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

Curse of the Gal-less

At least one man must be smiling after Arsenal collapsed at Stadium of Manchester City and that is none other than ex-Arsenal captain, William Gallas. The former Chelsea player was axed as the Gunners captain and suspended on Friday following remarks made to the press about his team mates and was also dropped for yesterday’s trip to Manchester City, which the Gunners lost 0-3.

His defensive lapses, an infamous sulking performance against Birmingham City last season and a recent photograph of the 31-year-old with a cigarette pursed between his lips have all served to prove that he is not right for the armband. But all these actions did not break the iceberg until Gallas was dropped for revealing infighting in the dressing room and criticizing the squad’s lack of determination.

Gallas’s Brace
Some may wonder whether dropping Gallas is the right decision in the midst of turmoil. And my question is whether he was right in his outburst, to publish the dirty linen in public? Somehow, I am starting to believe to a certain extent that Gallas’s intention maybe good after all.

But at least I believe that Gallas’s words are working like a charm. As a gooner, I hate to say Wenger is wrong but I know Gallas is right when we are trophies-less already in the fourth season since we won the FA Cup in 2005. In my view, his motive wasn’t wrong as he needs to give Arsenal a wake-up call. As the team captain then, he has the every right to remind them of their shortcomings. His method probably isn’t right, but I guess that is the only way to highlight the significant of the problem.

Facing the Music

But again, few can tolerate his actions which is not acceptable as a captain of a “Big-Four” team much less a player. Two years ago, I was laughing my guts off at my Chelsea mate for the decision of selling Gallas in the Ashley Cole part exchange with additional 5 million. But now, I guess my Chelsea friend has the last laugh.
At the moment, the storm won’t subside until the mess gets cleared. Should Gallas apologize and make up, could we see him enough and face his manager and team-mates. Or will he just sulking for the rest of the season.

Either way, William Gallas’s future in the club would definitely in a doubt after all he had done and even if he doesn’t speak up today. Heads are expected to roll soon, and Gallas could be the first to face the guillotine.

To have something like this to happen is not a bad thing to an already soul-less team. I don’t know whether it is a blessing in disguise but one thing for sure Gallas is not the talisman of the team. And only time will tells.

Gunny

You can discuss more about this topic in our forum!

3-0

Money CAN buy you trophies, if not matches

Some says this match was a match of “Rich vs Poor”, but Man City just shut the hell up of Arsenal. They beat them 3-0, so what could Arsenal say?

Excuses, yet flaws

Last season, Arsenal had to learn it the hard way. This season, they wanted to learn the same thing again. And that is, you need to have backups. Good backups. Come on Bendtner (Read below)? Song and Denilson?  Djourou and Silvestre? If they were in the first-team Arsenal would have been relegated. Sign some good backups, Arsene. You can’t stand if you don’t have backbones.

Speed, speed, speed

Kudos to Man City. A 1-0 or 2-0 win even would be considered lucky by some. But 3-0? You can’t say they scored 3 lucky goals.

The main difference between Arsenal and man City is SPEED. Look at Robinho. He and his teammates counter attack with such speed and accuracy that everytime they attack they have a 45% chance of scoring. It’s because they are quick, as compared to Bendtner who can’t even hold the ball for more than 3 seconds and isn’t fast enough to beat the defenders, and they are lethal, as whenever they attack they bury their chances, unlike Bendtner (AGAIN) whom instead of aiming into the net he shoots straight to Joe Hart. Speed and accuracy, learn that Arsenal.

A new champion is crowned

In the past, Gooners always call Eboue the “worst player to have ever played for Arsenal”. This time, a new young kid from Denmark comes up and “usurp” Eboue’s throne. That kid is Niklas Bendtner. Congrats, young Dane.

This match against Man City was the crowning ceremony, the crowning of a new “champion”. Or should I say, the last few matches. Against Man Utd, against, Aston Villa and now against Man City. he barely had a dangerous shot. Specifically, he didn’t even scored a goal.

