At @secondcaptains.bsky.social with Ian Wright

Also, PSG have such an obscene advantage over the rest of French football due to state ownership that it seems a bit absurd to include it in any consideration of an award like the Ballon D'Or www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZy...

Why the Ballon D'Or was wrong... and how some of this comes down to the tension about what it is recognising New video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZy...

"Succession" stories at Arsenal and Tottenham as Lewis and Levy leave, and why such headlines are now big news, and what they mean - the latest @liberopodcast.bsky.social with me, @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social and @tariqpanja.bsky.social podfollow.com/libero/episo...

We've gone from the Messi-Ronaldo era to a modern equivalent of Albert/Simonsen This isn't to be disrespectful to them or Dembele But it's a thin Ballon D'Or based on two goals... ... when Yamal is clearly the best player in the world www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Here's what to expect from the latest edition of @migueldelaney.bsky.social's Inside Football, which lands in inboxes later today

Arsenal are now at a point where every discussion around them goes to extremes, and every decision seems a referendum on the manager New video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7OT...

As a complement to my newsletter (www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...), I'll also be doing a new videocast, explaining the headlines/a weekend column Today: - Arteta was surprised by City's approach - Amorim digging in - West Ham's cultural issue Subscribe etc www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7OT...

Thinking about it more, it's actually historically significant in terms of football evolution that a figure as influential as Guardiola - who basically shaped modern football - so went against his own principles in this game bsky.app/profile/migu...

It’s also arguably the most Guardiola thing to do to go against his own principles, when those principles have already changed the football world. If everyone is doing what he does, he does something else bsky.app/profile/migu...

Must say, while I’d have questions about Arteta’s XI, I find it a bit odd that he’s the one being questioned for “caution” in this match when Guardiola went more defensive than anyone could ever imagine from him I don’t think that was the issue bsky.app/profile/migu...

A strange game of ironies Arteta overthinks against one of the game’s overthinkers in Guardiola, who goes very reductive and defensive… and then gets caught by a high line right at the end www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arteta says "I leave it to you" if it was a safety-first team, "there were a lot of attacking players on"

Arteta says he's "very disappointed" with the result, but very proud of players.

Strange game of football.

Eze was also able to stroll forward for a brilliant assist like Socrates in a 1980s World Cup match.

Quite an irony that after a game of sitting back City are caught the moment there's space behind.

Donnarumma has met almost every Arsenal set-piece.

Struggling to think of many games where a Guardiola side has been as withdrawn, ensuring space is congested around their area. (Not necessarily a criticism)

Eze and Saka on.

One piece of logic that has been suggested to me is teams are conscious that City have tired after an hour this season as they adapt to a new approach. That could be time for Arsenal's subs... but the risk is of course the game is already set.

Big test of Arteta's "finishers" planning here.

Haaland: lethal. You basically knew it was a goal as soon as he was surging through.

Arsenal-City teams

It's arguably a red regardless of the goalscoring opportunity. If it wasn't a goalkeeper, it just looks a high challenge.

Lewis's exit at Arsenal is seen as a shock. Biggest overhaul at club since the one he oversaw in 2020. Huge for PL politics given he'd been staunch on financial regulations and state ownership Garlick a measured and respected figure, though www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Rodri, Zubimendi and why so few players excel at one of the most important positions in football www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

On @liberopodcast.bsky.social, me, @brewin.bsky.social and @rorysmith.bsky.social discuss the Ballon d'Or and its meaning in modern football, what it says, how it's affected clubs and players - what should it be? pod.fo/e/32d745

In my newsletter this Friday: - PL inferiority complexes and a big weekend - Odegaard/Saka fresh - Palace bracing for Glasner bids - clubs make common CL complaint - Ballon D'Or lobbying sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Gary O'Neil high on West Ham's list, should they dispense with Graham Potter www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

The Champions League league phase is underway and Matchday 1 concludes tonight. But does is the new format conducive to more exciting games? @jonawils.bsky.social explains:

Ceferin writes letter to all European countries asking they come to Uefa first before approving games abroad Uefa don’t want another situation where a Tebas approves then seeks Uefa agreement Norway’s Klaveness and Wales’ McAllister key to debate t.co/mSzrU2Y4Qu

You might say inspired subs, but Arteta wouldn't. He has taken from rugby and whatsapp groups with leaders from different sports, and describes them as "finishers" It might be an key way to manage a huge squad, and showed a crucial difference to Athletic www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

You might say inspired subs, but Arteta wouldn't. He has taken from rugby and whatsapp groups with leaders from different sports, and describes them as "finishers" It might be an key way to manage a huge squad, and showed a crucial difference to Athletic www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arteta on Martinelli: "Fully deserves it, I adore Gabi, what he’s willing to do for the team."

Brilliant goal Martinelli, what a take.

For the first time ever, the Champions League will have six clubs from one country, illustrating Premier League power… but only to a certain point We know why. But what next? www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

For the first time ever, all three big Spanish clubs have an English player. Usually, this would be a sign of strength all-round Instead, they reflect different difficulties, in some cases crises www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal: the most Basque club in Europe outside the region Arteta is visibly thrilled to be back in the area, as expectation grows www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal: the most Basque club in Europe outside the region Arteta is visibly thrilled to be back in the area, as expectation grows www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

For the first time ever, all three big Spanish clubs have an English player. Usually, this would be a sign of strength all-round Instead, they reflect different difficulties, in some cases crises www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arteta says Gabriel Jesus****, Odegaard and White missing from this game. ** sorry, I was typing as he spoke!

The San Mames, and a curtain of rain

For the first time ever, the Champions League will have six clubs from one country, illustrating Premier League power… but only to a certain point We know why. But what next? www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

My Monday newsletter is out at 5pm. Today: - the summer message on Amorim - United’s back-to-front or maybe back-to-middle approach - the Conte lesson - formation isn’t philosophy - the Iraola question Sign up here: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Nico Williams out of the Arsenal game.

Good episode of @liberopodcast.bsky.social relevant to both Ruben Amorim and Russell Martin pod.fo/e/3208fc

I think the idea of Amorim is good, and made a certain sense, but the ongoing reality is someone insisting on a tactical experiment as teams walk through them.

Lovely goal. Thing about United, the contrast between how laboured they are in building anything then how easy they are to open.

On at 9am - cinnamon roll likely to be consumed