NFL
By: Edwin Duodu
Arsenal May Be The Real Deal
Analysts knew that both teams would demonstrate vastly different gameplans coming into the North London Derby. Both showed, and Mikel Arteta’s won the game. His tactics of movement and possession in the oppositions half would eventually break the five-man line that Tottenham fielded. Arteta will be pleased that his defense played solid, giving the likes of Harry Kane, Richarlison, and Son Heung-Min no chance to run into space. Arsenal is on top of the league, momentarily. However, many criticized the team for not defeating a respectable opponent. This time, they did.
West Ham Secure First Home Win; Wolves Fire Bruno Lage
Both teams came in near the relegation zone. The Hammers ensured that it wouldn’t end like that, however. Gianluca Scamacca’s first goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, as both teams have struggled to score this season. Bruno Lage’s team had dominating spells but ultimately couldn’t find any rhythm. The question is, does Diego Costa now provide them a target man in the box? His positioning was positive and looked dangerous once coming on. Unfortunately, that will not be up to Lage to decide how to use Costa’s skillset, as he is no longer the team manager. His departure could be the spark for more of an offensive approach moving forward.
Chelsea Off The Hook Again?
Yes, Chelsea stole three points at Selhurst Park in Graham Potter’s first game as the club manager. Conor Gallagher scored a beauty of a goal in the 90th minute to stun his former team. However, many will once again question the decision-making of the referee staff. Thiago Silva palmed the ball away after he stumbled from the pressure caused by Jordan Ayew. Only a yellow card was given. Afterward, Silva assisted Chelsea’s new number striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for a goal. Chelsea still picks up points when it seems they were only good enough to share them. However, the play style of Potter is too early to tell, so maybe winning games will disperse that narrative quickly.
Liverpool Look Open At The Back, Again…
Traveling to Anfield is never an easy task, even for a team that’s having a good season. Brighton made everything look easy, going up by two goals in the first 18 minutes. Leandro Trossard ended up scoring a hat-trick. Sure, we’ll always see this Liverpool side fight back into the game, but the dominance we’re used to watching on the field is no longer there. Teams are finding ways to attack the backline, specifically Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right-hand side of the field. Something has to change, and it needs to happen quickly.
Manchester Derby Shows Gap Between Both Teams
When does the word pride come into play? Apparently, it doesn’t matter for Manchester United after conceding four goals by halftime and allowing hat-tricks to Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. We knew there wouldn’t be much possession of the ball for Erik Ten Hag’s side, but one must ask why Christian Eriksen started the match. He was at fault for the first two goals, not tracking the run of Foden, and being unable to man-mark Haaland for the second. There’s no guarantee Casemiro would’ve made a difference, but his defensive presence might’ve helped, considering United wanted to play on the counterattack anyway. Maybe starting Eriksen was strategy, but it didn’t work on Sunday.
