EPL SPOTLIGHT: Will Chelsea spoil Wenger's party?

MANAGER TO WATCH: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal v Chelsea)

Congratulations on making it to 20 years at Arsenal, Professor.

Up next are the opponents who you've only managed to beat five times in 24 encounters across the past 10 years.

Try not to mess it up the way you did for your 1,000th game in charge in 2014, yeah?

 

 

MATCH TO WATCH: Arsenal v Chelsea (Sunday, Sept 24, 12.30am)

 

 

As was just mentioned above, the last time Arsene Wenger celebrated a major milestone in his Arsenal career, his side were given "a good hiding" by Chelsea in a 6-0 capitulation at Stamford Bridge.

But in Chelsea, the Gunners are facing a team whose league form is the direct mirror opposite of theirs (LDWWW for Arsenal as opposed to WWWDL for Chelsea).

Ironically, both teams had their respective defeats inflicted on them by Liverpool. At home. By one-goal margins.

Complicating matters will be the form of one Cesc Fabregas.

The ex-Gunner's match-winning brace for Chelsea in extra time against Leicester in the EFL Cup will certainly give Antonio Conte a question to mull over.

Imagine if the Spaniard, who is yet to start a league game for Chelsea this season, did something similar against his former club on his ex-mentor's big day...

 

 

PLAYER TO WATCH: Paul Pogba (Manchester United v Leicester, Saturday 7.30pm)

PHOTO: AFP

It must all seem like a bad dream for Paul Pogba.

His triumphant return to Manchester United with a 2-0 win over Southampton now seems like an eternity ago, with those flashes of ability that suggested that he was worthy of being the world's most expensive footballer sucked away from existence by some unseen black hole.

Instead of becoming the saviour who would solve the Red Devils' long-standing midfield woes, the former Juventus man looked all at sea in the engine room as his side crashed to three straight defeats in a week.

And while a trip to League One side Northampton in the EFL Cup would have seen like a logical fixture for Pogba to regain his confidence, Jose Mourinho opted to leave him out from his match day squad completely as United romped to a 3-1 win.

While murmurs suggest that Wayne Rooney will be dropped against Leicester to give Pogba a more attacking role to suit his talents, the Frenchman cannot afford to be a passenger any further if his team is to challenge for the title this year.

 

 

TEAM TO WATCH: Liverpool (v Hull, Sunday 7pm)

PHOTO: REUTERS

 

There aren't many teams like Liverpool in the Premier League at the moment in terms of entertainment.

While the Reds have provided some scintillating attacking football under Juergen Klopp (picture), a part of their charm certainly comes from their ability to spectacularly self-destruct in equal measure.

Just look at their 4-1 victory over Leicester two weeks ago where Liverpool took the Foxes apart but very briefly allowed them back into the game courtesy of a completely ridiculous pass across goal by Lucas Leiva.

 

 

So far, only Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and the in-form Arsenal have scored more than the 11 goals pilfered by Liverpool, who managed to win comfortably at Stamford Bridge without Roberto Firmino.

With Hull coming to town for a visit, it will be fascinating to see which Liverpool side turns up.

Expect goals.

UNDERDOGS TO WATCH: West Ham (v Southampton, Sunday 11pm)

PHOTO: REUTERS

It simply wasn't meant to be like this for West Ham.

Slaven Bilic might have guided the Hammers to a year of thrills in the post-Big Sam era, but the Croat now finds himself under some serious scrutiny.

Dumped out of the Europa League without making much of an impression in the competition, West Ham are a side in free fall with three straight losses.

The team looks a far cry of the one that managed to beat Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United last season.

Some have suggested that the team have yet to take to their new London Stadium home, but considering that they've shipped at least three goals in their past three games suggests a bigger issue with defending.

It will be something that Bilic will hope he has fixed when Southampton come marching in on the back of three straight wins across all competitions.