Arsenal Maintains First Position on the Log

Laylaa Adam — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:24:11 -0500

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.

EPL Title: Manchester United Look Strong in Three-Way Race

Laylaa Adam — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:51:51 -0500

The competition is tight—25 matches into the Barclays Premier League; Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are fighting for that sacred number one spot on the log.

Uniteds' second-rate performance at White Hart Lane on Saturday caused them to slip down two points behind Arsenal, handing the Gunners the top position and creating a mere four point gap above third place holders, Chelsea.

Sir Alex deems that United is capable of keeping the trophy at Old Trafford if they manage to go unbeaten for the next 13 matches of the season. With the way United has been performing, reaching and remaining at the top of the log is probable. But as any soccer fan knows, this competition has surprise lurking on every pitch.

Fortune looks to be on Uniteds' side however, and has come in the form of 23-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, having scored 19 league goals for his club so far this season. Arsenals' Emmanuel Adebayor holds second position on the top-scorer’s table having scored 18 league goals.

Perhaps Ronaldo's eagerness to score goals has a little to do with the fact that Sir Alex has enticed him with a pay rise if he hits 30 league goals; a far-fetched target for anyone but the Portuguese winger.

There is no doubt that the Red Devils are capable of clawing their way back to the top of the log provided that they regain their winning streak on Sunday when they play the Blues of City at Old Trafford.

Spectators will agree that derby matches are never without amusement on and off the field. It is almost guaranteed that United fans will grab the opportunity to remind City supporters just how many trophies United has won over the past decade.

If that does not keep them quiet, maybe a reminder that City is just seventh on the log will.

A poor start for United, due to untimely injuries and unsettled additions to the squad, may very well result in a spectacular finish to the season. Sir Alex is legendary for creating a team capable of competing at the highest level, and demolishing all those who get in their way of victory.

Ronaldo, Rooney, Ferdinand, Tevez, Nani and the rest of them closely resemble the invincible treble-winning squad of '99 that included the likes of Beckham, Keane, Scholes and Giggs in his prime. With football being as unpredictable as it is, one cannot write Arsenal and Chelsea off by any means.

But fellow devotees, it looks like Sir Alex may have done it again.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Laylaa Adam

Arsenal Maintains First Position on the Log

EPL Title: Manchester United Look Strong in Three-Way Race