English Premier League

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BmoreRav' timestamp='1290892762' post='551723']
I know what you mean but if you analyze his game it's not as bad as you would think! His body language is awful and he looks like he's uninterested most of the game but he does his job.
[/quote]

He usually puts in a good pass but rarely hustles and seems content to do just enough for long periods of time. Regardless, I'm not a Man U fan so it's not a big deal.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='BmoreRav' timestamp='1290892762' post='551723']
I know what you mean but if you analyze his game it's not as bad as you would think! His body language is awful and he looks like he's uninterested most of the game but he does his job.
[/quote]

He's lazy and I find him irksome.

[BmoreRav]

I guess its a style you better be successful with or you will be slammed. He was very successful at Tottenham with it and van Nistelrooy was similar but very clinical in front of goal! Trust me, if he averages a goal every 1.5 games Utd will be happy.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BmoreRav' timestamp='1290895670' post='551744']
I guess its a style you better be successful with or you will be slammed. He was very successful at Tottenham with it and van Nistelrooy was similar but very clinical in front of goal! Trust me, if he averages a goal every 1.5 games Utd will be happy.
[/quote]

With Van Nistelrooy, being lackadaisical was somewhat excusable because he was strictly a poacher. As a mid-fielder, Berbatov should do more.

As for tomorrow, I'd pay money to see Newcastle at least play Chelsea to a draw.

[benravens1]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1290901963' post='551779']
With Van Nistelrooy, being lackadaisical was somewhat excusable because he was strictly a poacher. As a mid-fielder, Berbatov should do more.

As for tomorrow, I'd pay money to see Newcastle at least play Chelsea to a draw.
[/quote]

berbatov has always been like that. must be annoying for the united fans. before today he'd done next to nothing since his hat-trick v liverpool.

and yeah, with chelsea struggling at the moment they need to be dropping points all over the place, because as we saw at the start of the season a full strength chelsea team is incredible

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1290901963' post='551779']
As for tomorrow, I'd pay money to see Newcastle at least play Chelsea to a draw.
[/quote]

Didn't have to pay money and Chelsea were played to a stalemate.

[white lightning]

what does everyone think about man u's exit from the Carling cup? Granted Sir Alex made 10 changes, practically playing his b side, however, the 4-0 defeat at the hands of bottom placed West Ham will surely be a reality check for Man U, especially after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn. Should Villa fail to win, it leaves the door wide open for Arsenal to finally win a piece of silverware. Would failure to win the Carling Cup put immense pressure on Wenger?

It would be interesting to see what would happen to Wenger should Arsenal fail to win.

[NinjaTurtle]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1291159885' post='555572']
what does everyone think about man u's exit from the Carling cup? Granted Sir Alex made 10 changes, practically playing his b side, however, the 4-0 defeat at the hands of bottom placed West Ham will surely be a reality check for Man U, especially after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn. Should Villa fail to win, it leaves the door wide open for Arsenal to finally win a piece of silverware. Would failure to win the Carling Cup put immense pressure on Wenger?

It would be interesting to see what would happen to Wenger should Arsenal fail to win.
[/quote]

I'm sure that Alex Ferguson doesn't take the Carling Cup that seriously, similar to Arsene Wenger's view on the cup. Although they would have been expecting a win, a 4-0 loss definately would hurt and should show that no-one in the league is an easybeat.

[Ed_Reed20]

Well, at least for the moment, Arsenal is atop of the table.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1291568164' post='559749']
Well, at least for the moment, Arsenal is atop of the table.
[/quote]

Great performance by Nasri yesterday! His footwork for both goals was incredible.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BmoreRav' timestamp='1291569561' post='559755']
Great performance by Nasri yesterday! His footwork for both goals was incredible.
[/quote]

He's a fine player and arguably Wenger's best signing the past few years.

[white lightning]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1291577101' post='559836']
He's a fine player and arguably Wenger's best signing the past few years.
[/quote]

Wenger was desperate to get Nasri from Marseille and its not hard to see why, with that kind of poise on the ball. If memory serves he scored a similar goal against FC Porto in last seasons champions league.

Many people would argue that Arshavin is also Wengers best signing, however, he seems a little up and down with form, and we haven't seen enough of chamakh to really make proper judgments.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1291597481' post='560222']
Wenger was desperate to get Nasri from Marseille and its not hard to see why, with that kind of poise on the ball. If memory serves he scored a similar goal against FC Porto in last seasons champions league.

Many people would argue that Arshavin is also Wengers best signing, however, he seems a little up and down with form, and we haven't seen enough of chamakh to really make proper judgments.
[/quote]

Arshavin has been far too inconsistent for me to label him the best signing. It's too early to make an assessment on Chamakh but I think he has a bright future as a Gunner.

[benravens1]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1291597481' post='560222']
Wenger was desperate to get Nasri from Marseille and its not hard to see why, with that kind of poise on the ball. If memory serves he scored a similar goal against FC Porto in last seasons champions league.

