Tottenham need a better midfield and some luck to overtake Arsenal
One of the big questions being asked about next season is will Tottenham be good enough to break into the Premiership top four and qualify for the Champions League.
Having finished fifth for the last two seasons, Spurs will be looking to their new signings, Darren Bent, Younes Kaboul and Gareth Bale, to make the difference. The potential is definitely there, but if Spurs are going to do it, they will have to improve in certain areas and no doubt they will require a bit of luck too.
They will certainly need to improve their defence which last season conceded 54 goals, and left back Bale and centre half Kaboul have been brought in with that intention. Bale may only be 17 but he has enormous potential and could make an immediate impact both in defence and attack. Kaboul is a bit unknown but Spurs boss Martin Jol said that “if you ask people in France who is the hottest prospect in defence they will say Younes Kaboul”.
It is also important that Spurs hold on to Pascal Chimbonda, there have been rumours of a possible move to Chelsea, and after the way Chimbonda left Wigan last summer he might be expected to do the same to Tottenham if Chelsea did want him. Another key to a better defence is the fitness of Ledley King, if he can avoid the injury problems of the last couple of seasons it will be a major boost.
Midfield is Tottenham’s weakest department. Despite countless signings over the last couple of years, they still lack the world class midfielder who could make the difference between UEFA Cup and Champions League. Aaron Lennon continues to be a great prospect, but he still needs to take his game up another level before he can be classed as a great player. He has the speed and talent, but needs to be more effective, hopefully Jol will keep him on the right wing this season where he is more influential.
Zokora and Jenas are both decent players but cannot be rated in the same class as the top teams’ central midfielders. More drive is needed from these players, and more goals. The left side of midfield also continues to be a weakness. Steed Malbranque would probably do better playing behind the front two, while Teemu Tainio has suffered a lot of injury problems. To support the midfield, youngsters Tom Huddlestone and Adel Taarabt should both get chances to show their talent this season.
The forward line is where Tottenham are strongest, but they will have to be at their best if they want to step up from fifth to fourth place. Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent are both potential 20-goals-a-season players, if they could both reach this figure, we might well see Spurs taking on the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona in 2008/9. Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, if he stays, offer first class back-up.
For Spurs to succeed of course they will need one of the big four to slip up. For Tottenham fans the team to beat will undoubtedly be North London rivals Arsenal. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the gunners since David Dein walked out. How will the react to Thierry Henry’s departure? What will Arsene Wenger do next summer? Which other players might be thinking about leaving? On paper Arsenal still have a better squad than Tottenham, but this doesn’t always mean your team will do better.
This is a vital season for Spurs, if they don’t qualify for the Champions League it will be more difficult for them to hold on to their best players such as Berbatov, and this in turn would make it harder to persuade top players from moving to White Hart Lane. Personally I think the odds of finishing top four are still against them, but the fact that they are being considered as candidates shows that Tottenham have come a long way under Martin Jol.
Nig writes at the Barcelona blog.
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Well done. I think most Spurs fan will agree with this assessment. I’d actually like to see a midfield of Taarabt (R) - Jenas - Zokora - Bale (L), with Assou-Ekkoto or Kaboul or Rocha playing behind Bale. Yes, Bale is a Fullback, but his offensive skills are tremendous. So I think there is a strong rationale to experiment a bit with him on the left side of the midfield. However, with King injured, this may not be possible.
Lennon is great as a second-half substitute as an injection of pace, but he’s too slight for my taste. Steed looks much better on the right, as does Lennon for that matter. Lennon on the left is a huge mistake, in my view. Tainio has played well for Spurs, and we should include him in the midfield rotation as well.
Go Spurs!!
What!!! you dont want to start lennon??? that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard.
Who is writing this, please think twice
Not including Lennon is ridiculous. As was stated our only real uncut gem in midfield at the minute is the little man from Leeds. I don’t know what they put in the water over the pond but I’d suggest you stop drinking it.
For some reason I don’t see us signing anyone in the centre of midfield but the left-hand side is in need of definite improvement. Since Ginola it’s as if no manager is allowed to fill the gap with a LEFT-SIDED player.
