Category: Football

Why I’m Backing Arsenal To Sign A Striker In January

For at least the last three seasons, one thing that has been clear about Arsenal – and which has likely cost them the Premier League title on more than one occasion, is that they are lacking a prolific frontman.

I just don’t really understand Mikel Arteta. It is obvious to pretty much everyone apart from him that this is what has hampered the club’s challenge consistently and something that should have been fixed at least a couple of seasons ago.

Personally, I think Gabriel Jesus’ time at the club could well be numbered – indeed there isn’t really a position for him – at least that is suited to the English top flight. He isn’t an out and out striker – at least not against Premier League defenders, while he doesn’t have the vision to be a number 10 and, certainly at Arsenal, at least, he would be third choice at best to slot in as what would be a rather ineffective wide player.

The signing of Kai Havertz left many nonplussed the previous summer – especially for the fee, though it did begin to make sense slightly when Arteta started playing him in midfield as a forward-thinking number eight, arriving late into the penalty area, until that experiment seemed to fail.

To give credit to the German though, he began to adapt to the number nine/false nine role (at least a lot better than Jesus), for a time and, incredibly he appears to be Arsenal’s only realistic goal-scoring option through the middle right now.

Gunners Screaming A Striker In January

With the transfer window approaching, Manchester City faltering and, despite incredible form from Liverpool, they are due a bad patch, if Arteta can sign a striker, this could make a huge difference.

It’s got to be ‘now or never’ for Arteta and, following news of Marcus Rashford’s situation at Manchester United, where there seems to be a mutual understanding that his time is up, this would not be a bad signing. In need of a new challenge, knows where the goal is and would thrive off the number of chances that Arsenal creates, in addition to being the main man, this could be an excellent move for both parties.

Juventus hitman, Dusan Vlahovic is another natural option, after the Serbian was linked two years ago, prior to leaving Fiorentina for Turin and he could be devastating for the Gunners, having a similar effect that Diego Costa had for Chelsea a decade ago. A predator in the penalty area, prolific and physical with a proven goal-scoring record, he would be exactly what Arsenal need, if they can justify the rather modest £40 million reported fee. However, a straight swap deal involving Jesus might just suit all parties, with the Brazilian possibly more suited to the Serie A.

There were thoughts that Arsenal would hold out until the summer to try again for Benjamin Sesko, after he opted to extend his contract at RB Leipzig, though with director of football, Edu, having left, it could be that their priorities and targets have changed.

Why I Am Backing Chelsea To Win The Premier League

The Premier League often throws up a number of surprises and despite Manchester City winning the competition for the last four seasons, it hasn’t always been as straightforward. A couple of seasons ago, Arsenal looked nailed on to win it, especially at Christmas when they had a commanding lead.

This season, Liverpool have surprised everyone – after Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the last campaign, I really didn’t expect them to challenge for the title again for at least a couple of years. However, with just one defeat they have taken a surprising lead at the summit.

Over the last few weeks though, there has been one club that has been quietly going about their business and it seems that things are gradually falling into place. I am of course, talking about Chelsea, who after a turbulent last few years finally seem to have got their act together.

What Have Been The Difference Makers For Chelsea?

Many were intrigued, including me, when the club opted to hire Enzo Maresca as their new manager at the end of last season. Despite being unproven in the Premier League, the talented, young Italian manager won the Championship with Leicester City last season, playing just the type of football, Chelsea’s owners crave.

Coming in with a limited transfer budget, Maresca has, more or less, had to work with what was already there, with Chelsea spending over £1 billion since Todd Boehly took over the club. The biggest emphasis was on trimming the squad and wage budget and it now seems a lot more balanced.

Towards the end of last season, there were some promising signs though. One of these was the emergence of Cole Palmer who is swiftly developing into one of the league’s standout players.

The 22-year-old took a big risk when asking to leave Manchester City in search of regular football, though his decision to back himself is paying dividends. Arguably, England’s next big hope, Palmer has turned into a goal machine. Already this season he has 11 goals in 15 Premier League appearances and has earned a reputation as a serial match winner.

