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The Gunners saw their hopes of a first league title in 19 years all-but extinguished on Wednesday, and focus now must switch to bridging the gap

Arsenal’s title bid may be over, but it must be remembered that the journey to take the club back towards the top of European football has only really just begun.

Mikel Arteta said last month that the club was only at ‘phase three' of his five-point plan to turn things round in north London, and Manchester City proved to the world on Wednesday night that he was right.

What Arsenal have done this season has been remarkable. No-one even mentioned them in the possible debate around the title when all the runners and riders were being discussed last summer.

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But had it not been for the Gunners, there wouldn’t have even been a title race this season. City would be sitting with their slippers on right now, focusing on nothing but the Champions League.

Getty ImagesA tale of what could have been

So Arsenal deserve a lot of praise for what they have achieved this season. And had things panned out differently, they could have got the job done.

Had Lee Mason done his job properly against Brentford, had Bukayo Saka put his penalty inside of the post rather than wide of it against West Ham, and had Leandro Trossard’s wicked shot against Southampton dipped just a couple of inches lower, the conversation on Thursday could have been very different.

Arsenal didn’t lose the title against Manchester City; Pep Guardiola’s side just cemented it.

Arsenal lost the title in those three games leading up to the match at the Etihad. Their safety net had vanished, their momentum had been killed. City, meanwhile, were just hitting top gear.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesPunished for imperfections

You need perfection to finish off Guardiola’s side. Arsenal have been great, but they haven’t been perfect. And therein lies the challenge to Arteta and the Gunners hierarchy.

If they ever needed a reminder of the heights they have to hit to be the best, they were given it in brutal fashion on Wednesday. City were exceptional and Arsenal couldn’t get near them. It was 4-1, but that scoreline didn’t even reflect the true gulf in class between the sides.

“It’s clear the better team won the game,” Arteta said afterwards. “They were probably at their best, especially in the first half and we weren’t at our level. The gap then becomes too big.

“In the first 30 minutes, in terms of the basics you have to do against an exceptional team in terms of competing, in terms of winning duels, in terms of understanding what the game required, we didn’t do it.

“We got punished and we could have been punished even more.”

Getty ImagesA relentless opponent

There’s no shame in losing to Manchester City. Most teams do. The big challenge is building a squad that at least gives you an opportunity to try and take advantage of any slip-ups they may have.

Arsenal have done that to a point this season. They got their noses in front and managed to stay there for almost the entirety of the campaign.

But City are relentless. They are so strong all over the pitch and they just always just keep going. They have got stronger just as Arsenal have run out of steam, and a third successive title now looks inevitable.

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GettySeason objective reached

For Arsenal though, there has been a lot to like about this season. It went under the radar a bit given the result at the Etihad, but they actually qualified for the Champions League on Wednesday thanks to Brighton’s loss at Nottingham Forest.

When the season started, that was the target – both internally and with the fans. That’s a target that’s been achieved with five games to go.

Arteta has always kept his cards close to his chest when it comes to the make up of his five-point plan. But it feels like after steadying the ship and remodelling the squad, phase three would have been returning to Europe’s top club competition.

And now comes the final two steps, kicking on again and truly competing with the best of the best.

That’s what City are, and Wednesday was a clear indicator of the work Arsenal now need to do.

The £50 million-rated PSV Eindhoven forward is wanted by a host of clubs, including Manchester United…

It’s fair to say that Cody Gakpo has lived up to his billing so far at the 2022 World Cup.

With three goals in three games – one with his head, one with his left-foot and one with his right – the Netherlands forward has been one of the stars of the group stage, and he will be looking to continue his scoring form as the take on the USA in the last 16 on Saturday.

Gakpo arrived into the tournament with a reputation as one of the up-and-coming stars of European football and the 23-year-old’s performances for PSV Eindhoven this season, where he has been directly involved in 29 goals in all competitions, have attracted the attention of a host of clubs across the continent.

That interest will only strengthen given his showings in Qatar, with rumours already circulating that a January move could be in the offing. 

But where might he end up? Who can afford him, who needs him the most and who is likeliest to make their move?

GOAL runs through the options…

GettyManchester United

We’ll start with the obvious, shall we? United are favourites, with the bookmakers at least, to land Gakpo, having been heavily linked with a move last summer.

Erik ten Hag is a fan, and the Red Devils are most definitely in need of a striker following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. They have the means, they have the need and they have a manager who knows the player well. It looks a good fit, even if they could have had him for far less than the rumoured £50 million ($61m) fee a few months back.

