Arsenal Maintains First Position on the Log

This week’s English Premier League matches proved just how difficult it is to prophesize the strikingly attractive game we call football.

The weekend kicked off with a Derby match between Manchester United—wearing 1958 replica kits—and Manchester City. 

The brightest of sunshine shone upon the players at centre circle, who mourned with the spectators, all standing for a moment of silence to commemorate the memory of the Busby Babes.  

The Blues of City left Old Trafford as victors for the first time since 1974, making it a day all about history.

Much to the dismay of all those rooting for the dwindling Red Devils, Arsenal’s Senderos and Adebayor scored the only goals in the match against Blackburn Rovers, extending Gunners’ lead to five points ahead of United.  

But the match was not without a fight.  Blackburn’s Bently supplied threatening crosses and a well-attempted free kick in the second half, and Lehmann’s tactics were challenged in only his second Premier League match since his mistake against Rovers at the start of the season.  

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has more on his mind than the team’s three-point loss.  He worriedly awaits the scan results of key player Andre Ooijer.  The Dutchman appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during Monday’s match and could be unable to play for up to a month.  

Further north of the log, Liverpool is fighting for 4th position.  They are just three points behind Everton with a game in hand.

The Reds gained a point on Sunday when their encounter against the Blues ended in a predictably goalless draw.  The heated rivalry between the clubs was unmistakable; five yellow cards were awarded.  Apart from a few enticing moments, the game was dreary and the ball was mostly played back and forth in the midfield.

Not quite a season for Liverpool to be proud of, but with a squad lacking in so many aspects, 4th position on the log and a place in the Champions League is an agreeable target.

The title-race still remains a three-way brawl between Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea.  With vital matches soon approaching, there is no doubt that the three teams will be closely watched in anticipation of who will finish first.