I’d expect us to line-up against Sunderland with a midfield of Lennon (right), Zokora, Jenas with possibly Taarabt given a chance on the left.
GK:robinson LB:bale
RB:chimbonda
CB:king CB:kaboul
CM:Zokora(needs to improve)
AM:Jenas(does’nt turn up for the big games)
LM:Taarabt
RM:Lennon
F:keane
S:berbatov
i have to admit in the centre of midfield arsenal walk it everytime. zokora was hugely dissapointing for me except for the odd dribble. jenas is not champions league quality and lennon had a less of an impact last season compared to the season before. I think taarabt should be given a go this year on the left. if we were to get a gattuso type player who gets stuck in and scores the odd goal we would qualify for champions league dead cert
Agree with you there and i’m an Arsenal fan. Will probably now get a load of critisim from Arsenal fans for agreeing. I agree with you accept for one point.
“On paper Arsenal still have a better squad than Tottenham, but this doesn’t always mean your team will do better.”
Dunno what your trying to say really. The Arsenal will always do better than the scum. When was the last you beat us…..We gave you the chance in the Carling cup and well you f***ked it up. No hard feelings though lol
Spurs are a good team and Jol has transformed you from a id table team to a team who are top of the rest of the prem whihc is why I respect Jol. The signing of Bent is a waste of your money though. Could get better. e.g Owen
That is all.
I really can’t believe some of the stuff written here? Its beyond belief, first of all to say that Arsenal have a stronger squad after the transfer activity is quite absurd? We’ve brought in three genuine quality players in Bale, Kaboul and Bent lets not forget the most important factor here, we haven’t sold any quality, last season we had an awful start mainly due to the fact we sold Carrick and Zakoro took time to adjust this season its as is with a little bit more that to me equals 4th place.
I know Henry didn’t play all that much of last season but lets see how they cope with losing a superstar and unlike us at present they no longer possess any financial muscle if things aren’t going to plan.
One last thing Lennon as a substitue? He changes games, he may not be the best crosser of the ball but thats something to work on and I’m sure he has all summer, you don’t leave guys like him on the bench and isn’t he our only winger?!?
I’m an Arsenal fan too, & reading all of the comments since Henry left & Arsenal & Spurs made their subsequent signings in the past 2 weeks, i can only come to one conclusion.
This season is going to be a battle of the managers, particularly between Jol & Wenger. On paper both teams look credible for a 3rd or 4th place position & its upto the big bosses to get the best out of their teams next season. Forget about the players now. Lets see what the managers can conjure up!
Why do liverpool have 4 holding midfielders Sissoko,Alonso,Mascherano,Gerrard,chelsea have four Essien,Makalele,Diarra,Mikel.Even the very attacking top four teams like Man Utd have got holding players Carrick,Hargreaves,Scholes.The reason is you defend from the midfield, if you think Jenas and Zakora in the middle will tough it out in all major competitions for a whole season your crazy.If Spurs don’t buy anyone to cover the middle after losing Davids , Carrick,Mendes and Brown in one season then you can say goodnight to another season.
Spiral Architect, I totally agree…as much as I obviously can’t stand Arsenal credit where credit is due - Wenger, for all his whinging and his ability to lose his eyesight when his players misbehave, is a great manager. I don’t think Arsenal will miss Henry that much as Wenger always seems to know what he is doing with regards to coaching and transfers. But BMJ must now be chomping at the bit for the season to start and I believe that is the best time in recent years to finally get into the top 4. So, who is it gonna be - Wenger to steady his ship and guide his young side forward or Jol hungry to get his equally young charges to step up a level? I can’t wait for it to start!!
Arsenal May Have A Better Squad Than Tottenham But Maybe Tottenham Have A Better Line Up?
