Gunners now have some serious fire-power
AFTER years of fragility, Arsenal finally appear to have rediscovered a ruthless edge as they claimed a third successive win to start a Premier League season for the first time in 18 years.
A 3-0 romp at Bournemouth on Saturday sent the Gunners to the top of the table.
The addition of forward Gabriel Jesus and wing-back Oleksandr Zinchenko from champions Manchester City appears to have helped spread a winning mentality throughout the team.
A year after losing their opening three games, Arsenal are flying and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale explained the difference to last season when they finished fifth.
“It’s crazy how our mentality has changed from the end of last season. We’re more ruthless,” he said.
“Zinchenko and Jesus know how to win.”
TOFFEES LACK FIRE-POWER
They may have grabbed their first point of the new Premier League season at the third attempt, but if anything Everton’s lack of fire-power was even more glaring in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.
The home side dominated for long spells and created plenty of chances, but all too often they relied on shots from distance as they lack a penalty-box predator who is ready to pounce at the whiff of a half-chance.
MAGPIES SHOW HOW TO SHOCK CITY
Newcastle United’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City perfectly illustrated how to get at the champions, but few teams in the league have a winger like Allan Saint-Maximin that will help them do so.
The French winger tormented City fullback Kyle Walker for much of the game at St James’ Park on Sunday. City had enough fire-power to deal with the danger and grab a point, but coaches will take heart from Saint-Maximin’s success.
SPURS NOT FIRING, BUT EARNING POINTS
For the second successive week Tottenham Hotspur showed that even when not firing on all cylinders, they have acquired the knack of picking up points without playing well.
Antonio Conte’s side laboured in the first half against Wolverhampton Wanderers and should have been behind, but Harry Kane’s 250th goal for the club after the break maintained their solid start to the season.
If Tottenham start firing on all cylinders, they could be in for a season of opportunity.
LIFE AFTER BIELSA CONTINUES TO BE SWELL FOR LEEDS
As Leeds United hovered above the relegation zone during the first few months of American coach Jesse Marsch’s tenure last season, his popular predecessor’s name was never far from fans’ minds.
But fast forward a few months and Marcelo Bielsa has been quickly forgotten as Marsch continues to improve Leeds, with his side putting Chelsea to the sword with a rampant display during Sunday’s 3-0 win.
Leeds never stopped running, putting pressure on Chelsea every time they got on the ball, and made it seven points from a possible nine at the start of the season with a thoroughly deserved win, with Marsch’s system bearing fruit.
“We have a bunch of guys who are starting to understand their roles,” Marsch said.
“Not only that, we have several players who are in the form of their lives. It is a good sign.”
BRIGHTON DARK HORSES FOR TOP SIX?
So well-structured are Brighton & Hove Albion under Graham Potter that they have shrugged off the close season departures of Marc Cucurella to Chelsea and Yves Bissouma to Tottenham with barely a stutter.
Their intelligent and composed football proved too much for West Ham United on Sunday as they made it seven points from a possible nine to start the season.
MITROVIC REAPS REWARDS
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic showed that persistence pays after scoring a superb 90th-minute winner in their 3-2 victory over Brentford, having failed to find the net with his previous four shots on target in the west London derby.
While some may focus on his profligacy and the impact it may have in big games, Mitrovic has racked up three goals in three games so far to equal his tally from his last season in the top flight – three goals in 27 appearances in 2020/21.
He is also closing in on 100 goals for the London side and appears to be hungrier than ever under Marco Silva.