Thriving Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, while Arsenal's growth remains elusive: Premier League Reveals Stark Contrasts

Arsenal yet to show growth from last season

To surpass their previous season's performance and secure their first Premier League title in 20 years, Arsenal must address the vulnerabilities in their defensive line, particularly when playing at the Emirates Stadium.

In the 2023 Premier League season, the Gunners have demonstrated a concerning trend of conceding goals within the first minute of play when at home. This recurring issue has now occurred three times in nine matches. This detrimental habit proved to be costly in their previous match against Southampton last season and once again in their recent encounter with Fulham. Coincidentally, Fulham is the only team in the top-flight league since the beginning of last season that has recorded fewer clean sheets at home than the Gunners.

Arteta's assortment of imaginative midfielders and adaptable forwards once again rescued their teammates from a difficult situation on Saturday - only to see the defense fall apart once more.

Although it is still early days, the proof that Arsenal has become a more well-rounded team compared to last season - and hence more credible contenders for the title - has not yet been presented.

Spurs revitalised but do they need another striker?

Tottenham's Unbeaten Start Continues, but Richarlison Faces Frustration

Tottenham's unbeaten start to the season under Ange Postecoglou was extended with a convincing 2-0 victory against Bournemouth. However, for Richarlison, the Spurs striker, it proved to be a frustrating afternoon on the south coast. Despite opportunities to find the back of the net in the first half, he failed to capitalize. In the second half, he received a needless booking for a tackle, much to the amusement of the home fans who taunted him constantly. Ultimately, in the 60th minute, Richarlison was substituted.

In 2023, the Brazil international has set a single goal. It is an impossible task to replace the talented Harry Kane, and it is unreasonable to expect the 26-year-old to reach the same levels as his former teammate. However, he appears to be lacking confidence and in poor form.

To overcome Kane's absence, Ange Postecoglou has implemented a strategy to make Tottenham more dynamic and adaptable in their attack. Richarlison, Heung-Min Son, and Dejan Kulusevski have been granted the flexibility to interchange positions, and they have shown promising collaboration on several occasions this season. While they may not individually match Kane's goal tally throughout the campaign, their impressive six goals in three games, along with the inclusion of a skilled playmaker in James Maddison, suggest that Tottenham's new style of play is proving successful.

Image:

Tottenham striker Richarlison had a frustrating afternoon as he was booked and substituted just six minutes later against Bournemouth. This raises the question of whether a new striker could potentially elevate the team to the next level. Postecoglou, in his post-match press conference at Bournemouth, expressed his support for Richarlison to start scoring. However, with the transfer window closing on Friday, there is speculation on whether Tottenham will be enticed to utilize some of the funds acquired from Kane's departure to secure a forward. The challenge lies in identifying realistic options that are currently available.

Moyes adding frightening quality to steely West Ham

Games like this do not usually go David Moyes' way.

West Ham's record away from home against the traditional big six is woeful, having lost all 28 matches and failed to secure a single victory.

Typically, elite teams manage to overcome the solid and dependable defensive tactics employed by Moyes. Even though Brighton is not officially considered a traditional big-six team, their impressive style of play under Roberto De Zerbi merits such recognition.

Moyes expressed the need for a different approach to put an end to a 12-game winless streak against Brighton. While not a drastic change in style, the combination of defensive structure and effective counter-attacking made this day memorable for Moyes. He now has a team that embodies the traditional Moyes traits of determination, physicality, and strength, coupled with an abundance of skill that sets West Ham apart when advancing towards the opposition's goal. Chelsea and Brighton both experienced this firsthand.

This point was further emphasized by the second goal at Brighton.

Jarrod Bowen's incredible display of sprinting the full length of a football field to join a counter-attack was truly remarkable. However, what set him apart was his ability to compose himself and deliver perfect touches, resulting in a mesmerizing goal of unmatched quality.

While at West Ham, Moyes has mastered the skill of defeating teams in the lower half of the table. If he can now consistently triumph over prominent opponents, it could signal even more thrilling days ahead for the passionate fan-base, who are currently experiencing a peak of excitement.

Pochettino liberating Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino reminisced about a memorable match from his early tenure as the manager of Espanyol. He led his team to the illustrious Nou Camp, where they achieved a historic triumph over Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. This victory played a crucial role in Pochettino's astute efforts to secure the team's survival in LaLiga.

Pochettino's arrival as a coach was announced and his new team was propelled out of the relegation zone to safety after Espanyol secured a 2-1 victory in February 2009. This victory, achieved courtesy of two goals from midfielder Ivan de la Pena, ended a 27-year wait for a win at the home of their city rivals. On Friday, Chelsea displayed no complacency as Pochettino's side smoothly defeated Luton.

Pochettino admitted that there may still be a chance for Romelu Lukaku to stay at Stamford Bridge if a deal to sell him cannot be finalized before the end of the transfer window. However, it is unlikely that Lukaku will be the solution to the team's goal-scoring issues unless his relationship with the club improves.

