Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Harvey Barnes, Arne Slot’s issues at Liverpool and Arsenal’s step closer to title success.
Santos shines on rare Chelsea start
Andrey Santos returned to Chelsea this summer, determined to make an impact. An impressive loan spell at Strasbourg had aided his development, but his path to first-team football has been largely blocked this season.
The Brazilian was handed a rare start in the absence of Moises Caicedo this weekend and impressed in a more familiar position.
No Caicedo, no problem. 😀
Andrey Santos’ game by numbers vs. Burnley:
63 touches
7 duels won
4 interceptions
4x possession won
4 clearances
3 tackles
2 fouls won
1 chance created
1 shotNamed Player of the Match. 👏 pic.twitter.com/qRQtr1AtKo
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 22, 2025
The continued importance of Caicedo has meant Santos has often been used in unfamiliar roles, but he provided a reminder of what he can do at Turf Moor. Santos ended the contest with seven duels won and the man-of-the-match accolade. In a season where Chelsea aim to compete on all fronts, he’s earned the trust of Enzo Maresca.
Is Arne Slot out of ideas?
The buck stops with me was the mantra from Arne Slot at full-time, as Liverpool lurched to a new low this weekend. Being beaten by Nottingham Forest, in emphatic fashion, was a seismic shock, even for a team short of confidence and struggling for results. Forest had won just twice all season before this weekend, but picked apart the Premier League champions. Three unanswered goals ensured Liverpool left Anfield with more questions than answers.
Slot was showered with praise after winning the title last season, stepping into the sizeable shoes of Jurgen Klopp to deliver instant success. Now, however, he is under pressure. Liverpool have lost six of their last seven in the league, are 11th in the table, and are showing few signs of a turnaround. Hindsight is wonderful, but question marks must be asked about Slot’s inability to stir something in his struggling side.
Liverpool have now conceded 4 more Premier League goals than Arsenal and Man City 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝘽𝙄𝙉𝙀𝘿 🫣 pic.twitter.com/Xpl4NDuiga
— LiveScore (@livescore) November 24, 2025
The decision to move Dominik Szoboszlai, arguably Liverpool’s best performer this season, to right-back again was a mistake. So too was the decision to omit Hugo Ekitike for the struggling Alexander Isak. Furthermore, how much longer does Slot persist with the out-of-form Ibrahima Konate? A heavy touch from Konate led to the concession of a corner for the first goal, while he was fortunate VAR saved him when Igor Jesus tucked home a disallowed goal.
Slot, to his detriment, is sticking to his guns. Liverpool need something different.
Should Scotland consider Barnes?
Harvey Barne, this week, admitted he has not closed the door on representing Scotland. Capped once for England in 2020, Barnes remains eligible to represent Scotland due to his grandparents.
It’s a stance that has divided opinion. Sure, the Newcastle winger would improve the Scotland squad, but the players who grafted to reach a first World Cup since 1998 might feel aggrieved at Barnes now declaring interest in the Tartan Army.
Howayyy 😁 @NUFC pic.twitter.com/VKni9s1gkn
— Harvey Barnes (@harveybarnes97) November 23, 2025
This weekend, Barnes overcame some early misses to net a match-winning brace against Manchester City. The 27-year-old is a fantastic finisher when on song and would add an interesting option for Steve Clarke. It’s something that will no doubt be under consideration ahead of next summer’s tournament.
Arsenal depth has put title within reach
Pretty much every side in the Premier League would struggle in the absence of their best centre-back, captain, and two first-choice forwards, but Mikel Arteta has built a squad that can navigate such difficulty.
Despite having Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres all on the sidelines, the Gunners thrashed Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby. Piero Hincaptie looked assured deputising at centre-back, while Mikel Merino was a willing stand-in for Gyokeres as Arsenal’s auxiliary forward. Crucially, however, Eberechi Eze starred with a hat-trick as he shone in the creative role Odegaard often occupies.
Arsenal headed into the derby with a boost after defeats for Manchester City and Liverpool earlier in the weekend. A statement win has sent the Gunners six points clear, and Arteta’s depth of options means they’ll be difficult to catch.
Wilson shows West Ham value of centre-forward
Few teams have had a history as chequered when it comes to centre-forward signings as West Ham. A long list of disappointments includes Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, Niclas Fullkrug, and more, with a host of exciting additions failing to live up to expectations.
With money tight in the summer, the Hammers took a punt on Callum Wilson. At 33, Wilson might not be the version of old, but a free transfer seemed a safe bet, even given his injury record. Wilson proved this weekend just what a centre-forward can bring.
Two well-taken goals against former club Bournemouth earned the East Londoners a point and stretched his record to four Premier League goals in just 420 minutes of football.
Callum Wilson is the first player in Premier League history to score 2+ goals in the first half of a game but fail to complete a single pass.
Only at West Ham. 😂 pic.twitter.com/JhIwQq5i8H
— Hammers Hub (@HammersHubWHUFC) November 22, 2025
Wilson might not be the long-term answer, but reliable finishers are few and far between. West Ham collapsed after his premature substitution just before the hour, blowing the two-goal lead he had provided to draw.
Read – Premier League Awards: Awesome Eze, Liverpool reach new low
See more – Premier League Team of the Weekend: Eze, Barnes, Wilson
