Arsenal’s need for a top forward and amazing Amad: Five talking points from the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Derby day drama, Chelsea’s resurgence as a serious force continues and Arsenal struggle to score again. Hayters TV’s Dan Bennett recaps five of the big talking points from the weekend’s Premier League action…

Arsenal’s need for a top forward

Arsenal’s goalscoring problems continued with their goalless draw against Everton on Saturday. The result means Mikel Arteta’s side have not scored from open play in their last three league games and their reliance on set pieces to score is apparent, but becomes a problem when teams who can competently defend set pieces like Everton come up against the Gunners. Arteta said after the game that his side generated “the highest possible winning probability” but it is yet another game where their inability to put the ball in the back of the net often enough has cost them. Arsenal have scored only the fifth highest number of goals in the league this season and it is clear that this squad needs a top level forward to take the team to the next level. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard are not doing enough.

Sacking season is upon us

With the festive period fast approaching, another season has seemingly begun which is not quite so merry. Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil both lost their jobs at Southampton and Wolves respectively following defeats over the weekend and with both sat in the relegation zone of the Premier League. It follows the sacking of Steve Cooper at Leicester recently and it is clear teams are starting to panic with he halfway point of the campaign approaching.

Amad is fast becoming a star

Manchester United wide man Amad has been terrific under Ruben Amorim and that form continued with a fine performance in the win over rivals Manchester City. He won the penalty for Bruno Fernandes to equalise and then scored a brilliant second to give his new manager a big victory early on in his tenure. Amorim left Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad completely in a huge show of faith in Amad and he was certainly repaid. In one of United’s worst periods in recent history, he has been a shining light and gives Amorim something to build around.

Can Maresca stick to his line?

It is becoming increasingly difficult for Enzo Maresca to deny that his Chelsea team are in a title race, following another victory on Sunday against local rivals Brentford. That’s now seven wins in a row in all competitions for Chelsea but Maresca has been adamant his team are not ready for a title charge, insisting after the Brentford game that title teams do not concede the type of goals Chelsea have been. The Blues are two points off Liverpool, albeit having played a game more, and it is going to be interesting to see if Maresca can keep up his message that his team are not ready for a serious challenge.

Relief for Postecoglou but injury problems are not easing up

Ange Postecoglou got a much needed win over Southampton on Sunday, demolishing Russell Martin’s team 5-0 with five first-half goals which subsequently saw the Saints boss sacked. But with ten players missing and Destiny Udogie limping off in the first half, it is clear Spurs are not out of the woods yet. Postecoglou said he did not believe Udogie’s injury was a serious one but was forced to play 18-year-old Archie Gray at centre-back against Southampton and with games against Manchester United, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest coming up, this is going to be a huge test for Tottenham and there might be some more pain to come yet.