Familiar Stories

I've been away for some time. Wasn't there to pour my thoughts on Arsenal's remarkable victory at OT or their successful passing of the physical test at Hamburg which preceded the United game. I also missed out on Dirk Kuyt(Strangely enough, spelled as "Khout") getting off the blocks with two clinical finishes thereby getting Liverpool's season back on track. But atleast I'm back now albeit at a time when it becomes business as usual in the premiership.

To start off, Arsenal against United. Has been a complete contrast. United are used to letting gunners hog around and tire them out before scoring a goal against the run of play. However, they were to get a taste of their own medicine. The pressure to be at the top must've got to Fergie, like it did to Wenger two seasons back when 50 not out beckoned. Arsenal have suffered at the hands of teams which funnel them down by packing the centre. United went on the atatck too much for my expectation. Inspite of some amplification, justice was done as Kuzczak saved a stumbling Gilberto delivery. I was unhappy with Ronaldo, who was sporadic throughout and was the culprit for giving the ball inside his own half. This quality will make him a good material for Real Madrid. Arsenal's penetration were to pay off eventually as they came away with a deserved and satisfying victory to end United's hegemony in the United-gunner clashes.



However Gunners resurgence was to only return familiarity to premiership with Drogba's outrageous thump robbing Liverpool of atleast a point. Needless to say, Chelsea started motoring along and are sitting pretty at the top of the summit.

Champions' League action saw Arsenal maintain remarkable composure to put two past stubborn Porto. Surprise Surprise, Henry scores with his head for the second game running. United's scrappy performance against Celtic was mirrored in Lisbon with Ronaldo and Saha saving them the blushes to give them their first European away victory in 3 years. How terrible can it be for the most successful manager premiership has seen!!! Champions Barcelona also scrapped through thanks to Messi's 89th minute finish. Real used whipping boys Dynamo Kiev to restore some lost confidence. Reyes' stock is rising in Madrid. Baptista, better pull up your socks!!!
Poor losers Inter made it three in two matches, not goals, but red cards. Little Juve fares in same proportion also when it comes to performance. Valencia climbed to the top of the group after beating Roma 2-1 at home.

Imagine, Valencia has not lost to Barcelona at Camp Nou for six years running.Miraculous, indeed. They were good value for their 1-1 draw last sunday at Camp Nou. Iniesta saved the La Liga champions the blushes. Now with Eto'o KO-ed till end of year, they have a major problem.Coming back to Valencia, they look quite serious contenders for Europe as well as La Liga. Morientes and Villa look a lethal combination. Vicente and Joaquin make a intimidating line-up.



Milan made heavy weather of a light weight group match against Lille, drawing 1-1. I'd love to see young Gourcuff in action. Liverpool were rickety throughout and were on course to do an Istanbul again. They held on and managed a 3-2 win over Galatasaray.

Wenger's 10th year celebration have started well. But the chasing pack need to keep pace and also hope some dark horse knocks the stuffing out of Chelsea.

Stuttering giants

When EPL got underway this season, inspite of Chelski's big spending, there was one team which I expected to start with all guns blazing. But their occasional callous approach has only managed to bring back pictures of how poorly Rafa's Liverpool had started their last two seasons. Losing by the worst scoreline since 1964 to arch-rivals Everton sums up the woeful start to Liverpool's season. For all Kop fans waiting for the glory days of '80s to return, this is the worst teaser they could have got. Rafa got a couple of selections wrong by throwing Sissoko and Carragher straight into the cauldron called Goodison Park. Robbie Fowler's good record against his boyhood club counted for nothing as Liverpool were unable to capitalize on good possession. If someone were surprised on how Sami Hyypia was able to withstand for so long in the premiership, evidences of his ageing could be seen when Andy Johnson overran him only to be denied by a last ditch effort. Somehow one has to feel for the impressive Daniel Agger. What a ripper against West Ham!!! If ridding Moro and Cisse were solutions to Liverpool's striking problems, the answer is a loud 'No'. I wonder why Peter Crouch always creates selection problems for both England and Liverpool. He scores somehow or other, but certainly does his bit in causing selection headaches for even a manager as astute as Rafa. If my words are not to be believed, Kuyt- Bellamy combination seems to have worked out far better against PSV last night. I certainly feel, Kuyt must be given enough chances to show his mettle.
The goalless draw, fortunately did not have a damaging effect as the other group match also meandered towards a stalemate BTW, Moro nets a hat-trick to kickstart Valencia's return to big time. Certainly, all his tricks had gone on a vacation when he was in England. Wonder if Reyes will also find back his goal scoring boots in Spain!!!





