Analysis

Sometimes, the best things in life are worth waiting for. Arsenal and Leeds played a thoroughly fascinating match following a lengthy delay due to technical issues at Elland Road, but it was the Gunners who managed to hold on, only just, against Jesse Marsh’s plucky side.

The hero on the day was Bukayo Saka, who now has four goals and four assists in his last seven Premier league games. The 21-year-old is up for the Kopa trophy this week and his performances in recent weeks can only make his case better. 

The MLS Cup Playoffs are officially underway and the first day of action featured no shortage of drama. FC Cincinnati came from behind to upset the New York Red Bulls 2-1 thanks to a cool finish from Brandon Vazquez while Julián Araujo was the hero for the LA Galaxy as they beat Nashville SC 1-0. 

The Derby Della Mole has been completely dominated by Juventus, especially in recent years. However, Juve’s monotonous, predictable and uninspired performances of late have allowed their nearby neighbors to catch up and just two points separated the sides going into the derby. Despite a stunning goalkeeping performance from Torino’s Vanja Milinković-Savić, Juventus found its winner thanks to Dušan Vlahović.

Dušan Vlahović with a strikers finish. pic.twitter.com/KihBxESaN1

MANCHESTER, England - Both Manchester City and Liverpool spent big to revamp their striker department in the close season, with Erling Haaland and Darwin Núñez tipped to be rivals atop the goalscoring charts, but so far it has been no contest.

City's capture of Haaland and Liverpool's addition of Núñez represented a style shift for both, focusing their forward lines around a central striker, as last season's title rivals tried something different.

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the Mexico World Cup preview. El Tri will play in Group C against Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Mexico World Cup Preview 2022

World Cup appearances: 17th

Best binish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)

Real Salt Lake welcomed the Portland Timbers to Rio Tinto Stadium for Decision Day knowing it needed a win to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. A 3-0 rout secured the victory and sent Pablo Mastroeni’s side to the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

FC Cincinnati clinched its first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs berth with a comprehensive 5-2 win on the road over DC United. A flurry of early goals got the ball rolling and the visitors never let up as Brazilian forward Brenner bagged a first-half hat-trick. 

As the whistle blew for full-time at the Emirates, the camera cut to Mikel Arteta’s jubilation-filled fist pump on the touchline. For neutrals, it began to sink in that his side might be seriously capable of competing with the big boys. A thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool is the latest confirmation, in a season overflowing with brilliance, that Arsenal is not just a fun side to watch but one of the world's best teams.

Here we are. Decision Day. A season potentially summed up in one moment. For the seven teams whose campaigns still hang in the balance, defeat is simply not an option. For spectators, the tension has been turned up to the max as six of the seven sides play each other in their final games of the season. After 90 minutes of intensity, stress will give way to both elation and agony. As we go into Decision Day, let’s break down what every team is playing for.