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Rediff.com  » Sports » What you must not miss in the EPL this week
This article was first published 10 years ago

What you must not miss in the EPL this week

September 13, 2013 07:54 IST

Image: Arsenal players celebrate a goal
Photographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

The Premier League footballers will be back on familiar territory following last weekend's break due to World Cup qualifiers.

Mesut Ozil could make his Arsenal debut and David Moyes could unveil Fellaini in United's midfield in this week's EPL clashes.

Arsenal vs Sunderland

Arsenal fans waited a long time for a big summer signing, and when the club smashed its transfer record on Mesut Ozil on deadline day the international break meant another delay before they could feast their eyes on him in club colours.

The Germany international, signed from Real Madrid for 42 million pounds, was a huge coup for manager Arsene Wenger and after scoring in a World Cup qualifier in the Faroe Islands in midweek Ozil is set for his debut at Sunderland on Saturday (1930 IST).

England's north east coast is a little more hospitable than windswept Torshavn; nevertheless, Ozil will quickly learn about the physical demands of English football against a Sunderland side desperate to kick-start their season.

Ozil had more assists than any other player in Europe last season and is regarded as a magician capable of unlocking the meanest defences, yet it remains to be seen whether Arsenal have the forwards to capitalise.

Olivier Giroud has begun the season well for Arsenal, scoring the winner against Tottenham Hotspur in the last round of fixtures, but manager Arsene Wenger has few other natural striking options at his disposal.

He will be hoping Theo Walcott, who hobbled off for England in Ukraine on Tuesday, will be fit for the trip to Sunderland who have managed one point from their first three games.

 

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

Image: Tom Cleverley of Manchester United and teammates warm up
Photographs: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ozil is not the only player anxious to make an instant impression for a new club as the domestic season swings back into action after World Cup distractions.

Marouane Fellaini will be eager to pull on a Manchester United shirt for the first time after his 27.5 million pounds deadline day move from Everton.

Like Arsenal, United were quiet in the transfer window but the introduction of Belgian midfielder Fellaini will give David Moyes' side some added venom as they host newcomers Crystal Palace at Old Trafford (Saturday, 1715 IST), having managed only one win from their opening three Premier League games.

United take on Palace at the start of an important period for manager Moyes as he continues to try and stamp his mark on Old Trafford following Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Victory over Palace will be viewed as essential before United begin their Champions League quest at home to Bayer Leverkusen then travel to ManchesterCity for the derby.

Fellaini could fill a variety of roles at United but Moyes, who signed him for Everton, believes he will become a vital cog in the side, whether it be in the position vacated by Paul Scholes or further back in the engine room.

Full coverage: English Premier League 2013-14

Everton vs Chelsea

Image: Frank Lampard of Chelsea congratulates Eden Hazard of Chelsea on scoring
Photographs: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Everton will have Gareth Barry (on loan from Manchester City) in their ranks as they take on Chelsea (Saturday, 2200 IST) although striker Romelu Lukaku will not make his debut because of Premier League rules on loaned players playing against their mother club.

With early leaders Liverpool not in action until Tuesday (0030 IST) at Swansea City, Chelsea can go top with victory at Everton who have drawn all three of their matches so far.

Full coverage: English Premier League 2013-14

Manchester City vs Stoke City

Image: David Silva of Manchester City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match
Photographs: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Manchester City travel to Stoke City (Saturday, 1930 IST), who have started the season well under former City boss Mark Hughes while Tottenham Hotspur are looking to bounce back from defeat by Arsenal against Norwich City (Saturday, 1930 IST).

Full coverage: English Premier League 2013-14