EPL Matchweek 4: Arsenal and Man City Set the Pace, But Africa's Sons Are Making Noise
The 2026/27 Premier League season is already four matchweeks deep, and the picture is getting clearer by the day. Arsenal and Manchester City are running a perfect race with 12 points each, but the real story for the Pan-African faithful is the firepower coming from our own. From Taiwo Awoniyi's red card drama to the relentless rise of Hull City, this season is serving serious energy.
Seven teams remain unbeaten, five are still hunting their first win, and two clubs haven't even scored yet. But let's not bury the lede: the league's top scorer is Erling Haaland with four goals, while our own Bukayo Saka is right there with three. The boy is representing.
Who is leading the Premier League after four games?
Arsenal and Manchester City are the only sides with a 100 percent record. Both have 12 points from four wins. Leeds United, Hull City, Brentford, Liverpool and Everton are also unbeaten but have drawn games, leaving them trailing the top two.
At the bottom, Bournemouth, Tottenham, Fulham, Aston Villa and Coventry City are still searching for that first victory. Coventry are bottom with zero points, zero goals scored and 10 conceded. Tough times.
How are the promoted teams performing?
Hull City are the standout promoted side. They sit fourth with eight points from two wins and two draws. Coventry City, however, are struggling badly, losing all four matches without scoring. Ipswich have six points despite a negative goal difference, showing they can grind out results.
Which African players are making an impact?
Bukayo Saka has three goals for Arsenal, keeping the Gunners perfect. Taiwo Awoniyi, now at Coventry City, has been sent off, which is a blow for the promoted side. The Nigerian striker will need to bounce back quickly if Coventry are to turn their season around.
What are the biggest talking points so far?
Brighton are the league's top scorers with 13 goals. Arsenal have the best defence, conceding just once. Chelsea have seven points but have already shipped nine goals, and their clean-sheet drought now stretches to 20 league games, their worst run in 65 years.
Manchester United are 13th with four points, two above Tottenham who are yet to win or score. Five red cards have been shown, including one for Manchester City's Phil Foden and another for Awoniyi.
VAR controversies are already making headlines
The referees' body, Pro Ref, admitted an error over Erling Haaland's winning goal against Manchester United. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said VAR officials had tunnel vision, focusing on Haaland's position while missing Enzo Fernández's potential offside impact. The officials involved were stood down until after the international break.
The Premier League's Match Centre also ruled Newcastle should have had a penalty against Leeds after a challenge on Bruno Guimarães. VAR missed it.
Who tops the scoring and assists charts?
Haaland leads with four goals. Behind him, Saka, Bruno Fernandes, Alexander Isak, Kevin Schade, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Tavernier all have three. In assists, Cody Gakpo, Daichi Kamada, Evanilson and Joao Pedro are level on three each.
In goal, Arsenal's David Raya and Hull's Kostas Tzolakis have kept three clean sheets each.
What's next in the Premier League?
Matchweek 5 kicks off on Friday, September 18, with Brentford hosting Chelsea. The final fixtures run on September 20. After that, the league takes its first international break of the season, running from September 21 to October 6. This 16-day window combines the traditional September and October breaks into one, a first for the Premier League calendar.
For the Pan-African fans, this break is a chance to watch our stars shine for their national teams. And when the league returns, expect the energy to double. Arsenal and Man City are setting the pace, but it's still early. The season is long, and Africa's sons are just getting warmed up.