Premier League

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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James Tarkowski's new Everton deal is just reward for a player of model consistency - both in terms of availability and performance.

Before sustaining a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the final five games of last season, the centre-back had made 111 consecutive Premier League appearances - the longest run of any outfield player at that time and the fourth-longest such run in the competition's history.

When Tarkowski began this campaign in the heart of Everton's defence, he had perhaps not quite fully recovered from injury and his early outings were not quite as dominant as supporters had come to expect.

However, the 32-year-old has been a brilliant performer since joining the Toffees on a free transfer from Burnley in July 2022 and is someone who arguably does not get the same level of recognition as defenders at some of the more recently successful clubs - despite dominating most combative metrics since his move to Merseyside.

Tarkowksi leads all Premier League outfield players since the start of 2022-23 for clearances, headed clearances, blocks and aerial duels won - ranking ahead of the likes of Arsenal's Gabriel and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in those metrics.

While not being renowned for goals, Tarkowski has scored at least in once in the past seven Premier League seasons -and he saved his 2024-25 contribution for something special, equalising in the 98th minute in the final men's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I like to pride myself in spotting special talents early. Those with exceptional skills and special vision can be spotted in their teens, even when they are playing poorly.

There are a very small number, however, that creep up slowly and before you know it, you think: "The guy could be world class and he is 25 years old - how did I miss that one?"

Step forward Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo - an overnight sensation for some but a player whose progression has been exponential in the past 18 months.

A match-winning performance against Fulham on Friday underlined that his opening-night goals against Liverpool were anything but a fluke.

Some big clubs tried to prise him from the Cherries in the summer but he stayed - and even signed a new contract.

He might not stay for those five extra years, but Bournemouth can console themselves that he has probably doubled in value in these first seven games.

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Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall was critical of the Seagulls' performance in drawing 1-1 at Wolves on Sunday. The result left them 12th in the Premier League after seven games.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall didn't hold back, saying Brighton failed to show the intensity and attitude required against a struggling Wolves side.

"I'm disappointed. We played a team that conceded 14 goals and scored four," Aspinall said. "They've played six, won none, lost five and drawn one. You have got to go to a team like that and win, and convincingly.

"To do that, you have to start with high-tempo football, urgency.

"We played against Chelsea and finished on a high and then turned up against Wolves, thinking just going to win by turning up. It doesn't work like that.

"You have to be at it from the start in every game and that's why the top clubs are up there, because they have good players with a good attitude."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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Fulham's Josh King says his controversially disallowed goal against Chelsea in August was his 'welcome to the Premier League' moment and has given further motivation to get his first top-flight goal.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited said it was a mistake for the video assistant referee to intervene and rule out King's opener at Stamford Bridge in a game the Cottagers went on to lose 2-0.

"One that sticks out is when I had the disallowed goal against Chelsea," the 18-year-old told BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich.

"That was one where in my mind I thought 'welcome to the Prem'.

"It's a difficult one. With those type of things, you just have to keep going and keep playing in the same way. I think the feeling of scoring now has become addictive to me and now I just want to try and keep doing it."

Despite still looking for his first senior Fulham goal, King has started all seven Premier League games so far this season, and has been rewarded for his impressive performances with a first call-up to England Under-21s.

"It's something you dream of," he said. "You work so long and so hard for opportunities like this so when they do come you want to take them.

"I've really enjoyed the first part of the season and all I can do is keep working hard, trying to improve, and contribute where I can.

"It's been a really good start and I've really enjoyed it. Now it's full focus on England."

Asked about players that inspire him, King added: "[Eberechi] Eze is one where I watch and think technically on the ball, he's so clean. He's so good with it.

"Players like [Jamal] Musiala as well - he's someone who I look up to. He can turn and drive forward and score goals and assist. Those two stick out to me. I want to get people off their feet and excite them."

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's plans for extending the capacity of Emirates Stadium.

Here are some of your comments:

Alun: I've been a supporter all my life, and I pay for four memberships annually (for myself, my two adult children, and my junior gunner). It's almost impossible to guarantee tickets even though I essentially have three silver memberships. The expansion would be very welcome. Allowing more fans to attend games and hopefully reducing prices in the long term.

Aditya: In principle, this makes sense. Arsenal have demonstrated the ability to consistently generate ticket sales at high value per ticket and would put them in line with the top end of stadium capacity. With their global popularity, they could sell out even 20,000 more seats! That's equal to one more world-class player every year!

