Premier League watchability, Week 4: Let’s find out how badly Arsenal need new players

This is the last week in a clearly defined section of the Premier League season. When you see it next, it will be very different -- an international break and transfer window will have passed. There will be no more speculation about transfers, and any new signings should be ready to start for their new clubs. Unfortunately for Manchester City supporters, they will not win a trophy for winning Phase I of the year.

All games can be seen on NBC Sports Live Extra and Deportes Telemundo En Vivo Extra in the United States. For listings from more countries, check out Live Soccer TV.

It’s tough to call anything must-watch this week, if we’re being completely honest. Maybe we’ve just been spoiled by having Chelsea-Manchester City and Arsenal-Liverpool so early in the season, but everything here just looks very good, not spectacular.

Anyway, Arsenal have dropped points twice already this season and Arsene Wenger’s been made to defend Francis Coquelin against vicious (and correct, *ducks*) attacks from everyone’s favorite television pundit, former Manchester United right back Gary Neville. Newcastle haven’t put it all together yet, but Steve McClaren’s got them playing much more promising soccer than his predecessors Alan Pardew and John Carver had at any point in the last three years. There’s some decent upset potential here, and if the Magpies pull it off, it might scare Wenger into spending some money on Monday.

Swansea games have been thoroughly enjoyable this season, and they’ve been great at home since they came up to the Premier League. Manchester United have looked shaky in all of their games, and they’ll probably be a bit tired after playing a Champions League game midweek. Don’t be surprised if this is an excellent, close game with goals for both teams.

If you haven’t seen Troy Deeney yet, he’s an absolute beast. He’s not scoring goals easily like he was in the Championship, but he’s the exact type of player Watford need if they’re going to stay up. He’s not just a goal-scorer, but a do-everything striker who makes runs off the ball, holds it up, wins 50-50 challenges and presses center backs. City will beat the Hornets at home, but tune in and marvel at all the things Deeney does even when he’s nowhere near scoring.

The Tony Pulis Derby™ is unlikely to be fun, even with Mark Hughes trying to get Stoke to play pretty soccer. This is the best candidate for a 0-0 draw on the schedule this week.