It’s really puzzling how a hot prospective 20 year-old kid could “overthrow” Eboue. Years ago, when he was playing with Birmingham, clubs all drool seeing him play. Now, he loses the ball easily, has to really improve his ball control and the only thing that could get his some goals, his head, is failing either. Yet the problem is that Arsene Wenger is playing him too quickly, but then, as if he had a choice. Arsenal had no more strikers, besides Vela. i would certainly love to see Vela play, but what’s stopping him is his experience. Yet surely I can tell he is at least 3 times better than Bendtner. Arsene should have given Bendtner more time,  don’t rush him.

Bendtner oh Bendtner

Just because it worked once doesn’t means it will work 3 times

In the match Arsenal vs Man Utd, Arsene Wenger chose to play a lone striker in Bendtner with Diaby supporting him. It worked quite well in that match and Wenger said “He may use that tactic more often.” Well, just because it worked once, it doesn’t mean it will work thrice. Knowing that it didn’t work against Aston Villa he should have reverted back to normal, then re-evaluate again. In fact I feel Diaby should be playing instead of Denilson. He’s become a good player, 2-footed, trying tricks and when he first came Wenger dubbed him “the next Patrick Vieira”, so naturally he should be made a holding midfielder and allow Fabregas to roam forward.

So after everything, it wasn’t a matter of “Rich vs Poor”.

It was a matter of “Spendthrift vs Thrifty”.

Dariano

Now, now, now. Let’s look at the table:

Some would say it’s only 13 matches played, and it’s still early in the season. But the point difference is 9, and 9 is a very big number in the premiership. In fact, Arsenal’s next match is against Chelsea. This fixture is very important because the match against Chelsea will be the answer, to whether Arsenal can still win trophies or not

The important fixture against Chelsea. Yes, Arsenal did well against Manchester United, and that was one of the best matches I’ve seen so far this season. The Chelsea match, will tell us, if they are still championship material. Of course, Chelsea is a must-win. If Arsenal loses to Chelsea, I dare say, Arsenal’s title hopes are over. Try again next year, Arsene.

Now the big question is: What is the problem with Arsenal? Well honestly speaking, the problem all lies with the manager. But to be more specific, it has 3 different reasons.

Firstly, a lack of a defensive midfielder. And I’m sure I’m not the only one complaining here. The fans told him, the players told him, the press hinted to him, yet Arsene Wenger wants to give Denilson a chance and develop him. No doubt, Denilson is a future star, but how old is he? Only 20? You must be kidding. Time and time again Wenger was always told a lack of experience was the main problem last season. And as if a 20 year-old kid has experience. Denilson is one for the future, but when asking him to play right now, he just can’t cut the mustard. Furthermore, he plays more like Fabregas or Rosicky. He’s a playmaker. Denilson’s situation is just like John Obi-Mikel’s at Chelsea; they’re both doing fine as a holding midfielder, but they fail to live up to their potential because they can do a lot more as a playmaker. In other words, waste of talent.

Secondly, SPEND, ARSENE, SPEND. You see, personally, I don’t really condone other managers spending 30 over million on a single player, I don’t really like that. But if it’s necessary, why not? In fact what I’m trying to say is not Arsene Wenger should pay 30 million for a player, but instead it’s a fact that Wenger is given 30 million to spend, but he only chose to spend 10 over million. If 1 player is worth 10 million, I don’t mind him buying 3 different players worth 30 million all together. To me, it is okay to spend 30 million on 3 players, not on a single player alone. It is clear the squad needs reinforcements. A defensive midfielder (my actual suggestion was signing Yaya Toure), a goalkeeper maybe, and more efficient backups. Instead, Arsene became a stubborn arse and sell the player who plays in the position that we need, Gilberto Silva.

Thirdly, give younger players a chance. I’m not saying that he should play the reserves, but give players like Wilshere and Vela a try. Whenever I check the player ratings for Carlos Vela it’s always “Too little time to make an impact.” He may very well be playing better than the first-team players, you’ll never know. Honestly I feel Vela should start instead of Bendtner, but Bendtner being “Arsene’s favourite boy” he gets more first-team chances when Vela is scoring a chip shot, hat-tricks, and 3-0 wins.

