At 33, the German is a short-term solution but he could be the difference in depth when the season reaches its crunch period. Last season, he led La Liga for chances created, ranked fifth for through balls, and in the top 10 for progressive passes and passes into the final third.

“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” Gundogan said at his unveiling.

“I grew as a person and a player, developed a special relationship with the City fans, and enjoyed amazing success. It was an exceptional period in my life. To have the opportunity to return here means so much.

Everton endure August hoodoo

Everton are bottom of the Premier League table after a 3-0 loss at home to Brighton on the opening weekend. While it’s too early to panic, there will no doubt be alarm at how the visitors cut through Sean Dyche’s depleted defence.

The Toffees’ defeat continued a woeful early-season record of late. Everton have not won a Premier League fixture in August since 2021 – a run of nine games – and have not scored in their last four. Everton travel to Spurs this weekend and are likely to be without defensive stalwarts Jarrad Branthwaite (out) and James Tarkowski (doubt). Having not won on the road in the Premier League in 2024, Dyche’s side looks up against it.

Does Emery have Arteta’s number?

Arsenal face an early season test of their title credentials as the Gunners take on Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side finished in the top four last season and had the upper hand in this fixture, becoming the only team to beat Arsenal home and away in 2023/24.

In both fixtures, Arsenal had the lion’s share of the possession and more efforts on goal but came unstuck to crash to costly defeats – without scoring a goal. Emery has proven he can mastermind upsets of the Premier League’s top teams, and the onus will be on Arsenal to prove that lessons have been learnt.

Arsenal’s away form in 2024 offers encouragement with the Gunners have won eight of their nine games, with the only exception a goalless draw at Manchester City. They have recorded seven clean sheets in those nine fixtures.

Can Evanilson step into Solanke’s shoes?

It’s the harsh reality of the Premier League that Bournemouth lost Dominic Solanke this summer. Having poured patience into the player’s development, a 19-goal campaign led to a £65m club-record exit to Tottenham.

Bournemouth have reinvested a large chunk of that income into Evanilson, with the record recruit tasked with replacing Solanke at centre-forward. The 24-year-old made his Brazil debut in March and netted 25 goals in all competitions for Porto in 2023/24.

“Dom was brilliant for us and important in a lot of our offensive play last season. The club didn’t have an easy job losing the best player, but they acted really well,” Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said on the signing.

“Evanilson has a different skill set but is a great player. He is still young but has had many years playing for Porto and has played with his national team, so I hope he gives us the level that we know he has.”

Chelsea fans’ frustration already brewing

Enzo Maresca has already had his first taste of the discontent growing at Chelsea, as boos rang around Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening. A goalless first half with Swiss side Servette saw the supporters make their feelings known, following on from a disappointing (if unsurprising) season-opening defeat to Manchester City.

Goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke eventually sealed a 2-0 win over Servette to lift spirits, but the response from the crowd so soon into the season is a warning.

As Chelsea muddle from one mess to another on and off the pitch, the unhappiness among the fanbase has increased. Maresca might be new in charge, but patience should not be expected. A win at Wolves – who have beaten Chelsea in each of the last three meetings between the sides – would go a long way to earning the Italian time.

Will Brentford’s new-Bees sting former side?

Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg have left Liverpool on permanent deals this summer, departing in search of the minutes that had not been forthcoming at Anfield. Signed in low-cost deals and sold on for profit, their exits represent good business for the Reds despite their potential.

However, Liverpool will hope this weekend does not provide an early opportunity for the pair to prove them wrong. Brentford are the visitors to Merseyside with Carvalho and Van den Berg now part of Thomas Frank’s squad.

The latter could make his debut for the Bees against his old side, while Carvalho – in the goals for Liverpool during pre-season – will be keen to make an impression. The 21-year-old may feel he was never given a fair crack of the whip.

Read – The Premier League players with the most goals after turning 30

See more – The most goals scored in English football since Haaland joined Man City

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