Despite Arsenal's struggles of late, our live match on Sunday is still one of the season's glamour matches, as the Gooners head to Stamford Bridge. Danny Dichio will join Joe, Kristian, and myself in studio as we hit all the major issues. Here are my weekly thoughts on some storylines I'll be keeping close tabs on. As always please give us your comments, as you know, we need them, and use them. To todays 5 the:
Cesc to the rescue? (Chelsea vs Arsenal)
One match into his reign as Gunners new captain, Cesc Fabregas has a 100% record, and the pass that set up Pinky Bendtner for the winner against Kiev was vintage Cesc. It's tough to use the word vintage with a 21 year old, but this is an old experienced head on young shoulders. Much of Arsenal's troubles this season can be contributed to the fact that Cesc has not dominated like he has in recent campaigns, but if Tuesday was an example of things to come, then perhaps Arsenal will turn it around. In an earlier post, I wrote off the teams hopes for this season, and I stand by that, I don't think Arsenal can deliver week in an week out, but I have a hunch that this week, given the injuries and form of Chelsea (yes, even at home!) they could be ripe for the picking. I suspect we'll see the Arsenal that beat Man Utd at the Bridge. Either way, this is gonna be a doozy. Two great managers head to head, and what more can you say about Scolari? Well, I think this insightful quote says it all; "(Wengers) teams play football." Now that is analysis fit for The Footy Show!
Stevie Me celebrates the big 10 (Liverpool vs West Ham)
It was ten years ago this weekend that Steven Gerrard made his first team debut at Liverpool. For a look back on that time, check out this great Oliver Kay column in The Times. Much has been written about Stevie G over the years, but in my humble opinion to date, he ranks right up there with Dalglish, and Souness. Of course the missing link is the League crown, something that perhaps he needs, to truly win over the Kop faithful, but that may never come, so let's appreciate him as is. Few players are able to rise to the occasion like Gerrard (at least when he's wearing his club shirt) and I am predicting that on Monday, he will celebrate his decade at the club with a goal against the beleaguered West Ham.
We don't care... honest we don't! (Manchester City vs Manchester Utd)
Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex have been quite vocal ahead of the derby haven't they! One wonders if this is a case of they doth protest too much? On one hand Rooney talks of this being a massive match, and a chance to show them who the real kings of Manchester are, and then on the other hand he says that he's not too bothered about the whole City story. I'm confused, I think Wayne might be as well. Fact of the matter is, Utd should be concerned, right or wrong, City are about to change the face of European soccer, and before long, they could well be the kings of Manchester. I really hope all this adds up to a brutally physical, rife with scandal, dramatic classic.
Better the devil you know? (Stoke vs Hull)
I always enjoy battles between promoted clubs (well, perhaps not last weeks awful Stoke/WBA encounter) because they generally have a lot to prove to each other. A win for Stoke, and suddenly they are just 2 points back of Hull in the top half no less, and they are a good home team with 5 wins and only 2 losses. Of course Hull have 14 road points thus far, that is top 3 in the league! The Tigers are winless in 5 though, and Stoke are coming off a win! What does it all mean? No idea, but I hope Hull can pull it out, they should continue to be the feel good story, and not those freaking Rory Delap bombs!
Thugs vs Stars (every match)
Do me a favour, keep your eyes on the so-called stars of the league this weekend. See if they are targetted any less than Cristiano Ronaldo. A lot has been made of Ronnies treatment recently, and admittedly, he is fouled a lot, probably more than anyone else, but he's not alone! Top players have been the victims of hatchet men for years, old number 7 is no different in my opinion, and the truly great players deal with it, give back, and remain great. If he can't stand the heat, then he should get out of the kitchen, I hear there is no foul play in La Liga!