The Red Devils have been by far the most successful clubside in England since clubs in the old First Division resigned to form what we now know as the Premiership in 1992. For a club that had not tasted league success in 25 years of asking, 1993 saw many of the clubs younger fans witness their heroes lifting a league trophy for the first time. As unbelievable as that experience probably was then what was even more amazing has been the swash buckling manner the club has brushed aside rivals since then. With 10 wins out of 16 to date, United definitely have been the undisputed kings of the Premiership. While Arsenal provided some competition in the 90s, Keane,Cantona, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs et al ensured it was not nearly enough as United still took 5 out of 7 titles during the period . And a Champions League trophy to boot to end the old millennium!

The New Millenium
United continued the seeming vice-like grip it had on the trophy winning 2 straight (2000 and 01) in the new millennium. Many feared that United were about to continue from where they stopped in the previous century. Arsenal’s win in 2002 was a welcome relief (to neutrals) and many hoped that it would signal the end of that era. Arsenal had over the years under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger gradually emerged as truly credible contenders to United. With players like Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira, Campbell, Parlour, Overmars, and co the Gunners were not in short supply of talent or experience in every square inch of grass.

Lapses of concentration, fatigue, (whatever the pundits feel comfortable with) saw the Gunners squander a comfortable lead in March (a la Newcastle) and surrendered the title to a resurgent United. Harry Kewell and Leeds probably hit the final nail on a campaign that faltered at the very end. United, always waiting in the wings waved thank you sir and simply cruised by.

It was back to business for United but not for long. After that painful lesson the Gunners were not to lose a league game for another 15 months. That was how vicious their response was! United surely were no longer undisputed lords of the manor.

But even more was to come. And still in London. Where Chelsea was undergoing a revolution of sorts. Roman Abramovich, the young Russian billionaire had injected so much money into Chelsea that by 2005 the club was able to win its first title for 50 years in style. Chelsea retained the trophy the following year and Jose Mourinho was fast becoming a legend not just at the Bridge but arguably also in the
Premiership.

Chelsea not United had suddenly become the force in English football and during Mourinho’s time they remained unbeaten (in the League) at home. Chelsea also had a better head to head against the big 3(during the period) especially Arsenal who never won a match against Chelsea during Mourinho’s time.

But you cannot put a good side down, not for too long at least and United came back with a vengeance beating the new kids on the block (Chelsea) in a tightly contested race for the Premier League in 2007 and repeating the feat in style the next year in one of the most exciting finishes to a Premier league season. With the Champions League crown won also in sensational style, United were back! 2 Premier league titles in 2 seasons!

Question is will it be 3 straight this term ? Are United going back to the days of dominance of the domestic league. Can we? Or will any of the other ‘big 4’ members have a say. Or maybe a dark horse.

The Contenders:
Liverpool:

Based on their form during the first half of the season you have to say Liverpool are strong contenders. They are the current league leaders and have had their brightest start to a season in a long while. They have conquered their big 4 fear (not lost in 3 encounters) and together with Arsenal have the best head to head to date. So what is the problem?

1. Kid gloves. They have not been ruthless. Not the way Chelsea was in 2005, United in 2007 or indeed Arsenal in 2003/04. For a side that has not won the League in almost 2 decades there is no ruthless streak in their performances to whet the appetite. Despite being on top, supporters of Liverpool and many watchers of football are still not very confident of their position. The jury will be out on this and opinions will be divided. Truth be told those currently behind Liverpool in the standings feel a lot more confident of catching up than if a United or Chelsea were ahead. Even Arsenal’s run last season was more solid and clinical than the current league leaders.

While they may have lost just once all season, it is their inability to kill off certain games that have called to question their championship credentials. Selection blunders and injury to arguably their best player Torrez have made Liverpool look a lot less convincing than they were in the first third of the season. His quick return may spark a strong challenge but they may already have been out of it.

Chelsea:
Currently second. Have since been demystified since the departure of the “Special One”. Indeed that United won the first of 2 league titles whilst the Special One was still very much around is instructive. The proud home record (very awesome indeed) has finally gone and clubs feel they can come to the Bridge and go for maximum points.
Injuries to key players, Drogba, Essien, Ballack Carvalho, have dealt a blow to the team.

While they may not have been convincing early on at home (and really they haven’t) their away form has been awesome. Losing only 2 points from a possible 27!

