Today's Chelsea-Manchester City match might be the headline grabber, but there's another Premier League clash well worth our attention: Liverpool vs. Brentford. With both sides off to a solid start this season, this fixture is poised to be a showcase for two star players: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford.

Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly one of the Premier League's greatest players. In 319 appearances wearing the Liverpool red, he has notched up an impressive 196 goals and 83 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 93 minutes. This level of consistency under manager Jürgen Klopp has been instrumental in Liverpool's resurgence. Last summer, the allure of Saudi clubs loomed over Salah, and with him turning 32 next year, the potential of significant Saudi investment could once again tempt Liverpool into a major decision regarding his future.

Brentford's ascent to a competent mid-table Premier League team is remarkable. They ended their maiden top-flight season since 1946/47 in a commendable 12th place, amassing 45 points. A key figure in their success is Ivan Toney, a testament to Brentford's shrewd recruitment. The Northampton-born striker had a rocky start at Newcastle but found his groove at Peterborough United, with a goal-scoring spree that eventually led him to Brentford. His Premier League record is noteworthy: 32 goals in 66 matches. If not for a suspension due to betting activities, he might have been leading the attack at one of England's elite clubs by now.

But the path to success isn't always linear. Before Toney's arrival, Brentford was on the cusp of Premier League promotion, falling just short in the playoff final against Fulham. Yet, their offensive arsenal was already formidable, boasting players like Saïd Benrahma, Ollie Watkins, and Bryan Mbeumo, all of whom have since proven themselves in the Premier League. Mbeumo, who is still with Brentford, has risen to prominence during Toney's absence this season, scoring six goals and providing two assists. He's one to watch in the summer transfer window, and his performance trajectory suggests he's a player in demand.

Let's bring in the radar chart for a visual comparison between Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo—both are vital to their teams, with Mbeumo stepping up in the absence of Toney. The radar chart provides a detailed comparison of their performances in various aspects such as shooting, passing, and playmaking abilities.

Salah's radar shows his prowess in non-penalty goals, shots, and shooting percentage, highlighting his role as a primary goalscorer. His assist numbers reflect his dual threat as a creator as well as a finisher. Mbeumo's radar, while showing lower numbers in some offensive metrics, still presents him as a player with significant contributions, especially in the context of a team like Brentford. His xA numbers are notably high, indicating that his passes are creating quality chances, even if they are not always converted by his teammates. Mbeumo's lower passing accuracy can be attributed to his role in set-pieces and Brentford's direct style of play.

Bryan Mbeumo has indeed made his mark against the Premier League's top sides. He has registered goals or assists against all current Premier League teams, with the notable exception of Everton, Newcastle, and Arsenal. This demonstrates his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, including against the formidable defenses of the so-called "Big 6," which includes teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.

As Liverpool potentially faces the prospect of a lucrative Saudi offer for Salah, the idea of recruiting a player like Mbeumo becomes intriguing. While not a like-for-like replacement, Mbeumo's versatility and proven track record against top teams suggest he could be a dynamic addition to Liverpool’s attacking force. The match today is not just a battle for points but also a showcase of talent that could influence Liverpool's strategic decisions in the near future.

The second leg of the Europa League’s round of 16 was a nightmare for Arsenal fans. William Saliba got injured in the first half, Pedro Gonçalves equalized with a halfway line strike, and even Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard’s entry from the bench couldn’t propel the team through the matchup. Gabriel Martinelli’s miss in the penalty shootout ended the Gunners’ European campaign.

In football, success typically comes through playing to strengths or mitigating weaknesses. Last season, I believe Mikel Arteta embraced the former, focusing on what I term “Saka-centrism.” Bukayo Saka, an exceptional winger and Hale End academy graduate, started 87 consecutive Premier League games despite his young age of 22. This streak ended with an injury that prevented him from playing in a match against Manchester City. The trio of Saka, Ødegaard, and Ben White on Arsenal’s right was pivotal to their title bid. Although not triumphant, there’s room for growth. Their influence is undeniable: Saka and White played in every league game, while Ødegaard missed just one. Saka’s “double-double” of 14 goals and 11 assists is notable, with Ødegaard matching Martinelli as the top scorer with 15 goals and adding eight assists. White, as a right-back, also contributed with two goals and five assists.

The left side mirrored this with another strong triangle: Martinelli (15 goals, 5 assists), Granit Xhaka (7 goals, 7 assists), and Gabriel Jesus (11 goals, 6 assists). The pre-transfer rumors of Xhaka joining Bayer Leverkusen led to a vital task for technical director Edu: to replace him with someone who could elevate the team. Arsenal’s response was signing Declan Rice and Kai Havertz from London rivals West Ham and Chelsea, respectively. Rice was one of the league’s standouts, and Havertz’s move was a relief for many Chelsea fans, given his inconsistent performances and undefined role. Arteta seems to be positioning Havertz as a left-center midfielder in Xhaka’s stead.

This season, Arteta adjusted his tactics, aiming for more possession rather than outright aggression. The defense was set with Partey, White, Saliba, and Timber until the last one sustained an ACL injury in the opener. Soon after, Partey was sidelined. In midfield, Rice, Ødegaard, and Havertz were tried, but Havertz’s influence was lacking, leading Arteta to try Fábio Vieira, though without solving the issues. Against Manchester City, a midfield of Jorginho, Rice, and Ødegaard was fielded. The match turned when Arteta introduced the more robust Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Havertz, with the latter two engineering the play leading to Martinelli’s goal. Yet, Havertz has shown only glimpses of promise with a single goal and assist in ten league games.

The left flank’s reconstruction is struggling. A Tifo IRL video highlighted how Arsenal’s attacks have shifted, increasing from 31% on the right last season to 39% this season. This imbalance has made Arsenal more reliant on Saka. Their Carabao Cup exit, a 3-1 loss to West Ham where Saka and Ødegaard came off the bench too late, mirrors a previous season's elimination by Brighton without them. Arsenal’s one-dimensional focus was also evident in a match at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea, under Mauricio Pochettino, managed to neutralize Ødegaard and Saka's threat, though the latter still managed an assist.

Bukayo Saka remains Arsenal's star, pivotal to their aspirations. But the question looms: Can Arsenal clinch victories if "Saka-centrism" becomes their only tactical approach? I have my doubts, particularly with Havertz in midfield, who so far seems ill-suited to invigorate the team’s dynamics in the league.