Paul Pogba can't get into stuttering Manchester United's midfield, Roberto Firmino isn't scoring for Liverpool, Nicolas Pepe has hit out at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and More...

Arsenal - Nicolas Pepe

He is the club's record signing but Nicolas Pepe isn't in Arsenal manager Arteta's best XI at present. In fact, the £72million acquisition has only started once in the Premier League - coming off the bench a further six times. His one Premier League fixture this season came in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

That was the case once more in their most recent game as he came on as a 65th-minute substitute during their 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.

Pepe was critical of his current omission by admitting he is unhappy with his lack of playing time under Arteta.

'My goal is to play more. To have a little more playing time,' Pepe told French channel Canal Plus.

'A player who plays is happy. For me, I would like to play a little more to find a smile again.

'He (Arteta) wants me to be 100 percent focused during the 90 minutes of the match. Afterward, I see during training that I will be a substitute the following weekend.

'But the coach speaks to me, he also has assistants who are there for that. But it is frustrating for any player to be on the bench.

'A super-sub role? The coach makes his choices. It's up to me to show him that I don't have that role.'

Chelsea - Callum Hudson-Odoi

Will Callum Hudson-Odoi become Chelsea's forgotten man? That seemed impossible just over a year ago but the talented youngster is facing a battle at Stamford Bridge.

In September 2019, the winger signed a new five-year deal at Chelsea worth a money-spinning £180,000 per week rising to £200,000 per week. 

That was a signal of intent by the Blues, who had rebuffed Bayern Munich's heavy pursuit for the then 18-year-old.

However, fast forward to the present, and Hudson-Odoi - who turned 20 on Saturday - is down the pecking order in west London. Summer signing Hakim Ziyech has shone already in Hudson-Odoi's preferred right-wing position, while on the other flank Christian Pulisic will regain his spot when fully fit.

Liverpool - Roberto Firmino

Who has had the best attacking front three in the world? For the past two seasons, that accolade has gone to Liverpool with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino leading their line. However, the performances of the latter are starting to be questioned.

Firmino isn't a top goal-scorer, cry his critics. His supporters will point to his link-up play, constant pressing, and importance in helping Salah and Mane flourish. All of the above are correct - Firmino has scored just once in 12 appearances this season but Liverpool sit one point off the top of the Premier League and boast a 100 percent record in the Champions League.

If ain't broke, don't fix it - as the saying goes - but to remain at the top there is always room for improvement, and Liverpool manager Klopp is acutely aware of this.

Manchester City - Riyad Mahrez

Eyebrows were raised on Sunday when Riyad Mahrez was omitted from the Manchester City squad for their blockbuster League clash at home to Liverpool.

Guardiola chose to list four defenders on his substitutes bench for that encounter with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden his only attacking options there.

No injury was reported for Mahrez - who had in fact started nine of City's previous 10 games. However, at the Etihad Guardiola decided to deploy Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres as his starting wingers.

In October's 1-1 draw at West Ham, the Algerian was said to have angered Kevin De Bruyne for not passing enough. As per The Athletic, De Bruyne's admonishment came weeks after Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho had also spoken to him about the same issue, suggesting he dallies and dribbles on the ball too much.

Manchester United - Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is in his fifth season at Manchester United since re-joining the club in 2016 but still the same question remains. How do you get the best out of him?

The answer? No one quite knows. United manager Solskjaer has tried him in a variety of positions so far and none to great effect. He's played centrally in a midfield two and three, on the left of a diamond, as a No 10 and on the left wing.

Pogba's talent is without question but nothing seems to be coming off for him at present. Solskjaer has tried to accommodate him but results haven't come. As a result the France World Cup winner was subsequently dropped for the 3-1 win at Everton at the weekend with Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes forming the midfield three.

Tottenham - Dele Alli

Was the writing on the wall for Dele Alli last season? As revealed by the All or Nothing documentary on Amazon, the midfielder was told by manager Jose Mourinho that he was 'f****** lazy' in training after their first training session together in November last year.

'I’m going to be a pain in the a*** on you, and you are lucky. You are lucky because when I am a pain in the a*** it is a good thing,' Mourinho continued.

Twelve months on though, it's fair to state that Alli probably doesn't feel 'lucky' as he continues to be overlooked by Mourinho in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who was linked with a move away in the summer window, has made just two Premier League appearances for Spurs this season - but both have been as a substitute. In fact, it has been over a month since he featured in the top flight and that was in the 6-1 win at Manchester United on October 4.