After an international break that was longer than most, the Premier League resumes with a slate of fixtures that should quickly restore the league to centre stage. Gameweek 6 brings heavyweight meetings, difficult home tests and plenty of pressure on sides already searching for rhythm.

Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion before the break ended a remarkable run and raised the question of how they would react. Five months had passed since their previous league loss, but the 3-0 reverse on the south coast was a severe setback. Leeds United now arrive at the Emirates Stadium unbeaten and sitting fifth, only three points behind the Gunners, while history still strongly favours Arsenal, who have won their last eight meetings with Leeds in all competitions.

Chelsea also need a response after being beaten 3-0 by Brentford. That result was their third consecutive league match without a win and the third time they have conceded three goals in a game this season. Bournemouth’s visit offers little comfort, especially with Chelsea waiting on late checks for João Pedro, Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo and Reece James. Marco Rose’s side may be winless, but they have taken points from Chelsea in four of the last six meetings.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur meet under clear pressure. United have managed only five points from a manageable run, with defeats to Hull City and 10-man Manchester City damaging the mood. Tottenham, meanwhile, sit bottom after two goalless draws and three defeats, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side arrive with their costly new arrivals yet to settle. The stakes are obvious for both clubs.

The weekend’s headline fixture comes at Liverpool, where Manchester City play for the first time since being found guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. After a three-year investigation, the verdict has inevitably shifted attention onto Enzo Maresca and his players, even if they had no part in the issue. City have won all five league games under Maresca, but this is a different test entirely.

Liverpool have every reason to make the occasion felt. They have twice been runners-up to City title teams since 2009 and remain one of the most persistent challengers of the last decade. With the atmosphere set to be intense, this could become one of the defining matches of the round.

Noni Madueke’s unsettled start at Arsenal has opened the door to January speculation, with several clubs already being linked. Juventus and Atlético Madrid are among those reportedly tracking the situation, while the winger’s place in the current pecking order looks increasingly fragile.

Madueke is presently the back-up to Bukayo Saka on the right, and he is also facing competition from 16-year-old Max Dowman. On the other side, he provides cover for Christos Tzolis, although he has not featured there this season. Tzolis was injured while playing for Greece last week, but Eberechi Eze had been taking those minutes before that.

His early-season form has also had international consequences. England manager Thomas Tuchel left Madueke out of the September-October squad, despite the winger making five appearances at the 2026 World Cup. The message is clear enough: club performances matter, and they matter quickly.

Atlético Madrid are one possible landing spot. Diego Simeone has used a 3-4-2-1 system this season, which could leave Madueke operating as a wingback or narrow winger. Marcos Llorente and Lee Kang-in currently hold the right-sided roles, with Giuliano Simeone another option. Simeone Sr. has previously taken Kieran Trippier and Conor Gallagher to Spain, but breaking into the side would still be difficult.

Liverpool are another theoretical fit, though the mechanics of any deal would be complicated. The club spent heavily in the summer to replace Mohamed Salah, yet the right side remains unresolved. Rio Ngumoha and Víctor Muñoz have struggled there, while Cody Gakpo has handled the role best so far. Madueke is a natural right winger, but Arsenal’s fee and Liverpool’s status as a direct rival would make negotiations awkward.

Juventus remain a serious possibility. Francisco Conceição owns the right flank, but depth behind him is thinner, especially compared with the left, where Kerim Alajbegović arrived in the summer. Madueke has already shown a willingness to leave London, having joined PSV Eindhoven at 16. A permanent move would likely require movement elsewhere first, while even a loan could depend on the numbers.

Liverpool’s build-up to their meeting with Manchester City has been disrupted by uncertainty over Jeremy Jacquet, after the defender missed France’s squad for Monday’s match with Belgium.

Jacquet had been expected to start again, but the national team confirmed a muscular issue days before Liverpool return to Premier League action against the current leaders on Sunday. The French federation described the problem as a “strain to his left hamstring,” while Zidane played it down as “a knock.”

The timing is awkward for Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola potentially forced to prepare for the visit without his preferred partner for Virgil van Dijk. Jacquet has started all six of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League matches this season, quickly establishing himself in the side.

His rise has not been entirely straightforward. The former Rennes defender has previously dealt with minor muscular problems, including a calf issue that ruled him out for two games in the middle of 2025. More significant was the shoulder injury that ended his Rennes spell early. After agreeing to join Liverpool, he needed surgery and was sidelined for four months.

Liverpool have taken care to manage his workload since then. Last month, Iraola said: “In the first games, he was feeling the change of rhythm physically. He was finishing with cramps and really tired so we had to sub him,” while after the win over Bournemouth he added: “He looked solid until the end and I think he’s finished physically also in a good place.”

For now, though, the concern is the latest setback. The limited information makes the outlook hard to judge, and a hamstring strain can vary widely in recovery time. Jacquet completed both of his international appearances over the break, which may point to a precautionary withdrawal rather than something more serious.

Van Dijk has already pointed to the defender’s promise, saying: “So far, it is good,” the wary veteran warned last month. “He is 21 years old and very promising, but it is up to him to keep working hard and staying calm. It’s a big credit to him how he started his Liverpool career, but we are in September. Hopefully there are years of his Liverpool career left.”

Liverpool will now wait on Jacquet’s condition before the next run of fixtures.