“For him, joining United, that would be a great move,” Jaap Stam, the former United and Netherlands defender told GOAL, in association with Football Betting.

“He has got the ability to make that next step, to go abroad and join a big team. Ten Hag knows him as well, of course, he knows what he can bring because he’s played against him several times with Ajax. 

“United are always looking for players that can be an influence in that side – especially young players that can develop and have a big impact. For him, it’s going to be good to make that next step.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBarcelona

How about joining the long list of Dutch stars to have tried their luck at Camp Nou, then?

The likes of Johan Cruyff, Patrick Kluivert, Ronald Koeman, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars and Philipp Cocu all represented Barca, and Gakpo would appear to have the skillset to thrive in La Liga. He can play across the forward line, has a good touch and awareness and can score and create goals.

The presence of current international teammates Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay should not be seen as too significant a factor – both are likely to depart in the coming months – and there is no obvious need for Barcelona to sign Gakpo, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele and, for now at least, Depay all competing for forward spots. 

And whether they'd even be able to register him, or indeed any new signing, at the moment must also be considered, given their financial issues.

Getty ImagesLiverpool

Another Premier League club linked with Gakpo is Liverpool, with some suggestions in Holland that talks have already been opened.

GOAL understands such claims are wide of the mark, and that while Gakpo is a player who will be monitored by the Reds’ scouting team, he is not somebody that is being actively targeted.

Liverpool’s priority, for now, is on midfielders, though they would almost certainly require a new forward if Roberto Firmino leaves on a free transfer at the end of the season. It would be a huge surprise if they were to move for Gakpo in January.

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GettyLeeds United

Had things turned out differently in the summer, Gakpo could already be playing in the Premier League at Elland Road.

Having seen a proposed move to Manchester United break down, he was given the option of joining Leeds late in the transfer window – “it was a stressful period,” he said – only to end up staying at PSV.

Leeds’ interest remains, as does their desperate need for a goalscorer, but whether Jesse Marsch’s side have missed the boat, with PSV’s asking price likely to have almost doubled since August, is another matter. The smart money says he's aiming higher.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has admitted to being jealous of the skill set possessed by a former star at arch-rivals Barcelona.

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Bellingham asked what skill he wished he hadAdmits he's jealous of former Barca starAnd reveals love for Denzel Washington!WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international has made a stunning impact in Spain since completing a €103 million (£89m/$109m) transfer from Borussia Dortmund during the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old prodigy is already a fan favourite at Santiago Bernabeu, with 10 goals recorded through as many appearances for the Blancos.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT THEY SAID

Bellingham appears to have every attribute required to be a global superstar, but he has told the FA’s ‘If I could…’ series on the England team’s of the quality that he would like to acquire from a fellow professional: “I would love to be naturally both-footed. I really like seeing players like Ousmane Dembele and other players who can take corners from both sides and things like that.”

Bellingham added on the one part of an international colleague’s game that he would like to add to his own game: “Kyle Walker’s speed. I think the game would be a lot easier and a lot more fun if you were that quick, being able to drive past people like that.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Away from football, Bellingham has also discussed who he would like to play him in a film of his life. The Birmingham native said: “Denzel Washington, if he was a bit younger, 100 per cent.” He went on to say when asked which person he would like to spend a day in the life of: “Someone like LeBron James. Someone who is the absolute best at something.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Bellingham is heading down that road himself, with the hottest of prospects – who still has further potential to be unlocked – currently leading the race to capture the prestigious Golden Boy award for 2023, which he will hope leads to Ballon d’Or recognition in the not too distant future.

No counties have better records in T20 since its inception in 2003 than Hampshire and Lancashire. But it was Lancashire who dominated this semi-final to set up a clash with Birmingham in the final.

