Is Arsene Wenger deluded?

A 1-0 win against a ten man team from the Serbian league this week was enough for Arsene Wenger to declare that his team have a backbone. Although he was pretty much bound to say this after the criticism his team have faced after last weekend's capitulation against Watford, he seems so out of touch with modern football.

I don't want to see a return to the days of the 1970's and 80's where the toughest teams often won through without playing the game that well. In my lifetime, that really changed when the 1980'a Liverpool team that included Graeme Souness could mix it as well as play some great stuff. Manchester United's dominance through the nineties and noughties was based on this mix, with players that could look after themselves, such as -

• Bryan Robson
• Steve Bruce
• Paul Ince
• Jaap Stam
• Roy Keane
• Mark Hughes

I don't think that it's a coincidence that many of these have gone on to good managerial careers. But Arsene Wenger is completely wrong about his team's fight. Troy Deeney was spot on with his comments about Arsenal having no 'cojones.'

What can Wenger do?

This is an issue that has followed the Gunners for years. The lack of a solid defence and a CDM has cost them countless trophies over the last ten years or so. And it's strange, because the team that won so much for Wenger was built on the solid base of David Seaman, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit among others. He has kept the philosophy up front of flowing football, but not built it on a sound platform.

The obvious first thing he can do is sign the right players. But that can't be resolved until January at the earliest - and he hasn't made any strides in getting it right over many transfer windows. If he hasn't seen the issue, or chosen not to deal with it, then the delusion continues. If Arsene Wenger has chosen to leave the club open like this then he is a danger and should be replaced immediately.

But it might not be a personnel issue. The way that his current team play the game might have an effect on the lack of fight shown. Let's say for the moment that he has the right players. Just about all of the first team squad are internationals and were either signed for a lot of money or brought through a well-renowned academy. So it could be argued that he has the right players at his disposal.

The original team (also the Invincibles team) had two Central Defensive Midfielders. Now Wenger seems to prefer one. Just a simple change like that puts more pressure in behind the team, as the full backs cannot get as far forward. Nobody has told them this, so they bombard off and leave too much space in behind. With two CDM's, the centre backs can play further apart, cover the pitch and close down the pressure. Something as simple as this will make a he difference and could change the fortunes of this failing Arsenal team. Let's face it. Something has to change.

The league title race hots up - will we have a new Premier League winner this season?

Has the league title fight now come down to two teams? With another disappointing two round of fixtures for Arsenal and Manchester City - one on the league and one in the Champions League - there is a growing feeling that only Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur can win the Barclays Premier League now this season.

Manchester City have progressed in Europe but the loss of Vincent Kompany to injury again raises fears that their title push is over. Without their captain they have struggled at the back and they are now relying on defenders that haven't cut the mustard in their time in the country. It looks like the clubs hierarchy are looking at next season and the arrival of Pep Guardiola for their next set of glory. A Champions League quarter final for the first time is nothing to be sniffed at but City don't look like potential winners of that tournament. Only a major collapse by both the top two will let them back into the Premier League title race.

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Arsenal have some big problems of their own. The calls for the head of the manager Arsene Wenger grow louder every day and their exit from the Champions League, the FA Cup and their recent failures in the league are not going to make any of this go away. The recent falling away of Manchester United after the long reign of Sir Alex Ferguson may persuade the board to keep hold of him for a little while longer but the results on the pitch are not what the fans want to see.

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Leicester City did on Monday night what all the big clubs have always managed to do - win even when not playing well. It is a sign of champions but the last few weeks of the season will see them becoming more and more nervous as they near the impossible dream. They still have away games to Manchester United and Chelsea so the season is far from over.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been also-rans for a long time. They play football which is tough on their players because of the amount of running they are required to do. This may come back to haunt them later in the season as the players tire. Is the squad big enough? DO they have strength in depth? What about cover for injuries?

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The best place to find that perfect Arsenal gift? It's Sportingdesires.com of course!

