
<p>Both <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> clubs in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> won on Thursday, 1-0. However, despite the three points, both sides needed an increased effort than expected.</p>



<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> needed a goal in the 93rd minute to beat visiting Omonoia Nicosia at Old Trafford. Scott McTominay, a second half substitute, slotted home from close range to relieve the crowd on the night.</p>



<p>The slim victory keeps the club’s hopes alive of finishing <a href="https:\/\/www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/standings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top of Group E</a> in the Europa League. Still, United remains three points behind Real Sociedad with two group games remaining. The two teams meet on the final matchday of the stage.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SCOTT MCTOMINAY SAVES THE DAY FOR MAN UTD IN STOPPAGE TIME 👏 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/9V4P3SCkIm">pic.twitter.com/9V4P3SCkIm</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1580663467177975808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Although United won the game, Omonoia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was undoubtedly the <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1580667704842690560" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">player of the game</a>. The Nigeria international faced an astounding 32 total shots from United players. He made 12 saves on the night, including some brilliant stops throughout the 90 minutes. A massive double save inside the first two minutes of the second half was certainly a highlight.</p>



<h2>Premier League clubs in the Europa League on Thursday</h2>



<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> also struggled to find their normal form in Norway. The unusually slick artificial turf surely seemed to cause the Gunners some issues. Arsenal did, however, manage to squeak out a victory away to Bodo/Glimt. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/top-5-performing-premier-league-players-of-the-season-so-far-20221006-WST-403258.html">Bukayo Saka</a> scored the only goal of the match about midway through the first half.</p>



<p>The reigning Norwegian champions put up a good fight on the night, particularly in the second half. While Arsenal certainly entered the match as favorites, Bodo/Glimt has proven to be a tough place to visit. In fact, the Eliteserien team entered Thursday’s game with the <a href="https:\/\/www.arsenal.com/news/preview-bodoglimt-v-arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longest running home win streak</a> on the continent. Glimt had collected 14 consecutive victories at home during European play.</p>



<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT </a>goalkeeper Matt Turner had a positive performance against the Norwegian club. Not only did Turner keep a clean sheet, but he also made a fine diving save in the second half to keep Glimt off of the scoresheet. According to player ratings website FotMob, Turner actually had the <a href="https:\/\/www.fotmob.com/match/4010260/matchfacts/bod%c3%b8%2fglimt-vs-arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highest rating</a> of any player on the pitch.</p>



<p>Arsenal can clinch qualification to the Europa League knockout phase with a win next Thursday against PSV.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Both Premier League clubs in the Europa League, Arsenal and Manchester United, picked up important victories. Yet, it was no cake walk there.

Premier League clubs struggle, find wins in Europa League


<p>The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">2022/23 Premier League</a> season has already been full of action and goals. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> may well be showing the form of runaway champions, but <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> have been strong too.</p>



<p>In addition to teams playing well, there have been some sensational individual displays. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/09/erling-haaland-transfer-to-manchester-city/">Erling Haaland</a> turned the Premier League into his personal play-pen. Meanwhile, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/27/gabriel-jesus-signing-helps-mikel-artetas-aims-at-arsenal/">Gabriel Jesus</a> looks every bit the complete forward who led Palmeiras to the Brazilian title.</p>



<p>It’s always difficult to rank players in the Premier League, especially because of the intense fandom involved. Yet, after around eight games we can start to see patterns emerging.</p>



<h2>Who are the Top-5 performing Premier League players so far?</h2>



<h5>#1 Erling Haaland (Manchester City)</h5>



<p>Erling Haaland is the <a href="https:\/\/www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League’s top scorer</a>. He has hit hat-tricks in three successive home games for Manchester City and could well break the all-time single-season scoring record in the Premier League.</p>



<p>Haaland is incredible. He doesn’t need to be involved in build-up play. Many worried about this once he joined Manchester City. Through eight games, it seems to be a non-issue.</p>



<p>Manchester City needed a goalscorer, and he is the very best around. You can’t stop him. His movement is so decisive, he can be stood still and like a shark he is in the penalty area ready to strike. The ball is in the back of the net before the defense realizes what is happening.</p>



<p>His haul of 14 league goals in eight games is staggeringly good. Plus, there are no signs of an impending lull anytime soon.</p>



