5 things to look out for in the Premier League as Arsenal already face squeaky bum time

The Premier League is back and the pressure is on managers at the top and bottom of the table as Arne Slot waits for the real Alexander Isak to step forward and Ruben Amorim reaches a landmark

As November international breaks go, this one was probably as compelling as it gets. The whole Jude Bellingham debate gave an edge to England’s two qualifiers - even though their place at World Cup 2026 was already secure - and Troy Parrott’s heroics in Budapest brought a nation to a standstill.

Northern Ireland’s offerings were less spectacular but still effective while Wales were almost flamboyant in celebrating their place in the play-offs. And as for Scotland and Scott McTominay’s bicycle kick and Kenny McLean from the halfway line, there is nothing left to say.

But even so, the return of the Premier League is stocked with storylines, from top to bottom, as the clubs take over for the next four months. As Pep Guardiola said ahead of Manchester City ’s trip to Newcastle : “The real, real, real, season starts now.”

Squeaky bum time arrives early

When Arsenal were leading in the dying embers of their match in Sunderland, it looked as though the Gunners were going to march into an eight-point lead at the top of the table. But along came Brian Brobbey and Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool and now, the advantage over Pep Guardiola’s men is only four points.

And here’s a thing. The last time a team was leading after 11 games and did not go on to win the Premier League was in the 2023/24 season. And that team? Arsenal. And their lead then? Four points over Manchester City.

The season, as Pep says, is only really starting now but the North London derby is a contest that will carry extra significance. If Arsenal lose, their temperament will already be under scrutiny.

Time for Alexander the great to shine in battle

For reasons for which he should take a fair share of blame, his pre-season was a poor joke and he has been troubled by niggling injuries since arriving at Anfield on September 1. But from Arne Slot ’s point of view, it is surely time for Alexander Isak to step up to the plate.

In the Premier League and Champions League, the £125million man has played 429 minutes of football and has failed to score. Slot has asked for patience when it comes to judging Isak but Liverpool fans will want to soon see why the club went to such lengths to sign him.

After the loss at the Etihad, Liverpool need to get back to winning ways but Nottingham Forest have shown signs of resurgence under Sean Dyche. It won’t be easy for Isak or Slot’s side.

Keeping the Wolves from the Championship door

In his first game in charge, a home match against Crystal Palace, Rob Edwards has a lot on his plate … and that is some understatement. Not only is he tasked with trying to bring Wolves a first Premier League win since April - recording 12 losses and three draws in that time - Edwards needs to try and unite a fanbase that has turned against the ownership.

And let’s face it, he needs some sort of miracle to keep Wolves in the top flight. It is toxic at Molineux but that is only because of supporter anger at the way the club has limited its ambition to merely staying in the Premier League.

Selling the best players and then hoping there are three worse teams is a policy that is bound to backfire at some point. But if Edwards can get off to a flier against Palace, you never know.

Marching on together … for now

When there were strong suggestions the Leeds executives might replace Daniel Farke in the summer - despite him taking the club back to the Premier League - the fans pretty much united in support of the manager. And it seems most are still behind him despite recent struggles.

Four defeats in their past five Premier League games, though, means Farke is now the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post. Yet the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday is not necessarily a win-or-bust moment for Farke.

But what he does need is an improved performance from Leeds, even if they cannot get the victory. Because the losses at Brighton and Nottingham Forest featured the sort of listless displays that get managers the sack.

The year of living dangerously

When Manchester United line up against Everton, it will be exactly one year since Ruben Amorim took charge of his first Premier League game, which ended in an unremarkable draw at Ipswich Town. Along the touchline on Monday night will be David Moyes, who was given less than a year as United boss after losing 15 of his 51 matches.

Amorim has lost 19 of his 54. Moyes had a win percentage of 53 percent, Amorim a win percentage of 39 percent. Those are numbers that show Amorim is, indeed, fortunate to have survived 12 months but the club has faith in him, which is good, AND this is a United squad that is finally beginning to look like one he wants.

That is both in terms of personnel and attitude. It is the start of a run of ten fixtures that look very enticing for United. After Christmas, they could be talked of as title contenders.