Ian Wright has publicly questioned Arsenal’s treatment of Gabriel Martinelli after the forward was omitted from the squad for Friday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry. The 25-year-old had previously turned down a transfer to Galatasaray following an agreement between the clubs, yet Wright noted that no one at Arsenal has engaged the player in discussions regarding his future. “I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say: ‘Yeah, it’s time for him to move him on.’ But there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave,” Wright stated on Sky Sports, adding that the player deserves more respect given his contributions to the squad.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins faces an uncertain future following his absence from the 4-0 defeat at Brighton. While Unai Emery’s decision to leave out the striker—who has scored 108 goals in six seasons—sparked speculation, the club maintains they are not close to an agreement with Al-Hilal, having rejected multiple offers. Given the lack of alternative options for the No 9 position, it appears the omission was not a tactical choice by the manager.
Manchester United’s offensive limitations were on full display during their 2-0 loss to Hull. With Benjamin Sesko unavailable due to a lack of pre-season fitness, Michael Carrick deployed Matheus Cunha as a false 9, a tactic that proved entirely ineffective. Carrick now faces pressure to integrate Sesko and offload Zirkzee to secure funds for a more reliable attacking alternative.
Hull City’s victory was marked by a quiet afternoon for their back line, as Manchester United failed to pose any significant threat. The match proved a straightforward debut for the Tigers’ goalkeeper, Tzolakis, as United struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the contest.
Manchester City secured a 2-1 win over Bournemouth thanks to a decisive cameo from Rayan Cherki. After entering the match, Cherki provided the corner for Marc Guéhi’s equalizer and delivered the pass for Josko Gvardiol’s winning goal. Manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the Frenchman’s frustration at not starting, describing him as a clear and honest individual.
Brentford’s Mamadou Sangaré has emerged as an early contender for the signing of the season following his standout performance in a 3-0 win over Tottenham. Having impressed at Lens last year, the midfielder proved to be a bargain acquisition, dominating the center of the pitch in his debut.
Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool saw former striker Alexander Isak return to St James’ Park. While the home fans were disappointed by a late penalty equalizer from the visitors, there was some relief that Isak was not the one to score against his former club.
Ipswich Town manager Gary O’Neil implemented a tactical shift during their 2-1 win against Sunderland, deploying Dara O’Shea at right-back. O’Neil noted that the Premier League has become a significant test regarding set pieces and long throws, necessitating a more robust defensive approach to counter aerial threats.
Everton’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace was highlighted by the performance of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is aiming to build on a debut season that saw him record eight goals and four assists. David Moyes credited the win to a vital save from Jordan Pickford and the clinical finishing of Jean-Philippe Mateta, which kept the young side from chasing the game.
Leeds United began their campaign with a promising 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, signaling an intent to move beyond last season’s survival battle. Having invested approximately £80m in players like James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic, Nico Elvedi, and Harry Wilson, manager Daniel Farke is focused on adding individual quality to cement the club’s status. Farke remarked that the club is aiming to achieve a level of consistency that has not been seen in decades, noting that previous eras of stability are now only found in black-and-white photographs. The report also notes that “He’s done enough with this squad to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s being treated with at the moment.” Ed Aarons. The report also notes that accumulated over the previous six seasons – a period in which Ollie Watkins has scored 108 goals and made himself one of the most popular players in the club’s Premier League history, it was only one game after 278 for Aston Villa. The report also notes that nobody can refuse to play and emerge without a mark against their character. The report also notes that brought in none-too-subtle fashion by Unai Emery after Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton – a match that Watkins missed as he considers an approach from Al-Hilal, this is the charge against Watkins. The report also notes that it feels pretty clear the manager did not choose to omit Watkins, but given Emery had no other available No 9. The report also notes that united falter as No 9 options look thin. The report also notes that leaving United with barely any presence in the final third as they failed to threaten their opponents, cunha did not embrace the physical battle and went missing. The report also notes that while his fellow striker Joshua Zirkzee was left on the bench, implying how little trust the coaches have in him, sesko was brought on to change the dynamic but was equally ineffectual.
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