So what is the problem?
1. The manager? Many feel he simply does not make the right calls before or during games. If dressing room rumblings are true that may pose even bigger problems. In front Scolari is torn between gratitude to Anelka who has so far delivered albeit unconvincingly, or gambling on a dreaded Drogba who sends chills down opponents but can be such a baby. He’ll give you your goal this game but could miss the next 3. At times his body language suggests that he’d rather be elsewhere.

2. Home form has been worrisome. Against the big 4 they have lost to Liverpool, Arsenal and barely managed a draw against United. Apart from draws against Spurs, West Ham and Newcastle. The proud home record which was an unnecessary burden has gone but has not been replaced with a new burning fire. Your home form should be solid because you cannot always guarantee results away from home. Neither can you really at home but shouldn’t it be easier to get points at home? Will they stop dropping valuable home points? They no doubt have their work cut out but still seem the best equipped to halt a United treble.

Arsenal:
Never write off the Gunners. That’s what an Arsenal friend of mine always says. But it’s safe to say they have but an outside chance. So what’s the problem?
1. The endless rebuilding.
Even die-hard Arsenal fans now know that they are in a perpetual rebuilding whose time frame is known only to their manager. While there is talent in the squad, it is the strength in depth that has been missing since their “Invincibles” heroes departed that has been the problem. Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp, Reyes, Pires, Campbell have all left, joined lately by Hleb, Flamini and Gilberto. Replaced by whom? Good players no doubt but not of the same depth/experience to address deficiencies in specific positions. Today’s Arsenal does not command that same depth as then and coupled with long term lay-offs can only grow weaker. The transfer window will not see much activity if Arsene Wenger’s recent antecedents are anything to go by. If he does there’s no immediate guarantee of a successful blend.

2.3points=3points. A win against the Top teams is good but when it is frittered against the smaller sides it is neutralized. Arsenal remains the easiest side for the smaller teams to beat amongst the big 4. Arsenal play only one way and are easily (harried) off by more physical sides. Losing 5 games before the half way mark may be one too many to counter in the second half. Whilst they can still finish in the Top 4 it would take every one of the current leaders to fumble for Arsenal to grab the title. Knowing their second half form is suspect, their chances definitely are as well.

Aston Villa
The first real threat to the big 4 since the cameo appearances of Everton in 2005 and Spurs in 2006. Over the years Martin O’Neal has gradually built a team that is seen by many as the truly credible big 4 threat. Villa’s current form is the best in the premiership. With 14 points from their last 6 games (United are second with 11). They have by far one of the best goalkeepers in the League and hot young prospects in Agbonlahor, Young and a hunger for success.
So what is the problem?

Probably staying power. The premiership has seen its fair share of first half wonders. Newcastle, Wigan, Charlton, even Arsenal. Can Villa last the distance? What will be the response to a string of poor results (that will come sooner rather than later). Capitulation? Or defiance? Will they burn out like the Gunners did last season? Injuries? If young or Agbonlahor were to be out for 6 weeks what will the impact be on their season(especially at this time) Only time can answer those questions but of the four they are the least likely to win based purely on recent pedigree, team experience and depth.

So what are United’s chances?

Some Positives:
1.United is known to rally in the second half. With 2 games in hand and 7 points behind the leaders, United is still very much within touching distance.

2. We have played 9 of the Top 10 teams (last term away). That means the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn, City will be coming to Old Trafford next year. If the current home form is anything to go by (lost only 2 points at home all season), then there is sound basis for confidence.

3. The win at the World Club Championships can only make the team hungry for more glory. Whether we are indeed “World Champions” does not matter here. What matters is the significance of yet another trophy to a hugely successful year and the ripple effect it will have on the current season. Seeing youngsters like Rafael and “not-so-youngsters” like Nani, Anderson, hugging their medals in Japan makes one wonder if they or indeed any of the “oldsters” will be content with only that piece of silverware. I doubt.

4. The gaffer. He is as hungry as ever. He’s been there and knows it all. If anyone can do the magic he can.

5. Strength in depth. Wenger would really love to be in Fergie’s boots. There is virtually a solid replacement for every position on the field save maybe for the full backs. Each position is also manned by highly rated and effective players(whether young or not too young) . This will be critical when games come thick and fast and injuries begin to take their toll.

Negatives:
There are no negatives. Of course there are! Else the FA and UEFA should just give United the trophies today. Just a few of the many though.

