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Pundits clash over whether Arsenal are top-4 material (1:33)

Mark Donaldson and Steve Nicol are arguing about whether or not the top four in the premier league are going to be made up of people from north London. There is a time and a place for it.

There was another weekend of headlines, golazos and unpredictable finishes. There was no shortage of drama throughout the course of the year.

The big things you need to know about the weekend are covered by the correspondents.

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The best goals, teams in trouble, and talking points are included.

Talking points

City bracing for a wild title defence?

The season could end with a surprise. It's too early to say, but it's fun to think about. On Sunday, Manchester City had to fight back from a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at Newcastle United, while on Monday, Manchester United andLiverpool face each other with both looking for a first win.

Despite the fact that Man City dropped points at St James' Park, they will still be considered favorites. Spurs have taken seven points from a possible nine and have started the season with three straight wins.

The World Cup break in November and December could throw up a surprise winner this season. After a roller-coaster start?

The best and worst kits of the past three decades.

Gabriel Jesus has Arsenal fans actually thinking (hoping) of a title run? Alex Davidson/Getty Images

A familiar nightmare for Dortmund

It wasn't a resurgence this season. The moves made to fix the chaotic defense that had held them back from a proper title challenge in recent years were made in the summer after the drawn out farewell to Erling Haaland. Couldn't he be bad after winning so many trophies at the helm of the club?

The collapse against Werder Bremen shows how far they have to go if they want to be a champion.

It took a long time to build a 2-0 lead at home for the team that just got back into the league. After a long-range effort snuck in at the end of the first half, a worldie from Raphael Guerreiro doubled the lead.

Emre Can, Sule and Kobel seemed to forget how to mark, press or close down shooting angles as the visitors scored three easy goals after the 89th minute to take the points.

You can watch again:

The fight back was due to the fact that Oliver Burke was at the center of it. If this season ends differently from previous ones, it needs to be a wake-up call for the team.

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The interview with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was interrupted by Werder Bremen's celebrations.

Mbappe all smiles (for now) after 'Penaltygate'

Last week, we saw a grumpy and discontented Kylian Mbappe in the middle of a controversy over his attitude against Montpellier. He scored nine seconds into Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Lille, one of the fastest goals in French football history. The goal itself was exceptional, lifted from what you see on the training ground, and it was the most impressive of all the goals.

Lionel Messi sent a perfect through ball over the top for Kylian Mbappe, whose perfect run was matched by a perfect touch to put the ball in the net.

The players reacted in a telling way. They worked on that play in training and were happy to recreate it in a match. It ended the tensions from the previous weekend and put a smile on the face of Mbappe, who scored a hat trick. If you add Messi's brilliance (one goal, two assists), it was a perfect night for Paris Saint-Germain.

All things are fine at PSG, at least for this week. Xavier Laine/Getty Images

'Yellow Submarine' cruising

The 2-0 win at Atleti Madrid on Sunday made it six points from six in LaLiga.

It is believed that Unai Emery's side can return to the European competition. After reaching the semifinals of Europe's elite competition last season, Villareal will only play in the Europa Conference League this year.

The top four should be able to get there. Pino is an exciting winger who now has the benefit of his debut campaign behind him. Emery's teams are difficult to break down. Keeping the goal scorer fit will be the key.

It's early days, but this win over Atleti and Sevilla's slow start have made Villarreal a good place.

Goals

Saliba sends Gunners soaring

William Saliba netted at the right end for the first time in his career on Saturday after scoring an own goal. What was the goal? The 21-year-old decided to take Granit Xhaka's lay-off first time, executing a superb left-foot floated finish over Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers.

The flight was deliberate and worthy of a centre-forward. Oleksandr was knocked over by the beauty of it all.

Do do do do do do do...💫William Saliba says hello to the top right corner ⚽️

🎥: @NBCSportsSoccer #BOUARSpic.twitter.com/g6bGMjHv1f

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) August 20, 2022

He ran off to the wrong corner of the ground to celebrate, sliding on his knees in front of the home supporters. No problem, those fans will love him even more now.

Modric magic sets up Vinicius beauty

Luka Modric's first-half goal might have been the most eye-catching, but it was his role in Madrid's third which defined the match and summed up Carlo Ancelotti's scarily.

The team on the break might be the most dangerous in the world. As the game started to open up in the second half, they were torn apart. Aurelien Tchouameni's block inside the Madrid penalty area started the move that led to Vinicius Junior's goal.

Vinicius was poised to run in behind the players when Modric got the ball in his own half. Vinicius was put in on goal by Modric's perfectly timed and weighted pass, which split defenders Hugo Mallo and Unai Nunez and put Vinicius in on goal.

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Vinicius Junior scored for Real Madrid in the second half.

10 minutes later, it looked like the game was over; a conclusion confirmed by a second break.

Pefok on the mark again for Union Berlin

The U.S. men's national team are waiting for an in-form forward to emerge before the World Cup, with several trying and failing over the past year to stake their claim to start up front. Maybe Jordan Pefok will be the man.

Since leaving Young Boys in the summer, the forward has scored three goals in four games for Union Berlin, including the winner on Saturday. He was on the end of a slick counter-attack and calmly converted after Janik Haberer and Sheraldo Becker combined to put him through on goal.

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The American Jordan Pefok scored his third goal in four games.

Becker added another before half-time, and even though Willi Orban scored for Leipzig with just under an hour remaining, the Germans hung on for an impressive win. After three matches, the league table is looking fun and funky with Union second with five points. The World Cup is next in his sights. It is difficult to deny him on this form.

Teams in trouble

Sevilla already struggling

Sevilla went from being Real Madrid's closest challengers for the title to finishing in the fourth and final spot after winning just three of their final 12 games. That form has followed them into the new campaign after a difficult summer that saw them forced to sell both their centre-backs.

They were lucky to get a draw at home against Real Valladolid after opening the season with a loss. Anuar Tuhami had given Valladolid a surprise lead with 10 minutes to play, but a huge mistake from Asenjo allowed Karim Rekik to score the tying goal. Sevilla, who lost Jesus "Tecatito" Corona last week to a leg injury, will need to improve considerably with Julen Lopetegui already under pressure.

West Ham look weak

Three league games, three defeats, zero goals scored, five conceded: West Ham United are bottom of the premier league. They are in a lot of trouble. They were beaten again, like against Manchester City and atNottingham Forest, where they might not have deserved it.

The club has found it difficult to recruit players this summer due to David's injuries and the fact that he has some injuries. All of his stars from last season are still around. Things could get worse before they get better with a trip to Villa next.

Weekend MVP

Marsch has Leeds flying high

Jesse Marsch is doing a good job of getting the doubters off his back. At the end of last season, there were nerves, but they were allayed by the fact that they stayed in the top flight.

Marsch, who has had to deal with the transfers of KalvinPhillips and Raphinha, has led his team to a perfect start to the new season. The American showed he can be a match for the best manager in the world.

The teams were tied at one point, butLeeds scored three unanswered goals to win the game. The result was flattered by Marsch's plan. Whether it's the spotlight of being an American manager or the difficult spell atRB Leipzig that has intensified the scrutiny on Marsch, the former MLS player seems to be enjoying it.