Premier League Weekend Preview: Big Questions For Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal, And More

‎As the Premier League gears up for another action-packed weekend, narratives across the division are beginning to sharpen.

‎Garnacho’s Stamford Bridge Rise

‎A Mancunian reunion could unfold at Turf Moor as Burnley’s Kyle Walker prepares to face Alejandro Garnacho now reinventing himself on Chelsea’s left flank.

‎Since leaving Manchester United in the summer, Garnacho has begun to settle at Stamford Bridge, showing his full repertoire in Chelsea’s win over Wolves before the international break.

‎His assist for Pedro Neto was a blistering burst of pace, followed by a low, pinpoint delivery, which underlined his explosive threat.

‎Meanwhile, his delicate cross for Malo Gusto highlighted improved decision-making in the final third. His celebrations with Neto, mimicking his iconic embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, were a reminder of how quickly allegiances change in football.

‎The last time Garnacho faced Walker came in a far more dramatic setting: the FA Cup final, where the Argentine’s goal helped Manchester United silence their city rivals. This time, both players meet under very different colours but with the same competitive spark.

‎Antoine Semenyo’s £65m Question Is January Calling?

‎No player embodies Bournemouth’s turbulent form like Antoine Semenyo. Linked with a £65m release clause and swarmed by transfer rumours, the winger has responded on the pitch with six goals and three assists, earning admiration for his directness and infectious flair.

‎Yet Bournemouth find themselves in a strange reversal of fortunes. West Ham, relegation battlers at the start of the month, arrive with back-to-back wins, while Bournemouth have slumped to a 7-1 aggregate defeat across their last two games.

‎Semenyo saw a penalty saved by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 loss at Villa Park, but with West Ham having no clean sheets since August, he has an ideal opportunity to reset the narrative.

‎Danny Welbeck Wildcard

‎Few expected Thomas Tuchel to single out Danny Welbeck during the international break and fewer expected him to mention the Brighton striker more than once. Welbeck, turning 35 next week, is suddenly a genuine World Cup contender in Tuchel’s plans.

‎“Even without working with him, I know what he gives me,” Tuchel said. “He can be a back-up for Harry Kane in a traditional No 9 role.”

‎Welbeck, who last played for England in 2018, is the Premier League’s highest-scoring Englishman this season with six goals. Brighton hosts Brentford next, and another strong showing would propel the veteran firmly into England’s conversation for 2026.

‎Ryan Sessegnon Steps Up for Fulham

‎Ryan Sessegnon’s return to Fulham has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise uneven start to the season. After five challenging years at Tottenham, the 25-year-old is back where he belongs and thriving.

‎With Antonee Robinson injured, Sessegnon has become Fulham’s main outlet on the left. His two goals make him the joint-top scorer with Harry Wilson, a worrying statistic given the struggles of Raúl Jiménez and Rodrigo Muniz’s long-term injury absence.

‎With Fulham facing three of the top five in their next four matches, Marco Silva will need more than Sessegnon’s revival to preserve the club’s stability.

‎Liverpool seeks revival, but needs Alexander Isak to deliver

‎The controversy around Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal at Manchester City overshadowed a deeper issue: Liverpool’s seventh defeat in 10 games and growing vulnerabilities under Arne Slot. The fixture list offers opportunity seven of their next 10 games are against bottom-half teams, but the squad must rediscover consistency.

‎A key figure in that revival could be £125m striker Alexander Isak. The Swede has not played club football for a month due to a groin injury picked up in the Champions League, and though he returned briefly during the international break, Liverpool needs him fully firing.

‎Slot will hope he can hit the ground running despite his limited sharpness.

‎Rob Edwards Faces Wolves’ Crisis Head-On

‎No club is in deeper trouble than Wolves, the last winless side across England’s top seven divisions. New head coach Rob Edwards has inherited a defensive nightmare: 15 goals conceded in five games and no league clean sheet since April.

‎Yerson Mosquera and David Møller Wolfe, both underused this season, may become critical figures as Edwards attempts to reshape his back line. A clash with Crystal Palace offers the first real test of his imprint on the squad.

‎Newcastle’s Identity Crisis Ahead of a Brutal Week

‎Eddie Howe’s admiration for Pep Guardiola will be tested to its limit this weekend as Newcastle, sitting 14th, welcome a revived Manchester City.

‎Compounding the challenge is Newcastle’s demanding schedule: City on Saturday, followed by Marseille away in the Champions League. Their high-intensity game is becoming difficult to sustain twice a week, especially with Yoane Wissa, signed for £55m and yet to debut, still out injured.

‎Nick Woltemade, the £69m German talent, continues to deputise, but his natural tendency to drop deep leaves Newcastle without a true pace-driven No 9. Until Wissa returns, their league struggles may persist.

‎Daniel Farke Under Pressure as Leeds Brace for a Tough Run

‎Leeds’ 3-0 win over Aston Villa in 2020 feels like a distant memory. Today, Daniel Farke’s side sits 16th with four losses in their last five league games.

‎November and December look unforgiving with matches against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool on the horizon. Patrick Bamford, hero of that 2020 victory, is now at Sheffield United, while Leeds continue searching for a clinical replacement.

‎Farke insists “there is no panic,” but a negative run may leave his job hanging by a thread.

‎North London Derby

‎Sunday’s north London derby arrives at a time of contrasting fortunes and shared problems. Arsenal boasts one of the league’s best home records, while Spurs hold the strongest away form.

‎The battle at the Emirates promises high stakes.

‎Arsenal’s injury concerns, particularly Gabriel Magalhães and several key attackers, complicate matters. But Martin Ødegaard may return, offering a timely lift. Spurs, meanwhile, could be without 10 players as injuries pile up amid a gruelling Champions League schedule.

‎The outcome could shape the early title race for both clubs.

‎Amad Diallo’s Rise Continues 

‎Manchester United’s five-match unbeaten run owes much to Amad Diallo. His thunderous strike against Nottingham Forest and pinpoint cross for Bryan Mbeumo against Spurs have reintroduced his spark to the team.

‎But Ruben Amorim faces a tactical dilemma: where does Amad fit best? Against Spurs, he shifted from right wing-back to a No 10 role, maintaining his influence but forcing Mbeumo to adapt.

‎With Benjamin Sesko injured and Matheus Cunha leading the line, flexibility becomes essential.

‎With AFCON approaching next month, United must maximize Amad and Mbeumo’s output before losing both to international duty.