"I'm not worried about them (Arsenal) at all."
Those were the words of Kevin De Bruyne right after losing the Community Shield to The Gunners last Sunday. He's not wrong. Why would he be worried? Manchester City have won the Premier League 5 times in the last 6 years. In fact, they've won 13 domestic trophies in 7 years. A brutal display of total domination that has not been seen since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. Some even say Pep's Guardiola's Man City's domination is more impressive than Fergie's. Whether that is true or not is a matter for another day.
The French Ligue 1 has been dubbed a "Farmer's League" for the last 10 years and we all know why - PSG! Since they became an oil rich club, PSG have brutally dominated the Ligue 1, winning the League 9 times in the last 11 years! Like Man City in England, PSG too have won 5 of the last 6 Ligue 1 Titles which is why winning the League has become the barest minimum for any manager appointed by the club. The Ligue 1 is so lopsided in PSG's favour, it is miraculous for any club to beat them to the Title and it is immediately considered a failure if they finish in any position other than first.
The German Bundesliga is another victim of the "Farmer's League" accusations because of the perceived lack of competition for the Title in the League. Bayern Munich have won the League 11 straight f..king times! The last time another club other than Bayern won the League was Borussia Dortmund in the 2011/12 season. Cristiano Ronaldo had only one Ballon d'Or and one Champions League Title at that time, that's how long ago it was.
The Premier League unfortunately is now treading down that path. The League, by contrast was regarded as one of the most competitive and most difficult Football Leagues in the World.... until Pep Guardiola. When City appointed Guardiola in 2016, many argued that he would find it difficult to dominate as he did in Spain and Germany. Guardiola won La Liga 3 times in 4 years at Barcelona and the Bundesliga for 3 straight years at Bayern. It was going to be a different game in England because the Premier League is tough yes? Well it was tough, for only one season. After finishing the League in 3rd place and no trophy in the 2016/17 season (the first time ever a team coached by Pep had finished outside the top 2 and first time without a trophy), critics and observers reiterated their predictions that Pep would find the Premier League too hard. He was even called names like "fraud" and "Fraudiola". That was the origin of his villain story. If only we all knew what was coming.
An extensive overhaul of the team ahead of the 2017/18 particularly the defence was the signaling of the "Pep Era" in the Premier League. A League and League Cup double coupled with a record-breaking 100 PL points was the sign of things to come but we were still not shaken. It's the Premier League, he will soon be found out, right? The next season was even more one-sided with Manchester City becoming the first English men's team to win a historic domestic treble of the League, League Cup and FA Cup. They had also won the Community Shield earlier that season meaning that every single domestic trophy in England was held by Guardiola's City team. Not even the almighty Alex Ferguson could ever manage that feat in all his years at United. And the worst was still yet to come. It became nearly impossible to beat Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to the Premier League title. Just ask Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
Whilst the rest of the Premier League could only watch on, Klopp led Liverpool to put up a fight in the 2018/19 season. It was a very valiant and brave fight but it wasn't enough. Liverpool failed to win the League despite finishing the season with 97 points, winning 30 out of 38 matches and only losing 1 game all season. Imagine that! For context, out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 title wins with Manchester United, the highest points total they ever reached was 91 points, when they won the league in the 99/00 season. Manchester City on the other hand lost 4 matches that season but they won 32 out of 38 matches. F..king hell! Winning 32 matches in a season in the almighty Premier League? That's just diabolical.
When Liverpool did win the Premier League, they were nearly perfect, winning 32 matches out of 38 and amassing 99 points. Yet, their achievements looked small no thanks to the record and bar set by Guardiola and Manchester City. Pep's men regained the Title the very next season and have added two more since. These days, you can lead the League with 9 points until March but you dare not celebrate if Manchester City are chasing you down. Just ask Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. Arsenal were 11 points clear at one point last season and everyone still knew City would win the League. City have mastered and conquered the Premier League. They have gone on 17 game winning streaks and 18 game winning streaks in different seasons. They have beaten Liverpool 5-0, Man United 6-3, Arsenal 6-0, Chelsea 6-0 all under Guardiola's watch. They give head-starts to other teams and still come back to win the League. The Premier League, once the most competitive, the fiercest and perhaps the most difficult is now a Farmer's League too unfortunately.
This season might be different, who knows? Afterall, Arsenal came close last season and have strengthened in the market, United will try to build on from last season with ten Hag, Liverpool will be desperate to bounce back, Chelsea have spent more than £900m on new players in 1 year and have a new Premier League proven manager in Pochettino, Newcastle will only get stronger. Maybe this season, one or two teams will challenge the almighty Manchester City but don't count on it. Pep Guardiola now has the rest of the League in the palm of his hands. Thanks to him, the Premier League is the newest Farmer's League.
