• Watch Chelsea vs. Arsenal live on Sportsnet on Saturday at 7:00 am ET.
Ahead of every weekend this season I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League and the soccer world at large. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
Mourinho brings scrutiny on himself
I think Jose Mourinho has a point when he says he is treated differently by referees, not to mention the FA, compared to other Premier League managers. Clearly, Jose is kept on a short leash, and at times it appears the authorities are waiting to take action against him. He has no one to blame but himself, though. Mourinho has built his reputation over many years, as he has never been shy about calling out an official, and is well known for his sideline theatrics.
Jurgen Klopp should not have screamed at the fourth official as he did against Chelsea midweek, but so far the German has conducted himself with aplomb since taking over at Liverpool, and he doesn’t verbally attack people on a weekly basis. Therefore, he gets the benefit of the doubt—for now, but he too needs to be careful. There is little doubt, however, that as Mourinho suggests, if he had confronted the fourth official as Klopp did, then disciplinary action would have been taken. But again, Jose brings it on himself.
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Arsenal and groundhog day
Arsene Wenger was extremely lucky to escape with only a four-match ban for shoving fourth official Anthony Taylor during the Burnley match last week. I genuinely believe if it had been Mourinho, we’d have been talking about a 10-game ban. Not that I’m blowing this out of proportion—it was a very gentle shove—but the second you put your hands on an official you should face the full brunt of the law book.
Wenger, despite his frequent bouts of arrogance, is still very likeable, and he is hugely respected within the game and by the media. Sadly for Wenger, the evidence continues to mount that it is time for a change at Arsenal. The midweek loss to Watford was, as one of my Gooner friends called it, “so frigging Arsenal.” It was a match that the team simply had to win, especially given the failure of its rivals—aside from Man City—to pick up maximum points.
It is still amazing to consider that Arsenal was in first place entering Matchday 23 last season. A loss on the day to Chelsea, coupled with a Leicester win set the Gunners’ hopes spiralling. Arsenal faces Chelsea on Saturday, and a failure to address the team’s needs last summer and during last month’s transfer window appears to have cost the team its shot at the title. Groundhog day, anyone?
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Aguero on his way out at Man City?
Manchester City was brilliant in a 4-0 win at West Ham on Wednesday. Of note, Claudio Bravo was dropped to the bench in favour of back-up Willy Caballero. Bravo, the man brought in to replace the solid and proven Joe Hart, last made a save on Jan. 2—his one and only save in 2017. Bravo has conceded a goal on the last six shots he has faced. It doesn’t matter if he has the feet of Ronaldinho, if you wear gloves those numbers are simply unacceptable, and it will be fascinating to see if and when he gets back in goal.
Gabriel Jesus also earned the start against West Ham in place of Sergio Aguero, who may or may not be on his way out of the club. That might sound sacrilegious to City fans, but Aguero has been frustrating this season, and if Jesus is in fact the club’s savior, the Argentine would still fetch a steep price this summer.
Of course, one start and one goal is too early to anoint Jesus the new man up front, but with the next three games against Swansea, Bournemouth and Huddersfield in the FA Cup, a run of games and a run of form might make for an interesting selection headache for Pep Guardiola, especially when he picks his side to face Monaco in the Champions League. For the record, following that match, City will face Manchester United, Sunderland, Liverpool, Arsenal and then Chelsea. Buckle up!
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring James Sharman, Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop and John Molinaro) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.
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