3 things to watch this weekend: Florian Thauvin looks to continue wizardry at St James' Park
The fourth matchday of the Premier League season will be highlighted by St. James' Park's newest hero, a phenomenal one-on-one battle in Wales, and questions over the reigning champion's backline
It's also the last slate of fixtures before the league welcomes its first international break of the campaign, meaning the top flight's 20 clubs will be intent on earning a positive result in order to avoid the misery that comes with reflecting on a poor showing for an extra week.
Here are three storylines to follow this weekend:
Florian Thauvin takes on Arsenal
It's been one hell of a week for Florian Thauvin, Newcastle United's expensive signing who has taken the club by storm.
After making his Premier League debut during the Magpies' scoreless draw at Manchester United last weekend, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder was the engine behind his new side's 4-1 win versus Northampton Town in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, opening the scoring only three minutes into the match before playing a hand in each of the club's other goals.
3 - Florian Thauvin is the first player to assist three goals in a League Cup game since Lewis Holtby in September 2013 (v Villa). Trio.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2015
Thauvin's performance has triggered an overdue optimism that almost feels foreign at Newcastle. And on Saturday, he'll have the opportunity to cement himself as the Tyne-Wear club's poster boy as Steve McClaren's side hosts an Arsenal side that has failed to make a positive impression this season.
Get in, Thauvin.
Jefferson Montero vs. Matteo Darmian
There are 19 names on Jefferson Montero's hit list, all of which are right-backs and two of which have been crossed off.
The Ecuadorian winger left Branislav Ivanovic for dead in Swansea City's season-opening draw at Chelsea and followed up the display by luring Daryl Janmaat of Newcastle into a pair of tackles that resulted in a red card.
He has been the most devastating force in the Premier League this season.
Period.
STAT: @JeffMONTERO23 has embarked on 19 dribbles in the @premierleague after two match days - more than any other player. #SUNSWA
— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) August 22, 2015
Next up: Matteo Darmian, who has taken next to no time to prove that he is indeed worthy of the starting right-back spot at United and who will do everything in his power to contain Montero.
Unfortunately for Darmian, the 25-year-old seems to thrive against the Premier League's giants.
Crystal Palace can exploit Chelsea's defensive issues
Crystal Palace couldn't have picked a better time to visit Stamford Bridge.
Due to the suspension of John Terry, who was controversially sent off during the club's 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion, Kurt Zouma will likely feature alongside Gary Cahill as Chelsea's centre-back pairing in a backline that has looked sketchy at best.
Consider that Alan Pardew's side possesses players like Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, two individuals who can single-handedly take out defensive units, and Saturday's encounter between Chelsea and Palace is looking like quite the showdown.