Remind you of someone?

Gareth Bale saved Tottenham’s blushes in Europe last night with a stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan. Let’s face it. After Tottenham’s first-half display, nobody saw Bale’s second-half performance coming. If Lionel Messi had scored three goals in that fashion, everyone would be lording him today.

Bale was the only Spurs player who didn’t look like a deer in headlights at the San Siro. He turned the travelling fans experience from a nightmare into an almost amazing dream. Still. Well done son. You are without doubt, a future divo in the making. In fact, last night, you officially arrived.

The Welsh star has long been considered one of the most exciting British prospects in years. He went through a miserable time when he first joined Spurs from Southampton. Every time he’d play, they’d lose. But Bale didn’t let it bother him. He fought back and was given a position in the side that is almost the nucleus of the current Spurs team. Impressed? I am.

Does Bale remind you of another flying winger from Wales? He’s almost identical to Ryan Giggs in every way. Let’s hope Spurs can hang onto him for a good few years. He can become a legend at the Lane if he wants. But the lure of money could lead him to pasture new. For now, soak him up Spurs fans.

Revenge is sweet…

Is it me or do Arsenal look like they have an edge to their play this season? Nasri looks on fire, Wilshere is a star in the making, Koscielny proved he can play, and so far, the Gunners are fighting back like a team when things go a bit south!

After Spurs hammered them in the Carling Cup in 2008, the red side of London was ready to turn the tables on their arch rivals. And boy did they put the boot in. Arsenal managed to empty Tottenham’s stadium before the second half of extra time had even begun. It was sweet revenge for Gooners everywhere.

Granted Tottenham didn’t field their best, but neither did Arsenal. Sure there were some familiar faces like Keane and Lennon for Spurs and Rosicky and Nasri for Arsenal, but it was the brilliance of Jack Wilshere that stole the show. He looked like Liam Brady out there and if he continues on this path and stays injury free, he could be an Arsenal legend in the making. He was precise with his passing and his speed was impressive. His technical ability is sublime and Wilshere’s overall feel for the game is instinctive. Do Arsenal have a replacement for Fabregas waiting in the wings?

The Carling Cup is not really a competition where we should be judging whether a team is good or bad, or whether a player is quality or not. What I do like about the Carling Cup though is you get to see a team’s future. You get to see budding divas in the making and it’s certainly fun to watch.

Arsenal fans shouldn’t get too carried away with this victory, but it’s always beautiful when you humiliate your rivals in their own back yard. Sweet revenge yes. But the season is oh so long…

Future Divo…

JACK_WILSHERE_280x3_651142a

Jack Wilshere has been dubbed the most exciting prospect in English football and he absolutely deserves the tag. There’s a fearlessness to Wilshere that is undeniable and there’s no doubt he’s a breathtaking player to watch.

Wilshere has had an incredible pre-season with Arsenal and was without question the star at the Emirates Cup. He showed a maturity and intelligence for the game that we haven’t seen in a few of Arsene Wenger’s youngsters. Wilshere reminds people of former Arsenal legend Liam Brady and if you’re a Gooner, this can only be hopeful news in an off-season where not much has happened in the transfer market. He also has a little Gazza in him when he has the ball at his feet and he’s running at players. Wilshere truly is a delicious footballer.

There isn’t one pundit or writer that isn’t raving about this lad. He has impressed so much that some are saying he deserves to start before Theo Walcott. Some have even gone as far to say Arshavin and Fabregas love to play with him because he knows how to read their runs in a world-class player kind of way. Could Wilshere challenge Walcott for a place in the starting line-up this season?

The great thing about Wilshere is he’s an Arsenal boy through and through. He is a rising star born from the Gunners exceptionally run academy and he is an example of the type of player Wenger wants to breed. His High School P.E. teacher compared him to Wayne Rooney and he believes Wilshere will burst onto the world stage just like the Boy Wonder did a few years ago. If that’s the case, Arsenal and England have much to look forward to.

Talk of him playing for England in the World Cup seems far off when he hasn’t played regularly for Arsenal in the Premier League yet. How will he match-up against the likes of Gerrard and Mascherano at Liverpool, Lampard and Ballack at Chelsea and Carrick and Fletcher at Manchester United? Something tells me he’ll do just fine. Wilshere isn’t phased by all this and he’s just waiting for his chance to show the world what he can do. Those who have seen the Wilshere trailer love what they have witnessed thus far.

Jack Wilshere…we will be watching you closely this season. Good luck son. You are without question a Future Divo…

Future Divo…

ashl-young-756455Aston Villa’s game against Everton could be a defining moment in their season. They have dropped some crucial points against inferior teams and most critics agree they have underperformed thus far. However, when a team does have a moment of change, it is usually sparked by a certain decision by the manager, or most likely, the sudden impact of a particular player. Step forward Ashley Young.

His game against Everton was inspired. Young scored two beautiful goals that illustrated his pure natural talent. The composure he maintained when threading the ball past Tim Howard was impressive. His second half goal that came from an almighty gaff from Phil Jagielka was pleasing on the eye too. It’s great to watch a young England player doing so well.

Aston Villa have the ability to break into a Champions League spot. They have so many talented players. Gareth Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Steve Sidwell all played well this weekend. Sidwell scored a screamer himself after only 34 seconds! But the performance from Ashley Young garners him the player of the week…