Softfootball understands that Pep Guardiola calling Arsenal the perfect group on the planet ought to have been a routine headline. As a substitute, it was a full-blown soccer argument throughout X, with followers studying between each phrase.
The remark got here after Manchester Metropolis’s shock 3–1 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt, in a press convention video shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account.
Watch the video under:
Timing, as all the time with Pep, made individuals suspicious. Some felt it appeared like give up. Others heard thoughts video games.
One of many loudest sceptical reactions got here from Queen Bee (@RealQueenBee__), whose submit carried extra confusion than anger. Her message suggests she sees Guardiola’s phrases as oddly uncharacteristic, nearly like a person decreasing the bar sooner than anticipated. To her, it didn’t sound like respect; it appeared like doubt creeping in.
She stated:
I can consider that Pep is saying this. Has he misplaced hope already nearly mid season? That’s not a trademark of legends.
Fritolaze (@FritoLaze) took a colder response, from his angle, soccer greatness isn’t hypothetical; it’s confirmed in medal counts, and Arsenal merely don’t qualify but.
He said:
Majority of Arsenal gamers are trophyless, Arsenal group are but to win a significant trophy…. They don’t seem to be remotely near being the perfect group on the planet.
A extra calculating perspective got here from Bankole (@bankysux01), who handled the reward like a chess transfer, not a praise. His submit frames Guardiola as a grasp manipulator, somebody who flatters opponents publicly whereas getting ready one thing ruthless behind the scenes. For him, Pep’s phrases are by no means simply phrases.
He posted:
Guardiola praising you mid-season is just not a praise. It’s a setup. He’s decreasing expectations whereas sharpening the knife. Each time Pep flatters a rival, he’s already mapped the way to dismantle them. Compliments are a part of his MO
Apparently, not all Arsenal followers have been shopping for it both. Mr Rabo (@AFC_Rabo) responded with a tone that felt worn, cautious, and nearly defensive. He refuses to have fun too early. Large names, he reminds everybody, nonetheless sit above Arsenal within the soccer meals chain.
He stated:
Frequent Arsenal? Finest group within the World? Naahh. What have we achieved? By no means gained something. Actual Madrid are there. Bayern Munich. Manchester United ffs! We’re nothing however a group chasing a dream one recreation at a time…Not falling for no Pep thoughts video games this season.
Then there was Arsenal Rep (@Arsenal_rep1), who went in the wrong way fully. His response didn’t query Guardiola’s phrases, it embraced them totally.
He concluded:
Pep Guardiola giving us PR is out of this world Rival followers will say it’s a thoughts recreation however it’s not, it’s the reality Arsenal are the perfect group on the planet EPL, UCL, FA, Carling Cup and the Tremendous cup are all coming on this season… The Lord is restoring the 12 months the cankerworm has stolen from us..
Whether or not Guardiola meant it as real admiration, delicate strain, or one thing in between, the response exhibits how highly effective his phrases nonetheless are. One sentence, one clip, and out of the blue everybody’s arguing about perception, worry, historical past, and what comes subsequent. In soccer, generally the speaking does nearly as a lot injury because the taking part in.
