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London (AFP)
Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defense against Leeds on Saturday after Arsenal got off to a strong start to the new season with a 3-0 win at Fulham.
Jurgen Klopp’s team begins a season as English champions for the first time since 1990 when they host Leeds promoted by Marcelo Bielsa on the opening day of the 2020-21 campaign.
Just 48 days after last season’s late completion, the Premier League is back and Arsenal immediately started with the kind of show of confidence that has become their hallmark since Mikel Arteta took office.
Arsenal’s fluid attack was too incisive for the promoted Fulham and Alexandre Lacazette gave the visitors an early lead at Craven Cottage.
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored Arsenal’s second after the break in his first appearance since signing from Lille in the final season.
Aubameyang added the final flourish with a typically eye-catching punch that emphasized why Arsenal are so desperate for the Gabon forward to sign a contract extension that expires at the end of the season.
Gunners boss Arteta had good news for fans concerned that Aubameyang might leave, as he revealed that his team talisman is ready to sign the contract offer.
“I am really sure that we will achieve it very soon and I hope that in the next few days I will receive some news,” Arteta told BT Sport.
With former Chelsea winger Willian providing a pair of assists on his debut, it was the ideal way for Arsenal to kick off a season that seems full of promise after last season’s FA Cup triumph.
Although his eighth place in the Premier League ranked him as Arsenal’s lowest finishing position since 1995, Arteta has been a much-needed breath of fresh air and pushing for a place in the top four shouldn’t be beyond his revitalized east side. period.
“I wanted to see my team determined to get into this difficult terrain against a really good team that has been promoted. We had a lot of energy and we did the things that we trained in this period,” Arteta said.
“Gabriel didn’t play for six months before today. Mohamed Elneny was brilliant. He has been excellent in training. All the guys put in a lot of effort.”
– Liverpool eye 20 title –
In the second game of the season, Crystal Palace beat Southampton 1-0 at Selhurst Park.
Palace, who finished last season with seven losses in their last eight games, took the lead in the 13th minute when Wilfried Zaha volleyed from a cross from Andros Townsend.
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters received a respite when he was sent off harshly for a high challenge over Tyrick Mitchell in the second half, and referee Jon Moss changed his decision to a yellow card after consulting the court monitor.
Danny Ings almost got the tie on the last gasp, but his header was well saved by Vicente Guaita.
While the continued absence of fans due to the coronavirus and the shorter than usual break have taken a bit of anticipation from the new campaign, Liverpool are heading into the new season looking to win to be crowned English champions for the twentieth time. record.
Only Manchester United have won more than 19 Liverpool top flight titles, but reaching that all-time total won’t be easy for Klopp’s side.
Liverpool have seen their title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City sign several new and expensive players since the end of last season, while the Reds have been quiet in the transfer market.
After losing the Community Shield to Arsenal on penalties last month, Leeds’ visit to Anfield offers an opportunity for Klopp to assess whether his players are still hungry for silverware.
Leeds are back in the top flight for the first time in 16 years after winning the Championship last season.
The late game sees West Ham host Newcastle, who have endured a turbulent closed season marred by the failed acquisition of a consortium largely backed by Saudi Arabia.
© 2020 AFP