Amy: The stadium needs a proper renovation, not just an expansion. It's looking very dated and hasn't aged well at all in only 20 years.

Mark G: Fantastic development for the club. More fans to cheer the team on, more income and a bigger stadium than Tottenham - what's not to like?!

However, some fans were sceptical about stadium expansion.

Alex: Don't. The current ticket demand may be ephemeral. It will ruin the architecture. 70000, we go mid-table again and loads of empty seats. Just please don't do it. The stadium is beautiful as it is, and yes, its lightness puts it ahead of Tottenham's stadium.

Mark: I find it disappointing that after only 20 years at the Emirates, they feel it is not big enough! Not brilliant forward planning! I also feel playing home games at Wembley only becomes an incentive for the visiting teams.

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Paul asked: What do you make of the situation at West Ham United? The poor running of the club seems to finally be being noticed.

Phil answered: West Ham are simply reaping what they have sown, with poor signings and poor managerial appointments since David Moyes left.

Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter failed miserably and both ended up looking out of their depth.

Now it is Nuno Espirito Santo's turn, and no-one can question how well he did at Nottingham Forest.

There is so much unrest at West Ham, with protests against the ownership in the shape of David Sullivan and Karren Brady and, of course, a stadium which is drained of atmosphere after the wonderful environment that was Upton Park.

An awful lot rests on Nuno for those in charge at West Ham United.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Three defeats in three have not quite got the alarm bells ringing at Anfield, though Liverpool clearly have a few problems.

Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah have not yet gelled as a unit. They look more like a group of ultra-talented individuals than a well-drilled team, and this must change if they are going to defend their title.

It is early days for the new signings - but the Premier League does not wait for you to be formally introduced, then get to know each other over a number of months.

‌During the live commentary on the BBC, I kept underlining the problem at right-back.

Jeremie Frimpong is a converted winger, not a specialist defender. Conor Bradley is a very talented attacking full-back, but Arne Slot had to sub him at the break because a second yellow card was imminent for the youngster. He needed some help but his winger, Salah, was not going to provide any by chasing back.

‌Dominik Szoboszlai is a wonderful midfielder - maybe Liverpool's best player this season so far - but his limitations as a full-back were cruelly exposed, both when I was there in Istanbul for the Galatasaray game midweek and in west London.

When he moved in there on Saturday, Chelsea got to his byline time and again. He was also guilty of switching off when crosses were coming in from the other wing. Specialist full-backs simply do not do that.

‌Szoboszlai created Liverpool's goal from that full-back area, underlining where his true strengths lie: attack. With so many brilliant specialist wingers in the league, a makeshift full-back is not going to cut it.

‌Unsurprisingly, the hosts' late winner came from an attack down that side.

Liverpool could not beat a Chelsea side that had their sixth and seventh-choice centre-backs playing by the end, underlining that an easy cruise to another title is very unlikely for the Reds.

What do you think?

Is Liverpool's right-back position a problem?

What would you do if you were Slot?

Send us your views here

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Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger

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I was at Newcastle then Istanbul last week, so Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge could have been quiet in comparison. With the two teams struggling lately, a decent number of key players injured and fans not exactly in love with both their playing styles, they still managed to serve up another breathless and noisy affair.

‌It could have gone either way, but in a season of last-gasp winners, no-one had left before Estevao Willian's stoppage-time winner.

Enzo Maresca's relieved and excited 70-yard sprint to celebrate showed the media pressure has been getting to him after all.

Even with a red card, it was a perfectly understandable reaction. His bold substitutions had worked - bringing on 19-year-old Marc Guiu, 21-year-old Jamie Gittens and the 18-year-old scorer Estevao were big but crucial calls near the end.

‌Maresca's willingness to be more offensive right from the start suggested he had listened to recent complaints about negativity.

Going from 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-4-1 might not sound like a huge change, but that additional forward midfielder contributed to their first goal and the extra attacking freedom raised the belief in his players.

‌Maybe the most pleasing thing was that neither team considered settling for a draw at 1-1. Because of this positivity and openness, the Premier League is as entertaining as it has ever been.

‌A loss for the Blues would have silenced any hopes from their fans. But, now they are back in the conversation for a top-four finish - all because the manager was brave enough to take a few more risks.

