LAURA WOODS: NUNO SHOULD WIN MANAGER OF THE SEASON
MADRID WIN BEST EUROPEAN NIGHT AT THE EMIRATES
Arsenal’s win against Real Madrid on Tuesday night was historic, not least because of the quality of the goals!
I can’t say it’s Arsenal’s best night, though, because it’s effectively only half-time and there is a lot of work left to be done.
Thierry Henry’s goal in 2006 at the Bernabeu in the first-leg is bigger, in my opinion, but it’s the biggest European night at the Emirates for sure.
It just can’t be fully celebrated yet until the job is done – and we all know that, with Real Madrid and their pedigree in this competition, it’s never fully over.
They’ve built their history on comebacks like this.
NUNO DESERVES MANAGER OF SEASON
For me, Nuno Espirito Santo should win the manager of the season award.
I’ve long been very fond of Nuno since his days transforming Wolves and bringing them back up to the Premier League but what he’s done with Nottingham Forest has been incredible. I’m so pleased for him.
Tottenham could have damaged his reputation but he’s proving himself to be a top manager. Forest finished 17th last season and now they could finish top-four, having only made arguably one big signing in Nikola Milenkovic.
It looks like it’s been more about his coaching and how those players have stepped up under his guidance.
They’ve got a tight defence and they’ve edged out a number of games by a single goal, showing their mentality and his vision.
Arne Slot definitely gets a mention but, for me, Nuno is the story of the season.
CRITICISM OF LIVERPOOL HARSH
I do think it’s a little bit harsh to say this Liverpool side isn't a good one – but I understand the criticism.
It’s the lack of competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and the other top teams; it’s the seven draws and two losses; it’s Arsenal constantly missing out on chances to close the gap when Liverpool have dropped points.
It feels very uncontested to me.
However, the Invincibles weren’t exactly blowing every team away each week and neither were Leicester, so you do need to give Liverpool plenty of credit.
They’re still the best in class and they’re doing it with a manager who is brand new to the league and hasn’t needed a season to adjust.
He’s also implemented his own style and he’s won the Kop over without trying to be the next Jurgen Klopp. No rebuild needed. No transitional period.
They were very dominant at the beginning of the season and that has got them into this position, so that has to be respected.
I also think they’ve had a number of injuries and managed to cope with other players really stepping up.
Labelling them an average team is probably just to try and take some of the shine away from what will be a well-deserved title win.
DE BRUYNE A PREMIER LEAGUE GREAT
Kevin De Bruyne will go down as a Premier League great, no doubt.
As to whether he’s the best, it’s such a big question as there are so many greats: Alan Shearer, Henry, Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo just to name a few.
You’re always a little biased I think on the era you grew up in and the team you support, so I’ll always place Henry at the top. I’ve watched De Bruyne as an adult and, in an unbiased way, he has been pure magic.
He's one of my favourite players in this era. He’s been one of the best players in one of the best teams the Premier League has ever seen. Vision, creativity and the ability to change a game in minutes – he had it all.
He turned up for big occasions and he’s dragged City through games that have won them the title, for example against Wolves in 2022 when he scored four times in 69 minutes.
I absolutely love him, I’ll miss him dearly and I have him in my top 10 for sure.