Lehmann v Robinson - Both World Class Keepers But Both Have Tendincies For The Odd Mistake. VERDICT - DRAW
Eboue v Chimbonda - Both Players Are Equally Affective Going Forward But Chimbonda Is A More Experienced & Better Defensive Player. VERDICT - CHIMBONDA
Clichy v Bale - Both Have Huge Potential But Bale Is An Essiental Asset With His Set Picies. VERDICT - BALE
King v Toure - Excelent Defenders With All The Right Attributes, Very Very Difficult To Score Against. VERDICT - DRAW
Dawson v Gallas - Dawson Is A Very Bright Prospect Who Has Such An Old Head For A Young Player, Gallas Is A World Class Defender Whos Experience Is Invaluable. VERDICT - GALLAS (JUST)
Lennon v Hleb - No Need For Bull****, Lennon All The Way. VERDICT - LENNON
Van Persie v Malbrangue - Van Perise Is A Player I Rate Very Highly And Has The Potential To Change The Game In An Instance, I Am A Steed Fan But His Best Years Are Behind Him. VERDICT - VAN PERSIE
Gilberto v Zakora - Both Clubs Holding Midfielder And Although Gilberto Is A Very Reliable Player For Wenger, I Feel Zakora Has Much More To Come And With Affective Long Bursting Runs That He Produced Last Year I Would Go With Him. VERDICT - ZAKORA
Jenas v Fabregas - No Need For Bull***, Fabregas Is The Real Deal. VERDICT - FABREGAS.
Berbatov v Eduardo Silva? - After Berba’s Immense Season Showing Pure Indivual Class I Cannot Not Choose Him Over Silva, Though Silva May Produce A Berbatov By Scoring 20 Odd Goals, I Stil Would Go For Berbatov Everytime. VERDICT - BERBATOV
Adebayor v Bent/Keane/Defoe - I Think Adebayor Is An Affective Player But Wont Get You 20 Goals A Season Like The Three Options Spurs Strikers Can. VERDICT - BENT/KEANE/DEFOE
TOTAL SCORE: ARSENAL 3 TOTTENHAM 6
Wow~good analysis!!spurs really nid add some quality midfielder in the squad…in the match between top 4,we can find tat a weakness in spurs midfield tat is cant holding the ball(possession) and support the striker,tis make the defend under pressure and lose the game…for my opinion,now spurs no really neccesary must spend large amount of money to buy a left midfielder(bale can ply at LM)a quality defensive cm is need for the team since zokora and jenas no tis type..maybe MJ can try put king ply midfield since spurs still chasing for c.davis after sign kaboul
starting line-up
striker-keane.berbatov
midfielder-bale,zokora,king or xx(another quality midfield),lennon
defender-lee or c.davis,dawson,kaboul(if king ply midfield),chimbodia
goalkeeper-robinson
subsitute-cerny,bent,jenas,melbanque,lee or c.davis
Vinnie James/
Agree on most comaprisions, but there is four that I feel very different about and those are.
Clichy VS Bale. Ok Bale is very dangerous on set pieces, but how will he cope with players such as Ronaldo, Torres, Hleb there is a big step up for him. Clichy has proven that he can cope with the best wingers in the league and Europe.
My Verdict Clichy. That said Bale has a very bright career ahead of him if Jol uses him wright.
Gilberto- Zokora. Gilberto is one of the worlds, if not the best holding midfielder. “Affective Long Bursting Runs” isn´t the 1st prioriety of holding midfielders. Gilberto has also scored a couple of Goals last season, from corners, penaltys as well as affective long bursting runs. (well bursting……..)
Adebayor - Bent, Keane, Defoe. Ofcourse the three Spurs players gets the upper hand here, but what happend with Arsenals topscorer last season Robin Van Persie, if you throw him in the mix together with Adebayor. Arsenal gets the upper hand. RvP if he stays away from injurys, will this season get over 20 goals.
See You the 14/9 Spurs VS Gunners
Forgot the forth .
Hleb Vs Lennon, Which I see as a draw
Wat Arsenal 3 Spurs 6? Hmmm…
its shld be like this
Lehnman vs Robinson - Lehnman win because of his consistency and was one of the best keeper in the world for his performance in the world cup. Robinson gd but don find him at the same level as Lehnman.
Eboue vs Chimbonda - Probably Chimbonda for now but only just. Both are good attacking. If Chimbonda was good Arsene would have signed him before spurs.
