The world's most exciting football league is back and the first week has raced by with Chelsea wrapping up the opening weekend with a 2-1 win over West Ham this morning.
We were treated to 28 goals in what was an entertaining week one. Let's take a look at the five things we learnt from the weekend's matches.
ย Leicester may struggle at being the hunted this season
No one saw it coming, but Leicester were shocked on Saturday night as Hull City, a team without a manager and just 13 fit players managed to knock off the champions in the first game of the season.
Ranieri's side struggled and were behind the eight ball all day, and had it not been for a controversial penalty, the game could have ended pretty badly for the Foxes. They missed the departing N'Golo Kante in midfield and didn't use star striker Jamie Vardy to enough effect.
2016/17 is going to be a difficult challenge for Leicester. They have a target on their back and they don't have the luxury of having a week off between games with Champions League football on the horizon. It'll be intriguing to see how the come through it. Just don't go putting money on Hull to win the league!
Underestimate Liverpool and Chelsea at your own peril
Two massive clubs with a rich history have one thing in common this season. Both are not playing European football which is a huge advantage in the title race. Both sides have strengthened and both teams have managers that implement a winning style of football.
Liverpool decimated Arsenal at the Emirates, a place that is notoriously difficult to get a win, and at times were playing football that is likened to the way Barcelona play. Jurgen Klopp has had his induction to the Premier League and now has a full pre-season to shape his team and with the Reds looking as fit as ever, expect them to be right in the hunt for the title.
A lot was expected from West Ham for the upcoming season. Europa League football and a new stadium is set to help them gain that coveted top four spot. Chelsea put immediate doubts in those predictions with a very intense performance this morning against the Hammers. The signings of Kante from Leicester and Michy Batshuayi from Marseille will definitely help the side and if they can keep Eden Hazard fit and in form, they're going to be an incredibly had team to break down.
Its time for Wenger to go
This year is set be his 20th season in charge of the Gunners and with only three league titles to show for that time with the last coming in 2004, its about time Arsenal move on and go in search of a manager that can deliver results in the league.
Last season, the title was Arsenal's for the taking and in typical Arsenal fashion, they choked. It's all well and good achieving Champions League football on a regular basis but with the Emirates and their financial strength, they should really be winning the league.
Just about every top team has changed manager. Liverpool got Klopp, United got Mourinho, Chelsea got Conte and City went out and snared pretty much the best manager in world football, Pep Guardiola. These guys are top, top managers and you feel Arsenal haven't changed anything since last season, albeit with the signing of midfielder Granit Xhaka. Top four finishes have been consistent over the years, but even that may be in jeopardy this season with Wenger in charge.
Zlatan has arrived in England
Having played in every major European league except for the Bundesliga and the Premier League, it's great to finally see โIbra' plying his trade in the EPL.
His vision is simple, to return Manchester United to the top and he has wasted no time in doing that, scoring on debut in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday. His first interview was brilliant and we all know how big his ego is, but he is justified in behaving that way because he is that good at what he does.
Once again United look like a Hollywood football team full of superstars and its testament to the work Mourinho and co. have done to get these players to the club.
Optus have actually nailed the Premier League coverage
The EPL in Australia has a new home and over the weekend we got to witness the Premier League on Optus for the first time.
Apart from the minor break in transmission during Sunday's night's game between Bournemouth and Manchester United โ which was due to the world feed, not anything related to Optus โ they produced some very good TV.
Richard Bayliss has switched from Fox Sports to Optus and is heading the coverage.
He has done a great job so far, hosting a preview show as well as review show each week with pundits Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bridges. Each day cuts in to the UK coverage, meaning that pre, in-game and post-match analysis is available to viewers.
People do notย like change and that is why it has beenย criticizsdย over the weekend, however, streaming is becoming the new norm and Optus in conjunction with Premier League Productions are providing brilliant coverage to Australian viewers.
