Gameweek 3 – Salah Sweeps Arsenal Aside
Have Manchester United bottled their chances at the Top 4? Is it safe to settle on the fact that this year’s title race will be between only two thoroughbreds? Do Arsenal even know their strongest lineup? Is Watford (more importantly, Harry the Hornet) ever going to win again? And how high is too high for VAR?
Gameweek 3 brought plenty of mixed emotions, dramatic results, and in classic fashion, overreactions in this week’s headlines.
But, let’s be honest, it’s why we indulge in the Premier League. Despite the fact we know who the title will come down between, the gripping events each week bring us back for more.
So let’s tackle some of these topics as we dive into this week’s Premier League Roundup.
Storyline of the Weekend
Unai Emery’s resume is what will likely get him a pass for what Arsenal fans saw on Saturday. A decade at the highest level with Valencia, Seville and Paris Saint-Germain, often succeeding because of tactical nous and the ability to read opponents and exploit their weaknesses, means that you want to give the benefit of the doubt.
But after witnessing the way in which his men lined up and sacrificed the flanks against the European Champions, the benefit leash is running short.
Let’s just list some of the tactical calculations that went awry.
The midfield diamond conceded far too much space for Robertson and Alexander-Arnold on the flanks. Liverpool were dared to cross and finish against a clogged central defense. Unfortunately for Arsenal, it worked, and the pressure wore the back line down as the match went on.
Lucas Torreira, arguably Arsenal’s best deep lying midfield creator (David Luiz might have something to say about that), was left on the bench, even with Arsenal purposefully trying to play out of pressure through the back.
Speaking of pressure, Arsenal once again dared Liverpool to come at them on the counter and leave space in behind for their pacey front three. Liverpool are arguably the best high-press team in the Premier League, and the fact Arsenal let Liverpool come at their shaky back line just a week after another high-press team, Burnley, had given them fits, seems naïve.
Through three variant opponents, Arsenal have lined up and played in three distinct ways, with three different playmakers leading the helm. At the moment, it’s really difficult to figure out what pathway Emery sees towards success at Arsenal.
There’s nothing wrong with adding Dani Ceballos for a season in midfield, but if you’re trying to build something, do you really want everything to hinge so heavily around a guy who’s there on loan? And where do we start with trying to make a decision in finding the home for Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan?
Arsenal finished two points out of third place last season in Emery’s first Premier League campaign. Emery deserves the time and the patience to instill his mark in rebuilding the North London side and closing the gap between them and the top two. But with performances like the one on Saturday, against a squad they desire to emulate, time may be running out fairly soon.
Speaking of the European champions, Jurgen Klopp should be rightfully delighted with his team’s performance in overcoming Arsenal’s deep-lying defense. Liverpool kept to their game-plan, pressing the heck out of Arsenal when they did finally catch possession of the ball, and stretching the Gunners whenever possible, allowing for Mohamed Salah to fly past the opposing outside backs and strike in two goals.
What’s most crazy is how insignificant this match felt in terms of the fight for the title. In what was once a titular fight for Premier League supremacy, now only feels like the inevitable waiting to happen.
For Liverpool, no odd-ball tactics from Emery was going to tilt the momentum against Liverpool’s direction. This was their match to win from the get-go. Merely a stepping stone on their way to meeting Manchester City. My how the mighty have changed.
Match of the Weekend
Even after Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle, it took Frank Lampard a few moments to truly settle into the feeling of being a winning Premier League manager. Chelsea were victorious, by 3 goals to 2, in a competitive fixture over Norwich.
Chelsea jumped out to an early lead through their energetic and youthful front line. It only took 3 minutes for Tammy Abraham to find the back of the net at Carrow Road. What ensued afterward was sheer entertainment from the neutral’s perspective.
The Canary cult, Teemu Pukki, equalized with his 4th goal of the young season; Christian Pulisic slotted through Mason mount for a fine finish; Todd Cantwell penetrated on the perfect counter attack; and in the 2nd half, Abraham singularly sliced through the Norwich back line and found the bottom corner to seal his team’s victory.
In a sense, this was vintage attacking display from the Blues. Creativity and control in the final third mimicked the days of Drogba and Lampard. Yet as we all know, looks can be deceiving. Chelsea’s leaky backline requires some heavy patching before they face Wolves and Liverpool in two and three game-weeks. Having Kante, Rudiger, and returning loanee Reece James returning from injury will certainly help, but it’s difficult to say how long it may take for the newly minted first team to mesh.
Shock of the Weekend
Maybe shock isn’t the best word to use here. The adjective that might best describe these two (I know, I’m taking the easy route on this) performances is disappointing. Then again, when haven’t this particular squad exacerbated such persona in recent times?
Of course, I’m speaking on Manchester United, who came away from their home match against Crystal Palace with zero points in a 2-1 defeat. Mind you, Palace also recorded zero goals entering the weekend.
It was a calamity of errors for Solskjaer’s army and, in the worst way possible, their performance included everything: Defensive errors from their new £80 million signing; a missed penalty straight off the heels of an unnecessary penalty taker controversy; muscle injuries to key starters Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial after emphasis in preseason training was placed on hard fitness work; a bench where the best attacking option was 17-year-old Mason Greenwood; equalizing only to concede another minute later; one of those increasingly frequent rare mistakes by De Gea.
