Tottenham's Remarkable Resilience Sans Harry Kane, as Mikel Arteta Throws Arsenal into Disarray, Reveals Paul Merson

Spurs better without Kane - Postecoglou brings style

Tottenham's performance has been impressive so far. I have a favorable opinion of their manager, and the style of football they play is entertaining. Although I am unsure about the concept of the 'Tottenham way' since they have not achieved significant victories, it is still a more pleasurable experience to watch their matches.

Initially, I predicted that Tottenham would not secure a spot in the top half of the table. However, I have heard from someone who closely follows Spurs and attends their matches both at home and away, that they will improve as a team without Harry Kane. Three games into the season, it appears that his statement holds true.

It's possible that the person we see in the team is not Kane, but rather the manager. I personally like the manager as he is very skilled. I don't believe they will finish in the top four because their style of play tends to have its ups and downs. However, watching their games will be more enjoyable.

Undoubtedly, Kane is an exceptional player and it would be difficult to find a direct replacement for him. Nevertheless, they still need to bring in someone new. Perhaps they will wait until January to pursue Ivan Toney. If they are not in contention for the top four by January, I doubt they will make any significant investments until the summer. This will give them time to evaluate their first season under Ange Postecoglou.

'Predictable' Arsenal reverting to bad habits

Arsenal's tactics have become somewhat stale; they rely heavily on their two wingers remaining wide and a central striker. However, there is a distinct lack of fluid movement and interchange between players on the field, resembling a game of Subbuteo football. Opposing teams have become aware of this pattern and Arsenal must exercise caution as a result.

Arsenal's retrogressive approach is characterized by excelling in possession, making them an extraordinary team with the ball. However, their deficiency in ball-winning players is glaring, with Declan Rice being the sole exception. As a consequence, top-notch teams will effortlessly prevail against Arsenal.

Arteta's system unnecessarily complicated

I am astounded by Kai Havertz's current position on the field. It is beyond my imagination. As a fervent Havertz supporter, I acknowledge his proficiency as a center-forward, capable of netting numerous goals in Germany. However, he is ill-suited for the left side.

To complicate matters further, Gabriel is suddenly excluded from the lineup, and Thomas Partey is deployed as a right-back. I fail to comprehend the reasoning behind this decision. It appears that everyone is embracing this trend of converting midfielders into full-backs, even though not even Pep Guardiola employs such tactics anymore. John Stones, for instance, occasionally ventures into the midfield from his central defensive role. Postecoglou jestingly mentioned copying Pep over the weekend, but it seems Arsenal has taken it seriously despite lacking the same success.

In nine games, Arsenal has allowed three goals within the first minute of football matches. This recurring pattern cannot be regarded as a coincidence. I am genuinely concerned for Arsenal as Arteta is implementing changes that appear to be quite intricate. It is a constant experimentation, but it is crucial to have faith in the players. I question why Eddie Nketiah did not commence the match against Fulham. Considering that Arsenal is expected to be Manchester City's main contenders, they have not encountered a challenging start thus far.

The ultimate test will occur on September 3rd, when Arsenal faces Manchester United (live on Super Sunday). As Tottenham has triumphed over them, it is imperative that Arsenal does the same.

Arsenal

Manchester United

Sunday 3rd September 4:00pm

Kick off 4:30pm

Had Enzo Fernandez successfully converted that penalty against West Ham, we would now marvel at their performance, as they would have undoubtedly triumphed over West Ham by a margin of three or four goals. We would exclaim, 'what an extraordinary start!' Yet, a single missed penalty alters the entire scenario, swiftly placing you in the midst of the league table. These fine margins prove to be truly consequential.

I am a fan of Chelsea, and I believe they have the potential to secure a top-four finish this season. Initially, I thought achieving such a position seemed unlikely, but my perspective has now changed. I have noticed the energetic and speedy performance of Nicolas Jackson, whom I greatly admire. However, one concern for Chelsea is when opposing teams adopt a defensive strategy and have ten players positioned behind the ball at Stamford Bridge.

This season, Chelsea will excel in their away games. Jackson and Raheem Sterling can create an electrifying attacking force, while Fernandez offers clever and crafty play in the midfield.

If Mauricio Pochettino manages to secure a top-four finish for Chelsea, it would undoubtedly be a remarkable season. Considering their previous position and the subsequent turnover, achieving a place in the top four would be an extraordinary accomplishment. Pochettino is truly defying expectations by potentially guiding them to a top-four spot.

Chelsea a better team away from Stamford Bridge

I am fond of Darwin Nunez, despite occasional errors in his passing and lack of awareness, he possesses vibrant energy and sharpness that make him a challenging opponent. I believe he should be included in the team every week.

Dominik Szoboszlai is someone I greatly admire; his performance against Newcastle was exceptional. He demonstrated unwavering determination, made accurate passes, and in my opinion, his acquisition was a remarkable choice. If Liverpool fail to secure a top-four finish, it raises concerns.

They possess a group of five forwards, all of whom have a remarkable ability to find the back of the net - surpassing the scoring prowess of most other teams. With the likes of Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Nunez, it is only natural to anticipate an abundance of goals from all of them.

On the other hand, Manchester City boasts a lineup of playmakers in the form of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Bernardo Silva, who excel at providing opportunities for their teammates. However, the Liverpool squad consists mainly of proficient goal scorers. Their firepower is undeniable; the challenge lies in Jurgen Klopp's ability to strike the perfect balance among them.