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Every Monday, Pulse Sports team of reporters and editors go tête-à-tête over the top sports stories from the weekend. We call this, the Pundits Corner.
A quiet end to the second weekend in February meant that we were treated to three days of lesser drama than is normal every weekend.
One thing, however, was the fact that happenings in the Premier League to the European football scene, even in boxing, suggested that possible upsets are brewing.
Race to the Premier League: Are Arsenal finally starting to crack?
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Saturday witnessed Premier League leaders Arsenal, drop points in consecutive matches as a second-half equalizer from Ivan Toney helped Brentford to nick a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
Unlike the week earlier when Arsenal's rivals also dropped points after the Gunners lost to Everton, second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Manchester United both won their matches on Sunday.
The outcomes see Arsenal's lead at the top cut down to three points, with their next league game against City.
"It would've been really bold of Mikel Arteta to assume Arsenal could go all the way with the current squad which clearly, lacks depth," David Ben, our Entertainment and Gaming Reporter said.
"So yes! It was always going to be a question of 'when' not 'if' the crack begins," he added.
Kolawole Babatunde, our Senior Betting Writer who also happens to be an Arsenal supporter, however, shook off the idea that his side were about to fumble their first league title win in 17 years.
"I think it’s just an expected blip that will happen to every team at some point. The Gunners definitely look fatigued but they look like they can weather the storm."
To Senior Editor Solace Chukwu, Arsenal 'still have their destiny in their own hands.'
"I think what we're seeing is predictable. Teams are taking Arsenal's title push seriously and are setting up, to indicate that.
"Arsenal are still executing their game plan, but in the absence of the world-class quality that Manchester City have, they will need to tweak some things and commit a bit more in their attack. Let's not forget, they still have their destiny in their own hands ahead of their meeting with City."
#JoshuaFranklin: Is Anthony Joshua taking the easy route?
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As announced, the month of April is set to be launched with a mouth-watering heavyweight bout between British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua, and 29-year-old American Jermaine Franklin.
For the first time in a long time, the former champion will go into a fight with nothing to lose, and according to David, boosting his confidence should be of utmost priority to the Nigerian.
"It's pretty obvious AJ has accepted defeat a long time ago. So it's only natural he takes small steps to get back to where he really wants to be.
"Right now, what he needs is confidence, he can't get it if he doesn't win. So if the small fights would do his confidence some good this period, why not?"
"Joshua is a victim of his own commitment to fighting at a high level," Solce chimed in. "It's known and understood that fighters need rebound/keep-busy fights; who did Deontay Wilder just fight? His former sparring partner.
"In the last 5 years, Tyson Fury has fought the likes of Pianeta, Seferi and Schwarz, who are nobodies (with all due respect). When it comes to Joshua, the rules are suddenly different. It's so weird."
European Super League: Will it ever be accepted?
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While the first launch of the European Super League (ESL) in 2021 might have met a quick end, the planned money-spinning project is like a zombie, gently creeping it's way back into football’s new landscape.
Madrid-based sports marketing firm A22 Sports Management in the past week revealed plans for a revamped Super League that will include 60-80 teams in a four-tier system.
In reaction to the new development, David opined that the existence of the project which had crashed and burned in just 48 hours in April 2021, was only a matter of time.
"It's never going away; honestly speaking, I'm not entirely against it. It's just a matter of time.
"Football as we know it is changing and even though it looks like the Super League won't be allowed to breathe. It's going to be a long standoff between UEFA and the ESL. A duel I'm looking forward to. Lol."
- All views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the pundits and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Pulse Sports.
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