Filed under: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal, Arsène Wenger, Carling Cup, Carlos Vela, Cesc Fàbregas, EPL Football, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott | Tags: Aaron Ramsey, Arsène Wenger, Arsène Wenger philosophy, Arsenal, Arsenal 6-0, Arsenal Carling Cup, Arsenal Team of the Future, Arsenal VS Sheffield United, Arsenal young guns, Carlos Vela, Cesc Fàbregas, EPL Football, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Young Gunners
Arsenal fired in six goals to beat Sheffield United 6-0 in their Carling Cup match. Arsène Wenger named a line-up that had an average age of 19 – something that’s out of the ordinary in the EPL. Many critics will argue that Wenger is counting on a base of instability. But Wenger stands by his ideal of giving an open opportunity to his youth players and this without a doubt is a sign of good intention in itself.
Arsenal failed to finish as strong as they had began their campaign last season and they would attest this failure through the team’s inexperience. Fingers were pointed at Cesc Fàbregas, who led his team’s midfield at the age of 20. Questions were raised about whether such young, raw players could carry such a difficult task in arguably, the biggest & best league in the world.
But Arsenal have something that most EPL teams don’t and that’s open-mindedness. While most teams, like Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United have chosen a kind of short-term plan – Arsenal’s got something that has the potential to become really special. Wenger’s youth policy may be deemed as vulnerable because of his openness to count on such young talent. However, the future is not so far away & Arsenal has got it right to stick with a young core, rather than an aging one.
And with such a great array of young talent in the club, it’s almost expected that there’s great things to look forward to in North London. The thought of having a matured side that includes Fàbregas, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Vela & Aaron Ramsey is a vision worth waiting for. And Wenger knows patience is truly the key, as Arsenal is the team for the future.
Filed under: Arsenal, Chelsea, David Di Michele, Denílson, EPL Football, Manchester City, Michael Chopra, Richard Dunne, Salomon Kalou, Sunderland, West Ham United, feelgood top five | Tags: David Di Michele, David Di Michele VS Newcastle, Denílson, EPL Football, feelgood top five, Kalou VS Manchester United, Manchester City 6-0, Michael Chopra, Richard Dunne
Week 5 saw Arsenal take the top of the table after winning their third straight, while Liverpool, United & Chelsea all played to a draw. Manchester City showed what they were capable of doing with their new attack, beating Harry Redknapp’s side 6-0.
#5 – Denílson
The young Bazilian midfielder has had a very mature season after consistent starting roles. Denílson scored in the 86th minute to secure three points against Bolton. The 20-year-old is loving life as a starter and should make it interesting when Tomáš Rosický returns for the Gunners.
#4 – Richard Dunne
It was six in the City, as Manchester City demolished Portsmouth 6-0. Richard Dunne helped his club earn a cleansheet, while also scoring in the 19th minute to give his team a 2-0 lead.
#3 – David Di Michele
The 32-year-old Italian striker should see considerable amount of time in the pitch with newly appointed manager and fellow compatriot, Gianfranco Zola at the helm. Zola, who promised exciting football hasn’t disappointed with his team beating Newcastle 3-1. And it was the ex-Torino man, who scored a delightful double on his second game for the Hammers.
#2 – Michael Chopra
The English striker and former Newcastle player scored twice as a substitute in the dying minutes to beat Middlesbrough 2-0. His late goal antics is no surprise to the EPL, especially not with the Sunderland supporters.
#1 – Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou fired in his first goal of the season to secure a point against Manchester United, but most importantly – to keep Chelsea’s home unbeaten record intact. Kalou scored a header off Mikel John Obi’s free kick in the 79th minute to liven up the anxious Chelsea faithful. Kalou, who is yet to win over new manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari has definitely made a fine statement on Sunday.
Filed under: Chelsea, Chelsea VS Manchester United, EPL Football, Manchester United, Salomon Kalou, feelgood goal of the week | Tags: Chelsea VS Manchester United, Chelsea VS Manchester United 1-1, EPL Football, feelgood goal of the week, Kalou VS Manchester United, Salomon Kalou, Salomon Kalou VS Manchester United
Salomon Kalou scores to keep Chelsea’s home unbeaten record alive against Manchester United.
Filed under: Carlos Tévez, EPL Football, Sheffield United, West Ham United | Tags: Carlos Tévez, Carlos Tévez West Ham Corruption, Carlos Tevez Affair, EPL Football, Sheffield United compensation, West Ham to pay £30 million, West Ham United
Sheffield United, currently 15th in the Championship, are now a little richer. Despite losing their appeal to overturn relegation during the 2006-07 campaign, the Blades requested that the League further investigate the Carlos Tévez affair.
Both Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano were bought by West Ham United from Brazilian club, Corinthians for £12 million. The bizarre transfer, along with the Argentianians’ ineligibility to play would have been enough to see West Ham relegated. However, the Premier League decided to only fine the East London club £5.5 million.
But the arbitration panel has awarded in favor of the Blades, who’s no longer being managed by Neil Warnock. West Ham, who officially sold Tévez to Manchester United for £35 million will now need to compensate the Blades with £30 million.
