The Premier League weekend once again delivered high drama, unexpected twists, and a narrative that underlined why England’s top flight remains the most-watched football league in the world. Arsenal flexed their attacking muscles and showcased a level of squad depth that suggests they are better equipped than last season to sustain a title challenge. Meanwhile, in the North East, Newcastle United found encouragement in the form of new signing Nick Woltemade, whose promising performance helped ease concerns over the fitness issues of Alexander Isak.
This week’s “Hits and Misses” takes a deep dive into the weekend’s talking points, evaluating how Arsenal’s firepower may have shifted the title race, how Newcastle’s gamble on Woltemade may prove shrewd, and which teams and individuals endured afternoons to forget.
Arsenal Hit Their Stride with Goals Galore
Arsenal’s supporters had long demanded a ruthless streak in front of goal, and they got it in abundance this weekend. Against a stubborn opponent, the Gunners not only broke through but did so repeatedly, racking up four goals in a dominant display. What stood out was not just the number of goals but the variety of sources.
- Gabriel Jesus showed his clinical instincts, scoring early with a powerful finish.
- Bukayo Saka, whose influence continues to grow, added another with his trademark cut-inside-and-shoot technique.
- Martin Ødegaard orchestrated play masterfully, assisting twice and scoring once.
- Off the bench, Leandro Trossard provided energy and flair, chipping in with a goal of his own.
This spread of contributions is precisely what Mikel Arteta craved. Last season, Arsenal’s reliance on a handful of key players proved costly when fatigue and injuries struck in the run-in. This time around, the depth looks real, and the team appears to have goals in every corner.
The Importance of Depth
One of the enduring lessons from Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola is the value of depth. City can rotate heavily without losing rhythm, a luxury Arsenal lacked. Yet against this weekend’s opposition, Arteta was able to rest Thomas Partey, give minutes to Kai Havertz in a deeper role, and still field a side that overpowered their rivals.
The substitutions told their own story. Trossard came on and scored. Emile Smith Rowe, returning from injury, added sharpness in midfield. Even Eddie Nketiah, once seen as a fringe player, looked like a legitimate attacking option.
Arteta summed it up post-match:
“If we want to compete at the very top, we need every player ready to contribute. Today, you saw that—whether starting or from the bench, everyone had an impact.”
Arsenal now look like a side not just chasing City but capable of matching their relentless pace across 38 games.
Defensive Solidity Still a Concern
While Arsenal’s goals thrilled fans, there were still moments of defensive vulnerability. The opposition created two big chances, both squandered, and questions remain over the consistency of the central defensive pairing. William Saliba looks imperious, but the rotation between Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, and Jakub Kiwior has yet to fully settle.
For Arsenal to maintain a genuine title push, cutting out defensive lapses will be as important as continuing their newfound attacking ruthlessness.
Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade – An Unlikely Hero
Up in the North East, Newcastle United fans have been fretting over the fitness of star striker Alexander Isak. While Callum Wilson is a proven backup, his own injury record makes reliance on him a risky proposition. That is where Nick Woltemade, the 22-year-old German forward, enters the picture.
Signed quietly from Werder Bremen in the summer, Woltemade was not expected to make an immediate impact. Yet injuries forced Eddie Howe’s hand, and the youngster was handed significant minutes. Against their weekend opponents, he repaid that trust handsomely.
A Performance Beyond His Years
Woltemade’s display was not just about his goal—though his well-taken strike certainly endeared him to the St. James’ Park faithful. More impressive was his all-round contribution:
- He held up the ball intelligently, allowing Newcastle’s wingers to join attacks.
- His pressing set the tone, forcing errors from the opposition defense.
- He linked beautifully with Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, creating fluid attacking patterns.
For a player still adapting to the Premier League’s pace, it was a performance full of promise.
Isak’s Shadow
The question looming over Newcastle remains Alexander Isak’s availability. When fit, Isak is one of the most elegant and dangerous strikers in the league. But persistent muscle injuries have curtailed his rhythm.
Woltemade may not yet be at Isak’s level, but his emergence provides Eddie Howe with a valuable alternative. Instead of panicking over Isak’s absence, Newcastle can now look at Woltemade and see a player who offers something different—a more physical, traditional number nine profile that complements the team’s dynamic wingers.
For Newcastle’s season-long ambitions, particularly with Champions League football on the horizon, this depth could prove vital.
Manchester United’s Ongoing Struggles
Not all the weekend stories were positive. Over at Old Trafford, Manchester United once again flattered to deceive. After a bright opening spell, they conceded cheaply and then struggled to break down a disciplined defense.
The problems remain depressingly familiar:
- Midfield imbalance with Casemiro increasingly exposed.
- Lack of creativity when Bruno Fernandes is effectively marked out of the game.
- An ineffective attack, with Marcus Rashford looking short of confidence and Rasmus Højlund still adjusting to Premier League demands.
The result was another disappointing draw that felt like a defeat. Fans are beginning to question Erik ten Hag’s ability to evolve the team beyond flashes of counterattacking brilliance.
Tottenham’s Resilience Tested
Tottenham Hotspur endured one of those gritty away days that often separate top-four challengers from the also-rans. Missing key players due to injury, Ange Postecoglou’s side had to dig deep against a team that tested them physically and tactically.
Though they conceded first, Spurs battled back, equalising through Son Heung-min and then snatching a late winner via James Maddison.
What stood out was the resilience—a quality sometimes absent in Spurs sides of the past. Postecoglou has instilled belief, and the squad now fights until the final whistle.
Everton’s Woes Deepen
If Arsenal and Newcastle were big winners, Everton once again found themselves firmly in the “misses” column. A 3-0 defeat highlighted all their weaknesses: lack of cutting edge, defensive lapses, and a midfield that fails to dominate.
Sean Dyche has worked hard to instil organisation, but results are not improving. The Toffees now find themselves worryingly close to the relegation zone, and with off-field financial uncertainty still hanging over the club, the mood at Goodison Park is grim.
Chelsea – Steps Forward Steps Back
Chelsea’s rollercoaster season continued. After impressing in their previous match with a slick attacking display, they once again stumbled at home, dropping points in a game they were widely expected to win.
Mauricio Pochettino’s project remains a work in progress, but the inconsistency is starting to wear thin. The young talent is undeniable—Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Enzo Fernández all shone in flashes—but until Chelsea find a killer instinct in both boxes, they will continue to hover frustratingly outside the top four conversation.
Hits of the Weekend
- Arsenal’s attacking depth: Multiple scorers, impact from the bench, and the look of a genuine contender.
- Nick Woltemade: A breakout performance that could be the start of something special at Newcastle.
- Tottenham’s fight: Son and Maddison continue to drive Spurs forward.
Misses of the Weekend
- Manchester United’s stumbles: Same problems, same questions, same lack of progress.
- Everton: Out of ideas and seemingly out of hope.
- Chelsea’s inconsistency: Talent wasted by a lack of cohesion.
The Bigger Picture
The weekend reinforced key narratives of the season: Arsenal look like the team most capable of sustaining pressure on Manchester City, Newcastle’s squad depth is quietly improving, and traditional giants like Manchester United and Chelsea are still far from solving their structural issues.
For neutrals, this is the Premier League at its best—unpredictable, dramatic, and full of storylines that shift from week to week. For managers and players, it’s a relentless examination of consistency, resilience, and adaptability.
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