Man City’s Mini-Crisis, Newcastle Find Their Groove & Mo Salah’s Greatness
Nov 11, 2024
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Man City's puzzling dip in form raises questions on how to revive their success. Newcastle's resurgence is credited to Eddie Howe's tactical brilliance and squad depth. The discussion shifts to Mo Salah, exploring why he may fly under the radar despite his incredible talent. Arsenal's challenges and the impact of recent refereeing decisions add to the intrigue.
45:15
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Quick takeaways
Manchester City's current struggles are attributed to missing key players and a need for strategic reassessment to restore cohesion.
Newcastle's revival is driven by midfield balance and tactical flexibility, enhancing their competitiveness and performance on the pitch.
Deep dives
Pep Guardiola's Struggles
For the first time in his coaching career, Pep Guardiola has lost four consecutive games, which has raised eyebrows across the football community. As a result, Manchester City now finds themselves five points behind Liverpool in the league. This unexpected downturn has sparked discussions about the challenges Guardiola faces, including missing key players like Rodri and an increasingly competitive league dynamic. The lack of cohesion and intensity in play is notable, indicating that City may need to reassess their strategies to recover their dominant form.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Analysis
The match between Chelsea and Arsenal ended in a draw, which both teams accepted as a fair result. An analysis of the midfield battle revealed that while Chelsea controlled significant portions of the game, they struggled to capitalize on their chances. The partnership of players like Caicedo and Lavia for Chelsea was highlighted, along with a notable performance from Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Odegaard. Overall, both teams displayed competitive football but lacked the decisive finishing needed to secure a win.
Arsenal's Need for a Striker
Despite a recent resurgence, Arsenal's performances indicate a pressing need for a dedicated striker to enhance their attacking capabilities. While Kai Havertz plays well in linking up and holding up the ball, the team misses a poacher's instinct that can turn half chances into goals. Observing the current attacking dynamics, concerns arose about where goals will consistently come from, suggesting that Arsenal relies heavily on players like Saka or set pieces. The return of Odegaard was a positive, but the team's ability to convert opportunities remains under scrutiny.
Newcastle's Revival
Newcastle United has shown signs of reviving their form, much to the delight of fans and commentators alike. Key to this resurgence has been the balance in midfield, particularly with Joe Willock providing energy and allowing Bruno Guimarães to shine. The tactical flexibility offered by Joe Linton has also been crucial, as he frequently shifts between supporting attacking plays and strengthening the midfield. This newfound energy and coherence has transformed Newcastle into a team that is once again tough to beat, reminiscent of their solid performances from the previous season.
What exactly is going wrong at Man City and how do they fix it? What has Eddie Howe done to find the right balance in this Newcastle team? Is Mo Salah actually underrated?
Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the key reason why Arsenal are struggling at the moment and how referees are now taking over all parts of the game.
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