Frank G. Barnes, Author at The Trivela Effect

Eberechi Eze is clearly missing for Arsenal what he had at Crystal Palace

24Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Eberechi Eze is clearly missing for Arsenal what he had at Crystal Palace

Ebreechi Eze had 14, 15, and 16 goal contributions in his three Premier League seasons for Crystal Palace. In his first season at Arsenal despite being on a better team, the England international had only 9. And this season in 6 appearances, Eze had 0. Although he had some bright touches and lively moments, Eze could not add to his tally against a stingy Everton defense, even as the Gunners won, courtesy of goals from their defenders in Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes. But everyone knows that Arsenal want to see more from their attackers. That left wing spot is wide open for the taking, but Eze, despite being a monstrous transfer last year, has yet to grasp a key role in the team. He certainly isn't going to be the 10 over leading man Martin Odegaard, and Eze showed against Evert...

Declan Rice is a better playmaker than actual playmakers

24Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Declan Rice is a better playmaker than actual playmakers

Arsenal shut down shop against Everton, proving that their defense is miles ahead of the Toffees defense and that the opposition attack would not be able to touch them at all. And once again, one of the standouts on the pitch for the Gunners was world class defensive midfielder Declan Rice, who was a Ballon d'Or candidate last season as Arsenal waltzed through their first Premier League title in decades. Rice was in full command of the game, and you never got the sense, aside from one nervy Ben White moment, that Everton ever had a way into this game, and no matter which midfielders are on the pitch, the game revolves around the England international. He had four key passes with three accurate crosses and a pass completion percentage of around 95, bossing the game with Martin Odeg...

Gabriel Magalhaes is making a case for what should have happened last season

24Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Gabriel Magalhaes is making a case for what should have happened last season

Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 on Saturday in the Premier League, and it was veteran center back Gabriel Magalhaes who sealed the deal, heading on what was almost an open net to ensure the Gunners would pick up a vital win, taking full advantage of Manchester City losing to Aston Villa just hours earlier. Beyond the goal, Gabriel had a sensational game and was the best player on the pitch for Arsenal, leading by example. He saved a goal with a tackle, blocked a shot, and had two tackles, two interceptions, and seven clearances as the standout defensive performer. Last season, Gabriel won the Premier League but also watched as Bruno Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the Season. The Manchester United playmaker won't be able to aimlessly stat pad himself to another honor, thoug...

Aston Villa exposed a huge Enzo Fernandez problem to Manchester City

24Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Aston Villa exposed a huge Enzo Fernandez problem to Manchester City

Manchester City suffered their first defeat of the 2026/27 Premier League season, losing valuable ground over reigning champions and perennial title rivals Arsenal with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. There were a few disappointing performances in the game, but the worst of the worst has to be Enzo Fernandez. While he did create some chances on the ball and was crisp as ever as a passer, the real problem is how he played defensively. The Premier League is shifting more from possession football to transition football, which is almost fitting with Pep Guardiola walking away from the game for a sabbatical, and Man City got exposed by that against Nicolas Jackson and a great Aston Villa side in transition. Enzo was horrendous defensively. He struggled badly as the main anchoring point for ...

The Iliman Ndiaye and Erling Haaland connection has officially taken off

24Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

The Iliman Ndiaye and Erling Haaland connection has officially taken off

It seemed like it might be another quiet game for Erling Haaland, but as he so often does, the Manchester City superstar striker emerged with the equalizing goods from seemingly out of nowhere early in the second half of a huge road game against Aston Villa to match Nicolas Jackson's earlier scorcher. The goal was the third assist of this very month from Iliman Ndiaye, who absorbed a simple pass out wide from a clever Enzo Maresca set piece routine, and then Ndiaye did all the rest, trademarkly working the space for himself before floating an inch perfect cross into the heart of the box for Haaland with precision and placement that not even prime Aaron Rodgers could beat. Ndiaye was amazing for Everton last season, and he was one of the most efficient dribblers in the Premier League....

