Arsenal pay the price for a summer of confusion
Arsenal’s first half performance went a long way to putting their transfer struggles in the shade, yet an abysmal 18-minute display turned their opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool on its head and left manager Arsene Wenger facing an early revolt against his decision making.
That Arsenal went on to lose 4-3 is not the big talking point coming out of the Emirates Stadium clash.
Instead, it is Wenger’s inability to adequately strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign, while his admission that the Gunners are “not ready” to start the season made their inept transfer business even more mind-boggling.
Having failed to sign a striker during the transfer window after falling short in pursuits of Jamie Vardy, Gonzalo Higuain and Alexandre Lacazette, and the only defender brought in being former Bolton Wanderers centre-back Rob Holding for £2.5million – who it must be said showed signs of promise on his debut – Wenger was left to piece together an unfamiliar side for the opening fixture. Wenger could yet move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi as well as Lacazette but the failure to bring them in, in time for the new campaign could cost Arsenal dear throughout the rest of August.
United show the advantages of bringing in winners
There was something different about Manchester United this weekend, and not just the inclusion of their new summer signings. While Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his arrival in the league with a lovely low finish to complete United’s scoring in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth, it was United’s swagger of old returning that was most noticeable.
That comes from the introduction of a winning mentality, not just in Ibrahimovic, but in Jose Mourinho.
From the moment United took the lead through Juan Mata’s opener, they never looked like losing, and that’s testament to the immediate impact that Mourinho and his previous managerial record has had on the squad.
Spurs stutter as attacking options appear thin on the ground
Tottenham will have genuine hopes of building on last season’s Premier League title near-miss, but a look at their squad doesn’t impress quite like it did a few months ago. Spurs were able to boast in-form players in Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris, and went quietly about their business all season before pushing on in 2016 and pushing Leicester hard until their hopes faded in the ill-tempered draw at Chelsea.
This season, despite adding Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen to his squad, Mauricio Pochettino still looks one high calibre striker short of having a genuine shot at winning the title. Janssen made some strong contributions on his debut, but is yet to prove he can aid the workload with Kane and fill in for the England striker should he hit injury or a period of bad form.
Leicester come crashing down to earth after last season’s energy-sapping title charge
This time last year Leicester City were favourites for relegation. Now, they’re coming off a defeat by the side who are favourites for the trap door this season. After an incredible 2015-16 at the King Power Stadium a drop-off was always going to come and it’s no surprise that it happened in their opening fixture of the new season.
What Leicester must now do is rekindle that energetic approach that tormented sides last season and triggered their rise from bottom to the top of the league table. While it’s almost inconceivable that Hull City will repeat Leicester’s feat and win the title – take screenshot here – they reminded the reigning champions what a collective spirit can produce, and it’s now down to Claudio Ranieri to bring out that attitude once again form his players.
It’ll take time for City to learn the Guardiola way
There’s no looking beyond the fact that Manchester City were lucky to get life under Pep Guardiola to a successful start. Sunderland looked like they had done enough to earn a point from David Moyes’s first match in charge when Jermain Defoe equalised, only for a Paddy McNair own goal to gift City the win.
There were plenty of signs in City’s performance though that showed they are a major work in progress.
John Stones rushed out of defence to create the space that Defoe utilised to score, and the fluidity that is expected from any Guardiola side is yet to be taken on board by the squad. That will come in time, whether it be by education on the training field or the arrival of new signings, but there could well be troubled times ahead before the going gets good.
Relegation battle could be closer than ever
Saturday proved that the feared relegation battle that will play out over the next 10 months may be closer than ever. No side won by more than one goal, with many sides looking to avoid the drop meeting early in the campaign. West Bromwich Albion picked up an important win at Crystal Palace that suggests there could be troubled waters ahead for Alan Pardew if last season’s form in 2016 repeats itself, while Burnley got off to a bad start in a home loss to Swansea. As Palace showed last season, strong starts can guarantee survival early before the going gets tough and nerves start to set in. – The Independent