Premier League: 10 things to look out for on the opening weekend
1) The new dawn - same as the old dawn? It will be a year and a day since Manchester United barrelled up to Swansea's Liberty Stadium, strode away with a 4-1 win and left behind a sense that not very much had changed at all. Subsequent events give little reason for mawkishness, decent man though David Moyes is, but there was little warning of what would pass when Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck scored excellent braces in south Wales. Now, Louis van Gaal beds in against the same opponents that gave his predecessor such a deceptive start - although Old Trafford is the venue this time - and eyes will be peeled for the most minor of conceptual deviations that show the Dutchman's sleight of hand. For all that United's pre-season USA tour was not to Van Gaal's taste, pre-season results have been good - six wins from six if you count a shoot-out win over Inter, and even Marouane Fellaini silencing some distasteful jeers with a late winner against Valencia - and the club has been keen to promote a sense of momentum and freshness. In reality this will take time to sustain: United do not have the same preparation problems involving returning World Cup stars as several of their rivals, although that tells a tale in itself and Van Gaal is yet to delve into the transfer market to fill the more obvious gaps. He surely will, and for now he will be well aware that footballing success lies to a large extent between the ears. A confident opening might, this time, set United fair for better things, the Guardian reports. 2) Sanogo or Giroud?
Arsène Wenger has a selection headache this weekend. Who to start up front against Crystal Palace, Yaya Sanogo, callow, gangly nuisance who sometimes looks like he is learning on the job, or Olivier Giroud, still not quite up to speed after his World Cup exertions but the scorer of a fine goal in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield? It was Sanogo who got the nod against City and while he fluffed a good chance to score his first goal for the club in the first half, the young French striker had a hand in Arsenal's opener and set up Aaron Ramsey to score their second. Sanogo lacks finesse and can be unconvincing, often giving the impression that he is on the verge of miscontrolling a pass or tripping over himself, but he has made an impact in some games and there was glimpse of his potential when he scored four in the recently friendly against Benfica. Wenger has been supportive. Yet it is worrying that a player with so many rough edges is the alternative to Giroud, who also blows hot and cold. Another striker could help this Arsenal team make the jump from very good to great.
