Premier League football is back, confining dreary memories of this week’s internationals to the dustbin.
And stars at Chelsea, QPR, Stoke City, Manchester United and Arsenal will all be aiming for the headlines this weekend more than ever.
Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Woljciech Sczcsney – actually make that the whole Arsenal squad.
Yes, every member of the Arsenal team who line up at home to Swansea will have a point to prove. Their 8-2 humiliation at Old Trafford was crushing for players, manager and fans, and they will be keen to show they have not been scarred. The addition of new recruits should help – expect Santos, Mertesacker and Arteta all to start, hoping to make a good impression on their new teammates and supporters. Swansea have kept two clean sheets in a row, but also failed to score yet this season, so don’t bet against a comprehensive Arsenal victory.
Frank Lampard
The Chelsea midfielder has been slated by all comers twice in a week. Written off after sitting on the bench for England against Bulgaria, he was written off again after contributing to a lacklustre performance against Wales. This weekend he will line up for Chelsea away at Sunderland, where he will want to show what he is really capable of. He will have to with new boys Juan Mata and Raul Meireles chomping at the bit to get involved.
Joey Barton
It couldn’t have been scripted better, Barton will make his debut live on Monday night against former club Newcastle. He will have the double motivation of showing his new fans what he can do, and sticking two fingers up to Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. The only question is whether he can keep his head, but that question hangs over Joey every time he walks onto the pitch and it is one he will continue to battle.
Peter Crouch
The man who looks like a lamppost would love to kick start his Stoke City career with a debut goal. The fact he plays at home to former club Liverpool can only spur him on further. Crouch had a nightmare start to his time at Liverpool, failing to score for several months, so a debut goal for Stoke would really rub it in, and also show Harry Redknapp what he is missing. Stoke emerged victorious at home to Liverpool last season, but this years Liverpool side will fancy their chances at the Britannia.
David de Gea
Its fair to say the young Spaniard has had a mixed start at United. He has been progressing with every game, but a mistake littered performance here would send him back to square one. United travel to Bolton, looking to go one better than their 2-2 draw at the Reebok last season, and cannot afford any slip ups from their rookie goalkeeper. Conceding a freak 35-yard own goal for Spain’s under-21 side in the week was not the type of preparation de Gea would have wanted.
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