Welcome back everyone! As usual, it was another busy week in the Premier League with lots of shockwave success and brutal bludgeoning. Other than me hoping that you continue to grow in your likings of football, there is not much else to discuss (besides this week’s happenings), so without further ado let’s begin!!
After struggling the previous few seasons as we’ve discusses previously, the Tottenham Hotspurs have truly proved themselves this year. Having won this week’s matchup against Fulham 2-0, the Spurs have maintained their top spot in the league. Nine games into the season now, only the Spurs and Arsenal remain undefeated. This incredible accomplishment for the Spurs has been attributed to the team’s new head coach, Ange Postecoglou, pictured above. Having coached for Yokohama FC, a Japanese club, and Australian national teams of different age groups, Postecoglou is no stranger to top level football. Despite this, many anticipated Postecoglou to struggle as he entered the realm of the highest caliber soccer on the planet. However, instead of starting slowly, as was expected, Postecoglou blasted out of the gates and ran the Spurs to the top of the table within the first several weeks of the season. His current record as the head coach, 7-2-0, 23 points, is the best record he has ever had to start a season during his coaching career.
Under his management, the Spurs will be continuing to fight for the top spot, and therefore the Premier League Trophy. I am personally curious about how they will fare against some of the better teams in the league since, thus far, they have faced mostly below-average teams (besides Arsenal with whom they tied).
After slaying the dragon in their last match, defeating Manchester City 1-0, the Gunners ran out of cannonballs after tying Chelsea FC 2-2. In the Premier League, a team earns 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. With a tie against Chelsea, Arsenal gave up the 2 points that made up their advantage over Manchester City who won their match this weekend. Though the end result of their match with Chelsea was anything but ideal, it is miraculous they even managed to tie the game. With 13 minutes left, Arsenal was down 2-0, failing to generate any meaningful offense. Appearing only when they need him most, Declan Rice stepped up to cut the deficit in half, followed a few minutes later by a Leandro Trossard goal. Scratching out a point in addition to his head in disbelief after a stellar performance the previous gameweek, Mikel Arteta will likely have some much-needed words with his squad as they prepare for Sheffield next week.
Speaking of Sheffield! There’s a saying out there that is along the lines of “you’re shooting yourself in the foot!” It’s safe to say that Sheffield United is doing that exact thing right now. They can’t win a game! Currently the proud (I would hope not) owners of an astounding 0-1-8 record, Sheffield has had the second worst start to a season in Premier League history. Winless through nine games, the team is yet to show any sign of gaining momentum or even caring that they are sitting at the bottom of the standings. I give them some credit (a miniscule amount) because it is the Premier League, but if they continue on this trajectory, they deserve to be relegated out of the Premier League, as well as well as the next league below it, to the third tier. It’s too early to say anything for sure; maybe they’ll win the league! Regardless, Sheffield is certainly a team to watch these next few weeks.
Having sufficiently trashed Sheffield for their performance thus far, I can comfortably conclude this week’s post. Until next time!