Sports Pundit

Fergies 5 Best Signings

2009-10-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s summer free transfer Michael Owen yet to perform, we look back over the years to see Fergie’s best five signings and wonder whether Owen will be added to the list come the end of the season. With Michael Owen only scoring three times, questions have already rouse whether he will perform for United but if he performs like many other of the Ferguson’s unexpected signings he will be added to this list!

5# Dennis Irwin, 1990

Ferguson’s First Excellent signing was Dennis Irwin in the year of 1990. When the reds manager signed Irwin, the 24 year old was playing in second tier football with Oldham athletic. Dennis Irwin, who was bought for only £625,000, later featured for United five hundred and twenty nine times and scoring thirty three times although being a defender.

4# Eric Cantona, 1992

With no league titles since 1967, Ferguson looked to bring an end to their league drought. So the reds manager brought in a young player called Eric Cantona who at his time at united scored sixty four goals in only one hundred and forty four games. At his five years at united, Cantona received four league winners medals and he also set a fine example in training.

3# Roy Keane, 1993

Just a year after signing Cantona, the red devils signed a young Nottingham forest player Roy Keane, who was also a target of Blackburn Rovers. The Republic Of Island midfielder went on to feature for United three hundred and twenty three times and hit the back of the net thirty three times in his dozen years at the club.

2# Teddy Sheringham, 1997

Teddy Sheringham was thirty one when he arrived at Old Trafford and proved to be an excellent replacement for Eric Cantona. Sheringham, who featured for Fergusons men one hundred and four times, arrived in the summer of 97 for a sum of three point five million pounds.

1# Cristiano Ronaldo, 2003

By far Sir Alex Ferguson’s best signing was Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger, who arrived at the theater of dreams in 2003, scored an unbelievable hundred and eighteen in only two hundred and ninety two appearances for the red devils. Ferguson’s trust in youth was emphasized when he signed the 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon.

Throughout the years, Ferguson has signed some amazing players from unexpected places and only time will show whether Michael Owen is one of those.

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(c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

Manchester United Vs Blackburn Match Report

2009-10-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Manchester United returned to winning ways tonight as they overcame a strong Blackburn side. Sam Allardyce’s men kept the champions from scoring with narrow chances from Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney just kept out by England international Paul Robinson. Despite United Dominating throughout the game eagerly anticipated goal did not come until the fifty fifth minute when Dimitar Berbatov glided the ball into the back off the net and minutes from time Wayne Rooney finished them off with his seventh goal of the season.

During the first half many chances were created for the reds including Wayne Rooney’s flick onto Dimitar Berbatov to the back post which was later ruled as off side. Even though, United were still drawing against the rovers they went back out with confidence and their confidence paid back by scoring within the first ten minutes of the second half. A brilliant run and pass from Patrice Evra prompted the first goal. A difficult pass from Evra was curled in to the left corner of the net by Berbatov to put the red devils in front.

With only three minutes from time, Wayne Rooney Finished the riversiders off with a beautiful left footed strike from Andersons cross. Having had a radiant all-night performance, England’s and united’s number ten proved his incandescent ability.

Although united dominated, Blackburn had rare late chance but amounted to little more than a harshly disallowed goal from substitute Nikola Kalinic, who was incorrectly deemed offside as he tapped in the rebound after Edwin van der Sar had saved superbly from Benni McCarthy.

Overall United’s performance was excellent but goalkeeping lapses could have put the riversiders within one goal of the champions. United tore through the Blackburn defence however England’s ex number one Paul Robinson kept most of the shots out in a remarkable performance.

Guide To The South African Stadiums

2009-10-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

With the South African World Cup looming on us, I have produced a guide for all of those fans heading out next summer.

Soccer City Stadium

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Opened: 1989
Renovated & Expanded: 2009
Owner: The Stadia and Soccer Development Trust
Operator: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Architect: Boogertman & Partners
Capacity: 94,700

One of the most artistic and awe-inspiring football venues on the African continent, the newly-reconstructed Soccer City Stadium will host the first and host the opening match, four more first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarter-final, and the final of the world cup.

Green Point Stadium

Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Owner: City of Cape Town
Operator: SAIL/Stade de France
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R4.3 billion
Architect: GMP Architects, Louis Karol Architects, Point Architects
Capacity: 70,000
Field dimensions: 290m x 265 m x 48m

The green point stadium is one of the most artistic football venues in South Africa world cup line up. The newly-built Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the World Cup.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

Location: Durban, South Africa
Broke ground: 2006
Opened: 2009
Owner: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 70,000+
Field dimensions: 320m x 280m x 45m, Arches: 100m

The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The ground epitomizes the architectural innovation on display in South Africa and takes its design inspiration from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolizing the new unity of a once-divided country.

