It Might be the Time that Spurs Get Going

Arguably the bigger half of London and Manchester met, (though Manuel Pellegrini and his troops might have something to say about that), Robin van Persie headed in the winner, in a match which some would say did not live up to expectations, especially for fans of the Gunners and neutrals alike. Arsenal failed to impose their authority on the game, and were sub-par at best.

Fast-forward two weeks, and the Wenger's men have extended their lead at the top to 4 points, courtesy of one Artur Boruc and his 'I wanna-be Leo Messi with gloves' moment of madness, but also down to the blockbuster down at Goodison Park. And what a match that was, I think we might all struggle to find a better 90 minutes all season. That was how good the game turned out to be, and if the notion that Jose Mourinho sent Romelu Lukaku to Everton so that he can cause Chelsea's rivals a certain degree of mayhem, then what a masterstroke it could turn out to be. But I don't think Jose did that, he's lost his verve since he returned to the bridge.

But enough of all this, I'm here to provide a bite-size preview of the game tonight at the Etihad.

For all out there who've read Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde', Manchester City is the epitome of it. Swashbuckling at home, lethargic anywhere else. They did though, run Chelsea off the park at Stamford Bridge and but for Hart's rush of blood to the head, could've at least taken a point home.

For a team involving top internationals, City are not up to the standard which the Sheikhs would have demanded. An over reliance on Vincent Kompany has probably cost them big time, as they do not seem to have anyone capable of enforcing proper steel in the back line. Matija Nastasic is a bit lightweight for me, and does not command the defense enough in the absence of Kompany.

And Joe Hart, well, you might have to ask Joe Hart for some insight on how he'll perform.

Past the defence though, and City are ridiculously good. They were like knife through butter against Norwich, putting seven past the Canaries. The likes of David Silva, Toure, Aguero (who I think is the best striker in England now), and Alvaro Negredo will go about their duty. It's a question of whether or not Andre Villas-Boas can set his stall out from kickoff, and drum into his players what is needed tonight.

Paulinho and Dembele will be vital tonight. If that axis can stop the likes of Silva and Nasri, then Spurs might have a chance. Defoe has to start the game as I think Demichelis and Nastasic will have their cigar and a cup of latte if Roberto Soldado starts. He does not threaten the space in behind, something which Jermain Defoe dreams about.

Also, Andros Townsend and his pace will be essential for Spurs. He can stretch the pitch and have his trademark one-on-one runs against Gael Clichy. And Lamela should play on the opposite wing. With Christian Eriksen (if he's fit) behind Defoe, this match is set perfectly for Spurs. They haven't clicked yet this season, but I think it may not be too far.

The money which has been spent is bound to pay off, and I have a gut feeling that this might be the time they click. As long as the Lilywhites can keep the score tight approaching the hour mark, they'll have every chance of overturning City at their backyard. Spurs to nick it, 2-1. You heard it right.

Overconfidence May Not Be Good Always, Man United to Win.

Jay Jay Denis

"They 8-2 much, Arsenal fans", was the comment thrown around, with some even saying, "I'd 8-2 be an Arsenal fan right now." Horrendous, that night in 2011, so frightening that even some fans contemplated supporting a different club after that game.

Mind you, the strong ones stay. Majority of that 11 who started, of which only 5 remain. After that defeat, Arsenal were 17th, and there was no mention of the top 4, let alone title.

Today, they go into the game, 8 points clear of their hosts, and there is an air of a new-found belief not only in the squad, but amongst the fans as well. Before I go further, any talk of the title has got to wait till the turn of the year, at least.

Wenger's men have a better defense this time around, with stalwarts in Mertesacker, ever like a gazelle in the way he floats slowly but with quick thinking, it's all upstairs for Per. His colleague Koscielny meanwhile, complements him fabulously, possessing the speed and panache to be confident in a 20-yard foot race. Mikel Arteta needs no mentioning, the Basque midfielder was absolutely immense in the last 2 games, especially at the Emirates against SAS.

But its Man Utd right? They almost always find a way in big games, as Sir Alex is tactically so proficient in the setup of his troops.

Oh sorry, it's David Moyes. Okay Moyes. They've played Chelsea, Liverpool, City and have only one point to show for. But that all seems quite some time ago. Wayne Rooney must be licking his lips at the sight of Wenger's men, as he has scored 10 goals against the North London outfit, more than any club in the Premier League.

With Van Persie ahead of him, Man Utd can never be ruled out, not at the Theatre of Dreams. Atmosphere around Old Trafford will be buzzing, the fans surely looking at this game as a way to jumpstart their dwindinh season.