[/quote]

yes, he did its on a shortlist for the goal of the year award. it won't win because a random irish guy did this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzAZTdyOXcA[/media]

but nasri is arguably the best player in the league at the moment, this is the best form he's been in since joining arsenal.

[ravens__]

I cannot believe United is on top of the standings.. I honestly think they have an awful team this year but they have capitalized on Chelski's and Arsenal's blown points against weak opponents on paper.

As for Nasri, he's simply phenomenal this year.. He's basically carrying the squad on his shoulders and that goal of his against Porto is nominated for the FIFA Goal of the Year award.

[white lightning]

[quote name='benravens1' timestamp='1291636951' post='563049']
yes, he did its on a shortlist for the goal of the year award. it won't win because a random irish guy did this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzAZTdyOXcA[/media]


[/quote]

That is an unbelievable goal, but i'm sure not even he meant for it to go in. Would the fact that Nasri scored his goal against better opposition be taken into consideration? (not trying to bash the Irish league, but clearly FC Porto are a stronger side)

[benravens1]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1291766348' post='566570']
That is an unbelievable goal, but i'm sure not even he meant for it to go in. Would the fact that Nasri scored his goal against better opposition be taken into consideration? (not trying to bash the Irish league, but clearly FC Porto are a stronger side)
[/quote]

i don't know. its called the Puskas award (after a famous hungarian player) and this is only the 2nd year of the award, Cristiano Ronaldo won it for a goal against Porto last year.

i'd imagine the people judging it will probably take quality of opposition into account a little. it would be quite funny if another goal against porto won it

[George70]

Among this week's action in the EPL, I notice that Tottenham and Chelsea have played to a 1-1 draw. Very good, the team from White Hart Lane have given Chelsea a good go on the pitch.

Also, as far as the standings go, Liverpool has made its way to the middle of the Premier League, while Everton is just barely staying out of relegation position. I just hope that Everton will be back for next season.

[ravens__]

Isn't Everton the only team not to have been relegated in English soccer history alongside Liverpool?

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='ravens__' timestamp='1292221224' post='571091']
Isn't Everton the only team not to have been relegated in English soccer history alongside Liverpool?
[/quote]

They've both been relegated before, in the 1950s.

[white lightning]

[quote name='ravens__' timestamp='1292221224' post='571091']
Isn't Everton the only team not to have been relegated in English soccer history alongside Liverpool?
[/quote]

Arsenal are the only team not to be relegated from top flight English football. They would have been relegated in 1914, however the league was called of due to the war.

[ravens__]

I see. Thanks for the info!

Huge game today against the Red Devils! A draw is the likeliest result as far as I'm concerned.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1292243239' post='571126']
Arsenal are the only team not to be relegated from top flight English football. They would have been relegated in 1914, however the league was called of due to the war.
[/quote]

They played two seasons in the Second Division before they called off the leagues (1914 & 1915)! They got promoted back to the First Division in 1919.

[BmoreRav]

Manchester United are in a strong position at the top of the table after beating Arsenal 1-0. They got a big game on Sunday now against Chelsea!

[Ed_Reed20]

Same old Arsenal. Even though I doubt it will happen, for like the 50th season in a row now, Wenger needs to make a move or two during the transfer window.

[white lightning]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292279655' post='571518']
Same old Arsenal. Even though I doubt it will happen, for like the 50th season in a row now, Wenger needs to make a move or two during the transfer window.
[/quote]

Don't think a transfer will occur, because Wenger says there's no room in the budget.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-i-have-no-room-for-new-signings


But then again, he said that Fabregas wasn't going to play against Man U. Go figure

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1292300876' post='573875']
Don't think a transfer will occur, because Wenger says there's no room in the budget.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-i-have-no-room-for-new-signings


But then again, he said that Fabregas wasn't going to play against Man U. Go figure
[/quote]

Well he and the board better find room unless they're content with another trophy-less season.

[ravens__]

We'll likely lift the League Cup.. *sigh*

[white lightning]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292313702' post='574308']
Well he and the board better find room unless they're content with another trophy-less season.
[/quote]

Well the board seem pretty happy with Wenger's performance to date, and if Arsenal do win the Carling Cup, he'll satisfy them. Winning the F.A Cup would easily relieve the stress on Wenger, but lets get past Leeds first .

We need a big physical imposing defender if we're going to seriously challenge for the EPL title

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='white lightning' timestamp='1292325008' post='574415']
Well the board seem pretty happy with Wenger's performance to date, and if Arsenal do win the Carling Cup, he'll satisfy them. Winning the F.A Cup would easily relieve the stress on Wenger, but lets get past Leeds first .

We need a big physical imposing defender if we're going to seriously challenge for the EPL title
[/quote]

Agreed.

The team really misses Vermaelen.