Two weeks ago Arsenal were chasing an unprecedented quadruple. Losses to Birmingham City, Barcelona and Manchester United have since ended their hopes in the Carling Cup, Champions League and FA Cup respectively. A season that promised so much is on the verge of extending a trophyless streak to seven years. The away game at West Brom next weekend now takes on immense importance to Arsene Wenger’s side............The Barclays Premier League, the so called best league in world soccer had a tough week. Arsenal was eliminated from the Champions League without mustering a shot in 90 minutes against Barcelona. Liverpool lost at Sporting Braga and Man City, the richest club in the world lost at Dynamo Kiev, both in the Europa Cup. Only Spurs managed to fly the flag for the BPL by eliminating AC Milan on aggregate in their last 16 UCL game.……….Harry Redknapp, by virtue of Spurs’ performances in the UCL has established himself as the leading candidate to replace Fabio Capello as England manager, when the Italian steps down. He has proved, that sometimes it is better to be lucky, than good. Redknapp should thank William Gallas, for his goal line clearance against Milan, for keeping his England aspirations alive. He should also send a bottle of champagne to Pato, Ibrahimovic and Robinho, the Milan forwards for being so inept in front of Spurs’ goal……….
Barcelona did not play well against Arsenal yet tore apart their South London opponents. What would the score have been had Barcelona taken their chances? The score on the night and on aggregate flattered Arsenal. Barcelona are one of the best club teams of all time, but another Champions League title is a must if they are to stand alone as the best ever……….Only seven days to Round Five of the clash of the Scottish heavyweights, Celtic and Rangers when they play each other in next weekend’s Co-operative Insurance Cup Final. If you like your football played with unbridled passion then this game is a must see………. The introduction of video technology is a necessity if soccer is to maintain its standing as the world’s best and most favorite sport. Some of the decisions that have been incorrectly called by game officials this season could all have been changed, if the fourth official was allowed to have access to video and the ability to change a call. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, the technology would not have overturned the red card given to Robin van Persie in Tuesday’s game at Barcelona. However, it would have helped the fourth official to award a penalty to Barca for the foul on Lionel Messi. We will never know how the score line would have changed had either call be made correctly, but Arsenal fans would have been left with less of a bitter taste in their mouths……….
"It would be good for UEFA to show humility,” said Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger in the aftermath of his side’s loss to Barcelona. The words kettle, pot and black spring to mind where Wenger is concerned. He is a great manager, but not a great loser. Rather than point the finger at UEFA, Wenger should point the finger at himself for his team selection at Sporting Braga in the group stages. Had Arsenal not lost in Portugal they would have avoided playing Barcelona in the last 16. If self incrimination is beyond Wenger, then how about some criticism of his forward, Nicklas Bendtner for that woeful miss in the final minutes at the Nou Camp? The miss makes Bendtner’s celebration of his hat trick against Leyton Orient in the recent FA Cup replay all the more laughable……….The 16th Major League Soccer season kicks off on Tuesday night when Seattle plays Los Angeles at Qwest Field. Despite its critics MLS has survived and established a foothold on the American sporting landscape market. A number of teams are capable of lifting this year title, but a Red Bulls versus Galaxy final might be good for the league as a whole……….
The U.S. women’s national team won their eight Algarve Cup in Portugal this week when they beat Iceland in the final. Pia Sundhage’s team are no longer considered the best in the world, but will still be one the favorites for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Germany……….Who says the U.S. cannot develop top class soccer players? The performances of Villareal’s, Giuseppe Rossi and Borussia Dortmund’s, Neven Subotic prove otherwise. Bob Bradley will rue the day that both players declared for Italy and Serbia respectively……….Prediction for the week: Manchester United to be eliminated from the UCL by Marseille on the away goals rule.
Barcelona did not play well against Arsenal yet tore apart their South London opponents. What would the score have been had Barcelona taken their chances? The score on the night and on aggregate flattered Arsenal. Barcelona are one of the best club teams of all time, but another Champions League title is a must if they are to stand alone as the best ever……….Only seven days to Round Five of the clash of the Scottish heavyweights, Celtic and Rangers when they play each other in next weekend’s Co-operative Insurance Cup Final. If you like your football played with unbridled passion then this game is a must see………. The introduction of video technology is a necessity if soccer is to maintain its standing as the world’s best and most favorite sport. Some of the decisions that have been incorrectly called by game officials this season could all have been changed, if the fourth official was allowed to have access to video and the ability to change a call. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, the technology would not have overturned the red card given to Robin van Persie in Tuesday’s game at Barcelona. However, it would have helped the fourth official to award a penalty to Barca for the foul on Lionel Messi. We will never know how the score line would have changed had either call be made correctly, but Arsenal fans would have been left with less of a bitter taste in their mouths……….
"It would be good for UEFA to show humility,” said Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger in the aftermath of his side’s loss to Barcelona. The words kettle, pot and black spring to mind where Wenger is concerned. He is a great manager, but not a great loser. Rather than point the finger at UEFA, Wenger should point the finger at himself for his team selection at Sporting Braga in the group stages. Had Arsenal not lost in Portugal they would have avoided playing Barcelona in the last 16. If self incrimination is beyond Wenger, then how about some criticism of his forward, Nicklas Bendtner for that woeful miss in the final minutes at the Nou Camp? The miss makes Bendtner’s celebration of his hat trick against Leyton Orient in the recent FA Cup replay all the more laughable……….The 16th Major League Soccer season kicks off on Tuesday night when Seattle plays Los Angeles at Qwest Field. Despite its critics MLS has survived and established a foothold on the American sporting landscape market. A number of teams are capable of lifting this year title, but a Red Bulls versus Galaxy final might be good for the league as a whole……….
The U.S. women’s national team won their eight Algarve Cup in Portugal this week when they beat Iceland in the final. Pia Sundhage’s team are no longer considered the best in the world, but will still be one the favorites for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Germany……….Who says the U.S. cannot develop top class soccer players? The performances of Villareal’s, Giuseppe Rossi and Borussia Dortmund’s, Neven Subotic prove otherwise. Bob Bradley will rue the day that both players declared for Italy and Serbia respectively……….Prediction for the week: Manchester United to be eliminated from the UCL by Marseille on the away goals rule.
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