The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its thirty-second game week, and the entertainment continues to be relentless and thoroughly enjoyable.

As a result, we will be breaking down each round of fixtures by picking out 3 of the biggest talking points, covering the biggest results, goals and general talking points from the week. We then will round off by picking our player of the week and game of the week based on what we saw in that round of games.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) if you have seen anything in a game that you think we should be talking about, or have anything to share from what you’ve seen at a game that week. Any funny stories, tactical analysis or general comments will be featured.

Arsenal Stumble

Arsenal’s 3–3 draw at home to Southampton was the standout talking point of the weekend, and not for the reasons Gunners fans would have hoped. Facing a side rooted to the bottom of the table, Arsenal found themselves 2–0 down inside 15 minutes after a nightmare start. Defensive lapses and a lack of composure stunned the Emirates and immediately raised the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s young side.

To Arsenal’s credit, they showed character to fight back. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard dragged them level, only for Southampton to restore their lead late on. When Bukayo Saka finally equalised in the 88th minute, it felt more like damage limitation than a moment of triumph. This was Arsenal’s third consecutive draw, and the sense of momentum that had powered their title charge earlier in the season was clearly slipping away.

The result handed the initiative firmly to Manchester City, who had games in hand and were gathering pace. For many observers, this match felt like a psychological turning point in the title race. Arsenal were still top, but doubts had crept in, about game management, defensive solidity, and whether this squad was quite ready to go the distance under intense pressure.

Spurs’ Struggles

If Arsenal’s draw raised eyebrows, Newcastle United’s 6–1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur left jaws on the floor. The match was effectively over within 21 minutes, with Newcastle racing into a 5–0 lead in one of the most blistering openings in Premier League history. St James’ Park was rocking as Spurs were torn apart by wave after wave of black-and-white attacks.

Jacob Murphy struck twice, while Joelinton and Alexander Isak ran riot against a Tottenham side that looked shell-shocked and disorganised. Harry Kane did grab a consolation goal, but it barely registered amid the chaos. For Spurs, it was a humiliating afternoon that underlined their defensive fragility and ongoing identity crisis.

For Newcastle, however, this was a statement performance. Eddie Howe’s side were ruthless, confident, and brimming with belief as they tightened their grip on a Champions League place. The result felt symbolic, Newcastle announcing their return to the elite, while Tottenham’s top-four credentials crumbled in spectacular fashion.

West Ham Boost

Away from the title and top-four headlines, West Ham United quietly produced one of their most important performances of the season with a convincing 4–0 win away at Bournemouth. In a campaign that had seen them flirt dangerously with the relegation zone, this was exactly the kind of result David Moyes’ side needed.

Goals from Michail Antonio, Lucas Paquetá, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen showcased a West Ham team finally playing with freedom and purpose. They were clinical going forward and solid at the back, dominating a Bournemouth side who had been competitive at home for much of the season.

The victory gave West Ham vital breathing space and momentum heading into the run-in. At this stage of the season, confidence can be as important as points, and this emphatic win suggested the Hammers were finding form at just the right time. For Bournemouth, meanwhile, it was a reminder that survival was far from guaranteed, with every mistake increasingly costly.

Matchday 32 Player of the Week: Jacob Murphy With all of Newcastle’s squad deserving credit this week, Murphy produced a brace which puts him just ahead of his teammates for player of the week.

Matchday 32 Game of the Week: Arsenal 3-3 Southampton This week has been the toughest all season to pick a game of the week, but given the fast start from Southampton, and the late Arsenal comeback, plus the implication to the title race, this one had to take it.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) what you made of the thirty-second round of fixtures, and what you’re looking forward to in the next game week.