Petr Cech’s mistakes were so out of character and he’ll bounce back effortlessly
The reason why there was so much positivity surrounding Cech’s move to Arsenal was because he’s such a consistent goalkeeper. He’s solid, dependable and hardly ever makes mistakes.
The fact he made two in one game – his first Premier League appearance for the Gunners – is inexplicable. It’s difficult to remember any standout gaffe he made while at Chelsea so to see him stranded so badly for Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener genuinely made little sense. It seemed such a rookie mistake, certainly not something you’d expect from an experienced, dominant figure.
John Walton / EMPICS Sport
John Walton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
When Mauro Zarate drilled his long-range shot to the net shortly before the hour mark, you expected the replays to show a substantial deflection. That seemed the only logical reason as to why there was so much room at Cech’s near post – that he had actually been moving in the opposite direction and couldn’t get back in time.
But it was merely bad positioning and he seemed to take an age to get down to the shot.
Still, you can only judge on form. Cech has built an entire career on not making silly slips. He may have cost his team points today but he’ll definitely win them plenty as the season continues.
After all, the one thing Cech can’t be accused of is lacking character.
Philippe Coutinho is a match-winner for Liverpool but they can’t over-rely on him again
Liverpool got through their first game of the season. It wasn’t pretty and for long periods, Stoke were the better side at the Brittania. It was a grim, uninspiring affair and but for the Brazilian’s moment of magic, Brendan Rodgers would’ve faced plenty of questions about his system.
With Christian Benteke selected up front, the expensive new addition received little support from Adam Lallana or Jordan Ibe and while Coutinho played in fits and spurts, there was little cohesion to the attacking unit. It looked a lot like last season.
Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
With Roberto Firmino restricted to a cameo appearance from the bench, it’s hard to know what Rodgers sees up front. Lallana was disappointing once more and there was a distinct lack of penetration from deep, except when Jordan Henderson made one smart run in the second half, was brilliantly found by the impressive James Milner only to squander the chance.
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Emre Can provided some energy in the middle when introduced and he almost sent Benteke through with a neat pass after purposefully pushing forward.
Last term, Coutinho bailed Liverpool out on a number of occasions with some spectacular goals. He did it again today but it won’t always be the case and other attackers need to step up and shoulder some responsibility.
In Dimitri Payet, West Ham have a real gem
Payet managed 18 assists in the French top-flight last season. Only Kevin de Bruyne at Wolfsburg managed more across the top five European leagues.
And West Ham haven’t had a player like him for a very long time.
There’s a deftness to the 28-year-old that the Hammers didn’t really encourage under Sam Allardyce. Instead, it was about pace in wide areas and tough, uncompromising figure up front.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Against Arsenal, Slaven Bilic played a midfield diamond, making a point of keeping things narrow and having everything stem from central areas. With Payet at the tip of it, they had someone who could find the front pairing of Zarate and Sakho repeatedly, stretching the Gunners with their movement.
When his assist did come, it was from a set-piece but they all count. He’s a specialist from a dead ball and with his side still quite the physically intimidating group, his expertise can come in very handy. But he can add so much from open play too.
He won’t get 18 assists in the English top-flight this season but he does offer something very different to West Ham – and that’s a good thing.
Wenger is always one result away from fans’ anger & frustration
It must be quite grinding for Arsene Wenger. It seems that the feelings and opinions of Arsenal fans are liable to change on a game-to-game basis, depending on whether their team impress or fail.
After Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, there was another swarm of ‘Wenger Out’ messages posted to social media. Yes, a defeat is always bad. But it’s the opening weekend. There’s a long road ahead with lots more points to be won and lost.
In the context of the 2-0 loss, the anger surely comes from the optimism that has been attached to Arsenal ahead of the new season. And where did that optimism come from? The fans, mainly.
Andrew Matthews / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Andrew Matthews / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
For many, the signing of Cech was a crucial piece of the jigsaw finally slotted into place. It would cure so many ills. Taking a step back and looking at their strongest possible XI, it was certainly eye-catching. And that really doesn’t change because of this result.
But what does change, almost inexplicably, is the supporters’ attitude towards Wenger. Boos rang out at full-time. It was all so familiar.
And what is also familiar is Arsenal’s inevitable ability to shake off the setback, push on and be firmly in the mix come next March/April.
Some light breaking through at Newcastle as summer signings impress
Tyneside has been a bleak place for a long time. Under John Carver, things were so bad that you wished they’d go down, just so everything would get ripped up and re-built.
They survived and have made changes.
Steve McClaren is still trying to recapture the public’s imagination and he’s a solid coach who gets on well with his players. At the very least, it should be better than what went before.
And they’re off to a great start. A 2-2 draw at home to Southampton may not seem like a major success but it’s a substantial chink of light in what remains a very gloomy environment.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
There’s a mix to the squad – players who can easily recall the horror shows of recent seasons and those who know nothing of it. And it’s the new signings that could really push them clear of the mire.
Georginio Wijnaldum is the club’s most expensive signing of the Mike Ashley era but he endeared himself to everyone with his excellent goal that put the Magpies 2-1 up. Elsewhere, Chancel Mbemba, settled down at centre-back after seeming a little rattled early on while they’ve also got Aleksandar Mitrovic in their ranks – the Serb got a 15-minute run-out.
It remains to be seen how far the new faces can push them but it’s a solid start.
