At the conclusion of yet another game-week, there will always be some irrepressible talking points. T40 handpicks 5 of the best.
#1 Arsene Wenger Pops The Chardonnay
On the occasion of his 20th anniversary at Arsenal Football club, Wenger might have been weary considering their dreadful record vs Chelsea at home since 2010, where they have failed to win against their London rivals, irrespective of the manager sharing the touchline. After the 3-0 drubbing, Monsieur Wenger had reason enough to open his bottom drawer in his office and pop the two-decade-old Chardonnay, which we’d assume he’d keep, since he’s a man of curated tastes, which pervades into his footballing philosophy which was in full pomp on the pitch.
Conte’s reactive football played right into the hands of a team, which for a better part of recent memory, have welcomed such teams with and shredded them into a ribbon, with polite glee and obligation.
#2 James Milner Is Not So Boring
‘Two goals from the best left-back in the league, Liverpool’s James Milner.’ Bet you didn’t expect to hear that in your footballing lifetime. Hames Milniero, or James Milner as he’s more popularly known, has been the Merseyside club’s stand-out performer once again. It was not too long ago that fans in social media were up in arms, bellowing ‘incompetence’ and ‘short-term-ism’ as their battle cries, writing lucid 140-800 word compositions as to how and why it’d come to bite their club’s hierarchy in their plump posterior.
Jürgen’s resoluteness on the matter seems to have been paid off for the time being, and maybe next time, fans will afford the faith the German miracle-worker asks for.
#3 Wayne Rooney Is A Passé
Gone are the days where Wayne Rooney was the [almost literal] bull in the china shop for Manchester United. The entire United team took their captain’s benching like Asterix and Obelix take to a swing of a magic potion – rejuvenated, full of life, and exponentially stronger and quicker as a team. The difference of movement around the box was palpable, with the wide load of Rooney not slowing down the proceedings.
Juan Mata, from the wilderness of the bench, might have put in a performance that’ll address Rooney’s inadequacy and restrict the England captain to the bench.
#4 Aguero or Maradona?
11 goals in 6 matches, despite missing out on 3 appearances, Sergio Aguero, it’d be not unusual if his former father-in-law, Diego Maradona, slipped something in the chicken during the festival of Semana de Jujuy, in August. Whether it’s that or just Red Bull, the Argentine is soaring high, with all the oppositions’ attempts of sniping him down, mustering nothing but misfire.
Two goals again this weekend, vs a stubborn Swansea City side that gave Chelsea a run for their money, if Sergio manages to deliver on yet another title or two, his legacy may be not too different from Maradona’s at Napoli.
#5 Bilic Out Of His Depth
It has all gone belly-up for Bilic. Despite the overlay on the London stadium in trying to keep pace of the esteemed names of English football, their performances on the pitch is making him and his charges look like poseurs. A 0-3 defeat to Southampton has sent warning bells ringing, and Bilic, who is well-acquainted to the standards expected at West Ham, may have to go for an upheaval of tactics and personnel.
