In the end the tactics were what we expected: the best attack in the league v the best defence but the Manchester City v Arsenal game was anything but an ordinary game. After Leandro Trossard was sent off Arsenal packed their defence and City simply bombarded them with wave after wave of attacks. In the second half City had 24 shots at goal without reply from Arsenal. The Gunners took to the dark arts and simply packed their goal with the entire team.
Eventually City scored an equaliser and the game finished even. Thrilling, exciting and edge of seat stuff but two men on the City side were far less than happy. Pep Guardiola, as I have mentioned before, instructed his midfielders to feed the ball up to Erling Haaland, “if you do that he will get goals” said the Spanish genius. He had already scored but when Arsenal had all nine men back in defence City could not find a way through. Eventually they scored from a corner but during the full frontal assault on the Arsenal goal Haaland received the ball only a handful of times and each time he was boxed in and he showed his frustration. Once again this week Guardiola has emphasized that he wants Haaland to receive the ball far more often because he knows that even with his glittering array of talent it is the big Norwegian who will get City their goals.
Update on Rodri injury
I checked Rodri’s injury with Manchester City this week after he was forced off after 22mins in last Sunday’s match against Arsenal. The medical team confirmed that the injury is very serious and he could miss most of this season. Further tests were due yesterday (Wednesday). Pep Guardiola emphasized that Rodri is not the type of player who feigns or makes the most of an injury to gain advantage for his team and he knew it would have to be something serious for the midfielder to ask to come off the field. Rodri is tipped to win the Ballon d’Or this year and he has not been on the losing side with City since February 2023. It is ironic that he has spoken out lately about how dangerous the heavy match schedules are and packing so many games together in a short space of time makes players very vulnerable to injury. He has superb footballing stats with a 92.5% passing accuracy and in training everything revolves around him. Tackling, retrieving possession and playing up through the middle are utmost in his game but off the ball he is always reading the play, running and taking opponents out of position. His passing accuracy since 2019 is an incredible 91%. He is the heartbeat of City and Spain and it will take the genius of Guardiola to rebuild his midfield. Mateo Kovacic is favourite to replace him and in the past has done a very good job. Ilkay Gundogan is back at the club and that is looking like a very good piece of business. The other option is 19 year-old Rico Lewis. Guardiola will have money available to buy a player in January but historically the club do not enter into the transfer merry-go-round in the winter period.
Odegaard could return in time for Liverpool clash in 4 weeks
Martin Odegaard will remain out of Arsenal’s line-up because of his ankle ligament injury which he picked up on international duty. Speaking to the club this week manager Mikel Arteta said his captain’s injury was “significant” and he will not return before the upcoming international break. It is hoped that he could be fit for the visit of Liverpool on October 27th. Initial reports said Odegaard could be out for most of the season but now the manager says, “I think it will be a matter of weeks. How long exactly I cannot tell you. We might get a nice surprise but I doubt it.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko is still receiving treatment on his calf injury and Arteta said, “I think he will be out for a few weeks.”
Lopetegui already under pressure at Hammers
West Ham’s hierarchy and supporters wanted more style and aggression from their team and fired coach David Moyes who brought them a top-ten finish and a European trophy in the last two seasons. It must be admitted that under Moyes some of the results grinded out were less than attractive to watch. Julen Lopetegui was brought in and the club directors argued that the ex-Real Madrid coach would bring entertaining football back to the London Stadium. After a stuttering start to the season the football being played is still dull and boring and we are yet to see the quality that built Lopetegui’s reputation. A magic turnaround was expected by fans but it just hasn’t happened – yet.
Trossard claims he did not hear ref’s whistle
The aftermath of last Sunday’s City v Gunners match rumbles on. Red carded Leandro Trossard told us this week that he didn’t hold up play purposely but did not hear the referees whistle blowing up for a foul. Trossard said that he explained to the referee Michael Oliver that his intention was to pass the ball but still got sent off. City players have accused Arsenal of using “dark arts” as they packed their defence and time-wasted after going 2-1 in the lead. Several Arsenal players suffered from cramp and claimed they were having to play too soon after facing Atalanta on Thursday night and arriving home at 4am on Friday morning. They then had only 48 hours to prepare for the City match and of course played with 10 men after the referee dismissed Trossard.
Jackson proving his value to Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has heralded Nicolas Jackson for his performances this season. He is a player transformed from failure to superstar. Last season Jackson tripped over the ball, lost tackles, fluffed chances and was a liability. He then became a bench player. This season he is a different person in a team of complete strangers who play together but don’t link together because their relationships are still in the infant stage. His two against West Ham means only Erling Haaland has scored more in the Premier League this season. 8 goals in 10 PL games against 10 goals in 30 matches last season. He has notched up 24 shots in the opening games. His two against the Hammers is the quickest by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Didier Drogba in 2005.
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