EPL: 7 Things We Learned from Week 2

As the second weekend of Premier League fixtures draws to a close, let us reflect on a season in its infancy.

Already there has been a multitude of drama in a season that looks to be one of the most competitive ever and we are still only two weeks in.

A round of Champion's League qualifiers and League Cup games separates us from our next round of Premier League matches with an international break looming.

But until those dull days of international duty, let us look back at the week that was with seven talking points from another weekend of Premier League action. 

1) Arsenal Need Help

Arsenal face the toughest week of any Premier League football club and their fans know it.

Following defeat against Liverpool in Week 2, Arsenal travel to Northern Italy to face Udinese in the Champions League qualifier and then return to play Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford.

Ouch.

Add to this terrifying mix of fixtures growing discontent about manager Arsene Wenger's transfer policy and the lack of a coherent defensive line at the club, and Arsenal could already be facing disaster by Week 3.

Arsenal looked a mile away from their usual, creative self against the Merseysiders; fans booed them off the pitch in their first game at home.

That is never a good sign.

It is the common consensus that Wenger needs to buy a centre back before the transfer window closes August 31 and as starter Laurent Koscielny limped off against Liverpool, Wenger's need multiplied.

Arsenal's Chief Scout was at yet another Bolton match monitoring their star defender Gary Cahill but the time for games has finished; Wenger needs to buy and buy now to change the mood that currently surrounds the Emirates Stadium.

If Arsenal crash out of the Champions League and lose heavily to United, expect more grumbling from North London.

2) United's Kids Are Alright

From Tom Cleverley to Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck to Phil Jones, Manchester United haven't seen this many great young players since the emergence of the Academy class that brought forth Beckham, Scholes et al.

Each of Manchester United's young stars looked assured against Tottenham on Monday night with striker Danny Welbeck bagging a brace to set up one of the fiercest front lines in world football.

Fellow strikers Chicharito and Berbatov could only watch from the bench as Welbeck staked his claim to a starting role for the next few weeks at least with a great performance against Spurs.

When Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both hobbled off last weekend against West Brom, United seamlessly replaced two of their starting back line with youngsters Jonny Evans and Phil Jones—both started against Spurs on Monday.

David de Gea also made his home debut in goal and grabbed his first clean sheet of the season. He looked much better than in previous outings; his distribution is fantastic.

The young guns of United will come up against their Arsenal counterparts this weekend in a youthful clash, but at this point there only appears to be one winner.

It looks to be pretty certain that the winner of this seasons PFA Young Player of the Year Award will come from somewhere in the United ranks, the only problem is picking just one. 

3) Manchester City Are the Real Deal

It is hard fought wins that show the mark of a champion and that is exactly what Manchester City looked like against Bolton this weekend.

While many will say City's defense needs to tighten up and that they were tested all the way by an average Bolton side, City got three points and that is all that matters.

Neighbours Manchester United showed in Week 1 how important an ugly win is as they struggled against West Brom. It is those one-goal-difference games that show the best sides in the Premier League.

In terms of attacking, City look set to become a dominant force this season.

Everybody knows the quality of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez but the emergence of James Milner and Edin Dzeko against Bolton will have pleased manager Roberto Mancini most.

Striker Dzeko looks like a different player to the one that struggled throughout last season.

Finally the Bosnian international is living up to his £27 million price tag, as he showed his power and finesse in his wonderful goal against Wanderers.

Englishman Milner took over City's forward moves as the second half wore on and he skipped past Bolton defenders like they were not even there.

We may only be two weeks into the Premier League season, but it certainly looks as though the title will be staying in Manchester, though which club is still undecided.

4) David Silva Is the Best Player in the Premier League

Last season, David Silva seemed to float under the radar at Manchester City as just another star in a line-up of stars.

This season, things have changed.

Silva has fast risen to the top of the pile, not only at the Etihad Stadium but in the entire Premier League.

We are only two weeks into the season but Silva's two performances against Swansea City and Bolton Wanderers respectively have been things of beauty.

The midfield maestro constantly wants the ball and he conducts everything City do in the attacking third, leading to seven goals in two games.

With Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and now Carlos Tevez playing in front of him, Mancini's wish of 15 more goals this season looks set to come true.  It will, thanks in large part to this little Spanish magician.

5) Liverpool Look Lucky

Dalglish has brought back the mojo.

Looking back at Liverpool last season, they seemed devoid of any divine intervention but that doesn't appear the case this term.

Arsenal, on the other hand, seem to have taken up this luckless, poisoned chalice.

The own-goal that took Liverpool 1-0 up against Arsenal demonstrates why Liverpool will finish 4th this season.

It is unexplainable, but the King seems to have instilled a spirit of hope and optimism around Anfield; the players on the pitch can feel it too.

This may all seem like metaphysical nonsense, but football fans know that sometimes things related to our beautiful game are too complex for articulation.

All I know is Liverpool look like a completely different side under Dalglish. While new signings will obviously play a part, it's the mojo that matters.

6) Chelsea: The Silent Assassins

With so much drama already surrounding the Premier League in the infancy of the new season, perennial title challengers Chelsea have gone somewhat unnoticed.

Following their opening game draw with Stoke City and an underwhelming come from behind win against West Brom this week, new manager Andre Villas-Boas has not set the league alight with his opening two matches.

However, there are many positives to be taken from the new man at Stamford Bridge.

Even though he is yet to score a goal this season, Fernando Torres looks closer to the player he once was at Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

Torres has looked active and integral in both Chelsea's games so far this season—a far cry from the sulking lump from Liverpool a year ago.

What all this means for Didier Drogba remains to be seen, as the Ivorian striker has started both games on the bench.  This will be an issue that raises concerns sooner than later knowing Drgoba's love of a tantrum.

There is still much work to do for Chelsea, but while all the title talk is focused on Manchester, the Blues can slowly integrate into the Villas-Boas system and become the title dark horse this term.

7) Matt Jarvis: Fantasy Stud

While David Silva has been taking the Premier League plaudits for his two performances this campaign, fantasy football managers will know the beauty of Wolves winger Matt Jarvis.

Jarvis, who scored against Blackburn this weekend, has been instrumental so far this term for a Wolves side that look well above average.

A goal and assist in two games is hardly world beating but for his fantasy price tag and the performances from both games, fantasy managers should buy him now.

The England international will start every game, have a hand in most Wolves goals and score a few himself. For £6 million in fantasy money, that is real value.