EPL Gameweek 3

It is strange to wake up on Sunday morning and see Wolverhampton Wanderers perched at the top of the Premier League table and Arsenal near the bottom. Yes, it is only 2 matches old but I have said all of last season Wolves is a very decent team. The western press have been saying that when it rains, it pours at the Emirates for the Gunners. Our local dialect's take is more colourful - when you have bad luck and spit, a chicken walking past eats your saliva and it dies.


Losing your top player and captain just before the season begins was hardly the best way to start. You can't blame Febregas as he had to forego huge monetary gain to fulfill his wish in wearing Barcelona colours. It was a real yearning to return to his roots and be at home. The question is whether Samir Nasri would be leaving for Manchester City for the same reason.


The Gunners built their squad around Fabregas and Nasri where they were cult heroes. Playing for another team may not guarantee a first team place. It also depends on how you view success. Arsenal has not won a trophy for six years though Wenger has won the League, FA Cup and consistently in Europe. He is the most successful manager in making money for his club buying young players, developing them into stars and finally selling them for huge profits. He is stubborn in his own ways. Going to Old Trafford this weekend, losing is not an option as it will send them down propping up the table. Trying to make sense with salary cap, Arsene Wenger is a lone voice fighting a losing battle but he is doing the right thing, so I wish him well.


Their 2-1 away win at Udinese was an immense result as 3-1 overall winner to go into the next phsae in Europe. This will give them a huge boost and knowing that this win will help them attract top players who needs to play in Europe.


Villa will hope to continue their good run against Wolves but Wolves should be fearless at this moment and a draw may be likely (1-1). Wigan is hoping to get a home win this time against QPR who made history by scoring their first goal returning to the top flight. A narrow 1-0 win for the home side? Everton's opening game with Spurs was postponed due to ritos in London and they had a good rest from their delayed opener yet they slumped to QPR at Goodison. Blackburn suffered two straight losses and with Everton being traditional slow starters, a draw is on the cards.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OkXziBqRKs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR1Fj_XjHPI



Frankly, Chelsea has struggled in the 2 games so far even trailing WBA before winning 2-1. Facing new boys Norwich at Stamford Bridge, they need to stamp their class by going for a convincing win. Torres has been a pale shadow of himself and Drogba has not really featured. Still Chelsea is probably too strong for the visitor. 3-1? Holding Liverpool to a draw and then losing at home in a derby against the Magpies, Steve Bruce is in danger and the Black Cats need a win badly for now. 0-1. Liverpool looked an improved side and was somewhat fortunate to get an own goal and a suspicious off-side goal at Arsenal. Andy Carroll is aggressive and stron g in the air but pumping balls to his head as a target man will make things too predictable but Suarez is having a ball of a time. Bolton was all guns blazing in their opener and even against Man City they came back strong only to lose 2-3. It will be a real test to see if the Mersey-siders are to be title challengers this time. They may have to look longer. 1-1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkSfqpX9lv8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2tkdwq8nCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXa9eWqghGc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUrk8LW6XGw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIf-QvqJg18



After holding the Gunners the Magpies went on to conquer derby rivals Sunderland with a wonder goal by Ryan Taylor. With Krul playing well at goal, Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson doing great in defence, it will not be a surprise that they may chalk up a win at St. James Park hosting Fulham who looked strangely subdued versus Wolves. 2-1. Tottenham with such great promise last season and a rested opener only to get thrashed 3-0 by Man Utd despite playing with a makeshift backline. Losing to another Manchester - the blue half of Manchester will see them joining their London neighbours at the bottom. Can van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Defoe rise to the occasion? 2-2.


I know many of us out there support the underdogs. Especially underdogs that never gave up but fight all the way. Teams like Wolves, WBA, Wigan deserve our rupport. You see it is not the size of the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog. Stoke City can be added to that list. Chelsea could only pip them 2-1. So a real dog fight between WBA and Stoke. 1-1. Match of the day on paper would be Manchester United versus Arsenal. Manchester United is overated at the moment but they have confidence despite a weakened goalie and backline but they had belief. Arsenal has been wickedly decimated by loss of players through transfer, injuries and suspension. They are lacking in belief and at times look tentative. A solid and convincing display without losing again is crucial. This is Wenger's most testing season yet.



Arsene Wenger's consolation is that the USA and in particular Europe is in financial crisis. Craig Bellamy is getting 90,000 pounds a week and Adebayor is paid 175,000 pounds a week. Many other players are sitting around doing nothing. Like I said before, you can be rich and buy out all your opponents' players. Spain has been in financial turmoil and Barcelona have just added Fabregas paying some 29-35k pounds to Arsenal. It is no wonder Manchester United is coming here for an IPO to help finance their American owner. All other clubs and increasing many have to sell first and buy later. Would players be better off sitting on the bench even as they earn bug bucks? Samir Nasri is well loved at Arsenal and they built the team around him so he is a cult hero. At Manchester City he will be just one of the lads. When all other teams face the same situation, that is when Wenger's policy would be validated.



By the way, I like Manchester City in their away kit of red and black stripes. This was the original colour of Manchester City when they play away in the old days. I also like Wayne Rooney's head full of hair. His hair growing has worked and it has also translated into goals! It is going to be an interesting year in the English Premier League.




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