Talking Points of the Weekend

Gary O'Neil deserves full time managers job at Bournemouth

Gary O'Neil is yet to lose a game since taking over as Bournemouth's interim manager as he's won 2 and drawn 3 of his 5 games in charge. The Cherries are currently 8th in the Premier League as a result of their recent win over Leicester and have looked very difficult to beat ever since their 9-0 mauling at Liverpool in August. O'Neil deserves a lot of credit for this and it's for this reason that he deserves the full time managers gig.

A lot of people had Bournemouth down as their favourites for relegation at the start of the season and O'Neil has without a doubt given them a very good chance of proving those people wrong. Alongside being difficult to beat, O'Neil's Bournemouth side also have the character to come from behind which they've shown on two occasions this season. Those occasions came in games they won against Nottingham Forest and Leicester. He's made them a competitive side since he's been in charge and he's putting pressure on the board to give him the job full time with the results he's had and the performances his side have produced.

Are Arsenal title contenders?

Arsenal kept up their strong start to the season at the weekend with their win over Liverpool which kept them at the top of the league for yet another week. They've all but one of their games so far this season with two of those wins coming in big games against Spurs last week and then Liverpool the weekend just gone. Some are suggesting that they could be City's closest challengers based on the start they've made and I'm about to ask that very question. Are Arsenal title challengers?

There is a much stronger mentality at Arsenal than there has been for many years and every title challenging team needs to have a strong mentality in order to challenge. They also have a clear identity in the way they play and a settled squad who know their jobs which is another thing that any title challenging team needs. You also need strength in depth which is another thing that Arsenal have as a result of their summer signings which have strengthened both the team and their squad as a whole.

Their strong start to the season has given the fans plenty of optimism and will give the team a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season. But whether they're good enough to challenge for the title remains to be seen. If they can keep up their strong start and stay in touch with City right throughout the season, they could be up there. But their character will be tested towards the end of the season which is where they have disappointed in the past.

Casemiro was what Man United needed

Man United have lacked a top class central midfielder for many years and they appear to have finally found one in Casemiro. The Brazilian showed why United got him during their win over Everton on Sunday in the way he dictated play in midfield and protected the back four. He was at fault for the Everton goal but apart from that his performance on the day was still first class.

His performance showed what United have been lacking for many years in a deep lying midfielder who can make crucial interventions when his team need him to and show off his range of passing. Casemiro did both of these against Everton and particularly showing off his range of passing with his assist for Cristiano Ronaldo's goal being a perfectly weighted pass. He brought a calm presence to the team in the way he played and with him in that pivot role, United finally have someone who they can trust to protect their defence and protect it well.