The Premier League is back again and following Manchester Town defeat Burnley in a thrilling contest on Friday night, Saturday experienced a whole lot to dwell up to.
Fortunately, it did not disappoint as the six prime flight online games offered 18 targets, no stalemates and lots of drama as 12 distinct sides bought their campaigns underway.
8
8
With vastly various targets for the campaign ahead, each staff experienced their possess thought of what would equate to a productive opening day of the season, but what were being the key things that we discovered? TalkSPORT.com will take a look…
A steely Arsenal underbelly
Last year could have ended with Arsenal slipping limited, but early solutions are that the Gunners may perhaps have additional being ability this time around.
Immediately after observing of Manchester Town in the Community Defend, Mikel Arteta’s side faced Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium where they showed their high-quality to earn a 2-1 earn.
Nonetheless, with Steve Cooper’s facet pushing difficult late on to salvage a draw, Arsenal showed actual resilience to hold onto the get.
Aspect of that was down to their toughness and depth, with Gabriel Magalhaes coming off the bench late on to help the north London facet around the line, however Declan Rice was also a key component of it.
Making his Premier League debut for the club, the former West Ham star really amazed and confirmed crucial management in midfield, a little something that was spotted as he requested his teammates all around just two minutes into the match.
Talking about his effect, Arteta said: “It’s quite natural. You have witnessed him today, I really don’t know if it was immediately after two minutes or right after 10, but the way he’s relocating, the way he’s coaching and integrating in that dressing room I think he’s savoring the situation.
8
8
“He ought to have scored almost certainly two goals today. So extra of the very same. He’s not pondering, he’s just performing and I’m truly delighted with what he’s carried out.”
The obstacle will be looking at if this new-look Arsenal can last the tempo this time period.
Brighton are back again
If any person considered that Brighton’s good results past phrase was a flash in the pan, you are regrettably mistaken.
The Seagulls were being a person of the Premier League’s most entertaining sides to view final phrase and showed that they are not likely wherever with a 4-1 victory more than freshly-promoted Luton.
Good attacking perform is a little something that we’ve appear to be expecting from Roberto De Zerbi’s side, it is even additional outstanding to see without the need of some of final season’s critical stars.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has remaining for Chelsea, even though Alexis Mac Allister has also moved on to Liverpool, a major blow soon after the Earth Cup winner contributed 12 plans and three assists last phrase.
Brighton were being also without Moises Caicedo as Chelsea and Liverpool carry on to battle for his signature, one more participant who appears to be like set to go on for a substantial rate in extra of £111million.
8
8
Aims came from Solly March, Simon Adingra, Evan Ferguson and new signing Joao Pedro who appeared massively extraordinary, exhibiting that even with out last season’s star men, the upcoming is very vivid on the south coast indeed.
A complicated afternoon for the newly-promoted sides
While Brighton admirer riot, it was a difficult afternoon for opponents Luton and fellow promoted facet Sheffield United.
The Hatters gained their spot in the Premier League by means of the enjoy-offs established up to capture the Seagulls on the counter at the AMEX Stadium.
Regrettably, Brighton boasted 71 for every cent possession and racked up an extraordinary 27 photographs towards Rob Edwards’ facet, this means that it was a challenging trip down south for Luton.
Sheffield United endured a identical tale on dwelling turf in opposition to Crystal Palace, getting rid of 1- many thanks to a purpose from Odsonne Edouard.
A complete of 67 per cent possession and 23 shots were conceded by the Blades who stayed aggressive all over, nonetheless Paul Heckingbottom will know that they will require to do greater if they’re to prevent a very long, tricky season in the best flight.
5-star Newcastle
8
8
Eddie Howe’s facet are looking just about every inch the Champions League club soon after a spectacular start off to the new year.
Newcastle concluded fourth very last time period to protected a spot in Europe’s major levels of competition and strengthened accordingly with Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento all coming in to improve the squad and ensure that they are ready to problem on all fronts.
Aston Villa promised a stern check on the opening working day, on the other hand the Magpies swept them aside with a spectacular 5-1 get at a bouncing St James’ Park.
Tonali took just 6 minutes to score on his debut, in advance of a brace from Alexander Isak, a strike from Callum Wilson and a late exertion from ex-Leicester star Barnes wrapped up the acquire and remaining Unai Emery scratching his head right after what had been an remarkable pre-period for Villa.
Although Villa posed a difficult exam, items get substantially more difficult for Newcastle in the coming weeks as they get on Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Brighton – a run of fixtures which will give a authentic indication of the place the club’s ambitions lie.
But based on that vastly impressive screen on the opening day, the Magpies seem like they are relishing the prospect of challenging on all fronts for main silverware this time period.
The new talkSPORT match centre
Continue to keep up-to-date with all the most up-to-date soccer fixtures, final results and standings in our new match centre.
