Premier League news: Five things we learned from Gameweek five
Gameweek five of the Premier League delivered another round of high drama, with late equalisers, tactical shifts and title contenders showing both strengths and flaws.
Arsenal snatched a stoppage-time point against Manchester City, Liverpool extended their perfect start despite lingering concerns, and Aston Villa’s lack of goals became even more apparent.
From resilience to inexperience, the weekend’s action revealed plenty about where the season might be heading and Sports News Blitz writer Sarim Ahmed is here to discuss it.
Arsenal will not fade
Arsenal demonstrated remarkable resilience against Manchester City, refusing to back down even after conceding early to Erling Haaland’s clinical strike.
Despite Man City’s intensity and bright start, Arsenal adapted intelligently, making tactical substitutions such as Eberechi Eze and integrating new attacking options that shifted the dynamic.
The Gunners managed to pin Pep Guardiola’s men back constantly throughout the game, to the point where the Citizens only recorded 33% of possession - the lowest amount a Guardiola team has managed in a top-flight game during his illustrious career.
Gabriel Martinelli’s 93rd-minute lob was not just a moment of brilliance, it symbolized Arsenal’s mental fortitude and belief in their system.
Their ability to respond under pressure highlights a growing maturity in Mikel Arteta’s squad; these are the moments that build a title-contending mentality.
However, reliance on last-minute heroics also underscores the need to take advantage of their control earlier in matches to reduce unnecessary risk.
If Arsenal can maintain composure in high-pressure situations whilst improving efficiency and converting early chances, they could transform resilience into consistent dominance.
But in all fairness to them, they won’t be facing the world’s best goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, every week.
With 10 points in their first five games and sitting second in the table, Arteta’s men will be beginning to believe that the Premier League title is an achievable feat.
READ MORE: Premier League news: Aston Villa break scoring drought in Sunderland draw but problems persist
Newcastle struggle again
Newcastle United’s attack continues to struggle to find fluency after Alexander Isak’s departure, going their third away game in a row without scoring.
Though their defensive shape remains solid and some could argue this is the third away game in a row they haven’t conceded in - this is not the Newcastle that fans have been used to in recent years.
They would feel that a team who had scored the fourth most goals in the league last season (68) ideally should not be struggling to do the same the following year.
Nick Woltemade, a record signing, has shown glimpses of promise, particularly in aerial duels and holding play, yet the transition period is evident.
Defensive stability provides a foundation, but Newcastle’s inability to consistently convert possession into goals could hinder top-half ambitions.
Upcoming fixtures won’t prove to be any easier - they face an Arsenal side who have boasted the best defensive record for the past two years.
However with the game being at home, the Magpies will be hoping the bellowing noise of St James’ Park can give them that extra spring in their step to blow the Gunners away.
Villa finally score but Watkins continues to blank
Aston Villa’s struggles in front of the net are now impossible to ignore.
Five games into the season and Unai Emery’s side have only just scored their first goal of the season - albeit to a 10-men newly promoted Sunderland who still held them to a 1-1 draw.
Before kick-off, they stood alone as the only side across England’s top seven divisions yet to score, and they were desperate to avoid joining the unwanted list of just two other top-flight teams who failed to score in their opening five matches.
Villa are yet to find any attacking rhythm, with star striker Ollie Watkins still searching for his first goal or assist, to the detriment of many FPL managers (including myself).
The England international has looked isolated for long spells, often feeding on scraps as Villa’s midfield fails to provide him with the consistent service he thrives on.
His confidence seems to be dipping, with chances that he would usually bury now go begging.
Emery has been forced to defend his number nine, but there’s only so long Villa can compensate with defensive organisation before points begin to slip away.
From going toe to toe with Europe's finest last season, they now look like a side that couldn’t score in a brothel.
Aston Villa seriously need to get their act together if they want to keep up with their recent reputation with the big boys.
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Liverpool's red hot form carries them through the derby
Liverpool have begun the season in historic fashion, winning their first five league matches for only the sixth time in top-flight history after claiming victory over Everton.
The last occasion was 2019/20, when they claimed 26 wins from their opening 27 games and marched to the title.
For Arne Slot, this is also a milestone as it is the first time he has coached five straight Premier League victories, a streak Liverpool hadn’t managed since Jürgen Klopp’s final season - and what sweeter way to do it than against your bitter rivals, the Toffees.
Ryan Gravenberch was central to the latest win, scoring the opener to double his career tally for Liverpool before assisting Hugo Ekitike for the second.
Yet, despite a 2-1 Merseyside derby victory, doubts remain.
Pundits continue to highlight frailties at full-back, vulnerability on the counter, and a reliance on late goals to grind out results.
Everton rarely threatened at Anfield, but the tension was clear, and Liverpool haven’t dominated a single match outright.
However, star signings such as Isak and Florian Wirtz are yet to hit their stride and it is scary to think what this perfect Liverpool side can achieve once they hit form.
Sitting five points clear, Slot’s side is flying - but the cracks need fixing.
Maresca’s reactionary subs
After losing 3-1 to Bayern Munich midweek, many who watched the game put it down to one thing; a young squad who lacked experience in big games.
With all three goals coming from defensive errors, it is clear to see why people would form such an opinion.
This week, Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to a poor Manchester United side seemed to also come down to a lack of experience, but this time not from the players but from the manager instead.
Enzo Maresca faced immediate pressure after Robert Sánchez’s red card in the fourth minute, leading to three early substitutions and a reshuffled formation.
It appeared as if Maresca had already accepted the loss as he took off both of his pacey wingers, Estêvāo and Pedro Neto.
Whilst a substitution was necessary to get the goalkeeper’s understudy, Filip Jörgenson, into the game, it was baffling to fans as to why the 18-year-old wonderkid was the sacrifice.
He has arguably been Chelsea’s brightest spark so far this season, yet he was hooked five minutes into the biggest game of his career so far.
To make matters worse, Neto was then subbed off for Tosin Adarabioyo, meaning Chelsea were reverting to a passive five at the back formation.
The nail in the coffin was their star man Cole Palmer coming off for a suspected injury in the 20th minute, making way for a more defensive minded player in Andrey Santos.
While attempting to stabilize the team, these reactive changes compromised attacking options and disrupted cohesion.
Fans alongside me in the ground were furious, especially after Casemiro received a red card himself to even out the playing field, as it felt like Maresca had thrown away our chances due to preemptive damage limitation.
After all, 10 against 10 wouldn’t have been so bad if the Blues actually had more than one attacker on the pitch.
The final two substitutions saw a defender replace a defender and Tyrique George come on for Enzo Fernandez - leaving both £50million attackers Alejandro Garnancho and Jamie Gittens to warm up the bench during a cold evening in Manchester.
Chelsea’s squad possesses talent, but under inexperienced leadership and a lack of ambition, momentum and morale are vulnerable.
His growth in these areas will be critical for Chelsea’s ability to challenge for the top four and navigate the Premier League’s fluctuating demands.
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