The head coach mentioned that the club is actively looking for another attacking option, but only if a player with similar qualities becomes available. This is still a work in progress, but even with the current number of players absent, there are positive signs in these early weeks that suggest the team is heading towards improvement under Pochettino.

Man Utd win but vulnerability obvious

Manchester United should be commended for navigating their way out of such a challenging predicament. It is reasonable for Erik ten Hag to prioritize highlighting the resilience and determination displayed by his players. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes, the hero of the match, speaks of a team with immense potential for achieving remarkable feats.

Watching United's chaotic performances this season, the overriding emotion is not a positive one. Despite being fortunate against Wolves and punished by Tottenham, there is little indication that the team has taken heed of these warnings. The lack of team shape and urgency is evident in their performance.

"After the game, Ten Hag expressed his satisfaction with the comeback," he said. "We showed great leadership and remained calm and composed. We stuck to the plan and stayed faithful to our beliefs, which allowed us to turn the game around. Our football was of exceptional quality, and we executed our plan and rules brilliantly, resulting in some superb goals."

When asked about his team's weaknesses, he responded by acknowledging that every team has areas that could use improvement, including his own. However, he highlighted the positive qualities of his team, such as their strong character and personality. He emphasized that they have a good spirit and energy, which has helped them achieve victories.

Based on expected-goals data, United has allowed more scoring opportunities this season compared to Fulham, Luton, Bournemouth, Everton, and Wolves. This trend has not hindered them from earning six points out of nine, but it is not a sustainable situation for a team with their ambitions.

Goalless Everton's troubles deepen

Things are going from bad to worse for Everton.

The Toffees are now at the bottom of the Premier League after suffering a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Wolves. Their lack of points and goals highlights the troubled state of the team. This is the first time under Sean Dyche's leadership that they have started a league season with three consecutive losses, a feat not seen since 1990/91. Additionally, it is notable that this is the first time they have failed to score a single goal in their opening three matches.

Everton were on the verge of scoring their first goal of the season against Wolves, yet they squandered four significant opportunities. Additionally, Abdoulaye Doucoure had a goal disallowed due to an offside call.

Consequently, Everton's inability to score extends to 17 Premier League matches since the beginning of the previous season. Only Bournemouth has had more instances of failing to find the back of the net, with a total of 19.

If Everton wants to avoid being in a relegation battle this season, they must address this extravagance.

At the end of the match, Dyche and the Everton fans had a ray of hope that assistance is coming their way. Udinese striker Beto is expected to arrive in Merseyside on Saturday night for a medical examination before officially joining the club in a £25.7m agreement.

Brentford and Palace could do with late striker gift

Given Kevin Schade's remarkable curling shot that gave Brentford a 1-0 lead against Crystal Palace, it seemed like Brentford's urgent requirement for a late window striker was diminishing.

However, as the game progressed, Palace gained momentum. With only Kean Lewis-Potter as a substitute to make an impact, it became apparent why the Bees had recently made record-breaking bids for Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson and Fiorentina's Nicolas Gonzalez. "It would be beneficial to have that additional offensive option that we currently lack," expressed Frank after the match, as Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, who are typically dependable, struggled to create opportunities or convert them against Palace.

Crystal Palace's front line is also awaiting improvements, according to manager Roy Hodgson. Prior to the Brentford match, he mentioned that they are seeking options. In the past three games, the Eagles have only managed to score twice, with no goals from Odsonne Edouard.

At present, both teams find themselves in a mid-table position, not contending for a spot in the top seven nor facing relegation. However, the outcome of their striker department in the remaining days of the summer transfer window could greatly influence their progress this season.

Iraola's exciting Bournemouth may need to adapt

Andoni Iraola has yet to secure his first victory as the head coach of Bournemouth, having taken over Gary O'Neil during the summer. However, Cherries supporters need not be concerned at this stage.

Despite a 1-1 draw against West Ham during their home debut and consecutive losses to Liverpool and Tottenham, Bournemouth has showcased their potential under Iraola's guidance in all three matches.

A visionary manager aiming to implement an audacious and intense style of play, Iraola not only led his former team Rayo Vallecano to promotion in LaLiga, but also achieved consecutive mid-table finishes and defeated Real Madrid and Barcelona last season. His brand of football is highly entertaining, and he possesses the ability to strategically outclass some of the best European teams.

Nevertheless, there is a pressing issue that he must address promptly. In his last 17 games across all competitions (14 with Rayo Vallecano and three with Bournemouth), his teams have been unable to keep a clean sheet. This represents the longest streak of his managerial career.

The beginning of his journey on the south coast has already indicated what can be anticipated. The Premier League is known for its ruthless nature, so despite Iraola's thrilling philosophy, he might have to make adjustments to his approach in order to achieve positive outcomes. - Dan Sansom