Here's What We Learnt This Weekend #8

So after the latest week of the Premier League season, here’s what we learnt this weekend:

Firstly we’ve learnt that next week’s Manchester Derby at Old Trafford between the top two in the division; Manchester United and Manchester City is probably going to be hyped up as the biggest Manchester Derby ever. Roberto Mancini’s side will go into the game on top of the table holding a two point lead over United who could only draw at Anfield this weekend whilst City strolled to a comfortable and straight-forward 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

Looking at both teams, it’s clear that both teams have star strikers with something to prove and something (as they say) has ‘gotta give’ next week at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney arguably the star of last year’s derby will want to bag a goal whilst Mario Balotelli who’s been in top-form recently could really make himself a hero if he scores the winner next weekend. I would be willing to bet £50 (not that I’m a betting man) that one of them will defiantly score next weekend.

We’ve learnt that Robin van Persie, possibly even with Jack Wilshere in the team or not, is going to be the man who Arsene Wenger is going to have to wrap up in cotton wool if his Arsenal team are to have any chance of grabbing that vital fourth place which will see them qualify for the Champions League play-off round for next season.

The Dutchman’s goals on Sunday secured Arsenal a nervy 2-1 win over Sunderland who but for poor finishing and decision making should have left London with a point at least. Steve Bruce’s side are struggling at the moment and with Niall Quinn stepping down as chairman, you have to feel that if wins don’t come soon for Bruce that he may be out of his job soon.

We’ve learnt that Newcastle United if their start to the season is anything to go by are going to have a fantastic season. Alan Pardew’s doing a great job there and things are beginning to slot into place and judging by their unbeaten run so far, it’s not unimaginable to think that the Toon Army could secure European football at the end of this coming season.

Demba Ba looks in fantastic form and Newcastle look solid in all areas even with Shola Ameobi in the side. Owner Mike Ashley has been quiet so far this season and must be a happy man as for once all the press attention his team have been getting is relating to what they’re doing on the pitch rather than what’s happening behind the scenes. Could the head of the ‘Cockney Mafia’ be perhaps leading an iconic club back to its past glories?

We’ve learnt that after losing to Bolton that Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic are going to have to have some turn-around if they’re going to do anything but struggle this season. The loss of Hugo Rodallega through injury has hurt them badly and you just cannot at this stage of the season see the ‘Rugby Town’ side scoring too many goals this season.

As for Owen Coyle’s side, it was good to see them get back to winning ways. Bolton had endured a wretched start to the season and that was before they even had their first game at QPR, due to the fixture computer handing them some particularly tough games to begin with. Hopefully they’ve now turned the corner and can start climbing up the table.

Lastly we’ve learnt that Norwich City’s Anthony Pilkington could be a star for the Canaries this season after his two goals this weekend against Swansea, that Blackburn shouldn’t be relying on Christopher Samba to score them goals to stay up, that Spurs must be kicking themselves for not beating Newcastle at the weekend and that if Danny Sturridge continues to score goals for Chelsea then it will make life even tougher for Fernando Torres at Chelsea.

Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87