Can Gyokeres step up and save his stalling Arsenal career?
For the first five Premier League games of the season, Mikel Arteta named the same Arsenal front four in every single one. But now he’s set to be forced into changes.
Hamstring injuries to Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis mean the centre-forward and left-wing positions are likely to change over the next few weeks, at the very least.
Arsenal’s squad strength allows Eberechi Eze to come in as a left-wing option. It’s not a bad option. But how will Viktor Gyokeres fare as he prepares to replace Havertz?
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for the Swedish forward, who has yet to score in his five appearances in all competitions so far this term. He’s started only two, and he’s managed just one shot in his 192 minutes so far.
Right now, Gyokeres is increasingly becoming the player who just doesn’t quite fit at Arsenal. The start of the season has not only proved that Havertz is the clear first-choice No 9, but the German is better suited to Arteta’s Arsenal system.
But there are signs Gyokeres could get his opportunity at the right time. First, he has a strong record against Leeds, scoring three goals in the two Premier League games against the Whites last season. He also had a promising international break, scoring in every Sweden match during the lengthy camp. It mirrors a similar situation Gyokeres had in March of this year.
With question marks over his goalscoring form at Arsenal, Gyokeres went away with Sweden and fired them to the World Cup with four goals in two games. That in turn sparked a run of five goals in eight matches for Arsenal – with those goals helping the Gunners to the Premier League title.
Gyokeres’ Arsenal career is currently stalling, can he kick it into gear? – Skysports
Can Liverpool produce statement win to kick-start Iraola reign?
Anfield would be red hot any time Manchester City came to visit, but after recent events, expect a particularly volatile atmosphere on Sunday for a clash that could act as a springboard for Andoni Irola’s Liverpool reign.
While the Basque is still unbeaten and could become only the third permanent Liverpool manager to avoid defeat in each of his first six top-flight matches in charge of the club this weekend, he has enjoyed a favourable run of fixtures to begin his tenure.
That all changes now though, with the Reds face a tough-looking trip to Brentford, before hosting in-form Brighton & Hove Albion and champions Arsenal following the City encounter, an exacting league run that will tell us much more about how well Iraola’s ideas are taking hold.
The Liverpool head coach does have injury worries to key personnel to contend with, but if he can overcome those to produce a statement win in front of the watching world on Super Sunday, then players and fans will really start to believe in the new man. — skysports
Palmer back in spotlight as Chelsea seek response
Cole Palmer had looked to be returning to his best. There were six goal involvements in seven games before the international break. “That’s why we nominated him,” said a rather disgruntled
Thomas Tuchel when he was quizzed about Palmer pulling out of the England squad.
The England boss — who has been able to play Palmer just three times during his time in charge — said Chelsea informed him the forward “plays with discomfort and pain”. Pointedly, Tuchel added: “He misses too many opportunities” to impress for England.Xabi Alonso will need Palmer back available and ready to make an impact this Saturday at Stamford Bridge, though. Top-scorer
Joao Pedro is set to be out again and Chelsea are badly in need of a
response to the 3-0 loss at Brentford last time out, which knocked an encouraging start to the season off course.
Palmer’s pal and Chelsea team-mate Morgan Rogers had a productive time away with the national team – capping that spell with a wonderful assist for Harry Kane on Tuesday night. It would be timely for Palmer to deliver a special moment of his own to get Chelsea back on track and shake off those negative headlines with a reminder of his quality. — skysports
‘Lads, it’s Tottenham’… but it’s not that simple
On paper, the famous words are staring Manchester United fans in the face: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.”
Bottom of the table, winless after five games and already looking short of confidence… what could possibly go wrong?
Well, quite a lot.
Spurs have endured a miserable start under Roberto De Zerbi, but United arrive with their own problems. Just two wins from seven games in all competitions has piled the pressure on Michael Carrick, while three consecutive Premier League games without victory mean another slip-up will only turn up the heat.
History does favour United: they have won 40 of the 68 Premier League meetings, while Spurs have lost 25 times at Old Trafford.
But with both managers desperate for a result, this is less “Lads, it’s Tottenham” and more “Lads, it’s time to deliver.”
Given it’s at Old Trafford and the fact Spurs could match United’s points tally with a win a defeat would feel marginally more disastrous for Carrick’s side. — skysports.
