Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

1. Arteta needs to bolster attack

Though Arsenal have enjoyed another fine campaign, the likelihood is that they will again finish second, victims of the almost unbeatable combination that is state wealth plus Pep Guardiola. And regardless of whether they finish as champions or runners-up, they must improve next term – not easy given they’ve followed an 84-point season by racking up 86 with three still to play for. However, on five occasions this term, Arsenal have failed to score in a league game – as well as in the FA Cup against Liverpool and the Champions League at Bayern Munich – which is to say that, unlike Manchester City and unlike Liverpool in 2019-20, they lack superstars able to override poor performances with individual brilliance, finding crucial goals where there appeared to be none. This is not an issue easily resolved, but Jürgen Klopp found a way, completing an already excellent side by adding Alisson and Virgil van Dijk to his back five; Mikel Arteta must now do similarly to Arsenal’s attack.

Match report: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal

2. Van de Ven shows his versatility

No one was more relieved that Tottenham managed to end their poor run of form with the late victory over Burnley than Ange Postecoglou. Micky van de Ven’s winning goal finally arrived after the Dutchman – who was presented with his player of the year award before the match despite missing a large part of the season through injury – had been moved to left-back to replace Oliver Skipp and found himself in a position to produce a composed finish worthy of any striker. It was another example of one of Postecoglou’s tactical tweaks making the difference in a campaign that has been undermined by defensive injuries, although he hinted that Van de Ven is likely to revert to central defence against Manchester City on Tuesday. “I’ve been mindful with Micky that he’s had a couple of injuries and the demands of playing left-back are a lot different to playing centre-back,” said the Spurs manager. “I just have to be careful – what’s more important is what we’re trying to build here, and I was reluctant to put him out there for that reason alone.

Match report: Tottenham 2-1 Burnley

Micky van de Ven scores Tottenham’s second goal against Burnley with a composed finish

3, Murillo shines even in defeat

Amid a colossal mixed bag of signings since returning to the Premier League, the Brazilian centre-back Murillo has looked like Nottingham Forest’s best bit of business. The defender impressed once more against Chelsea, not solely with his defensive attributes; he was able to lead counterattacks and pick out 50-yard passes. It is hard to believe this is the 21-year-old’s first season in the Premier League. Ever since his debut he has looked comfortable in a struggling team, able to cope with the physicality of English football and show he has the brain to deal with the speed of play. One issue for Forest is they may need to sell someone like Murillo in the summer to comply with financial rules. They will not lack takers for the young, left-footed centre-back.

Match report: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea

4. Ten Hag must find plan

With two league games remaining, Manchester United have lost 14 times and have a goal difference of -4, a miserable humiliation of a record for which Erik ten Hag must take responsibility. And yet the two defenders he signed to play his way, Lisandro Martínez and Tyrell Malacia, have barely played this term, likewise Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, while Kobbie Mainoo, Raphaël Varane, Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund have missed months rather than weeks, and now Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are absent. In such context it seems harsh to blame the manager, yet the aimless chaos that characterises so many of United’s performances suggests his instructions aren’t getting through. Whether Ten Hag remains in post remains to be seen – the dearth of potential replacements may save him – but in the meantime, he must somehow instil confidence and a plan, because a second successive FA Cup final against a rampant Manchester City has the potential to make a disastrous last 10 months feel like a triumph.

5. Earthy ready to carve out his niche

George Earthy’s Premier League debut did not go well. He came on against Fulham and lasted seven minutes before going off with a nasty head injury. Thankfully, the 19-year-old’s next appearance went better. On as a substitute against Luton, Earthy scored with his first touch and collected his first senior goal for West Ham after converting Mohammed Kudus’s cutback. It was a lovely moment for the youngster, who is one of the best players in West Ham’s academy, and Julen Lopetegui, the incoming manager, is hopefully paying attention. “George Earthy is a really talented player,” the departing David Moyes said after the 3-1 win. Moyes went on to explain that the next step for the attacking midfielder is to improve his physicality. He pointed to how diminutive technicians like Bernardo Silva and David Silva have thrived in the Premier League. Earthy has examples to follow.

