Haaland to bounce back and all eyes on Ronaldo – Premier League talking points

The Premier League returns on Friday night with a London derby under the Selhurst Park lights between Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

It was only May 22 when the last top-flight campaign concluded and two-and-a-half months later the division resumes with its 30th anniversary on the horizon.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the big talking points before the opening round of fixtures.

One of Mikel Arteta’s lowest moments last season was the 3-0 drubbing handed out to Arsenal by Crystal Palace in April. It was a big turning point in the race for a top-four finish, which the Gunners ultimately missed out on. It has failed to thwart their efforts to strengthen the squad this summer with the likes of Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko coming through the Emirates doors but they face a tricky start. If they begin the 2022-23 term with another loss in a London derby – after a 2-0 defeat to Brentford last August – it will only increase the scrutiny on Arteta, who has seen his management forensically analysed via Amazon Prime’s new documentary.

The last time Nottingham Forest were in the Premier League they had Dave Beasant playing in goal for the majority of their games. The fact he is now 63 tells its own story. Steve Cooper was the man to bring top-flight football back to the city for the first time since 1999 and his first assignment is a trip to Newcastle. While the hosts are funded by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund and have splashed plenty of cash, Forest have not been shy in making additions. Dean Henderson and Jesse Lingard are the stand-out duo on paper and have plenty to prove after both endured a disappointing last season at Old Trafford but Lewis O’Brien looks an astute addition too for the