David Hopps at Edgbaston23-Aug-2014
ScorecardAshwell Prince ensured Lancashire had a solid total to bowl at•Getty ImagesNo counties have better records in England’s domestic T20 competition since its inception in 2003 than Hampshire and Lancashire. If this rain-disrupted second semi-final felt like the support act, records insisted it deserved a higher status. It was Lancashire who dominated it, defeating Hampshire with immense comfort to set up a clash with Birmingham in the final.Capable with the bat, clinical with the ball, electric in the field. The attributes that have served Lancashire well all season were again to the fore. Lancashire’s total of 160 for 9, made in 19 overs before a rain stoppage, was recalculated to 143 in 16 overs and Hampshire collapsed in the face of it, only two batsmen reaching double figures.The top sides rarely rest. As Finals Day heralds the climax of another season, both Lancashire and Hampshire are already eyeing potential team strengthening ahead of next season. For once, Nottinghamshire, termed “somewhat parasitic” by Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, John Bracewell, when they secured the transfer of Will Gidman, are the county under pressure, having to resist overtures from Lancashire for Harry Gurney and Hampshire for Andre Adams – a surprise interest in a player who will be 40 next season.But much of Lancashire’s batting resourcefulness came from a player who has expressed his intention to retire at the end of the season. Ashwell Prince, still athletic at 37, marshalled them from the uncertainty of 3 for 2, finding the leg side spaces and running aggressively, making an unbeaten 73 from 52 balls. Add a relatively successful Championship season and he might yet be persuaded to change his mind.But it is Lancashire’s bowling and fielding where their true strength lies. James Anderson’s name had been sung by the Edgbaston crowd as he walked around the ground during the first semi-final, an accolade which drew him into a bashful smile, and he struck first as James Vince picked out cover in his first over.But it was the names rarely chanted: the Smiths, Parrys and Crofts, more-than-decent professionals all, who followed up Anderson’s success so efficiently. Michael Carberry hacked Croft’s offspin to mid-on; Owais Shah, a T20 traveller these days, made room to cut Parry and was bowled as he played above one; and Will Smith, whose three wickets had sustained Hampshire with the ball, was stumped off Croft, a fortunate dismissal for Buttler who dropped the ball onto the stumps.Edgbaston brings more gloom for Hants

Hampshire have appeared in three finals days at Edgbaston without success. “We even changed our hotel this time, but it made no difference,” bemoaned their captain, James Vince. “Finals day is a great day to play in but that is disappointing. We didn’t make them work too hard for that win.”
At least they have promotion from Division Two to keep them interested in the closing weeks of the season – as do the other beaten semifinalists, Surrey. “We have got a week off and time to regroup,” Vince agreed. “We are missing Jimmy Abbott, our overseas seamer, and he has been brilliant for us at the end. In hindsight, they probably got too many.”

Jimmy Adams was left to fashion lonesome resistance, so exposed that Prince must have thought himself blessed for good company by comparison. He fell on 53, from 39 balls, failing to hit Anderson over deep midwicket. It was good to see Anderson, so important to England, relishing the chance to represent his county on Finals Day. The more fringe spectators see the England players care, the more they will care themselves.For Lancashire to reach 160 in 19 overs was even more striking considering that Tom Smith, one of the mainstays of their batting line-up, and Buttler, England’s bright young thing, managed one run between them.A comeback by a national heroes also did not have a grand finale. Andrew Flintoff has gained much satisfaction in proving himself capable of a comeback in T20 but when Finals Day arrived he did not make the final XI, Kabir Ali preferred. Kabir has had a good season, but such are the sentences you never think you will write.In the decade or so that Will Smith has labored to forge a county career, he would rarely have imagined himself as a spin-bowling threat on T20 Finals Day. At Notts and Durham, he was a part of a Championship-winning team and captaincy became a predictable adjunct for a bright cricketer. When it all turned sour at Durham, he looked to Hampshire to redeem his career, but he would have seen his spin as an undercard at best.But Hampshire’s ability to maximize their spin-bowling threat has routinely been at the heart of their T20 challenge and Smith maintained the trend. By the time his spell was completed, his season’s tally was up to 20 wickets. Tom Smith was outdone by a first-ball floater; Keith Brown, whose uncultured strokemaking has sustained Lancashire all season, rallied with 41 from 28 balls before he slapped a wide ball from Smith onto his stumps. Then came the piece de resistance: Buttler. He fell lbw second ball, a single to his name, failing to reverse sweep a mid-pitch scuttle.At that stage, few would have credited that Lancashire would win so easily, although with only 45 minutes to prepare for the final, they had a hard task ahead of them.

