Theo Walcott flicks switch for Arsenal if not England, Pedro Obiang takes his chance for West Ham and Tony Pulis acquired a gem in Nacer ChadliOne of the curiosities of the last international break was the ineffectual performance of Theo Walcott for England against Malta and Slovenia. Put him back in an Arsenal shirt, however, and it was as if a switch had been flicked. The 27-year-old scored twice to set his team up for a 3-2 home win over Swansea City and it prolonged his eye-catching start to the club season. He is Arsenal’s top scorer, with seven goals in all competitions. “It’s always difficult when you go from your club to international, there’s a different transition at this...
Cesc Fàbregas may get his chance for Chelsea, Everton’s attackers can trouble Manchester City and Monday night’s big match at Anfield is too close to callEverything about Arsenal’s performance at Burnley screamed late Wenger era. Manchester City’s defeat at Tottenham gave them the opportunity to make a statement and as such the pressure was on; the game was tricky but hardly impossible. They delivered a performance devoid of intensity, purpose and conviction. Only Alexis Sánchez appeared not to deem the indignity of effort beneath him. Then, in the final seconds, everything changed, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny contriving the most glorious finish imaginable. Continue reading...
First meets second as Manchester City visit Spurs, Theo Walcott looks to continue his hot streak and will this be the last we see of Francesco Guidolin?Given that the tactic of trying to absorb pressure had not worked for any of Manchester City’s opponents, it made sense for Swansea to try something different last weekend, as the Welsh side attempted to disrupt the league leaders’ momentum by squeezing their centre-backs when they had the ball. It did not work, of course, because City were still too sharp in attack. Yet Tottenham Hotspur’s feverish high press could yield greater rewards at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Both sides are without key attacking players – Harry Kane for Spurs, Kevin De Bruyne...
After five defeats in six league games, Slaven Bilic has problems in all areas of his West Ham side, and he needs more impact from his summer signingsAsked about West Ham United’s failure to kill off Crystal Palace in April, Slaven Bilic pointed out that it is impossible to score three goals in every match. The message was that his team had to become more solid. But little has changed since that 2-2 draw with Alan Pardew’s side at Upton Park. West Ham remain weak defensively and have conceded two or more goals in 15 of their past 23 matches following the 3-0 defeat against Southampton on Sunday, which left a side who challenged for Champions League qualification last season...
The left-back’s attacking mind-set was noticeable in contrast to West Ham’s Álvaro Arbeloa and Havard Nordtveit, who were pinned back and made to sufferThe 3-0 scoreline did not do justice to the superiority Southampton enjoyed over West Ham, with the visitors creating a huge number of chances and only Hammers goalkeeper Adrian keeping the scoreline respectable. Claude Puel’s team were better in almost every department – but the greatest contrast was at full-back.Both Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku were unavailable for West Ham because of injury, so Slaven Bilic handed Álvaro Arbeloa his league debut at left-back. On the opposite side Bilic curiously used Havard Nordtveit, a centre-back or holding midfielder, rather than the recognised right-back Sam Byram. Related: West...