Another sad story happens to be coming out of the brand new 'Emirates' stadium. Arsenal seem to have atleast 10-12 shots at goal, but somehow manage to miss the net. Henry has been the main culprit. But we all know how clinical he could get when fully fit. The young boys have been poor in giving the killer ball. The final third needs to be worked on. This is where you can see ManU work wonders. I'm sure they'll tear Arsenal defense apart coming September 17. However, if Wenger puts his thinking cap on, he would come to know that Djourou is still not EPL Centre back material. Whatever astute deals he did on the fading minutes of transfer deadline are being put to waste by playing Gallas at Left back, the position where he deliberately performed averagely against Boro to avoid being typecast. Likewise, Fabregas seems to be wasted as Arsenal have never really got their passing going through the midfield. And a concept of 'wing' has vanished from their lexicon. Hleb and Rosicky look like mirror images who cut in without stretching the defenders till the edge of the square. And Baptista certainly looked to be in no man's land. His position is in the midfield alongside Gilberto. He has a good work rate and can make runs from deep.





Walcott still hasn't earned Wenger's trust. How else can you explain him not being even on the bench against Boro?And teams like Boro and Villa basically come to escape a hounding they've frequently suffered at Highbury. An impatient Arsenal only manage to get themsleves behind, courtesy either stupid goalkeeping or amateurish defending.
Hamburg will be no pushovers!!!And United, sounds scary.

A frantic end to a soporific transfer window

The title says it all. For someone who was waiting to see more action offfield by managers than by players on the World cup turf, it was a major disappointment. The hype generated by tabloids only increased the disappointment. Except for Chelsea's mint and the coffers of Messrs.,Catennachio company by Capello and Calderon, we could hardly see clubs in action.

However, an anti-climax was awaiting in the form of some relief and shocks on the dying minutes.

What were Tevez and Mascherano thinking? The question should be rather what were MSI and Joorabchain thinking? If someone wanted to know who are Chelsea's and Roman's equivalents in South America, "the answer is out there. Follow the Rabbit." In fact, people may feel compelled to concur with so many tabloid reporters saying how Russia has the remote control over Corinthians' operations. Chelsea are in no position to accommodate two rising stars, what with Mourinho already grappling to appease his English equivalent of 'Galacticos' by trying some weird combinations. Surely, 'Chelski' wouldn't have wanted any European giant to lay their hands on these Argentines. So Russian Roubles must've prevented them from moving into more ambitious clubs to nullify the competition, which has been non-existent for the past two seasons in England.

Another testimony to Mourinho's policy of "Do any crap to avoid enemy strengthening himself" was the fact that he was furious at Kenyon for allowing Gallas to go on the swap.Neither does he allow him to move, nor does he allow him to play. A seasoned campaigner like Gallas doesn't deserve such treatment. And I feel Mourinho has no rights to slam Domenech for treating Makelele like a slave. Because he's been doing exactly the same with Gallas. However, I must admit that Wenger has been trumped for once by Kenyon's shrewd mind. 5 million + Gallas for one of the bets English talents!!!

And another protracted transfer saga involving "loyalty-personified, lion-hearted" Reyes and Baptista came to an end. Reyes has chickened out to his homeland. Ever since the day he was kicked by Phil Neville, he must have been planning for this. Thank God, two disloyal gunners are gone. Wenger also seems to be tied down by lack of funds contrary to what Dein says. They had to sell to buy.

With such major changes, Arsenal should get strong defensively. Toure and Gallas!!!Mourinho must have been right.People like Hoyte only vindicate Wenger's anti-English policy. It wasn't his natural position. But when Flamini could, why can't he? Anywayz, hoping to see Liverpool and Arsenal pull up their socks, United to keep going strong and Chelsea to play like champions rather than be at the mercy of pathetic defending like that of Ooijer.