1. Fixture overload?
Will United rue playing in the Super Cup and the WCC? Already Vidic is a serious doubt for the first leg against Jose’s Inter courtesy of a red card in a match which even Scholes felt was not as important as the EPL. Only time will tell but if we go far in the FA Cup the effect of too many fixtures might begin to tell.

2. Balance.
Sir Alex is yet to strike the right balance in his team. Dimitar Berbatov has not looked an inch the player he was in Spurs, Rooney has blown hot and cold, and the Ronaldo soap opera has not reached its final season. Tevez has not reproduced the form that saw him leave West Ham or even that of last season. Players like Neville and Giggs seem past it while Nani does not appear to be stepping into the fray quickly enough. Van der Saar seems to have regained his form but for how long in this campaign. How soon will Fergie strike the right mix and start the blistering run that has defined ALL of his winning campaigns?

3. Carlos Queiroz.
While no one is bigger than United I must say we have missed something in the man. His presence was definitely calming influence on our Iberian imports. I just think we might miss him more than we presently think.

4. Good Old History.
The last 4 seasons have seen the Champions League winners eliminated in the first knock-out stages; Porto,Liverpool,Barca,Milan were all sent home at this stage of the competition the year after winning. A mouth watering clash with Inter can go either way and should the United lose would there be negative consequences for the League?

More questions than answers but no doubt there will be twists and turns in the New Year. Can we win it? You bet.

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So, the Champions League draw have been over, and I have to admit one of the most anticipated matches is Inter vs Man Utd. Italian champions vs English champions. I’m an Arsenal fan, so I’m rather happy about it. Man Utd think they are the best, well eat this! Let’s see how you get past Inter.

But there is another fixture I’m very much looking forward to. Roma vs Arsenal. Why? Both are my favourite teams, and they are 2 very similar clubs. Mirror image in other words.

Firstly, both clubs are having some financial problem. Which is the reason why both clubs doesn’t spend big. Look at the players Arsenal and Roma have signed in the past few seasons: While big stars like Cristian Chivu left, instead of getting a big money replacement Luciano Spalleti got Juan for a mere 6.3 million euros. When the legend of Arsenal, Thierry Henry left, many people was thinking whether his replacement could lived up to expectations. Arsene Wenger chose to fork out only 8 million to sign Eduardo Da Silva, and although he’s injured at the moment, his future looks bright.

Secondly, both clubs have been praised for their brilliant attacking football. Arsenal was believed to have played the best football ever seen in England during their “Invincibles” season (2003/04), and up till today they do just that. Roma have been praised by pundits for playing exciting, attacking football since Luciano Spalleti took over and deployed the 4-5-1 formation. Normally in football it’s “the beauty vs the beast”, but I believe in this match, both clubs will be known as “the beauties” and will be fighting their asses off.

Roma's golden boy, Francesco Totti

Lastly, both clubs have their own “star talisman” of the team. Francesco Totti have always been associated with AS Roma, and up till today the fans still “worship” him. Francesc Fabregas, although only 21 years of age, has been one of the most popular players in Arsenal at the moment, and seeing how similar both players’ style of play are, it’s certainly a battle of the golden boys. However years ago this could be even more intense, when Thierry Henry was still at Arsenal. I’m sure about 4 years ago everybody wanted to see the 2 best strikers at their peak facing each other on the football field. What a match it would be.

Arsenal's club legend, Thierry Henry

Dariano

Do you agree with me that arsenal and Roma are actually very similar? Or do you feel there’s actually another Serie A club that is even more identical with Arsenal (eg. Juventus?)? Tell me below in the comments box or register at our forum, it’s fast and easy. Thanks for reading.

Here is the probable lineup as pulled from various websites:

Milan (probable): Abbiati; Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Cardacio, Pirlo, Emerson; Seedorf,
Ronaldinho; Pato

What is your immediate gut reaction when you see this lineup? My first reaction was is this really the best we can do? When you consider the laundry list of injuries and suspensions it is a marvel we Carletto can even find 11 bodies to suit up. The other thing that jumps out at me, more that than lineup is the fixture itself. This is easily one of the most important matches Milan has participated in since the 07 CL Final, don’t let Fester try and tell you the otherwise with the Club World Cup.

 
Call me overzealous or even over exaggerated, but a loss tomorrow from the Rossoneri and win by the clubs in front of them, and the chance at the top of the table will slowly slip away and fourth place soon thereafter. Milan lost two early matches to Bologna and Genoa, and by dropping those points, it makes games like this one all the more must win, coupled with the table position and I think you begin to see my point.

