Insights from Manchester United’s triumph over Arsenal; Real Madrid secures a gritty win; additional updates.

This weekend was eventful! The top five leagues in Europe featured several significant matches, generating much discussion. Consider Manchester United’s surprising victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, winning 3-2 at the Emirates, which has opened up the title race for other contenders. (Michael Carrick has made an impressive start as United’s interim manager, securing victories against both Man City and Arsenal in his first two matches in charge…)

In LaLiga, Real Madrid opted for a more pragmatic approach to secure a crucial away win against a formidable Villarreal team, while Juventus demonstrated their quality in Serie A with a decisive victory over struggling Napoli, bringing them closer to the top four. Additionally, Liverpool faced further distress, losing to Bournemouth with a last-minute goal that dropped them out of the top four.

Moreover, there were numerous talking points from Bayern Munich (who suffered another defeat), Chelsea (who continued their winning streak, this time thanks to Estevao), Barcelona (who secured a win but are missing Pedri), Atletico Madrid (what’s going on with Julián Álvarez?), Milan (who narrowly defeated Roma), Tottenham (is Thomas Frank on the verge of being dismissed?), and much more.

As it’s Monday morning, it’s an ideal time for some reflections. Let’s delve into it.

– Ogden: Is the Premier League title race once again wide open?
– VAR Review: Analyzing the biggest calls in the Premier League this weekend
– Lindop: Liverpool’s inconsistencies continue to hinder their progress

At this point, it’s about selling for Arsenal and Man United

By selling ideas, which is what coaches, leaders, and managers consistently do: they gain support from those they oversee. The message from Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and his counterpart Michael Carrick should be consistent following United’s 3-2 victory at the Emirates: continue with the current approach.

From United’s viewpoint, there is a noticeable positive atmosphere and a sense of ease within the team following Ruben Amorim’s exit. Determining how much of this is simply a “new manager” effect versus the contributions from Carrick is challenging, but clearly, sustaining this positive environment is crucial moving forward. This is likely more significant than on-field performance, as the current setup—with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, approximately £130 million worth of newly acquired strikers, on the bench—is not a viable long-term strategy. Additionally, three shots on target and a total xG of 0.71 are not impressive. Even for those who may not focus on statistics, the fact that two goals were low-probability strikes and the other was a gift from Martín Zubimendi should highlight the challenges ahead for the team.

And that’s acceptable. Carrick has only had two matches, and he is not the permanent manager. Results are important because securing a Champions League spot is crucial. However, looking to the future, the goal is to create a stable environment where players are content and productive, allowing them to perform and enabling the club to assess their fit under whoever leads them next season (which remains to be determined). This is precisely what Carrick is currently providing, which is significant.

play1:09Frank Leboeuf: This performance was reminiscent of 90’s Man United

The ESPN ‘FC TV’ crew reacts to Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal in the Premier League.

On the other side, the worst course of action for Arteta would be to increase the second-guessing. Acknowledge the reality: a home loss, with Man City (and Villa) four points behind, and a lackluster attacking display. However, you cannot alter the first two facts; all you can do is learn from them to influence the third.

If you do, you may find that there isn’t much to adjust and even less that should be changed. It would be ideal if Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were delivering passes, scoring goals, and providing assists at their previous levels. They are on track for a combined 18 goal involvements (goals + assists) this season. In comparison, 2024-25 (27), 2023-24 (43), or 2022-23 (47) show a clear trend. However, the counterpoint is that Arsenal is playing a different style of football this year and currently sits in first place, a position they did not hold in previous seasons.

There is a balance to consider. Arsenal’s defensive strength has been vital to their success this season. Arteta’s attacking rotations have also been beneficial and should yield further advantages as the season progresses. Altering those to enhance the statistics of your best players (and yes, those two—along with Declan Rice—are Arsenal’s top players) risks undermining what has brought them to their current position.

There is also the Viktor Gyökeres situation, and it is not merely the statistic you may have seen regarding how Premier League champions typically have double-digit goalscorers, while the big Swede is projected to finish with just eight. That aspect is not critical as long as the team is scoring collectively, which Arsenal is. The more pressing concern is that he is adjusting to a new league and receiving a different type of service than he did at Sporting last year. Adapting takes time, and I mention this as someone who is not particularly a Gyökeres supporter. (Regular readers will recognize that I am firmly “Team Havertz.”)

Arteta commented after the match about how the game is determined by small margins and how Arsenal’s performance “made them even smaller.” Against United, that was essentially the case, and they paid the price. However, this should not prompt him to change direction mid-season.

