Chelski have enough depth to cope without Essien...they are playing with more attacking guile under Scolari which was bound to happen. When they are up a goal now they're going for the kill unlike the Mourinho teams of the past. I think Chelsea will win the league this year.
The new football season (2008 - 09)
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
Villa bossed that game, they deserved it.
Bendtner is shite.
In a way I am kind of glad they are having this sub-par season so it will force Arsene to spend from freakin money!!
Bendtner is shite.
In a way I am kind of glad they are having this sub-par season so it will force Arsene to spend from freakin money!!
Arsenal are totally schizophrenic. Which will make things exciting all year! 
(Too bad they're going to be paying for Emirates Stadium forever and use that as the reason they can't buy players.)
As far as Chelsea goes, Essien is a huge loss. You cannot overestimate his value to that team. Letting Makélélé go, even at 35, was a big mistake. Their toughness, defensive presence, ball distribution and ability to play at a high level under pressure cannot be emulated by Obi or Belletti
(Too bad they're going to be paying for Emirates Stadium forever and use that as the reason they can't buy players.)
As far as Chelsea goes, Essien is a huge loss. You cannot overestimate his value to that team. Letting Makélélé go, even at 35, was a big mistake. Their toughness, defensive presence, ball distribution and ability to play at a high level under pressure cannot be emulated by Obi or Belletti
I am slowly coming around on your thinking on Bendtner not quite there yet, but close. He is definitely not suited to the lone striker role.the_big_E said:
Totally agree on the spending, Arsenal have been in a comfort zone for four years, Finish in the top four and quarter finals (other than 2006) in CL. Getting knocked out of CL and losing CL $$$ will force their hand.
Not sure that the stadium is the issue. Arsenal has the most expensive tickets in world football, largest game-day revenue in world football, generate overall positve cashflow, low-interest loan over 20 years to finance the stadium, GBP200M of property coming on line to reduce debt. In other words, Arsenal has less debt and lower interest payments than Liverpool and ManU which were purchased thorugh high interest leverage-financing.Captain Fantastic said:Arsenal are totally schizophrenic. Which will make things exciting all year!
(Too bad they're going to be paying for Emirates Stadium forever and use that as the reason they can't buy players.)
Big E touched on it earlier, it's Wenger why they don't spend. Since he has been at Arsenal, they have brought in more from selling players than buying them. Arsenal's board has publicly stated that they have never turned down Wenger's request to buy a player. He is too fixated on buying young players and turning them into stars. The irony is that they leave when they become good and gradually we are left with crap.
Also, if Arsenal loses to ManCity and Chelsea, very plausible, things will get ugly around the Emirates.
There is a poll on Goal.com asking if, in light of England's impressive run of form, they have a chance at winning the World Cup. My reply was:
"Since they already are the greatest team in the universe, the World Cup should be a breeze."
"Since they already are the greatest team in the universe, the World Cup should be a breeze."
As I mentioned in my initial post, it's the reason they use as an excuse. I'm sure Wenger would love to buy expensive and established top players, but I can guarantee you that the board will not allow him to spend beyond a certain, pre-set amount - both on transfer fees and salaries.Big Michael said:
And to be honest, I don't disagree with their methods - there has to be some accountability and fiscal sanity in a crazy market. The Chelsea-Liverpool-Man Utd (Real Madrid, AC Milan, etc.) models cannot work forever unless there is a major sugar daddy who doesn't care about losing millions of dollars. (Honestly, I think even Abramovich will have a breaking point.)
I hear you, the European model differs so much from the North American model in respect of the sugar daddy aspect. However, I guess that's why there are salary caps in North America, which would be impractical in Europe.Captain Fantastic said:
Thus, I guess as an Arsenal fan I have to resign myself to finishing fourth, or lower, and perhaps hope for a good run in the cups
what gets me is that isnt Europe suppose to be the land of the welfare state and womb to tomb socialism?? yet within sports its North America that has put in salary caps like the NFL and NHL, as for being impractical oh believe me if there is another all English Champions League final like last year, it would take the head honchos about 5 minutes after the final whistle to put in a salary cap.Big Michael said:I hear you, the European model differs so much from the North American model in respect of the sugar daddy aspect. However, I guess that's why there are salary caps in North America, which would be impractical in Europe.
