Premier League Review: Arsenal’s new Vieira, Newcastle win and more
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A weekend which began with talk of a new European Super League ended with the Premier League’s top five pulling even further clear of the rest of the pack.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all extended their respective unbeaten runs. Meanwhile, Newcastle United and West Ham United eased their relegation fears at the bottom.
We’ve rounded it all up in our Premier League Talking Points.
Torreira shines as Arsenal hold Liverpool
Finding an heir to Patrick Vieira’s throne hasn’t been easy for Arsenal. Abou Diaby, Francis Coquelin and Granit Xhaka have all tried and failed to fill the void left by Vicks-loving Frenchman.
But in Lucas Torreira, the 10-year wait to find the pivot’s natural successor might finally be over.
The little Uruguayan dazzled under the lights at the Emirates against Liverpool; covering ground, not shying away from tackles and then setting attacks on their way.
He already feels like an indispensible asset in Unai Emery-era Arsenal. And with the pint-sized pitbull driving the Gunners forward, they can now be backed at 13/10 for a top four spot.
Magpies finally up and running
175 days after their last Premier League success against Chelsea, Newcastle have finally won again.
Ayoze Perez was the hero on Saturday – the little Spaniard netting the only goal of the game to move the Magpies outside of the relegation zone and into 17th spot.
Even at this stage of the season, that could prove a crucial strike, as the North East club bid to outrun their relegation odds of 5/2.
Now the question is whether they build on that success and pull further clear of the drop zone. Upcoming fixtures against AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and West Ham should give them ample chance.
But until Rafael Benitez’s men put a consistent run of wins together, it’s difficult to get too excited about their prospects just yet.
United leave it late but improvement still required
Jose Mourinho must wonder what his side are capable of if they ever decided to play to their potential for the full 90 minutes.
Against Newcastle, Chelsea and now Bournemouth, the Red Devils have pulled it out the fire to rescue points after initially falling behind.
On Saturday it was the turn of Marcus Rashford to strike a last-gasp winner, after Anthony Martial had cancelled out Callum Wilson’s first-half opener.
It’s difficult to complain about seven points from nine available. But things still need to step up a notch if they’re to challenge at home and on the continent.
Mourinho won’t have been happy with his sides’ display in the first-half at the Vitality Stadium.
United are 5/1 to taste victory out in Turin on Wednesday, with 7/1 about them toppling their neighbours on Sunday.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