Real Madrid adopts a blue-collar approach to secure victory

As always, it is essential to distinguish between the outcome and the performance. The former was significant. It was a crucial 2-0 away win against a team that posed a direct challenge. Had the result been reversed, Villarreal would have been four points behind with a game in hand, and any goodwill generated from the 6-1 Champions League thrashing of Monaco would have dissipated. Fans would have been gathering outside the Bernabeu with pitchforks and torches. However, that did not happen, and the result means Alvaro Arbeloa & Co. are just one point off the top spot in LaLiga. This is significant… until the next setback, of course.

play2:58Are the Real Madrid players happier under Álvaro Arbeloa?

The ESPN ‘FC TV’ crew reacts to Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal in LaLiga.

In terms of performance, purists may be critical. Both goals came from—who else?—Kylian Mbappé and were essentially handed to them: Pape Gueye failing to sort his feet for the first goal, and Alfonso Pedraza misjudging his tackle, resulting in a penalty for the second. Excluding those, Real Madrid’s xG is a modest 0.73. At the other end, Dani Parejo created two clear chances for Gerard Moreno, both of which were wasted.

That said, there are several reasons to excuse Madrid’s lack of style points. One is that while both teams played midweek, Villarreal—effectively eliminated from the Champions League—rested nine players, while Madrid did not. Another reason is that they were facing a top three LaLiga side away from home: not every match will be straightforward. Most importantly, it appeared they were working significantly harder—especially off the ball—than in previous outings. There was a defensive intensity, spearheaded by Jude Bellingham, and a humility that had been lacking in recent performances.

Will this continue? Is this a genuine strategy that can lead them to where they aspire (and need) to be? I cannot say for certain. However, it does represent a refreshing change.

On and off the field, Liverpool are undermining themselves

play1:41Could Arne Slot really be replaced this season?

The pressure is increasing on Arne Slot after Liverpool’s last-minute defeat to Bournemouth.

Amine Adli’s last-minute goal resulted in Liverpool leaving Bournemouth empty-handed following a 3-2 loss. Coupled with the results on Sunday (victories for Chelsea and Manchester United), they have dropped to sixth in the standings, just two points ahead of Fulham. Conceding a goal like that, following a goal-mouth scramble, with the final kick of the match is painful. However, it should not overshadow the manner in which they arrived at this point, as the reality is that Liverpool deserved to lose this match.

Two shots on target from open play is an unacceptable outcome. Individual errors—such as Virgil Van Dijk’s, which led to Evanilson’s opener—can occur. Collective lapses—like playing for seven minutes with a man down because they failed to put the ball out of play, which would have allowed Wataru Endo to replace the injured Joe Gomez—cannot happen. Not at this level.

There are challenges both offensively and defensively, and Slot’s solution—adding more midfielders to the lineup—is not a sustainable approach. The 4-2-2-2 formation can serve a purpose beyond merely accommodating Mohamed Salah in the team—contrary to the knee-jerk reactions suggesting he was definitely heading to Saudi Arabia—but it requires refinement. Otherwise, you end up with what we witnessed during parts of the first half: Dominik Szoboszlai, Salah, and Jeremie Frimpong occupying the same space and interfering with one another.

play2:33Nicol: This was Virgil van Dijk’s worst performance for Liverpool

ESPN’s Steve Nicol believes Virgil van Dijk played his worst game for Liverpool during their 3-2 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.

Off the pitch, issues also need addressing. As I have been emphasizing all season, they were short a top center back when the transfer window closed (and presumably recognized this, as they attempted to sign Marc Guéhi). Since then, they have lost another center back (Giovanni Leoni) and a right back (Conor Bradley) for the remainder of the season. They are down three defenders. And what have they done? Nothing, aside from considering letting another defender go (Andy Robertson, who was linked with Spurs), although thankfully it appears he will remain).

Liverpool’s recruitment team is too astute not to recognize this. There may be valid reasons for the inactivity thus far, but they must take action before the transfer window closes in five days.

Juventus’s upward trajectory continues against weakened Napoli

Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Napoli left many with egg on their faces. Those who criticized Jonathan David (who continues to shine), those who believed Manuel Locatelli was merely a rough player (some might argue that this list once included Juve coach Luciano Spalletti himself), and those who doubted Spalletti’s suitability as manager (I belong to that group, though I remain unconvinced long-term).

The positive news is that Juventus is strengthening defensively (Bremer’s return is a significant boost), individual players are improving (not just David, but Khéphren Thuram and Weston McKennie as well), and Kenan Yildiz has once again established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Europe. They are just one point shy of third place, have embraced the Spalletti approach, and, at least on the pitch, are regaining their health.

