EPL Debate: Arsenal Vs Chelsea Vs Man United Vs Liverpool Vs Spurs

For as long we have all debated about our beloved clubs and how they will trade in the game of soccer, we have wished and declared that this time the club will be deadly and hammer the rival on face.

We have prayed and said that it is our year, this indeed is.

I thought to introduce the debate of EPL champs and warriors to the greater stage and so created this article. The name EPL debate signifies the debate between the last season top 4 clubs of EPL, to name Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. I also included Liverpool as it is the club with the most glorious history in the EPL.

I would like to extend my thanks to all who participated in the debate:

Arsenal is represented by the Arsenal Community king and most popular  Callum D'Souza.

The last season champs Chelsea is being represented by the Chelsea Featured Columnist and much famous Saura Bhattacharjee.

The club of Liverpool is represented by the FC and one of the most knowledgeable writers Kaustav Bose.

Spurs has been represented by its FC and most active fan Christopher Potter.

Finally, Manchester United has been represented by myself, Maxx G, a United featured columnist and the lover of the beautiful game.

1. I am Proud: Why my club stands apart irrespective of current scenario and other factors?

Callum (Arsenal): The thing which I most admire about Arsenal is their professionalism. Rarely, (bar Jack Wilshere's little fracas) are players involved in scandals or incidents. Furthermore, the way they go about all aspects of football, the transfer window, losses, rumours.

Saura (Chelsea): Because the Blues’ were a club who had never been regarded as top notch, we lacked financial powers to develop and people used to look down with hate upon us. But with the proper funds, we have proved that we can be the top and most feared club in England and all over the world. We have risen like none other and will make every other clubs kneel before our power and might.

Kaustav (Liverpool): As a club, Liverpool FC has a strong history and though that might not mean much in terms of its present status, but then it lends a lot of inspiration to the coming generations and it also instills a sense of pride amongst players and its fans. 

We have had a long series of brilliant performers and thus our silverware collection speaks for itself. 
Yes, it no denying the fact that Liverpool FC are not going through their best phase but then so did even the best clubs all around the world, even the present Top Four clubs at a certain point in history. I love the way our fans support the club and we all hope that things will mend sooner rather than later.

Maxx (ManUtd): Because of Sir Alex Ferguson. Because of Wayne Rooney. Because of Christiano Ronaldo. Because I started watching the game and was a great fan of David Beckham.

We have won 11 titles in the new era and fight with a team of not individualists, but as a team. United stands as a great name for itself in the world and has one of the largest fan bases in the world.

Christopher (Spurs): Tottenham makes me proud for four reasons in particular: its charity work, its manager, its British contingent of players, and its sense of financial responsibility.

Charity work: Its exhaustive and tireless Foundation provides thousands of children across London with coaching and developmental programmes. Its work with SOS Children's village in South Africa is also praiseworthy.

In their heart, the majority of fans of English football clubs would ideally like to have a strong English manager at the helm of their club. In Harry Redknapp, Tottenham has a stalwart of the game and a man with infectious enthusiasm and many a story to tell. Yes, his tax activities are questionable and transfer dealings often quite underhand, but this just creates intrigue and gossip: two vital ingredients for keeping the Premier League bandwagon rolling on and gathering more supporters every year.

Tottenham's team comprises stars from all over the world yet the most important players remain young and British. Without Bale, Crouch, Defoe, Huddlestone, and Lennon, Tottenham would not be the club I love.

Amid so much debt and inflated wages, Tottenham stands as a beacon for financial integrity and solvency.

2. We are Better: What really has changed in 2010 from 2009 for the club?

Callum: Last season, Arsenal boasted a strong squad but it lacked something special. However, I feel this campaign it is a more mature and experienced squad with more hunger to succeed. Players like Samir Nasri, Nicklas Bendtner, and Theo Walcott all look to have grown greatly and can finally start becoming the world class players that burns inside of them. Of course, they have to stay fit.

Saura: Chelsea has carried on their superb form from last year and have even developed on that form.

The team has already scored 17 goals and conceded just one. The players has been playing together for the past five to six years and the team chemistry is at its prime. No other club in the world has such better understanding among their top class players. The game is now coming naturally to the players and hence, we are the most dangerous. New signings Ramires and the recovery of Essien has bolstered our midfield further, which is the best. 
 

