How Pep and Arteta STOLE the Spotlight | The Eye Test

Following Man City's draw with Arsenal, Lyés and CultureCams discussed the roles both Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta played in the post match discussion around the game. Both men were integral to the game being played like a chess match, but are they more important to their team than even the players?
All this and more in the latest episode of The Eye Test with ‪@brfootball‬

[@LyesBouzidi]

Do Players or Managers dictate the direction football goes stylistically?

[@Kamva-nm8bt]

Just go watch that Nike advert from 2014 and tell me how prophetic it was to modern day football

[@deekayy3222]

@@Kamva-nm8bt that's just nostalgia

[@_trvekvlt]

Players. Managers will always be #2 and this game was just an anomaly bc we didnt speak about any other game this season in a way that made us highlight managers more than players. Plus the whole "student is now challenging his master" convo is adding to this bc we can finally see Arteta match Pep stylistically

[@Kamva-nm8bt]

@@deekayy3222 bro I don’t know man they way people speak about modern football how systematic it is and how robotic it is, is quite similar to how the clones are viewed

[@deekayy3222]

@@Kamva-nm8bt nah if you just watch football and quit socials it's still good. "ga" ruined football. look at kvaratskhelia, he's still doing well but no one is talking about him because napoli are doing bad and he's not getting ga.

[@Hadahadhow25]

Lyes has better takes then most pundits.

[@Prime1Wunna]

When Americans are sensible they have good takes, only problem is that there’s not many of them 🤣

[@TAWvideos]

@@Prime1Wunnafacts 😅

[@rickflose]

He is the only guy with a American accent that I don’t roll my eyes when I hear 😂

[@rtd4413]

Man i could listen Lyes talk for 5hours and it won't feel that long such a good 😭 analysis or pundit or wtv u call him

[@Forevermade32]

Lyes and Cams is the special duo I could see them taking over football media together 🔥🔥

[@aadyamaya]

great conversation- honestly the only podcast i can bear to listen to rn for its lack of agendas, gimmicks & reactionary takes + nuanced, intelligent discussion :)

[@CultureCams]

Enjoyed this chat

[@KWENZOOOO]

Cams is spot on. The coaches and philosophies dictate which players rise to the top.

[@nicolascastillo7065]

It amazes me that only until 2024 will KZbinrs and pundits realize that football is a team sport and it is not 1v1 but team vs team You didn't talk about tactics with Wenger and Ferguson because the reality is that you don't know about tactics

[@SakayoBukayo]

The eye test !!! Thank u algorithms . Im now a fan guys .

[@aaroncikaya]

Great conversation 🔥

[@allisojo]

This game was after an International break, no team won away that weekend...Arsenal have the most goals scored so far this season..

[@Elite_dane64]

The player manager dynamic is what has changed I think originally it was the player knew his own profile and the manager knew the player's profile and all the manager had to do was set up a system like a formation and them in the right position to show their individual brilliance but it's like the manager wants something from the player not that it isn't a good thing but it sort of changes a lot of things

[@Jeffstrongman12]

Great podcast.big up cams and lyes

[@dt7406]

keep these pods coming brother. Really enjoy this. You guys used to do like european night reactions which I really enjoy. Bring that back given that the quarter final matchup this year is crazy

[@dtm9792]

I think the whole scenario where managers are the stars of the show and control players in the specific systems they want is definitely attributed to the amount of pressure they face and the amount of money in the game nowadays. If winning the league earns a club £200 million and coming second earns half that then the club and manager don't have time for maverick players like Taarabt, Ben Arfa, ASM etc that might produce a worldie one game and stink the next because the stakes are so high. Look how long it's taken Arsenal to get to the level they are at now from our last title win. In all that time we haven't won much at all but just had nice football which doesn't constitute as success for football clubs, their owners or the managers. At the end of the day Football is a Sport which is a form of Entertainment that is monetised into a Business/Industry and like any industry the most important factor is the bottom line.

[@TheGoat17710]

Do a champions league predictions with kams

[@AravindNair-gq7fj]

