Premier League Matchday 3: Players to Watch

The Premier League season of 2025/2026 is only two weeks old, but already storylines are taking shape. Manchester City stumbled in a surprise defeat at home to Tottenham, Arsenal look rampant after a five-goal demolition of Leeds, and Liverpool are showing flashes of a new attacking identity under Arne Slot.

Matchday 3 brings some heavyweight clashes and a few banana skins for sides still searching for rhythm. Here are the eight players most worth keeping an eye on this weekend, with their form so far and why their upcoming matchup could define the round.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — at Brighton

• Form (MW1–2): 2 goals in the opener, none in the loss to Spurs.
• Why watch: Haaland remains one of the Premier League’s most terrifying forwards, but he was smothered last weekend as Spurs disrupted City’s supply lines. City’s 2–0 defeat at the Etihad was only their second home league loss in over a year. The question is whether Brighton—winless and goalless so far—can replicate Tottenham’s disciplined shape. If City restore their midfield tempo, Haaland could punish a Seagulls defense that has looked vulnerable to direct runs.

Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) — at Liverpool

• Form: A quiet cameo on Matchday 1, then two goals in Arsenal’s 5–0 thrashing of Leeds.
• Why watch: Arsenal have been efficient and ruthless in their opening two games. Gyökeres, signed to bring a more physical edge to the frontline, already looks like he’s finding his feet. Anfield presents a very different test: Liverpool press higher, defend on the front foot, and dare you to beat them in behind. If Gyökeres can stretch Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, Arsenal could leave with a statement result.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) — vs Arsenal

• Form: Goals in both of Liverpool’s first two matches, including a vital strike in the late 3–2 win over Newcastle and an assist in the first match to boot.
• Why watch: The French forward is thriving under Slot, showing clever movement around the penalty box and confidence in front of goal. Against Arsenal, Ekitike’s task is to exploit transitional moments when Liverpool spring from midfield. Arsenal have yet to concede this season; Ekitike’s finishing instincts could change that.

João Pedro (Chelsea) — vs Fulham

• Form: 1 goal and 1 assist in Chelsea’s 5–1 demolition of West Ham.
• Why watch: After a disappointing opening draw, Chelsea’s attack exploded in Week 2, with João Pedro at the heart of it. His ability to drop between the lines, link play, and attack space made him the most influential player on the pitch. Fulham’s defense has been relatively tight across two opening draws, but João Pedro offers the sort of unpredictable movement that can unlock compact setups.

Brennan Johnson (Tottenham) — vs Bournemouth

• Form: Opened the scoring in Spurs’ 2–0 away win at Manchester City.
• Why watch: Few players embody Thomas Frank’s vertical philosophy as well as Johnson. His directness and willingness to run channels caused City problems all game. Bournemouth are organized but have a habit of conceding big chances from counterattacks. If Johnson’s timing remains sharp, he could be the weekend’s difference-maker again.

Dango Ouattara (Brentford) — at Sunderland

• Form: Scored the decisive goal in Brentford’s 1–0 win over Aston Villa on Matchday 2.
• Why watch: Ouattara has already provided what Brentford missed last season: a direct outlet in wide areas with end product. Against newly promoted Sunderland, who will be roared on at home, Brentford may have to soak pressure and break quickly. Ouattara’s pace and decision-making in transition could tilt the balance.

Lukas Nmecha (Leeds United) — vs Newcastle

• Form: Scored a late penalty to secure Leeds’ Matchday 1 win but was largely anonymous in the 5–0 defeat to Arsenal.
• Why watch: Leeds’ survival hopes hinge on finding consistent goals. Nmecha has been trusted as the focal point and remains their best penalty-box option. Newcastle’s defense has looked vulnerable when stretched wide, and if Leeds can feed Nmecha with service early, they’ll fancy their chances of another big scalp.

Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) — at Leeds

• Form: Netted a crucial goal in Newcastle’s narrow defeat to Liverpool.
• Why watch: With Newcastle’s striker situation still up in the air, Guimarães has been the unexpected source of attacking thrust. His late surges into the box and willingness to take responsibility have been vital. Against Leeds’ shaky midfield, Bruno could dominate both in possession and transition.

Spotlight Fixture: Liverpool vs Arsenal

The weekend’s headline clash needs its own frame. Both clubs are perfect so far, but the context is different.

• Liverpool: Energetic under Slot, scoring late goals, but still shaky defensively conceding twice to Newcastle despite winning.
• Arsenal: Disciplined and ruthless, with a watertight defense (two clean sheets) and an attack already sharing the goals.

The battle could come down to midfield control. If Arsenal suffocates Liverpool’s build-up, Gyökeres and Martin Ødegaard can exploit the spaces created by pressing gaps. But if Liverpool find rhythm, Ekitike and Mohamed Salah will have the chances to test Arsenal’s back line for the first real time this season.

It feels like the first true barometer of both sides’ title credentials.

Final Verdict

Two matchdays is a tiny sample, but already patterns are forming. Manchester City look mortal, Chelsea look reborn, and Arsenal and Liverpool are headed for an early-season collision that could ripple through the campaign.

For neutrals, this is a weekend of answers: Can Haaland rebound? Will Gyökeres or Ekitike announce themselves on the biggest stage? And which of the league’s fresh arrivals like Nmecha — along with familiar faces in new colours like Ouattara, and João Pedro — will prove themselves indispensable?

By Monday morning, we’ll know which names set the pace, and which clubs are left chasing.