‘Never in my life’: Legend tears into ‘annoying’ Arsenal as tactics, title bid questioned — Talking Pts

The international break arrives following another dramatic weekend of action in the English Premier League.

Champions Liverpool showed that they are still the top dog in the title race as the Reds defeated Arsenal at Anfield, while Manchester City have already fallen six points behind after slumping to a second straight loss.

Overshadowing the performances of players on the pitch, however, were several controversial VAR decisions.

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Fulham felt hard done by at Chelsea, and Manchester United got out of jail with the help of the video referee.

Meanwhile, new manager Thomas Frank’s dream start to life at Tottenham is over following his first league loss in charge of Spurs.

Scroll down for the biggest talking points from match week three of the Premier League!

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / Source: AFP

‘ROBOTIC’ ARSENAL’S PROBLEMS EXPOSED

Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick handed Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Anfield that ensured that the champions are the only team with a perfect record of three wins from three games so far this season.

Last week, all the talk was focused on Liverpool’s shaky defence as they had conceded four goals in their opening two games, but this time around Arne Slot’s men at the back were rock solid, keeping a clean sheet for the first time in eight league matches.

At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal’s defence was stingy again, as it typically is, but Szoboszlai’s magical free kick highlighted a key difference between the two title contenders - creativity.

Mikel Arteta’s side have revamped their attack this season with new front man Viktor Gyokeres, and the acquisition of Eberechi Eze, who came off the bench in his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt since joining from Crystal Palace.

But Liverpool great Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal have missed a trick by not focusing their recruiting on more creative players rather than finishers.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“There was a lot of feeling last season about what Arsenal needed and that they needed someone up front to finish all of their chances. I’ve never believed Arsenal’s problem was finishing,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“Arsenal’s problem is creating. That was the problem for them last season: they don’t create enough. You can look at the numbers - it’s all there in black and white.

“From last season, Arsenal needed to shift slightly, become a bit more proactive with the ball.

“You bring in Zubimendi, and you bring in Eze and Gyokeres up front. It’s only three games, but in the two away games we’ve seen Arsenal in this season, nothing has changed.

“They are heavily reliant on set pieces, they don’t create anything in open play and are the best team in Europe for me, defensively.”

Manchester United legend Roy Keane shared similar sentiments to Carragher, labelling Arsenal’s attacking play as ‘robotic’ as they failed to crack Liverpool’s defence.

Keane also suggested that Arsenal’s attacking woes may be an away problem, given they were also relatively uninspiring during their 1-0 win against United on the opening weekend of the season.

“I feel like Arsenal, a bit like at Old Trafford, if you look at their attacking play, that day and today, just wasn’t good enough. They were not sharp enough, they need to do better,” Keane said on Sky Sports.

“It’s great when they have the defensive record that they have and they’re good at set pieces, but if you’re dependent on that all the time then you come to Liverpool where they’re defending well, it’s hard to score.

“You’re looking at Arsenal going - do something off the cuff, do something quickly.

“There was a bit of rush in their play when they were chasing the goal, but in general, you’re thinking ‘do something quickly’. Going forward, they are a bit robotic.

“With the set pieces you give them a thumbs up, but they have to find something else.”

Meanwhile, Keane’s former United teammate Gary Neville suggested that Arsenal’s problems are tied to mentality.

“Liverpool have got what Arteta and Arsenal haven’t right now - that edge, that something, that mentality to go and win big matches at big away grounds,” Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports.

“Liverpool believe they should be winning these matches and I’m not sure Arsenal do. They’re happy not to lose and it’s costing them.

“Even before the strike, Szoboszlai was brilliant and it’s a brilliant day for Arne Slot. He said his team couldn’t defend but they’ve kept a clean sheet.”

Legendary former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, meanwhile, hammered the Gunners for their “ugly” brand of football, declaring it “so annoying to watch”.

“I have never in my life ever wanted a team to win a game of football more than Liverpool today. Arsenal bring an ugly brand of football to our game,” he said on ViaPlay.

“Arteta... let your team play football! Let them loose, let them be free! I am absolutely convinced that if Arteta does this, they will win more games.

“... I don’t want to insult Arsenal but their brand of football is so annoying to watch, it’s designed to exploit opponents while waiting for set pieces.”

