It’s time to lay it on the line. The appointment of Michael Oliver, who is connected to the UAE, as the referee of Manchester City’s most important match of the current campaign, was done merely days after an individual resembling Keir Starmer (unproven as yet) was present in an Arsenal box. This coinciding with complex manoeuvrings of the UK government on UAE trade policies raises some eyebrows. This situation seems as convoluted as a mirror image of another mirror held in Nyon by potential Satanists.
Simultaneously, there’s an expectation of shock when VAR doesn’t report any issues with Erling Haaland’s controversial ball toss at Gabriel’s head (worth noting: Brazil has just prohibited the use of X), in parallel with the UK government’s hidden intentions of a Norway-style outcome to sneak back into the EU. The formula is there for all to see.
It was reasonably predictable to some of us when Jared Gillet, an Australian was selected to officiate the north London football face-off with Spurs, managed by a fellow Australian. Especially since it coincided with their government sealing an economic alliance with Abu Dhabi just this past weekend. Then there’s the curious fact – wasn’t Adolf Hitler also an Australian? Yet, we’re expected to..
Let’s stop right here. If you desire to dive deep into madness, it’s all around. It’s shockingly inviting given its communal feel, opportunity to forge new online relationships and lends a narrative and structure to life, which otherwise is inexplicable.
In football news, Rodri’s injury has caused a considerable setback for Manchester City’s season outlook. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories around Manchester City versus Arsenal clash over the weekend have not deterred fans’ excitement. There is a shift in FAI’s focus with more coaching time being allotted to the most promising young footballers while Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of Man City reiterates Arteta’s need to embrace his ‘inner Mourinho’.
It’s undoubtedly challenging to grapple with conflicting beliefs and to gloss over certain inconvenient truths. Take, for instance, if we consider Oliver as an agent for Sky Blue, and if we agree that throwing the ball away on a yellow card is foolish, then the only indisputably poor key decision during the match between Manchester City and Arsenal was Oliver summoning Kyle Walker only to observe him while Arsenal scored a brilliantly quick goal in that very zone Oliver left unattended. It’s almost comical in its stark clumsiness, akin to police ordering a halt to your car and then serving you with a parking fine.
Upon taking a broader view, two genuine dilemmas become apparent about this, the grand conspiracy beyond the actual game that has become a ubiquitous part of the Premier League. Firstly, the feeling of being duped often has its roots in reality, albeit unattractive ones. Pursuing this line of thought usually provides people an escape route from their genuine, correctable ignorance and irrationality.
In the context of Sunday’s match, glaring errors on the part of both the PGMOL and the Premier League have paved the way for such controversies. Firstly, it’s inconceivable that English referees could land paid jobs from a state owning one of the clubs they frequently officiate.
This is not an insinuation that referees are bent (they’re not). However, perception matters, and this is astonishingly negligent. An argument could be made that Howard Webb and any other referee involved at that level should resign immediately for allowing this to transpire.
Then, of course, the Premier League essentially asked for this kind of disintegration to happen when it permitted governments to possess its member clubs. But that’s, without question, setting aside its complexity, a more drawn-out narrative. Ultimately, a sound principle in football governance is to always assume incompetence first. Can you honestly believe these individuals are capable of orchestrating an international conspiracy without botching it up?
The fundamental matter at stake here, an aspect that has been overshadowed by a surge of fury, is the fact that this was, by all accounts, a compelling match of football. This was particularly the case for Arsenal, a team that demonstrated exceptional steadfastness and adroitness in managing to come back from a one-goal deficit within the first 10 minutes of the game. This achievement was even more extraordinary given the fact that they were facing the planet’s premier team and had suffered a setback in the form of a player lost in the initial half of the game. Manchester City managing to clutch a draw from the jaws of defeat was also quite remarkable (a testament to their champion spirit), as were the sincere celebrations that followed. The grumblings about “dark arts” in the wake of a tie with a 10-man team are complimentary in nature, especially in the eyes of those who understand the game.
Just as captivating is the ensuing discussion regarding Arsenal’s proficiency in defence. Some misunderstandings have arisen in this area, with capable defending being misjudged as controversial or favouring an excessively conservative strategy, varying to the point of being considered a grave prideful blunder. This is particularly prominent given that Arsenal appears to celebrate defensive strategies more than any other club, foreshadowing a future where defenders might not celebrate some of their successful tackles and interceptions out of deference for their previous clubs and, as an upshot, would be dubbed “classy”.
However, assuming that defending doesn’t form the cornerstone of superior football or considering a robust defensive team to imply a noteworthy balance of power strikes as odd. Consumption of football through highlights or from remote locations could be a reason for this perception. In reality, defence is one of the most thrilling components of the sport that commands undivided attention from spectators in the stadiums and those watching the full match on their screens.
Arsenal’s defence on that Sunday afternoon was a spectacle to behold, with a harmonious functioning of various elements — the defenders were mindful of which of City’s players had to be given room and which ones to close down on — till the point of City deciphering this strategy and getting Jack Grealish into the optimal position. The defensive play not only fortifies the rest of the match but it also enhances attacking moves, making them sturdier. This was evident in the manner in which Erling Haaland’s goal, and Savinho’s assist in its making, were made all the more commendable as they took place against Arsenal’s defence. Overemphasis on and lamentation over the “dark arts” if unchecked, could ultimately rob the game of its significance.
Pep Guardiola is well-aware of the importance of control and possession in football, utilising the latter primarily as a defensive strategy. The work of his mentee at Etihad is something he highly values. The absence of Arsenal’s key player, Martin Odegaard, was felt as they visited Manchester. Odegaard is the crucial cog in their offensive wheel, sparking the fluidity in their game.
Dependency on a single player isn’t necessarily a weakness. Rather, it reflects the reality of sports where addressing vulnerabilities forms an integral part. It’s usual for clubs to have budget restrictions, thereby making the management aspect more challenging, an interesting facet of the financial norms.
Interestingly, Arsenal seems superior to City in defence currently. They arrived in Manchester boasting 11 clean sheets from their recent 14 Premier League matches. Logically, Arteta had every reason to play to this strength. Other aspects also proved impressive, like Gabriel Martinelli’s strategic positioning to distract Kyle Walker, Jurrien Timber’s exceptional performance, and Kai Havertz’s diligent work.
Irrespective of the season’s early stage, Arsenal has highlighted some unresolved problems within City’s team. Walker seemed disoriented throughout the match, leading to two goals by Arsenal and making it seven matches since City last kept a clean sheet at home. Their attack needs work, and Jeremy Doku seems detached from the overall team play. Only three players, Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mateo Kovacic, have scored for City, and we’re already nearing October.
Guardiola is skilled at tackling issues as they arise, and he’s likely to remold City into a new team come January. However, there will still be adjustments needed to compensate for the loss of Rodri for the remaining season. This was a crucial factor in Sunday’s match. Known to falter without their central star, City’s winning streak came to a halt with Rodri’s exit.
Interestingly, as they work out how to cope with Rodri’s absence, they face a stream of upcoming matches that are not the most challenging on the surface. It still appears likely that City’s bid for the title will hinge on a nine-match league stretch from January 25th, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United, largely on away grounds. However, Sunday demonstrated that Arsenal possesses the motivation to pursue them to the finish line again.
The broader storyline isn’t purely abstract. The Premier League is indeed held captive by interests, advocacy, folly, and incompetency. The day-to-day element, the referee’s element, the in-the-thick-of-it stuff, perhaps less so. For the moment, we can at least find joy in an irate, defensive, fault-finding afternoon of equality.