Clichy vs Bale - Clichy win. Both are good but Clichy win because he is more experienced and are proven in both premiership and Champions league. As for Bale he has only played in the Championship and many know the huge standards between the both league and has yet to prove his ability in top level football.
Toure vs King - Toure win. Toure has proven he can perform consistently week in week out and has been getting a lot more praise from other managers than King.
Gallas vs Dawson - Gallas win. Simple Gallas is a world class defender while Dawson is not. Dawson is good but he has still a long way to go.
Defence - Arsenal win. Simple just compare the goals both team concedes last season.
Gilberto vs Zakora - Gilberto win. Simple Gilberto is one of the best in the world in his holding midfied position. Zakora is young and will no doubt improve as the years goes by. But Arsenal too have Diaby and Denilson standing by and I think their potential is much greater than Zakora with the performance they gave last season. And I guess thats the reason why Wenger did not buy Zakora when he has a chance.
Rosicky vs Taarabt - Rosicky win. Everyone knows Rosicky is a proven world class player. Had already proven what he can do both at club and at international level. The best player in the cezh team.
Hleb vs Lennon - Lennon win. Hleb has wonderful skill but is just too inconsistent and non effective. Lennon on the other hand has pace and is very effective running on the right side of midfield and is very dangerous especially on the counter.
Fabregas vs Jenas - Fabregas win. Fabregas is already one of the best young midfield player in the world. Has already proven in both club and international level and is very consisitent.
Van Persie vs Keane - Van Persie win. Both are good but Van Persie certainly have more potential and talent of becoming a world class player. And from wat I saw last season and in the world cup for Holland, he is not far away. keane is very good but doubt he will improve further.
Eduardo Da Silva vs Berbatov - Berbatov win. Berbatov is class and has proven wat he can do in the premiership. Da Silva is still unproven in EPL.
Arsenal 8 Spurs 3
Q: Wat actually makes a world class team from a good team? My answer is actually mental strength and the winning and champion mindset of the players. A good team which does not have the mental ability will not become a world class team. Simply because they will give up knowing that have already lost the game. But a team who continue to fight till the end of the game makes a world class team.
Oh yes and don forget Arsenal still have a group of good youngsters and reserve players in the team. Walcott, Bendtner, Denilson, Diaby, Djourou, Merida, Vela, Traore, Randall, Connelly, Fabianski, Havard Nordtveit etc. Dont forget a number of them played in the young team or u can call it reserve team that beat Spurs first team on the way to the Carling cup final last season. And the most scary thing abt these youngters is the mental strenght and confidence they have. And base on the performance in the final against Chelsea more experience and world class players , things look really bright for these group of players and I doubt many other teams with their first team squad would have done what these youngsters have done.
To add to John’s point. Being able to come back into a match when things are tough. e.g Bayern being 1-0 up United coming back to beat them 2-1.
The abilty to finish of teams/hold on to a lead. e.g Your 1-0 ahead and the other team is throwing everything at you. Spurs don’t have the never say never die attitude and scraping type players that United, Chelski, Pool and The Arsenal have.
naa its like this
Lehman Vs Robinson - Lehman
Lehman performed good in the highest stage of all - the world cup is good and penalties but both make the odd mistake, but 1 thing to say for robinson - BOBBLE
Arsenal 1 - 0 Tottenham
Eboue Vs Chimbonda - Chimbonda
is a better defender but in years to come eboue will become better
Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham
Clichy Vs Bale - Clichy
Is proven in both premiership and champions league.
Arsenal 2 - 1 Tottenham
Gallas Vs Dawson - Gallas
gallas is world class
Arsenal 3 - 1 Tottenham
Toure Vs King - King
I reckon King wins - Just
Arsenal 3 - Tottenham 2
Gilberto Vs Zakora - Gilberto
gilberto is better so much better and him being captain for brazil prooves that.
Arsenal 4 - 2 Tottenham
Rosicky Vs Taarabat - Rosicky
scored 2 screamers in the world cup and has been pretty good at club level too.