Gabriel Magalhaes is planting the Ezri Konsa seed for Arsenal

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Gabriel Magalhaes is planting the Ezri Konsa seed for Arsenal

Arsenal didn't need to sign another defender, but they made Aston Villa weaker and signed a starter for the English national team in Ezri Konsa, who has proved to be quite useful as a regular starter with superstar man William Saliba injured until December. Gabriel Magalhaes, the best center back of the 2025/26 Premier League season when Arsenal won the title, praised Konsa heavily and planted the seed that Konsa can be a fixture for Arsenal's lineup one day. He said before the reunion game against his old club Lille in the Champions League, “Since he’s arrived at Arsenal, I think he’s adapted really quickly. He’s a top player and I really enjoy playing with him. We have the best centre-backs at Arsenal. We want to increase the level and we know he’s quality, and of course since he’s...

Bruno Fernandes is costing Manchester United in a familiar way

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Bruno Fernandes is costing Manchester United in a familiar way

Manchester United attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has 3 goals and 2.5 key passes per game this season, but while those numbers look impressive, the reigning Premier League Player of the Season has rightfully been criticized by fans for his poor performances. The Red Devils are in the bottom half of the league table, and Fernandes is a big part of that. He is posting big numbers but hogging the ball at the expense of his team with a lot of negative plays that are making others look worse. And per WhoScored data, no outfield player in the Premier League has lost possession more so far this season than Bruno at 106. While possessions lost are not the worst thing for a playmaker if they are making big plays while taking these risks, Bruno only has one assist, most of his key passes ...

Steven Gerrard just gave Arsenal some serious bulletin board material

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Steven Gerrard just gave Arsenal some serious bulletin board material

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been making the rounds a lot as a pundit these days, and he is giving Arsenal some added motivation by saying he is already changing his pick to win the 2026/27 Premier League from last season's champions to their main title rivals Manchester City. Gerrard recently said, “Before a ball was kicked, I fancied Arsenal to just carry on, but now, what are we, six, seven games in…I’d put my money on Manchester City, having seen what I’ve seen yesterday. I’d put my money on City. They’re just so strong, and then you see the bench. 100% agree this City side look very good, but after last season you know that this Arsenal side have what it takes to go all the way. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds." Manchester City have won all of their six games this seas...

Michael Carrick unconvincingly said what Manchester United fans wanted to hear about Bruno Fernandes

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Michael Carrick unconvincingly said what Manchester United fans wanted to hear about Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United star attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes may be the reigning Premier League Player of the Season, but astute fans of the club are tired of him racking up stats at the expense of the team and don't want to see him as totally untouchable. Fernandes is in bad form despite solid key pass and goal numbers, and Man United fans watched the media grill Michael Carrick on the subject of Bruno while the Red Devils toil in the bottom half of the table. But while Carrick admitted that Bruno is not undroppable, he frustratingly did not make that clear and caged the language a bit by stating that nobody is undroppable in the team: "This is not on Bruno, this line, but nobody is guaranteed a place in the team. Don't take that as me talking on Bruno, just in general. There'...

Mikel Arteta pointed out exactly what Bukayo Saka needs to do to reach the next level

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Mikel Arteta pointed out exactly what Bukayo Saka needs to do to reach the next level

Arsenal superstar right winger Bukayo Saka is one of the best in the Premier League but many have noticed he isn't impacting games like he should in the sense of fulfilling his Ballon d'Or potential. Mikel Arteta told reporters ahead of the Arsenal Champions League fixture against Ligue 1's Lille that he would like to see Saka do more to get into scoring positions and take that responsibility on as the next step in his evolution. He said at the press conference, "That's where we need to get him. And if he misses the chance, so be it. At the end, the more volume we generate, the bigger the probability of him scoring more goals. And he's been getting into great positions. He's getting shots, he's getting one-touch finishes, tap-ins. And that's the kind of unpredictability that we have ...