A new-look Manchester City showed familiar frailties as Tottenham strolled to a 2-0 win at the Etihad on Saturday, while Arsenal’s big win came at a cost with two injury blows.
Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha struck for the Europa League winners just before half-time as Spurs continued a perfect start for Thomas Frank after two league games in charge.
City’s run of four consecutive Premier League titles came to a spectacular end last season as they finished a distant third behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
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A 4-0 thrashing of Wolves on the opening weekend of the campaign showed glimpses of a revamped City back to their best.
However, they were again easily exposed on the counter-attack, while manager Pep Guardiola must decide who will be his number one goalkeeper after a day to forget for James Trafford.
Ederson was left on the bench amid rumours the Brazilian could join Galatasaray before the transfer window closes. City have been linked with a move for out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Tottenham took the lead on 35 minutes when Richarlison squared for Brennan Johnson to power past Trafford.
The England goalkeeper then had a moment of madness when he attempted a pass to Nico Gonzalez inside his own box.
Pape Matar Sarr intercepted and, even though the goalkeeper recovered to deny Richarlison, Palhinha smashed home the rebound.
Spurs let a two-goal lead slip late on against PSG to lose the UEFA Super Cup in Frank’s first game in charge earlier this month, but rarely looked in danger of suffering a similar fate.
“From every game you learn and games where you don’t get the result you learn even more,” said Frank.
“Defensive principles and the mentality is the key thing. We need this mentality to win games like this.”
ARSENAL WIN COMES AT A COST
Arsenal moved ahead of their north London rivals at the top of the table on goal difference, but a comprehensive victory over Leeds came at a cost as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka hobbled off injured.
Jurrien Timber doubled his Arsenal goal tally by scoring twice from corners. But the Gunners, who paraded new signing Eberechi Eze before the game after he completed his transfer from Crystal Palace, showed they have more attacking weapons on top of their set-piece threat in a dominant performance.
Saka blasted in from a narrow angle to double the home side’s lead just before half-time.
Gyokeres has been signed to fill Arsenal’s need for a prolific striker after finishing second in the Premier League for the past three years.
The Swede showed his poise in front of goal with a cool finish after latching onto Riccardo Calafiori’s pass.
And Gyokeres was lethal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after 15-year-old Max Dowman had been felled on his Premier League debut.
“We have abilities to score in various ways,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “A lot to be excited by. A really positive afternoon to start the season off at home.”
But Mikel Arteta has expressed his concerns over the injuries to Odegaard and Saka.
Gunners captain Odegaard was the first to be substituted with what appeared to be a shoulder issue during the first half.
He attempted to continue playing on two occasions but Arteta chose to bring him off for Ethan Nwaneri.
Saka took the captain’s armband from Odegaard.
However, he later picked up a knock himself, with the winger looking uncomfortable while sitting on the Emirates Stadium turf.
Leandro Trossard was brought on to replace Saka, with Arsenal now having to deal with two key players potentially being out of action.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta said: “Martin looks like a shoulder issue so we will have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad it is.
“And Bukayo had to come off after sprinting and when he was wrestling with the defender he felt something in his hamstring I think.
“It is the other side [to his previous injury] but it is still not good.”
Arteta added: “I don’t know [how long they will be out injured]. We already lost Kai [Havertz] which is a big player for us and now Bukayo and Martin.
“That is why the squad has to be well-equipped. It is going to be a long season and we are going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want.”
Arteta also told beIN Sports: “I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet. But Bukayo, I took him off for something that looks significant.”
“It definitely looks muscular,”
Jamie O’Hara said live on talkSPORT as Saka walked off the pitch: “He knew straight away.”
Jason Cundy added: “You can see the way he pulls up. You can’t, from that, work out what muscle it might be.”
“I feel for the boy. You’ve got the England squad coming up,” Cundy added on the 23-year-old.
“To be two games in, or not even a game-and-a-half into the season, in what is a World Cup year… For him to pick up an injury so soon…”
Arsenal injury woes Injuries to Odegaard and Saka have only added to Arsenal’s fitness issues with just two games played.
Gabriel Jesus has been a long-term absentee from the squad amid his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Kai Havertz has also suffered a knee injury, although the severity of it is not yet known.
Ben White and Christian Norgaard also missed the win against Leeds. Arsenal will now have to wait on the fitness of Odegaard and Saka ahead of next weekend’s crucial clash against Liverpool.
However, they could travel to Anfield on August 31 sitting top of the Premier League following the home win over Leeds.
Jurrien Timber netted the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, with Saka extending their advantage in first half stoppage-time.
Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club just moments into the second half before Timber got his second.
Gyokeres then made it 5-0 in the latter stages with a penalty after 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman was fouled by Anton Stach.
Arsenal have scored six goals from two matches in the league following last weekend’s narrow 1-0 triumph at Manchester United.
They also announced the arrival of Eberechi Eze in a £67.5 million deal from Crystal Palace before kick-off.
VILLA LOSE AT BRENTFORD
Aston Villa have failed to score in their opening two games after losing 1-0 at Brentford.
The Bees spent a reported £42 million ($58 million) on Dango Ouattara to replace the departed Bryan Mbeumo and the club record signing delivered with the only goal on 12 minutes.
The Burkina Faso international sprinted clear of Pau Torres before firing in at the second attempt after Emi Martinez saved his first effort.
Marcus Tavernier scored the only goal as Bournemouth beat 10-man Wolves 1-0. Burnley secured their first points back in the top flight with a 2-0 win over Sunderland thanks to goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony.
Champions Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Monday with the clubs at a stand-off over Magpies striker Alexander Isak.
The Swede will miss the game as he attempts to force through a move to Liverpool before the end of the transfer window.