Yes, I know it’s a long way to go. Yes, I know that everything can change in the space of a week (just look at some of Jurgen Klopp’s quad-hunting sides).
The Quad is on for relentless Gunners
Yes, I know it’s a long way to go. Yes, I know that everything can change in the space of a week (just look at some of Jurgen Klopp’s quad-hunting sides). But Arsenal just keep on winning. Mikel Arteta rung the changes after a potentially defining set of midweek Premier League results, giving the youth a chance in their round of 16 trip to Mansfield. And everything looked a bit disjointed, with the Gunners battling to match the home side’s physicality. But their quality shone through, with Noni Madueke’s inch-perfect finish giving them a narrow 1-0 halftime lead. But their makeshift back-three was exposed shortly after the break, as Mosquera’s momentary hesitation allowed Will Evans to ghost in and beat Kepa. Arsenal needed a bit of inspiration and substitute Ebrahim Eze was the man to provide it, rifling home a 66th minute winner to help Arsenal progress to their first FA Cup quarterfinal since 2020 (when Arteta won his lone piece of major silverware). But it’s surely just a matter of time until Arteta adds to that meagre haul. They are wonderfully positioned in the league and are set to face City in this month’s League Cup final. They have received the mother of all Champions League draws and now have a FA Cup quarterfinal to come. Exciting times to be a Gooner.
Major contenders progress
Elsewhere, all the other major cup contenders got the job done. Liverpool put aside their dodgy recent league form to convincingly beat Wolves 3-1 on Friday night. I know that many Liverpool fans are ready to throw Aren Slot out to the (metaphorical) wolves. But they won the title last season and are still in two major cup competitions. Despite their league malaise, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Reds surprise some on the European front. Man City bounced back nicely after their momentum-killing 2-2 draw with Forest, soundly beating Newcastle 3-1 to book their quarterfinal berth. Eddie Howe and co will be sick of the sight of Guardiola’s men (the Citizens also knocked them out in the semifinal stage of this year’s League Cup). Newcastle dominated the early stages, with Harvey Barnes giving the Magpies a 1-0 lead amidst a series of attacks. But City slowly wrestled control away from Newcastle and equalized just before the break, with Savinho the beneficiary of some electrifying work form Doku on the left. Savinho ran Newcastle ragged in the 2nd half, playing a key role in Marmoush’s go-ahead strike in the 47th minute. Marmoush completed his brace with an absolute scorcher of a finish in the 65th minute. Guardiola will be pleased with the fact that he was able to rotate a few players ahead of this week’s daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu. Chelsea were made to toil in their trip to Wrexham, eventually overcoming the 10-man unit 4-2 in extra time.
Bayern Munich thrash Monchengladbach as title procession continues
With Bayern essentially extinguishing any hope of a title ‘race’ with victory in last week’s Klassiker, Friday’s fixture was an exercise in rotation ahead of their midweek trip to Atalanta. Harry Kane had a minor calf strain and missed his first Bundesliga match of the season. Still, Kompany’s side never lacked for creativity in a dominant display. They controlled the first half but would have to wait till the 33rd minute to take the lead, as Luiz Diaz latched onto a delicious chipped through-ball from the in-form Leon Goretzka (a touch of Ronaldinho there). That goal opened the floodgates and Konrad Laimer rounded up a lovely team move to make it 2-0 in the 46th minute. Bayern continued to punish Die Fohlen in the 2nd stanza, with Jamal Musiala converting a penalty to score his first goal since returning from injury. Nicolas Jackson rounded up the Bayern scoring in the 80th minute. Wael Mohya gave the visitors something to cheer in the 89th minute, picking up a loose ball to become the youngest scorer in Monchengladbach’s history. For their part, Dortmund did manage to win this weekend, fending off a late Köln challenge to triumph 2-1 and cut Bayern’s lead to 11 points. Wow, what tension (sarcasm abounds).
Spanish giants leave it late
Real Madrid need to get Kylian Mbappe up and running. They once again lacked creativity in the Frenchman’s absence, needing some late heroics to overcome Celta Vigo 2-1 on Friday night. Real started quite well, with Vini Jr unfortunate to find the inside of the post after an incisive run. Midfield colossus Tchouameni would give Real an 11th minute lead, sumptuously finishing off after a cleverly worked corner routine. But the home team grew in confidence and deservedly levelled matters through Borja Iglesias in the 25th minute. Real struggled for fluency and Vini Jr didn’t really click when he drifted into more central positions. But silent captain Federico Valverde pulled off a Houdini act with seconds remaining ono the clock, deflecting a long-range shot in off a Celta body to temporarily cur Barca’s lead to one point. And it looked as if it that late strike would have huge repercussions, as Athletic Bilbao showed admirable resistance against Barcelona at the San Mamés. It was a to and fro affair, with Bilbao exposing Barca’s high defensive line on several occasions. But it was that man Lamine Yamal who would come up trumps once again, deftly controlling a superbly weighted Pedri pass before applying a postage-stamp finish. Barca would hold on to maintain the four-point lead they had entered the weekend with.
Allegri schools Chivu in Derby della Madonnina
Oh well, you can chalk that one up as a win for the Galactic Empire. I have been a huge champion of Cristian Chivu’s approach at Inter, admiring his team’s high press and possession-based approach. To me, Allegri-ball should be a thing of the past, exorcised for long-term good of Italian football. But Allegri performed a tactical masterstroke last night, using his pragmatic, counterattacking style to maximum effect against a somewhat jaded Inter side. Milan surrendered 62% of the possession to their Milanese rivals, comfortably trusting in their well-coordinated defensive structures. When Pervis Estupinan gave Milan the lead in the 35th minute, I couldn’t see a way back for Inter. Allegri’s side nullified them, with Luka Modric conducting the orchestra- offensively and defensively- with aplomb. Inter now lead the city rivals by seven points. Is there any chance of a late-season hiccup from the Nerazzurri?
Player of the Week- Luka Modric
Croatian legend Luka Modric showed incredible generosity going into last night’s massive Milan derby, paying for 60 friends and family to attend the glittering affair. And he did not disappoint his expectant entourage, dictating the tempo of the Milan derby with his amazing range of passing and positional awareness. And all at the age of 40!
