Lancashire

Preston North End assistant manager Stuart McCall says he has been impressed by Harrison Armstrong's performances this season.

Lilywhites midfielder Armstrong, 18, joined on loan from Everton in the summer as one of 12 new signings.

The England Under-19's player made 15 appearances for Derby last season, and has already made nine league appearances for Preston this campaign.

"He [Armstrong] is doing ok - but he needs to stay with us until the end of the season there is no doubt about that," McCall said.

"I looked at all his games he played at Derby. It was his maturity, at Derby, they were fighting for their lives at the the time when he went in, and it was more him doing bits of the game people don't see.

"For an 18-year-old his game intelligence was very good, he is such a popular lad in the dressing room and he gets on with the young and the old.

"I thought he would be good when we managed to get him, and we had to wait until the deadline, but he has been worth it, and better than I would have imagined."

Preston have won their last two games - against Sheffield United and Southampton - and are sat just inside the play-off places in sixth.

"We are always aware of the opposition, and you have got to respect them," McCall told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"But we have to concentrate on ourselves - we have got to keep putting in performances."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

How much difference can a point make at this stage of the season?

Potentially, quite a lot. Particularly so for those promoted sides trying to keep themselves in the Premier League for another year.

In the past 10 seasons, clubs who have come up from the Championship have a 100% record of staying up if they have gathered 11 points or more after 10 games.

The most recent occasion that a promoted side had 11 or more points after that number of matches and was relegated was Cardiff in 2013-14. They were 12th with 12 points after 10 games but ultimately finished bottom with 30 points.

This will be music to the ears of fans of Leeds United and Sunderland, with the Whites currently sitting on that magic number and four points clear of the relegation zone, despite a heavy defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

The Black Cats, in fact, might even find themselves already looking up rather than down after their flying start to life back in the top flight.

Regis le Bris' side currently find themselves fourth, separated from Liverpool in third by just goal difference.

With 18 points, Sunderland would have to make unwanted history to find themselves back in the Championship by becoming the first team to be relegated after picking up that number of points after 10 games.

Although it was unlikely against the league leaders, fellow promoted side Burnley could have also reached the 11-point mark if they had managed to take something against Arsenal on Saturday, but defeat has left them on the edge of that with 10 points.

Chances of survival drop quite drastically for teams below the 11-point threshold, with just 20% of sides on eight to 10 points after 10 games staying up since 2015-16.

With promoted clubs having struggled to break the Premier League mould in recent campaigns, can this season's trio turn that tide? It is a promising start.

Stats and graphics provided by BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson

Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I do wonder if Arsenal's set piece roadshow has become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It starts as a narrative in the media. Results reinforce that narrative, stats emerge and opposition managers address their preparations for dealing with it in pre-match press conferences. Arsenal get a corner, the opposition fans take a collective intake of breath, defenders get nervous... and Arsenal score.

Because they believe they can.

That felt very much the script at the weekend, with a sense of inevitability as soon as Arsenal won their first corner. Don't get me wrong, Arsenal look a very impressive side and it feels inevitable that the title is heading to the Emirates. But Burnley had returned to five at the back - and I have previously voiced my thoughts on that tactic - and found themselves largely spectators as the Londoners wrapped the game up inside 45 minutes.

Now for the cliche: this game will not define Burnley's season. So there is much to be said about chalking this one off and moving on to the key fixture this coming weekend (Burnley travel to London this time, aiming to take maximum points off another relegation contender). But I don't want to move on without some element of reflection.

Zian Flemming is proving himself very capable in his inaugural Premier League season. Both Quilindschy Hartman and Axel Tuanzebe are bringing some real class to Burnley's back line and Martin Dubravka may well be a shoo-in for player of the season at this rate.

The fact remains that Burnley have already faced Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Arsenal, and STILL find themselves three points clear of the relegation zone. If that won't put a smile on Burnley fans' faces, then I don't know what will.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Preston North End winger Lewis Dobbin believes his side can go "toe-to-toe" with any team in the Championship.

The 22-year-old joined the club on loan from Aston Villa in the summer and has helped the club rise to sixth in the table.

"My goal when I arrived here was to add more goals and assists into my game, so it is a good start and hopefully it can continue," Dobbin told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We want to aim as high as possible in this league so consistency is a massive part of that and we have already shown that we can do that and go toe-to-toe with any team in the division.

"This is my fourth loan in my career now, so it is good experience. I just want to play as much football as possible and try and improve my game.

"Obviously coming here and starting so well, I can definitely see myself improving."

Jack Bridge
Fan writer & Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

If you've been following Preston North End closely, the transformation from last season's struggles to this season's exciting challenge to push further up the table is impossible to ignore.

Beyond the surface, the numbers tell a story of real progress – a team evolving tactically and mentally to reinstall the "Proud" in Proud Preston.