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Sean asked: I'm really concerned about Liverpool's recent run of form. Is Salah undroppable?

Phil answered: I've seen every Liverpool game this season bar the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton and, for all the wins at the start, they have not looked right from day one.

I think bringing in so many players means it always takes time to settle, no matter how good they are, but the balance just does not look right with Florian Wirtz behind the strikers.

Liverpool have looked far more exposed, not helped by Ibrahima Konate's poor form and two new very attack-minded full-backs in Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

Is Mohamed Salah "undroppable"? Very few players are undroppable at some point in their careers and there is no doubt he has not been himself this season. And don't forget he is 33.

World-class players very rarely decline overnight, though, and I wouldn't back against him making a big contribution to Liverpool again this season?

Will Arne Slot occasionally take him out of the team? Yes, I can see that, as he did against Galatasaray in Istanbul last week.

Alan asked: Is Florian Wirtz the biggest £100m transfer flop? Ten games, zero goals and only one assist. His Premier League stats are seven games, zero goals and zero assists.

Phil answered: It's far too early to be going there with that one, Alan. Wirtz has been disappointing so far, no doubt about that, but he has been playing in a side undergoing a very expensive transition which has not been at its best at all, despite topping the Premier League table in the early weeks.

He is getting used to the Liverpool players and they are getting used to him.

It's always a mistake to make such snap verdicts and I think Wirtz - £116m fee or not - deserves a lot more time before anyone makes any judgement, certainly the judgement that he is a flop.

It's very early days.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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When the final whistle went on Saturday, signalling an end to Arsenal's unremarkable 2-0 win over West Ham, there was a palpable sense of relief. This has been a banana-skin fixture for Arsenal in the past two seasons. Both times, the visitors have returned to east London with the three points.

Although Arsenal cruised to victory this time around, the topic of the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium has reared its head once again. Fans have spoken about how flat the crowd felt, particularly given Arsenal's dominant play and the fact the result meant leapfrogging Liverpool to top the league going into the international break.

From where I sit - both literally and metaphorically - it is no surprise that this specific game did not produce a ferocious atmosphere. West Ham, currently 19th in the table, offered no real threat to the Gunners, bar a corner in the first minute of the game.

Arsenal were in control throughout, and hardly needed to get out of second gear to get the win. Forgettable, routine wins are part and parcel of a title-winning season.

On further examination, fans have pointed to a change in how Arsenal administer tickets. In 2023, the club introduced a ballot system, meaning fans have equal chances to buy tickets regardless of how many times they have previously attended. This has largely been dismissed as a cause for the quiet atmosphere, though, as season ticket-holders still make up the majority of the ground.

Some fans also point to the 2022-23 season for when the stadium was at its loudest. But during that time, Arsenal were surprise title challengers. Nobody expected the Gunners to be in the title race, but suddenly they were.

Fast forward three years, and it has naturally become a case of fearing dropped points, rather than celebrating expected wins.

I would love nothing more than the Emirates to be rocking every game, but I do not believe it is a massive failure if the ground is a bit quieter for a 3pm kick-off against a side in a relegation battle.

I will be reserving my judgement of the crowd for November's north London derby.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

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Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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Before last weekend, Leeds United's last top-flight game against Tottenham Hotspur came in the final fixture of the relegation season two and a half years ago.

Sam Allardyce was in the dugout that day and United lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, with a midfield featuring Robin Koch, Weston McKennie and Adam Forshaw. What followed was a performance so devoid of passion, competence and work-rate that it prompted then captain Liam Cooper to tell the players, in not so many words, that if they did not want to be at the club, to leave.

McKennie was particularly derided by a vociferous Leeds crowd, who vocalised their displeasure at both the board and players.

The whole club needed a reset. And, despite suffering another loss to Spurs last weekend, that Leeds were beaten was the only similarity between the two games.

In fact, the ever-present fans aside, Leeds United is an organisation re-imagined. New owners, a new manager and a new team – only Jack Harrison remains from the starting XI beaten 4-1 on that day.

Plus, in the directors' box, there was no Victor Orta screaming until he is red in the face and trying to convince anyone who will listen on the merits of a raft of average players. No stony-faced Angus Kinnear. No former owner, Andrea Radrizzani.

Just chairman Paraag Marathe and a professional recruitment team that – instead of bringing in players like McKennie - have transformed the squad over the past few years with excellent additions such as Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Jayden Bogle.

