Tonight was another example of why runners are the most sought after & important part of the modern game. As much as Neymar ran the game, Mbappé’s off the ball play made that possible.

Look at the best teams in Europe: PSG (Mbappé, Ney), Liverpool (Salah, Mané), Bayern (Gnabry, Coman, Sané), City (Sterling, Mahrez) all players that are a serious threat in behind the defense.

On the other hand look @ teams that have failed in the PnP era: Barça (Griezmann), Juve (Higuaín), Madrid (Hazard). All fantastic players that don’t suit the need of their club or the current era of football. All three of those teams desperate for runners.

Rapid wingers that run the channels are the ultimate counter to the high-press, high-line football of the early 2010’s. A simple ball down the channel, chased by an Mbappé or Salah, means teams no longer have to make 7-8 passes to break a press any longer.

Equally, playing a high-line against such players is suicide & no high-line = no high-press & trapping teams in their halves, a simply but effective counter of the press.

Today is a great example, Neymar the best player on the pitch for 90’. For the first 60, he would gather the ball in his own half due to the high-press (PSG had no runners), and even after beating 3-4 men was still 30 yards from goal.

As soon as Mbappé enters the fray, the game changes. Did Ney play better? No, but because of Mbappé’s threat in behind Atalanta were left with no choice but to drop 10, 15, 25 yards. The result? Ney picks up the ball in much more advanced positions & can play those killer balls.

That’s where Barça, Juve, Madrid have faltered in this new era & Liverpool, City & Bayern have thrived. Runners have revolutionised the game & are the most sought after players in Europe.

To clarify, when I say runners I mean the absolute elite. Mbappé, Salah, Sané. Just like other elite forward types have struggled. Griezmann, Higuaín.

Oh & elite runners are sought after because more top teams already have technical quality in abundance. I’m not suggesting that technical ability no longer matters, in fact teams like United (Rashford, James) & Arsenal (Pépé, Auba) have runners but have lacked technical quality.

United have resolved that issue, with the return of Pogba & signing of Bruno. Even though I’m not sold on the latter, he provides a substantial upgrade on dross like Andreas P/ Lingard & as such United have been transformed.

Arsenal, I’m sure, will look to do the same. Our biggest problem is creativity & our ability to replace Ö will define our success over the coming years. Aouar/Partey/Szo - these more technically gifted midfield types are required to bring Arsenal among the European elite again.

Getting off Twitter for the night. The response & love to the thread is overwhelming. I’ll try to respond to anything tomorrow. Thanks .