Returning Lukaku to put Arsenal to the sword
Arsenal and Chelsea will duke it out in another big Premier League London derby at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, by which time both clubs will be sporting morale-boosting signings in their likely XIs. Mikel Arteta has pulled off a timely coup by persuading Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard to make the switch on a permanent basis, whereas elite striker Romelu Lukaku has returned to the visitors for a second spell a far better all-round player than the one who left Stamford Bridge several years ago. Read our preview here:
No Partey, no party
The shortcomings of Arteta's starting lineup were ruthlessly exposed by newcomers Brentford in the Bees' maiden Premier League match last Friday night, thoroughly deserving their 2-0 win. The Gunners lacked leadership and assertiveness in the heart of the defence, with expensive new recruit Ben White totally bullied by Ivan Toney and his centre back teammates at set pieces; elsewhere, they were utterly pedestrian in possession, moving the ball far too slowly through midfield to prove much of a threat, and in attack, they were lightweight without either Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Even with the pair, they'd have found things incredibly difficult, and the signing of Ødegaard, whilst providing much-needed creativity and simultaneously easing the burden on Emile Smith Rowe, the real issue remains further back. Thomas Partey's absence yet again means there's no-one capable of reliably carrying the ball from the middle of the park, and with Chelsea both more resolute and devastating than even Brentford were, that is an awful combination at this juncture for the hosts.
Rom wasn't built in a day
It was widely accepted that the only thing missing from the Champions League winners was a reliable goalscorer, and the board along with Thomas Tuchel have resoundingly solved that problem with Romelu Lukaku spearheading the attack. The explosive Belgian superstar is now more than capable of creating chances by himself, having improved his first touch immeasurably whilst at Inter whilst retaining a change of pace and air of unpredictability. At his new old home, he'll have Mason Mount pulling the strings in the engine room, as well as the deadly crossing of Marcos Alonso to get on the end of. Nevertheless, it will take time for him to adapt into the side in the bigger picture, though he is certain to get chances to hit the ground running in Holloway.
Nobody's doubting Thomas
Tuchel won round any neutral sceptics with his remarkable turnaround of a demoralised, bloated squad by steering them into a once-thought impossible top four finish at the expense of Leicester City, whilst the FA Cup final defeat to the same opponents was quickly forgotten when they shut down Manchester City for Europe's premier club prize to bring the curtain down on a truly rollercoaster campaign. Having swatted fellow Londoners Crystal Palace aside on opening day, they are keenly placed to do just the same to more vaunted opposition this weekend, too, and betway have odds of 5.75 for Lukaku to score at least a brace.