I believe that Pep Guardiola is the most influential figure in football history and the first time in the sport's history that a manager dictates the game. However, that doesn't imply that his influence is solely credited to him, there are few key factors to note - accessibility in the modern era when compared to the past, industrialization of football and success of the most influential managers in terms of how the game is played. 1. Accessibility - While this could be a long discussion I think everybody has an idea, that as we go forward, in the information age, everything including football gets more accessible. More people in the world right now watch football than they ever did, and as we move forward it only keeps increasing. So there is more of everything - watching, discussing, analyzing; for all parties - fans, media, football fraternity. 2. Industrialization - A lot more is at stake in football than it ever was. In the hyper capitalistic age that we are in, football is a multi-billion dollar industry. We as football fans do know how much money is involved but we do not consciously experience it while watching the game. The development of sports science, advancement in medicine, attention to aspects we aren't even aware of, make football a very dynamic product. With billion dollar parties involved, the facilities that players are privileged to is also at an all time high. What I am trying to say is that everything is organized, it is a process, the way academies function, the way data about players is collected, etc. Everything is more mechanical than it ever was. Making football a very organized industry. 3. Success of the past managers - Now combining the above two aspects, about how football in the modern day looks like - it is an organized experience for all parties involved. Hence, the conditions we are in has massively helped Guardiola to be the most influential figure in football. This is to say that a Guardiola in the 1980s wouldn't be as influential as he is today. He needs to be in this era to be this influential. Now to the conclusion. What sets Guardiola apart from other greats over the years apart from the things that I have mentioned above? One important aspect is prolonged success. Innovative managers from the past did not have the consistency of trophies that Guardiola has. Again, to specify very clearly, success in this context implies trophies. Helenio Herrera - Peak years(1958-1966), 2 Champions League titles and 5 league titles. Johan Cruyff - Peak years(1986-1994), 1 Champions League title and 4 league titles Arrigo Sacchi - Peak years(1987-1990), 2 Champions League titles and 1 league title Rinus MIchels - Peak years(1965-1974) 1 Champions league title and 5 league titles. Also won the Euros with Netherlands in 1988. Pep Guardiola - Peak years(2008-ongoing) at Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester City, 3 Champions League titles and 11 league titles. So, apart from being innovative as the above managers, Pep has emulated the success of a Sir Alex Ferguson and is likely to surpass him as well. His constant success has been the reason why nearly every top manager right now wants to replicate his style. Because apart from being one of the most innovative tacticians of the game, he averages 2 trophies every year. However here lies a certain irony, that despite the success, trophies aren't the first thing that comes to mind when we talk Guardiola, his identity has always been of a tactician. However, the influence of his constantly evolving style and tactics is due to his success. Because there have been managers who were innovative, and there has been Sir Alex or Ancelotti who have been successful but not the most innovative. Guardiola is the only manager in history that has footprints in both territories. Of being arguably the most innovative manager of all time as well as being arguably the most successful manager of all time. And that is only possible in such an era.

[@brissprilla]

Cams put some baby powder on them neckrolls

[@siddarthchintalapati5619]

Players will always dictate where the sport goes. This game in particular is garnering these thoughts because of the storylines off the pitch as well. And with the relationship and mutual respect between Pep and Arteta. And football has always been tactical like this to a large extent. Nowadays we just have a lot more access to information about managers and their backroom staff, what goes on in clubs outside of matchday, and we're so desensitized to having so much information thrown at us constantly from one game to the next that we feel the need to go the extra mile while talking about football ajd micro-analyzing things

[@hytyuarino]

I believe it’s the "generational” manager that has Influence on how the game is played and players emulate the previous generation of players… we always say how CR7 is one of the most influential players but all the players that emulate CR7 ( Leao Mbappe) have a style similar to 28+ CR7 w/o the 2 footed passing crossing that he has in his bag

[@luckyigbomor4088]

Thanks for actually having some good football discussions. Other fan channels are to busy with click bait and childish agendas to offer any.

[@luq369]

Guys… ur in sight are great! Love hearing u guys in DR sports😊

[@SakayoBukayo]

Great content guys🎉

[@andrewradebe]

Nice pod. Couple of takes I agree with, except (1) "the onus was on City to win" - I think that's false because what both teams stood to lose was equal, i.e. Liverpool being 3/4 points clear with a relatively easier run to the end. I think that statement would be valid in a two-way race like last season where if City don't win then the title's gone (Arsenal would've got a margin of error over their challenger at the time), or same situation with City 1-0 United in 2011/12. In those cases, a loss/draw for City 100% kills their title charge. In this case, Arsenal & City are both disadvantaged (you can't tell me the 1 point gap between City & Arsenal will mean anything in 9 games). And (2) "Arteta outcoached Pep on the day" - Another false premise, the blueprint for how to beat a Pep City team (Liverpool aside) has been written eons ago, all the teams that have beat City in the past have done the same thing, be compact and attack with directness and speed. Ole did it repeatedly against City. Spurs & Palace who can be considered City's biggest bogie teams excel at that tactic and got results for it. Brenford executed it perfectly twice last season. Even Real Madrid exploited this very tactic in 2021/22 perfectly but failed dismally at it last season. With that being said, Arsenal executed their plan effectively in defense and maybe didn't get as much joy as they'd hoped going forward. Also, just a side note, you even agreed that City's "wingers" were essentially Gvardiol & Akanji/Ake/Bernardo who have their own unique strengths but definitely not beating 1 or 2 defenders on the wing in a low block, nullifying City's attack.

