The start of February means new beginnings across the wide world of soccer. New transfers and clubs alike look to turn their situations around with a midseason boost, hoping to turn around their fortunes from here until the end of the season in May.
Such was the case for the two teams that stole the transfer window, as Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund kickstarted their new realities with a bang. But for others, their realities remain the same no matter how much things change (right, Liverpool?)
Recap this, plus a look at the latest resurrection job in the Premier League, in the latest edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. A whole new world
The impromptu midseason reshuffling game at Arsenal is paying off early and often.
At least on Saturday, it paid off to the tune of five goals against Everton, and Arsene Wenger’s shiny-new transfers were all over the score sheet.
Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrik Mkhitaryan not only started, by starred in the first official match of the post-Sanchez era. Mkhitaryan, starting out on the wing flanking Mesut Ozil, had a spectacular night, providing three assists, and proving he is much better suited for Arsenal’s style of play as compared to Jose Mourinho’s in Manchester. Aubameyang, whose participation was in doubt due to illness, kicked off his Arsenal career with a goal reminiscent of his best day over in Dortmund. Just like Mkhitaryan, his showed the pace by which the Gunners’ offense creates danger, and instantly relived the pressure of delivering that first goal. Oh, and Aaron Ramsey stole the show with a hat trick, rounding out Arsenal’s near-perfect night.
Arsenal’s new offense was as advertised on Saturday. Can they keep it up, as the league begins to adapt?
2. Mixed bag of goods (and bads)
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Say what you will about Liverpool, their matches rarely fail to deliver in the entertainment department.
Anfield was witness to another highly-emotional and dramatic match, this time featuring the Reds and Tottenham in a 2-2 draw marred by some late-game refereeing controversy that ended up deciding the game. Whether Virgil van Dijk fouled Erik Lamela or not, the means by which the call was made is at the center of the controversy, and the justifiable rage by Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool contingent.
Unfortunately, this situation overshadowed another remarkable performance by Mohamed Salah, who notched his 20th and 21st goals of the season, the latter being an incredible display of skill and poise in what seemed to be the game winner for the home side. That 50 million fee is more and more like a bargain by the match.
It also covered up another second-half defensive debacle by Liverpool, which allowed Victor Wanyama to whip out a shot from long range for the 2-1, and inexplicably allowed Harry Kane in the box (yes, he was offsides), which led to a penalty that Loris Karius saved. Also throw in the fact that Spurs took away a valuable point from a tough that allows them to stay within shot of Champions League spots.
3. Batman returns
Aubame who?
It only took Michy Batshuayi two days to make an instant impact at Borussia Dortmund. Fresh off his plane from London, the Belgian loanee was thrust into the starting lineup for Friday’s Bundesliga match against Cologne, and did he ever deliver.
It was another dubious performance by Peter Stoger’s men, characteristic of the kind of season they are having in Dortmund. Friday represented the first step in the moving-on process following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and as it goes with any break up, it was necessary to find that one thing to help relieve the damage. Enter Batshuayi, scoring his first two goals, and assisting onone more, to start his Bundesliga stint in the best way possible, and giving Dortmund some much needed relief.
Ironically enough, Batshuayi’s multi-goal debut in Bundesliga is a feat last accomplished in 2013.
The last man to do it? Aubameyang, of course.
4. Swan whisperer
To say that the Swansea renaissance is remarkable would be a humongous understatement.
After Crystal Palace ros from the dead under the leadership of Roy Hodgson, the Swans became the team left for dead at the bottom of the table, seemingly with no hope of survival.
Enter Carlos Carvalhal.
The 52-year-old was brought in to replace the fired Paul Clement, who left the team in said dire situation, only days after leaving Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Because of it, the hire raised many eyebrows around the Premier League. Fast forward a month, and Carvalhal is still raising eyebrows, but for the revival job he is carrying out.
Since Carvalhal took over, Swansea has lost once in nine matches across all competition, beating Liverpool and Arsenal in the process. More importantly, the Swans have managed to climb out not just of last place, but the relegation zone entirely.
Some still justify it with the “new manager bounce” excuse, but this goes well beyond that. Swansea is playing with confidence and personality, seemingly convinced they can compete with anyone. That’s the Carvalhal effect, and it’s working wonders.
5. Suso-blaster
Plenty of eye-candy was produced this week, making the choice for best goal quite the challenge.
Of course, there was Mohamed Salah’s mesmerizing piece of skill in a clutch situation against Tottenham. Then, there is also Guingamp’s Yeni N’Gabakoto’s tremendous striker from far and wide following a beautiful long ball by Ludovic blas.
But the chicken dinner goes to AC Milan’s Suso, who combined both of the previously mentioned traits to form an amazing piece of soccer mastery, nailing a rocket from mid-range upper 90 past the veteran Albano Bizzarri.