Yet again we were treated to a titanic and epic battle this past weekend when Manchester City and Arsenal clashed at the Emirates. It is fair to say we will get that epic match again when City face off against Liverpool but the shift in power feels like it has changed as City and Arsenal remain the favourites to win the Premier League. Erling Haaland opened the scoring and that was his 100th goal for the club in just over 2 years, or in 105 games as the Norwegian continues to shatter records and hearts. The game was all City but Arsenal had their chances and indeed by half time had gone 2-1 up, but you sensed more goals. Just before half time some will argue that referee Michael Oliver spoiled the game by sending off Leandro Trossard for a second yellow. Trossard went the same way that Declan Rice went a few weeks ago by kicking the ball away after a free kick was given. Those are the rules, and it seems odd that Arsenal are not learning from them. One must also remember had Oliver done nothing then he would have been charged with inconsistency. With 10 against 11 the second half would be a predictable affair with City full on attack and Arsenal defending. That is what we witnessed, when at certain times City had more than 90% possession of the ball. But City lacked ideas although their attacking play was relentless. Arsenal defended well and yet this City team have carved out so many last minute wonders at the Emirates and it happened again. This time it was in the 97th minute with literally 30 seconds of the game to go the ball fell kindly for John Stones and he was able to earn a point for his side in a 2-2 draw.
What did we learn from such an epic battle? For City they need to defend better at set pieces. When they attack when they are chasing the game they need to be quicker and more inventive. Jeremy Doku again looked like the weak link. He has skill and pace but no end product and finds it hard to carve out genuine chances for himself and others. Rodri's injury is a huge blow for the champions however how many other teams can replace him with Kevin De Bruyne. Still Rodri is one of the favourites to win the world player of the year award and early reports are that the Spanish international could well miss 6-9 months with his ligament injury. As for Arsenal, by every passing season they improve and there isn't much difference if any between them and the champions now. Some City players suggested Arsenal did not play with gamesmanship, it has been known as the dark arts in recent times. It is true that the Gunners are tactically fouling, holding up the game and breaking it up- however every team does this when they are narrowly leading near the end of a match. It isn't pretty to see because the other team lose momentum and as a neutral we want to see a free flowing and fast paced game. But it is what it is and the good news is at least most referees are adding the time on
World Player of the Year Odds: Vinicus Junior 1.15, Rodri 3.25, Jude Bellingham 10.00, Dani Carvajal 25.00, Lamine Yamal 41.00
Could football players really go on strike? Over the past week in the Premier League we have seen Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Rodri come out and say enough is enough there are too many games. For Rodri the hand of fate means that he will now miss the bulk of the season but this is a pressing issue. Normally players with the most successful clubs could have played 50-60 games but with international matches and longer club competitions we could be looking at 70-80 games. The new Champions League means an extra 2 games and there are Nations League matches to play and sometimes friendlies are still played. On top of this next summer FIFA are getting in on the act and introducing a new format for the Club World Cup. To win it, clubs normally play just two games, but 32 teams will be invited and it will run like a World Cup, involving up to 7 more games a summer where there is no major competition- this is supposed to be the 'rest period' for players. UEFA and FIFA'S plans always look exciting on paper but this is reality and this summer's European Championships laid bare that players are very tired and games need to be cut as does the calendar. Even perhaps in domestic leagues there is an argument that games can be cut to 34 by reducing the league to 18 teams. And what of the World Club Cup- does it not water down the Champions League? The champions will be crowned in late May. But what if the champions do not win the World Club Cup or have a poor competition? Why won't the game let teams celebrate winning a trophy without having to play for another one the next day? It is incredibly problematic.
There will of course always be an argument for these competitions and that elite players are paid incredible amounts of money and have fame. However even the very best players play poorly when not 100% fit and this can lead to injuries. It does feel that the regulators of football are putting money over quality first and long term that could have devastating effects on players health.
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