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Key Takeaways from Premier League Matchday One

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The new Premier League season officially got underway this past weekend, with Champions Arsenal delivering a clinical performance against newly promoted Coventry City.

The opening weekend was one of the best in recent years, providing shocks and surprises, with a mad-heavy defeat in between for Aston Villa. A lot to dive into, as here are the takeaways from the first weekend of the season.

Arsenal in pole position as title favourites

It may have been matchday one, but Arsenal left a very good impression in their 3-0 victory over Coventry City. Martin Odegaard looks refreshed, whilst new signing Christos Tzolis impressed on his Premier League debut.

That's not even mentioning some of their established players, who look like they've levelled up, such as Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners looked unstoppable and in total control, maybe even better than they were last season.

Even at this early stage of the season, it's hard not to think Arsenal could go on to win back-to-back League titles, even if the Gunners could have some work to do in the forward area; regardless, they've strengthened in midfield with the signing of Bruno Guimarães and are completely clicking as a team.

Ipswich and Hull rewrite opening day scripts

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HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Semi Ajayi of Hull City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Saturday was a big day for the two other newly promoted sides, with Ipswich and Hull both claiming three points in their opening games of the season.

Both sides defied the odds and went against the script, if you will, as uncertainty surrounded whether they'd win their opening games, but both capitalised on the opportunity presented in front of them.

Ipswich pounced on errors from Sunderland. Whilst Hull took the game against Manchester United. A nice change for promoted sides, which started last season after Leeds United and Sunderland, proved they could handle the adjustment from the Championship to the Premier League.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Sunderland at Portman Road on August 22, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

For promoted sides, especially if their first games are at home, they should take it with encouragement, be up for the challenge and take the chance to make a positive start, get that first win, and take the pressure off slightly.

Ipswich and Hull have done that and have some momentum to carry through into their upcoming games.

Brentford shouldn't be underestimated

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Brentford's English striker #23 Keane Lewis-Potter (C) celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on August 22, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized 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. /

It's safe to say that the continuous doubts about Brentford add further motivation to prove everyone wrong, which they did on Saturday evening.

They outclassed Spurs and made them look second-best, with Mamadou Sangare stealing the show, who, btw, cost less than Spurs' entire summer spending.

Brentford, under Keith Andrews, finished 9th last season and missed out on European Football, defying the odds and going against everyone's predictions that they would be relegated.

No fear of relegation to come for them this season, especially if they continue the level of performance they displayed at home on Saturday; you can never write off Brentford and what they are capable of.

The big question, is whether they can make a genuine push for one of the European spots and go far in a domestic cup competition.

Tough start ahead of Aston Villa

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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Joao Gomes of Aston Villa receives a red card by referee Peter Bankes during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa FC at American Express Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

One of the big shocks of this Premier League opening weekend was Aston Villa losing 4-0, with them conceding four first-half goals.

It's been a difficult summer for Unai Emery's Villains; they have had their team ripped apart, selling their high-profile players who were part of the Europa League final back in May.

Youri Tielmans,Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne are all major outgoings this summer, which has forced Villa into rebuild mode.

But Villa's result and performance on Sunday afternoon were a shock and have left the Villains fanbase worried, as their team doesn't look prepared for the new season.

Although some of their new signings have yet to come in, the lack of depth and the time it may take for some of them to gel could leave Villa in for a struggle at the start of the season.

They are back at Villa Park for a Monday Night game, which is a bonus, but have the difficult challenge of playing Arsenal.

It isn't all doom and gloom for Newcastle

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United celebrates scoring their 1st goal with his teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Just like Villa, Newcastle United have also lost key players this summer, as well as their manager, Eddie Howe, who stepped down during pre-season.

New manager Matthias Jaissle took charge of his first Premier League game, with Liverpool the visitors at St James' Park, and it couldn't have gone any better.

It isn't all doom and gloom that many on Tyneside thought it would be, as Jaissle's vertical football provided more positives than negatives and has put excitement into the minds of Newcastle supporters.

The Magpies caused Liverpool problems on Sunday Afternoon, with Yoane Wissa having his best game in a black and white shirt since his £55M transfer last summer.

Started as a No. 10 but then finished as a striker, he maintained the energy and drive Newcastle had throughout the match, leading to them getting the second goal.

Pushing for European Football might be a tough ask for this new Newcastle side, but it certainly won't be the most tragic of seasons many saw coming, if their performance against Liverpool is anything to go by.

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea will cause problems for teams

If there is a discussion about which of the other top six teams looks the second-best team coming out of the weekend, it's hard not to say, Chelsea.

Especially if they have Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro all firing consistently, as it only took them 30 seconds to take the lead against Fulham

Plus, it looks like Palmer has renewed energy and a point to prove, having spent much of last season dealing with injuries and missing out on the World Cup with England.

He stole the show Monday night with his movement on the ball, with the jinks, feints, stepovers and dragbacks.

Alonso has an attacking force, but as good as that is, he needs to sort out the goalkeeper problem and the teething issues in defence. But Chelsea look like an exciting team to watch this season, especially if they keep their big three injury-free.

Saints players left dejected at full-time (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz against Newcastle (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Hadjam made three appearances at this summer's World Cup (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Sávio leaves Manchester City after two seasons at the club (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Xabi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, speaks to Cole Palmer after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Chelsea's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

ÁArbeloa will take many positives from Fulham's performance despite the result (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

(Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Mamadou Sangare celebrating Brentford's third goal against Tottenham on Saturday (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrate the after winning the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

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