The Premier League returns at the weekend after a set of exciting games in Europe. From the title race to the race for the top four and the relegation scrap, there is a lot to look forward to over the upcoming batch of Premier League fixtures.
The matchweek 15 will be the penultimate weekend of games in the English top flight before the World Cup break, thus, this sets us up for an excellent couple of weeks of club football. Without much delay, let’s take a look at the things to look forward to in Matchweek 15:
#Can Aubameyang haunt Arsenal at Stamford Bridge?
An already engaging battle between Chelsea and Arsenal has got some more spice with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang facing his former club at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
“I’m back, I’m ready and I’m blue,” were Aubameyang’s exact words in the Chelsea vs Arsenal promotional video launched by BT Sports. The Gabonese striker fell out with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta last season, which saw the Spanish tactician strip off the captaincy duties before shipping him off to Barcelona in January.
As Aubameyang is back in the Premier League, this time with Chelsea, he will be raring to make a mark against Arteta’s Arsenal on Sunday.
#Can Hasenhuttl inspire Southampton against Newcastle?
Newcastle United fans will make the trip to St. Mary’s on Saturday in great spirits and full of confidence, and why won’t they? The Magpies have won four of their last five games to break into the top four ahead of their game against Southampton.
In contrast, Southampton, since beating Chelsea 2-1 at the end of August, have won one and lost five of their succeeding eight games. This poor run of form has seen them drop to 17th in the table, only a point above the dreaded relegation zone.
After Steven Gerrard’s sacking from Aston Villa last month, Ralph Hasenhuttl appears to be the next on the chopping block. Despite Southampton apparently backing him, Hasenhuttl is wary of being on borrowed time. That said, it will be interesting to see if the Austrian manages to inspire his team to stun a well-oiled and high-flying Newcastle side at home.
#Unai Emery’s first game in charge of Aston Villa
Aston Villa were hellbent on appointing a high-profile manager to replace Steven Gerrard and they managed to persuade Unai Emery in taking over the reins. The Spaniard arrives at Villa Park with four Europa League winners’ medals to his name, as well as the experience of managing Arsenal in the Premier League.
After last week’s appointment, Unai Emery officially started coaching the Aston Villa players on November 1 due to work permit issues. His first test on his return to English football couldn’t have been stiffer than facing Manchester United, who have gone unbeaten for over a month in all competitions since the 6-3 defeat in the Manchester derby on October 2.
As Villa chase their first home win over Man United since 1995, Emery will be desperate to provide the home fans with a team performance they can be proud of on Sunday.
