Sky Sports' football writers analyze Saturday's Premier League action as Arsenal show they are ready for a title challenge and Aston Villa's woes are laid bare.
Arsenal show that their own title battle is far from over
With a nine-point lead, some accused Arsenal of being too far from the top even at this early stage. Their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was the kind of result that showed they weren't going anywhere.
Arsenal looked like themselves again. This was much more like the team we saw last season, who dominated games and gave away very little at the other end.
Because the Gunners looked much more potent from open play than before the international break, their own goal was hardly in danger. David Raya didn't concede a shot on target, while all of Forest's shots came from set-pieces.
Arsenal may have benefited from some time off during the break, but the return of Martin Odegaard cannot be ignored as a factor in this improvement. “When he is in the team you feel something that is different,” Mikel Arteta said after the match. “You can't put your finger on it, you feel it.”
The combination with Bukayo Saka on the right opened up a Forest team looking to frustrate with a low block. It took 15 minutes to cut open that game plan. Goals early in each half gave Arsenal the 'game status' they wanted.
Arteta's Arsenal suffered a dip in December and then had a break, recovered and went on a run to come within two points of the title. With a favorable fixture list until the new year, Arsenal look to be in a good place where they cannot be ruled out. Sam Blitz
Villa are too easy to play against
It's hard to be too critical of Unai Emery when it comes to analyzing his time at Aston Villa, but one thing is starting to become worrying: it's too easy to create high-quality chances against them. It has now been just one clean sheet in their last 17 games after Crystal Palace managed to score twice in the 2-2 draw at Villa Park. They have now conceded 31 goals in that period, which equates to an average of 1.82 per game. Only Wolves and West Ham have conceded more goals in that time.
For a team with European aspirations, this is far below the required standard. Until Emery finds a solution, Villa will continue to struggle to match last season's highs.Lewis Jones
Chelsea for the title?
A late penalty, blocking their own players' shots from the line and several other missed chances, but Chelsea still recorded a 2-1 win over Leicester.
It is testament to the impact Enzo Maresca has had on the squad in the short time he has been at the club since parting ways with Leicester after last season.
Something is building at Stamford Bridge and their ability to get past opponents (in games they should win this way) has given them a degree of control in the race for the top four and perhaps even an outside chance of the title itself.
With the quality of Cole Palmer, who wasn't even needed here, and the strength in depth they have around him, Chelsea can compete with the very best this season.
One point on City and five on Liverpool at the time of this win. Given the current problems Pep Guardiola's side are going through and the setback the Reds suffered last season, is it too unrealistic for the Blues to have one eye on the title race now? Patrick Rowe
Toothless Everton are going nowhere fast
Ahead of Saturday's match, Sean Dyche called on Everton to get the basics right against Brentford. He can't believe his request was answered after another toothless display for their third straight goalless appearance in the stalemate.
The Toffees plundered 27 shots against the Bees, but only five on target across 90 minutes, and only one that caused Mark Flokken any real concern.
Things are slowly improving at the back, although they could easily have been 1-0 down when it was still 11 versus 11, but they just can't find a way to increase their productivity in front of goal.
Everton have three of the 30 worst expected goals per shot records from individual matches this season, out of a field of more than 230.
What else can Dyche do? Do Everton have the personnel to create more? Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently no longer looks like the player he once was. Dwight McNeil is productive, but not a regular scorer.
His best hope may be Iliman Ndiaye, who has been their brightest spark in opposition. But that's a lot to ask of a player who isn't a true striker and who has scored five top goals in his entire career.Ron Walker
Leicester's struggles exposed by Cooper
Leicester's moments of quality against Chelsea were fleeting, but once they came they ultimately didn't have enough talent in the final third to make them count.
The chances in the first half fell to Wilfred Ndidi and Kasey McAteer, who both put their efforts wide, to the frustration of manager Steve Cooper on the sidelines.
“What I think needed to be improved in the first half was when we got the ball. We created two good chances after a difficult 30 minutes,” he said after the match.
“We gave away the goal and it's a game we have to try to get back into. Halftime was about playing better on the ball and believing in ourselves.
“In the second half we could have done more in the last third, but we did take the first penalty decision and the second. It's about taking advantage of your moments.”
A series of counter-attacks after the restart resulted in disappointing final passes or the offside flag halting the Foxes. It just wasn't enough, and the home crowd showed that.
Jordan Ayew's late penalty covered up some of the cracks in this Leicester performance. Leicester need more going forward if they are to avoid defeat this season.Patrick Rowe
Glasner gets it done with Sarr and Mateta
A sign of a smart operator when it comes to management is one who can find solutions to problems. Oliver Glasner was without Eberechi Eze, Eddie Nketiah, Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada against Aston Villa – all four would have started in an ideal world.
Glasner didn't make excuses, he found a way.
His way was to play very directly against Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta to expose Villa's high line and his front two executed his plan to perfection. They were both borderline unplayable. Mateta with his hold-up game and Sarr with his direct and excellently timed running behavior. This was evident in the first goal with Mateta playing through his striker to open his account for the Premier League season. Villa simply couldn't handle them. Lewis Jones
Pedro makes the difference for Brighton
Fabian Hurzeler says Joao Pedro is the “difference” for Brighton. The striker can make the difference in reaching the Champions League.
“Every team has a player who makes the difference,” said the young Brighton boss after Pedro scored and assisted in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
“I judge him how he works for the team and you also have to see how hard he has worked to come back. He has made the difference for us, he proved that in the last game and he proved that today.”
Pedro has scored four goals in just six Premier League games this season. He has only started four games due to injury, but has had few issues with his contribution. The 23-year-old scored 20 times in 40 appearances last season and will come close to that total again.
Brighton have no European football this season, which could give a boost to the top four. Pedro will be at the heart of this.David Richardson
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