If the Premier League was a West End show, the sudden pause prompted by the latest international break would be the cliff-hanger right before the interval.
Granted, few intermissions last quite as long as the agonising 13 days separating Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Arsenal and this Saturday's return but it has certainly served to build up excitement.
An unprecedented fourth consecutive defeat for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, another masterful performance from Liverpool, and the impending arrival of Ruben Amorim as Man United's new manager.