Thus, I guess as an Arsenal fan I have to resign myself to finishing fourth, or lower, and perhaps hope for a good run in the cups
Rest assurred, there will be no all English final in the CL. The prospect that Fabio Capello may actually get the job done is making me a little sick. To counter the nausea posting a picture of Ilary Blasi (Mrs Totti).
http://www.wallpapergate.com/data/media/610/Iiary_Blasi_003.jpg
The EPL is at the threshold of a financial crisis similar in scope to what Serie A endured a decade ago. Does it make sense for Manchesterdad City to drive up the cost of doing business by offering Juve 75 million Euros for Gigi Buffon in January? Obviously they haven't been doing their homework; Buffon has been injured for most of the season, it's Juve's stellar defense that's carrying the team.
http://www.wallpapergate.com/data/media/610/Iiary_Blasi_003.jpg
The EPL is at the threshold of a financial crisis similar in scope to what Serie A endured a decade ago. Does it make sense for Manchesterdad City to drive up the cost of doing business by offering Juve 75 million Euros for Gigi Buffon in January? Obviously they haven't been doing their homework; Buffon has been injured for most of the season, it's Juve's stellar defense that's carrying the team.
David Beckham 23 said:
Not to take anything away from Robinho, but every time he tries to chip most GKs stop it. Let's face it Almunia is crap.
In other news..Gallas no longer captain...Fabregas is now captain. which means he too will be gone in a year or two.
Zenit 0 Juve 0
Is it just me or does anyone else believe that the UEFA Cup semifinal between Bayern and Zenit was fixed. How else do you explain that a Russian club, playing at home in late November can only muster one shot on net?
Is it just me or does anyone else believe that the UEFA Cup semifinal between Bayern and Zenit was fixed. How else do you explain that a Russian club, playing at home in late November can only muster one shot on net?
I think they are missing Pavlychenko (sp?) and generally, other than Arshavin, they don't have much going forward. Also, I believe their league has been finished for a week or two and they finished 5th. There is talk of Zenit putting in a bid for Bendtner, among others, of Arsenal in January.Insidious Von said:
Arsenal are it again...impressive win @Stamford Bridge against a Chelsea team which hadn't conceded a goal in the 2nd half all season. I had a feeling they would win this game. Unfortunately they cannot beat the likes of Hull & Stoke damnit!!!
It will be just like after the Manu game: big win in Carling Cup then lose to Wiganthe_big_E said:
Headline on Gazetta de' Sport: Inter Bulldozer.
Jose Mourinho has the arrogance of excellence; not only are his tactics inscrutable he also speaks fluent Italian without a hint of accent.
I can't say the same for his paisan Quaresma, since he's been sitting on the bench Inter are unbeatble. Sulley Muntari took his place; he cost 1/5 of the transfer fee that Quaresma commanded and has been the missing piece of the puzzle that will allow Inter to win everything. YUCK!
TLN is expanding it's CL coverage to include Spanish clubs. This weeks games are:
Roma vs Bordeaux (tuesday)
Real vs Zenit (wednesday)
Jose Mourinho has the arrogance of excellence; not only are his tactics inscrutable he also speaks fluent Italian without a hint of accent.
I can't say the same for his paisan Quaresma, since he's been sitting on the bench Inter are unbeatble. Sulley Muntari took his place; he cost 1/5 of the transfer fee that Quaresma commanded and has been the missing piece of the puzzle that will allow Inter to win everything. YUCK!
TLN is expanding it's CL coverage to include Spanish clubs. This weeks games are:
Roma vs Bordeaux (tuesday)
Real vs Zenit (wednesday)