Last season, Preston's attack couldn't quite find its cutting edge, with an average of just 1.04 goals per game and a shaky conversion rate from the chances created.

This season, the stats paint a different picture.

Preston now average nearly 12 shots per game, and their expected goals (xG) of 1.32 align closely with their actual goals scored (1.31).

The attack is sharper, more clinical, and the chances created are of higher quality.

This is a team confidently taking its opportunities rather than scraping for scraps.

The summer recruitment looks to be the reason behind the shift, bringing in young, hungry, gifted players who are so likeable and have been a joy to watch so far this year.

Possession remains modest at around 46%, showing Paul Heckingbottom's pragmatic approach.

The focus isn't on dominating the ball but on using it intelligently.

Progressive passes have increased, pushing the attack higher up the pitch and creating real threats in the final third. The team strikes a fine balance between patient build-up and sharp transitions.

Defensively, the difference is stark. Although the personnel haven't changed, the quality of their performances has.

The goals conceded per game have dropped from 1.28 to under one per match (0.92), and are outperforming their expected goals against (1.32 xGA).

This means the defence is not only more structured but also rising to the challenge when opponents create danger.

There are more tackles and blocks per game, reflecting a pressing, combative mindset that was missing last year.

The clean sheet rate has almost tripled (second best in the league), providing the foundation for those vital wins. Equally, 'keeper Daniel Iversen isn't having to work too hard, he's only making 2.2 saves per match, but when he is called into action, he's looking like the best signing of the summer.

Watching the team play, you can almost see the numbers come alive. The average positions show a compact, disciplined shape.

Midfielders and defenders hold their lines tightly, minimising gaps and forcing opponents wide. This tactical refinement enables swift defensive recovery and quick, incisive counter-attacks, the hallmark of a team growing in confidence and cohesion.

The victory over Southampton at the weekend was more than just three points; it was another hardworking team effort where we outfought the opposition.

Against a club with greater resources and squad depth, North End showed they can compete toe to toe with anyone in this league.

The team's energy, tactical discipline, and will to win were clear for all to see, giving the 1,000+ travelling fans plenty of cause to celebrate the long journey back home to Lancashire.

One of the key drivers behind this resurgence is the mindset shift. Heckingbottom, known for fostering a high-performance environment, has infused the squad with an unshakeable mentality of competitiveness and resilience.

We might not have the biggest budget in the Championship, but he doesn't let that define the team's ambition.

It's about pride, fighting spirit, and working tirelessly for every point. This culture of grit and determination has become the club's trademark this season, and under his leadership, it's been a huge part of why Preston are now matching, and often exceeding, all those pre-season "expert" opinions.

The team looks like one that understands its strengths and plays with conviction. From key tackles to precise through balls, the stats back up the bright performances on the pitch.

This turnaround isn't just in numbers, it's in spirit. And if this detailed evidence of progress tells us anything, it's that North End are going really well, but tougher tests are still to come.

The players are going to need us, the fans, to help maintain this brilliant start to the season.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor.

Here are some of your replies:

Burnley fans

Tad: Arsenal obviously have more expensive players and can pay higher wages, but they were also quicker to close down our players, quicker to second balls and hunted better in packs. Burnley have some good players but they need to put in more fast yards if they want to survive in the Premier League.

Graham: We're not overawed or out of place at this level! The better team won but Burnley almost scored against Arsenal. Tactically we showed too much respect in the early stages. It was later in the match that we changed, showing more aggression up front and causing some problems for the opposition. Another encouraging performance against a top team.

Fraser: Burnley looked far more fluid and capable after a multitude of substitutions in the second half, particularly after Hannibal's introduction. You can understand Scott Parker's attempt to nullify Arsenal somewhat with his starting XI. We move on.

Kathy: I was at the match and saw Burnley play far better than has generally been reported. This is a classic case of 'have a big name, automatically get the lion's share of the attention'. This kind of journalism is not in the true spirit of football, for fans or players.

Arsenal fans

Jordan: Arsenal were composed and in control. William Saliba and Gabriel dominated defensively, while the team's structure nullified Burnley's attack. In possession, Arsenal were patient and precise. Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice set the tempo, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard stretching the play and creating chances. Viktor Gyokeres put in a good shift up front with his goal. It was a mature and assured performance that showed balance and confidence to go on and win the league.

Steve: Arsenal are a machine this season! They just work so hard for each other and you can see they do not want to concede a goal ever. The work rate is first class and so professional. Keep it up.

Barry: Just awesome. Composed and comfortable, we've got a great gearbox these days. Gyokeres is a cracking centre-forward - he leads the line brilliantly.

Joe: A good win, however playing for an hour after the second goal without scoring is, to my mind, poor. If goal difference is to be the deciding factor at the end of the season, then we need as many goals as we can score. It's no good just defending a scoreline when we're on a roll.