Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Arsenal’s adaptability and Liverpool’s sliding doors moment in the summer.

Gravenberch a game-changer after summer sliding doors moment

When Martin Zubimendi turned down a summer move to Liverpool, rival fans were quick to mock. The Spaniard’s snub had supposedly left Liverpool vulnerable at the base of their midfield but has instead transpired to create one of the season’s success stories.

Ryan Gravenberch has excelled at number six to bounce back from an underwhelming first season with the Reds. Elegant in possession and relentless in regaining it, Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s standout name in recent weeks.

A moment in his man-of-the-match performance against Bologna in midweek showcased his increasing confidence. Under pressure from two challenges after receiving the ball from Alisson, he flicked the ball past the opposition, collected it on the other side after a burst of pace, and drove Liverpool forward on the attack. His ability to dribble past pressure has been game-changing for Arne Slot and Anfield is saluting a new favourite.

Arteta adaptability has Arsenal in a good place

Mikel Arteta has needed to tweak his team this season, with the absence of Martin Odegaard impacting Arsenal’s usual style. The Norwegian’s influence is difficult to replace and the lack of an out-and-out alternative after the exits of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira has seen the Gunners shift their shape.

Arteta has pushed Leandro Trossard into an advanced role alongside Kai Havertz, often resembling something close to a 4-4-2 formation.

It’s a change that has worked with Havertz aiming to score in the seventh straight game at the Emirates this weekend and Trossard has started the season well with two goals in four league games and a wonderful assist for Havertz against PSG in midweek.

Few would have envisaged a two-man forward line at Arsenal this season but it’s working for the Gunners, who are unbeaten in all competitions.

Favourable fixtures can turn tide for winless Wolves

Wolves are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after taking just a point from their opening six fixtures. Gary O’Neil is under pressure with his side winless, though Wolves have endured the toughest of starts to the new season.

In their opening six games, Wolves have faced four of the current top five, while the average position of their six opponents is fifth. It’s been a torrid run of games but the fixture list is starting to turn. Wolves travel to face Brentford this weekend and host Crystal Palace, Southampton and Bournemouth before the end of November. O’Neil’s exit would be knee-jerk right now, though the time for judgment is approaching.

Can McAtee make a name in Manchester?

James McAtee had a moment to remember in midweek after scoring his first Manchester City goal at Slovan Bratislava. The midfielder returned to Etihad this season after spending the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.

“All of us, we’re so happy for him! He’s adorable, all the guys love him,” Pep Guardiola said at full-time. “Listen, there are a lot of games, a lot, and everybody will make a good contribution. And McAtee moves really well in small spaces, made a fantastic goal, had another chance (to score).”

The 21-year-old faces the tough task of breaking into a Manchester City forward line strengthened in the summer following Savinho’s arrival. Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish offer alternative competition for a player dubbed the ‘Salford Silva’ during his time with the club’s Elite Development Squad.

McAtee will want to make his name in Manchester but has no doubt watched on as ex-City academy graduates Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Liam Delap have thrived elsewhere in the Premier League this season.

Duran deal could haunt West Ham

West Ham might forever be haunted by their failure to get a deal done for Jhon Duran this summer. The Hammers looked set to sign the striker from Aston Villa, with Duran going as far as to do the crossed-irons gesture on a social media livestream. Haggling over the final fee saw the deal break down with West Ham instead spending £27.5m on Niclas Fullkrug.

The latter impressed at the European Championship with Germany, but has featured for just 63 minutes in the Premier League to date and will turn 32 in February.

Duran, meanwhile, has relaunched his career at Aston Villa with a flurry of goals off the bench already this season. The most recent saw the 20-year-old score a stunning winner in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, underlining his potential as one of the best up-and-coming strikers in Europe. West Ham’s sense of regret is palpable.

Everton look to maintain Goodison run

Everton will say farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the season and their form at the famous ground will have a big say on which division they’re in when that time comes. After starting the season winless in five, a Dwight McNeil brace secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last time out to get their season up and running.

It was a sixth win in their previous eight home games and Sean Dyche will want his side to ensure Everton remain hard to beat at home. Newcastle are the visitors this weekend, a team with aspirations of gatecrashing the top four for the second time in three seasons.

Set-pieces will again be crucial for the Toffees, who have scored 45.5% of their goals from dead-ball situations since Dyche’s appointment in February 2023. It’s the highest percentage in the Premier League.

Expect goals in the High-Line Derby

Sometimes managers place too much faith in their desired game plan. Last weekend, Fabian Hurzeler watched on as Brighton’s high defensive line was exposed time and time again at Chelsea. The West Londoners scored four goals before half-time with Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster struggling at Stamford Bridge and Hurzeler now faces a headache at centre-back with Jan Paul van Hecke facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

This weekend Brighton host Tottenham, another side well known for pushing their backline high up the pitch. Spurs, however, have Micky van de Ven’s pace to bail them out on occasion and Brighton do not have such luxury. With pace in each forward line and bold backlines pushed high, expect goals in a game dubbed the High-Line Derby.

Villa Park unlikely to provide respite for Manchester United

Not for the first time, it feels as if Erik ten Hag is on the brink. Last weekend’s humbling at home to Tottenham leaves Manchester United 12th in the Premier League table, with the new owners perhaps questioning the decision to keep faith in the Dutchman. United held exploratory talks with other candidates to suggest Ten Hag’s position was far from safe in the summer and his role has rarely looked more vulnerable than it does right now.

In midweek, United blew a two-goal lead before half-time in an eventual 3-3 draw at Porto and have now conceded three or more goals on 24 occasions during Ten Hag’s reign. No Premier League team has done so more in all competitions during that time.

The fixture list has not been kind to the under-fire coach, who takes his team to the Midlands to face an Aston Villa side buoyed from beating Bayern Munich in midweek. Unai Emery’s transformation of The Villans is the sort of progress United have struggled to find.

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