<h5>#2 James Maddison (Leicester City)</h5>



<p>It’s hard to stand out in a team that continuously suffers appalling results. Leicester City’s season has been abject, yet James Maddison leaves a mark on games all the same.</p>



<p>In seven games he has five goals to go along with two assists. He has looked to make things happen for Leicester when those around him have hidden.</p>



<p>An England call-up is on the cards ahead of the World Cup. Based on form, it is hard to turn heads away from Maddison. He is one of the most creative players in the league.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a response by Leicester City.<br><br>Maddison scores his second of the half. <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/LEINFO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LEINFO</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/CYwUNIqo7i">pic.twitter.com/CYwUNIqo7i</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1577020041740025894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>#3 Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)</h5>



<p>Gabriel Jesus was good at Manchester City. However, the intricate nature of the play hindered his output and contribution. There, he needed to pass the ball within a few seconds of receiving it.</p>



<p>He is a far better player than that. Jesus is the archetypal Brazilian. He plays with flair, confidence and likes to dribble with the ball.</p>



<p>His move to the Gunners allowed fans to see this complete forward. The same player who led Palmeiras to the Brazilian championship as a teenager.</p>



<p>Arsenal needed a player like Jesus since Thierry Henry left the club. He is having that kind of an early impact. He has scored five goals and has three assists.</p>



<h5>#4 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)</h5>



<p>Arsenal deserves to have two representatives in the top five Premier League players of this young season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bukayo causing havoc ✅<br>Gabby ready and waiting 😎 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/Cl3fVP04gG">pic.twitter.com/Cl3fVP04gG</a></p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1576648208809222144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Bukayo Saka started the 2022/23 Premier League season tremendously well. After emerging as a utility option as a wing-back in recent years, Saka is now very much an elite playmaking option in attack.</p>



<p>In eight EPL matches this term he has contributed four assists and scored a solitary goal. His work-rate is exceptional and he’s only going to get better.</p>



<p>He might not get the plaudits he deserves. His style is unassuming but it makes a difference. Mikel Arteta couldn’t enjoy the early-season success he’s had without the winger’s contributions.</p>



<h5>#5 Ivan Toney (Brentford)</h5>



<p>Ivan Toney will not end the season at Brentford. He’s too good. This is a centre-forward that should be kicking the door down to Gareth Southgate’s office to be on the plane to Qatar.</p>



<p>Harry Kane has issues when matches in tournaments go the distance. He can become a passenger. Ivan Toney is the perfect option to come off the bench.</p>



<p>He has five Premier League goals and two assists thus far this term, placing him among the best performing players.</p>



<p>Brentford rely on him to hold the ball up, make brilliant forward runs and to finish chances that come to him.</p>



<p>His chipped goal against Leeds United was a thing of beauty. It showed his technical level is far beyond what many believed last season.</p>



<p>If he doesn’t end the Premier League season with twenty goals it will be a surprise. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / </em>PRIME Media Images</p>


Although the season is only seven or eight games old, there are already a top five of Premier League players proving themselves each week.

