What We Learned From Premier League Matchday 12 as Ebere Eze Arrives at Arsenal Party

There were more than a few curveballs thrown on matchday 12 of the Premier League with big hitters striking out.

It was a weekend of great excitement that had some expected results overshadowed by the division’s so-called “smaller” clubs coming in clutch over possible title contenders.

Fans had to sit through the international week across the previous seven days where the likes of Scotland succeeded in World Cup qualifying, as did Wales and the Republic of Ireland while England had some fun.

But it has been back to the good stuff on Saturday and Sunday with Manchester United facing off against Everton on Monday evening.

There was more than one potential banana skin fixture on the calendar for the big hitters with the North London derby the obvious highlight as well as title rivals Manchester City squaring off against Newcastle United away.

Liverpool had the opportunity to get back to winning ways in front of a packed out home crowd vs Nottingham Forest while there were relegation battles going on for the clubs down towards the bottom end of the standings.

We at FootballBlog pored over the weekend’s action and looked at a handful of things we learned from the matchday…

Ebere Eze shines as Arsenal thump Spurs

The Gunners have been excellent this season so far and have led the charge for the most part since the beginning of the campaign. Mikel Arteta must finally be thinking this could be his year following second placed finishes over the course of the last three years. Arsenal’s clean sheet run has helped.

The derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is always one of the key moments both players and fans keep an eye out for on the schedule and it was Thomas Frank’s first attempt at the rivalry since taking over in the summer.

It was also a chance for diehard Arsenal fan and summer signing Eberechi Eze to stamp his authority on the fixture he has grown up dreaming about playing in. As it happened, the former Crystal Palace star wasted little time in writing his name in the history books.

The England international became the first player since Alan Sunderland back in 1978 to hit a hat-trick in the game as he swept Spurs aside single-handedly after Leandro Trossard had opened the scoring and before Richarlison had netted a consolation.

Talk about a statement victory, Arsenal showed again that they mean business while everyone around them faltered…

Manchester City slip up at Newcastle

Speaking of which, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were determined to keep on the tails of their foes having started the day four points off the top.

They faced off against a Magpies outfit who had not exactly had the best of seasons under Eddie Howe up until this point and the Englishman had come under his first whisper of scrutiny.

His lads silenced those critics, though, with possible Scotland World Cup call-up Harvey Barnes banging in a terrific brace either side of a surprising Ruben Dias strike to win three points at St James’ and stunt City’s strides at the top end.

Newcastle moved into 14th while City fell behind Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in third.

Daniel Farke struggling at Leeds United

Leeds United once again failed to gain any sort of momentum in the league as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. The Villans had their doubters earlier in the year but Unai Emery has come good as most expected him to and has taken his players to fourth and not too far away from the chasing pack.

Daniel Farke is now in a sticky situation with some fans believing his position is untenable with the Whites in the precarious 18th spot inside the drop zone for now and no improvement in sight.

The German will have to try his best to bring some sort of order to life at Elland Road to win points or he risks his job as well as the club’s season with only Burnley and Wolves worse off right now.

Liverpool and Arne Slot in trouble

If you had told anyone before the campaign kicked off that Liverpool would be in this situation under Arne Slot, many might have chuckled and waved you away.

But the Reds are in the midst of a disastrous run of form and have collapsed into 11th in the Premier League despite spending a staggering amount of money in the summer transfer window and being clear favourites to retain their title this season come next May.

They faced Nottingham Forest who, under Sean Dyche, have definitely experienced a new manager bounce. But nobody would have expected the 3-0 hammering the visitors skelped their hosts with on Saturday thanks to goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Mo Salah has been criticised and offered little while Alexander Isak was as good as being a man down at times. That can be what £125m can get you.

Liverpool are not just in danger of finishing behind Arsenal in second or third. They are risking finishing outside the top 10 if their form continues as it has been.

They have shipped 20 goals in the Prem and scored 18 while they have lost six and won six of their 12 matches so far.

Certainly not European form.