Northern Districts handed Wellington their third defeat in three games with a 23-run win in Mount Maunganui

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jan-2015Northern Districts handed Wellington their third defeat in three games with a 23-run win in Mount Maunganui. The hosts posted 263 for 9 after being asked to bat and Wellington were dismissed for 240 in the 49th over of the chase. Captain Daniel Flynn (62) and Daryl Mitchell (61) made half-centuries for Northern Districts and their third-wicket stand of 105 laid the platform for the side. There was a collapse in the middle overs when the score slipped from 149 for 2 to 189 for 7, but Ish Sodhi (35) revived the innings and Jono Boult clubbed an unbeaten 23 off 16 to take the score past 250.Mitchell’s three strikes then reduced Wellington to 90 for 5 before Grant Elliott (78) and Alecz Day (57) put together a 80-run partnership. Elliott was caught-and-bowled by Sodhi in the 44th over and Dey fell in the 48th, before Scott Kuggeleijn ended the innings with two wickets in two balls.

Vernon Philander made a successful return to franchise cricket after more than four months out of action and is targeting more competitive action over the South African winter in the hope of an international recall

Firdose Moonda31-Mar-2016Vernon Philander made a successful return to franchise cricket after more than four months out of action and is targeting more competitive action over the South African winter in the hope of an international recall.Philander, who tore ankle ligaments during South Africa’s Test tour of India in November, played a club match earlier this month followed by an outing for Western Province in the three-day amateur competition below franchise level and will be available for the end of Cape Cobras’ domestic season before searching for a county offer.”The plan is for Vernon to play the two first-class matches at home and then maybe look to go over to the UK for a period of time to play there,” Arthur Turner, Philander’s agent told ESPNcricinfo. “He wants to make sure he gets game time.”On his comeback for Cobras against Dolphins, Philander seemed his old self: miserly and menacing under some morning cloud. He shared the new ball with Wayne Parnell, who overshadowed him with a seven-wicket haul, but Philander helped apply the pressure. He claimed the second wicket, that of Dolphins’ captain Imran Khan, and bowled 11 overs at an economy of 1.81, the lowest on the day to remind South Africa of the discipline they have lacked.At the recent World T20, South Africa’s bowlers leaked extras and conceded 36 runs in wides. His only T20Is came back in 2007 so a return in that format would appear unlikely, but he may be considered for South Africa’s next assignment, an ODI tri-series in the West Indies in June which also includes Australia.Philander has been part of South Africa’s one-day plans as recently as the 2015 World Cup and Turner said he is “hopeful of being picked again in the near future.” If Philander is overlooked for the trip to the West Indies he would almost certainly come into contention for the home August Tests against New Zealand and will want to have overs under the belt before then.With no IPL or CPL deal, Philander’s best chance of playing will be on the county circuit, where he most recently represented Nottinghamshire in the 2015 season but Turner said he will not rule out any other playing possibilities. “If something comes up somewhere, Vernon will definitely consider it because he wants to play now that he is fit. He worked very hard to get himself back to playing. He always knew that the injury would heal but it took longer than expected,” Turner said.When Philander was injured in November, it was estimated he would recover by mid-January in time to play in two of the Tests against England. But Philander did not play any cricket until two months after that and Turner said, “once the international season was over and he could see he wasn’t going to play, he gave it as much time as he could to make sure there will no problems in future.”South Africa were also without Dale Steyn for six of the eight Tests against India and England, and the combined loss of bowling experience was one of the reasons Russell Domingo cited as one of the reasons for their back to back series defeats. “We probably didn’t have the strike power that we wanted with a few injuries with guys like Dale and Vernon not playing. That was a big loss,” Domingo said.That does not mean Philander will be able to walk back into the Test XI. In his absence, 20-year-old quick Kagiso Rabada emerged and South Africa will now need to look at which quicks they want to use in which format.

Residents near Wrexham's stadium have revealed the problems they have suffered after the club's 'Hollywood' takeover.

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Wrexham undergoing meteoric riseResidents happy with rise in tourismBut frustrated by some problemsWHAT HAPPENED?

Film actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney surprisingly purchased Wrexham AFC, one of the oldest teams in the world in November 2022. Under the direction of the Hollywood pair, the Welsh team quickly won the National League title in their second season and are currently participating in League Two. The Red Dragons' recent success has captured the attention of the locals, who acknowledge that there are drawbacks to their new-found success. The locals explained to that due to a major increase in tourism, in what was a humble town, Wrexham has become flooded with fans of the club and actors.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Red Dragons currently sit second in the fourth tier of English football, League Two and are in the spots for a direct promotion spot. If they can continue their upward trajectory, they could make it back-to-back promotions as they look to make it to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

WHAT THE LOCALS SAID

"It's a bit of a nightmare on match days with the traffic and parking. You become a prisoner in your own home," local resident Richard Hughes told the tabloid. "But some fans park where they shouldn't and block your drives or take your parking spot. I've seen one fight over parking. There was a lot of shouting and pushing and shouting and a few punches thrown. It was crazy."

