For the first time in four months, Arsenal found an unsurmountable opponent.
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This weekend, the Gunner’s lengthy undefeated streak came to an end, Liverpool confirmed its superiority over Manchester United, Real Madrid got another whistle shower before heading to Asia and more.
Finish out your soccer weekend with the latest edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. End of the road
22 games later, Arsenal face the reality of losing a soccer game.
Unai Emery’s team suffered its first setback since August 18, a riveting 3-2 loss to Ralph Hasenhutll’s new Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium to end the longest unbeaten streak across the European top leagues.
The loss should not be taken too harshly, even if it came against a relegation-threatened team and if the Gunners now sit three points behind fourth place.
The end of the streak is simply the foot footprint of the first step forward taken by a club that has progressed significantly under Emery. But now they face adversity for the first time in a while. How will the new Arsenal react?
2. Miles apart
Sunday’s rivarly game at Anfield not only served as a reminder of where the two teams stand on the table, but how far apart they are as soccer projects.
Liverpool confirmed their lead atop the Premier League table and their vast superiority over Manchester United with a commanding 3-1 victory in front of their home crowd in the marquee matchup of the weekend.
The gap in level between Jurgen Klopp’s team and Jose Mourinho’s couldn’t have been more glaring on Sunday.
On one side, Liverpool stood on the pitch with their aura of constant danger from their high pressing and fast transitions. On the other, the lifeless corpse of a once-glorious and proud team that relies on guts and resilience to eek out just one point at a time.
3. You’ve been warned
Real Madrid did nothing to convince anyone that they’re heading to the Middle East in peace.
Santiago Solari’s team was roundly whistled by its own fans on Saturday after another lackluster victory against Rayo Vallecano, 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The performance, which follows the terrible loss to CSKA Moscow midweek, only adds more pressure to a team clearly lacking confidence that face an almost lose-lose situation in the Club World Cup.
Kashima Antlers are the next opponent this Wednesday, the team that took 2016 Real Madrid to extra time in that year’s final. Imagine what they could do to the 2018 version.
4. Sweet redemption
Soccer giveth and soccer taketh away, but when soccer giveth back, redemption tasteth even sweeter.
Such was the case for one Arkadiusz Milik, he of the missed goal that put Alisson at the mountaintop of goalkeepers (according to some) and could have sent Napoli to the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Five days after his infamous gaffe, the Polish striker put on the hero outfit with his 91st-minute goal to give Napoli a hard-earned road victory against Cagliari that keeps them not-too-far from Juventus.
That’s how the sport works. Just when you think you’ve become a hated villain, the game gives you a chance to turn it around in your favor.
5. Goal of the weekend
Don’t look now, but Real Betis are finally hitting their stride in La Liga.
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The Seville side notched another victory that puts them all the way up to fifth in the standings, all that thanks to this rocket of a free kick from Cristian Tello that all-but sealed the 2-1 victory for Betis against Espanyol, their fourth straight in the Spanish league.