Liverpool had an excellent weekend, and the Premier League saw some surprising results. While one round of games can be full of anomalies, the fact that three of the top four teams could lose on Saturday morning was not only invigorating—perhaps this isn't a league entirely dictated by financial power—but also possibly indicative of a broader trend. This trend seems to be characterized by a somewhat patchy, scratchy, and less fluid football quality than we're accustomed to, which isn't necessarily positive.
Moisés Caicedo's equalizer aside, Chelsea's draw at Manchester United in Sunday's match was a notably limited affair. This autumn has seen many teams, despite their star-studded rosters, struggle to perform at their best. Aston Villa's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham, though spectacular, was perhaps the least surprising of the top-side losses. Despite their brilliance under Unai Emery, Villa has faced expectations of a reset due to the intense demands of the Champions League, especially for a squad unaccustomed to balancing European and Premier League commitments.
After conceding late to draw at home to Bournemouth last week and then losing to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, it wasn't a shock that Villa dropped points at Tottenham. What was unexpected was how Spurs dismantled them in the second half. It might have been a case of Villa opening up as they chased the game and being picked off by an inconsistent Spurs side on a good day, but fatigue could also be a factor.
Arsenal's struggles are well-documented, and their defeat at Newcastle wasn't a surprise. The loss of Martin Ødegaard has disrupted their midfield balance and seems to have affected their morale. Dropping 12 points this season puts their title challenge in serious doubt; they can only afford to drop 12 more points in their remaining 28 games. However, this season might not require 90 points to win the league, partly due to the potential points deduction hanging over Manchester City.
City's 32-game unbeaten Premier League run ended at Bournemouth, a statistic that should give pause. Bournemouth deserves recognition; they've taken seven points from their last three games against Arsenal, Villa, and City. Pep Guardiola acknowledged, 'We couldn't match the intensity.' City has been uneasy this season, conceding the first goal five times and struggling against Fulham, Brentford, Wolves, and Southampton. Guardiola criticized the season's length, comparing it to the NBA but noting the lack of breaks for footballers.
Top players are overburdened, with City missing Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, and Arsenal dealing with their own injury list. The obvious solution is to reduce the number of games. Clubs have driven the expansion of the Champions League and lengthy pre-season tours, yet they complain about the consequences. The league could see fascinating developments; City had a wobble last November and recovered, so no firm conclusions should be drawn, but this could be a season where the elite face real challenges.
The cost of player injuries, pushed beyond their limits, is appalling. Yet, if that can be set aside, a dip in quality might be worth it for improved narrative drama, an unfortunate paradox created by modern football's economic model.
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