This Sunday, the Premier League provides two huge clashes – the North London and Merseyside derbies – with Unai Emery and Marco Silva getting their first taste of the local rivalries.
Tottenham ended Chelsea’s 18-game unbeaten run last week and travel to the Emirates in a bid to end Arsenal’s 18-game undefeated streak. Everton haven’t been victorious against Liverpool in over eight years, and haven’t won at Anfield since September 1999.
Gylfi Sigurðsson has found his form with the Toffees, but will need to produce something special, if Everton are to claim anything against a Liverpool team enjoying their best start to a Premier League season, and who remain undefeated in the league.
Arsenal’s Form (last 5 Prem games: WDDDW)
Suffering back-to-back defeats in their opening two games, at home to Man City and away to Chelsea, it was a baptism of fire for coach Unai Emery, who received criticism for insisting on implementing his style of play.
But the Spaniard reaped the benefits, as the Gunners won 11-straight games in all competitions. Now up to 18 games undefeated, Arsenal need to take the next step by beating one of the big boys.
And with an inform Tottenham at home this Sunday, followed by a struggling Manchester United away next, there is no time like the present for Arsenal to show they can mix it with the league’s best.
Key Player’s Premier League Stats
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 13 games: 8 goals, 1 assist
Spurs’ Form (last 5 Prem games: WWWLW)
With no incoming signings in the summer, it is a testament to the work done by Mauricio Pochettino that Tottenham remain within five points of the league leaders Manchester City.
Currently in third place, after overcoming their undefeated London rivals Chelsea with an outstanding performance last week, Tottenham are showing signs of a team in form and on the brink of competing for silverware.
Christian Eriksen created a bag full of chances last week, and then came up big in midweek – with a goal off the bench against Inter Milan – to keep Spurs’ hopes of Champions League progression alive.
Pochettino’s men are in fine form having won six games on the bounce, and their talisman Harry Kane has scored six times in his last eight appearances.
Key Player’s Premier League Stats
Harry Kane: 13 games: 7 goals, 1 assist
Liverpool’s Form (last 5 Prem games: WWDWW)
Before a ball was kicked this season, there was a real sense of optimism around Anfield, and a feeling that this could be Liverpool’s year.
Their haul of signings in the summer was the most impressive amongst the top teams, as the recruited Fabinho (Monaco), Naby Keita (RB Leipzig), Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) and Alisson Becker (AS Roma).
After 13 games, Liverpool remain undefeated in the Premier League and sit in second place, just two points behind the champions Manchester City.
Conceding just five goals, their defence shares the best record in the league alongside Pep Guardiola’s men, and Virgil van Dijk’s reputation continues to grow each game.
Although their front three are yet to reach the dizzy heights of last year, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum are quietly having an excellent start to the campaign.
Key Player’s Premier League Stats
Mohamed Salah: 13 games: 7 goals, 4 assists
Everton’s Form (last 5 Prem games: WDWLW)
Although their neighbours were the clear winners in the transfer market, Everton raised a few eyebrows with their own impressive recruitment. Their big summer signing Richarlison has already surpassed his goals tally (5 goals in 38 appearances) from last season with 6 goals in just 11 games.
Yerry Mina had to wait to make his Premier League bow, but when it arrived it was worth the wait, as he helped to hold Chelsea to their first blank at Stamford Bridge this season.
André Gomes has also impressed, but the mastermind deserving much of the credit is their new manager Marco Silva.
He has created a platform for the Toffees to compete home and away, and for their main man Sigurðsson to shine. The Icelandic international managed just six goals in 33 games last year, but has been sensational this season with seven goals in 14 games in all competitions.
Key Player’s Premier League Stats
Gylfi Sigurðsson: 13 games: 6 goals, 2 assists
Shop the match day kits at JD Football.