Udinese is not a slouch and was an early riser in the Serie A table this season, since then both teams have fallen off the pace and both squads can use the points. Udinese is an interesting squad and one that is easy to respect with their great blend youth, Italian talent, and foreign players it is impressive and worth emulating in any club. Milan will not have the chance to see transfer target Zapata due to injury but Toto DiNatale and FabQuags should be in full force so the Milan defense will have their work cut out for them.

As for the defense, the notion of Favalli, Kaladze, and Janks scares the crap out of when taking into consideration the speed of the Udinese frontmen. Janks has played a ton this season, and though he is needed it may best harness Antonini’s speed in match such as this. If Antonini plays the right flank, Favalli or Janks can go to the left where they can do less offensive work because Dinho can push the issue on that flank. The other surprise inclusion is Cardacio, but I won’t believe it until I see it. Considering that we all know Carletto has three fit strikers, OK maybe not fit to score, but fit to play, it is a bit puzzling that he could roll out one striker when he has the ability to play two with a diamond midfield and the ability to leave Emerson on the bench. Seems like a pretty obvious win win situation, which means it will not happen that way.

So here we are again very close to another important match, and the last before the holiday break. The points are necessary, the lineup is piecemeal, but the goal remains the same.

My verdict: 2-1 to Milan

hopefully

Azzmilan

Me and a mate from another football forum made this up together , as he is a ref.

AT WHAT COST?

Refereeing is a lonely business.

Each match, we step onto the pitch with the whistle, and we are on our own. Yes, there are the assistant referees and the 4th officials and there is a measure of team camaraderie, but when push comes to shove and it’s time to make a decision, it’s up to you to act. It is here where your mettle is tested and we must do what we think is right, even when 11 players crowd around you saying the 93rd minute penalty you called that will probably break the tie has ruined the game and taken it out of the players hands. Then, after the match is over, we are left on our own to ponder the decisions we’ve made, and if you’ve made a mistake you add shame and despair to your loneliness. You might rethink the nasty things the players said to you, or you might relive the foul, and even when you’re right, you’re still alone. No one celebrates with the referee when he made a difficult and correct call and your family might not care either. In the end it’s just you and your crew, but eventually, when you go to sleep it’s just you.

If you feel enough passion and drive for this thing of ours, and you progress to the top levels, you will get offers to travel far and wide to go referee games. You can’t really say no when they tap you because there is always someone waiting to replace you when you say “no.” One step behind you, they wait. The other refs may be our friends, but far too often, in private, we hear the inner-circle criticisms, and each of us knows we are not immune. A referee once told me to ref each game at the top level like it’s your last, because if you mess up, the people that are next in line will be brought up and you may be sent to referee Heaven. These are just some of the fears and paranoias of a referee trying to make it in this world. None of this mentions the sacrifice that has to be made to reach the top rungs in this thing.

SACRIFICE
Every match for a referee is an “away game”. This is especially true when you travel out of your local area for a match. This requires a sacrifice of time, sometimes taking days off, lots of hours in cars and on airplanes for not-that-much money. Yet, the biggest sacrifice that I’ve heard of or personally experienced is time away from family. Over the summer I had to go to the West Coast twice for two events which kept me away from home for 4 and 5 days a piece. My girlfriend misses me when I am away and I always feel her sadness from the phone. I don’t like being away from her either, but this is the life I’ve chosen.

I think it’s worse for the guys who have kids. These men (and less frequently, women) have to leave home and their children several times each season. Spending time sitting on a plane is probably far less enjoyable or rewarding as playing ball with your kids or making love to your spouse. I have been told that there are some referees who made the conscious choice to not get married and have no family or kids because of their commitment to refereeing. Some guys “have a girl friend in every city.” Many have been divorced. The loneliness is not only the referee’s but it is also owned by his family, and that burden is not so easy to accept when you’re not the one with the whistle. For a group of people who work so hard to uphold the rules and fundamental fairness of the game, it’s that same dedication and desire that causes them to be so unfair to their family and home support structure. It hurts the referee and spouse/significant other. Considering that nearly all of the referees must have a primary profession to make ends meet which takes up 40 or more hours a week of their time, it seems the family only gets the leftovers during the season after soccer takes its chunk of time and attention. Leftovers are never as good as something freshly made.

We all make these sacrifices for the love of the game. Some people think sacrificing time with family for this is crazy, but then again, most people think being a referee is crazy and wouldn’t ever pick up a whistle. And they probably don’t understand, and unless they catch this refereeing “bug”, they probably never will.

