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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Saturday, November 23, 2024

Premier League this past weekend

I'm Yuan Jun, but Michael works too. That's the name printed on my Manchester United jersey, along with the number 12, as an ode to the mistake Louis van Gaal made. I'm from Singapore and I'm a huge sports fan. So if you ever need someone to talk tactics to, or to pick your fantasy team, hit me up! This week I'm going to share about the things we learnt about the Premier League.

1. Arsenal is nowhere close to the title. Every year, I always think Arsenal needs a new defender because the ones they have are simply not going to help them challenge for the title, let alone win it. Petr Čech will be a great signing for them in goal, but Arsenal’s central defenders don’t look commanding enough. The great title-winning teams of the past all had strong pairings -- Vidić-Ferdinand, Terry-Carvalho, Kompany-Lescott and Arsenal’s own Adams-Keown/Bould, and Campbell-Toure. Until Arsenal sorts that out, the title won’t be headed towards the Emirates Stadium any time soon.

2. David de Gea is essential to Manchester United. This weekend showed why Manchester United played hard ball with Real Madrid over their goalkeeper. David de Gea provides reassurance at the back, marshaling the otherwise questionable defense in front of him, and pulling out saves right from the top drawer.

3. How much longer can Diego Costa get away with things? It is pure footballing travesty how Diego Costa has not gotten sent off in the last three years. The Football Association (FA)  has simply not done enough to protect players against Diego Costa the bully. Shoving opponents, getting players sent off deliberately is never welcome in this game. At some point, the FA must step in and slap Diego Costa with a heavy ban.

4. Son-Heung min and Bojan are critical to their teams The £22-million acquisition of the South Korean star Son Heung-min adds pace and welcomed unpredictability to the Spurs attack. With Harry Kane as the big man up front, Son should be able to thrive in the spaces behind the Spurs' No. 18. In the same way, Bojan's return added guile and fluidity to Stoke's new pass-and-move attack. They just have to sort out their defensive resilience now.

5. Two up front is the way to go for Liverpool. Perhaps Brendan Rodgers has found that to play 4-3-3, you need to have pacey players, which Liverpool generally lack. The newly-employed 3-5-2 system works for Liverpool with their industrious midfielders and two strikers who suit the roles perfectly. In going with three at the back, it masks some of the defensive deficiencies that Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren would otherwise have shown. Expect Liverpool to improve this season if they stick with this, especially if Emre Can, so integral to the transition play from the back, stays fit.

6. Money isn't always the solution. A couple of Newcastle friends I know vented their frustrations over the lack of bite their team showed against Watford, and they’re not wrong. Newcastle largely looked uninspired despite spending close to £50 million, yet they still lack leadership in the midfield and proven goal scorers. In stark contrast, Leicester City and Swansea have added smartly for little or no money -- Inler and Fuchs for the former, and Andre Ayew the latter. They now have players that add a different dimension and quality to their team.