5 talking points from Sunday's Premier League action
Petr Cech’s mistakes were so out of character and he’ll bounce back effortlessly
The reason why there was so much positivity surrounding Cech’s move to Arsenal was because he’s such a consistent goalkeeper. He’s solid, dependable and hardly ever makes mistakes.
The fact he made two in one game – his first Premier League appearance for the Gunners – is inexplicable. It’s difficult to remember any standout gaffe he made while at Chelsea so to see him stranded so badly for Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener genuinely made little sense. It seemed such a rookie mistake, certainly not something you’d expect from an experienced, dominant figure.
When Mauro Zarate drilled his long-range shot to the net shortly before the hour mark, you expected the replays to show a substantial deflection. That seemed the only logical reason as to why there was so much room at Cech’s near post – that he had actually been moving in the opposite direction and couldn’t get back in time.
But it was merely bad positioning and he seemed to take an age to get down to the shot.
Still, you can only judge on form. Cech has built an entire career on not making silly slips. He may have cost his team points today but he’ll definitely win them plenty as the season continues.
After all, the one thing Cech can’t be accused of is lacking character.
Philippe Coutinho is a match-winner for Liverpool but they can’t over-rely on him again
Liverpool got through their first game of the season. It wasn’t pretty and for long periods, Stoke were the better side at the Brittania. It was a grim, uninspiring affair and but for the Brazilian’s moment of magic, Brendan Rodgers would’ve faced plenty of questions about his system.
With Christian Benteke selected up front, the expensive new addition received little support from Adam Lallana or Jordan Ibe and while Coutinho played in fits and spurts, there was little cohesion to the attacking unit. It looked a lot like last season.
With Roberto Firmino restricted to a cameo appearance from the bench, it’s hard to know what Rodgers sees up front. Lallana was disappointing once more and there was a distinct lack of penetration from deep, except when Jordan Henderson made one smart run in the second half, was brilliantly found by the impressive James Milner only to squander the chance.
Emre Can provided some energy in the middle when introduced and he almost sent Benteke through with a neat pass after purposefully pushing forward.
Last term, Coutinho bailed Liverpool out on a number of occasions with some spectacular goals. He did it again today but it won’t always be the case and other attackers need to step up and shoulder some responsibility.
In Dimitri Payet, West Ham have a real gem
Payet managed 18 assists in the French top-flight last season. Only Kevin de Bruyne at Wolfsburg managed more across the top five European leagues.
And West Ham haven’t had a player like him for a very long time.
There’s a deftness to the 28-year-old that the Hammers didn’t really encourage under Sam Allardyce. Instead, it was about pace in wide areas and tough, uncompromising figure up front.
Against Arsenal, Slaven Bilic played a midfield diamond, making a point of keeping things narrow and having everything stem from central areas. With Payet at the tip of it, they had someone who could find the front pairing of Zarate and Sakho repeatedly, stretching the Gunners with their movement.
When his assist did come, it was from a set-piece but they all count. He’s a specialist from a dead ball and with his side still quite the physically intimidating group, his expertise can come in very handy. But he can add so much from open play too.
He won’t get 18 assists in the English top-flight this season but he does offer something very different to West Ham – and that’s a good thing.
Wenger is always one result away from fans’ anger & frustration
It must be quite grinding for Arsene Wenger. It seems that the feelings and opinions of Arsenal fans are liable to change on a game-to-game basis, depending on whether their team impress or fail.
After Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, there was another swarm of ‘Wenger Out’ messages posted to social media. Yes, a defeat is always bad. But it’s the opening weekend. There’s a long road ahead with lots more points to be won and lost.
In the context of the 2-0 loss, the anger surely comes from the optimism that has been attached to Arsenal ahead of the new season. And where did that optimism come from? The fans, mainly.
For many, the signing of Cech was a crucial piece of the jigsaw finally slotted into place. It would cure so many ills. Taking a step back and looking at their strongest possible XI, it was certainly eye-catching. And that really doesn’t change because of this result.
But what does change, almost inexplicably, is the supporters’ attitude towards Wenger. Boos rang out at full-time. It was all so familiar.
And what is also familiar is Arsenal’s inevitable ability to shake off the setback, push on and be firmly in the mix come next March/April.
Some light breaking through at Newcastle as summer signings impress
Tyneside has been a bleak place for a long time. Under John Carver, things were so bad that you wished they’d go down, just so everything would get ripped up and re-built.
They survived and have made changes.
Steve McClaren is still trying to recapture the public’s imagination and he’s a solid coach who gets on well with his players. At the very least, it should be better than what went before.
And they’re off to a great start. A 2-2 draw at home to Southampton may not seem like a major success but it’s a substantial chink of light in what remains a very gloomy environment.
There’s a mix to the squad – players who can easily recall the horror shows of recent seasons and those who know nothing of it. And it’s the new signings that could really push them clear of the mire.
Georginio Wijnaldum is the club’s most expensive signing of the Mike Ashley era but he endeared himself to everyone with his excellent goal that put the Magpies 2-1 up. Elsewhere, Chancel Mbemba, settled down at centre-back after seeming a little rattled early on while they’ve also got Aleksandar Mitrovic in their ranks – the Serb got a 15-minute run-out.
It remains to be seen how far the new faces can push them but it’s a solid start.
Cech admits his error-ridden Premier League Arsenal debut was ‘not in the script’
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy at centre of investigation after racism controversy
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Analysis Arsene Wenger Dimitri Payet Georginio Wijnaldum Petr Cech Philippe Coutinho Steve McClaren