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EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WRAP: Haaland masterclass, Arsenal wobble and more!

Haaland dazzles, Arsenal wobbles and another insane week in Italy – Damien Kayat looks back at an action-packed weekend of European football.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City Celebrates

Haaland dazzles, Arsenal wobbles and another insane week in Italy – Damien Kayat looks back at an action-packed weekend of European football.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Saints hold Gunners

Arsenal dropped their first points since that incongruous defeat against Man United, surrendering a lead to share the spoils with Southampton. And I know VAR has come under the spotlight of late. It’s very easy for a side to mask an uninspired performance behind refereeing complaints.

But how on earth did they not receive a penalty for that foul on Jesus? Also, Saka was given a yellow card for diving for what appeared to be a clear foul.

Robert Jones gave the Arsenal fandom plenty of ammunition for weeks to come. But they also had themselves to blame for a slew of missed opportunities.

Look, it’s not the end of the world. They came into this match after eight straight wins and they still sit top of the league. But it is slightly distressing that they dwindled in the late stages of both this match and last week’s trip to Leeds.

This is their biggest issue. They can’t rotate with the gleeful abandon of City. Their best eleven has to basically play every game and that lack of depth could cost them in the end

Sidenote: Did anyone watch Ben White’s post-match interview? You would have thought Arsenal had just been relegated. It’s was one of the most disproportionate post-match responses I have seen in some time. Hilarious.

Stalemate at the Bridge

If matches were judged by points- like in boxing- United would have won Saturday’s duel by unanimous decision.

As it stands, United stood on the precipice of a barely believable defeat after Scott McTominay’s needless penalty-box tug (someone should show Robert Jones this footage).

But Casemiro capped a stellar defensive performance with a towering last-gasp header to claim all three points. United seem to have acquired their own ‘mentality monster’ in Casemiro, a galvanizing figure who plugs a hole that hasn’t been properly filled since Michael Carrick.

I know there were certain psychotic CR7 stans who used the 0-0 score-line to justify their own agenda (all the game needed was a pure finisher, etc, blah blah). But would United have created all those chances with CR7 hovering like a sentinel in the final 3rd. I think not.

Erik Ten Hag is changing the culture of a club that has prioritized petty player power over a unified managerial vision for far too long.

Another insane week in Italy

Honestly, you can’t take your eyes off this year’s Scudetto race.

Napoli kept their stranglehold on top spot with a composed away win at AS Roma. 1-0 was not an accurate refection of their dominance. It was the masked warrior Victor Osimhen who was once again the difference, striking a sensational half-volley to underline his status as one of the hottest properties in European football. AC Milan kept up the pace with an excellent 4-1 home in against Monza.

They were afforded the chance to rest some of their top dogs ahead of a crunch Champions League match against Rangers. Braham Diaz was the undoubted man of the match and Pioli will be hoping that the injury he sustained isn’t too serious. Also, ex Liverpool super-sub Divock Origi announced himself to the Milan faithful with a wonder strike.

But I would be remiss if I never mentioned the incredible seven-goal thriller between Fiorentina and Inter Milan. Inter actually led in the 90th minute only for Luka Jovic to equalize for the Florence side.

But Inzaghi’s side soldiered on, picking up a sensational last-gasp winner courtesy of journeyman-pro Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Giants hold sway in Spain

All three of Spain’s elite clubs got the job done this week. Real Madrid picked up a routine 3-1 home victory against Sevilla. Ancelotti’s side are really starting to purr.

Militao looks like the best defender in Europe and their midfield is absolutely sensational.

Valverde is slowly morphing into a beast and Vinicius Jr is ripping players apart every week.

City rivals Atletico made harder work of it, holding off a late Real Betis charge to climb into 3rd place in La Liga.

Prodigal son Antoine Griezmann scored another brace to further accelerate his rehabilitation with the Atletico ultras. But it was certainly Xavi’s Barcelona who shone brightest this week, absolutely blowing away Athletic Club with a stunning first-half performance at the Nou Camp. Lewandowski scored his 12th La Liga goal, tightening his grip on the Pichichi race.

But it was Ousmane Dembelle who stole the show, scoring a goal and providing three assists in a blistering return to action. This bodes well as they face a must-win assignment at the Allianz Arena this week.

German giants hold Sway

Bayern Munich were ruthlessly efficient at Hoffenheim, picking up all three points and pulling themselves within a point of surprise leaders Union Berlin (who went down to relegation-threatened Bochum this week).

Bayern are starting to move with the inevitability of Bundesliga champions. They didn’t even really need to get out of top gear this week, swatting aside Hoffenheim with casual indifference.

Nagelsman will be pleased that Choupo-Moting is finding some form with Sane injured and Mane performing somewhat erratically. But it was once again Jamal Musiala who shone brightest for an ominous Bayern side. But it was Borussia Dortmund who really impressed this weekend.

I thought they might struggle against Stuttgart with that Champions League tie against City looming large. Jude Bellingham gave a stunning reminder of why he’s going to be on every European manager’s Santa wish-list this year (even if the old man can only deliver him in the summer).

He bossed the midfield while 19-year-old wunderkind Gio Reyna caused all sorts of problems for the Stuttgart defenders.

Player of the Week- Lionel Messi

I know that newly promoted AC Ajaccio are hardly a match for the oil-drenched billionaires of PSG.

Still, Messi was just unplayable for large parts of this match. The two assists and one goal don’t tell the entire story.

He orchestrated proceedings, dropping deep to conduct the symphony like former teammate Xavi. Recently crowned Ligue A Player of the Month, Messi must be relishing this apparent new lease on life.

He is seemingly adding a new chapter to his storied career while eternal rival CR7 seems hellbent on tainting his own legacy.

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