Top 5 performing Premier League players of the season so far

Top five performing Premier League players of the season

destacadas

<div id="attachment_362953" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-362953" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Arsenal’s youth project dominated headlines to start the season.</p>
<p>An expensive, but young, batch of <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/02/grading-europes-biggest-clubs-on-their-transfer-window-signings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transfer acquisitions</a> provided the Gunners the youngest squad in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta had the options at his disposal for natural development of players. The question remained as to how well they would fit in with the squad.</p>
<p>Once again, the highest-paid player at Arsenal is in exile. This time around, it’s probably for the best.</p>
<h5>Poor Leadership</h5>
<p>Mikel Arteta left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the matchday squad against Southampton on December 11. The Athletic reported Arteta made the decision due to the striker returning late from a trip abroad.</p>
<p>Moreover, this is not Aubameyang’s first punishment for off-the-field issues. Last season, Aubameyang failed to crack the starting lineup for the North London Derby because of disciplinary reasons. Arsenal went on to <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/lineups?gameId=578388" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defeat Tottenham, 2-1</a>.</p>
<p>Since Aubmeyang’s recent dismissal, the Gunners picked up nine points in three games. A&nbsp; against Southampton, top-four challengers West Ham and Leeds. The club stripped Aubameyang <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/14/aubameyang-stripped-of-arsenal-captaincy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">of his captaincy</a> after the Southampton game.</p>
<p>Next month, the Gabonese international will go to Cameroon to play in the African Cup of Nations. His current banishment from the club helps the team play fluid, attacking soccer instead of always looking for the 2018-19 Premier League Golden Boot winner to score.</p>
<h3>Arsenal’s youth project in action</h3>
<p>Forward Gabriel Martinelli is the biggest beneficiary from decision to bench Aubameyang. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has started in five of their last six matches and contributed four goals, two against Leeds, and two assists. Manager Mikel Arteta is impressed with his development. He spoke highly of the Brazilian following the Leeds game.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“He’s come a long, long way because his energy, his passion, his commitment, it doesn’t get much better than that ever, but there are other aspects in the game that he’s had to develop and maintain the ones that he’s exceptional at, like today, because when he has chances, he puts them away.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>England internationals Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe also scored against the West Yorkshire-based club. The occasion marked the first time three Gunners aged 21 or younger scored in the same Premier League match.</p>
<p>While the youngsters are playing well, they are given the freedom to play because of a wily veteran.</p>
<h5>The Resurgence</h5>
<p>It is harsh, but, generally speaking, Alexandre Lacazette is a flop since his arrival at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger dropped a hefty <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/alexandre-lacazette/transfers/spieler/93720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$58 million</a> for the Frenchman’s services in 2017.</p>
<p>Now, he is in the last year of his contract, but he is essential to the team’s attack. The Frenchman scores the occasional goal. His strengths are his hold-up play, his link-up play with the forwards and creating space for the midfielders to play in the final third. Essentially, it is the things that do not appear on the scoresheet that allow Lacazette to contribute to Arteta’s side.</p>
<p>In what is now his fifth season, Lacazette failed to live up to his goal-scoring prowess he exhibited at Lyon. In the Leeds game, Lacazette picked up his <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/alexandre-lacazette/leistungsdaten/spieler/93720/plus/0?saison=2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100th goal contribution</a> with an assist, arriving in his 186th game with the club. A decent output, certainly, but he must continue to find his role in Arteta’s side. After all, he assumed the captaincy of that Leeds contest.</p>
<p>Martin Ødegaard has thrived with Lacazette leading the line. The Norwegian has two assists in the last three games while giving the club a dose of creativity they haven’t had since Mesut Ozil.</p>
<p>In the summer, Arsenal revamped their transfer policy by signing six players who were 23 and younger. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu solidify the backline. Additionally, left-back Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga provide depth via rotational toles. While the team is getting younger, veterans are still needed to provide experience and leadership.</p>
<h5>Redemption</h5>
<p>Granit Xhaka shares the burden of losing the captaincy of Arsenal. In the summer, it seemed like he was headed to Roma to play for Jose Mourinho. Instead, the Swiss international signed a new contract. Fortunately for him and Arsenal, his performances set him as one of the best midfielders for the Gunners in this campaign. Since returning from injury, Xhaka started in every match and his all-around play is crucial.</p>
<blockquote><p>“<em>We have a lot of young players, and you can see the hunger in them. But as well, the experienced players like me, like Thomas (Partey) for example in the middle, we have to take them to the side, we have to speak with them,” </em>Xhaka told The Independent.</p></blockquote>
<h5>Patience</h5>
<p>While Arsenal’s youth project is already paying dividends, Mikel Artets must keep everything in perspective. It becomes dangerous when there is an overreliance on players who are still developing. This is especially the case at FC Barcelona, where an overuse of Pedri in 2020/21 yielded an injury sidelining the midfielder for practically this entire campaign thus far.</p>
<p>Arteta understands this and knows it is his duty to protect them.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“There’s no point exposing a player even when there’s a lot of opinions that it has to be done because it won’t be beneficial for the player. And in the end, we are here to protect the player and develop the players that we have in the best possible way.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>As of now, Aubameyang does not look like he will feature for the club in the foreseeable future. He can learn from Xhaka and see that he can find his way back into the team if he is willing to change his ways. Arsenal are currently fourth place and will try to get back into the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> for the first time since 2016. With Arsenal’s youth movement paving the way, that goal is within reach approaching the halfway point in the season.</p>
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Arsenal's youth project seemed like a bold play at the start of the season, but it could set up Arsenal for the future, and the present.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Bukayo Saka" - Page 2

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