The second weekend of the 2021/22 Premier League season will forever be remembered for the second coming of Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. Alice Piper is joined by Nick Wright, Ron Walker and Oliver Yew to reflect on Lukaku’s emphatic second Chelsea debut at the Emirates Stadium, and what the display means for Thomas Tuchel’s title challengers, as well as Mikel Arteta’s winless Gunners…
PART 1: Chelsea smashed their transfer record to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan but it already looks like money well spent after just one afternoon in north London. The panel examine Lukaku’s performance, how easily he adapted back to life in the Premier League, and how he will be that focal point Chelsea have been craving through the coming season. Attention then turns to Arsenal, who have lost their opening two games of the season and were subjected to boos at half-time and full-time from their own supporters. With Man City on the horizon, the pressure is already on Arteta.
PART 2: After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp’s comments on the danger of Premier League rule changes transforming football into more physical sports like rugby and wrestling, the panel discuss whether Jack Stephens did indeed foul Bruno Fernandes in the build-up to Southampton’s goal against Man Utd, and whether the new interpretation of rules around contact have improved the game.
PART 3: Danny Ings scored his first home goal for Aston Villa with a sensational acrobatic strike against Newcastle. But was it a bicycle kick or an overhead kick – and what’s the difference? After Jack Grealish opened his Man City account in somewhat fortuitous style, we assess his start to life with the champions and how team-mate Gabriel Jesus positional change could free up space for a certain Harry Kane, who made an appearance in Tottenham’s win at Wolves.