All were bought relatively cheaply and are now worth more than the price Leeds paid for them.

Upper management at a football club is often a thankless task, but they should be praised as Leeds have come a long way in two years.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

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Wrexham centre-back Conor Coady has a little sympathy for Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate as the central defender continues to face criticism.

Coady thinks changes around the defender will be posing him a problem.

See what he has to say above and watch Chris Sutton's response below.

Sutton believes the Reds may regret not signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel joined BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club to discuss Senne Lammens' debut against Sunderland, and the chant that emerged from the Old Trafford crowd.

Schmeichel says Lammens offered a "solid performance".

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says he does not "see it ending well for Ange Postecoglou" because "I can't see Forest fans changing their mind about him".

The Nottingham Forest boss was jeered by his own fans after just six games in charge, following the defeat at Newcastle.

"Nottingham Forest fans loved Nuno Espirito Santo and they love Evangelos Marinakis because he is a very hands-on owner," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He is visible so they absolutely adore him.

"But he has made this decision so there needs to be an element of patience.

"Any manager needs time. He has barely been in the job for four weeks!

"But having said that, I don't see it ending well for Postecoglou because I can't see Forest fans changing their mind about him.

"It is deeply unfair and sums up where we are in the game now, in terms of it being short-term and going off what people think."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's lack of European football was cited as a positive going into this season.

Unfortunately for United's players, they have discovered the relatively wide gap between fixtures just offers more time to brood over bad results.

It was something Mason Mount, who opened the scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland, reflected on following the dismal defeat at Brentford the previous week.

"Sometimes it is difficult when you only have one game a week," he said. "It means there's a lot of time to think.

"After a game like Brentford, we're hurt, as a team and as a staff because we know we can do better.

"It really hurts as a club as well. It feels like a long time going into the next game."

Not currently part of Thomas Tuchel's England set-up, Mount has even more time to ponder the next game as United now have two weeks before a trip to Liverpool, when they will again try to win two Premier League games in a row for the first time under Ruben Amorim.

Unlike at Brentford, when United started sloppily and found themselves 2-0 down, against Sunderland they began well, with Mount putting them in front after eight minutes with a superbly taken goal, his first in the league at Old Trafford.

"Coming off obviously a difficult result, I think it was so important for us to start sharp," he said.

"It was something we spoke about in the dressing room and Bruno [Fernandes] spoke about in the huddle before kick-off.

"I felt the energy at the beginning and then to get the goal really settled us."

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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney says he is concerned for Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou's future.

Speaking on the The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain said Postecoglou deserved more time to implement his ideas following Nuno Espirito Santo's departure, and questioned the club's hierarchy for creating instability so early in the season.

The former forward believes Postecoglou has shown promising signs despite poor results.

"It's crazy. All the rumours that you're hearing is Ange could get sacked, and he's had what, six or seven games," Rooney said. "It's absolutely crazy. And I like Ange. I think he's a good manager. He obviously struggled in the league with Tottenham last season and then won the Europa League, and it was strange.

"Obviously, Nuno getting sacked at Forest and they've brought Ange in, so if he does get sacked, I'm not hearing anyone talking about the ownership, and decisions they're making. They're the ones making the decision. So, if they do sack him, someone has to be responsible for hiring him.

"The difficulty he's got is the style Nuno played to what Ange wants to play is completely different.

"I watched him against Burnley. I thought Forest were very good and against Real Betis in the Europa League, I thought they were very good in that game as well. He's been unlucky on a couple of occasions.

"The Forest fans really like Nuno, and it doesn't look like they're willing to give Ange time."

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It feels like Mohamed Salah's lack of defensive work has become a little problem for Liverpool, especially against the better teams.

I can totally understand if Arne Slot has told Salah not to track back, because waiting high up the pitch on the right for the transition has made him one of the most potent goalscorers in the world.

But the players behind him are not covering him correctly and that has caused a lot of issues for whoever has been at right-back this season.

Whether it has been Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley or Dominik Szoboszlai, they have been in trouble because they are often facing a two against one overload down their side.

It was a real weakness on Saturday and led to Chelsea's late winner - so the concern must be that more teams will be clever enough to do the same.

The other players have to be able to help out more, and quicker, because it felt like Chelsea were working the ball forwards and then shifting it out to their left as that is where the space was.

If a Liverpool midfielder went out there too late - whether it be Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister - then it left space in the pockets in front of their defence because they were losing a man from the middle.

