The Premier League commences on Friday as Manchester United host Leicester City to initiate the set of matches for the first weekend of the league campaign. With a majority of the stars unavailable for various top clubs due to their participation in the World Cup, this first weekend would be a tad subdued in some ways. The big match of the weekend would be when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City face Arsenal, who would be managed by Unai Emery for the first time in a league game. Here, I opine three players who would be looked forward to in the upcoming weekend:
- Ruben Neves: (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
The Wolves would start their Premier League campaign against Everton. After a swashbuckling Championship season, where they cruised to the title owing to certain smart recruitments and consistency in the lineup, the Wolves look set to start the Premier League with a victory over the Toffees.
The majority of responsibility falls on Ruben Neves’ shoulders, as the Portuguese defensive midfielder was the lynchpin of the Wolves’ side that dismantled their Championship opponents last season. The 21-year-old scored six goals and assisted once, whilst completing his defensive duties at the centre of the park. However, this time around, against better teams with greater quality, Neves’ talent would be judged through a more appropriate parameter.
His technical qualities suit perfectly to Wolves’ style of play, but it would be interesting to observe whether how he initiates his Premier League endeavour.
- Alexis Sanchez: (Manchester United)
At a time when Manchester United’s transfer business has been relatively worrisome, Alexis Sanchez appears to be the sole light in the doom currently. Moreover, players like Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku would miss the first match, and hence Sanchez has the responsibility to carry the team on his shoulders in the initial phase of the league campaign.
Moreover, United cannot afford to drop points and provide an early advantage to any of the other top clubs. With the increasingly competitive nature of the Premier League, it is becoming apparent that making up for the lost ground could turn out to be quite a tumultuous task later in the league.
Sanchez needs to step up when the rest of the first-team stars would be absent, and the Chilean would have to ensure that United start their tryst for the trophy without any early turbulence. He looks in good shape and Sanchez even scored twice during United’s preseason matches. His performances against AC Milan and Real Madrid were well-applauded, and accordingly, it is natural for one to expect him to notch a goal or two against the Foxes too.
- Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Aubameyang was signed by Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund last January, and this could certainly turn out to be an exceptional signing this season. The Gabonese international is quick and likes to take on defenders, as he can run at opposition with his searing pace and commendable footwork.
Aubameyang is quite versatile too, as he can be shifted to the left flank if Emery decides to accommodate both him and Alexandra Lacazette in the same starting lineup. The 29-year-old is an excellent poacher, as his finishing is complied with a knack for being at the right position at the right time. He has a deft touch and can interlink well with the other forwards. He has a touch of creativity and playmaking skills in his game, as Aubameyang can thread some delicate through-balls and actively involves himself in the buildup play whenever required too.
It would be fair to consider him as the most probable candidate to win the Golden Boot this season. However, Aubameyang needs to bring his best game forward if Arsenal were to defeat the defending champions in the opening weekend of the new Premier League weekend.
