Bournemouth
Iraola’s Liverpool challenge: a pressing identity that can be denied by possession
Iraola faces a tactical gamble: Bournemouth pressing thrives on turnovers, falters without them. end.
Jürgen Klopp’s final words on the microphone were recycled as the first Anfield chant for Arne Slot. That affectionate handover masks a blunt truth Slot himself flagged last season — a template that thrives on turnovers can be dismantled when opponents stop offering the ball.
Andoni Iraola arrives from Bournemouth with a reputation for relentless pressing. The former Rayo Vallecano coach transformed the Cherries into one of the Premier League’s most potent high-pressing teams, but their output collapsed when they were denied the chance to press. The financial gulf between Bournemouth and England’s elite only sharpens the question of how Iraola will adapt to a club operating on a far larger stage.
Klopp accepted that Liverpool had to marry their counter-pressing with control in possession. “The high individual quality of our players allows us to control games in possession now,” Klopp’s assistant Peter Krawietz told The Athletic after Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2020, “and to take up positions close to the ball—to be able to win it back again quickly if we do lose it.” Slot inherited a side that combined possession and pressing, but opponents altered the contest and Liverpool suffered as a result.
“I don’t think we do things different, I do see teams doing a lot of different things against us,” Slot explained in October after three straight defeats. “Teams played in a completely different way against us in the first half of last season than they did when we were top of the league and the Champions League after half the season. And I can see this going now into this part of this season.”
Iraola captured the same dilemma: “Playing against elite sides gives you opportunities other teams don’t,” Iraola has admitted. “What you have to do is stay on top of them as they bring the ball out and make them so uncomfortable that you can maneuver them into losing the ball.” That worked infrequently when Bournemouth had at least 55% possession in 2025–26 — one win from 13 games, 14 goals for and 13 points — versus 12 wins, 44 goals and 44 points in the 25 matches where they had less than 55% possession.
Slot also highlighted a short-term answer: “We have to find answers to that,” he explained. “Last season, one of the answers was set pieces—like many teams unlock low blocks with set pieces—and this season we haven’t done that, yet.” Set-piece data underlines the shared vulnerability: Liverpool conceded a league-high 20 set-piece goals; Bournemouth conceded 18 and faced the highest set-piece xG in the division. Stats via Opta.
Arsenal
October Premier League award nominees announced
Premier League October award nominees include standout performers and managers across the division.
The Premier League has named the contenders for its October 2026 Player and Manager of the Month awards, with eight players and six managers included on the respective shortlists.
Bournemouth forward Evanilson enjoyed a productive month, finishing October with four goals and one assist from four appearances as his team beat Sunderland, Manchester United and Leeds United after a slow opening to the season.
Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson also reached four goals in the month. The former Chelsea player scored twice in the 2-1 win over Manchester City and also found the net in draws against Brentford and Fulham.
Arsenal are represented by Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice after a perfect month. Konsa impressed in defence while William Saliba was absent, keeping two clean sheets in three outings and scoring his first goal for the club. Rice contributed two important assists at the other end.
Jack Rudoni’s form has helped Coventry City. The newly promoted side took two wins from four matches in October, with Rudoni scoring three times as they moved further away from the relegation zone.
Tottenham Hotspur also had an unbeaten month, and Jan Paul van Hecke played a key role in wins over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. No player attempted or completed more passes than the Dutch defender last month.
Brighton have two nominees in Luka Vušković and Bart Verbruggen. Three clean sheets in four matches brought recognition for the Seagulls’ defence.
On the managerial shortlist, Chelsea scored more goals than any other team in October with nine, while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta guided his side to the top of the table. Roberto De Zerbi, Unai Emery, Fabian Hürzeler and Marco Rose complete the list after strong runs during the month.
Month
Player
Club
August
João Pedro
Chelsea
September
Pascal Groß
Brighton
Month
Manager
Club
August
Sergej Jakirović
Hull
September
Arsenal
Gameweek 9 verdicts: Chelsea edge United, Arsenal stun Liverpool
A full set of Gameweek 9 predictions, including Chelsea vs Man Utd and Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Gameweek 9 brings a stacked Premier League schedule, with several meetings that carry clear weight in the early-season picture. The most eye-catching fixtures are Chelsea against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool’s home clash with Arsenal, while there are also plenty of tight contests elsewhere across the division.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are tipped to come through 2-1 against a Manchester United side under pressure after back-to-back three-goal defeats to Como and Bournemouth. Michael Carrick remains in charge for the trip to west London after talks with Bruno Fernandes and the rest of the squad, but this feels like a critical test. Chelsea have their own issues, yet home advantage and the absence of João Pedro could still matter in a narrow contest.
Bournemouth’s strong run is expected to continue with a 2-1 win over Leeds United. The Cherries have produced a striking sequence of results across multiple competitions, and with Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson supported by Eli Junior Kroupi’s return, they look well placed to extend that momentum.
Other calls point to draws for Brentford against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United against Everton, while Coventry and Sunderland are forecast to cancel each other out. Hull are backed to edge Ipswich 1-0, and Manchester City are favoured to beat Brighton 3-2 in what could be the weekend’s most open game.
Tottenham are projected to keep improving with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa are expected to defeat Fulham 3-0 after their recent uptick in form. The standout result, though, is at Anfield, where Arsenal are predicted to win 2-1 after Liverpool’s recent consistency meets a team looking to respond after a cup setback. The final matchup, Newcastle versus Everton, is also forecast to finish level.
Bournemouth
Carrick’s Fernandes decision goes badly wrong as Bournemouth expose United’s problems
Carrick dropped Fernandes, but United produced another lifeless display in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Michael Carrick’s choice to leave Bruno Fernandes on the bench ended in a damaging afternoon for Manchester United, who were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth and produced their bluntest performance of the season.
The absence of Fernandes only sharpened the sense that United had lost whatever edge they were hoping to find. Bournemouth, by contrast, looked organised and cohesive throughout, while United again failed to make sustained use of possession or turn pressure into meaningful chances. It was another reminder of how far the side currently is from the level required, and the result leaves Carrick under renewed scrutiny.
Fernandes had already endured a difficult run before this match. His only Premier League goal contributions this season came in the 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, and United have now gone two months and six top-flight games without another league victory. Carrick’s decision to remove his most productive creator, especially with Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Šeško unavailable, was always likely to be tested. In the end, it was overwhelmed by a performance full of errors and short on conviction.
United did have more of the ball, but the numbers told their own story. Bournemouth generated the better chances, repeatedly punishing mistakes and leaving United with no answer. The team’s shortcomings were reflected in the individual displays, with only a few players offering even brief signs of resistance.
Senne Lammens was beaten three times, while Harry Maguire drew rare praise simply for carrying the ball forward. Carlos Baleba showed some energy, and Mason Mount remained ineffective despite changing positions during the match. The substitutes brought little improvement, as United’s evening drifted away without any meaningful response.
For Carrick, the wider problem is plain. Taking Fernandes out of the side was meant to send a message, but the result only underlined how dependent this team remains on what he provides.
