Premier League Review: Slot's impressive start, Arsenal's crazy days ahead and other stories

A wild start to the 2024/2025 Premier League season as City and Liverpool lead, Arsenal and Chelsea stumble, and ten hag faces questions over future.

Arne Slot has integrated into the Liverpool team seamlessly, will he land them a major silverware this season? (Photo credit: GOAL)

It’s been a wild start to life in the new 2024/2025 Premier League season with the usual suspects leading the way and the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool leading the way while Everton and the new boys are down below, fighting for the right to be a part of the elite conversation.

It’s not a surprise that Manchester City lead the log, albeit on goal difference after star man Erling Haaland struck two hattricks in three games, but Liverpool’s Arne Slot slotting into the Anfield dugout like Jurgen Klopp never left is the real wonder.

Three games, three impressive wins, and no goal conceded. For a team that was supposed to be in transition, Slot has done well, and pundits will now have to rejig their predictions in case they thought the Kops wouldn’t compete for the title.

It's early days; you can be right if you ask for more time, especially with Liverpool's midfield looking thin. Endo Wataru hasn't featured yet, with Ryan Gravenberch receiving his kinsman's nod. However, aside from the Asian, the Kops have no other senior midfield option if something happens to Alexis Mac Allister and the Dutchman.

The same players are once again leading their defense. The role of Trent Alexander Arnold hasn’t changed under Slot, and while Andy Robertson isn’t up there as he was in the past, he’s still plugging away at left back, but an injury to Virgil Van Dijk and Alexander Arnold will test Liverpool.

Manchester City have done so well without Rodri, who has yet to feature for the champions this season. They remain the firm favorite for the title, and it would take some hard work from every team in the league to wrest the title off them.

Arsenal has started well, but dropping two points at home to Brighton wasn’t part of the script. They will look at the circumstances surrounding Declan Rice's red card as the reason for the draw, but the English midfielder must do better next time.

Arsenal isn’t quite out of gear yet; they look good, but their next game is against Tottenham away. They will prosecute that without Rice and Mikel Merino, a win for the Gunners against their city rivals will prepare them better for the big game away at Manchester City; it’s a tough run ahead for Arsenal.

Chelsea's start has been fairly good. The chaos that loomed over Enzo Maresca's side dissipated after an emphatic 6-2 win away at Wolves, but it unraveled again after they couldn't beat Crystal Palace at home. However, they can take it one game at a time; they will also have their days in Europe.

Manchester United is the team to really worry about. One win and two losses from their opening three games—the 3-0 home loss to Liverpool—explain why they must start rethinking their managerial position. The next few games will say a lot about Erik Ten Hag's place...

 

To be continued.