Arsenal 5 - 3 Tottenham
Hleb Vs Lennon - Lennon
sub him in midgame and he can turn it all around.
Arsenal 5 - 3 Tottenham
Fabregas Vs Jenas - Fabregas
is an amazing young talent, would beat jens any day
Arsenal 6 - 3 Tottenham
V. Persie Vs Keane - V. Persie
has great potential and scored an amazing goal against tottenham, but V. persie only wins here - just.
Arsenal 7 - 3 Tottenham
Adebayor & Eduardo Da Silva Vs D. Bent & Berbatov - D. Bent & Berbatov.
Both scored loads of goals last season, Da Silva is unproven in the premiership
Arsenal 7 - 4 Tottenham
but some1 who deserves a mention is denilson who could be a vital player this season
I don’t understand why people are saying Van Perise is better than Keano. Van Persie is a quality player, don’t get me wrong, but Keane has experience behind him and quality which I feel makes him the winner between them two.
As for the rest, I think it is spot on, though Robinson gets it for me in goal.
Robbo vs Jens - Robbo = 1
Chimbonda vs Eboue - Chimbonda = 1
King vs Toure - Toure (just) = 1
Daws vs Gallas - Can’t choose = 1/2
Bale vs Clichy - Clichy, I haven’t seen much of Bale yet = 1
Lennon vs Hleb - Lennon = 1
Jenas vs Fabregas - Fabregas = 1
Zokora vs Gilberto - Gilberto = 1
Tainio vs Rosicky - Rosicky is great attacker and Tainio is great defensively = 1/2
Berba vs Adebayor - Berba = 1
Bent/Keane/Defoe vs Van Persie - Spurs trio = 1
My ratings make it:
Tottenham - 6
Arsenal - 5
Close but Spurs edge it.
I agree that we need a stronger midfield, some real quality to strengthen things up and a left-footed, left-sided player. In other areas we are sorted I think.
arsenal any day dont need lucky they only just got luck finshing 5th last 2 seasons arsenal walk over any day how long is since u beaten us and ur not catching up were going back 2 were we belong title contenders
lehman-robinson- lehman world class experienced gk robinson failed trial at afc rememba his own goal 4 england
eboue-chimbona-eboue for me they both are good players but i hadrdly saw chimb last season i saw eboue running down the wing better croses younger
bale or clichy- clichy new a.cole proven in champions league and prem bale described as a set piece taker not even close to clichy
gallas-dawson-gallas off course world class played in finals lots of medals dawson gd not gd enough wont b world class
king-toure-toure miles more experiened heck fast and stronger they live nxt door 2 rach other i think lol kings always injured toure
hleb-lennon-lennon only by 1 thing pace hlebs has more ability and skill vison etc but hleb is a centeral mf not winger anyway in a few years theo will be the best
fab-jenas-dont ask fabregas all the way we all know it hes world class jenas isnt simple next
gilberto-zokora-gilberto were talkin about a player whos won the world cup and the new captain scored 10 goals last season very consistent no challenge i think diabys better then zokoara
rosicky-taarabat-rosicky best player in czec hes da captain world class mf wot a player taarabat neva heard of him
rvp-keane-ok i bit keane gd but rvp better its tight rvp is younger and better at shooting and has played in tournaments like champions league world cup euro etc and scored 13 last season if he wasnt injured he would be on 20 rvp wins
berbatov-eduardo- berba for now if we still had henry the best player in the world this wud b no challenge eduardo hasnt played in pl yet so we dont know but most of berbas goals came in uefa cup thats how he got his total higher
arsenal 9 tottenham 2
oh and dont forget the kids who mashed u in da carling cup and many others players like
Walcott, Bendtner, Denilson, Diaby, Djourou, Merida, Vela, Traore, Randall, Connelly, Fabianski, Havard Nordtveit to gd for ur youngsters
afc 4 lifeeee
hey vinnie james, you need some psychiatric help man. I agree that the gunners’ line up is a bit suspect, but your ratings are totally off. You need real help, chimbonda is an error prone irrational idiot, remember how he played against arsenal and gave off a cheap penalty? Dont think you do. And Bale is a good prodigy(and i assume that you’re british) but he cant match clichy’s pace or his toughness on the sides, not for another 2 years. And Lennon for all the skill he displayed against chelsea hasnt really reproduced it. I agree Hleb was pathetic last season, but still he had more goals and assists than lennon……….
