Post2Post Reviews – What have we learnt so far?

By Joe Murphy

In this article, we take a look at what we have learnt over the first few weeks of the Premier League Season. Surprises, overachievers and disappointment, we have seen it all already. With three games down, and the transfer window finally closed, let’s evaluate…

Chelsea are the real deal…

Thomas Tuchel seems to have transformed Chelsea into not only, somehow, European Champions, but into genuine title challengers this term. Convincing wins against Crystal Palace and Arsenal were followed most recently by a professional display at Anfield that seemed to be heading for another three points until a mis-timed red card/penalty double jeopardy incident, left them with only a point. However, seven points from three games, two of which were away at top clubs, is a stellar return. This, boosted with summer recruits Saul and Lukaku, has turned Chelsea from a fortunate fourth place last season, to a genuine contender this time. If Lukaku can maintain his goalscoring consistency, they will surely be right up there come May.

Arsenal won’t be as bad as last year, they’ll be worse!

A mis-sight from Post2Post maybe gave Arsenal and Arteta more credit than either deserve. The immediate come back is that we are still very much early on in this season with only a few games played.

However, no goals, no points and no real light at the end of the tunnel, has sent many Arsenal fans into meltdown, whilst the rest of us look on and laugh, whilst feeling just a crumb of sympathy. Recent signings will take time to adjust and the state of Arsenal’s recent recruitment was best summed up by Willian’s 21 million pound saving release. Almost a repeat of another Ozil-type situation.

Simply put, Arsenal have not got many great players that other teams would have in their squads. Smith-Rowe and Saka could turn into something in a few years time, and Aubameyang and Lacazette have shown they can play when they fancy it. Aside from this inconsistent quad, only Kirean Tierney is a player than other top clubs in the league would even look at. Unfortunately for the left back, he is alone when considering other players, currently at the Gunners, anyone would consider even remotely “world class”. An upcoming, favourable run of fixtures could prove absolutely pivotal for Arteta to turn the ship in the right direction. They do seemingly have a squad good enough to be around mid-table. Lose to Norwich, however, that will surely be it for the Spaniard. A must-win game.

Are we unfairly and prematurely discounting Everton and Spurs?

Only one team now can boast a 100% perfect record so far this season and it’s is Spurs. Three consecutive 1-0 wins is the ideal start for new manager Nuno Espirito and sees them top the league for this first international break. Having beaten Manchester City, it shows that Spurs defence is perhaps more solid than many gave it credit for, prior to the season commencing. Tanganga, Dier, Sanchez and Reguilon have played very well so far and with another probablyle win in round four against Palace, the table reads especially well for the white half of North London. This is made even more magic in comparison to bitter rivals Arsenal, at the polar opposite of the league table. If Harry Kane can get back firing, Son maintains his form and Dele Alli continues his resurrgance, then Spurs could knock on the door of the top four, more than most expected.

The same could be said for Everton. Seven points from the opening nine available, the blue side of Merseyside remain unbeaten and they have barely put a foot wrong (aside from the first half of the first game versus Southampton). Dominic Calvert Lewin is firing, the midfield seems a lot more assured and the defence is doing relatively soundly. Therefore, Rafael Benitez can only be happy with what he has seen from his side so far. Carlo Ancelotti started much the same last season, so it remains to be seen whether they can keep this form up through the next part of the season, which offers up some encouraging looking fixtures. With new signings Demari Gray looking like a steal at little over a million quid and proven firepower in Solomon Rondon coming into the club, maybe Europe in some form is not such an unlikely outcome for the Toffees.

Brentford a surprise package, Watford lacking firepower, Norwich looking doomed?

When evaluating the start the three recently promoted teams have made, suggesting the findings are a “mixed bag” is about right. To many people’s surprise, it is in fact Brentford who have made the best start. Two away games and the South London club still remain unbeaten. Only two goals conceded will delight Bee’s fans. The only hitch in an otherwise ideal start would be the slight lack of firepower up front, with Toney and co really yet to establish themselves as ruthless Premier League calibre attackers.

It’s a similar story over in North London up in Watford. What can only be described as a steady start with one win, the Hornets just seem to missing that extra bit of firepower when it counts. Sarr and new signing Sissoko, as well as other recent recruits, will hope to be more clinical and grab a few more points in the coming weeks to stay well away from the drop. With other teams like Burnley, Newcastle and Wolves struggling, Watford will be hoping to stay above their lower-midtable rivals.

One team, however, who does look doomed, is Norwich. Of all the newly promoted teams, it is in fact last year’s Championship champions who are struggling to find their feet the most. Only one goal and no points to their name, only Arsenal are currently below them on goal difference. Canaries fans will be hoping, like other teams, that their recent signings come good and start to get in the winning habit. Something which is going to be incredibly difficult for the East-Anglia based side, with them having arguably the weakest squad in the division.

Lukaku and Grealish have an instant impact, Sancho and others need more time.

Finally, although it is early in the season, we have seen glimpses of new summer signings across the division. Some of which, it appears, have settled to Premier League life quicker than others. Romelu Lukaku and Jack Grealish of course have the benefit of having played in the division before with both having settled into life at their new respective clubs rather nicely, having both already found the net.

It’s a rather different story for Ben White, who will need rather more time to settle in following his summer move from Brighton to Arsneal. White has had Covid at the wrong time but prior to this he did struggle on his debut against Brentford. Whereas Buendia, Armstrong and Ings have all settled into their new respective homes almost seemlessly, Jadon Sancho on the other hand has only started once and has yet to show his worth. The pressure that comes with his price tag can’t help, but at least he has age on his side and an incoming Cristiano Ronaldo to help his development. Speaking of Ronaldo, there are signings we will have to wait to see the extent of which they have an impact. The affotmentioned Ronaldo at Manchester United, Daka at Leicester hasn’t quite had the chance to show us what he’s done, Dan James to Leeds United and Saul Niguez to Chelsea could prove absolutely inspired deadline day purchases. Aaron Lennon is back for Burnley and is joined by new recruit Cornet, West Ham have a third Czech musketeer to add to their roster and Joe Willock will hope to rediscover his from last season yet again for Newcastle. The jury is very much out on these moves. A lot to look forward to and a lot of unpredictability. Exactly what we need to keep the Premier league at it’s most exciting.

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