Premier League Wrap: Raya keeps Arsenal alive, is Chelsea back at the top?

Premier League GW2 takeaways: Raya's heroics, Haaland's dominance, Man Utd's defensive woes, Chelsea's resurgence, and relegation battle prospect.

David Raya stretches to save at a point-blank range from Ollie Watkins in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday. (Photo credit: GOAL)

We take a look at the few lessons we learned from the recently concluded weekend. Game week 2 of the new Premier League season has come to a close with some interesting results.

David Raya deserves the Golden Glove.

David Raya, Arsenal's Golden Glove winner, was questioned by the media and rival fans after winning the award last season, with many citing the strong defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel as the reason for Arsenal's clean sheets.

In just two games, Raya has bailed Arsenal out in critical situations; Raya saved a point-blank header from Wolves striker Strand Larsen, and his heroics against Aston Villa laid the foundation for Arsenal’s strong victory away from home. Maybe Raya deserves his flowers.

Haaland is still the man.

If you play Fantasy Premier League, you must be wondering how hard life can be without having Erling Haaland in your team; however, the striker continues to confirm why he’s the most expensive player ever.

Haaland scored a hattrick on Saturday against Ipswich, and he looks like someone who wants to break the record he set two seasons ago. With Kevin De Bruyne looking like a new wine, don’t bet against the Norwegian striker.

New season. Manchester United

There were eight Manchester United players in the box when Joao Pedro headed home the winner on Saturday at the Amex, none of them could stop the Brazilian from heading home unmarked.

It didn’t look like an offside trap but, whatever the coaches coached failed woefully, if Pedro missed the header, someone else was waiting to pounce, clear sight of the issues we have always known with United, is Ten Hag really the man?

Is Chelsea back to the top?

After giving Arsenal lots of things to think about in their opening day fixture at the Emirates, many expected Wolves to trouble Chelsea but, they were picked apart effortlessly by Chelsea’s youngsters.

Noni Madueke completed his hattrick in the second half, helped by three assists from PFA Young Player of the Year winner Cole Palmer; Chelsea’s playing pattern was clear, a few defensive skirmishes here and there but, it looks like they’re moving in the right direction.

Business as usual at the foot of the log?

You can understand for Ipswich Town, it’s unfair to start the season with tough fixtures against two of the boys but Southampton and Crystal Palace, who have played relatively easier games have no excuses.

The Tractor Boys, The Saints and the Eagles all have no point on the board, add Wolves and Everton to that list and you have the five teams at the bottom, is it safe to say three of these five will get relegated? It looks like that from where we stand.