All of this becomes less of a problem when you are playing teams where you can dominate the ball. We've seen it be successful before - Liverpool won the league playing this way - but they have to tighten up because the top sides will continue to exploit it.

It is not as if Salah has changed his role this season but, because he is not scoring at the other end, maybe the defensive side of his game is amplified.

Read more of Murphy's thoughts over here

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney also "questioned the work ethic" of Salah, who he describes as "lost", on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves assistant manager Luis Miguel apologised on Vitor Pereira's behalf after the manager's red card against Brighton.

Pereira was dismissed in the first half of the 1-1 draw with the Seagulls after kicking a ball into the dugout housing broadcasters.

It came after the head coach was left furious when Wolves were not awarded a free -kick and he immediately apologised to those in the dugout.

Referee Jarred Gillett was left with little option but to dismiss the Portuguese, which came seconds before Wolves' opener.

"The ball was near him and he kicked the ball, I want to apologise for Vitor," said Miguel.

"It is not like his character to do that. It was one second of frustration. These things happen when we are under pressure."

Jan Paul van Hecke's header denied Wolves their first Premier League win of the season after Bart Verbruggen's own goal, the second straight game in which Pereira's side have conceded late to miss out on victory.

Joao Palhinha's injury-time leveller ensured a 1-1 draw at Tottenham last week and another point on Sunday was not enough to lift them off the bottom of the Premier League.

"We won in the cup, now two draws, in the Premier League is one point, three points, one point, three points, three points, three points - that's what we want," said Miguel, with Wolves unbeaten in three games having beaten Everton in the Carabao Cup last month.

"It's not easy but we keep going like this and trying to get a clean sheet. We're working very hard in our defensive position to improve the players on that side, because if we are secure there, we will score goals for sure."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's Mason Mount feels he can lead the charge to press opposition defences.

Under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim, United have seemed not able to get a concerted approach to their pressing game, with too many individuals trying to close down the opposition with no assistance.

Chosen ahead of Matheus Cunha in the left-sided 'number 10' slot against Sunderland, Mount led the press which unsettled the Black Cats, especially in the first half hour when the game was won.

"I see myself as bringing a lot of energy into the team and setting off the press at times, being a bit of a catalyst going forward," said Mount.

"It's something I focus on, helping the people around me and really bringing energy."

Amorim had only been at United for a month when Mount suffered the hamstring injury at Manchester City that kept him out for more than three months.

It was a big blow to the new coach, who knew the 26-year-old had more experience of his formation than most of his team-mates after working with Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate.

"At the beginning especially, it was something that maybe he could lean on me for," said Mount.

"Knowing the roles and what he wants out of the team resonates with me because I've done it before. It's something I understand."

It will be interesting to see how Mount's role evolves given Cunha was a big-money summer signing and was expected to be a central figure in United's development going forward.

For now, Mount is happy to have started and scored his first goal of the season – and his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford.

"It was massive for me," he said. "Really important. I enjoyed that."

Image source, Anton Stach

Ever wondered why Anton Stach gives his social media a light touch?

The Leeds midfielder adds some quirky graphics and funny narrations to his images on Instagram. It transpires his girlfriend has studied graphic design and has a major input into the funny touches.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "You can get creative. Sometimes we try to put the nickname of opponents into it. It's not always so easy. She's creative and I'm laughing every time. Most of the time she decides on what to do. She's doing some crazy stuff and I'm always laughing."

Watch below as Stach chats to BBC Radio Leeds about last weekend's draw against Bournemouth, his midfield partner Sean Longstaff and his quirky social media.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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It was supposed to be a glorious return to Europe at the City Ground which started with such hope and excitement.

It ended with Nottingham Forest fans chanting against their new manager, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in June, and singing in praise of his predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.

The question before Valdemar Byskov rolled in Midtjylland's late third was one Forest had not expected to be facing so soon - when does a problem become a crisis?

It was swiftly answered as the home fans turned on Ange Postecoglou and called for his dismissal.

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis, whose relationship breakdown with Nuno led to the change of coach, would not have expected calls for such drastic action so early in Australian Postecoglou's reign.

Postecoglou was only appointed on 9 September and has had limited time on the training ground with his new side.

There have been brief glimpses of the quick, snappy football Postecoglou wants from his team, but during Thursday's Europa League defeat there was little for the simmering City Ground faithful to hold on to.

