Premier League returns after three-week break with Arsenal v Leeds and Manchester United v Tottenham

Premier League resumes after international hiatus

After an interminable three-week international break, the Premier League returns with a tremble in its hitherto cocky stride as fallout from the Manchester City scandal continues to spread its toxicity among the elite.

Enzo Maresca’s side face the music at Anfield on Sunday but before then there’s plenty of tasty clashes to keep blog host David Tindall on his toes.

Arsenal v Leeds at Emirates

Arsenal are aiming to strike back when Leeds visit the Emirates in Saturday’s early kick-off. A perfect start to the campaign for the defending champions ended dramatically with a 3-0 defeat at Brighton in their last outing.

The visitors, fifth in the table, can gauge their progress under Daniel Farke following heavy 5-0 and 4-0 defeats by the Gunners last season. The Yorkshire club sit three points behind Mikel Arteta’s hosts and are one of only five unbeaten clubs after five games.

United v Spurs at Old Trafford

Manchester United and Tottenham badly need a win when they meet at Old Trafford, while Arsenal aim to bounce back at home to Leeds after a rare defeat. There’s also Aston Villa v Brentford, Chelsea v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Fulham and Sunderland v Brighton brushing off the dust on Saturday.

Spurs have had a lamentable start to the season; United not much better. Tottenham sit rock bottom of the table, with just two points. A team assembled for the princely sum of £300m are playing like paupers. Surely the only way is up for Roberto De Zerbi and his torpid team?

After keeping clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton, Aston Villa ripped their defence apart last time out. United, meanwhile, have five points from their opening five games – their joint fewest at this stage of a Premier League season and hardly the start expected under Michael Carrick after their barnstorming finish last season. United are without a win in their past three Premier League games.

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Sarah Rendell keeps the updates flowing from the four mid-afternoon kickoffs, with Chelsea v Bournemouth front and centre of the live blog. Marco Rose’s winless side head to Stamford Bridge lying 17th, with three draws and two defeats from their first five matches.

To add to his burden, the Cherries will be missing Alex Scott. Their star midfielder faces up to two months out with a thigh injury he suffered on England duty. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea, who stand 10th and with the Premier League’s highest goals against total of 12, are looking to end their three-match winless run in all competitions against a side whom they remain unbeaten in their past nine top-flight meetings.

For updates and good vibes, join the conversation by sending your thoughts to matchday.live@theguardian.com.