Wenger returns to basics, Chelsea on course and Mourinho ruffled

The Premier League returned after the international break and with it were the dramas, the suspenses, bants and actions as usual.

Arsenal bounced back from a calamitous defeat to Liverpool before the break with an easy 3-0 win over . The loss to Liverpool was followed by a poor transfer window which saw Gunners lose a first team player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool and the chaotic last-minute attempt to get Monaco playmaker Thomas Lemar. Failure to get Lemar meant Alexis Sanchez unwillingly remained at Arsenal.

After the whole drama, Arsene Wenger chose to return to basics for the home game against Bournemouth, starting with three at the back, Hector Bellerín, Sead Kolasinac at right-wing and left-wing back respectively.

After the failed experiment of Bellerín at the left-wing back just to accommodate Chamberlain in the team, Wenger went back to basics for the game against Bournemouth, which means putting players in their natural positions.

Kolasinac was impressive in left-back, assisting Danny Welbeck for the Arsenal’s first goal of the game, but this is not rocket science. This is what should be expected of a player who was voted the best Bundesliga left-back of last season.

With Shkodran Mustafi back in the fold, Arsenal were more solid and assuring in defence and although ‘it’s just Bournemouth’ this what an international defender brings to the team.

Wenger and Arsenal are still searching for answers and solutions ahead of what could be a very long season, but a return to basics like they did against Bournemouth might just be the catalyst for change they badly need.

Antonio Conte and that opening day defeat to Burnley looks like a distant memory now. Following a disappointing transfer window, Conte has manoeuvred Chelsea out of what could have been a crisis season into the course of defending the Premier League trophy.

Now the champions are back on their groove, playing well, scoring and defending like what they are, champions. Despite not being able to get most of their targets, Chelsea seems to have enough depth, especially in defence.

The new signings seem to have settled in and Chelsea are on course again.

Manchester United’s 100% start to the season has been dented by Stoke City who held the Red Devils to a 2-2 draw at the bet365 Stadium. United’s dominant display in their first three games which they won convincingly without conceding made them look like the main contenders for the title.

While the 2-2 draw at Stoke City does not undermine their title credentials, Jose Mourinho has been ruffled.

Frank de Boer became the first managerial casualty of the new Premier League season following four losses at Crystal Palace. But it’s hardly his fault, bringing in a Dutch manager with Sam Allardyce’s players and ideas was never an ideal marriage.

He is now the victim of impatience from the club and obvious bias from the English media who clearly wanted an English coach for the club. We have seen English managers have poor seasons and end up relegated without the English media’s heightened outrage, but with de Boer, he wasn’t even given any chance after the first game.

De Boer remains a brilliant coach and has the time to recover from the mishaps at Inter Milan and now Palace. For Crystal Palace, good luck with Roy Hodgson.