It’s early, but every Premier League title contender already looks flawed

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This past weekend, though, did feel like one where many of the prevailing narratives crystalised as Arsenal dug deep to win the sort of game they’ve become used to losing, Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings were exposed as they lost for the first time this campaign, Manchester City swept aside lesser opposition in the manner of old and Chelsea fell apart again.Liverpool have looked defensively shaky all season. Having been the team of control in the last campaign, making the unremarkable 2-0 win a trademark, they have become the side of the late winner, clinching games this season in the 88th, 94th, 100th, 83rd, 95th, 92nd and 85th minutes.

As so often under Arne Slot, Liverpool improved after the break, but it’s no exaggeration to say they could have been 3- or 4-0 down by then.The squad, as it did last season, still looks short of a defensive midfielder, but that does not explain why, even with the familiar three in the middle, Liverpool are so much more open than last year. If Liverpool are to retain their title, at least some of last season’s control needs to return.Arsenal have made a recent habit of failing to take opportunities but, after last week’s injury-time equaliser against Manchester City there came an injury-time winner against Newcastle to cut the gap at the top to two points.

They’ve lost twice already in the league and the low block they deployed in the draw at Arsenal was without precedent in Pep Guardiola’s time as management, but they have at least rediscovered the ability to sweep aside lesser opposition at home. Their only good league performance this season was in the 5-1 demolition of a compliant West Ham; otherwise they have seemed heavily reliant on Cole Palmer for creativity and, perhaps explicably given their injury issues, shaky at the back.