“Sporting have destroyed them” | David Ornstein & Riath Al-Samarrai on Back Pages Tonight

Headline: A Dramatic Night in Lisbon: Manchester City’s Woes and Arsenal’s Uncertainty

As the clock struck midnight, the sports pages are filled with stories of a dramatic night in Lisbon. David Orstein and I, Riath Al-Samarie, joined forces to bring you the back pages, and what a night it was.

Manchester City’s Woes

Manchester City’s 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Sporting Lisbon has raised serious questions about their title credentials. David Orstein astutely pointed out that Pep Guardiola’s side have "never been in this kind of situation before," and it’s a crisis of sorts. "You can’t blame them for being whinges about the injuries, but you can question their ability to ride out this storm," he added. With three defeats on the spin, the pressure is mounting on Guardiola’s side, particularly ahead of their trip to face Brighton on Saturday.

Arsenal’s Uncertainty

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, has announced his departure, leaving the club in a state of uncertainty. Mikel Arteta, in a tribute, praised Edu’s "amazing work" and praised the "special chemistry" between them. Orstein believes that Arsenal’s success was built on one person, but it’s not just about Edu; they have a strong sporting structure in place. The question now is how they replace him and what implications it will have on the team’s momentum.

England Rugby’s Culture of Fear

In the world of rugby, Steve Borthwick has opened the door on the dark past under Eddie Jones’s regime, where "fear of Jones" reigned supreme. Danny Care’s book has shed light on the toxic environment, which Borthwick has sought to address by promoting a more collaborative approach, involving players in decision-making. This shift is a significant departure from the authoritarian style of Jones’s tenure.

Celtic’s Resilience

Arsenal may be facing uncertainty, but Celtic’s response to their harrowing loss in Dortmund has been nothing short of remarkable. Under Brendan Rodgers’s guidance, they have won three straight matches, including a thrilling 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Their form and performance have sent a statement, silencing the critics and reinvigorating the faithful at Celtic Park. Hats off to Rodgers for his shrewd leadership.

This has been a dramatic night, to say the least, with takeaways aplenty. Will Manchester City find a way to bounce back from their slump? Can Arsenal navigate the uncertainty surrounding Edu’s departure? And what does the future hold for England rugby? Join us on Sky Sports News for more analysis and discussion on these and other topics.

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