What a magnificent start to the new Premier League season. On a normal weekend, Chelsea's shock defeat at home to Burnley, Huddersfield's 3-0 win at Crystal Palace, and Wayne Rooney's winner for Everton would all have made the back page of the papers, but not so on one of the most exciting opening weekends in living memory.
Tactically, there were plenty of lessons to be learnt. New signings for Arsenal have revamped their 3-4-2-1, while Huddersfield Town, Watford, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace have all improved upon their systems over the summer.
1) Kolasinac adds the leadership qualities Arsenal have been searching for
Arsene Wenger's brittle, emotionally fragile Arsenal team have been crying out for a leader for years; in Sead Kalasinac, they may have found their man. The Bosnian persistently burst forward in possession on Friday, breaking through the first line of Leicester City's defence and creating space for his team-mates. It was precisely the kind of bravery, incisiveness, and intelligent attacking that delights the fans – raising the atmosphere in the stadium and consequently lifting the entire team.
It is hard to imagine that Arsenal would have twice fought back from a losing position without Kolasinac driving them on. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck countless times, stepping out of the back three in a similar manner to David Luiz at Chelsea last season. Even when Arsenal's first-choice centre-backs return from injury, it is vital that Wenger keeps Kolasinac in the heart of defence; he could be the difference between a top six finish and a genuine title challenge.
2) Frank de Boer's tactical revolution is going to take time, but he has the right players to do it
Crystal Palace were understandably disjointed during De Boer's debut at Selhurst Park having spent several years being guided by counter-attacking, long-ball managers. The Dutchman wants to implement a more fluid, short-passing system, and despite their defeat to Huddersfield Town the early signs suggest he can be successful.
David Wagner instructed his players to sit off the Palace back three, allowing them to pass aimlessly between them but blocking off the lines to central midfield. Inevitably, the home side ended up losing out to the impeccable Philip Billing and Aaron Mooy, who swept up brilliantly throughout the match.
However, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was shifted into a deeper role in the second half he began to dominate. His intelligence and power provided an outlet for the centre-backs, emphasising his important to De Boer's project. Palace do have the players to play a patient possession game, but it might be a while until things fall into place.
3) Liverpool desperately need to sign an athletic central midfielder
The aggressive attacking intent of Marco Silva's Watford highlighted the chief problem at Liverpool. Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum are simply too static, allowing savvy opponents to suffocate the Liverpool midfield and thus cut off the supply line to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Tom Cleverley led the pressing from attacking midfield, setting an energetic tone that was matched all over the pitch by a bold Watford side. Sensing Liverpool's weakness, Silva's team pressed high onto the midfield and forced the visitors into playing long searching passes into the channels.
However, the pattern of the match shifted in the second half as Watford tired. They dropped deeper and allowed Can time to receive the ball, which slowly saw Liverpool build back into the game and dominate territory. Fitter opponents will not be so kind; Jurgen Klopp must sign an athletic central midfielder capable of taking control of a game.
Best of the Week – Nemanja Matic
Most people assumed Matic was signed merely to break up the play and quietly control things at the base of midfield, but his all-action display against West Ham United on Sunday showed he can do much, much more. He completed seven dribbles, the second highest tally of the weekend, and used his brilliant defensive work to facilitate a faster, sharper Manchester United attack.
It was his tackle that triggered the counter for Romelu Lukaku's opening goal, symbolising how big an impact Matic can have at Old Trafford. He may primarily be a defensive destroyer, but the Serbian's attributes will also improve the efficiency of Jose Mourinho's breakaways.
Worst of the Week – Chelsea's performance
Chelsea were remarkably erratic throughout their defeat against Burnley at Stamford Bridge, reflecting their manager's frustration and the growing murmurs of discontent at the club. There are very ominous signs that Chelsea are set to mimic their previous title defence, when they lost nine of their first 16 league games and finished 10th. Diego Costa claimed this weekend that Conte "is not a coach who is very close with his players. He is very distant. He doesn't possess ... charisma." If that's true, a repeat of 2015/16 seems possible.
What's more, injuries and suspensions leave a thin squad desperately depleted for their next six games, against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Leicester City, Arsenal, Stoke City, and Manchester City. Things might get worse before they get better.