Chelsea also look a lot more solid this season and, although they do still concede they have complemented this with a prolific goal-scoring record. The rest of the club’s exciting attacking talent – many of them new signings – are also starting to gel. In particular, Nicolas Jackson is one that is gradually beginning to realise his potential and is forming a great relationship with Palmer in attack, while he has eight goals in 14 league matches this term so far.

Despite a slow start (which included a long-term injury), even this season, Christopher Nkunku is beginning to show his class. The Frenchman has a lot of potential and I think he could be a key contributor to the second half of the season.

Fernandez Flourishing Under His Namesake

Argentine (Enzo) Fernandez has had somewhat of an interesting start to his Chelsea career. Joining the club following his country’s World Cup win, in which he played a key part, he took a while to settle, while he was embroiled in scandal last summer, after he was filmed being involved in controversial chants about the France squad, that included some of his Blues’ teammates. Following an apology to his teammates and under the guidance of Maresca, in addition to the split from his partner, Fernandez is now starting to show his class and is making a case for him being the first name on the team sheet.

On paper, Chelsea have one of the best midfields in the league, especially with the combative Moises Caicedo and the precocious talent of Romeo Lavia. With strengthe in depth out wide and an increasingly solid defensive platform, these are just a few of the reasons why I am backing Chelsea to win the Premier League. Liverpool will no doubt go through a bad patch as most clubs do and, they have the distraction of the Champions League as well.

Premier League Teams With The Best And Worst Christmas Fixtures

Without a doubt, December can prove to be a testing time for clubs in the Premier League and can often be a deciding month in their season. This is because of the heavy fixture schedule, which can be even worse for clubs that are still in the Carabao Cup as well.

Often the start of the hectic fixture period begins around mid-December, with four fixtures coming over a 10-day period, though this continues with three more in the span of eight days, including the third round of the FA Cup in early January.

It is very rare for any club to emerge from the festive period with a 100 per cent record and for some, the January transfer window cannot come soon enough – especially for those clubs that sustain injuries due to fixture congestion. As such, we’ve looked at the clubs that have the worst and best fixture schedule this Christmas.

Clubs With The Worst Christmas Schedule

You have to feel sorry for the newly promoted clubs – two of them have particularly stern tests over Christmas.

Ipswich Town come up against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea, with the latter two likely to be competing for the title, while the Magpies will have their eyes set firmly on a top six finish.

Meanwhile Leicester City are another club that has tough festive period. Following a winnable fixture against Wolves, they then have clashes against title chasers Liverpool and Manchester City, so they really need to be looking to take at least three points, which could make a big difference.

Of the ‘top six’ clubs Tottenham is one that could struggle over the festive period. They have games against Liverpool, and the increasingly improving Nottingham Forest and Wolves – all three of which could prove to be a substantial test.

Club Fixtures
Ipswich Town Newcastle United, Arsenal, Chelsea
Leicester City Wolves, Liverpool, Manchester City
Tottenham Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Liverpool

Clubs With The Best Christmas Schedule

There are also a few clubs that jump out, which have what could be construed as a much easier schedule, however, there are no ‘easy’ games at this level.

Chelsea is another club which may emerge from the festive period relatively unscathed, while they could also be a challenger for the title. Fixtures against Everton and Ipswich Town, with a derby against rivals Fulham sandwiched in between on Boxing Day could make interesting viewing.

Reigning champions Manchester City are another club that could be deemed to have an easier festive fixture shedule. Although Aston Villa may provide a test, the club’s following two come against Everton and then Leicester.

Then there is Arsenal, who also will likely be challenging at the top end of the league as title contenders. They face Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Brentford – relatively comfortable fixtures and ones, you would expect them to take nine points from if they have no major injuries.

Club Fixtures
Chelsea Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town
Manchester City Aston VIlla, Everton, Leicester City
Arsenal Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Leicester City