A trip to Newcastle awaits on Sunday in the Premier League before the sanctuary of the international break.

Given this evidence, Postecoglou must quickly find a way to recover from his wretched start or Forest fans may soon be seeing another new face in the dugout.

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Chris Howard
Fan writer

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The phrase 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' feels very apt after a performance like Martin Odegaard's.

Having just returned from his second injury already this season, the Arsenal and Norway captain put in a skipper's display against an Olympiakos side that I have to admit were more impressive than I had expected.

They pressed well, looked a threat (more so in the first half) and didn't sit in a low block. When teams play like that, normally we can pick them apart.

Odegaard is usually the chief lock picker in that respect and his radar was certainly finely tuned. His ball to set up Viktor Gyokeres for the chance that led to Gabriel Martinelli's tap-in was simply sublime.

But it was not just such delightful passing that made Odegaard's game stand out. He dictated everything that was good in our approach play and I noticed that, rather than leading the press as he usually does, this time he sat a little deeper and acted more like a conductor of an orchestra - picking the ball up, often from David Raya, and then distributing.

So much of his game has been well documented as being part of our right hand side 'pod' and for sure, he popped up in those positions enough, but he also found space across the pitch. It was an all-energy display from him.

It feels like we have been denied that so far this season, on account of two freak shoulder injuries, that have limited him to a bit-part role.

But this showed that he's ready to be the main character. If we get more performances like that from Norway's poster boy, I think it will take us a long way towards the objectives that we are all thinking about but perhaps are not quite ready to say out loud just yet.

Arteta has options all over the pitch but the captain must surely still be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external

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Josh Sexton
Fan writer

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Florian Wirtz is currently finding out what it means to be a recent record signing for the Champions of the biggest league in the world, but it's not something he'll be completely alien to.

At one point, Wirtz was the best player for the champions of a top five league and the realisation that he suddenly had a target on his back took some adaptation. Not as much time and space on the ball, onrushing markers becoming more physical in order to get some change out of you, or better yet a reaction.

Problems he became all too familiar with at Bayer Leverkusen and is now going through again at Liverpool. Another hurdle for the reigning German Footballer of the Year and two-time (and reigning) Bundesliga Players' Player of the Year to navigate his way over.

However, he's finding out the hard way that there's more global attention once you've become a British record signing for the most decorated club in England.

There are two types who usually come through that kind of added attention unscathed - the uber-arrogant but can back it up types, or the quiet, unassuming and all-business types.

Luckily for Liverpool fans, Wirtz falls firmly into the latter category, in similar fashion to his boss Arne Slot. Both will feel they have points to prove now as the unfamiliar feeling of two losses on the spin takes a hold.

With the games coming thick and fast, the chances will come aplenty for the Reds' new number seven to find his home within the manager's tweaked system.

Likewise, Slot with all his already-proven tactical nous, will find a way to play to the strengths of Wirtz more as time passes and experience increases.

And when the 22-year-old turns 23 in May, there's a very good chance he and his gaffer will still be able to look back and laugh at all this over some silverware and champagne.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Nottingham Forest have been unlucky and the players deserve more for their efforts, according to boss Ange Postecoglou.

The squad have quickly bought into Postecoglou's methods despite the five-game winless start, which was extended after defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.

The Europa League visit of FC Midtjylland on Thursday - the City Ground's first European game since 1996 - represents another chance to get off the mark.

Morgan Gibbs-White has been enthused by Postecoglou's philosophy and the head coach feels they could even have a 100% record.

Postecoglou said: "We've got to be fair to players. I mean, what are they going to say? They're not going to say it's rubbish and 'I hate the manager'.

"I do genuinely think they see what we're trying to do.

"More important to me is what I see in terms of the games, in terms of the training and look I get it people look at the the end result and work their way back from that so when you're not winning they just think that obviously there's something wrong.

"Then they look for things that are wrong but you know the flip side of that is I've got to give feedback to the players, analyse the game and be honest with them.

"When I analyse the games I see they're doing so many things right and in a normal course of events we could have been sitting here and I don't think anyone would begrudge us if we'd won all those games.

"Apart from the Arsenal game I don't think anyone would have said we were lucky if we had won those games.

"There's so many positive signs and I think the players, they're not silly they see that and they understand that but I want them to get the rewards for their hard work."