This weekend in the Premier League, Manchester City got their first win in a month, Arsenal maintained their impressive form and Liverpool beat Crystal Palace despite some worrying defensive mistakes. In our weekly roundtable, FanSided’s soccer staff share their reactions.
Aguero reminds City of his worth
Matthew Miranda, @MMiranda613
A month without a win — the longest drought of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career — raised all manner of questions at Manchester City. Was Guardiola struggling to adjust to the widespread competitive balance of the Premier League, after celebrated stints in a duopoly (La Liga) and an oligarchy (the Bundesliga)? Were City cracking due to fatal flaws in their defense, what with the up-and-down play of new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, the endless injuries to Vincent Kompany, the underwhelming, overpriced investments of recent years (Eliaquim Mangala; Nicolas Otamendi)? Was the ousting of Joe Hart and exile of Yaya Toure symptomatic of a larger power struggle between the club’s past heroes and its future’s architect?
Maybe one of these factors played a role in their recent dip in form. Maybe all. Maybe none. Probably not a coincidence: Sergio Aguero hadn’t scored in six games. The same six City hadn’t won. He scored two goals and assisted on a third Saturday at the Hawthorns. City won 4-0. Definitely not a coincidence. Aguero’s performance remind us there are few problems a club can face that an in-form, world-class center forward can’t solve.
The Argentine is as renowned for his work rate as his scoring prowess, and it showed in the opening goal. A give-and-go between Ilkay Gundogan (your co-man of the match) and Fernando put West Brom on their heels; Aguero raised the stakes by taking off running the moment Gundogan received the pass, forcing defenders Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley to respond. Olsson committed to Gundogan. The instant he did, Aguero cut hard behind him, then briefly glanced back. The German midfielder led him with a perfect pass to the right of the 6-yard box. From there it was vintage Aguero, firing his 12th goal of the season through goalkeeper Ben Foster’s legs to give City the lead.
Aguero has never been lauded as a vocal leader. But the example he sets game in and game out, flying all over the field, hustling as hard after loose balls in midfield as he does after loose balls near the opponent’s goal, sets an example for the rest of the roster that any manager, even one as exalted as Guardiola, must appreciate. City have talked for years about establishing a holistic, sustainable culture of success. Aguero’s work ethic is as worthy of emulation as his eye for goal.
His second was a true sniper’s delight. David Silva directed a Fernandinho pass to Gundogan, but West Brom’s Craig Dawson deflected it toward the top of the 18-yard box. Aguero and Olsson fought for it, but neither could take control, and it soon found the feet of the Baggies’ Darren Fletcher. His poor touch turned the ball over right to Aguero, who took two quick touches before launching a stunning strike into the top right corner of the goal. It was as brilliant as it was sudden.
There’s been talk of Guardiola and/or Aguero considering a parting of ways after the striker failed to start in the Champions League group stage game against Barcelona and the EFL Cup derby vs. Manchester United. Names and dollar amounts for replacements surfaced. The manager has been open about Aguero needing to improve, and equally frank in claiming he can help him reach higher levels. If Pep is that demanding of his premier player, and the player responds, it’s a win-win for the club.
Impressive as his goals were, the assist to Gundogan sparkled the brightest. For here was Aguero showcasing an entirely other skill set: patience, a left foot and vision to rival that of any creative midfielder. After taking a pass from Fernandinho on the top right side of the penalty area, a cyclone of player movement on both sides swirled all around. Aguero had the patience and presence of mind to stop moving for a second and let the picture unfold before him. After dribbling to his left to create space, he encountered the Baggies’ James Morrison. Aguero bounced off the defender, then slipped a perfect pass between Jonny Evans and McAuley, who’d rushed out to bother Kun (and who the pass deflected off). Gundogan slotted home and the three points were secure.
The questions resume Tuesday, when City meet Barcelona in Manchester after losing the opening leg 4-0 at the Camp Nou, looking to save face and strengthen their odds of advancing to the knockout stage. Meanwhile in the league, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are all off to strong starts; unlike 2012 and 2014, when City beat one team to the title, there are multiple legitimate contenders this time around. The roster will undergo more overhaul under Guardiola. No one knows where it’s all headed for Manchester City. Saturday was a reminder of the little we do know: however City fare, Sergio Aguero will have a lot to do with it.
Arsenal look like title contenders
Peter Johnstone, @9PniJ2
Arsenal are finally back as a force to be reckoned with. They have been consistent in recent years, and have shown glimpses of greatness, but you never thought it was going to go anywhere. This year is different for Arsene Wenger and his uncharacteristically fit squad. An early kick-off away to relegation candidates Sunderland is the type of game that seems easy on paper, but in practice frequently busts people’s bets before the rest of the day’s kickoffs arrive.
Arsenal’s first-half performance was that of a team high in confidence — they took the lead from an Alexis Sanchez header of all things. They were dominant and perhaps should have been further ahead when the half-time whistle sounded. A refreshed and better organized Sunderland team appeared in the second half and Arsenal looked a little lackluster, which led to the Black Cat’s talisman, Jermain Defoe, putting away a penalty to level things up. A couple of seasons ago that might have been enough to rock Arsenal. Not anymore.
