Alex Ferguson predicts Arsenal slip up
Posted by DavidM in Alex Ferguson, Arsenal | 5 December 2007
Ever ready to start the psychological warfare with whoever is the closest rival, Alex Ferguson has predicted that Arsenal will slip up in their campaign to take the Premiership title.
The timing of his comment is interesting. Arsenal lost their first match of the season last Tuesday to Sevilla and, although they ran out winners at Villa Park after a master-class in the first half, the Gunners were seriously tested in the second half and can be thankful to walk away with three points.
But with Manchester United losing to Bolton the week before the gap is still three points with a game in hand and I've seen nothing to suggest Arsenal are struggling.
However, Ferguson is right to a degree. Almost every club, every season has a bad patch. The only question is how bad. The team that wins the league slips to a couple of draws in a row, but a string of losses will cost you any chance of the title.
Last season Arsenal had a bad spell between 20 February and 7 April, losing six times in nine matches across the Premiership, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.
The year before Arsenal lost five out of 10 games in January and February. This suggests the post Christmas period is when we will see whether Arsenal have progressed sufficiently to take the crown from United.
It is tough for Arsenal at the moment. Gunnerblog points out that Wenger is missing his creative players with Fabregas, Hleb and van Persie all on the injury list. Wenger is relying on Rosicky but Eduardo can help as can the ever-improving Walcott.
I think the Arsenal squad is stronger and more confident this year and while there will undoubtedly be a period when the results become tougher, the Gunners will finish in a stronger position than last year. Whether they beat united to the title depends on how many cheap points both teams drop.
One thing's for sure - it looks likely to be an exciting end to the season.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.reallifenews.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1025