Match report: West Ham 3-1 Luton

West Ham’s George Earthy celebrates with Lucas Paquetá during the 3-1 win over Luton

6. A perplexing outing for Haaland

Manchester City were so many streets ahead of Fulham it was easy to ignore that Erling Haaland had a game to ponder. Can you really question the Premier League’s leading scorer, four clear of Cole Palmer on 25? Pep Guardiola certainly can, calling out in agony after one particularly bad miss. Haaland, last year’s Football Writers’ Player of the Year, received no votes in this year’s poll, whereas Diogo Dalot, John McGinn and Ross Barkley each found the favour of at least one hack. At Fulham, his link-up play was rather better than the “League Two” standard Roy Keane tarnished him with, but there are times when City’s interchange could be slicker. It can occasionally seem Haaland the franchise player does not quite fit the franchise, his talent so unique that not even Guardiola can get to the bottom of it. Though, as second-season slumps go, the numbers remain awesome.

Match report: Fulham 0-4 Manchester City

7. Howe’s European hopes on knife-edge

Newcastle’s 52,000-capacity home might not be the Premier League’s biggest ground or even its most up to date, but Roberto De Zerbi believes it is England’s No 1. “We played in a fantastic atmosphere,” said Brighton’s manager following Saturday’s 1-1 draw on Tyneside. “St James’ Park is incredible, it’s the best stadium in the Premier League.” Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian majority owners would rather like Eddie Howe’s team to be the division’s best on the pitch, too, but their hopes of Europa League qualification were dented slightly by a combination of Julio Enciso, Brighton’s exciting 20-year-old Paraguayan attacking playmaker, and De Zerbi’s players’ ability to wind down the clock by slowing the game to walking pace. Howe’s European hopes rest on Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United and Sunday’s to Brentford but it would be an awful shame if St James’ Park, AKA Newcastle’s “citadel on the hill”, does not stage European nights next season.

Match report: Newcastle 1-1 Brighton

8. Calvert-Lewin coming to a crossroads

A fully fit and in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a major contributor to Everton’s impressive end to the season, climaxing at Goodison Park with a fifth successive home win and clean sheet – the club’s best run in a single campaign for 11 years. His impact may have come too late for a return to the England fold for the Euros but, with four goals in his last six outings plus a decisive assist against his former club Sheffield United, the striker’s importance to Everton is lost on no one. But now comes the crunch. Calvert-Lewin, who has missed only six Premier League games this season, enters the final 12 months of his contract in the summer. Everton are in no position to lose a valuable asset for free in 2025 but Sean Dyche cannot tolerate losing a striker the club cannot afford to replace like-for-like. “The job for next season is to make sure I safeguard this club in the Premier League,” said the Everton manager. A difficult decision awaits unless Everton can convince Calvert-Lewin to extend his Goodison career.

Match report: Everton 1-0 Sheffield United

9. Palace face agonising summer

Crystal Palace are ending the season well – their last six games have featured wins over Liverpool, West Ham, Newcastle, Manchester United and now Wolves, as well as a draw at Fulham. This may reflect opponents already on the slide or with little for which to play, but Palace players have grasped what their new manager wants. Consequently, Eagles fans should be looking forward to next season, wondering how good they might get once Oliver Glasner has had a full pre-season. Instead, speculation persists that Michael Olise will soon be off – his contract contains a release clause – and Eberechi Eze will surely have suitors too. And perhaps worst of all, Dougie Freedman is likely about to join Newcastle, meaning the man who brought that pair to the club won’t be around to find replacements. A summer that should be full of hope might instead be defined by trepidation.

Match report: Wolves 1-3 Crystal Palace

10. Frank feels the love on emotional day

It was a wild finish at the Vitality Stadium, Brentford taking the lead on 86 minutes and Bournemouth equalising on 89, before Yoane Wissa found a winner in the fifth minute of added time. But despite the late drama, it was Bryan Mbeumo’s opener for which this game will be remembered because after it, the Brentford side ran to Thomas Frank – whose father had died the previous day – mobbing him in a moving show of love and respect. Frank’s is not a name often mentioned when jobs at richer clubs arise and fans of the Bees will be grateful for that, but his blend of attitude and aggression, coaching chops and tactical acumen, mean he should be a strong candidate. It’s been a difficult season at Brentford, a succession of long-term injuries and Ivan Toney’s ban leaving them threatened by relegation for longer than was comfortable. But it’s likely they’ll be much better next term – assuming they keep hold of their manager.