As the Premier League season unfolds, players are put under unpredictable pressures that create a demanding atmosphere in which to play. Of those, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a bright spot with some remarkable statistics including being 9th league-wide for pressures. At the same time, Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal finds himself grappling with space as he attempts to make an impact. Meanwhile, seasoned players like James Milner continue to showcase remarkable longevity, and new talents such as Jhon Arias strive to adapt to the league’s demands.
Dewsbury-Hall has demonstrated his quality in recent games. He only started twice in the Premier League during his Chelsea days, he’s had quite the revival. His last performance was capped with the scoring of an extra special goal and then a tremendous assist for compatriot Iliman Ndiaye on the winner as well. Remarkably, Dewsbury-Hall passed to Jack Grealish in the build-up to Everton’s second goal in the game, a play that helped the goal truly shine. His club’s manager Arne Slot praised Dewsbury-Hall’s technical ability and further emphasized the need for players to start learning how to adjust to the Premier League.
The Pressure of Performance
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall pressuring opponents with superhuman prowess That ability to turn defense into attack has established this talent as one of the most impactful players in the Premier League this season. He’s personally gotten himself into elite territory among all players with his risk-taking style of play. That has gotten the attention of pundits and drumbeaters alike. This constant and aggressive pressure can frequently create hasty decisions resulting in turnovers and scoring opportunities for his own team.
Dewsbury-Hall’s path has certainly not been a straightforward one. He’s only had a few starting appearances with Chelsea. Now, he has the hard task of figuring how to make the move into a more competitive world. His recent performances show that when the moment demands it, he’s leveling up.
“So, so, so talented but from different leagues,” – Arne Slot
The analysis from Slot perfectly summarizes the impact of players such as Dewsbury-Hall. They need to adjust their style of play to succeed in the intense Premier League. His movement off the ball and talent at drawing attention and creating space are key contributing factors to his team’s success.
Longevity in the League
Retired from international duty, James Milner still finds a way to dazzle in the Premier League even at 39 years of age. He’s still a key player for Brighton, most recently converting a spotkick in a recent win over Manchester City. While Milner’s longevity is an example of his fitness and dedication, it helps him become a role model for younger players.
Milner is still second all-time for players famous for their exceptional gas tanks in a league that puts bodies to breaking point. His ability to perform at such a high level at an age when most players have retired from professional football is a rarity that highlights his unique skill set.
James Vaughan and Teddy Sheringham are league records for being the youngest and oldest goalscorers, respectively. Milner’s continued success in the league is further doubling down on this narrative of age bringing improved performances.
The Struggle for Adaptation
As some players shine, others are going through challenges as they adjust to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. Jhon Arias is 3rd on that list, more than doubling the time required for adjustment. His new manager, Vitor Pereira, has already stated the need for adjustments from players such as Arias to be made as quickly as possible.
“I think it is normal that if you are not 27 or 28, you maybe need to make a step towards the Premier League,” – Arne Slot
The pressures of adaptation are most pronounced in the case of Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal striker has had a hard time getting space from his defender this year. Gyokeres is at an average of just 3.04m on receiving the ball. He has to do a better job of generating more chances for himself and his teammates!
Even though he faces this adversity, Gyokeres continues working on his positioning and movement off the ball to make improvements during games. His passing and technical ability will be invaluable as Arsenal continue to develop their attacking patterns into the future.
As evidenced by Joe Gomez’s incredible performance this past weekend, where he made seven clearances coming on in the 79th minute of a match, they’re easily beat. His fourth-quarter performance demonstrated his top-level defensive prowess. Beyond that, it highlighted the importance of reliable replacements willing and able to affect transformative change within the league.
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