There are some football clubs that stand the test of time. New clubs with billionaire owners come and go like the wind. The title “The Bank of England club” has been attached to various football teams over the years. There are very few clubs that can boast a continual period of success over their rivals. The natural ebb and flow of the game of football and relegation has meant that some of the most powerful clubs in the game have dropped off and others have taken their place-

•          The most successful club in the 1920’s were Huddersfield Town who won the league 3 years in a row
•          The 1950’s saw back to back league wins for Wolverhampton Wanderers
•          The late 1960’s saw a dominant Leeds United team
•          Brian Clough took league titles to Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1970’s before 2 European Cups for Forest
•          The late 1970’s and most of the 1980’s were completely dominated by the hugely successful Liverpool
•          Manchester United won the league again in 1992-3 and this started a run of 8 league title wins in the next 11 seasons
•          The rise of the billionaire owner has seen Chelsea win league titles, domestic cups and the Champions League, while Manchester City have got hold of two league titles but find the Champions League a little more of a challenge

But one team has been a constant presence in those seasons with a massive 13 league title wins in their history. They have the longest unbroken stay in the top flight if English football. They have been there since 1919.

Of course I am talking about Arsenal Football Club. They have a continued period of success that has stood the test of time-

•          They won 5 league titles in the 1930’s, including a hat-trick of titles
•          They followed this up after the war with titles in the 1940’s and 1950’s
•          1970/71 was the season that they won the double of the league and the FA Cup
•          The famous win with almost the last kick of the last game in 1988-89 will live forever in the memory
•          3 titles in 7 seasons followed the appointment of Arsene Wenger

They are just simply the team that has been least affected by the changes in the game. This is the longest sustained period of success of any team in the game of English football. The fact is that the Gunners will be able to keep up this success in the modern game as they compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City domestically, while battling in the Champions league year after year with opponents such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Their London base means that they can attract fans to their beautiful new stadium called the Emirates Stadium and delight fans worldwide through the various television deals the Premier League has been able to negotiate. Football is everywhere – from the streets to the stadia, from school to your place of work you find it all over the place.

The questions are – what can I get the Arsenal fan? Where is the best place to find my Arsenal memorabilia? What place has the very best I can buy to show my support for the club?

The company is called Sportingdesires.com and their Sporting Desires Arsenal shop is the perfect place to indulge in all things about this successful club. They have everything you need to indulge your passion or everything you can think of to buy for that Arsenal-mad person in your life. They have got together a massive range of memorabilia for the Arsenal supporter.

From the small to the large, for all ages there is a choice here of hundreds of products to keep every Arsenal fans happy for years to come. There is so much to choose from that you will be able to find something that even the most ardent Arsenal supporter won’t already have. I know that this can be a problem but this website has literally hundreds of gift ideas and you will be able to find something for everyone, no matter their current collection of memorabilia. The products you will choose will depend on the occasion you are buying for so let me take you though a few of the options and see if we can find something that you will love.

You have to start the Arsenal fan off early in their life and what better way than to have Arsenal body suits for ages 0 to 3 months?  These will make sure that everyone knows that even though the baby hasn’t developed speech yet, they are sure to be an Arsenal fan when they do. It’s a great way for parents to nail their colours to the mast and declare to the world that they have a future Gunner in their midst. This is perfect as a gift for the Arsenal fan in your life and their new baby. These also come in larger sixes for the growing baby and can be matched with bibs for that complete look!

When moving from a cot to their own bed, what better way to make that transition as smooth as possible then the Arsenal duvet set single? It is made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester which means it is hard wearing and machine washable. It really sets off the room perfectly for any Arsenal fan and the striking red of the team colours brightens up any decor. As the Arsenal players dream of another FA Cup success, progress in the Champions League or another crack at that elusive Premier League title, your young ones could be having their own Arsenal dreams. Whether it is their desire to watch Arsenal win trophies our they one day desire to play for the Gunners then the best place to have those dreams is under an Arsenal duvet!

When you get big enough to walk around and kick a football then the Arsenal FC 4 inch soft ball is an excellent way to learn the basics of the game. If you think that you have a budding Thierry Henry or Alexis Sanchez in the home then you will want them to practice as much as possible. To know that thus can be done is safety with a soft ball is reassuring for your child and for your ornaments! Practice passing like Mesut Ozil, heading like Olivier Giroud and control like Aaron Ramsey. They will be knocking on the door of the academy in no time! It is only by practising that you can get better and this ball will allow your young ones to be up on their feet and enjoying themselves as soon as possible.

To be able to cover as many bases as possible in one gift there is the fantastic option of the Arsenal FC accessories set which includes-

•          2 wristbands
•          1 captains armband
•          2 sock ties

This means that you are ready to play the game of your life for your local team while still showing off the colours of the club that has your heart. It is a superb way of being able to let the whole world know you are a Gunner – and proud! This set is the pieces you need to be able to run out into your back garden, school playing field or your local park and feel like you are the captain Mikel Arteta.

