Let's talk about Arsenal. Everyone's saying they're bottling the title race after losing at home to Manchester United last weekend. The doubters are having a field day, claiming Mikel Arteta and his squad just don't have what it takes.
But here's the thing - Arsenal are still four points clear at the top. They're still the favorites. Manchester City have won just one of their last five league games, and Aston Villa are overperforming their stats. So maybe pump the brakes on the collapse narrative?
Sure, last season's trauma is real. Arsenal were eight points up after 29 games in 2022-23 and fell apart. The nervousness at the Emirates on Sunday was almost painful to watch. Past wounds haven't healed yet.
Here's what bettors should know: Of the 20 teams to hold a four-point lead at this stage, only four failed to win the title. No team has ever blown a seven-point advantage after 22 games, which Arsenal had before the United loss. The odds still heavily favor the Gunners.
Arsenal's upcoming fixtures look friendly too - Leeds, Sunderland, and Brentford before the North London derby. That should settle some nerves. Writing them off now feels premature, even if the bottle job narrative makes for juicy headlines.
What's Carrick Done to Transform United?
Michael Carrick has only managed two games as Manchester United's interim boss. But what games they were - beating both Manchester City and Arsenal back-to-back. Old Trafford suddenly feels different.
Sunday's win at Arsenal showed exactly what Carrick has unlocked. Under Ruben Amorim, United looked confused and limited going forward. Now there's clarity. The handbrake's off and the players look like they're enjoying football again.
Tactically, it's smart stuff. Carrick keeps his fullbacks wide and pushes wingers inside, creating overloads. United's passing is sharper and quicker. You could see it in Patrick Dorgu's goal and how space opened up for Matheus Cunha's late winner.
The real test comes next though. Carrick set up perfectly to counter-attack against City and Arsenal. But what about Fulham, West Ham, and Crystal Palace? United will need to break down low blocks - something they struggled with under Amorim. So far, Carrick's found answers his predecessor couldn't.
Can Rodman's Deal Stop the NWSL Exodus?
Trinity Rodman just signed a three-year, $6 million deal with Washington Spirit. That makes her one of the highest-paid women's players in the world. The new "High Impact Player Rule" made it possible - basically the "Rodman Rule."
But will it stop NWSL stars from leaving for Europe? That's the real question. Only one of the five most expensive women's transfers ever involved a NWSL team buying. Two of them were NWSL players leaving for Chelsea - Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson.
Spirit owner Michele Kang saw "unattached" next to Rodman's name on the US national team roster in January. "That's when it hit me," she said. "This can't happen." And it didn't. Rodman stayed and scored in both US wins over Paraguay and Chile.
The NWSL can breathe easier now. But the fight to keep other stars from European clubs with big money? That's just getting started.