[@Kzeditzzz387]

City haven’t beaten a single big 6 team apart from man utd and lost to arsenal at emirates. City had the onus to win as they were at home and arguably have the better team and more experienced.

[@Al-ji4gd]

What happened to actually being entertained by football and the big games? I can't remember the last time I was this bored with what was supposed to be a potential title decider. It used to be two giant clubs going head to head to see who would come out on top and get that important foothold in the race for the title, whereas now it's this snoozefest with these managers trying to micromanage and control every single aspect of the game, to the point where it's hardly watchable as a football fan. It's stifling natural and exciting football. Back in the day, even Pep's teams would get into these titanic battles with Mourinho's Madrid and Inter. El Clasico was always a killer match that you had to tune into and that was the case even before those guys, with the Galacticos and pre-Pep Barca, with Rijkaard or van Gaal. Or think of the Premier League battles of the 2000s with Man United v Arsenal, or Man United v Chelsea. Or the best example of all being the Serie A battles of the 90s and early 2000s when Italian football was number one. You had the top 6 or 7 teams in the league who were all stacked and could go toe to toe with anyone else in the league (or even in Europe). It was still this tactical chess match with top-notch defending, but where the excitement was still there because the talent got to shine, as did the managers, without stealing the spotlight from the guys on the pitch and the occasion itself.

[@m_a_z_o1602]

Another good vid guys💯

[@TheGoat17710]

Video idea players in there prime head to head like the one that you were on sds debating Luis Suarez and r9 do a video like that with kams

[@TheGoat17710]

Make a top 10 best players in the world video

[@_trvekvlt]

boring

[@TheGoat17710]

@_trvekvlt ok your opinion I guess

[@deekayy3222]

"Arteta's gameplan outsmarted Pep's" Oh the genius Mikel Arteta playing 8 men in the box at all times. How smart really is he? Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce surely went to the future to see Arteta do it so they can do it themselves. Truly someone who changed how the game is played!

[@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON.]

Difference is Pulis and allardyce aren't doing it in title races. Arsenal were always known as lightweights and been the best attacking team all year. The switch up for one game deserves praise if they end up winning the league

[@deekayy3222]

@@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON. i don't think 2nd place wins leagues mate, arsenal are just overrated. Liverpool were a great team and actually played football at the Etihad, unlike these lot.

[@therealhb1763]

​@@deekayy3222operated? You guys hasn't won over us in the prem for 2 seasons in a row so don't talk.

[@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON.]

@@deekayy3222 My guess is arteta put more stock in Liverpool slipping up than going all guns blazing. Which if you think about it isn't the worst idea in the world. How many titles did Liverpool get from playing "football" at the eithad? One? It's like 5 titles to 1. the Liverpool "great football" hasnt led to consistent PL success

[@deekayy3222]

@@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON. one more than arsenal in 20 yrs tbf

[@hoodmechanic956]

Why is lyes da one cooking in the intro animation? Is he da bad b in the relationship?

[@michaelfvt]

This whole conversation was kind of a chicken and egg thing. Players and managers have always existed in symbiosis - Cruyff would not be Cruyff without Rinus Michels and vice versa. I don’t think the role of the manager is necessarily bigger now than it has been in the past, for me the problem is the consensus view of what constitutes a dominant team and system is becoming negative instead of adventurous. The fact that we have two of the three best teams in England playing with 4 CBs is a really bad sign, especially with Klopp leaving at the end of the season.

[@boni_slinger]

Its only 1 game. Arsenal's football has always been a reference point for exciting football since Wenger came

[@Bonez1411]

Arsenal content paying the bills for everyone these days lolz

[@TheGoat17710]

Haaland uncomfortable convo on him

[@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON.]

I dont even get why there has to be " uncomfortable" conversations with him. Hes a faster vanistrooy with a bit less heading and a worse fist touch touch. It was only uncomfortable to those who started acting as if he was messi/ronaldo level purely cause of his goals tally

[@therealhb1763]

​@@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON.People compared him with mbappe

[@GOATZELWARDBANDWAGON.]

@@therealhb1763 Likewise its only uncomfortable who acted He's the best all-round footballer itw. What Haaland can do is have better seasons than player X or Player Y. Where he score so many goals to the point that you cany deny the impact of his attributes. Last season that happend, this season yh he'll win the golden boot he'll prob get 25 league goals but it won't be a generational statistical season like last year (Pl wise) to the point where it made people think. But obviously just pure footballing ability mbappes better.

