"This was beyond weird. The only time you see this many changes is when there's a meaningless fixture or an early round Carabao Cup game, where you secretly don't mind if you go out. I don't think there's a coach in the world, other than Pep, who would try to pull something like this. Man City's next three games are Leeds United at home, Fulham away and Sunderland at home. It's not as if you need to rest for those."
"And then there was one. With five games played, Arsenal are the only team in the UEFA Champions League with an unblemished record. The Gunners' impressive 3-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday saw to that, but what of the other results this week? What can we read into Chelsea's confident 3-0 win over Barcelona? What does Liverpool's 4-1 capitulation at the hands of PSV Eindhoven -- at Anfield no less -- mean for under-fire Reds boss Arne Slot?"
Arsenal are the only unbeaten team in the UEFA Champions League after a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich, strengthening their contender status. Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0, while Liverpool suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield, increasing pressure on under-fire manager Arne Slot. Manchester City fielded a heavily changed, second-string side against Bayer Leverkusen, raising questions about squad selection and reducing top-eight chances. City's remaining group opponents include Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray, and domestic fixtures against Leeds, Fulham and Sunderland did not necessitate large-scale rest. Critics argue ten changes harm chemistry and send reserve players a demotion message.
Read at ESPN.com
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