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…

Fabregas the fabulous…

cesc_280x390_901840aFabregas turned on the sexy football against Blackburn this weekend and watching him play was like observing an artist create the perfect painting. It was as though a masterpiece unfolded before your very eyes and witnessing the process felt like something very special. Fabregas made 4 goals, scored a peach of a volley and hit the bar as well. He was simply fabulous. No wonder Barcelona want him so badly.

Fabregas masterminded Arsenal’s performance from start to finish and on a day when Arsene Wenger was celebrating his 13th anniversary as manager, his captain and team did not let him down. Even former captain Thierry Henry was cheering from the stands and marvelling at the Gunners display of beautiful football.

They tore Blackburn to shreds and played their best football so far this season. Sure there were question marks about their defense at times, but Arsenal weathered the storm, stood strong and showed some grit and determination against a very tricky Blackburn team. In seasons past Arsenal could have easily lost a game like this after going 2-1 down, but they had a little something extra this time around and the belief in their ability to win the game was evident. From Fabregas, to Rosicky, to Vermaelen, to Arshavin and even Walcott the sub, Arsenal’s quality and class shone through in abundance.

By the way, I’m wondering if Vermaelen is a better striker than defender? The Belgian international has scored 5 goals in 8 games for Arsenal and is definitely proving to be one of the best summer transfers by a Premier League team. Do you think he’s worth the money so far? How did you rate Fabregas this weekend? If Arsenal play like this, can they win the title? Who scored the better goal, Vermaelen, Fabregas or Bendtner?

It wasn’t a particularly exciting week in the Premier League. Chelsea bounced back really well against Liverpool. The scouse house looked weak again for me and if you look closely, Carragher was responsible for both goals and Gerrard gave the ball away so cheaply in the last 20 minutes of the game. Torres missed a couple of exceptional chances but he just couldn’t find his magic touch today. If Torres isn’t scoring, Liverpool aren’t winning right now. With this loss to Chelsea, are Liverpool’s title hopes over?

Manchester United were lucky to escape with a point. It wasn’t a great performance but it was worth watching the game just to see Berbatov’s goal. It was delicious. Darren Bent’s goal wasn’t bad either and he is proving to be a great signing for Sunderland. United are going to have to play better than that if they want to retain the title. Were they lucky to get a point in your eyes?

Bolton had their best performance in a long time against Tottenham. They deserved the point and really showed some guts in that game. Crouch missed a great opportunity to win the match for Tottenham. Kranjcar was Tottenham’s best player by far and Lennon had another quiet game for the blue side of North London. Not very good in front of Fabio Capello. What did you think of Tottenham this week?

Well done Portsmouth for winning a game. Well done Hull for winning a game. Well done Burnley for continuing to entertain.

Team of the week = Arsenal. How about yours?

Goal of the week = Fabregas volley. How about yours?

Player of the week = Cesc Fabregas

Hello. We are Manchester City…

_46367397_adebayorb466Manchester City battered Arsenal 4-2 today. After a dominate 1st half performance by the Gunners, Manchester City gave them a good pasting in the 2nd half. I don’t know what Mark Hughes said to his men at half-time, but whatever it was, it worked to perfection. Unfortunately for City, their great performance is not what the papers will be shouting about tomorrow morning. A deliberate and provocative celebration by Adebayor against his old club Arsenal is what will dominate the headlines on the back pages. Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to celebrate his header and Manchester City’s 3rd goal, which obviously incited fury from the Gunners fans.

What he did was wrong. He should know better. Adebayor has obviously dreamed of shoving it down the Arsenal fans throats following months of abuse by them. But so much has been written about City and Arsenal before the season started and we all know there is no love lost between Hughes and Wenger. It certainly appears as though a new rivalry has been born between these two teams and Adebayor is more than happy to lead City from the front lines. This is the first of many battles. Arsenal fans 0 Manchester City fans 1.

City’s 4-2 defeat over Arsenal illustrates how Mark Hughes and his men are ready to prove they can win the title. They have been ripped by many in the media for spending tons of money in the summer transfer market. People have questioned Mark Hughes and his ability to manage a group of growing stars. Bets have been made on whether or not they can break into the so-called Top 4. Well today, Manchester City were able to put some of their critics in their place with a dominant performance. Oh and by the way…they did it without Tevez and Robinho.

Arsenal looked in control of the game in the first half. They had good possession and it appeared as though they could do some damage. But some of their final balls and overall attempts on goal lacked bite. Sure Van Persie and Rosicky scored and the latter looked bright when he came on as a substitute for Arsenal, but it just wasn’t enough. And in the second half, Manchester City took over completely and whipped Arsenal about the pitch like jockeys on a race horse. Adebayor tortured his old team both in attack and defense. I lost count how many Arsenal corners he cleared away with his head. He played with a chip on his shoulder and it worked for him and City.

Once again there are many question marks against Arsenal. The finger will be pointed at Wenger for not splashing the cash in the transfer market. In today’s game, money definitely was the one doing the talking and winning. You could see City’s investments on the pitch and it was fruitful for them today. Let’s remember this is a long season. We still have to see how City perform in adversity. For now, they are enjoying their winning ways. And for now, it’s Arsenal that have to show what they will do in adversity.

Was this game proof that Manchester City will finish above Arsenal this season? Do you think City can win the whole enchilada? Can Adebayor finish as the Premier League’s top scorer? Do City need Robinho and should they let him go to Barcelona? Should Wenger have taken Bendtner off instead of Denilson? Should he give Jack Wilshere more playing time? What’s wrong with Fabregas? Who is getting the drinks in?

Premier League team searches for new hero…

arsenal-optimus-wallpaper-02-1024-776582What is wrong with Arsenal? For the first time in a long time, the fans are asking questions about Wenger and how the club is moving towards the future. The board and management have been given the benefit of the doubt for three trophy less seasons. Now the fans want answers. Have Arsenal become a youth farm system? Why won’t they buy British? Why won’t they spend more money in the transfer market? Who is going to step-up and lead this team? Why do so many players want to leave? Where is Arsenal’s magician? Who will be their next hero?

Similar questions were asked of this team last season and this was mostly due to the loss of Thierry Henry. Many pundits and critics ate their words as we soaked-up and salivated over Arsenal’s brand of sexy football. For a while they dazzled fans, opponents and perhaps even themselves! Then the injury to Eduardo, a terrible defensive mistake, a hissy fit from their captain and the implosion was in full swing.

After their performance on Saturday, it seems Arsenal haven’t changed much in the off season. The fans must be praying every night for Fabregas to return. And oh how they need another world class midfielder to support him. He can’t do it alone and who knows when Rosicky will be back in the squad. Arsenal have to splash the cash in the transfer market to solve these issues. Someone please navigate them to the “Buy Now” button.

The money men must not be afraid to pay for a special player who can change a game on a whim. Somone who has the ability to visualize beyond the next move. An influential force that can intimidate teams from the north, south, east and west. A player that can force himself to be written about on blogs and discussion boards across the globe. Arsenal need their Ronald, their Deco or their Torres.

The Arsenal lyricists are on standby to create a song for their new hero. Where is he? Will he come by land or sea? What will his name be? Hopefully when he arrives he comes with a blood hungry predator who can tear his rivals apart and fire in the goals week after week. Perhaps Xabi Alonso can smuggle David Silva through the back…