Kaustav: I personally believe, after the aquisition of players like Joe Cole and Raul Meirles, that we certainly have a more creative mid-field. But then again, it was the same team on the field in 2009-10 + Xabi Alonso that took us so close to winning the title, so can’t say that our team last season was pathetic really. 

It is an interesting prospect, but I believe that with our youngsters maturing and a change in management, we have almost as good a team as last year. I say almost because I think Mascherano leaving the club was a loss for the Reds on the pitch, but then with that mind set, he wouldn’t have done a lot of positives anyways.

To me, even losing Rafa was a loss, as he was a far better tactician. Hodgson is not the worst choice though, but it’ll take at least 5-7 premier league matches to see how the team is evolving.

Hope its positive though, with Torres recuperating and the team gelling up we should be a formidable opposition soon enough.

Maxx: Some things have really changed for the good. I have wanted a transfer of Dimitar Berbatov in this season in my heart but his comeback is amazing. He is now a real forward back to his old deadly form. The arrival of a young player like Chicharito is good for the club. Darren Fletcher grows to be an integral part of the midfield and Paul Scholes is also back in a scintillating form at mid 30s.

Though the club team remains much similar like before, the players are bonded with more chemistry and the season ahead will tell if we have been better and by how much.

Christopher: Despite many players excelling last season, the club has retained all of its most crucial players, tying many down to long-term contracts as they approach the peak of their careers.

In Rafael Van der Vaart and William Gallas, Redknapp has signed two players whose undoubted quality and experience of playing at the highest level for both club and country will be important. The squad has depth and versatile players abound.

There is a great team spirit and real optimism as a result of the upcoming Champions League debut.

3. Lifting Trophies: Where do I see my club finish this year?

Callum: I would like to think Arsenal will win something. I feel that if they maintain a healthy fitness level then they can challenge the Premier League title, especially as Manchester show ominous signs of faltering.

I would also like to think that the young guns can prosper in the League Cup.

Saura:  Nowhere below the top. The Double champions have started their trophy defense in style and will successfully defend it as well. They are now unanimously the best team in EPL and will deservedly be crowned the 2010/11 EPL champions yet again.

Kaustav: Well, I got to be realistic to this. With such a massive change in management and even expected changes in tactics, I think we can still win the FA Cup or even the Carling Cup.

However, I am just speaking of those above just going by our present form, which I expect to improve with time. Moreover, the FA starts really roughly at the time the winter window opens, so we may well have a few reinforcements then on too, with new owners at the helm (hopefully!)

As regards to the Premier League and the Europa, I think its tough to logically predict us winning it outright; not that those are impossible feats, with upsets playing such a role nowadays in the premier league and Europe but then it pretty much a distant dream at the moment. 

Maxx: Talking about the Champion's League, I see United go as far as the semis. However, what happens from there, I cannot predict now. They may go and win the EPL or CL whatever, but the current form of the club has to improve a lot to be that. With current form, they can fetch a top four for sure, but needs to catch the tune to be the winners.

However, United has most of the times made a sloppy start and caught up the pace later and we may think that this can be their season. Who knows? A win in the finals of EL Cup or FA Cup is much prominent.

Christopher: Spurs have steadily grown as a club and improved as a team this decade, but do not have the silverware to show for it, with only an impressive victory in the League Cup as proof.

It will be difficult for the players to win another this year as they will be competing on five fronts: Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and international stage. A decent showing in the Champions League and another top four finish would be an outstanding effort.

4. Still Roadblocks: What really lies as obstacle in my club and needs to be changed?

Callum: Fitness and the goalkeeping conundrum. The fact that Wenger failed to secure a quality keeper could loom a worry but Almunia has performed credibly in the opening fixtures.

There is always the problem with injuries and already Wenger has a long list of casualties. Although there is sufficient depth, if too many key players get injured like previous campaigns, then it will be a long season.

Saura: Age is a factor. Most of our prime players are in their 30s or nearing them.

These season will not be a matter of concern but next season, it might take a toll on the player’s performance. Our youngsters are doing well but we need to give them more playing time and sign some new players before next season.

The only worrying part is our goalkeeper: We need a decent back-up for Cech as his substitutes have not shown much to cheer about. Hilario and Turnbull’s performance have been rather worrying.

Kaustav: Plenty. Liverpool are still a pretty much an evolving outfit yet to come to terms with the change in management and so it’ll take time to adapt to the change in tactics.

Now, how long it takes or whether it at all occurs remains to be seen. e.g. the Zonal marking system seems to have been scrapped and a man-against-man marking system has taken over. Now, for players who followed the former for the past six years, it’ll take time to adapt such a change when dealing with set-pieces.

