Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Liverpool’s centre-forward battle and Arsenal’s attacking issues.

Ekitike not willing to give up Liverpool role without a fight

Hugo Ekitike perhaps did not envisage Liverpool breaking the British transfer record to sign a centre-forward just weeks after his own big-money arrival at Anfield. The Frenchman signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer after an excellent Bundesliga campaign and has proven to be a fine fit.

Ekitike made it four goals in six games with a well-taken winner in the Merseyside Derby, sliding past Jordan Pickford to extend his strong start to the season. Alexander Isak watched on and applauded as Ekitike fired home, but the former will now know he has work to do to break into Arne Slot’s best XI.

Even as a £125m recruit with a brilliant goal record in England, Isak faces the challenge of catching up from a missed pre-season and Ekitike’s own form. On current performances, the latter must play.

Calvert-Lewin shows flashes of old

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form has often fluctuated since the goal-laden Covid-time period at Everton. After netting 29 league goals across two seasons in 2019/20 and 2020/21, the forward struggled for both form and fitness on Merseyside.

After nine seasons at Everton, he departed in the summer, leaving on a free transfer and joining Leeds United. A modest start at Elland Road, including a somewhat disastrous debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup, did little to suggest the 28-year-old could get back to his previous levels.

However, Calvert-Lewin shone as Leeds won at Wolves this weekend, the sort of performance that came too infrequently during his latter time at Everton.

He equalised for the visitors in a comeback win with a trademark header and occupied the Wolves’ backline brilliantly to provide Leeds with an outlet. Calvert-Lewin has never been the most refined of forwards, but he has a set of attributes that can trouble teams when in the mood. Leeds, who have looked toothless for much of the opening weeks of the season, need this version on a more consistent basis.

Will Chelsea regret goalkeeper oversight?

Despite insisting he was happy with his goalkeeper options in the summer, Chelsea’s dalliance with a potential move for Mike Maignan showed that Enzo Maresca is not entirely behind that statement. After a move for Maignan fell through, Maresca opted to stick with his current goalkeepers, but is it a decision that could cost Chelsea?

Robert Sanchez can be a terrific shot-stopper and shone in defeat at Bayern Munich in midweek, though the Spaniard can also be prone to clangers. Last season, his five errors leading to goals were a joint-high among goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Sanchez was sent off just five minutes into Chelsea’s loss at Manchester United on Saturday, after rashly wiping out Bryan Mbeumo. It was a moment of madness from the 27-year-old and the sort of mistake not often seen from truly elite goalkeepers. There’s a lot to like about Chelsea, but their lack of a commanding number one is an issue.

Newcastle missing Isak inspiration

Newcastle’s draw at Bournemouth was the most forgettable game of the weekend, as the two teams played out a stalemate on the south coast. For Newcastle, it was a familiar feeling, a third consecutive goalless draw on the road this season.

The Magpies have now failed to score in four straight away games and are winless on their last six. In a game of few chances, Eddie Howe’s side lacked inspiration in the final third. The departure of Alexander Isak in the summer was a huge blow, and it may take time for Newcastle’s new additions to find their feet.

Nick Woltemade was quiet after a promising debut against Wolves, while Anthony Gordon missed the clash through suspension, and Yoane Wissa is still not fit to debut.

Arsenal lose ground with attack still struggling

Arsenal invested heavily in their frontline this summer, but issues remain with Mikel Arteta’s men. A draw with Manchester City might not be considered disastrous, but the optics and numbers do not make for good reading.

Arsenal boasted 67% of the ball but created an xG of just 0.89. Viktor Gyokeres was almost anonymous, failing to record a shot, successful dribble, or chance created, while the decision to start Eberechi Eze from the bench was strange.

The North Londoners have arguably Europe’s best defence and are incredibly dangerous from set-pieces, but their open-play attack is stuttering. Already five points behind Liverpool in the title race, Arsenal can not afford to fall further behind.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Stach, De Ligt, Iwobi

See more – Premier League Awards: Arsenal leave it late, Stach stunner

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