Manchester City are notoriously slow starters, deadly on the home stretch. But 12 points from 12, this season has started perfectly. How foreboding for the rest of the league... A historic treble is impossible to surpass, but for Pep Guardiola, the expectations remain. Ilkay Gundogan. Riyad Mahrez. The German legend who captained City that illustrious night in Istanbul and the Algerian maestro so clutch in the biggest of moments. The loss of such vital components of City’s recent successes cannot be understated, but as we’ve come to expect, the transition has been seamless.
Mateo Kovacic has gracefully adopted a midfield role and looks as if he has been playing under Pep for a decade. Jeremy Doku, one of Europe’s brightest talents, brings electric pace, dynamism and trickery from either wing. Josko Gvardiol, the outstanding young centre back in world football, looks to be every bit the player Aymeric Laporte once was, and Matheus Nunes adds much needed depth in midfield areas. Manchester City’s competence in the transfer market, and the identification of talent to flawlessly replace outgoing superstars is remarkable. The sales of talented academy stars, Cole Palmer significantly, but James Trafford, Shea Charles and Carlos Borges is equally admirable.
Manchester City should be reeling from the injury of their Belgian talisman Kevin de Bruyne, yet Phil Foden looks born to be a number ten, and Julian Alvarez is dovetailing exquisitely alongside Erling Haaland. A Friday night under the lights at Turf Moor to begin the season, with the legendary Vincent Kompany on the touchline, was quietly formidable. Yet the Norwegian goal machine was back and firing. With his first touch of the new season, Erling Haaland slotted Manchester City's first home. While Burnley impressed at points, their press restricting City’s build up initially, while venturing forward at times. But Alvarez set up Haaland, who found the top corner sensationally, and City were up and running. Rodri, undoubtedly the outstanding defensive midfielder in the world deserved heaps of praise for his performance, epitomized by him scrambling home City’s third.
The last time Manchester City walked onto the Etihad pitch, they became Champions of England, again. Ninety days later, and with the triumvirate of trophies in full display, Newcastle posed a great early season test. Phil Foden. Manchester City’s starlet. Perhaps the most technically gifted and talented player of this England generation, was wondrous. The 23-year-old seemed to adopt de Bruyne’s mantle and showcased exuberant creativity. In that number 10 pocket, Foden set up Alvarez, who thumped it past Nick Pope. A clash marked by great chances, and Haaland nearly capitalized from an inch perfect Foden pass countless times. Newcastle too had chances, but Man City’s performance was mature, excellent and perhaps deserving of a greater scoreline.
Against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, City didn’t have it all their way. Erling Haaland missed a penalty, Fodderingham denied him twice, but almost with a sense of relief, the Norwegian headed home at the far post. Jayden Bogle capitalized on a moment of Kyle Walker carelessness and City had a late scare. But Rodri, as he so often does in the biggest of moments, rocketed home a left foot volley, and secured City the three points. This weekend, versus Fulham, it was far easier. Julian Alvarez finished a Haaland cutback, before Tim Ream bundled home an equalizer. In the second half however, Manchester City looked free flowing, but clinically dispatched a few big chances rather than creating a barrage of them. Nathan Ake controversially scored a header, before Erling Haaland grabbed yet another hattrick, claiming the match ball. There should be no doubt as to City’s title credentials this season, for with Pep Guardiola’s tactical ingenuity and the sublime quality present in the City squad, another wildly successful season seems likely for the blue side of Manchester.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has transformed the feeling around Arsenal in the past year, and the Emirates once again roars in adulation for the Gunners. Another exuberant summer of spending sees England’s potential future captain Declan Rice leave West Ham for over 100 million pounds, while Kai Havertz makes the switch across London from Chelsea. And Jurrien Timber and David Raya are impressive cover in defence, as Arsenal hunt down a Premier League title. They gave Manchester City a run for their money last season, but with Pep’s team already impressing, there remains no scope for error this time round. With no major outgoings barring Granit Xhaka, with only Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe and Kieran Tierney departing, there is much hope that Arsenal can put forward a more resolute title charge in 2024.
First up, Nottingham Forest at home. Eddie Nketiah has been such an able deputy for the injured Gabriel Jesus, and cooly fired home after a piece of Brazilian magic from Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal’s wonderkid Bukayo Saka then cut inside, releasing a trademark left-footed rocket past Matt Turner. But Nottingham Forest did not submit, and Anthony Elanga made a darting run, setting up Taiwo Awoniyi to score. And suddenly the Emirates counted the seconds. Against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Nketiah impressed again, glancing the post, before athletically winning a penalty from Sam Johnstone. Skipper Martin Odegaard rolled home a classy penalty and Arsenal narrowly won.
With a clash against Manchester United on the horizon, Mikel Arteta would have wanted maximum points from the opening three fixtures, but Fulham had other ideas. A misplaced Saka pass was punished by Andreas Pereira, and the dangerous trend of teams scoring in the first minute against Arsenal continued. However, Bukayo Saka equalised from the spot, before Eddie Nketiah finished Fabio Vieira’s cross. A terrific cameo from the young Portuguese midfielder, but a late Joao Palhinha goal from a corner was highly disappointing for the Gunners.
Against Manchester United, we were treated to an enthralling encounter. First, Marcus Rashford pounced on a Christian Eriksen through ball to give United the lead, but Martin Odegaard dispatched a Martinelli cutback shortly afterwards to equalize. But when Alejandro Garnacho slotted the ball past Aaron Ramsdale, it seemed another smash and grab victory for Erik Ten Hag’s side, but centimetres turned the game in Arsenal’s favour. Declan Rice blasted his first goal for Arsenal past Andre Onana, before Gabriel Jesus sat down Diogo Dalot and put the icing on top of the cake for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal were free-flowing, defensively resolute and offensively excellent last season, as Arteta perfected his system. Thereby, last year’s successes make Arteta’s tactical changes this month all the more confusing, with Thomas Partey inverting into midfield from right-back, and the stellar partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba separated. Nevertheless, three wins and a draw is a solid start, and a platform to build on after the international break.
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