Peter Anderson ⚽ In this World Cup interrupted season, it is bizarre to think that we head into next weekend's FA Cup break with the league campaign not even at the half-way point. 

At this point, things are looking rosy in the garden for Arsenal. They are playing sumptuous footy, led from the front by Martin Odegaard. What a player he is, out De Bruynering De Bruyne. The front three of Martinelli, Saka and Nketia are scoring at will almost. The pundits are purring in their praise. Paul Merson even went as far as saying that they can't be caught. I wouldn't bet on it. With 22 games still to go, it is much too early to say that, despite their 7-point lead of second placed City. 

Arsenal's next EPL games are against Newcastle, Spurs and Man U. It's early yet. However it is great to see Arsenal break the City-Liverpool dominance of the last 5 years with such attractive footy. They faced Brighton at the weekend knowing that their nearest pursuers, City and Toon had dropped 2 points each earlier in the day. Arsenal promptly dumped the Seasiders in a 2-4 drubbing and extended their lead at the top. As sure as eggs is eggs, they will slip up and then we will see what they are made of.

While all things are rosy in the Arsenal garden, things are looking black at the coal quay for West Ham. Only out of the bottom three on goal difference, they can't buy a point. In fact, they haven't won since the 24th October, 5 straight defeats. Considering how good they were last season, it is quite a shock. Their next 2 games in the EPL are away to Leeds and Wolves, while facing a difficult tie with Brentford in the cup. They need to start winning soon. One pundit suggested that they swap managers with Everton, Moyes and Lampard back to their natural homes. 

Whatever, if they both don't start winning, they won't see the end of the season. Both Everton and West Ham have the same problem: strikers not scoring, the perennial problem in the EPL. Every year in this league the fight to avoid the drop is as exciting, and often more exciting, than the title race itself. This season looks no different.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports

Gunning For The Title

Peter Anderson ⚽ In this World Cup interrupted season, it is bizarre to think that we head into next weekend's FA Cup break with the league campaign not even at the half-way point. 

At this point, things are looking rosy in the garden for Arsenal. They are playing sumptuous footy, led from the front by Martin Odegaard. What a player he is, out De Bruynering De Bruyne. The front three of Martinelli, Saka and Nketia are scoring at will almost. The pundits are purring in their praise. Paul Merson even went as far as saying that they can't be caught. I wouldn't bet on it. With 22 games still to go, it is much too early to say that, despite their 7-point lead of second placed City. 

Arsenal's next EPL games are against Newcastle, Spurs and Man U. It's early yet. However it is great to see Arsenal break the City-Liverpool dominance of the last 5 years with such attractive footy. They faced Brighton at the weekend knowing that their nearest pursuers, City and Toon had dropped 2 points each earlier in the day. Arsenal promptly dumped the Seasiders in a 2-4 drubbing and extended their lead at the top. As sure as eggs is eggs, they will slip up and then we will see what they are made of.

While all things are rosy in the Arsenal garden, things are looking black at the coal quay for West Ham. Only out of the bottom three on goal difference, they can't buy a point. In fact, they haven't won since the 24th October, 5 straight defeats. Considering how good they were last season, it is quite a shock. Their next 2 games in the EPL are away to Leeds and Wolves, while facing a difficult tie with Brentford in the cup. They need to start winning soon. One pundit suggested that they swap managers with Everton, Moyes and Lampard back to their natural homes. 

Whatever, if they both don't start winning, they won't see the end of the season. Both Everton and West Ham have the same problem: strikers not scoring, the perennial problem in the EPL. Every year in this league the fight to avoid the drop is as exciting, and often more exciting, than the title race itself. This season looks no different.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports

16 comments:

  1. I think Arsenal are in with a good shout. Under the off-field leadership of Arteta and the on-field leadership of Odegaard, they are looking pretty good. They will not relish to be the first time to miss title with a seven point clear lead at the start of January.
    Liverpool were woeful last night against Brentford. Why they are buying forwards when they have no midfield capable of servicing them is baffling.

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    1. I know, Peter. It is like a broken record by now. Everybody is able to see the problem but seemingly not fix it. They spend money on what is not broken but don't spend on what is.

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  2. At this stage of the season Arsenal have the fourth highest points tally ever ( on course for 100 points ) . As for the Reds , the Brentford rout was perfectly predictable ; the injury prone squad has too many players the wrong side of 30 , it's impossible to play heavy metal football with the likes of Ox & Keita . The tight fisted Yanks can't expect to compete while having an annual net spend in the bottom six . The rapid transformation @ the Emirates is similar to Leicester . They were 40 / 1 to win the title in July , they could wrap it up with weeks to spare .

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    1. I have just come to expect this type of performance from Liverpool. They were running on empty to wards the end of last season for the reasons you outline. Three finals and they could not manage a goal in any of them.

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    2. How long have we been commenting on Liverpool's lack of activity in the market for a couple of midfielders? Toon got Bruno Guimares for £40m, Pool paid £70m for Nuñez, yet another forward. It doesn't make any sense.

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  3. Another win for Man Utd and City lose again. ......All I know is my Saturday is better than City fans...

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    1. it keeps the race open Frankie - ten Hag seems to have turned Utd around.

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  4. another poor performance from Liverpool today. Beginning to think Klopp has run out of ideas.

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  5. Anthony, personally I'm looking forward to Peter's round up on Tuesday morning. He has to address a few points such as why when Haaland doesn't score ...City seem to draw at best. And as for Pep saying he doesn't care if City win the EPL...WTF.


    As you say, it makes the EPL more interesting. By Easter everyone should have a better picture on things...

    As it stands City are still above UTD , with a better goal difference. All the world need now is for Arsenal to step on a few banana skins to
    make things more exciting...

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  6. Frankie - I think it will be good for the game if Arsenal win the EPL

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    1. Stop right there and file that thought under 'R' for rubbish......Now a more productive school of thought is Utd to win the EPL, FA and league cups.....And in between the Europa....

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  7. Anthony - I am rooting for the Gunners to win the Prem. I wonder how serious it would be for Liverpool financially not to qualify for the Champions League (and for Chelsea). My lot's results continue to thwart any Leeds Utd's plans for a Dry January.! But I (believe it or not) still have confidence in Jesse's ability to steer us away from the drop zone. The evidence is in Friday night's performance (not result) at Villa Park.

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    1. I'd like to see Arsenal do it - and they can no longer be called Boring Arsenal as they were back in the day which you and I will remember. I hope Leeds stay up. They seem so natural an EPL side and I don't think they should languish in the nether regions of English soccer.

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  8. Liverpool will be lucky to finish tenth. Too many players are well over the hill - Fabinho & Hendo should be sold in June. Unfortunately, there is no money for replacements ; Lfc are as woeful as before Shanks came in. Man utd and Arsenal to finish in the 🔝 2 ( a rerun of the Fergie 👺 / Wenger era . Lamps, Potter or Klopp to vacate their post first ❓

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    1. It is as bad as I have seen them - even as poor as the last Dalglish side was it did win a trophy and were beaten FA Cup finalists. As bas as before Shanks? That is one to think about

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    2. As poor as things have been and Klopp has not solved it, I just can't think of anybody who can.

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