In goal, you have to give it to Tottenham. Lehmann is a suspender wearing sausage eating fruitcake. Robinson is YOUNG! Getting even better.
Midfield:
Zokora and Jenas (huddlestone/taraabt) are CM players that are developing. Lennon is developing.. the only player that has reached his peak is Malbranque and he’s a decent playmaker.
Even with Fabregas, The tottenham Midfield has the POTENTIAL to out do the ageing Gilberto, ineffective Hleb, etc.
VERDICT: Last season Arsenal were better. This season, Tottenham will be good enough…
Defence:
Last season Spurs suffered without King, no doubt. A strong Left back and a good partner for Dawson were missing.
This season, the potential there is scary. Kaboul looks like one mean mofo and has skills. Could be great. Bale also could grow into something special, Chimbonda is the best in his position in the league, but he’s crazy.
I haven’t given up on Assuo Ekkotu (spell?) Stalteri is a good athlete and can cover too.
VERDICT: Arsenal were much better last season. This season, Tottenham will concede fewer goals.
IN attack… Tottenham have strenth in depth to rival any of the big 4.
VERDICT: Spurs.
Summary, Tottenham have more potential than Arsenal. They already have a better attack. It just depends on whether the men in white can deliver.
Come on you spurs…. kick some arsenal.
Missing the point fellas. Dont care about Arsenal, only care about ourselves! Left mid has been the problem for a long time. To me it’s simple. Play a 4-3-3 system. Our squad is better suited to it, we have the players to carry it out a lot better than the current system. The defence is the main issue. The amount of goals conceded is the key. Apart the the top 2, I dont think we are far away from Liverpool/Arsenal but we wont do it unless our defence(as a team) keeps a lot more clean sheets!
false false false
spurs will never beat arsenal again
never will win a trophy
never will finsh higher then us
the only reason u have strength in depth is because u wast ur millions of money gd english talent and waste it huddelstone murphy carrick routeldge now u want 2 wast davies who will be a gunner
were title contenders and ur 5th place contenders thats gonna change 4 u lots
verdict-arsenal any day
Spurs will never overtake Arsenal.
We may have lost Henry but we still have Fabregas, Walcott, Lehmann, Rosicky, Van Persie and Gilberto..
Just because some overpriced bloody Welsh kid and a guy who played for Charlton Athletic come over dont mean they will be higfher than Arsenal next season..
Liverpool could be coming 4th next year? Why say Spurs will be in the Champions League instead of the Arsenal..Liverpool could miss out..
It seems funny you guys comparing player with player.
If so, wouldn’t Chelski walk all over MU last season?
What’s critical is the tactics, the team’s attitude/passion & the team’s approach to football. These 3 critical areas is where Arsenal wins hands down.
These are also the 3critical areas that MU & Chelski were above other teams last season. But One thing I really love was watching Spurs tonking Chelski last season.
Tottenham will never finish above Arsenal unless they get a Russian sugar daddy like those mugs at Chelsea. Two seasons ago when Tottenham were about seven points above Arsenal, Martin Jol was spouting a load of bollocks about how there had been a shift in power in north london and Tottenham were top dogs! Wonder if he still thought that after they fucked it up on the last day of the season? When Jenas got a 94th minute equaliser at a half empty shite hart lane, anyone watching on the tv would of been excused for thinking Tottenham had just won the Premiership! And now we read everyday about how good Tottenham will be next season and how many points they’ll finish above Arsenal. We’ve heard it all before. Your only target at the start of every season is to finish above Arsenal and once again it ain’t happening!
I just love it how clueless gooners have to get involved. Arsenalfan4life -
“u wast ur millions of money…. huddelstone murphy carrick routeldge” - lol
Ignoring the spelling mistakes and utter guff you are speaking, how much do you think we spent on these players?