When you go to school, every part of how you dress becomes your personal image. You will really want your friends to know what team you support and this Arsenal FC backpack is just another way to show your true colours to the whole school. It is a great size, with adjustable shoulder straps and an extra zip front pocket to keep your football cards in for easy access. The simple fact is that football has become sometimes the only talking point on the school playground so to be able to stand out with the Arsenal colours and badge is a great way to make your mark. Let everyone know – pupils and teachers alike – that you are an Arsenal fan.

A more subtle way of showing your allegiance to this club that has been in the top flight for so long is the Arsenal Band Ring which comes in different sizes and is made from durable stainless steel. If you are looking to buy this as a gift then it comes with a gift box so the person you are buying it for will be able to treasure it forever. This really is a delightful gift for the Arsenal fan and one that they will be able to wear every single day. To be able to wear something quite unique as part of supporting your football team is something rather special and this ring allows the Arsenal fan to feel great about their team and their style.

No matter who the Arsenal fan is in your life (especially if it is you) then you will find whatever you need at the Sporting Desires Arsenal shop where there is such a choice. Whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift for someone else (birthdays and Christmas seem to come around so quickly now) then you will always be able to find something new and different to delight. As we have seen in this blog, the options are there for young fan and for those that are slightly older. Take a look today and find that perfect way to show that you support a team that has been successful for decades – the Arsenal.

Where will Guardiola go? My conclusion may surprise you!

Now that Pep Guardiola has confirmed that his next management assignment will be in England, it's time to look at the contenders for his signature. You might be surprised at my conclusion.

Manchester City have long been the front runners, if the press is to be believed. The fact that two of his ex-Barcelona cohorts are in powerful positions at the club is more of a sign that City want to emulate Barça than a sign that the deal is done. I'm sure that City don't see Pellegrini as their long-term manager but this also doesn't automatically mean that Pep is a shoo-in. 

Manchester United are looking seriously at the future direction of the club. The style and results of Louis can Gaal are not what they want from a manager. The points and goals tallies are more akin to David Moyes than Sir Alex Ferguson. There's no doubt that, like City with Pellegrini, they will look elsewhere in the long term. But I believe that Ryan Giggs is pencilled-in as a young manager that knows the club - not unlike what Guardiola himself was to Barcelona. And Zidane to Real Madrid, as has happened this week.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a long-time admirer of Pep. But I can't help feeling that the admiration is one-way only. The repeated impatience with managers and the seemingly all-powerful dressing room is enough to send Guardiola running in the opposite direction. I'm sure that Chelsea would break the bank to secure his service and provide him with transfer riches, but that won't be enough.

Arsenal are my tip as his surprise destination in England. I think that Arsene Wenger will move upstairs at the end of the season and this is more likely if they win the league. London would surely prove a bigger draw than Manchester - especially if he's looking for new restaurants! His style of football is most suited to Arsenal's squad, above the other potential destinations.

He's currently 8/1 at the bookmakers for this, so it may be worth getting on it now!

See my take on whether Leicester City will make the top 4 this season

After most of the matches have been played this weekend, there's a question that everyone has been asking.

Will Leicester make the top four at the end of the season?

I heard Paul Merson ask it on Gillette Soccer Saturday, Jermain Jenas ask it on Match Of The Day and Martin Keown on MOTD2.

My answer really differs to most of what I've  heard recently. I don't think that they can keep this up. Just watching the intensity of their game against Everton and the amount of fight they had to put in, means for me that they will run out of steam.

An injury or two, a suspension or a player needing a test will put a bigger dent in their squad than any of their rivals. They don't have proven internationals on the bench or young starlets coming through the under-21 league. This means that they will struggle for quality if they hit a bad patch. It currently looks like Leicester will be competing with Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United for a Champions League spot and all their squads run deeper.

Leicester could have some aces up their sleeves in the January transfer window, though and new signings will be easier to come by than last January when they were bottom of the league. But the pressure will be on Claudio Ranieri to make improvements without breaking the team spirit they have developed.

Whatever happens, it will be an interesting season. Keep watching and keep reading!

See the lowdown on why the Premier League is wide open this season

It feels as though nobody really wants to win the league this year. There's no stand out team that is taking it by the scruff of the neck like Chelsea did last season. With Manchester City losing at the weekend, Chelsea continuing their poor form and Manchester United struggling for goals it came to Leicester City and Arsenal to pick up wins and make their move.

So why are the big teams not firing so far?