EPL Wrap: VAR fury as Chelsea prevail | 02:16

‘VAR HAS HAD A SHOCKING START TO THE SEASON’

Fulham manager Marco Silva had every right to be fuming after his side’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Cottagers were ecstatic when they thought they had taken a 1-0 lead 22 minutes into the first half via 18-year-old rising star Joshua King.

But what would have been the teenager’s first Premier League goal was disallowed, after referee Rob Jones deemed Rodrigo Muniz had committed a foul in the build-up upon reviewing the footage.

In Fulham’s own half, Muniz gained possession and turned on the ball, but landed on the foot of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who was second to the ball, in the process.

“If they can check something for five minutes and still get it wrong, then what’s actually the point?” Fulham’s Antonee Robinson wrote on Instagram after the match.

“Standard of officiating has been shocking in the Prem for too long now.”

Silva was steaming too, saying in his post-match press conference, “unbelievable decision, unbelievable”.

“I am not in the best mood to [talk about it] but it was unbelievable how the goal was disallowed,” he continued.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed with Fulham’s fury.

Dean said on Sky Sports: “I do not think it is a foul, it should stand.

“I do not know where else the attacker can put his foot. He has taken a long time over this Rob [Jones],” Dean continued.

“Rob has been sucked in by the VAR [Michael Salisbury], he has just landed on his foot, which can only go in one place, it is a poor, poor call.

“The VAR should just stay out of it, it is not clear and obvious error, but he did not have the nerve to stick with the on-field decision, he panicked, it is just not a foul at all.

“I do not know anybody who would say that was a foul.”

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited later acknowledged that the decision was an error, and VAR official Michael Salisbury was dumped from the Liverpool v Arsenal clash the following day as a result.

Adding more salt to Fulham’s wounds was that Chelsea then opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute of added time in the first half, when the assistant referee’s board said eight minutes of added would be played.

Silva shared that he spoke with Jones at the main break, and expressed his frustrations.

“I spoke with him at half-time to try to understand why the goal was disallowed,” the Portuguese manager said.

“I would love to explain many things. The first goal - eight minutes extra time. After the first corner it was already nine minutes. It is time to stop the game. That is the rules.

“I asked the referee and he said because we lost time. But I checked the eight minutes. The game didn’t stop.

“It’s very difficult. I make mistakes, the referee makes mistakes, but when it is black or white, we cannot see something that is not there.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Match referee Robert Jones checks the VAR screen for a possible penalty decision during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Fulham at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Chelsea’s second goal also came via VAR with calling a handball in the box against Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon from a powerful Chalobah shot.

Joao Pedro then slotted the penalty after four minutes of deliberation.

“The penalty. Yes, it’s handball. Definitely, it is handball but you can find two or three fouls for ourselves,” Silva said.

“Stamp on Iwobi and handball from Joao Pedro, also the pushing on Joachim [Andersen]. Nothing from VAR. The same VAR that in the first half, found something unbelievable. But the same people do not see a stamp on Iwobi.”

Pressure mounts on Nuno after thrashing | 00:50

‘THE MOST STERILE GAME THERE IS’: VAR DRAMA MARK 2

The VAR drama was not confined to Stamford Bridge as later the same day, Manchester United were the beneficiaries of the video referee.

In the 97th minute of the Red Devils clash with newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford, referee Sam Barrott awarded a free-kick on the edge of Burnley’s penalty area after United’s Amad Diallo appeared to have his shirt pulled by Jaidon Anthony.

VAR then stepped in, after three minutes, Barrott pointed to the spot for a “sustained pulling action” from Anthony on Amad after replays showed the shirt pull began outside the penalty area.

Bruno Fernandes then converted the penalty, putting United 3-2 up and handing them their first win of the season.

Burnley manager Scott Parker was furious after the final whistle, saying football is on its way to becoming “the most sterile game”.

“It’s the way the game is going. It’s going to become the most sterile game there is. We’re probably months or a year away from not celebrating goals.

“I stand on the touchline, you score a goal and I feel like there’s a million things go through your mind, a checklist, was it offside? Did he step on his toe two minutes before?

“We need to get a computer out.”

Earlier in the match, Burnley had a goal ruled out for the barest of offsides, while United were denied a penalty when former Manchester City captain Kyle Walker appeared to hold Mason Mount’s shirt.

