3 Things We Learned in Gameweek 5: Premier League 24/25

Gameweek 5 was a mental week in the Premier League with goals flying in, red cards aplenty and horrendous weather in Leicester. Here are 3 things we learned in the Premier League last weekend:

Nicolas Jackson: From Meme to Baller

Nicolas Jackson memes have been sweeping the internet ever since he came to Chelsea, but the Senegalese is starting to display himself as a potent striker, extending his goals count to 4 for the season in 5 matches.

Last season, in his debut season, Jackson returned a respectable 14 goals, blowing hot and cold in a mixed season for The Blues. However, this season, the former Villareal man has been sensational, demonstrated by his brace against a shoddy West Ham side on the weekend.

He finished 2 superb goals to help Chelsea claim a 3-0 win away from home, but his finishing was eye-catching. The first, he tucked through the legs of Areola from a tight angle and the second and outside of the foot curler into the bottom left-hand corner. Jackson scored his 2 goals in 64 minutes with his only 2 shots on target, showing his improved clinical nature.

Additionally, his build-up play and linking with the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho was evident. He completed 14/17 passes as well as 2 key passes. Jackson has started the season off strongly and, at only 23 years old, the Chelsea frontman has a strong trajectory for his career at Stamford Bridge.

James Maddison Back to his Best

Questions had been asked of James Maddison since his return from injury at the start of 2024. The Englishman started his Spurs career in incredible fashion at the start of the 23/24, but injuries saw the former Leicester man tail off in form, with some Spurs fan questioning his starting position in the side.

Yet, against Brentford in a 3-1 win, Maddison was the conductor of the orchestra, instrumental in Spurs' all-round play. In attack, he delivered a goal and an assist, the first time he has done so in a Spurs shirt in the Premier League with an outstanding xGI of 2.00.

He had an 88% pass completion rate including 3 key passes and 1 big chance created as well as missing a big chance himself. Maddison was breaking lines with his dynamic runs and inch-perfect passing.

The defensive side of his game has always been criticised but, operating in a deeper midfield role, Maddison stepped up. 2 clearances, 1 interception and 3 tackles show that the Englishman is working on his defensive skills, allowing him to turn over the ball and set Spurs on the attack.

As a Spurs fan myself, I was doubting if Maddison could return to his form and the ability that everyone knows he can play at. But with 1 goal and 3 assists so far in the league, he's showing the Spurs faithful that he is the creative hub of the team. In a post-match tweet, the midfielder posted "My club! Loved every second out there today". Keep delivering James!

Arsenal: The Kings of Set Pieces?

In a 2-2 thriller at the Etihad, Arsenal scored yet another set-piece courtesy of another bullet Gabriel header for the 2nd game running. Arsenal's pedigree from set-pieces is alarmingly good. Gabriel's header was the 43rd goal Arsenal had scored from a set-piece since the appointment of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, the 18th from a corner.

What is remarkable is how evidently rigorous the preparation is prior to each game. Below are 2 snapshots from the match, showing how both corners, the near miss from Gabriel (left) and the goal (right) are carbon copies of each other. (Courtesy of BBC):

One can see how Arsenal exploited Manchester City's zonal marking system, similar to the winner against Spurs last weekend. Gabriel starts further out in the 18-yard box whilst Martinelli and Saliba wedge Ederson in, being careful not to be too forceful to not give a foul. Calafiori then sets the screen on Gvardiol at the back post, giving Gabriel the space to head the ball home. Havertz also lingers at the back post, in case the ball drops down for him. Moreover, having an incredible corner-taker in Saka means pinpoint accuracy in deliveries - a recipe for success.

Why the City players don't quickly learn from the first corner by moving more players to the back post is one question. But, alternatively, Jover's precision is paying dividends for Arsenal, providing them with another route to goals. What a superb decision to snatch him from City in 2021!