Pep reveals his hidden Gun
Ilkay Gundogan was practically perfect in Manchester City’s rout of West Brom but what’s interesting is how Pep Guardiola utilised him.
At Borussia Dortmund he was largely used in a double pivot in the base of their midfield but that was a role he developed at the German giants because before he made the move there he was a No. 10 at Nurnberg.
Without Kevin De Bruyne in the starting XI, he was installed at 10 again and was a class act.
Ibrahimovic running on empty
There are 26 outfield players who have played every minute of every game so far this season – Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only attacker on that list.
It’s perplexing that Man United boss Jose Mourinho is persisting with a 35-year-old striker who has only managed two goals in his past 12 appearances.
The Portuguese needs to take him out of the firing line very soon because he’s looking both short on confidence and on energy, especially against Burnley where his finishing was tentative to say the least.
Coming on strong as an Ox
This season appears to be the year for Arsenal’s much vaunted talents to finally come good.
Theo Walcott is enjoying one of his best campaigns to date and so, too, is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. His delicious assist for Alexis Sanchez’s opener was the hallmark of a stellar display against Sunderland to follow up on his brace against Reading in the midweek League Cup tie.
For a player who has previously struggled with self doubt, he’s playing with a lot of confidence right now and it’s paying dividends.
Sunderland look like they’ve given up
Sunderland manager David Moyes is a reflection of his team right now. His body language in the defeat to Arsenal was one of acceptance.
It’s as if both he and his players already know their fate is sealed and that relegation beckons come May – although at this rate with no win on the board it come even sooner than that.
The Black Cats are not just being outplayed at the moment, they’re being outfought, too, and that lack of inner fight is ultimately what will send them down.
Milner has to be Liverpool’s left-back
For the first 30 minutes Alberto Moreno was having one of his best displays in a Liverpool shirt having started his first league game since August.
His assist for Emre Can’s opener was excellent and he was bombing forward with purpose.
Then came a reminder of why James Milner has displaced him. He allowed Wilfried Zaha too much to cross for James McArthur’s second and it once again underlined his weakness: he can’t defend.