TEAM: ARSENAL
The champions put down an early marker in the league with an impressive display against a new-look, confident Chelsea side.
What made the Gunners so impressive was that they went after Chelsea, maybe due to conceding early. But they were on the front foot, which made for an open and entertaining game. Then, as the game went further into the second half, they showed their defensive solidity.
Well done to Crystal Palace. Liverpool and Man City.
GOALKEEPER: GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (Man City)
It feels funny to say, but the Man City keeper earned his clean sheet, and his team’s win was also due to his performance.
Coventry surprisingly had a few very good chances to score, but he was sharp and made himself hard to beat, earning his team a narrow victory.
Shout out to Brighton’s Verbruggen. Aston Villa’s Susuki. Brentford’s Kelleher. Liverpool’s Alisson and Leeds’ Trafford.
DEFENDER: LUKA VUSKOVIC (Brighton)
The Croatian teenager has started his first season in the Premier League well and, for someone so young, is learning on the job and showing his quality and maturity, especially in such a physical league.
In a game where Leeds were a constant threat, he survived the test, conceding one in the first half. Then proved to be a threat himself at the back post, earning his team a point.
Well done to his teammate Dunk. Hull City duo Giles and Egan. Liverpool duo Van Dijk and Araujo. Coventry’s Thomas. Arsenal duo Konsa & Calafiori. Everton’s Braithwaite. Man City duo Guehi & Gvardiol.
Sunderland duo Danso & Mukiele. Spurs duo Van Hecke & Van de Ven. Villa’s Lindelof. Forest’s Milenkovic. Leeds duo Muharemovi? and Elvedi, and Man Utd’s Shaw.
MIDFIELDER: MARTIN ODEGAARD (Arsenal)
Finally, Arsenal have their captain and talisman, who they have all been asking for. He put in a sterling performance in the middle of the park against Chelsea.
It was full of energy, neat touches, creative passes, movement, and intelligent forward runs, topped off by ghosting into the box to finish confidently to settle a good London derby.
Shout out to his teammates Rice & Tzolis. Palace duo Mitchell & Chilwell. Everton trio Maitland-Niles, George and Grealish. Brentford duo Janelt and Damsgaard. Leeds duo Bogle & Tanaka. Chelsea’s Rogers.
Fulham duo King & Palacios. Bournemouth duo Tavarnier and Scott. Newcastle duo Barnes & Ramsey. Brighton’s De Cuyper. Sunderland’s Le Fee.
FORWARD: ALEXANDER ISAK (Liverpool)
Liverpool will hope they finally have the striker they thought they bought last season. It has taken some time due to fitness and injuries, but Isak looked like the Isak of old.
Two early goals against Ipswich certainly reminded all of what all the fuss was about. The first was a powerful effort that was too hot for the keeper to stop. His second showed his nifty feet of old as he manoeuvred into a position to sweep home.
Well done to his teammate Gakpo. Arsenal’s Havertz. Man City’s Haaland. Man Utd trio Mbeumo, Sesko and Rashford and Palace’s Nketiah.
MANAGER: PIERRE SAGE (Crystal Palace)
The Frenchman has had a baptism of fire in the Premier League with two straight defeats. So, when the players came in at half-time losing to Fulham, it must have been hard.
But he must have given a good team talk as they came out determined. Then, after the most unlikely player, Mitchell, scored his second to equalise. He made the bold move to sub him for the new signing Ben Chilwell, who just three minutes later scored the winner.
Shout out to Arsenal’s Arteta, Liverpool’s Iraola, and Man City’s Maresca.
UNSUNG HERO: TYRICK MITCHELL (Crystal Palace)
There were several candidates for this, but I couldn’t ignore the Palace full-back who has been playing as an effective wing-back for some time. However, I bet nobody expected to see him on the score sheet, let alone twice.
But he scored two equalising goals at two vital times in the game. His second was extremely vital. This allowed his team to go on and get a come-from-behind away win for their first points of the season.
Well done to Everton’s Maitland-Niles. Liverpool’s Gakpo. Fulham’s King. Coventry’s Thomas and Forest’s Williams.
GAME: ARSENAL 2 – 1 CHELSEA
Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea another early lead when his shot from the edge of the box crept in (2). Calafiori then had a goal disallowed before Havertz sneaked a shot in from the edge of the box, inside the near post (25).
Before the end of the half, Neto hit the post. In the second half, Arsenal came out strong, and Odegaard ghosted in to lash home (50). There was still time for Raya to make a fantastic save from Estevao.
There were also very good games at Fulham. Who lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace. At Everton, they got a last-second 2-2 draw with Man Utd and at Newcastle, they came back from two down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth.
GOAL: AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES (Everton) vs Man Utd
After three years away from the Premier League, with stoppage time ticking down and losing 2-1, he came on as a sub in the 77th minute.
The ball came rolling out of the box, 25 yards out, just to the left of the box. He took two steps and hit a lovely, side-footed, first-time effort that flew into the top near corner, leaving the keeper stranded.
There was also a good goal from Newcastle’s Barnes and Man Utd’s Mbeumo.
FOOL: ALVARO ARBELOA (Fulham)
Coventry are down there with them and have not scored a goal, but they just came up. Though the West Londoners have scored four this season, they have zero points.
They went into the second half at home to Palace leading 2-1. But conceded two in the second half, leaving them rock bottom. The honeymoon period is already over for Arbeloa, and if he didn’t know already, he is a long way from Madrid. FOOL!