In a similar situation to the stoppage time penalty, the hold commenced outside of the area before the pair ended up on the ground inside the box.

Barrott initially awarded a penalty, but overturned the decision after a five minute review.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was again asked for his view on Sky Sports, saying a decision about where the foul took place should be straightforward.

“When Kyle Walker makes initial contact, he’s about a foot outside of the area, so I think it might be overturned and given a free-kick outside [the penalty area],” Dean said.

“The actual contact is on the back of his calf and it’s outside the area.

“If it’s outside, it’s factual [so it should be overturned]. It’s in or out. So for me it’s a free-kick for United from outside the area, in my opinion.

“The initial contact was outside and then he’s fallen inside. I don’t know if they’re looking at a foul the other way or something. I don’t know why they’re taking so long.

“I’ve frozen it, it’s just outside, if it is outside, they won’t have to go to the screen. It’s factual, in or out. Just overturn the decision.”

Irankunda STUNS with glorious free kick | 00:38

SPURS’ BOOS RETURN IN FIRST LOSS OF FRANK ERA

It did not take long for Tottenham fans to bring back a staple of last season.

Ange Postecoglou’s second, and final, Premier League campaign in charge of Spurs played out with a chorus of boos as its backing track.

That sound was back at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday as the hosts lost 1-0 to Bournemouth, their first league loss of the Thomas Frank era.

Spurs fans arrived at their stadium with high expectations given a 2-0 win at the Etihad a week prior, and they were left frustrated as their side never really threatened.

Tottenham had 62% possessions, but the Cherries did almost all of the attacking, registering 20 shots to five.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Thomas Frank, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“I prefer them not to boo, but I understand it was not a good performance today and they have high expectations, which is absolutely fair,” Frank said in his post-match press conference.

“Let’s say we performed even better, and we could still lose a football match. Today, I don’t think we hit the level we should.”

The Danish manager later added: “I think we clearly didn’t perform well today.

“We knew exactly what they came with, and we trained for it, but we just didn’t handle it well enough in terms of the balls behind and the second ball, and the duels in the middle of the park - that’s the defensive side of it.

“On the offensive side, we struggled to find a good enough solution to get through phase one and two, so we could get up there and put a bit of pressure on them.

“We only did that in the last 15, where we put good pressure and we could have equalised, but I think over the game it was fair that Bournemouth won.”

Brighton down City with last-gasp winner | 00:37

‘I’M NOT MESSI’: CITY STAR’S PLEA TO TEAMMATES

After a trophyless season, Manchester City were widely tipped to bounce back strongly.

It is only early days, but the warning signs are there for Pep Guardiola’s side as they lost for a second straight match, going down 2-1 at Brighton.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring in his 100th Premier League outing - it was the 88th time he has found the back of the net in the English top flight - but things fell away from there for City.

Brajan Gruda scored the winner for Brighton in the 89th minute, in a disappointing end to Rodri’s first Premier League start in 11 months.

The Ballon d’Or winner had been sidelined with an ACL injury, and the Spaniard’s return to the starting line-up was expected to deliver an uptick in performance for City.

But Rodri issued a strong message to his teammates, saying it needs to be a “collective” effort.

“I’m not Messi. I’m not going to come back and just make the team win and win and win. This is a collective,” Rodri said.

“When we won in the past, I needed all my teammates. For sure, I need to recover my best level and we have to look to all of ourselves, it is a collective sport.

“Hopefully, after the [international] break we can be much better.”

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Rodri of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at Amex Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

He did not stop his criticisms there, saying the errors that led to Brighton’s goals were “kids’ mistakes”.

“Disappointed because we are Manchester City and we come here to win, but this is the reality. We are not at the level for a long, long time,” Rodri told Sky Sports.

“The only way to come back is to look to ourselves. We started well, but the second half we dropped a little bit. Then at home they have pressure and we make two mistakes and it’s 2-1.

“We are missing the level. It is a matter of the team and the changes. New players have to adapt, and of course, when you change the team that much, it is difficult. This is our reality, it is not for excuses and we have to see that this is not the way to achieve things.

“I do think that we had control of the game and we were not our best. We did not create our best match but today we should win because we made two big mistakes and counter-attacks.

“Some of the mistakes we are making are kids’ mistakes; you are not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete.”

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