Arsenal has spent over £200 million ($254 million) on new players after coming in second place behind Manchester City last season in an effort to win their first championship in 20 years.
On Saturday, Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 2-1 to start their Premier League title defence, while Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 5-1, with two goals coming from Alexander Isak.
Arsenal has spent over £200 million ($254 million) on new players after coming in second place behind Manchester City last season in an effort to win their first championship in 20 years.
At the Emirates, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber all made their professional debuts, and the Gunners ought to have left with a far more emphatic result.
After Gabriel Martinelli shown incredible talent to breach the Forest defence, Eddie Nketiah scored the game’s opening goal.
Then, Bukayo Saka curled a shot from beyond the box into the top corner, but the Gunners failed to end the contest.
Prior to the introduction of Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi, the forest had hardly posed a problem.
Eight minutes from the end, former Manchester United winger Elanga made a strong run and crossed the ball for Awoniyi to score in his fifth straight Premier League game.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, said, “We were super dominant.” “There is no doubt that we were entitled to the victory.
“In order to be more aggressive and end the games, we must be more ruthless and critical of ourselves.”
With a win, Arsenal was able to maintain their lead over City, who started their championship defence on Friday with a 3-0 victory at Burnley.
Newcastle newcomers excel
Newcastle’s progress under the Saudi sovereign wealth fund shows no signs of slowing down as they finished fourth last season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
In just six minutes, Sandro Tonali, a member of Italy’s national team, gave the Magpies the lead.
Villa quickly equalised thanks to one of their own recent additions, Moussa Diaby.
However, after Isak gave Newcastle the lead again, Unai Emery’s team, who also finished last season well to qualify for Europe, crumbled.
Just before the hour mark, the Swedish striker elegantly dinked home his second.
Harvey Barnes then came off the bench to highlight Newcastle’s improved depth as the former Leicester winger set up Callum Wilson to score the fourth goal, which put Eddie Howe’s team on top of the standings.
Howe remarked, “It was a close game that was won by our ruthlessness in front of goal. “Today, everything worked for us.”
Not a problem without Caicedo
Brighton overcame Moises Caicedo’s absence to smash newcomers Luton 4-1.
The £110 million contract between the Ecuadorian and Liverpool will make him the most expensive player in Premier League history.
Caicedo, however, is said to still desire a transfer to Chelsea, who have had a number of offers turned down by Brighton.
After 31 years, Luton was making its top-flight comeback after rising in the last 10 years from English football’s fifth division.
However, they were outmatched at the Amex as Solly March headed in a cross from Kaoru Mitoma to score the game’s first goal.
In the second half, Joao Pedro scored Brighton’s first goal from the penalty spot before Carlton Morris scored from the same spot to cut the deficit for Luton.
However, late goals from Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson provided a more accurate portrayal of Brighton’s superiority.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi remarked, “Not one of the best games in my time, but we need much time to reach the same level, the same quality of play of last season.”
“We prevailed in a tense match. I’m incredibly happy.
Everton’s need for a striker was made clear by the Toffees’ several missed opportunities in their 1-0 home loss to Fulham. At Goodison Park, Bobby Decordova-Reid scored the lone goal 17 minutes from time.
Odsonne Edouard’s second-half goal helped Crystal Palace defeat promoted Sheffield United by the same scoreline.
West Ham’s first game without Rice ended in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth as Jarrod Bowen’s opening goal was cancelled out by Dominic Solanke’s goal for the hosts.
AFP
