NICK FEINBERG: PEP’S POWER IS WANING AT CITY

HELLO my good football people, I trust all is well with y’all… My weekend was shattered by Manchester United’s comprehensive Premier League victory against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.  

Not because I don’t like United, it’s just the horrible unravelling of a “free” league title for Arsenal. It’s basically being handed to them on a plate.

Pep Guardiola peaked, but the decline this season has been remarkable. In City’s last four games, they’ve had three draws and a loss! Three points out of a possible 12.

Had it not been for another average Arsenal performance at Nottingham Forest, the gap might well have looked insurmountable.

As it stands, with 16 games to go and the Gooners’ inconsistent performances (not results), seven points are still very catchable, but who is going take the challenge? I mean forget frikkin Aston Villa, punching above their weight on the same points as City after losing at home to Everton. For f***’s sake.

There was so much talk last week about how Arsenal are going to be under real pressure, and how City don’t mess around when they need to bolster the team, with two big signings in Antoine Semenyo for around £60 million (R1.3 billion), followed by Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for just £20m (on huge wages) soon after.

But the question has to be asked… is Guardiola still hungry enough to expend enough energy in pushing his side to the limits to capture another league title? And do they have enough time now to turn it around?

Of course as someone who can’t bare the thought of those f*****g entitled moany Arsenal w*****s winning the title, I’m trying to keep a positive outlook and say “it’s still wide open” but the truth is, without the Guardiola machine in full flow, I’m full of doubt.

I must say though, one thing that is keeping me onside was reading Declan Rice’s lips as he walked off the pitch on Saturday, (search on X): “So s**t, every f*****g time”. He was obviously incredibly frustrated with the lack of clinical finishing.

He is a high-ranking leader at Arsenal and the hope (for a sad old b*****d like myself) is that irritation and confidence issues start permeating through the squad.

But yeah, in reality, you’d be a fool to bet against Mikel Arteta winning the title this season… The bookies have Arsenal at 1/5, with City 5/1!

Meanwhile, across London, at Stamford Bridge and the pathetic social-media led “protest” went ahead on Saturday. I can’t stand these muppets, what are they actually trying to achieve? It’s a rudderless, idiotic, embarrassing collective of “supporters” holding banners up against the owners.

As you all know I don’t like the new regime, nor do I understand their business model or plan, but standing outside the ground letting off blue smoke and singing songs about (among other things) Tottenham, without a manifesto, agenda or understanding of the financial workings of the club is more than just annoying. I don’t know why these muppets trigger me so much, so much so that I expose my immature side typing angry posts on X.

The previous week they were all boasting about the “1 000s of leaflets” distributed, and how Saturday would be “massive”.

In reality about 80 turned up (on match day with 40 000 in the vicinity). 39 920 walked past giving them dirty looks. When will the self-proclaimed spokespeople on social media realise that real fans don’t agree with them or like them? They can p**s off to Arsenal if they aren’t happy.

Yes, there are issues upstairs at Stamford Bridge, but why not get behind the new coach and players in the hope that great support will encourage great performances? It’s simple right? But no, these post-2003 Roman Abramovich-Chelsea fans are spoilt little brats.

Anyway, great result for the Blues even though I’d say Brentford were by far the better team on the day!

Arsenal v United should be interesting this Sunday! Is it possible that a “released from Amorim” squad of players can turn the corner immediately with the change of coaching staff? Judging on the performance against City that is a question.

Let’s hope and pray ol’ Michael Carrick can do us all a favour! Sorry, I’m an idiot.

Chat next week, come on United! Bye bye.