Red Hot Vela

Finally, Arsene Wenger. He is one stubborn arse.

“Spend, Wenger, spend!”

“Nah, we’re a selling club.”

“Play Carlos Vela!”

“Nah, he’s inexperience.”

“Sack Arsene Wenger!”

“Eh… Judge me when the season ends! Basically when we’re going trophyless, again.”

“In Arsene we trust!”

“Oooh… yeah!”

Basically you get it. The quoted lines are what some of us says (don’t take offense against the one on sacking Wenger, it’s only a joke. I myself feels he shouldn’t get sack too), while the non-quoted ones are what the Professor is saying.

Well that’s all I have to say. When I published this Arsenal’s probably facing Man City. Tell me your opinions in the comment box below. Do you agree with what I say or you feel there are other areas worth discussing? Best of luck to the Gooners. Thanks for reading!

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.

You may join the discussion on this topic at our forum. Click here to join now.

Years ago, this rivalry would undoubtedly the biggest match in the country where the fiery match build-up would already begin a week before kick-off. However, the excitement and anticipation seems abnormally modest unlike it has always been.

Gunners Ammunition-less

The reason of a plain build-up could only lies with an anonymous Arsenal whom has slumped to an impotent 2-1 defeat at Stoke City at the weekend, before following this up on Wednesday night with a 0-0 draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League.

The Gunners are used to being the cavaliers of English football, delighting the Emirates crowd with their artistry on the pitch as they craft goals from the highest order. But after a disappointing run in the past weeks. Arsenal looks ripe for the taking when Manchester United head to the North London team.

Their weakness at the defence has seen them concede over twice the amount of goals that top of the table Chelsea have. The tipping point for this came in the recent shambolic draw with bitter rivals Tottenham, where a two goal lead in the 89th minute turned in to a 4-4 draw at the final whistle.

Subsequently the mood and confidence heading into the United game is low and the need for victory looks much more crucial, especially to get the fans back on side.

Definitely ruled out tomorrow are Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Emmanuel Eboue (Knee) and Robin van Persie who is suspended, as well as long term injuries to Eduardo and Rosicky. That leaves Wenger short on attacking options with Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela the only recognized strikers available. Bendtner was poor against Fenerbahce but they could be the only best option for now.

The worse is not over for the Gunners yet where a string of doubters continues to decrease the confidence of the Emirates. Ex-Red Devils, Mikael Silvestre (Broken nose) may not face his former club while William Gallas (Hamstring) and Theo Walcott with Eboue could suffer the same fate. Wenger will be counting on the fitness of Walcott who has been the team’s best player this season. Manuel Almunia is over his sickness and trained on Thursday however Bacary Sagna sat out the session, should Sagna miss out it seems likely that Kolo Toure will continue at right back.

As tough as it could, the Gunners could not go down without a fight even the odds are against them.

United Out To Sink Arsenal for Good

Manchester United travel to the Emirates in the knowledge that a win could provide a critical blow to the title hopes of one of their Premier League rivals. We may only be in the early weeks of November, but the stakes are already that high.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges rarely fail to go for the jugular in these circumstances. You can bet the Scottish manager will be inspiring his troops to get the right result at a time when the Gunners are struggling at home and in Europe.

This determination to claim United’s first win at the Emirates Stadium was borne out by the side Ferguson selected for the mid-week Champions League game with Celtic.

The team that took the pitch at Parkhead for the 1-1 draw was lacking several of its usual star names. Players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney were rested.

As for United, they are coming off a tense 4-3 victory against Hull City and a 1-1 draw with Celtic. They’re having trouble defending in the back and they’re having trouble finishing off their chances on offense. Plus, there’s that whole problem with figuring out what 30 million pound striker to play. The last thing they’ll want to do is to drop points in a title race that they’re already running behind, especially against a hated rival.

