Man City and Arsenal look destined for marathon title race

Pep Guardiola always finds a way to subtly reinvent his Man City side and the acquisition of Savinho looks like another transfer masterclass. Foden and Bernardo were City’s chief right-wing options last season (with De Bruyne occasionally drifting into that area).

They are all exceptionally versatile players, but they lack the directness that made Mahrez such a bogeyman for full-backs. Savinho is exactly what they needed.

He gave Leif Davies a mild existential crisis on Saturday afternoon, rampaging down that right-hand side as City ran out 4-1 winners at home to Ipswich Town. City went behind early doors, with Sammi Szmodics timing his run perfectly to catch the city back-four sleeping in the 7th minute.

But City came back in inevitable fashion, monopolising the ball and preventing Ipswich from having another shot in the match. Haaland benefitted from Savinho’s incessant work rate and netted yet another hat-trick (his 10th in a City shirt).

De Bruyne looks reinvigorated, scoring a goal and creating another. And to think, Rodri still has to be reintroduced into this side. Oh, and did I mention that returning midfielder Ilkay Gundogan managed to get some game time? This City side looks ominous in these early stages.

Speaking of ominous, Arsenal broke their Villa hoodoo with a crucial 2-0 win at Villa Park. Emery’s men beat the Gunners twice last season, effectively ending their Premier League title hopes.

And Arsenal were really made to work this weekend. Villa missed a handful of gilt-edged chances, with David Raya performing some absolute heroics in the Arsenal goal.

But you always had the feeling that Arsenal would get the job done. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have become a side that doesn’t have to be at their best to easily win Premier League matches. Bukayo Saka was instrumental throughout, setting up Arsenal’s 2nd with a neat cut-back to Thomas Partey.

This is a match that would have flummoxed Arsenal in years past but there is a steely resolve in this current setup that will keep City on their toes all season.