The big difference is that Wenger finally has a wealth of options instead of having his hand forced by injuries to key players. Aaron Ramsey is back and available to play, but the talented Nigerian youngster Alex Iwobi is keeping him on the bench. They have brought in another solid center-back in World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi, which keeps Gabriel on the bench. Their midfield is so stacked right now Jack Wilshere had to go out on loan to get game time. Unfortunately Wilshere is not available for recall, due to a clause in his Bournemouth contract, should Arsenal’s injury hoodoo return.
Perhaps most importantly, they have a team of players who are all clicking at the same time. Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud have always been goal threats so their input is not surprising. This year though, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott look like players possessed. Both have been inspiring so far this season. Walcott was out at the weekend but Oxlaide-Chamberlain looked brilliant once again. He appears to have much more confidence this season than in those gone by. While players like Ozil and Sanchez can always make a difference it is strong performances from players like Oxlaide-Chamberlain who can take Arsenal over the line. Big money signings will almost certainly make a difference in a game but it’s the smaller names who need to be more consistent in their game in order to give a team that extra edge.
Not long after Defoe equalized Arsenal brought on Giroud, who was returning from injury himself. His first two touches of the ball were goals which put the game to bed while demonstrating a maturity that Arsenal have been lacking in recent seasons. At 1-1 Arsenal fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst. That’s something they don’t need to worry about this season, though. Their side is full of belief and even when they go behind they don’t think the game is done. Their opening game of the season is a prime example of this.
Arsenal were 4-1 down to a rampant Liverpool side with 27 minutes remaining in the match yet they brought it back to 4-3 and almost snatched a draw. That loss could turn out to be one of their most important games this season. It showed a new resolve and belief. They have not lost a game since, and also have a fantastic opportunity to top their Champions League group for the first time in a few years.
As goal difference is pretty irrelevant at this point in the season it’s fair to say Arsenal sit joint top with Manchester City and Liverpool on 23 points. They have two tough games coming up against arch rivals Tottenham at home and then away to Manchester United. For the first time in a long time, six points is a realistic prospect from those two games. Consistency from the lesser players in Arsenal’s side coupled with a bit of luck on the injury front could see the Gunners lift the Premier League trophy come May.
Liverpool’s defense will undermine title charge
James Dudko, @JamesDudko
History often repeats itself, and unfortunately for Liverpool, this season is beginning to look a lot like 2013-14’s campaign. Meaning fans of the Reds can expect to see football played with more style points than the Fonz, enough actual points to stay in the Premier League title race until the bitter end and goals galore.
It’s just how things went in 2013-14. And just like that season, Liverpool will fall short for a very simple reason. The Reds cannot stop conceding goals.
Saturday’s 4-2 win at Crystal Palace showed off the best and worse of manager Jurgen Klopp’s bid to take the Anfield club back to glory. Don’t kid yourself Klopp can’t do it. His heavy metal press, pace and pass mix has made Liverpool the most exciting team in the Premier League.
But try as he might, the German just can’t seem to keep the goals flowing one way. Liverpool should have left Selhurst Park four or five-goal winners. Neither margin would have been undeserved given how effectively the Reds moved the ball, rotated fluidly and denied Palace enough space to even think about playing passes of their own.
Yet things stayed closer than they ever needed to be because Palace found two goals from as many chances in the first half. They came from James McArthur, hardly a notorious penalty box predator. But you don’t need to be a predator by nature against a Liverpool defense who can make even the most goal-shy prolific.
Sadly, there are problems everywhere at the back, and no quick fixes.
James Milner is a midfielder converted to left-back because nobody trusts Alberto Moreno to do half his job description. Nathaniel Clyne is terrific going forward, but vulnerable defensively. In other words, every inch a modern full-back.
Klopp’s pre-season squabbles with Mamadou Sakho robbed Liverpool of the squad’s best center-back. Now Dejan Lovren is left alone to be as clumsy as he can be. He’s quickly becoming the calamity king. Joel Matip has performed well for a free transfer, but he’s still not reminding anyone of Sami Hyypia, Alan Hansen or Ron Yeats in their prime.
As for goalkeeper Loris Karius, he’s no less accident-prone than the No. 1 he replaced, Simon Mignolet.
This unconvincing patchwork isn’t even afforded stellar protection because skipper Jordan Henderson is not a natural holding player.
Klopp’s Reds have conceded 13 times in 10 league games already and haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 11. No title-winner elect can afford to be so generous, no matter how many goals Liverpool score themselves.
It shows the dichotomy of this squad when the Reds have still scored the joint-most goals in the league along with leaders Manchester City.
Things went the same way when Brendan Rodgers nearly guided Liverpool to a title in 2014. Well, Luis Suarez did most of the guiding.
His goals and street-wise artistry inspired Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho to become the most prolific forward line in England’s top flight. Liverpool’s 13-14 vintage scored 101 goals but leaked 50, around the same number Klopp’s team is on pace to concede this season.
Suarez and Co. ironically found themselves undone at Palace after, you guessed it, crumbling defensively to blow a 3-0 lead and draw 3-3. The fatal stalemate came after a run of surrendering six goals in three matches at the business end of the campaign.
Scoring for fun, but conceding by the ton didn’t win Liverpool a title in 2014. It won’t bring major silverware to Klopp’s men either.
He’s got this club on an inevitable march to the title, but it won’t happen until the Reds’ weak links at the back become at least barely competent.