1
Will Trossard begin in opposition to Brighton?
One other objective from super-sub Leandro Trossard sparked Arsenal’s profitable revenge mission in opposition to Aston Villa final week, with the Belgian ahead now having scored six off the bench since becoming a member of from Brighton in January 2023. The query now could be whether or not Mikel Arteta is tempted to throw him in from the beginning in opposition to his former membership after they meet on Saturday. Trossard has made solely 28 Premier League begins for Arsenal – the identical variety of instances he has been launched as an alternative – and has managed 14 objectives, with Gabriel Martinelli beginning each league video games on the left facet of his assault to date this season. “I do know the competitors within the crew and it pushes everybody to go onto the subsequent stage and I’m very joyful to have an effect and assist the crew,” Trossard mentioned after the Villa sport final week. Ed Aarons
2
Ramsdale arrival a coup for Saints
Aaron Ramsdale’s £18m arrival can enhance the survival hopes of Southampton. Gavin Bazunu’s long-term harm left Alex McCarthy between the sticks however the veteran will now return to his backup function. Saints supervisor Russell Martin now has using a keeper many Arsenal followers would inform you isn’t any worse than David Raya. Ramsdale now has an opportunity to revive himself within the England reckoning at a membership with a practice of national-team keepers going again to Jack Robinson in 1899, by means of Peter Shilton, Tim Flowers and Fraser Forster. He’s more likely to make his Saints debut at Brentford. By kick-off, there may additionally be some semblance of answer to the Ivan Toney saga that has hung over the west London membership. No matter occurs there, Toney won’t play. To Thomas Frank’s credit score, they’ve often cast on admirably with out him. John Brewin
3
Dyche retains his courageous face on
“We’re attempting to be lively,” mentioned Sean Dyche, requested about potential new arrivals to assist rescue Everton. A grandmaster at affecting being unruffled within the face of adversity, beneath the gruffness, Dyche is certainly one of soccer’s nice optimists, perpetually prepared to take the positives when lots of his contemporaries would plunge into the deepest funk. Contemplating Everton’s everlasting state of doom, then maybe that sunny outlook is the tonic the membership must hold swigging from. Nevertheless, this season bears related indicators to the 2020-21 marketing campaign that ended with Burnley’s relegation. With no objectives scored to date within the Premier League, Everton look chilly and ill-prepared. They’ll nonetheless be troublesome. Final season, Everton seized on the slowness of Andoni Iraola’s begin in English soccer, beating Bournemouth 3-0. In March, it look a last-minute Séamus Coleman own-goal for Iraola to have the ability to rejoice defeating an Everton crew and not using a win because the earlier December. JB
4
Fulham is first true take a look at for Ipswich
What to make of Ipswich to date? The sincere reply is that there isn’t actually a workable pattern measurement but, with the Tractor Boys’ shedding their two opening video games to Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis – hardly a take a look at of their survival credentials. Wednesday’s Carabao Cup exit at AFC Wimbledon was extra alarming, notably with new signings Jack Clarke, Kalvin Phillips, Dara O’Shea, Ben Johnson and Chiedozie Ogbene beginning, however nonetheless doesn’t outline their begin to the season and their probabilities of staying up. Portman Highway will likely be bouncing at 3pm on Saturday, and even in opposition to a buoyant Fulham facet, Ipswich will fancy their probabilities of incomes their first Premier League factors in additional than 22 years. Michael Butler
5
Rogers appears a breakout star
The season is simply two video games previous (and who isn’t determined for a global break after the third?) however already, Morgan Rogers appears like certainly one of its breakout stars. Although he confirmed his promise final time period, this season at Aston Villa suggests a younger participant making a definitive step up. By the appears of issues, Rogers has bulked up in the course of the summer time – crucially, with out compromising his agility – such that West Ham’s midfield struggled to include him on the opening weekend, earlier than he gave Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Thomas Partey greater than they may deal with. The most effective gamers are those that don’t want circumstances of their favour to usually have an effect on video games. Or, in different phrases, we all know how good Rogers is when he’s good; sooner or later this season, we’ll discover out if he’s nonetheless good even when he’s unhealthy. Daniel Harris
6
Wooden has earned proper to steer Forest
