5 Things We Learnt From Week 7 of the 2024/25 Premier League Season

Week 7 of the Premier League certainly lived up to expectations, with 31 goals lighting up an action-packed round of fixtures. The weekend had everything—an epic comeback, an 8-goal thriller, title contenders flexing their muscles, and standout individual performances. So, with Gameweek 7 now on the backburner, here are the five biggest takeaways from this weekend’s enthralling action.

1) Starboy Comes to Arsenal’s Rescue 

After seven games, Arsenal currently occupy the third spot with 17 points. However, who knows where they might be if Bukayo Saka didn’t deliver world-class performances on a nightly basis. The 23-year-old winger has racked up seven assists and two goals in the Prem so far this season. Only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer have more goal contributions than Arsenal’s starboy this season. Saka continues to blossom under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, and the Arsenal academy graduate relished the opportunity to captain his boyhood club against Southampton this weekend. 

After a tight and cagey first-half, it was Cameron Archer who gave the Saints an unexpected lead in the 55th minute. However, after that, it was the Bukayo Saka Show. The 23-year-old set up Kai Havertz’s equalizer and followed it with another assist for Gabriel Martinelli. Saka himself put his name on the scoresheet late in the second-half thanks to some questionable defending from Yuki Sugawara. In total, Saka created seven chances for his Arsenal teammates. The Gunners’ starboy was truly an unstoppable force on Saturday. But for how long can he keep up this frankly ridiculous form? 

2) Manchester City Will be Fine Without Rodri 

It’s safe to suggest that no team has ever dominated the Premier League quite like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Cityzens have clinched the Prem title on six different occasions in the last eight seasons. The Catalan mastermind has truly built a juggernaut, which very few teams have been able to stop. But what makes their dominance truly special is how they continue to thrive, even when their biggest stars are missing. Back in 2018-19, City stormed to the title with Kevin De Bruyne out for most of the season. And last year, despite KDB being sidelined for the first four months of the 2023-24 season with a hamstring injury, City barely skipped a beat.  

One of Guardiola’s most underrated traits is his ability to adapt to injuries. While City have secured two titles with De Bruyne missing large parts of the season, some fans were worried this time around after Rodri suffered a serious ACL injury against Arsenal. The Spaniard will miss the season due to an ACL injury. Rodri’s injury was a big blow to City’s title ambitions. But as we’ve seen time and time again, Guardiola knows how to adapt. That was clear as day during City’s thrilling 3-2 win over Fulham, with Mateo Kovacic stepping into Rodri’s shoes and scoring twice to secure a massive win at the Etihad. If City have proven anything, it’s that they are a well-oiled machine, and Pep always finds a way to keep it running. 

3) Spurs “Bottle” Another Straightforward Game 

Tottenham Hotspur were flying high after securing their fifth consecutive victory on Thursday against Hungarian champions, Ferencvaros. So, spirits and confidence were high going into their tie against Brighton. On the contrary, the Seagulls were winless in their last four Premier League games. Therefore, on paper, it was a straightforward victory for high-flying Spurs. And for the first 45 minutes it seemed like that, as Brennan Johnson and James Maddison handed Spurs a commanding 2-goal lead. However, what followed was “football heritage.” 

All Spurs needed to do was stay focused and see out the game. Instead, they completely unraveled. Just two minutes into the second half, Destiny Udogie’s careless defending gifted Yankuba Minteh a goal, giving Brighton all the momentum. By the 58th minute, Kaoru Mitoma set up Georginio Rutter, who calmly slotted the equalizer into the bottom corner. And in the 66th minute, Brighton’s incredible comeback was complete. Spurs conceded another doggy goal, as Danny Welbeck tapped in after Romero and Van de Ven were caught daydreaming.  

Tottenham’s second half performance was in stark contrast to their impressive first half showing in which they barely gave Brighton a sniff at goal. Ange Postecoglou summed it up perfectly, calling the Brighton defeat “as bad as it gets.” Now, it’s off to the drawing board for him and a Spurs side, which looked to have turned a corner in recent weeks. What looked like a turning point quickly turned into another reminder that Spurs still have some old habits to shake.  

4) Wolves and Southampton Look Doomed 

After seven games in the 2024/25 Premier League season, the title race is starting to take shape, with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal clearly in the mix for the crown. But at the other end of the table, the relegation battle is also heating up. Wolves, Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town are all in the thick of it. However, two teams standout for all the wrong reasons—Wolves and Southampton. 

Both clubs have managed just one point from seven games, and it’s their leaky defenses that have fans worried. Wolves have let in 21 goals—the worst in the league—while Southampton are right behind them, conceding 15. To make matters worse for the Saints, they’ve only scored four goals, making them the league’s most toothless attack. Wolves, at least, have found the back of the net nine times, giving them some hope up front. Unfortunately, time is running out for managers Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil. If they can’t turn things around quickly, they could be the first managerial casualties of the season. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on these young English managers to find a way out of this mess. 

5) Light at the End of the Tunnel for Erik Ten Hag 

United’s struggles in front of goal are glaring, with only five goals in seven Premier League games. That means their defense has had to be on point, and four clean sheets isn’t too shabby. Erik ten Hag made a bold call by starting Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire at center-back, but Maguire’s injury at halftime meant reshuffling the pack. In came De Ligt and Lindelof, and despite Villa’s fiery attack, United’s defense stood tall. This draw, though not flashy, is a solid step forward for a side that has wobbled recently. 

After shipping three goals in back-to-back games, this clean sheet feels like a breath of fresh air. United stayed composed and kept their shape, something they will need to do consistently if they want to be taken seriously. It’s a small step in the right direction, but progress nonetheless. With key club figures watching closely, they will take this result at Villa Park and move on. The real challenge comes later in October and November when they’ll need to string together wins. Only then can we truly start talking about them as top four contenders. For now, Erik Ten Hag has bought himself some breathing room.