Lifelong fan Frank Harry added: "I love living close to the ground and the club is in a great position. It’s very exciting. There is a problem with the traffic, mind. I have seen people rowing over parking spots on match days with some fans parking right by people’s houses where they shouldn’t. But I love it here. I go home and away."

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FX/Disney+WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM AND ITS LOCALS?

Fans and residents can only expect the proceedings and matchdays to get much busier in the near future as the Red Dragons look to expand their stadium with plans for a new 5,500-seat Kop stand at the Stok Racecourse ground.

Chelsea youngster Cole Palmer has revealed what prompted him to perform his savage shrug celebration against Manchester City.

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Palmer revealed shrug celebration against Man CityWas not nervous before facing former clubEarned maiden national team call-upWHAT HAPPENED?

The Chelsea star revealed how he came up with the shrug celebration after scoring the last-gasp equaliser against Manchester City last weekend. The 21-year-old further suggested that he did not really think about his former club – where he spent a total of 15 years while making his way through the youth ranks – after netting the all-important goal.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It was Palmer's fourth top-flight goal for the Blues since joining them on the transfer deadline day, and incidentally, all of those have been from penalties.

Right after the City clash, the striker got his maiden senior national team call-up as Gareth Southgate included him in the Three Lions squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying game.

WHAT DID COLE PALMER SAY?

Speaking to reporters, the Chelsea forward said: "I spent 15 years at the club. I can’t really go and celebrate how I would usually celebrate if I have scored a 95th minute equaliser because it would have been disrespectful. So I just decided to do a shrug. I don’t know why."

He added: "When I saw the ref give it I thought: 'It’s my time'. I spoke to Raz [Raheem Sterling] and he said: ‘What’s happening?’ and I was like: 'I wanna take it'. He was like 'Fine' and when I put the ball down I just picked a spot and tried to put it there. I felt I was waiting for a while to take it. So I did think about my old club and stuff but after that not really. It was a crazy game. I did feel a bit nervous before and it felt a bit weird to see everyone from my own club. I had been there for 15 years. But when the game started it felt normal and it was a good game."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

The youngster could make his international debut on Friday when Southgate's men take on Malta. Palmer will also hope to feature in England's final Euro 2024 qualifying outing against North Macedonia on November 20.

The IPL governing council did not formally discuss the alternative to Champions League Twenty20

Amol Karhadkar08-Jul-2015The IPL governing council did not formally discuss the alternative to Champions League Twenty20. The tournament is likely to be scrapped next month and the BCCI is mulling an eight-team mini-IPL to fill the gap.”There was no discussion on CLT20 scrapping. That decision can only be taken at CLT20 governing council which also includes Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa,” IPL chairman Rajiv Shula said in New Delhi.But according to an IPL governing council member said they were informally told that the BCCI was considering an eight-team IPL that will be crunched into two weeks. The proposal will be formally tabled before the governing council only after the working committee, who will meet later this month or early in August, to decide on the Champions League T20’s future.While it was too early to discuss the likely venues for the eight-team league-cum-knockout tournament, the members were hinted that the United Arab Emirates could be an option. UAE had been proposed as a permanent venue for CLT20 after it had successfully hosted the first phase of matches in IPL 2014.Shukla also added that the issue of Chennai Super Kings’ low valuation was not discussed since the working committee in April had decided to seek legal advice on the issue. The BCCI has asked an independent valuer to suggest Super Kings’ market value. That report would be discussed in the next working committee meeting.The governing council also decided not to alter the present retention formula for IPL 2016. But ahead of the 2017 edition, maximum number of players allowed to be retained could be brought down to four from the existing five.

City finally won the trophy they craved, the Champions League, thanks to the coach's thirst for innovation and refusal to become complacent

"Champions of Europe, we know what we are". That was the chant Manchester City fans struck up the moment they had digested their Champions League final victory over Inter. It might not have been the most convincing performance from Pep Guardiola's side, but in Istanbul they realised what the Catalan coach had repeatedly referred to as a dream.

