The Premier League returns this weekend after a three-week break, with the landscape altered by Manchester City being found guilty of breaking the league's financial rules over a nine-year period. City maintain their innocence and have appealed, but face serious consequences including possible relegation. The fallout will dominate proceedings, with City heading to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday. For those seeking untainted action, Mirror Football highlights five key storylines.
Can Arsenal bounce back against Leeds?
Arsenal were played off the pitch in their last competitive match, losing 3-0 to Brighton on September 19. Mikel Arteta fumed post-match: "There were certain basics you need to accomplish in football, especially in the Premier League that we were very far from." He has had time to ponder Saturday's early kick-off against Leeds, so expect a reaction.
Kai Havertz was injured on Germany duty, so Arteta could be forced into starting Viktor Gyokeres up front. Leeds are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, and the match should be a spectacle of high pressing and intensity.
Battle of under-pressure bosses
No Premier League managerial sacking has occurred this season, but one isn't far off. Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is still without a win, but the pressure is highest at Manchester United and Tottenham, who meet Saturday evening at Old Trafford.
Spurs have been woeful, continuing a trend of 17th-place finishes over the past two seasons. Roberto De Zerbi faces expectations after over £320 million was spent on new players. Their 3-2 defeat to previously winless Aston Villa before the break was miserable, with their first two league goals of the season coming late as scant consolation. They face a United side who scraped a draw at Fulham. Michael Carrick has transitioned from interim boss to full-time manager, and while he retains some credit, Sir Jim's axe is always looming.
Are Brighton the real deal?
Brighton are the Premier League's top scorers with 16 goals in five games, playing an ultra-aggressive, high-pressing, position-rotation style under Fabian Hurzeler. They head to Sunderland in third place on Saturday, with a Conference League campaign starting next week against Lithuanian side FK Kauno Zalgiris. The question is whether they can sustain this brand of football while playing twice per week.
The Premier League's newest rivalry
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday features off-pitch beef. Oliver Glasner expects a frosty reaction on his return to Selhurst Park. "I have to accept the booing," he told the Guardian. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is suing Palace for defamation relating to a banner showing him holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs-White's head. Glasner pleaded: "I know I will be, but I don’t want to be in the middle of all the comments and the stories about this game."
Moyes soldiering on
David Moyes is working miracles at Everton, surviving a farcical summer transfer window that left his squad threadbare and overseeing an unbeaten start. Friday brought more distractions as the Friedkin Group put Everton up for sale after just two years. While they claim to be happy to wait for the right buyer, the announcement will cause uncertainty for the team, who face Hull on Sunday. Moyes will relish the challenge.