Ramsey, Arteta and Rosicky will be key, with Ozil and Cazorla on both wings. Personally, it'd be much more effective if Ozil was played centrally tonight, as he'd have the guile and zip to thread balls in between United's centre halves. Shunning Ramsey out to the right however might not be the best of ideas as he's been immense in the centre of the park this season.

It all depends on which Arsenal turns up, ad they've never been so confident heading to Old Trafford before, not even with the Invicibles.

That could be the undoing for Arsenal. Wayne Rooney and Man Utd are no pushovers, Ashley Young could convince referree Michael Oliver to award a spot kick. Anything could happen.

There are too many if's and buts in this game for a clear Arsenal victory. I think the Devils might nick this one, an early goal, which would force the Gunners to attack, leaving holes in behind for Valencia and Janujaz to exploit later. Final score, 2-0

Liverpool Might Trounce The Gunners With 'SAS'

Following completion of the first round of matches on August 17^th, many experts and pundits alike, wrote off Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal with some even concluding that the Gunners would break Wenger’s record of having finished in the top four ever since he arrived from Japan. How wrong they have been proven to be with the North London outfit now seated top of the Barclays Premier League with 9 games having been played. Or were they right?

                               

            Just under a week and a half ago, defeat to Champions League finalists, Borrusia Dortmund, sort of brought the Arsenal fans, more than anyone else, back down to the grass of Emirates’ pitch, after preconceived ideas of lifting the league title come May. Chelsea’s swashbuckling performance coupled with two goals in the Capital One cup further served as a reality check with the Arsenal squad now being stretched quite a bit. With high-flying Liverpool the visitors tonight, Wenger’s troops have it all to do if they are to stop an unwanted record of 3 successive home defeats for the first time ever at the Emirates.

            Flamini, Walcott, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain among others, will are all still out with injury (though the German striker recently returned to training) along with a speedy winger in Serge Gnabry, who has more than made a case for a starting place in Arsene’s first 11. News just in that Jack Wilshere has been rendered unfit to start the game tonight, which further complicates matters. A squad which was stretched earlier, is now down to its bare bones.

            Liverpool are undoubtedly the toughest test in the league thus far, among all teams who have played against Arsenal. Boasting the deadliest duo in England thus far with a combined 14 goals between the pair, ‘SAS’ as they’re fondly nicknamed, are brimming with confidence, playing with the panache last seen from the likes of Torres, Owen and Rush.

            One may construe that team supremo Brendan Rodgers has come up with a tactical masterclass may not be too far off, as he has altered his team’s outlook from the now common 4-3-3 to a more flexible 3-5-2 formation, enabling Suarez and Sturridge to play in their favoured positions, but still having control in the middle of the park, with Gerard and Lucas shielding the Merseysiders centre backs with Henderson in front of them, (though Coutinho will definitely be ahead of that diamond when he returns). The game changer is that this permits both Johnson and Cissokho to get forward to provide width for the attack. Teams who play narrow against such an outfit will find it tough as Liverpool will smother the midfield. Key to counter this sort of system is to have pacy wingers who can stretch the game, dragging centre backs into unwanted territory out of their box.

However, with the threesome of Walcott, Chamberlain and Podolski out, Arsenal are powerless to go out wide, with both Cazorla and Rosicky preferring to drift infield. Brendan Rodgers will be silently chuckling with joy, defending against such a system.

            And almost everyone knows that Arsene Wenger is such a stubborn man that he would not change his tactics to counter a losing situation.

            Centre halves like Skrtel, Sakho and Toure will be loaded with confidence in their veins, tasked to defend against a static forward in the shape of Olivier Giroud because they know he doesn’t possess the pace to get in behind them.

            Wenger has his work cut out here. He’ll have to get into his players, stressing on the importance of this game because winning it not only maintains their stay at the top, but it widens the gap between them and the red half of Merseyside and also provides much-needed morale going into a do-or-die tie against Dortmund in midweek.

            Ramsey will be needed to cover every blade of grass at the Emirates, with enough pizzazz from Ozil, Cazorla and Rosicky while Arteta has to take some advice from Flamini on how to bite at the heels of nifty forwards like Suarez.

            Arsenal’s fullbacks, both have a mammoth of a job tonight, not only in defence but in the attacking third of the pitch as well. They might have to revisit the tape of that match against Dortmund, where the Germans provided a scintillating show of counterattacking football at its best.

If they do all of these, then maybe, just maybe, the Gunners will have a chance against the inform-duo in the Barclays Premier League.

            With that being said, I personally think there are too many “if’s” and “maybe’s” for Arsenal to win. The Reds have been going great and Suarez will want to teach the Gunners a lesson for not upping their ludicrous 40 million plus one pound bid. Prediction, a 3-1 win to Liverpool.