United dominated throughout the match but, as at Molineux, lacked a killer touch in front of goal. Daniel James’ curling breakthrough in the 89th minute rejuvenated a tense Old Trafford. Then Paul Pogba went and ceded possession, and Palace drove upfield while United’s defense switched off just long enough for Patrick Van Aanholt to swoop in and slap a shot through the body of De Gea.
A minute later, the ground cleared. That was all United fans needed to witness. Their opening victory over Chelsea long since a memory carried off in a North England gust.
Among the worst of feelings in Manchester is the fact that it’s become incredibly easy to plan how to beat United: Their midfield and attack isn’t creative enough to consistently break down a solid defense, and their defense isn’t strong enough to hold off a decent counter-attack down the flanks.
Palace came and executed what Cardiff did at the end of last season. The game plan for defeating United is becoming all too simplistic. Maybe it’s an overreaction, but the red half of Manchester don’t look to have the edge needed to finish in the Top 4 at the moment.
Tumble of the Weekend
I can’t help but notice these two dichotic thoughts rattling in my head surrounding Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham; did Newcastle finally display their true potential, or was this an epic collapse from Mauircio Pochettino’s squad?
The angel on my shoulder suggests Newcastle were the team with greater vigor, and Joelinton’s finish for his goal followed a fine pass from Christian Atsu. Having taken the lead, plenty of last-ditch defending was required, and Steve Bruce’s men did look quite organized in defense.
However, the cynic in me errs on the side of Tottenham bottling their chance to bring home three points against a heavily criticized manager who practically played in a 7-2-1 formation and prayed they could eek out a result.
And by the end of the game, prayers for Newcastle were answered thanks in part to Pochettino benching his two most creative players: Spanish want-away Christian Eriksen and Real Betis arrival Giovani Lo Celso.
Poch’s (to put it kindly) questionable starting lineup hamstrung Tottenham from the get-go, where they lacked a spark in the final third. By the time the Spurs’ stars made their appearances, Newcastle had built the castle and the moat around their penalty area. Tottenham’s best chance was a wishful plea for a penalty when Kane stumbled into(?) Jamaal Lascelles late in the match.
However, VAR would not come to the rescue on this occasion. Spurs need to stray away from excuses and begin to answer the obvious but fair questions about their performance going forward.
Goal of the Weekend
Burnley’s Ashley Barnes is the surprise early contender for the Golden Boot. The traditionally trolling big-man has bashed his way into the conversation for league’s most underrated striker, especially with this stunning volley against Wolves on Sunday afternoon. And while the swerve on this strike was superb, there’s another Barnes on the block who steals Ashley’s crown this week.
That’s right, Harvey Barnes’ game winner against Sheffield United rocketed to the top corner and straight into top consideration for goal of the season, let alone the week.
Barnes’ breakthrough fame in the 70th minute. Cristian Fuch’s initial cross into the penalty area was headed straight up, only to fall to the perfectly primed Barnes to smash a one-time volley into the roof of the net. A true feat of precision and courage for taking it on.
Did that really happen? of the Weekend
I’ll be honest when I originally thought this Friday night match would be a bit of a wash in favor of the away side. But, man, Aston Villa stepped up on a balmy summer evening at Villa Park — for the first time since they all but lost the support of their fan base during their relegation season three years ago — against Everton and earned their 2-0 victory.
Frustration was written on the face of Marco Silva throughout the second half. André Gomes was poor, Gylfi Sigurdsson a substitution waiting to happen and Richarlison peripheral – that is £100m worth of talent. The list could go on. Everton need their stars to show up if they want to truly push against the Top 6.
As for Dean Smith’s side, they looked comfortable throughout, and gained momentum from the wave of energy conducted by the home crowd. Record signing Wesley looked a man ready for the big leagues, holding up play and poaching when needed. In the end, Villa were clinical when needed, and their performance certainly turned over some initial concerns from their first two game weeks.
Time to Panic of the Weekend
West Ham’s Sebastian Haller got off the mark with two goals in his side’s 3-1 victory over Watford on the weekend. And while West Ham displayed a defiant performance, it was Watford who was stealing the post-match headlines.
For Watford, the danger signs are clear. “The dynamic is not good; we need to improve something,” said manager Javi Gracia after the match. His team have now lost seven games in a row, and gone 18 without a clean sheet, not to mention a 6-0 drubbing in the FA Cup Final.
To add salt to Harry the Hornet’s wounds, Watford really should have come away with something from this match. Watford produced 23 of the game’s 39 shots, but only three hit the target. Will Hughes heaved a sitter over the crossbar with the game level at 1-1.
For Watford, this sides looks like the classic mid-table club looking for a real jolt to awaken their form once more. But many people are now beginning to wonder what that jolt might be. Would Watford be willing to let a real talent in Javi Gracia go? Time and form will tell.
Final Whistle
Manchester City brought home a comfortable 3-1 win against Bournemouth. At this rate, VAR is about the only thing stopping Pep’s men.
That’s all for this week. I’m off next week for the American holiday weekend, but we’ll pick it back up after the International break.
Zeke Ouellette Media 