Another major roadblock are namely, injuries to key players at critical times. If we can avoid that, we should have be formidable soon enough provided players adapt. 

The last on-field road block is the lack of a proper deputy to Fernando Torres, which we desperately need. I would also say we need another good left back and left winger too.

Lastly, the BIGGEST roadblock is the ownership and the related problems; of course, every player and the manager is also aware of it and it takes a toll on your mind if you keep listening such stuff for long time spans. 

LIVERPOOL FC NEEDS A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP and for the better.

Maxx: First and foremost, the ridiculous owners who have dragged the club to the land of debts. They need to be kicked with a replacement.

Secondly, the age of the team, with players like Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Van Der Saar, amd Rio Ferdinand. More than that, we have got to find strong replacement for these stars. The in house does not have so much talents and will take years to grow and making outside transfers seem gloomy because of the debts.

Finally, there are foolish players still living like parasites in the team like Anderson and Hargreaves, who are there perhaps only to get injured. Sir Alex has been wrong in some decisions, also like buying the 7m Bebe for no reason.

New talented blood needs to be infused in the system, if not for this season then for the next, as we cannot continue to depend on Giggs, VDS, Scholes, Carrick, and Gary Neville. 

Christopher: As previously mentioned, the club values money highly and refuses to be sucked into a financial battle with Manchester City or Chelsea—one which it would certainly lose.

This is noble, but limiting. The team really needed a world-class striker such as Luis Fabiano or Diego Forlan during the summer, but chairman Daniel Levy seemed apprehensive about spending £20 million on a transfer fee as well as £5 million a year in wages at a time when his club's involvement in the group stages of the Champions League had not yet been guaranteed.

As it is, with Defoe now injured until Christmas, there is a lack of firepower, and Crouch will have to play out of his very long socks in Europe.

Another obstacle lies in the protracted transport and landscape issues involved in the club's proposal for a new, 56-000 seat stadium next to the current site. If this is approved on 30 September by Haringey council (not at all certain), it will create a legacy of ambition and aspiration for the future.

5. I Hate You: Which is the biggest rival for my club now and why do I hate them?

Callum: Manchester City—their continual buying frustrates me because although it will take some time, they are likely to dominate world football, despite having a team were players barely know one another.

Saura: None really. With all the displays of the rival clubs, there is nothing much to worry about them as Chelsea are better than all of them. But if there is one club, that would be Manchester United. The arrogant SAF and his cheating boys seem to act as if they are the best in the world and in England.

They point fingers at other clubs while they have wife-cheaters and prostitute-seekers in their own squad.

Another most-hated rival are Manchester City, whose unsporting act last year will be a matter of vengeance. A 5-0 rout to the multimillion dollar spoiled brat squad would be the most satisfying result for me.

Kaustav: It is a well known fact that we have huge rivalries traditionally against Manchester United and Everton. Hate would be a wrong word to use, but I would say that me and Liverpool would ideally love to see the end of the domination of both Chelsea and Manchester United.

Winning against any of them would be major scalps anytime.

However, we need to win many more matches in the league and ensure the fourth spot for us. In that respect, we should now have new and huge rivalries with Tottenham, Man City, and Aston Villa.

Maxx: To speak of rivals for United, the Gunners and the Reds comes to the mind first.

Liverpool is way far into the race and I don't see them coming from the pit anymore in near future. Moving to the Gunners, Arsene Wenger's men will give tough competition to United; however, the Gunners have stuck and jammed guns in big games, so that gives United an edge over the rivals.

But to be ideal in the answer, the biggest rival is Chelsea. Ancelotti's men needs to be battered and banged in the face in home or away, and then it will give some peace of mind.

Manchester City is also a rival club, but I see no competition, frankly.

Christopher: As a Tottenham fan, I hate no team as such. Arsenal will always be a crunch match and no Lillywhite would ever wish victory for Wenger's men. If Chelsea went into meltdown, there would be a few Spurs fans raising their glasses also.

But the biggest rivals now for Spurs are Liverpool and Manchester City: two clubs who have new direction and purpose and playing squads which are as possibly as talented if not as settled.

We have reached the end of the EPL War. I guess you who have been reading want to say some more and participate. You are most welcome friends.

And while you do leave the comments, if you have really liked the discussion and the questions, please do give this a like. Cheers.