Big debate: Liverpool is no longer at the top of the Premier League after another defeat over the weekend.
The Premier League landscape has already changed. Two weeks ago, it seemed like some people felt that Liverpool had concluded the title.
They lost for the third time in a week as Chelsea scored a late winner on Saturday night. Arne Slot is still trying to find a winning formula from his gorgeously built team, but things like Florian Wirtz continue to be overwhelmed.
Their loss in West London meant that Arsenal would steal the march and take the top. Until recently, questions were asked about Mikel Arteta and his methods, but now the gunners enjoy narrow advantages at the top.
And what about Manchester City? He was a serial champion until last year. We’ve talked about transitions, but we’re continuing to pick up the results. You rarely tip them to finish the top of the mountain, but that might suit them well.
Tottenham enjoys a new manager bounce, but they have it under Angipost Coglu and missed the Champions League spot that year. Are they enough to continue? And how much miracle can Andoni Iraola do in Bournemouth?
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We asked the writers to give us ideas about which teams started their best seven games in the season.
Jeremy Cross – Arsenal
The answer is simple. Arteta, because his team is sitting at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool has stumbled and Manchester City is lurking in a dangerous position, but Arsenal is beginning to justify the tag as one of their pre-season favorites to win the title.
There’s still a long way to go and the roads have bumps, but Arteta appears to have the strongest team on top flights.
One problem he has to overcome is not to become a bridesmaid again, like what happened in the last two seasons. Has his players learned anything from recent events?
John Cross – Arsenal
Without the shadow of doubt, Arsenal would have got off to a great start. Looking at their opening fixtures, they can sit on top after seven games are phenomenal, including Manchester United Away, Liverpool Away, Newcastle Away and Manchester City.
That’s a pretty statement. Even on Saturday, in the last two seasons, they’ve been sliding into West Ham at home, and again under pressure, but they still saw Liverpool losing to Chelsea.
Fairplay, Arsenal has taken a big test and sits on the mountain after a tougher start than their rivals. Arteta has received support from clubs in the transfer market and he was a bit late after being accused of putting on the handbrake…but his starting lineup against West Ham was offensive and exciting.
If they can score Viktor Gyoker, Arsenal will feel this could ultimately become their year.
The other team worthy of a big mention is Tottenham. Last year they were hopeless in the Premier League and still contradictory at home, but Thomas Frank is a fresh start and is working.
James Whaling – Bournemouth
The honorable mention here was finally clipped for an impressive return to the Premier League on Sunday for the Spurs, Crystal Palace, who enjoyed a solid start under London’s rival Spurs Arsenal, Thomas Frank.
But the answer is Bournemouth. Iraola’s side continues to go against the odds, worthy of their position in the top four after seven games, sitting two points behind the pace setting gunner.
They already play half of the top-flight Champions League sextets, scoring four points from matches against Champions Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Their other four games have scored 10 points, and if they can maintain their form as the season progresses, their first leaps in European football is very important to the cards.
Antoine Semeño has one of the Premier League superstars. This is the nature of the beast, and it’s hard to see him remain on the South Coast beyond the end of the season.
The same can be said about their managers, especially if Manchester United’s misery continues. The Red Devils hierarchy could be even worse. And they already have it.
Tom Victor – Tottenham
Given the teething problems faced by so many managers last season, this is not a sniff of the ability to start very impressively under a new boss.
This was a team that spent the second half of last season firmly in the lower half of the table, losing captain’s son Hong Min to LAFC and playmaker James Madison to an ACL injury.
Considering all that, some might have forgiven Frank if he had been playing the team for a while the way he wanted it to be. But that wasn’t a problem. The Spurs only lost once on seven league outings to sit third as we enter the international break.
Yes, the fixtures are friendly and a great victory at Manchester City is the only game against one of the top sevens last season. Bigger tests continue, but you can’t knock on what you’ve achieved so far.
Sam Mead – Arsenal
Credits to Tottenham, particularly Bournemouth, have been at a pace so far, but in light of the noise surrounding them, manager Arsenal pauses for a moment, smiling considering the current situation.
Yes, they were beaten in Liverpool and failed to beat Man City at home, but the late recent victory in Newcastle may be the moment we look back as the most decisive. That victory came when Red lost and the door opened a bit.
And Arsenal was able to do a light job for West Ham on Saturday, sitting in the back and seeing Liverpool lose, allowing them to keep the top spot.
Like Liverpool in Opening Weeks, they aren’t perfect, but they seem to be heading for more winning formulas and don’t distance themselves from one. Arteta knows the pressure is underway, but at this point we couldn’t put any more.
Nathan Ridley – Bournemouth
Relatively speaking, there is no argument for me. Iraola’s side, which has lost 80% of his back four and goalkeepers who are unable to get in frequently since last season, is outstanding in collecting 14 points from his first seven games.
Their only loss came in the opening night of the season, a roller coaster 4-2 defeat to Liverpool. They then showed the characters coming from behind in the last two games, picking up a draw at Elland Road after highlighting Fulham to defeat Fulham on Friday.
All of Cherry’s new signatures reach the mantle left by his predecessor, proving why Bournemouth is one of the nation’s best-running clubs. Antoine Semegno has also been one of the players of his season so far.
Yes, Arsenal scored the most points, but they lost to their title rivals at Liverpool and drew at home to Man City. I think 16 points are pars on the course – unlike Bournemouth, within the qualifying cry to Europe and showing no signs of drop-off.
Andy Dunn – Bournemouth
No one is surprised that Arsenal and Liverpool are in the top two in the table. They were two major powers teams last season, and they strengthened each quite a bit in the summer.
The only mild shock was that the slot champions slid at Stamford Bridge and Selhurst Park. In the middle of the table, Everton and Sunderland probably outweigh the weight in these opening exchanges, but the two teams that actually caught the eye lie third and fourth.
Unfortunately, Frank’s fascinating start from the Spurs is to expose Angeposlow’s shortcomings. A flaw highlighted by his brooding start in Nottingham Forest.
But for me, the standout performer after the first seven Premier League matches is Bournemouth.
After selling what looked like five key players in the summer, Andoni Iraora continues to acquire great songs from his team, producing consistently charming and winning football, matching everyone. Simply put, they are credits to the Premier League.
Dan Marsh – Arsenal
Liverpool may have been the top of the mountain until this weekend, but if we’re frank, there were indications that the champions were off the long way before Arne Slot’s new-looking team fell into a back-to-back Premier League defeat.
I find it ridiculous considering recent history, but few people are talking about Manchester City in relation to the title. They had to rebuild after the collapse last season. And after early dental issues this semester, now only 3 points from Arsenal at the summit.
As for title contenders, I think Arteta’s men got off to a great start despite losing points against two major title contenders. But don’t forget that they had to fight injuries to some of their best players. So, taking everything into consideration, I’ll plump for the gunner. just.
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