For non-refs, the next time you think “these refs are terrible, they need to be trained better,” consider just how much time in training and gaining experience they DO spend on improving. To the refs who read this, the next time you go away for a long period to referee, do something nice for your spouse/girlfriend/etc.

I love this job but sometimes I take pause and wonder, at what cost?

The Ballon d’Or is fast approaching us. For those who dont know it, its often refered to as the European Footballer of the Year award.96 journalists from around the world have decided the winner from a shortlist of 50 compiled by France Football; prior to this 52 European journalists chose a winner, who needed to play for a European club. They then vote on a 1-5 voting system.

The past winner was Kaka who won it on 444 points over Cristiano Ronaldo 277 points and Messi 255 points respectivley. Kaka deservly won it last year, but single handly carrying Milan to the Champions League title.

This year the favoirties are;

Cristiano Ronaldo

He has a magnificent term last season scoring 42 goals and his not even a striker!He singlehandly won the EPL for Man U in 2007-2008 and helped them to the Champions League Title. His goals have come at crucial times and saved Man U time and time again.John Cryuff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, “Ronaldo is better than George Best and Dennis Law ,who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United.’

He is a winger and for a winger to score 42 goals is fantastic and he won EPLs top scorer award. All managers and players around England voted and gave him every reward possible. Last seasons his pace,trickery and positioning would kill teams and he would often score at crucial times like when Man U were  0-0 with Fulham and on the 87th minute , Ronaldo finds a little space and gets the shot off and goal.He  dominated the EPL and was easily the best player last season.

This term has been up and down and in the middle for him.His still easily the best talent in the EPL but his nowhere near his 42 goals and is stuck on 9.But he is still dominating the wing and pressuring defences into submission. He is bringing Rooney into the game and that partnership is fantastic. He may not have scored 42 goals again but his still the best talent in the EPL at the moment.

Azzmilan Verdict: Winner

Iker Casillas

Iker is arguably the best goalkeeper going around at the moment and has been in the first team since he was 20 which is amazing for a goalkeeper. Last term his fantastic goalkeeping efforts kept Real Madrid not only in the league but in top position. He constantly saved miracle shots and was called “Saint Iker”  and has player over 300 games for Real Madrid and has very rarely played a bad game.He helped Spain win the Euro Cup and was a constant thorn in the thigh of goal scorers.He has won La Liga’s goalkeeper rewards for the past 3 seasons and at 27 is not even at his peak for goalkeepers and could play well into his 30s.In his 82 appearances for Spain, he has kept 42 clean sheets. Nuff said.

Azzmilan Verdict: Third as goalkeepers never win it.

Fernando Torres

Torres since coming to Liverpool has been their savior and is in fantastic form. In recent times, he is the reason Liverpool are challenging for the EPL title. He was fantastic with Atheltico Madrid and will go down as their best ever player, but his fast becoming a legend for Liverpool as well.He scored a total of 33 goals in all competions for Liverpool last term and in the Euro 2008 helped Spain dominate that and beat the best ever defence in the form of Italy.His striking abilitty is second to none and his dribbling carves defences to bits.Since coming to England he has scored 38 goals and in Spain scored 84 goals so his on a role and could even be a bigger legend in Liverpool than in Spain. His only 24 and easily the best buy of Rafa’s career. Last term he was the only threat to Ronaldo’s dominance. This season him and Gerrard have completely transformed Liverpool and are carrying them together to the title. This term despite injuries when he plays he is a magican and glides with the ball. His speed and dribbling make him the best striker in the league at the moment. He has played in 16 games for Liverpool this term and scored 5 goals, but he has been doing heaps of assits this term. Torres should come close.

Azzmilan Verdict: 2nd

Maradona himself named Messi his “successor”. Despite him being injury prone, when he plays his as good as Maradona was.He is superb in big games and dribbling and trickery tears defences apart. Last season he played majority of the season with 28 games in a team which starred,Puyol,Eto,Henry,Ronaldinho and co. He layed on 10 goals and gave away 12 assists. What makes him so good is what he does with the ball. Watch him school,Cannavaro, dribble past Marcelo and practically give the ball to Henry who shoots and GOAL!! So far this term his played 10 games and scored  7 goals which is more than 1 every other game.What makes him more amazing is that his only 21 and dominating La Liga.Simply put, when he plays Barceolona have won 87% of their games. Nuff said

Azzmilan Verdict: A tough one, could even be an upset win or may not even be in the top 3.

