This Weekend's Premier League Talking Points - Part One

With only one fixture left of the first round of games of the new Premier League season, I thought I would have a look to see if the results of the teams I watched are an indication of what you can expect to see from them this season. Let’s start with Arsenal, shall we?

My beloved team managed to start the season well for six whole minutes before virtually capitulating in front of my eyes. One thing led to another and before you know it, Arsenal are down to ten men and Aston Villa’s left-back Luna is bearing down on goal, wrapping the 3-1 scoreline up for the Villains. But I don’t think Arsenal will be that dire for the enitre season, or at least I hope not. I was, however, impressed with Aston Villa, especially as they had an injury early on in the game to one of their defenders, who was replaced by Ciaran Clark. I genuinely hope they keep it up, because I for one am a big fan what they’re doing with their progression of youth team players. But Arsenal could be in a massive rut if they don’t get bodies in with currently eleven first team players fit.

Up to Merseyside now, as Liverpool entertained Stoke in the opening fixture of the season. It was certainly a good way to kick things off as no team fancied defending especially well, and considering Stoke didn’t line up with one of their long throw “specialists”, they didn’t necessarily play that bad standard of football. They were knocking it up to Crouch at certain points, but if it works, why not?

Liverpool looked okay, but not as scintillating as I thought they would be. Aspas looks lively but I don’t think he’s a conventional forward like he was deployed as, whereas Sturridge seems to have carried his form over from last season. However, Their defenders are still prone to having a funny five minutes, proven with the penalty the conceded for a blatant Daniel Agger handball.

Luckily, it wasn’t a wobbly Pepe Reina, but a Simon Mignolet in goal who, it has to be said, started the game in a nervy fashion, but he rectified it by stopping the spot-kick and the follow up. I think when the new signings bed in for Liverpool and Suarez returns, they’ll be sorted this year.

Stoke may need some fresh faces in an attacking sense, especially if they want to adopt this new style of play. They could have got something at Liverpool if John Walters had his head screwed on from twelve yards - but it’s a marathon not a sprint.

A solid first day of football in my eyes, now onto Sunday!

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