Every week, ESPN’s Luis Miguel Echegaray offers his latest thoughts and permutations from the world of football. Now that you have the analysis, it’s time for the LME commentary. Welcome to the first edition of Tap-In!
it’s better for weapon lose to Man City in the FA Cup?
As Arsenal continue their almost indomitable journey towards Premier League title, with City of Manchester manageable if not completely comfortable five points behind (having played more than one game), attention now turns to the FA Cup fourth round. And you wouldn’t know it? The pair will face each other on Friday at Etihad (3 p.m. ET, broadcast live on ESPN+).
It’s one of three encounters between these two teams before the end of the season and it could tell us a lot about what could happen at the end of the 2022-23 campaign – not all, but enough to paint a picture.
Mikel Arteta vs Pep Guardiola. Students against the teacher. South against north. Cockneys against the Mancunians. Coldplay vs Oasis — okay, I’ve gone too far. The point is that this trilogy will play out like a classic Texas Hold ‘Em game, and both managers will aim to call each other bluffs.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
However, what if in this cup game the best hand to play again is a losing hand?
Listen to me.
There’s a strategy in American sport — sometimes even a constructive one, if done right — where accepting a losing season can essentially help you win in the long run. . If a team lacks star power, a fragmented roster, and a disgruntled fan base soon determine that there is no legitimate hope for a knockout, the franchise may reconsider the team. form and most importantly plan ahead for the all-important draft, where high school, college and international athletes qualify for selection. The more you lose, the more likely you are to pick a coveted star.
This is happening quickly and is clearly a huge risk, with seemingly endless variables determining the outcome. However, when it works, it can change the entire trajectory of a group.
In the NBA, for example, the 1991-92 Orlando Magic was terrifying, finishing last in the Atlantic Division with a 21-61 record. Their reward? Shaquille O’Neal. The giant phenomenon won Rookie of the Year that season and helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in just its third season before making its way to Los Angeles. For example, LeBron James changed Cleveland’s overall identity after being picked up by his hometown Cavaliers while still in high school.
In this year’s draft, there will be another prodigy named Victor Wembanyama, a French unicorn — a licorne, if you want. At 7 feet-3 (some say he’s taller) and possessing stance-like moves, we’ve really never seen anyone like him. Every main office in the NBA is gearing up for him, no matter what, and most notably, if your team is bad enough, your chances of reaching him increase dramatically.
So what does all this have to do with north London’s Arsenal and their Basque manager? Well, it goes back to my original point. Don’t prepare to win now, plan to win later.
Arteta’s revolution inside the Emirates is quite remarkable and yes, last weekend I said that if they win the Premier League, many aspects of the victory will be more impressive than the 2003-2004 Invincibles. Many people scolded me in the comments, but my point still stands, mainly because – unlike Arsene Wenger’s Invincible army, with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and stars another – Arteta’s youth team is essentially the Rugrats cast, entering a whole new generation. playground without much experience in this situation. With an average age of 24.6, the Gunners have no history of winning any tournament so they need to have the smoothest path possible in their pursuit of the title.
ESPN analyst Steve McManaman, who won a pair LaLiga title with Real Madrid, said that to ESPN FC host Kay Murray and I a few days ago: To maintain this excellent form, Arsenal must stay healthy, as simple as that. The best way to do that is to ease the fixture congestion, and that’s why they need it pass away This Friday and focus on the Premier League.
Arteta should put his weakest squad on the pitch and prepare for a packed schedule – and I haven’t even talked about their Europa League commitments yet. Arteta will never admit it and fans will argue that a team must always compete to win, but in a marathon-like season, these are the words of a fool, not a human. knowledge. Wenger often uses this strategy and prioritizes what is necessary before what is ideal. I’m not saying Arteta will lose on Friday. I’m saying he should weaken his team and be willing to give up the trophy for the bigger treasure ahead.
So Mikel, here’s what I suggest: Watch Pep’s hand, predict his quote, and like Matt Damon’s Mike McDermott did to John Malkovich’s “KGB” Teddy in the final scene of ” Rounders,” lured Guardiola into thinking he was winning, when really, he was actually going to lose.
Goals of the week
Serious question. Is Marcus Rashford the best player in Europe right now?
WHAT DOES MARCUS RASHFORD RUN 🔥
His 10th goal in 10 games since the World Cup!! pic.twitter.com/iIXRLGwyfe
– FC GAME (@ESPNFC) January 25, 2023
19th in the Premier League and without a coach, Everton are in dire straits and are on their way to relegation for the first time in its history. Frank Lampard is gone, Marcelo Bielsa is said to be not interested in replacing him, and Arnaut Danjuma – who is said to be on her way to Goodison Park – has now decided at 11:59 to move in Tottenham Hotspur instead of, replace.
Danjuma after the Everton players told him ‘we will fight together’ pic.twitter.com/jDgs0M0Ad4
– Adis ️ (@AdisUno7) January 24, 2023
Can anyone save this club? Well, the problem lies far, far deeper than the manager change, but at this point, the fans don’t care. They just need someone, anyone, who can keep them in the Premier League. People talk about Sean Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and even Ralph Hasenhüttl, new from Southampton Fire. Even Toffees legend Duncan Ferguson didn’t want the job: he has just been appointed as the new manager at League One’s Forest Green Rovers.
Duncan Ferguson gives Everton fans a moment they’ll never forget
(via @btsportfootball)pic.twitter.com/mh3VXYbLda
– FC GAME (@ESPNFC) December 21, 2019
Add Doa, late report on Tuesday announced that Farhad Moshiri is actively looking to sell the club for over $600 million, making its future even more precarious.”
Tweet of the week
Carlo Ancelotti: Most Honored Coach championship history. Legendary former midfielder. Real Madrid’s savior. People give gum.
Carlo Ancelotti actually gave him some gum 😂🍬
(via babaychou/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/W3iurwPukP
– FC GAME (@ESPNFC) January 23, 2023