Let's have a look-

Man City have suffered more injuries than usual this season. Losing Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero for long spells would harm any team in the world. They've list their captain, their midfield driving force and a large percentage of their goals. Kevin De Bruyne in his first proper Premier League season and a still-young Raheem Sterling can't seem to turn the tide on their own.

Louis Van Gaal has changed the philosophy at Man United. After a season in the doldrums under David Moyes, he probably felt he needed to turn the tide in some way. This way has been to spend (really, really) big and produce a team that keeps clean sheets as their main aim. From there, they hope that Rooney's will, Martial's pace or Mata's guile gets them a goal. It's quite dour to watch but the board thinks it's a great alternative to the Moyes reign.

What can I possible say about Chelsea? They have been awful and Jose Mourinho has not been the great manager we have been led to believe he is. Man management has never looked his strong point and it feels like he has lost the dressing room. A Champions eague exit this week will all but seal his fate. I suspect that Abramovic wants to keep him on but time is definitely running out.

The last of the traditional big four is Arsenal and they have suffered injuries on a similar scale to Man City. They have lost key players at key times but still keep up second place at the moment. The magic of Ozil will have to make do on it's own as Sanchez what looks like a hamstring injury which could keep him out of the side for a while.

The revelation so far have been Leicester City and they currently top the table. Nobody expects them to keep it up but if the other teams mentioned above continue with their problems then Leicester have a chance. In the January transfer window will be much easier to attract players than this time last year when they were in real trouble. With a couple of quality acquisitions they could have a chance of lasting the distance and from there who knows?

My tip for the title as it stands now is Manchester City. I just think that they can't continue to be this unlucky with injuries and they could go out and buy a £50 million player in January if they felt it necessary.

After 12 games of the season it's my part-season progress report

When Arsenal v Tottenham and Liverpool v Crystal Palace finish their games today, we will be at the 12-game mark in this season's Premier League. The international break is next so it's a good time to look at where things are and what might transpire between now and the end of the current campaign. The league table looks like this-

Premier League

Pos.	Team	P	GD	Pts.
1No movement	Man City	12	17	26
2No movement	Arsenal	11	13	25
3No movement	Leicester	12	5	25
4No movement	Man Utd	12	9	24
5No movement	West Ham	12	7	21
6No movement	Tottenham	11	10	20
7No movement	Southampton	12	6	20
8No movement	Everton	12	4	17
9No movement	Liverpool	11	0	17
10No movement	Crystal Palace	11	1	16
11No movement	Watford	12	-1	16
12No movement	Stoke	12	-2	16
13No movement	West Brom	12	-6	14
14No movement	Swansea	12	-4	13
15No movement	Norwich	12	-7	12
16No movement	Chelsea	12	-7	11
17No movement	Newcastle	12	-9	10
18No movement	Bournemouth	12	-13	8
19No movement	Sunderland	12	-13	6
20No movement	Aston Villa	12	-10	5

I'll start here with my awards for so far this season and my predictions for the end of the season.

Over achievers 

This is a close-run thing but I think that by virtue of having four more points, I'll give this to Leicester City over West Ham United. Mahrez and Vardy in particular have been great going forward but the thing that has put Leicester in their lofty position is their spirit. They just don't know when they are beaten.

Under achievers

This isn't a close-run thing at all. To go from comfortable champions to 16th place is terrible. It's never happened before. I put the blame squarely at the manager's feet. He has undermined the staff, upset the players, blamed everyone except for himself and disrupted a team that looked so unified last season.

Player of the (part) season

The exploits of Jamie Vardy have been remarkable but the stand-out player in the matches I've watched has been Dimitri Payet. His skill, running and vision have been a delight to watch and have transformed West Ham from average to very good.

Relegation candidates

I said at the start of the season that I thought Sunderland, Newcastle and Aston Villa would be relegated. I stand by two of these but I think that Newcastle United have shown enough progress under Steve McClaren to survive. Bournemouth have has a rotten run of injuries and I think that losing Callum Wilson is a blow they can't recover from.

Champions (and Champuons League)

I think that there many be a new face in next season's Champions League as I think Spurs can make the top four this year. In my opinion they will be joined by the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal. I think that Chelsea have left themselves too much to do, even at this relatively early stage. My tip for champions is Manchester City again, but I think that Arsenal and Manchester United will run them close and make it a fight right up until the last couple of fixtures. Sergio Aguero remaining fit will be the deciding factor as neither of the other clubs have a goalscorer that can compete with him.

Let's see how things go!