The start of the Premier League season is always a crucial event, with teams preparing for months. However, they are often surprised by the intensity of competitive play. Although preseason matches are useful, nothing can replicate the true demand of an official match with points at stake. After the first day, it is evident that some of the most prominent clubs in England had difficulties, which surely led their coaches to thoroughly analyze possible adjustments and solutions. Here, we analyze the problems that affected some of the most important teams and suggest possible solutions.
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Arsenal: Need to improve pressing
Arsenal showed an underperforming display in their 1-0 victory against Manchester United on Sunday. With only 39% possession, their difficulty in controlling the ball was evident. It is important to note that the “Gunners” seemed to lean towards a more direct and counter-attacking game, but the frequency with which they lost possession was surprising. In addition, Arsenal conceded 22 shots at Old Trafford, a very high figure for a team with a solid defense. Coach Mikel Arteta could focus on improving his team’s pressing structure. Arsenal has been one of the best pressing teams in recent Premier League seasons, but in this match they were repeatedly outplayed. Initially, United were able to advance the ball easily towards right center-back Leny Yoro. Then, once Arsenal adjusted to stop that, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir began sending long passes towards the fullbacks or midfielder Matheus Cunha, who would drop back to receive and then face the defense. It’s unusual to see the “Gunners” so easily outplayed. The pressure they faced was a direct result of their inability to disrupt United’s game. Arteta will likely reconfigure the pressure, which could mean a boring week for the players in training.
Chelsea: Find a replacement for Levi Colwill and use Cole Palmer on the wing
Chelsea suffered a major blow before the start of the season, as Colwill’s knee injury ruled him out of much of the 2025-26 campaign. This forced coach Enzo Maresca to seek solutions. The absence of Colwill in the build-up play was noticeable against Crystal Palace. Recovering Adarabioyo will improve the situation. Meanwhile, considering moving Palmer back to the wing could be an option, where he shone at the Club World Cup.
Liverpool: Trust in Ryan Gravenberch
The defeat against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield suggested that something was not right at Liverpool, and the first night of the Premier League confirmed it. Although the “Reds” beat Bournemouth 4-2, they did not convince and needed late goals to secure the victory. There have been many changes at Anfield, with players leaving for more than £200 million, even though Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah signed new contracts. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid caused a revolution in the full-back area. Coach Arne Slot needs time to build a team that works properly. It’s early, but Wirtz and Kerkez don’t look comfortable in their roles. It’s crucial that Slot finds a way to integrate them quickly, and an important step is simple: incorporate defensive midfielder Gravenberch after serving his one-match suspension. The return of Gravenberch could also free up Kerkez to do what he does best: make runs down the wing. If Gravenberch can take on the role of third defender, it could allow Slot to push both full-backs forward and let them do what they do best.
