Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, including an Arsenal old-boy eyeing an upset, a huge clash at Old Trafford, and Spurs’ attempt to exorcise their demons.
Eight talking points ahead of Premier League weekend
Welbeck eyes upset of another former side
Danny Welbeck’s time at Brighton looked like it might be up in the summer but the veteran has proven the Seagulls were right to offer him a new deal. After impressing – and scoring – in the opening day win at Everton, Welbeck haunted former side Manchester United with another goal last weekend as Brighton made it back-to-back wins.
The 33-year-old has never been a prolific scorer but he still has plenty to offer and has been a fine focal point for Fabian Hurzeler’s side. This weekend he returns to Arsenal, another old side, and will be a player the Gunners will need to keep a close eye on.
.@DannyWelbeck‘s 100th career club goal! 💯 Highlights in partnership with @MPBcom. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5kCjorMlhu
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 24, 2024
Welbeck has now scored in 15 consecutive Premier League seasons and brought up the 100th goal of his career last weekend. He’s aiming to score in three consecutive top-flight games for the first time in a decade at the Emirates.
Mbeumo can profit from Toney sale
The Ivan Toney saga is officially over after the Brentford forward was sold to Saudi Arabia in the final hours of the window. An inevitable exit had a surprise destination, as Brentford banked £40m for a player dubbed a club ‘legend’ upon his departure.
Toney’s record of 72 goals in 141 games for Brentford means fears are likely after his exit, though the Bees’ fans should take comfort from their performance in his absence. Thomas Frank’s team remained clear of trouble during Toney’s ban last season, while teammate Bryan Mbeumo has profited from his time out of the side.
17 – Since the start of the 2021-22 season, only Bukayo Saka (12 goals, 14 assists) has been involved in more goals in Premier League London derbies than Bryan Mbeumo (11 goals, 6 assists). Capital. pic.twitter.com/MLax9uq9E7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2024
Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League, Mbeumo has started 35 games alongside Toney and has returned four goals and seven assists in that time. Without him, he has managed 14 goals and nine assists from 25 league starts, a significant increase in output.
Ipswich have chance to start their season
The fixture computer was not kind to Ipswich Town in the summer. Starts for a promoted team don’t come much tougher than Liverpool and Manchester City in consecutive games, though Ipswich acquitted themselves respectably despite successive defeats.
This weekend offers Kieran McKenna’s team a chance to start their season when Fulham visit Portman Road. Fulham won just four times on the road in 2023/24 and opened the current campaign with a defeat at Manchester United in their first away fixture of the new season.
The Cottagers are certainly no ‘gimme’ and have the attacking talent to trouble Ipswich’s new-look backline, but there’s no doubt McKenna’s men will be targeting their first points of the Premier League season.
🗣️ The Manager’s thoughts ahead of #IPSFUL on Saturday.
Watch the full interview on TownTV. ⤵️
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 30, 2024
Emery unhappy with England u-21 call for rising star
Morgan Rogers has been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League campaign with the Aston Villa midfielder in sparkling form. The 21-year-old was outstanding despite defeat to Arsenal last weekend, with his blend of power, pace and agility causing real problems for the Gunners.
His performance led to suggestions that Rogers could earn a maiden England call-up, though he has been selected for the u-21 squad. Emery, unhappy, believes Rogers is already above that level.
“What does he gain by playing in the U21s, Morgan Rogers? He is ready in case they want to call him for the national team, I can understand,” Emery said this week.
“Morgan played fantastic last week, fantastic. He is now ready to play in the England first team. If not, I accept it because there are other players as well. But do not call him up for the Under-21s. His moment to play there is finished, it’s done. Now he is at another level – it’s completely clear he has gone to another level.”
Wasteful West Ham can not afford such profligacy against the champions
Julen Lopetegui’s arrival at West Ham has been greeted with excitement, by a fanbase keen to move on from the dull football of David Moyes. The Spaniard has shown intent on and off the pitch during the early part of his reign, with several eye-catching attacking additions and more front-footed play.
West Ham rank third in the Premier League for shots (32) and xG (4.24) across the opening two fixtures, though have been wasteful with just six shots on target. Only three teams have managed less. Up against the might of Manchester City this weekend and expected to have far less of the ball, the Hammers can not afford to be so wasteful.
History favours Chelsea ahead of London derby
Enzo Maresca faces his first London derby this weekend as Chelsea host Crystal Palace. The Blues bounced back from their season-opening defeat to Manchester City to thrash Wolves last weekend and will now be aiming for a first home win under the new head coach.
Chelsea boast a formidable recent record in this fixture and have won each of their last 14 encounters with Palace in all competitions, last losing to the Eagles in 2017. The West Londoners have also not lost successive home games to start a season for 45 years.
Noni Madueke will want to build on his hat-trick against Wolves as the 22-year-old aims for a regular role in the Chelsea side. The deadline-day arrival of Jadon Sancho has added another wide option to Chelsea’s considerable pool of talent.
Can Spurs exorcise their St James’ demons?
Spurs fans can be forgiven for feeling a sense of trepidation this weekend. Trips to Tyneside have been harrowing for the North Londoners of late, with their last two visits to Newcastle seeing 10 goals conceded and zero points gained.
In 2022/23 during the short-lived stint of interim boss Cristian Stiellini, Newcastle demolished a shellshocked Spurs to race into a five-goal lead inside 21 minutes en route to a 6-1 success.
Last season, under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs fared little better after losing 4-0 in another dreadful defeat at St James’ Park. This weekend offers an opportunity to show signs of progress.
Can Slot’s side show ‘control’ at Old Trafford
It’s been so far so good for Arne Slot at Liverpool, with consecutive wins over Ipswich and Brentford earning the Reds maximum points so far. The Dutchman has been cautious in his assessment, however, respectfully insisting tougher tests await. Next up is English football’s biggest fixture, as Liverpool take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Merseysiders have had the upper hand in this fixture of late, though chaotic games against their North West rivals contributed to their season unravelling in 2023/24. An unforgettable FA Cup clash saw Liverpool twice squander leads to lose 4-3 in the final seconds of extra-time, before blowing another lead to draw 2-2 a month later in a damaging result to their Premier League title chances.
[1/5] 💬 Arne Slot: ❝The idea of the fullbacks not being that wide and it depends also what the press what the other teams will give us, but if the fullbacks are all down the line and you play the fullback then, he’s very far away from some other players. And it takes really pic.twitter.com/IucgwXaZ4O
— MÁS Possession (@maspossession) August 28, 2024
Slot was named as Jurgen Klopp’s successor due to similarities in their style, though the former has emphasised his want for greater control. Liverpool recorded 28 shots at Old Trafford in the league last season but still failed to take all three points, as their adventurous attack was wasteful and the Reds lost their grip on the game.
In what will surely be a heated atmosphere, can Slot show his side has the cool to control the game when it threatens to open up?
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