Why Arsenal Will Win The League This Season & Not United Or Chelsea!?

Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United came out in the open a few days back & predicted the league this year to have the tightest ending ever. Given the way the heavyweights (read: Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd) have tasted defeat all season long, the above might just hold true. No single team has been able to stamp it’s authority over the summit for a considerable period of time. Chelsea took the early lead, Arsenal popped up in the middle & now it’s United’s turn to have its minutes of fame ‘n fancy. With just 7 games to go, it eventually boils down to picking maximum points here-on if any of the aforementioned are to be crowned Champion’s come May.

We @11G look at their individual cases & try predict the winner..

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NOTE: Originally published for The Gunning Hawk. Do not forget to share your views with them as well. Cheers!

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EPL Table as of 24^th March:

Arsenal

Twice considered out of the title-race, Wenger’s team have arguably the easiest run-in going into the final stretch of the long & arduous English league. They have not only faced each of their direct rivals, but also have the luxury of facing opponents of lesser might in Birmingham City, Wolves, Wigan, Blackburn & Fulham on the final day of the season. You’d fancy them to pick maximum points out of these. Face-offs against Tottenham & Man City will not only be feisty but also could prove tricky for the Gunners. Any further slip-up & the team from N5 can await the sight of silverware for the 5’th season running.

Easy Peazy : Birmingham + Wolves + Wigan + Blackburn + Fulham = 15 points

Possible Stalemates : Tottenham + Man City = 2points

Bloopers : None!

But I back the Gunners to get rid of the Tiny Tots & Man Arabs come what may. 21 points are there to be taken.

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Total : 21 + 00 + 00 = 21 points

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Manchester United

Going for a record 4th straight league crown, the team from Manchester is known for their late flourish. When it comes to experience, no one knows it better than the wily old Scot, & I bet he’ll give it his all to ensure the Red Devils end the term on a triumphant note. Their dead-rubbers include games against Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland & Stoke City. Delap’s hand-grenade’s apart, you’d expect them to cream these fixtures now that we are in the business end of the season.

On the contrary, games against Chelsea (phew!), Man City (whoosh!) & Tottenham (voila!) could see them drop points. Both Man City & Tottenham are gunning hard for the 4’th spot vis-à-vis a chance to play in Europe elite tourney, the Champion’s League. Moreover Carlos Tevez seems to have a thing with the Old Trafford faithful, ever since he bid adieu in rather acrimonious circumstances last season. Expect him to undo their title bid. Not to forget, the home clash with fellow contenders Chelsea will be fiercely contested either way. The stakes can’t be any higher for those two. All in all, there are chances galore for them to drop points. Something, we Gooners, would welcome with open arms. Let’s have a look how they should fare up:

Easy Peazy : Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, Stoke City = 12 points

Possible Stalemates : Tottenham + Man City = 2 points

Bloopers : Chelsea = 0 points

Realistically speaking, Tottenham shouldn’t trouble United. I’d go with draw against both City & Chelsea.

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Total : 15 + 02 + 00 = 17 points

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Chelsea

As I type, Chelsea have humbled poor Pompey 5 goals to nil. Not only do they re-claim the 2’nd spot from the Gunners, but more importantly they are now even with United when it comes to goal-difference. Only a fool will discount how critical that might turn out in the final outcome of this topsy-turvy season thus far. A look at their fixtures now:

Bolton, Stoke & Wigan are the only relief Ancelotti’s side will have in the run-in. The Blues have the toughest line-up to face, with ties against a rampant Villa (their bogey team), Man United (as discussed before), Tottenham (poor Spurs, they’re gonna lose all three!), & Liverpool (another Euro contender) before the close. Discounting Tottenham from the race for the race for 4’th spot, we are left with only Villa & Liverpool as possible spoilers.

Easy Peazy : Bolton + Stoke City + Wigan = 9 points

Possible Stalemates : Villa + Tottenham + Liverpool = 3 points

Bloopers : Man United = 0 points

Draw against United & Villa/Liverpool looks a possibility. They should do alright versus Tottenham.

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Total : 15 + 02 + 00 = 19 points

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EPL Table as of 09^th May (My Prediction!):

Points to be considered/noted:

• Arsenal need to win all their remaining games. Otherwise it narrows down to goal difference, something they trail both United & Chelsea by 7 goals as of now. Although they score freely, given their fragile defence, closing in on that gap would be highly unlikely.
• Arsenal face Barcelona in the CL. Chances are high they’ll be knocked out against the current champion’s. If they don’t lose moral as a result, & in turn fire all cylinders, winning the remaining 5 games should be relatively easy.
• A win for United against Chelsea, would make them favorites for the title. But if they drop points at home, another draw against city rivals City (!) would be on. Also, their over-reliance on Wayne Rooney may return to haunt them, should the former-Everton man miss a few games due to injury.
• United on the other hand, have a free run to the finals of Europe’s elitist showpiece. With a Quarter’s against Bayern Munich & possible Semis against either of Bordeaux or Lyon, they’ll most certainly have 2 more important games to take care of (Semis ie). That might just fatigue the players vis-à-vis Arsenal & Chelsea.
• If Chelsea somehow defeat United away from home, their chances of finishing 2^nd become brighter. That, if Arsenal raid all points, & Chelsea themselves drop another 2 against Liverpool/Villa.
• Like United, their involvement in the FA Cup, which with an easier field, presents a sure-shot chance for glory, might just distract them. Even they are highly dependent on Drogba for their goals; especially the big goals. With 4 big games out of the possible 7, the ‘Big Drog’ better be firing all cylinders till the end of this term. Is it possible? Naah!

I’m an Arsenal Die-Hard. So if you find any of the above (even all of the above) highly biased, or flop-sided; pardon my drift, I just can’t help it! Arsenal are bloody gunning for the title now. Stop Us if you can. You just can’t. Go Gunners..

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