Those three are my favorites for the award and it can go either way between them but don’t forget theres still heaps of other contenders like Villa,Kaka,Gerrard and Fabregas. But these players are my personaly belief on which players will fill the top 3 positions. Hope you enjoyed the article

Azzmilan

The heading says it all. I want Francesc Fabregas to be Arsenal’s captain.

Firstly, let’s list out the candidates:

- Manuel Almunia

- Gael Clichy

- Kolo Toure

- Cesc Fabregas

Firstly, Manuel Almunia. Arsene Wenger may actually choose him, seeing that he is the oldest player in the Arsenal squad. But choosing him would be wrong, and I believe he is an even worse captain than Gallas. Almunia recently started playing in the first-team squad last season, before that he was stuck on the bench and only had a couple of matches. This means he may still need more experience on the pitch, and he needs to learn to communicate with his players. Making Almunia captain would be like giving a new signing who have just came to the club for a season the captain armband.

Next, Gael Clichy. His explanation is really simple actually. He isn’t a leader and he’s young. It isn’t easy calling the shots on the flanks, and he joins up in attack from the back so often that the defenders don’t have anybody to take orders from. I would even think that it’s more likely Arsene Wenger will give the armband to Almunia than Clichy.

Thirdly, “Mr Arsenal”, “King Kolo”, Toure. If Arsene Wenger is the “old school” type of manager, the most likely choice for captain would be Toure. A defender, Arsenal’s longest serving member in the squad, loads of experience, and he has said that he wants it. Well I wouldn’t mind if Wenger chose Toure, but I dare Arsene Wenger to be different. Try something special. Put the future of the club in the hands of a 21 year-old boy, Cesc Fabregas.

Cesc Fabregas: The young hope of Arsenal

Fabregas is young, but when it comes to experience, he doesn’t lack it. He has played for years in the premier league and since he’s so confident of handling the club well, let him do it. Fabregas is ambitious and determined, surely he will influence his teammates to be the same as well. It may be breaking tradition and the club hierarchy, but the club will be refreshed and reinvigorated with him at the helm. Furthermore Fabregas has spoken at times how he wants to leave Arsenal, so giving him the armband should shut him up for a while.

That’s all I have to say. What do you think? Do you agree with me? Tell me in the comments box below, or discuss more at our forums. And we even have another post on who you want as captain. Check this out.

Dariano

Now that Gallas has been stripped of the armband who should be the Arsenal captain? It is reported that Alumnia would be stand in captain for the game against Manchester City this afternoon. But permanently? Let’s look at the choices..

Almunia

Arsenal’s most senior player, quite a fair amount of leadership qualities, respectable, well liked. However, it might be hard to lead the team from all the way at the goalpost.

Toure

Arsenal’s longest serving player, vice-captain, also very respected and well-liked. However, his form has taken a dip lately, and he is plagued with injuries.

Silvestre

joined from a rival club, he is quite new at Arsenal, but he is one of the older players with experience. because he is quite new, he might not be familiar with the players at Arsenal.

Clichy

Arsenal’s consistent player, playing week in and out, the left back role is permanently his after Ashley Cole left. he is dedicated and loyal, but he is only 23 and lacks the experience and maybe leadership qualities.

Fabregas

Arsenal’s most vaulable player last season, his teammates love him, the fans adore him-only second to walcott because walcott’s english- he is the midfield mastro. however, he is only at a tender age at 21, and giving him the armband may not stop him from leaving the club in the summer.

so who do you think will be the next Arsenal captain? would Wenger break the tradition of choosing a French after 3 consecutive Frenchies? I would be delighted if clichy or fab got it, but they are still young.

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Are you a football lover, supporter of Arsenal, Manchester United, chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juve or some other clubs? Well if you have been part of this blog for some times now you would notice something went wrong with our servers and we lost everything. Some mischievious persons hacked into our server and wiped out everything from the blog and the forum.

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The articles are catered for readership in the forum as well as in the blog. Writers will be handsomely paid if they can meet our expectations. So, anyone who is interested can give a try. For guests, please register first in the forum first. If you are a good rewriter and would like to be a good writer and would like to be part of this wonderful project kindly email us at admin@soccerfanbase.com.

We will give you a chance to get exposed to the world of sports journalism and also make a living writing about the beautiful game. Get in touch with us and we will be glad to have you write for us.

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