Man Utd do not have any major injury problems except for Paul Scholes, Wes Brown and Owen Hargreaves.

It could be United eating out of Arsenal’s hands but the ball is round, you could never know until the whistle is blown.

“Clueless”,” Spineless” and” Horrible” are criticisms spreading across the world by football fans when they saw the recent Arsenal. Are they right? Unfortunately, yes. As a staunch believer of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, I always take their criticisms lightly until the Gunners lost themselves in Britannia Stadium.

What Went Wrong

The same old question that I hate to answer but have haunted me more frequent recently. After their midweek nightmare against Spurs, Arsenal knew it was crucial to beat Stoke City but it has proved otherwise. Did we make any progress since 4 years ago? I bet we did but along the way we lost some. Perhaps, it is time to point fingers to who should take the blame after all we have lost three matches since and mind you, it is only November.

Maybe the whole world except Wenger knows that the Gunners have lost it long ago but the latter failed to realize it. So back to my question, who should take shoulder the fault? Is it Wenger who feels rotating players is a new trend, the players whom have lost their belief or the referees who are at risk of being bashed up in the streets of North London? To me, it could be either, neither or all of the above.

The DM factor

I think 99.99% of the gooners have been writing to any soccer websites that says “Buy a Midfielder” and hoping their prayers would be answered. Apparently, it has fallen deaf on Arsene Wenger’s ears. Ironically, the manager that I have always admired was the person who invented the idea of “pivotal midfield” during the days when Patrick Vieira was alive in Highbury and was largely successfully. Clueless as I am, why couldn’t Wenger repeat his baby?

We need to face the fact that our midfield dominance has been gone with the days of The Invincibles. Coming along is Gilberto Silva and Mathieu Flamini who managed to pick up some of the pieces but that is not enough to warrant a quality midfield. Denilson? Rome was not built in a day and what’s more telling 20year-old to who has less than a 100 league appearances to muster the midfield.

Defiant Wenger
Not buying a midfielder. There is more than meet the eye; analysts suggested that Wenger is doing all what he can do to prepare Denilson to replace Fabregas if he decides to leave Arsenal.

Blessing in Disguise

Some say that recent losses could turn out to be Arsenal’s gain –the pressure for Wenger to buy players. Will it really turn out as it seems? I can’t tell for sure not at least when Mr. Wenger is still asleep. As mush as i fear, the Gunners will sink further into the bottomless pit if nothing is going to be changed.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is not worried with the fact that bookmakers still rank him third favorite in the premiership, behind Manchest United and Chelsea.

Liverpool have made their best ever start to any premier league season. They are comfortable on the top of the premiership table with a diference of three points after playing their first 10 games without a single defeat.

They have beaten both Manchester United and Chelsea who are interestingly rated ahead of them to win the premiership.

Despite Liverpool’s outstanding run of form, bookmakers still tip United and the Blues for a title tilt ahead of the Anfield side but Rafa Benitez insists that such statistics do not concern him.

He declared that he expects a strong challenge from all other members of the ‘big four’ as well as dark horses Aston Villa.

He told Sky Sports: “I don’t care about this [bookmaker odds]. I just concentrate on our football and try to be there as much as we can. You can see that Chelsea are very, very strong, United and Arsenal as well.

“Aston Villa are pushing, so we have some strong teams and it will be the same until the end of the season.”

Liverpool may welcome back Robbie Keane into their starting line-up for the weekend league clash with a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.

The ex-lilywhite will be making his first return to White Hart Lane since his £20million summer switch and Benitez expects the Irishman to be well received at the London venue.

He continued: “He is available so it will be my decision. He wants to play every game.

“He was a key player for them for many years. He was a fantastic professional and always gave 100 per cent so I think the fans will appreciate this.”

The Reds could also see Fernando Torres make a return to the panel after missing the last four weeks of action. The Spaniard may sit on the bench as he seeks to be fit for the midweek clash with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.

The press asked if Torres was match-fit and Benitez replied: “Nearly. We have to check today. It will be the last training session and we have to decide. It is very close.”