I’ll tell you
0.6mil + 2mil + 2.75mil + £1.25 = 6.6mil
What a massive waste …. Idiot
Im a bit confused here wasnt it announced that only 3 teams from englands will get into the champions league from now on and if thats not happening i personally think arsenal will stay fourth.
They will not sit down this transfer season while spurs buy these players remmember they do have money i think i recall a 20million bid for eto.
Plus and improved newcastle and with a manager like Sam i think newcastle will give arsenal a run for there money!
Im a bit confused here wasnt it announced that only 3 teams from englands will get into the champions league from now on and if thats not happening i personally think arsenal will stay fourth.
They will not sit down this transfer season while spurs buy these players remmember they do have money i think i recall a 20million bid for eto.
Plus and improved newcastle and with a manager like Sam i think newcastle will give arsenal a run for there money.
You seem to be forgetting that Arsenal finished on the same points as Liverpool last season and knocked them out of both domestic cups. Everyone can write Arsenal off at their peril.
Vinnie James (11. comment).. please say that you weren’t serious
Ambition for Spurs next season - Finish above Arsenal
Ambition for Arsenal next season - Win or Challenge for Premiership trophies, Champions League etc…. Now u see the difference in the ambitions and mindset of the two club and players.
Every manager makes mistake but it seems that Jol makes more mistake than Wenger. Buying a new player that cost millions of pounds is always a gamble epecially from a foreign country. and of lower division. Until the player himself can proof his worth evrything now is still a gamble. Wasn’t Pascal Cygan French player of the year sometime back? And I don believe Spurs fans can claim they have a better squad after making some signings. I personally feel Djourou is better than Kaboul. He has already been proven at both club and international level.
While some spurs fan can claim that Arsenal midfield is aging (Gilberto) and will overtake Arsenal in time to come.
Don’t we have Diaby and Denilson to replace Gilberto and base on the performance last season, they are not far away.
To Liverpool Fan,
You are correct about the qualification spots being changed, but that will only happen from after the 2009 final for the 2009/10 season onwards. This also presuming that Michel Platini can persuade those inside the UEFA organisation to agree to such a change.
Its all preliminary right now but there are strong indications that it will happen.
I think people are limiting their views on this issue. Chances are that the top 2 teams will be chelsea and man utd. The remaining 2 positions in the top 4 hang in the balance. Liverpool should also be thrust into this debate. The best teams shine because of attitude, ambition, effort and the like but a little bit of luck goes a long way. Correct me if im wrong but man utd suffered less injuries than any other team and undoubtedly had the best comraderie in their squad. The best team attitude ive seen for a while as shown in their fightback against a 2 nil everton lead.
That aside, my point is that there are many dynamics which will determine who comes 3rd or 4th. Arsenal did very well under their circumstances last season. Top 2 strikers out and plenty of injuries. They still did better than a strong spurs side - king and did as well as a top strength liverpool side.
The EPL will be more competitive this yr coz i can tell u that arsenal will not be as unlucky as they were last season but liverpool and spurs will also have points to prove. History favours arsenal but spurs are definitely stronger than previous years. Those who say that spurs has more money than Arsenal, please check your shoddy facts. Just because Arsenal does not spend big does not mean they dont have money. Check the earnings from the last 2 champions league campaigns if you doubt this coupled with more facts.
As an Arsenal fan, i think we can very well push for 2nd if not 1st. I dont mind if spurs break into the top 4, as long as we are above them im more than content. Bottom line is Wenger has a better eye for talent than Jol and has a higher return rate and because of this, we will most likely finish above spurs but this is not conclusive. The season hasnt even started. For all we know, Reading could be in the top 4.LOL.
[…] can be confirmed that the mind can suffer from repetitive strain - repetitive doom-mongering tripe here, get it while it’s hot. Seriously, everyone is starting to slate the Gunners for having ‘nothing but […]
3-1 to Arsenal anyone? Some facts to change from my earlier post. Sagna vs Chimbonda — Sagna wins
Hleb vs Lennon — Hleb wins
Arsenal 10 Spurs 1