Raya to be key in Arsenal title challenge
If there is one thing that every title winning/challenging side needs, it is a goalkeeper who can keep the ball out of the net. Arsenal have that in David Raya who pulled off an incredible save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen in their 2-0 win over Wolves whilst the score was still 1-0.
Raya had a rocky start when he arrived at the Emirates last summer, but he improved as the season progressed as he went on to win the golden glove and showed why he was the Gunners' first choice keeper ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.
He spent a lot of last season battling it out with Aaron Ramsdale for the no.1 keeper jersey and he comes into this season as the established no.1. He has the trust of his manager, who stood by him during a testing opening period for him last season, and his defenders also trust him knowing that they have a keeper who can keep the ball out of the net, as seen with the incredible save he made against Wolves.
That save is the one that could win a team a title.
Brentford showing that there is life without Toney
Ivan Toney's future at Brentford has been one of the main talking points all summer and it looks like that speculation could be ending soon. Toney was left out of the matchday squad for the Bees' 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday due to transfer interest and it looks like he could be heading over to the Saudi Pro League, who appear to be the front runners to sign him.
Thomas Frank's side did well without him against Palace as both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa stepped up, like they have done on many occasions in the past. Both of them got on the scoresheet and in doing so, showed that there is life without Toney.
Wissa and Toney stepped up in Toney's absence last season whilst he was suspended and did so again during the latter stages of the season, when he wasn't selected.
Losing a player like Toney will of course be a massive blow for Brentford, but with Wissa and Mebumo both stepping up in his absence like they have done many times, the Bees should be fine without him moving forward.
Could Raheem Sterling leave Chelsea?
Raheem Sterling was left out of Chelsea's matchday squad for their 2-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday and it led to his representatives releasing statement.
In that statement, Sterling's representatives said that they were expecting Sterling to "be involved" in the game against City and that he has a "good working relationship" with new blues boss Enzo Maresca. They later stated that they want "clarity" on his future at the club.
Following this statement, could Raheem Sterling potentially leave Chelsea this summer?
Enzo Maresca said after the game that he "wants Sterling" and the other 30 players in his squad. But he did also say that there is no room for all of them and that some of them will have to leave.
This is understandable as Chelsea have such a bloated squad after another summer of many incomings.
The statement given out by Sterling's representatives was in my opinion unprofessional, and especially as it was delivered an hour before kick-off. If a player has been left out of a matchday squad, he should accept the decision and move on as there are other players in a squad who also need to play.
I can understand why his representatives released it because the player was probably frustrated with being left out as he feels that he should at least be in the squad.
It stated that Sterling had "developed a good working relationship" with Maresca and had a "positive pre-season". He was clearly frustrated with being left out because of this and he might now feel that the club no longer want him.
Maresca may have to consider selling him because of the statement Sterling's people put out and Sterling himself let both the club and his teammates down as a result of it. Chelsea need to move players on because of how bloated their squad is and Sterling could be one of them because of the selfish statement his people put out.
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