Six matches in and well, things are pretty much as can be expected. The same clubs that dominated the end of last season seem to remain in place in the top four. The best result of the weekend was the thrashing of Manchester United, and the worst result was Tottenham Hotspur winning a match.
Last weekend’s match between United and Spurs was the worst I have seen Manchester play in three decades, and the best match by Tottenham I have ever watched. Better even than during the era of Mauricio Pochettino, whom I like more than I do the Big Aussie Mate, mate. The most fascinating thing about Spurs’ performance was the way that they played without Son Heung-min. They were fantastic to watch. Along with Bukayo Saka, Son seems like the friendliest, the most polite and likeable person in the premier league.
Spurs upped their game whenever Harry Kane was out, and seem to have done pretty much the same without Son. It seems, then, that over-reliance on one person is not very useful (there’s a statement of real genius). We have yet to see how Manchester City will do without Rodri. The Arsenal seem to be coping well enough without Martin Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard’s second goal against Leicester was a perfect example of the advice we got in ice hockey. When the slot (two metres or so in front of the goals) or more crucially the area directly in front of the goalkeeper is crowded, that would be the six metre box in football, and even if you don’t have a clear opening, take a shot because you could get a deflection. There are, of course, different dynamics at work – a puck and football are obviously shaped differently and deflect differently off skates, boots or a player’s body – but take a shot!
The reported spat between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola is manufactured. One of the worst pieces of advice I ever received from an editor was to “think of a headline” and then go out and get the story. With regard to the “spat” an editor probably thought it would make a good story/headline, then sent out a reporter to “get the story”. This is an example; not exactly appropriate in so many ways….
Reporter is at a press conference and asks a political/business/sports leader whether they can confirm or deny having a relationship with X. The person denies having a relationship with X. Other reporters pick it up, and run with it. A story is placed in the media. Someone approaches X, asks them to confirm or deny…. There never was a relationship, but there is, now, a story. That is, unfortunately how media ethics have been perverted. The football rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City morphs into a spat between Arteta and Guardiola. It is “sexy” and “topical,” it sells newspapers (clicks) and poisons the well. The whole thing is out of the hands of Guardiola and Arteta.