North London rising – are Spurs joining Arsenal in a power shift?

COULD the Premier League title finally return to London this season? In the last five full campaigns, every champion came from the North West – either Manchester City or Liverpool.

Perhaps it’s too early to call after just two games, but the signs from North London’s two heavyweights, Arsenal and Tottenham, suggest it’s a real possibility.

Arsenal were emphatic in their 5–0 win over Leeds at the Emirates. That victory, however, came at a cost, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka suffering potentially serious injuries. This could see them joining Kai Havertz on the sidelines.

With a trip to Anfield looming, Mikel Arteta must be hoping his medical team can work some magic.​

Injuries aside, Arteta should be thrilled that summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has opened his Premier League account. His brace against Leeds, especially the trademark run from wide and thunderous finish for his first goal, will give him plenty of confidence.

Arsenal fans will be hoping this is the start of many more “mask” celebrations to come. That said, Gyokeres should probably stop scrolling social media.

His “hair-touch” gesture after the second goal may have been a clapback at critics, but it’s wasted energy. Better to focus on his football than the noise.​

Meanwhile, if Arsenal sit smiling at the top of the table, Spurs arguably had the more impressive start.

Thomas Frank already has fans forgetting the manager who ended their long trophy drought. Nothing wins over supporters faster than victories, especially when it is against Manchester City at the Etihad.​

Spurs have now beaten City away in consecutive seasons. While last year’s win was flashier, this year’s was more assured.

A tactical masterclass of pressing, disciplined defending, and clinical finishing. Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to create, with service to Erling Haaland completely cut off.

City’s new signing, Tijjani Reijnders, looked lost, dominated by Spurs’ midfield duo Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr.​

Frank’s next challenge will be depth. With Champions League fixtures looming and Eberechi Eze opting for Arsenal over Spurs, the club have a week left in the transfer window to strengthen.​

As for City, it’s back to the drawing board for Guardiola. Expect tweaks in the next match to restore “normal service” for Haaland.

It’ll be a nightmare for Fantasy Football managers, but Guardiola has to get this right if City are to mount a serious title challenge.​

Elsewhere, Graham Potter’s West Ham appear to be in crisis after two straight defeats. Even after taking the lead against Chelsea, the Hammers collapsed defensively and conceded five goals.

Potter hasn’t solved last season’s problems, and with the newly promoted sides looking sharp, West Ham fans could be staring at a very long campaign.​

Then there’s Manchester United. Ruben Amorim’s record now stands at 29 league games: seven wins, seven draws, 15 losses. That’s 28 points in 29 matches – relegation form by any measure.

Against Fulham, United started brightly but fizzled after 20 minutes. Matheus Cunha wasted chances, glaring midfield gaps, and Bruno Fernandes remains a problem: undisciplined defensively, wasted creatively.

Fernandes might as well be Bruno Mars because that penalty looked destined for the red planet. Unless results turn quickly – starting with Burnley – Amorim could soon join Potter as a frontrunner for the sack.​

And what’s going on with Kobbie Mainoo?

United’s crown jewel hasn’t been starting, leaving fans to wonder what’s happening in training that keeps him behind Casemiro and Fernandes. Amorim needs to resolve this quickly because with only one week left in the transfer window, a cheeky bid could test United’s resolve to keep their young star.​

On a brighter note, congratulations to Everton for opening the new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a win over Brighton. Jack Grealish, on loan, made an instant impact with two assists.

David Moyes will be hoping the stadium heralds a new era, perhaps even rekindling echoes of the 1980s when Everton genuinely competed with their red neighbours.

A competitive Merseyside derby would be something to savour.​

The Premier League is nothing if not unpredictable. One week your team deliver a high; the next they crush you. That’s why it’s the best league in the world.

For now, North London reigns supreme, but by December, we’ll know if Arsenal or Spurs can truly steal the crown from the North West.