A new Premier League season is upon us which means new hope and 10 months of quality soccer. However, certain teams looked like they still have not recovered fully from the holidays and could have used an extra week to prepare.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur opened the season Saturday but rather than a curtain raiser, it seemed at times to be a preseason ­friendly. Those two were not the only ones looking a little rusty and sluggish as even the defending champions Chelsea seemed off their game in their draw with Swansea. Arsenal looked like their old selves from two seasons ago and not in a good way.

Spurs played in midweek in Germany, just three days before their Premiership match with United. These preseason friendlies may be tiring but they are vital commercially, being ­lucrative and increasing exposure to overseas markets. But it raises a question whether commercial importance trumps actual match fitness.

While Spurs at least had the excuse of being tired, United did not. Their 1-0 victory hinged on an unfortunate own goal from Spurs defender Kyle Walker but otherwise their form was not impressive offensively and they appeared to lack ideas at times. But at least United came away with three points.

Arsenal's preseason favorites label evaporated instantly after a disastrous first game. Many have picked them as key challengers to Chelsea but they were not even close in losing 2-0 to West Ham. More galling for Arsenal was that both goals were the result of ­errors by new keeper Petr Cech.

West Ham were the better team as they kept the ball well, handled Arsenal's pressure and came away with their first win at Arsenal in eight years. Arsenal had a few chances but were foiled by poor finishing while their tactics were predictable and contained by West Ham.

Basically, Arsenal were guilty of defensive lapses, conceding weak goals, and being unable to score despite lots of passing and attacking, problems that are all too familiar with Arsenal over the last few years.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wisely did not blame Cech but instead claimed his team had been "too nervous." Perhaps there was some stage fright since Arsenal were in the unfamiliar position of league favorites.

If there is one good thing about the loss, it is that Arsenal have now shed some of the pressure. If they don't, Arsenal won't need to worry about fighting for the title.

The author is a Beijing-based writer. hcpyip@gmail.com