Arsenal's star boy out for many weeks, what is wrong with Barca?

Arsenal face Bukayo Saka injury crisis, Manchester City struggles, and Atletico Madrid’s rise highlight major European football talking points.

Bukayo Saka has been ruled out for many weeks according to Mikel Arteta, how will Arsenal cope in his continued absense? (Photo credit: BBC)

The weekend was quite interesting, from Atletico Madrid’s heist at Barcelona to the crisis at both ends of Manchester and Arsenal’s costly win; we look at the major talking points across European top leagues.

Can Arsenal cope without Saka?

Mikel Arteta confirmed that the club’s star boy, Bukayo Saka, will be out for “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring in Arsenal’s win at Selhurst Park on Saturday, and the question is: who replaces the star boy?

The Gunners have a huge conundrum with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli struggling this season, and despite the former’s recent goal rush, Arsenal must find solutions to the right wing with Raheem Sterling also out injured with a knee problem. Is Arsenal in trouble?

Is this the end of City’s hold on the English league?

Manchester City lost again at the weekend, their sixth loss in a space of seven league games, but that’s not the news, as it’s now a norm; however, is this the end of Pep Guardiola’s reign in England?

The Spaniard signed a new two-year extension just weeks before the crisis began, and he might just be regretting that hasty decision by now. Beyond Rodri and a few other absentees, the available squad is rich enough to compete, so what is their problem?

Is the honeymoon over at United for Amorim?

When Ruben Amorim joined Manchester United, he was honest with himself about the likelihood of his team suffering for a while; he said the storm is coming, and it didn’t take long for it to arrive.

After their heroics in the Manchester derby, United followed up with back-to-back losses to Tottenham in the league cup and then the home thrashing in the hands of Bournemouth. The Marcus Rashford situation is also hanging in the air; will United ever get better?

The fall of Barcelona and the rise of Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid has the longest winning streak in Europe, but the latest one over Barcelona at the Camp Nou is the one that calls for attention, especially from Barcelona’s angle.

Hansi Flick’s side led the league by 10 points after beating Real Madrid in the El Clásico but is now behind both Madrid clubs on the log. Has the squad's immaturity finally caught up with the German manager?