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.

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