That said, this needs to be evaluated in context because Napoli is currently a team in disarray. With several starters sidelined, and Romelu Lukaku and Sam Beukema only fit enough for the bench, just as Napoli was beginning to find their footing at 1-0 down, Juan Jesus gifted Juventus a second goal, sealing the match. Considering Napoli was understandably looking ahead to their crucial Champions League clash with Chelsea midweek, it is essential not to get overly enthusiastic.

Nonetheless, Juventus’s resurgence indicates that the issue was not a lack of talent prior to Spalletti’s arrival, but rather the presence of unsuitable coaches.

Quick hits

10. Ethan Nwaneri makes an impressive debut in Marseille: Arsenal’s choice to loan him out was undoubtedly the correct one. He is a tremendous talent, with a contract extending through 2030, but playing time has been scarce this season, and he was seeing significantly less action than last year, which is not ideal at age 18. Some may have had reservations about the destination. On the positive side, he joins a progressive, attack-oriented coach in Marseille with Roberto De Zerbi; on the downside, he is entering a volatile club with considerable fan pressure, which may not be the best environment for development.

De Zerbi clearly had no hesitations, throwing him straight into the action against league leaders Lens at the Velodrome, just days after their Champions League humiliation against Liverpool. Sink or swim. And he thrived, scoring a stunning long-range goal with confidence and style. The often-underappreciated Amine Gouiri netted the other two goals, leading Marseille (who initially rested Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Greenwood) to a 3-1 victory.

Good news for PSG, who played (and won) on Friday, but from an l’OM perspective, it was confirmation that they quickly overcame the Liverpool setback.

play1:18Should Man United consider Unai Emery as a potential managerial option?

ESPN’s Dan Thomas and Janusz Michallik react to Aston Villa’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League.

9. Do not adjust your device, as Aston Villa are truly just four points off the top: It was another match that could have gone either way, but ultimately favored Aston Villa. Under normal circumstances, we would discuss variance and randomness, but Villa’s 2-0 win away to Newcastle marked yet another instance where the metrics indicated the opposition deserved more but ended up empty-handed. This makes me question whether the metrics adequately capture what Unai Emery accomplishes.

Of course, you can scoff at how Sandro Tonali was unfortunate early on, while Emi Buendia scored an improbable goal with a 0.05 xG. However, Emery consistently pulls off results like this, often in challenging conditions, amidst injuries and departures. (I know a Villa supporter who insists Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn are their two most vital players… both were absent at St James’ Park, yet they performed seamlessly.) Aside from Emi Martinez, a world champion, how many of these players have made significant progress since working with Emery? Likely more than those at any other club with any other coach. This is why what he is achieving is so remarkable.

8. Atletico defeats Mallorca as Julian Alvarez’s drought continues: There was much for Diego Simeone to celebrate in the 3-0 victory over Mallorca. They effectively managed Vedat Muriqi, Pablo Barrios continues to develop, the often-criticized Thiago Almada found the net, and, most importantly, the win propels them back into third place. They have also accepted that, unlike in their glory days, when they take the lead, they must keep attacking, and while the other two goals came late, they did just that and appeared comfortable doing so.

Conversely, Alvarez has become a concern at this stage. His last league goal from open play was back in September. Away from home, across all competitions, he has scored twice in 14 appearances, and his current drought extends back to December 9. Diego Simeone, as he should, continues to support him. However, it may be time for a break, especially since Atleti has shown they can leave Alexander Sorloth up front alone, having enough wingers and attacking midfielders to provide ample support.

play1:06Michallik: Chelsea still need to improve defensively despite victory vs. Crystal Palace

ESPN’s Dan Thomas and Janusz Michallik react to Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

7. Estevao shines, but questions remain for Chelsea: The Blues, under manager Liam Rosenior, have now secured three consecutive wins following their 3-1 triumph at Crystal Palace, moving them up to fifth place, which is significant. Estevao has emerged as one of the top three or four 18-year-olds globally. His combination of technical skill, athleticism, maturity, and work ethic is rare at that age, particularly for someone who relocated continents just six months ago.

Rosenior appeared outwardly pleased, but internally he is likely more cautious. The Palace victory should be viewed with context: Oliver Glasner was frustrated, Marc Guehi left for Man City, Jean-Philippe Mateta is seeking a transfer, and injuries are widespread. This was a win against a weakened opponent. The absence of Cole Palmer, and the fact that on another day, Moisés Caicedo could have been sent off, are also factors to consider. Those are your two best players, and their presence is crucial as the season progresses. Nevertheless, they are heading