Damien Kayat looks at some of the biggest talking points from the weekend as CR7 sealed his United return and Messi made his first PSG appearance.
Fergue to the Rescue
Manchester United’s dramatic acquisition of 36-year-old footballing icon Cristiano Ronaldo is the stuff of fan-fiction. CR7 seemed destined for a controversial move to fierce city rivals Manchester City.
But a cryptic tweet from Rio Ferdinand seemed to suggest that something was rotten in Denmark. Ronaldo was swayed by the voices of former United players and the emotional connection he shares with Sir Alex Ferguson: he has always seen Sir Alex as a surrogate father figure.
What will this mean for United? Well, Ole is certainly going to be under the pump now. This acquisition of Ronaldo is a romantic coup that brings great expectations. Fans are not going to care for the narrative that City and Chelsea are further along in their development.
They have Ronaldo. They have to be in the title mix at a minimum. But what will it mean for this weekend’s goalscorer Mason Greenwood? Is he going to be destabilized with Ronaldo likely to play through the middle?
It will be interesting to see how Ole juggles what is undoubtedly the best United squad in the post-Ferguson era.
Welcome 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, @Cristiano 🔴#MUFC | #Ronaldo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2021
Arsenal Humiliation
There’s a strong urge to feel sorry for Mikel Arteta. This must be resisted. Many of Arsenal’s problems are self-inflicted and can be traced back to Arteta’s pseudo-intellectual tyranny.
There’s almost a masochistic dimension to his folly. Why did Nuno Tavares not start yesterday? Where was Sambi Lokonga? Granit Xhaka’s ridiculous tackle was emblematic of how far Arsenal have plummeted.
Why did Xhaka get a four-year contract extension when Arteta seems to be organizing his squad around the principle of youth? He has now lost 16 of his last 41 Premier League matches. I don’t care what your ‘process’ entails: that’s unacceptable.
Surely there is a place for William Saliba in this defensive line-up! Arsenal are diminishing as a club in front of our eyes, accepting a level of mediocrity that’s stunning.
Say what you will about Arsene Wenger: his sides had an identity. Sure, the Invincibles did devolve into a far more style-over-substance brand over the years. But you could at least count on them to have some ludicrously intricate contenders for goal of the season.
They had that sense of hipster coolness: you couldn’t deny it. But Arteta seems to be intent on diluting any semblance of that freewheeling style. In reality, his contract should have been terminated in the wake of that Europa League debacle against Villareal.
How could you possibly justify subbing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when you desperately need a goal in a European semi-final? It’s almost as if he’s goading the owners into pulling the trigger. Arsenal have spent 129 million pounds this window but are arguably a weaker side.
To rub salt into the wound, North-London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs sit atop the log. Nuno has already stamped his identity on Spurs despite the protracted Harry Kane melodrama. Arteta has to go.
Beaten in Manchester.#MCIARS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 28, 2021
Mourinho Flying
I think that everyone recognizes that arch pragmatist Jose Mourinho is ideally suited to Serie A football. The former Inter manager just perfectly fits the mould of a successful Serie A tactician.
But I don’t think anyone could envisage how devastating Roma would look. Seriously, they tore Fiorentina apart with a performance reminiscent of Pep in his pomp.
Tammy Abraham has emerged as a key component in Roma’s attack (which is just an added source of frustration for Arsenal fans).
There has been an exodus of big players in Italy this window: Ronaldo and Lukaku are two notable departures. But what they lack in player power is more than offset by the wonderful array of managerial talent.
The likes of Mourinho, Sarri and Allegri will make this a fascinating season in Italian football.
Mourinho ball too brazy 😳 pic.twitter.com/NCtuPIYnKV
— ggg (@Gideomatic_) August 29, 2021
Life after Messi
LaLiga is undergoing something of an identity crisis in the wake of Messi’s shock departure. This feeling of destabilization has been evident in some shaky performances by the elite Spanish clubs.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were unconvincing in their 1-0 victory at Real Betis. Ancelotti, however, has successfully managed to reintegrate both Gareth Bale and Isco into the first team.
But I still think he needs a Kylian Mbappe-type signing to truly galvanize the club. Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona were typically unconvincing in their 2-1 victory over Getafe.
Memphis Depay scored the winner in another nervy showing from the Catalan giants. Messi’s absence has left a void that will be impossible to fill. Atletico needed a last gasp own-goal to salvage a point against a dogged Villareal. Diego Simeone’s side look like they are going to hold onto midfield dynamo Saul Niguez.
That sort of continuity could prove crucial if they harbour any desire of retaining the La Liga crown.
🇳🇬 Nigerian born Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma announced his arrival in #LaLiga in fine style.
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 30, 2021
He came off the bench and scored for Villarreal with a brilliantly taken goal in their entertaining draw against Atletico. pic.twitter.com/vh5uDAoK7e
Mbappe outshines Messi
Leo Messi’s PSG debut was overshadowed somewhat by the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. The flying Frenchman bagged a brace as PSG eased past Reims 2-0.
He showed consummate professionalism amidst the swirling rumours linking him with a possible dream move to Real Madrid. I actually think that move is almost a necessity.
LaLiga has lost some of its lustre with both Messi and Ronaldo plying their trade elsewhere. Mbappe could reenergize Spanish football and possibly ignite a new era of Galatico domination.
Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that Mbappe’s dreams of Madrid are overshadowed by the fandom of playing alongside Neymar and Messi. I just can’t see that happening.
It’s not a dream, it’s a real!😭
— YES TV (@YESTVs) August 29, 2021
Watch Messi plays for PSG, not Barcelona🐐🥺
pic.twitter.com/9c04TsJQL8
Player of the Week: Robert Lewandowski
I have to signal out the lethal Robert Lewandowski for some special praise. Lewandowski scored yet another hat-trick as Bayern Munich demolished Hertha 5-0.
The Pole is often starved of praise relative to the genius of Messi and Ronaldo. But he has just broken yet another longstanding Bayern Munich record, scoring in his 16th consecutive game and surpassing Gerd Muller’s 1970 sequence of 15.
It’s actually quite poignant considering Gerd Muller passed away just last week at the age of 75. The goal-scoring phenomenon has now surpassed the 300-goal mark for the Bavarian giants.
There is a sense of inevitability about Bayern Munich’s ascension in the table and it will be intriguing to see how long the likes of RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen can hang on to their coattails.
Lewandowski hat trick 🎩🎩🎩
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2021
Light weekend for him 😎 pic.twitter.com/2HsJE2luIW
