What to watch as the Premier League returns from the international break

After the break at the start of the international season, the Premier League will roar back into action this weekend.

Arsenal will face Tottenham in the North London derby as Manchester United kick off the weekend at Southampton.

Elsewhere, Liverpool host Nottingham Forest and Manchester City are at home to Brentford, while winless Everton travel to Aston Villa.

Here are five things to look out for in Matchday 4 of the Premier League this weekend.

Can De Ligt bounce back?

Mattijs de Ligt will have a lot of eyes on him after a bad break for the Netherlands.

After two costly fouls against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Manchester United defender was sent off at half-time against Germany following another foul that led to a goal.

The £38million summer signing will hope to ease the pressure on him by inspiring the Red Devils to a much-needed win at St Mary’s on Saturday lunchtime.

De Ligt has been solid, if unspectacular, during United’s two defeats and draw so far and the pressure will only mount if the newly promoted side get the better of him on the South Coast.

Will De Bruyne take the frustration out on Brentford?

Another player who cut a frustrated figure for his country was Kevin De Bruyne during his time with Belgium.

The Manchester City player lashed out at his teammates after they limped to a 2-0 defeat to France.

“I will not repeat that in the media but it should be better in every way,” said the 33-year-old player.

“If the level we want to reach is the best, but we don’t deserve to reach that level, you have to give everything. If you don’t do that, it’s over.”

De Bruyne is a player who often uses his frustration to his advantage and that could spell bad news for Brentford when they travel to the Etihad on Saturday at 3pm.

• You looked upset on the pitch at times. Didn’t like your team change? The fact that you went back so deep, so often?

🗣️ – De Bruyne: “You played football yourself, it’s not about change. It’s about our way of playing and about players who don’t use… pic.twitter.com/ZcOt3dzj8M

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 10, 2024

Chiesa’s Liverpool debut?

Liverpool have enjoyed a dream start to life under Arne Slot, winning their first three games in convincing style.

After a good attacking performance against Man Utd before the break, summer signing Federico Chiesa is now hoping to get in on the action.

Fans are yet to get a glimpse of their £13million signing from Juventus but they promise to add a new dimension to their attack which is already brimming with star quality.

With their Champions League opener next week, the home clash with Nottingham Forest could be the perfect opportunity for Slot to fire Italy forward, whether from the start or from the bench for Mohamed Salah.

Will Everton get off the mark?

Everton will be looking to secure their first points of the season this weekend but a trip to Aston Villa could bring further problems.

The Toffees have been beaten by Brighton, Tottenham and Bournemouth so far, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one goal after losing to the Cherries before the break.

Pressure on manager Sean Dyche is now mounting despite his role in righting the ship at Goodison Park during a turbulent 18 months.

Dyche’s men won at Villa Park in the Carabao Cup last season but you have to go back to 2016 to find the last time they got the better of the Midlands in the Premier League.

And with Villa making a strong start to the season under Unai Emery, it could cause further turmoil for Everton and Dyche.

“I am surprised by his speeches and the way they threw the players under the bus” 🚌

Toffee TV’s Peter Mcpartland says Sean Dyche is to blame for Everton’s defeat to Bournemouth ⬇ pic.twitter.com/rC8WgZEJ2v

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 2, 2024

Can the Spurs take advantage of the absence of Rice and Odegaard?

Arsenal will be without two key players when they visit bitter rivals Spurs on Sunday.

The Gunners were already without midfielder Declan Rice following his red card against Brighton and now captain Martin Odegaard has joined the list of absentees.

With summer signing Mikel Merino also sidelined, it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta gets on with their old North London foes.

Thomas Partey and Jorginho may be the two deepest midfielders selected, but the creative role vacated by Odegaard could take more thought.

Arteta will no longer be able to call on Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira following their summer departures, while Kai Havertz is likely to return to midfield this season.

But if the German proves a revelation as No9, we could see Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jurrien Timber move from defense to midfield – while youngster Ethan Nwaneri could be a wildcard clamoring to come in.