Chris Wooden scored 15 objectives (zero penalties) final season for Nottingham Forest. There isn’t any doubt that they’d be a Championship facet with out him, as Forest survived on 32 factors, the lowest-ever security complete within the Premier League. In April, Opta topped Wooden probably the most scientific participant in Europe, changing practically 40% of his probabilities in 2023-24, which was additionally by far the most effective charge since their Premier League information started in 2003-04. Wooden has already discovered the online this marketing campaign, scoring to safe Forest a draw on the opening day. Forest’s talks with Eddie Nketiah broke down over wages, however Nuno Espírito Santo could also be higher off sticking with the massive New Zealand striker. Wooden will likely be eager to show why in opposition to a Wolves facet that shipped six to Chelsea final day trip. MB
7
Wan-Bissaka faces down Doku once more
Julen Lopetegui has veered away from ripping all the pieces up at West Ham. The Spaniard has made just a few tweaks right here and there since changing David Moyes – his resolution to sideline the captain, Kurt Zouma, in central defence is a notable transfer – however the general vibe has been evolution relatively than revolution. Tomas Soucek, who was a vital determine for Moyes, remains to be an everyday in midfield and Vladimir Coufal has began West Ham’s opening two video games. Whereas Soucek justified Lopetegui’s loyalty by scoring the winner in opposition to Palace final weekend, there’s a sense that point is working out for his Czech compatriot. Coufal’s place is in severe doubt after the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who made an attention-grabbing impression throughout his Palace cameo. Wan-Bissaka performed a key function in Soucek’s objective and it will be a shock if he isn’t within the beginning line-up in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on Saturday. The previous Manchester United full-back’s tempo may very well be essential in opposition to Jérémy Doku. Wan-Bissaka will bear in mind doing nicely in opposition to the Metropolis winger within the FA Cup last final season. Jacob Steinberg
8
Defence stays a priority at Chelsea
Management has continued to elude Chelsea. They had been thrilling in assault throughout their 6-2 thrashing of Wolves however the defence stays a priority. Enzo Maresca’s new crew have conceded 4 of their first two matches and the Italian will likely be searching for an enchancment when Crystal Palace go to Stamford Bridge. Chaotic defending was one of many causes that Chelsea moved on from Mauricio Pochettino. They had been susceptible at set-pieces, susceptible to crazy errors and sometimes shaky when positioned underneath severe strain. Maresca is working to iron out the failings andwill not have appreciated each facet of the efficiency in opposition to Wolves. JS
9
Switch woes proceed at Newcastle
An ankle harm dictates that Dominic Solanke won’t lead Tottenham’s assault at Newcastle on Sunday. Eddie Howe should surprise what may need occurred had he bought his want and been in a position to signal his former striker from Bournemouth. PSR issues meant Newcastle couldn’t justify investing £65m on a striker and, as an alternative, mounted a month-long pursuit of Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guéhi, St James’ Park executives have displayed a willingness to speculate across the £65m on reinforcing Howe’s defence. However what occurs if Sweden’s Alexander Isak will get injured? The thought of Isak partnering Solanke would certainly have petrified opposition defences. Would possibly it not have been higher to recruit a promising younger centre-half to understudy – and ultimately substitute – the nonetheless extremely efficient defender Fabian Schär? The Switzerland worldwide is suspended on Sunday. Which would be the larger miss: Schär’s ball-playing skills on the again or Solanke’s capability to fill Tottenham’s Harry Kane-shaped gap at centre ahead? Louise Taylor
10
Ten Hag already underneath strain
Erik ten Hag is already answering questions on his job safety at Manchester United. After two Premier League video games (the primary a victory over Fulham, the second a 2-1 defeat at Brighton) this discuss is critically untimely but there’s a fever-state that surrounds the supervisor and the membership. But when Arne Slot’s Liverpool crew beat United at Previous Trafford on Sunday, Ten Hag can count on extra of the identical. Two years in the past, after shedding their first two outings, Liverpool had been their third opponent at Previous Trafford, too, and United received 2-1. A victory, once more, can be priceless, the prospect of which can be enhanced if Manuel Ugarte’s signing from PSG could be sealed in time for him to be concerned. Jamie Jackson
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