City Faces New Rivals: Guardiola vs. Arteta’s Arsenal and a Potential Union Punishment
Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, is aiming to win the Premier League title for the fifth consecutive time as the season kicks off today at Old Trafford (United vs. Fulham at 9 PM). While they are the best team and one of the top squads in Europe, their campaign could be disrupted by an ongoing issue: potential violations of financial fair play rules looming over the club.
A decision is expected in the coming months, and regardless of whether the verdict is guilty or innocent, the implications will be enormous for English football. If guilty, City could face a points deduction or even relegation. If acquitted, it would drastically alter financial regulations in the Premier League, reshaping salaries, transfers, and the club’s economic structure. Such a revolution would also impact European football, with echoes felt even in the Champions League, as a blend of Portuguese, Catalan, and Basque coaches leave their elegant Iberian mark from the sidelines.
It’s a busy time, especially as this is Guardiola’s last contracted year (having won six out of seven league titles, along with the Champions League). If City is cast into chaos, will Pep stay to lead them, or will he seek a change? His name is being mentioned as a potential candidate to replace Gareth Southgate as England’s manager, and the FA might even wait for him until spring.
The duels between Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp have been one of the Premier League’s highlights in recent seasons, but this year Klopp isn’t leading Liverpool. Instead, Dutchman Arne Slot takes over at Anfield, steering a big team that missed out on signing Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), but with Salah in top form after a turbulent 2023-24 season.
Seven Iberian coaches (one Catalan, four Basque, and two Portuguese) will bring their unique footballing style to the league. Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are expected to renew their City vs. Arsenal rivalry, which stretched to the final day last season. Unai Emery will lead Aston Villa in the Champions League, Andoni Iraola will strive to keep Bournemouth afloat with very limited resources, Julen Lopetegui will manage West Ham instead of David Moyes, and Marco Silva aims to stabilize Fulham in the middle of the table, while fellow Portuguese Nuno takes on the challenge of saving Nottingham Forest.
After Mauricio Pochettino’s failure at Stamford Bridge, Italian coach Maresca is tasked with guiding Chelsea’s progress following Abramovich’s forced sale of the club. Meanwhile, after winning the FA Cup, Manchester United has entrusted Erik ten Hag to revive the struggling Old Trafford team, though the sword of Damocles still hangs over his head with ownership and fan patience wearing thin.
Australian Ange Postecoglou, with his unconventional tactics, has brought the attacking style Tottenham fans missed last season, though they lack a true replacement for Harry Kane since his move to Bayern. Dominic Solanke will shoulder the impossible task this year. The rivalry with North London neighbors Arsenal won’t be easy.
Alongside the Iberian contingent, a German will also make his mark on the sidelines, with Hortzeller (31, younger than some of his players) leading Brighton, Austrian Glasner managing Crystal Palace, and Danish coach Thomas Frank helming Brentford. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe may be tempted by the England job, leaving his current role up in the air.
And finally, a romantic note: this will be Everton’s final season at Goodison Park.
