# Premier League Weekend Review: Arsenal's Defensive Solidity and City's Struggles Ezri Konsa challenges William Saliba's return while Manchester City faces tactical vulnerability concerns. - **Source:** [Sky Sports – Football](https://www.skysports.com/football) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/28b3d76a-867e-4f06-aeaf-49af37c54472 ## Konsa Challenges Saliba's Spot Ezri Konsa has solidified his position in Arsenal's defense, contributing to a remarkable streak of 444 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League. With William Saliba returning to fitness via U21 matches, Konsa’s recent form, including winning all seven duels against Hull, creates a significant selection dilemma for the coaching staff. ## City's Tactical Blueprint Exposed Manchester City has suffered three consecutive defeats, revealing a clear vulnerability when opponents apply intense pressure. Manager Enzo Maresca noted that failing to win individual duels leads to dangerous transitions. Defensive errors from players like Josko Gvardiol and Marc Guehi suggest that rivals have identified a specific blueprint to unsettle City's rhythm. ## Yates Sparks Forest Revival Ryan Yates made a significant impact in his first start of the season against Manchester City, embodying the intensity required to disrupt their play. Manager Oliver Glasner praised Yates for delivering an exceptionally inspiring team talk. His performance on the pitch served as a catalyst for the team's spirited and dramatic victory. ## Spurs Lack Attacking Edge Tottenham's 1-0 loss to Leeds highlights persistent goal-scoring issues, with the team managing only one big chance at Elland Road. Despite having the second-most shots in the league this season, they have converted only ten goals. Roberto De Zerbi faces a critical task during the international break to improve their offensive efficiency. ## Leeds United's Defensive Fortress Leeds United remains unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games, bolstered by a solid defensive structure. Summer signing Tarik Muharemovic has been pivotal, recording a league-high 85 clearances this season. This defensive stability, combined with Noah Okafor's late winner, has reignited hopes for a potential European push for the Whites. ## Newcastle's Resilient Away Performance Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle side delivered a disciplined performance at Craven Cottage, successfully restricting Fulham to an expected goals value of just 0.62. Despite recent pressure following four defeats in five matches, the team demonstrated complete commitment. This defensive frugality suggests the squad remains fully supportive of their manager despite the challenging results. ## Coventry's Unlucky League Position Despite hovering near the relegation zone, Frank Lampard's Coventry side displays significant positivity and tactical growth. The team felt aggrieved by controversial penalty decisions and VAR interventions during their loss to Everton. With upcoming home matches against Crystal Palace and Ipswich, Lampard aims to translate their improved midfield performance into vital points. ## Thierno Barry's Scoring Streak Everton's Thierno Barry has reached ten goals in all competitions, marking a breakout season for the Frenchman. While his goal tally is impressive, he has also missed 13 big chances, the most in the Premier League. His ability to maintain this scoring consistency will determine if he can challenge for the Golden Boot. ## International Break Impact The November international break arrives at a pivotal moment for several Premier League clubs. Teams like Tottenham and Coventry will use this period to address tactical deficiencies and recover from recent setbacks. Meanwhile, managers like Daniel Farke may worry that the break interrupts the momentum gained from recent hard-fought victories and defensive improvements. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13609127/could-arsenals-ezri-konsa-hold-off-william-saliba-from-reuniting-partnership-with-gabriel-premier-league-hits-and-misses — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._