Premier League week 10 saw us hit double figures for the season, as the table takes shape and teams begin to find their standing within the league. Several clubs have started strongly, but now 10 games in, it’s about consistency after strong starts, and the urgency for some other clubs to improve is increasing.

In week 10, we saw Arsenal look strong in both defence and attack, the strugglers continued to have difficulties, West Ham picked up a much needed win and Manchester United’s winning run hit a stumble away at Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest.

As always, in this post we will be picking out 3 of the biggest talking points of the weekend, along with giving out the game of the week and player of the week awards. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the weekend please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

Arsenal Look Strong

Arsenal’s 2-0 win away to Burnley might not have been the flashiest game of the weekend, but it spoke volumes about Mikel Arteta’s growing machine. The Gunners were clinical, organised, and ruthless in the moments that mattered, exactly what title contenders should be. Viktor Gyökeres found the net again, continuing to look like one of the most shrewd signings of the season, while Declan Rice ran the midfield with the poise and control we’ve come to expect.

More impressive than the goals, though, was Arsenal’s discipline without the ball. Another clean sheet made it five in their last six league matches, and the back line, marshalled by William Saliba and Gabriel, looks as settled as any in Europe right now. Burnley never truly threatened, and when they did, David Raya was alert and calm. Arsenal have turned defending into an art form, something that feels like a major evolution from their near-miss title run two years ago.

The Gunners’ efficiency from set-pieces has also become a quiet super-weapon. Assistant coach Nicolas Jover’s influence continues to shine through, as Arsenal once again scored from a dead-ball routine. It’s the kind of marginal gain that can turn good sides into champions. With every week that passes, Arsenal are looking more like the finished article, disciplined, relentless, and increasingly confident that this could be their year.

Managerial Mayhem

While the top of the table continues to dazzle, further down the league things are looking much less stable. Wolves’ decision to part ways with Vítor Pereira after just 45 days summed up the chaos perfectly. A 3-0 defeat to Fulham, their fifth loss in six games, proved the final straw. For a side that started the season hoping for mid-table comfort, Wolves now find themselves staring at another relegation scrap and yet another reset. It’s a tough time to be a manager in the modern Premier League.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest’s defensive issues remain a nagging concern. The 2-2 draw with Manchester United might look respectable on paper, but Forest let a two-goal lead slip in the closing stages, the sort of collapse that eats away at confidence. Sean Dyche was visibly furious on the touchline, and rightly so: Forest’s inability to defend set-pieces is fast becoming a defining trait of their season. They’ve now conceded more goals from corners than any other side in the league.

And then there’s Tottenham. Thomas Frank’s Spurs looked devoid of ideas in their 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea, managing just a single shot on target all match. Reports suggest tension between Frank and certain senior players, and the energy that characterised his Brentford sides seems missing in North London. Spurs are struggling for identity, Wolves are already in turmoil, and Forest can’t defend a lead, it’s been a grim week for clubs in the middle and lower tiers of the table.

Haaland Shines Again

At the Etihad, Manchester City did what they usually do, win, but even in a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, there were hints of frustration. Erling Haaland bagged a brilliant brace, reminding everyone why he’s the league’s most feared striker. When he’s in this kind of form, City look unstoppable. But behind the score line, Pep Guardiola’s side still feel just a little off-balance, still searching for that trademark rhythm that made them serial champions.

The tactical experiments continue. Pep once again used midfielders as inverted full-backs, a setup that gives City control but can also leave them exposed in transition. Bournemouth, to their credit, exploited those spaces more than once and were unlucky not to add a second goal. The defensive frailties aren’t catastrophic yet, City’s talent often papers over the cracks, but there’s a sense this team hasn’t quite hit top gear.

City fans won’t panic, after all, they’ve seen their side start slowly before only to surge when it matters most, but Arsenal’s consistency is a warning shot. If Guardiola’s men want to keep pace, they’ll need to rediscover that relentless edge quickly. Haaland is scoring, yes, but the collective sharpness isn’t quite there yet. For now, City are winning games on individual brilliance rather than total domination, and that’s not the Guardiola way.

Game of the week: West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United Although most games this weekend were fairly one-sided, West Ham’s surprising home win over Newcastle could spark a change for both clubs. West Ham could be looking up the table, while visitors Newcastle might be looking down as they struggle to find consistency.

Player of the week: Erling Haaland It’s becoming a bit boring now, Haaland scores a couple of goals, City win and we have our player of the week. Not much more to say really is there?