Around the Premier League: Sept. 9
Has Manchester United found a groove?
After what Manchester United displayed in their first fixtures against Brighton and Brentford, United have manchespulled off victories against Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal.
Has manager Erik ten Hag figured out something? Well, he’ll still need to address the concerns over captain Harry Maguire’s impact, considering the center back has been recently dropped from the starting eleven, replaced by the combination of new signing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, who have conceded two goals in the four games the pair have started together.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s part in the team also looms large. His questionable fit in Erik ten Hag’s vision is becoming more apparent as he isn’t starting games. Maybe Maguire and Ronaldo appear in their Europa League fixtures? Who knows.
How will Arsenal handle its first defeat?
Arsenal’s perfect start to the season ended at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday, where they were outclassed by a United squad led by a revival of Marcus Rashford and new signing Antony in attack for United.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s team has shown improvement from last season, with William Saliba returning to the club and the arrival of striker Gabriel Jesus, whose three goals and three assists in the first six games being a boon for a side who struggled scoring last season.
How will this young team handle their first defeat of the season? Their next game at home against Everton should at least calm their nerves temporarily.
Brighton: Surprise Team?
The biggest surprise so far from the Premier League this season is Brighton & Hove Albion, who despite losing Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma to Chelsea and Tottenham respectively, are sitting in fourth in the league table.
Manager Graham Potter has been able to get the best out of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who has chipped in four goals, and the defense lead by captain Lewis Dunk is tied for first in the league in clean sheets with three. Something to look out for links that Potter has to becoming the next manager of Chelsea, who fired Thomas Tuchel from his managerial position.
Manchester City vs. Tottenham: Can Pep avenge the previous years’ defeats?
The big game this week involves Tottenham taking on defending champions Manchester City. Tottenham won both of the matchups between the clubs last season, though the outlooks of each club is different heading into this matchup.
For Tottenham, manager Antonio Conte was able to get a preseason working with his team, though he has not changed much with his personnel, slowly bringing along new signings such as Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, and previously mentioned Bissouma. For Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola has unleashed new striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 10 Premier League goals so far, along with chipping in two goals for City in their Champions League clash against La Liga side Sevilla. For us fans, let’s hope for fireworks in this matchup.
BREAKING: Thomas Tuchel fired, instant reaction
It was already mentioned before, but Thomas Tuchel has been fired as manager of Chelsea. It's all of the sudden and Chelsea’s thinking is questionable.
New owner Todd Boehly backed Tuchel this summer with expensive signings such as Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley Fofana and the previously mentioned Cucurella. It makes little sense to then fire Tuchel after that.
You could’ve said the team was being built in Tuchel’s image, with players brought in under his watch, but that problem now lies with the next manager. Chelsea now has to scramble to find a new manager, with Graham Potter looking to be a candidate for the job, as mentioned beforehand.
The team has shown to be very inconsistent so far, sixth place currently in the league, the team has talent but clearly needs to adjust with the changes they’ve made so far.
Adam Funk is a second-year in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. To contact him, email aqf5569@psu.edu.
