What are the big talking points in the Premier League ahead of the weekend? We take a look.
Can Arsenal bounce back?
The opening to Arsenal's Premier League season was as disastrous as it was predictable. The Gunners took an early lead against Aston Villa at the Emirates, but from that moment on suffered a humiliating fall to further dampen the spirits of supporters already disillusioned by the club's lack of transfer activity.
Victory over Fenerbahce in midweek eased concerns but a Premier League response is needed too and the proposed signing of Mathieu Flamini is unlikely to convince Arsenal fans that serious help is on its way. "It is not always to think what is outside is better than what you have," said Wenger. "What is important as well is to rate what you have and our fans have to understand that as well."
He added: "Less than two weeks is a long time and 75 per cent of things happen in the last 10 days. We still have a long time to do what we want to do". Fans are right to be worried if Wenger feels that he has achieved a quarter of his necessary business so far, and the phrase 'a long time' is almost comical given that almost 90% of the window has now passed.
But how do the star players really feel about their chances of success in light of this inactivity? "We have to believe and we've got to go again," said Jack Wilshere after that Villa defeat." The perfect basis for such belief will be three points at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Sunderland must make their away games count
It is rather early to make such assumptions, admittedly, but Sunderland's opening day home defeat has increased the pressure dramatically on the club's away record at the start of a season in which many expect them to struggle once again.
The reason for this pressure is simple - Paolo Di Canio's side's next seven home league games sees them face Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle -the favourites to make up the top six and a local derby in consecutive matches is a daunting task.
Given that in the same period Sunderland face Southampton, Crystal Palace, Swansea, Hull, Stoke and Aston Villa on the road, it is clear that victories must be gained on their travels to avoid becoming involved in an immediate battle to avoid relegation.
Di Canio may have aimed to instigate a revolution at the Stadium of Light over the summer, but the biggest alteration needs to be away performance - this is a club with just 20 away wins in six seasons since promotion.
Can Moyes make it home sweet home?
"I think it's the hardest start for 20 years that United have had. I hope it's not because Manchester United won the League quite comfortably last season that the fixtures have been made much more difficult."
David Moyes' comments, made before the trip to Swansea on the opening day, seemed ill-advised at best, but demonstrated the pressure felt by a man chosen to take over from a manager of Sir Alex Ferguson's calibre. Moyes enjoyed a near-perfect beginning to his competitive managerial tenure at the club, but Monday Night Football against Chelsea will surely provide a far sterner test of his (and his United side's) faculties.
The importance of an air of domination at Old Trafford cannot be overestimated. They have won at least 15 of their 19 home games in each of the last eight seasons and given the evident uncertainty regarding the appointment of Moyes in the minds of some
