Staying grounded on the roller coaster of opinion

Our man inside the game canvassed a few old friends for some Champions League conclusions

In the art of football punditry conclusions aren’t actually conclusive. They’re just dressed up that way. One week Arsenal have gone down in flames because they are run by jokes who couldn’t manage a peanut stall. Meanwhile, Liverpool who had just doused Arsenal in petrol and thrown a match at them are an example of just how things should be done. Ruthless Liverpool had it as right as Goofy Arsenal had it wrong.

One series of matches later, Liverpool are a charred irredeemable heap of ashes and there is no sign of the affable Klopp reconciling with the loveable Coutinho. Arsenal, though, are back to their irresistible best and Sanchez, the cat-stroking villain, is being ushered on by bitter and twister Wenger for a pleasant late game cameo. See told you.