City have been dreaming of winning the Champions League ever since the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group, and even more so since Guardiola became the club's coach in 2016. It has taken 15 years and more than £2 billion in investment, but City are finally what they have long wanted to be and felt they should be: undisputably the best team in Europe.

Victory on Saturday not only got the Champions League monkey off City's back, it also saw them become only the second English team to complete a treble of Europe's biggest prize, the Premier League title and FA Cup. The treble was Manchester United's pride and joy, but now City have matched that achievement.

GOAL looks back on a truly epic season for City and explains how they won every trophy that mattered, routinely blowing their opponents out of the water in the process…

GettyThe Haaland factor

Erling Haaland has not only provided an astonishing 52 goals, he has added a new dimension to City. The only real doubt about Guardiola's side over the previous two seasons was their lack of a proper centre-forward. Indeed, in their 2021 Champions League final loss to Chelsea, they started without a striker.

Guardiola has won several titles without a traditional striker – both with Barcelona and City – but the lack of a monstrous presence in the box did allow teams to sit back against his side and stifle them if they blocked their passing lanes.

Haaland, then, has been a phenomenal focal point, and his unique traits led to City changing their style of play to accommodate him. They have done away with attacking full-backs and played more direct football, often hitting the Norwegian with long balls on the break.

They have also played their usual intricate passing football, and whereas in the past they would have no one to finish off a promising move from close range, now they have the best striker in the world to knock home passes or gobble up second balls, making use of his remarkable reflexes as well as his physical prowess.

City have also accommodated Haaland off the pitch. has reported that the club's chef's designed a special diet for the Norwegian, giving him 200 more grams of food than his team-mates and have even imported top-of-the-range salmon at the player's request.

Haaland has embraced that special status, and talked openly about the fact City brought him to the club to win the Champions League, a competition he has been fascinated with since he was seven years old.

AdvertisementGettyGetting rid of Cancelo and refreshing the squad

Guardiola has never been shy of removing disruptive presences from his teams, having got rid of Ronaldinho and Deco as soon as he joined Barcelona, as well as driving Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of the the club after one campaign.

This season, Joao Cancelo was the player he felt he had to remove. The Portuguese was one of City's best players over the previous two campaigns, but he did not take being left out of the team well. According to , the Portuguese was said to have "acted like a child" when he was dropped, and even wore headphones during a team talk while sitting on the floor.

Guardiola acted swiftly by sending him on loan to Bayern Munich immediately, even though it risked strengthening a Champions League rival. Indeed, City met Bayern in the quarter-finals, although Cancelo did not start in the first leg, which City won 3-0.

Although there is no suggestion they were disruptive influences, Guardiola also sold Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling in the summer as they wished to have more regular spots in the team. All three were quality players, but by refreshing the squadm he ensured everyone was on the same page.

Getty Demanding more unity

As well as ensuring he got rid of any bad apples, Guardiola has worked hard to ensure City felt like a team again. Teams who win multiple trophies can often lose their hunger, desire and their sense of togetherness. Guardiola felt that his side were losing their sense of unity and sought to address it.

After City's 4-2 comeback win against Tottenham in January, he could have praised his players' fighting spirit, but instead he went on a remarkable tirade, accusing them of being "a happy flowers team". Then he was sending them a very public message, but he also hammered home his point in private.

According to , Guardiola was disappointed that his players had not stuck up for Rico Lewis when he was fouled time and time again by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg against Tottenham. He even showed his players an image of the teenager lying on the pitch on his own.

The message eventually seeped through, and his players were no longer shy about taking on opponents off the ball, an example of which came when Phil Foden took on Ben White in the title showdown against Arsenal.

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GettyTactical innovations

Guardiola has made a habit of playing players in new positions throughout his career, and the greatest innovation of this season was deploying John Stones in a hybrid role: One part right-back, another part defensive midfielder.

He has also made natural centre-back Nathan Ake into a left-back, and a darned good one at that, while he has played Manuel Akanji all across the defence to plug various holes. He has played players he trusts in positions they are unfamiliar with, rather than stick with players he no longer trusts.

As well as getting rid of Cancelo, he has been ruthless with Aymeric Laporte, who has barely featured since the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in February. He has played no fewer than six different players at left-back.

"You cannot play the same way for six or seven seasons, for two reasons,” Guardiola explained last month. "First, you have different players. And second, the opponents don’t defend the same way against you, because they know you. They discover the secrets you have. They do a counter-system and you have to create another system, offensively and defensively.”