[@bexclue3007]

In every team sport - even e-sports lol - tactics and team cohesion ("macro play") trump individual quality. If one team is tactically too inferior - their players will even start looking bad individually, even if they are all "great players" and individually better than their opposition. I feel like football has been very slow at developing on a tactical basis. Other sports were already very heavy on tactics when football was still "express yourself"-nonsense. Same with how the footballing world is now acting like stats were an alien concept, debating how useful they were and questioning its validity when stats are simply stats. They are used in all sports, science and pretty much every field imaginable and of course they are useful - if you know how to use them. Somehow a lot of people in football manage to make it sound like "stats" was some questionable new invention (which...ultimately just betrays their lack of general education, which is another topic entirely I suppose). I'd say, while football is the biggest sport in the world, it had and still has a lot of catching up to do in terms of level of sophistication. That's not a _change_ in football. It's a natural development that occurs when you strive for improvement. Relying on individual magic as little as possible, relying on magical saves as little as possible - eliminating as much variance as possible in a sport that has already extreme variance bc football is a very complex sport where the score line (that ultimately matters) is hardly ever a reflection of the game. You play for 90 minutes, yet all the actions that impact the scoreboard (goals) can be summed up in a couple of minutes. edit: the 17/18 PL season is the best example of how big of a difference tactical superiority makes. The Centurions were _not_ Pep's best City side. But they completely destroyed everything. And if the PL had not adapted in the past 6 years in the ways it did - it would still look the same. The PL in 17/18 literally didn't know what hit them. The teams were tactically _so_ inferior to what City was doing, it was absolutely hopeless. You can say the same for Pep's Barca. Barcelona had Messi, Iniesta, Xavi etc before Pep came and after Pep left. They were never as dominant as during Pep's time bc it was _not_ simply the individual quality that made them great. They were tactically far ahead of the opposition.

[@GGM28]

More people talking about Arsenal? Maybe on your twitter page yh but city been getting more scrutiny in the media. By cams logic city are a bigger club lol

[@arielayo]

Football has just become so commercialized. Everybody is scared of losing what they have. Owners have billions invested and players managers and fans alike are becoming more cutthroat. They need to remember football started off as entertainment, not for the money.

[@TheGoat17710]

Do a top 6 premier league video

[@kayshoo]

you guys live together?

[@fede4740]

Funny thing is Real Madrid have been against this system nonsense from the get to. All of the problems which lyes and cam mentioned Real madrid suffer from none of that. There is no system at all. Has never been. Its just individuals playing. You cannot hide in a system playing for real.

[@calvinblackchild7938]

So saying Doku is shit, Haaland is League 2 player is not talking about City?

[@vershaunjerome]

Both

[@mr.chocolate3721]

Too many podcasts geez. Don’t they do FCM on DR together? 😂😂

[@dagmawigebru7506]

5....5 Temu ads damn BR Football

[@TheGoat17710]

Make a best teams ever in your life time like 05 Milan 10/11 barcelona 16/17 real Madrid video idea 💡

[@therealhb1763]

Man said barca 16/17

[@TheGoat17710]

I meant real Madrid 16/17 and barca 10/11 Milan 05

[@TheGoat17710]

@therealhb1763 man can't read

[@mhaminssiiz3078]

United fan hyping mid players like Rashford & Martial 😭

[@CultureCams]

Sorry to tell u but they are much better on the break than Arsenals forwards. Objectivity is key

[@TheGoat17710]

@CultureCams as a arsenal fan your right

[@_jenaissante_]

5:06 Now that’s a lie

[@CultureCams]

Well its not. Martial and rashford have a few counter attacking goals vs city sooooo……

[@clipped6963]

When Diego Simeone and Mourinho does this it’s “wow REAL MEN what a defensive masterclass” when Arsenal become the FIRST team in 3 years to make Man City not score at home it’s “boring”. Liverpool went toe to toe and you know what SH*T argument as they only won 1 PL out of 5 vs city so clearly doesn’t work

[@therealhb1763]

You got that all wrong people calls simeone and jose boring people dosnt call them real men. And they treat areta as a genius and he used to play like this don't like. He played a back 5. So u clearly started to watch football now.

[@Al-ji4gd]

I think Simeone gets a bad rap for his style of football. The guy doesn't have, and never had, the talent or the finances at his disposal that these other guys do, even when Atletico were at their best, so to do what he has done with that club is incredible. There's something inspirational about watching Atletico, especially at home on a European night.

[@therealhb1763]

@@Al-ji4gd that's not what we discussing mate

[@Prime1Wunna]

Facts… people pick and choose, the only difference is that mourihno used to act cool n and quotes and Simeone rattled opposition with gestures

[@Al-ji4gd]

@@therealhb1763 So? I just wanted to mention it.

[@tyresesalmon2685]

here