The Great Football Debate: Are We Living in a Golden Era of Football?

Last week, in the English Premier League alone, 26 goals were netted across nine matches—none of which ended in more than a one goal margin. In that very same week, in the League Cup, Arsenal played out a 12-goal thriller against Reading, whilst Manchester United and Chelsea found the back of the net nine times.

Amidst much exhilaration, I got thinking: Are we currently living in Golden Era of Football?

I mean, you only have to take a look back at the last three years to notice:

• During the 2011/2012 season, the history books were rewritten by a certain Lionel Messi, as the Argentinian maestro netted 73 goals in a single season—six more goals than any footballer in the history of the game.

• At the 2012 European Championships in Poland/Ukraine, Spanish midfielder Xavi completed 127 passes—ten more than any footballer in history.

• Currently in Italy, Juventus sit just nine matches away from equaling AC Milan's record of 58 consecutive unbeaten matches in the Serie A.

• In 2010, Inter Milan became the first Italian side to win the treble.

• Just one year earlier, Barcelona won a record six trophies in a calendar year—more than any other club ever.

The list goes on.

Are we living in the midst of a golden era of football?

Is now the greatest era of football the world has ever seen?

What long-standing records or achievements have you seen tumble in recent times?

Which generation of footballers do you think has left the biggest impact on the world game?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below and let's get this debate started!

After a year long hiatus, the Great Football Debate has returned! This live-blog style debate will cover topics currently causing debate in the football world, providing another outlet for the Bleacher Report community to voice their opinion on certain issues.

How do you take part?

It's simple, really. Leave your comments in response to the questions above. Submit links, articles, videos...whatever you best feel gets your argument across.

These arguments will be collated, analysed and published on the live-blog.

Feel free to submit any topics for future debates in the comments below, also.

Happy Debating.