Coca-Cola Park

Former name: Ellis Park Stadium

Location: Ellis Park Stadium Doornfontein, Johannesburg,

Broke ground: 1927
Opened: 1928
Owner: The Golden Lions Rugby Union
Operator: Ellis Park Stadium Pty.
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: £5,000 GBP
Capacity: 62,567

Ellis Park Stadium is located in the centre of Johannesburg and has hosted many epic sporting events including the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States. The ground was given a significant face-lift before the Confederations Cup finals and now seats 62,000 fans, increasing its capacity by almost nine per cent from the previous 57,000.

Free State Stadium

Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa
Owner: South African Football Association
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: $1,450 USD
Capacity: 45,000

Home to some of the country’s most fanatical group of supporters, the Free State Stadium is likely to be the centre of attention during the FIFA World Cup™. The stadium was given a plush new look for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup . It hosted the memorable semi-final match between Spain and USA where the latter secured one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by sending the European champions packing in front of a capacity crowd.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Broke ground: 2007
Opened: 2009
Owner: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality
Operator: Access Facilities and Leisure Management (Pty) Limited
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R 1.1 Billion
Architect: Architectural Design Associates
Capacity: 48 459
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake is the first football dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. The stadium, one of the newly-built stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the world’s greatest show on earth – a major milestone for the city.

Mbombela Stadium

Location: Nelspruit
Broke ground: February 2007
Owner: Mbombela Local Municipality
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: R1.05 bill.
Architect: R&L Architects
Capacity: 43,500

The Mbombela Stadium is one of the newly-built stadia for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and it takes its name from the local municipality which incorporates the city of Nelspruit. Mbombela is siSwati (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa) and literally means ‘many people together in a small space.

Peter Mokaba Stadium

Location: Polokwane, South Africa
Opened: 2010
Capacity: 46,000
Cost: $154,000,000

Named after one of the renowned sons of the struggle and emancipation of South Africa against the apartheid regime, the Peter Mokaba Stadium holds much historical significance in South Africa. Peter Mokaba was born and bred in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and for his inspirational leadership.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Location: Phokeng, South Africa
Opened: 1999
Owner: Royal Bafokeng Nation
Capacity: 42,000

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Renovated: 2008
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 51,762

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, situated in Tshwane/ Pretoria, is one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. The stadium has been used for major sporting events since 1903, and the first concrete structure, which could accommodate only 2,000 spectators, was built by the City Council of Pretoria in 1923.

http://worldcup.blogsfc.com/guide-to-the-south-african-stadiums.html

(c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

Englands 23

2009-10-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

With a successful a qualifying campaign out the way, Fabio Capello has only four more international friendly’s to determine his world cup twenty three. With Capello announcing that he will give everyone a chance to impress him, he has also stated that there will be some unexpected players featuring in his 23 size squad. Additionally Capello quoted “any player featured during my time with England or not, can force themselves into my plans. Despite no squads having to be handed in to Fifa before April 2010, the lions boss Capello will already have some players in his mind that will have definite place reserved on the plane. In the recent months Fabio Capello has called up a total of forty five players including six goalkeepers, eighteen defenders, fourteen midfielders and seven strikers but as the lions manager said before he is willing to allow anyone to step up to the England spot. We have lined up 12 that we believe have made the plane and who are nearly there.

Here are my 23: James, Green, Foster,Ferdinand, Terry, Cole, Johnson, Lescott, King, Brown, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Barry, Lennon, S-P-W, Carrick, Hargreaves or Walcott (on form and fitness), Rooney, Heskey, Crouch, J Cole, Defoe

Reserves: J.Hart, J.Lescott, W.Bridge, Walcott or Hargreaves, Milner, Young, C.Cole, Bent

And now you can have your choice just copy and paste your 23 and comment below

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(c)Oliver McGrath&Blogsfc

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How England Got To The World Cup

2009-10-29T05:22:00.001-07:00

With the departure of Steve McLaren, Fabio Capello had a nation’s confidence to restore after the three lions failed to qualify for the European Cup for the first time in twenty four years. Not only did Capello restore the nations confidence in the side he also made the nation believe England can have success in a major competition such as the world cup after qualifying with two games remaining (the first time since the reign of Sir Bobby Robson in the 1990s).

The first game of England’s qualifying games was Andorra Vs England to be played at Estadio Comunal in Aixovall where Frank Lampard scored a double with assists from Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott. End Score 2-0

After a brilliant first victory, Capello’s men took on an inform Croatian side, who last time out won 3-0. Despite Theo Walcott scoring his first senor goal for England, the first half was very quiet. Whereas, during the second half Walcott came alive and put away two more and after an excellent all night performance Wayne Rooney put away one from a glowing pass from Jermaine Jenas but in the seventy eighth minute after only being on a substitute for five minutes Mario Mandzukic gave the home side a consolation goal just twelve minutes before the end. 4-1 End Score.

After becoming the first side to beat the Croatian side in Zagreb, England took on Kazakhstan in their first home game of the campaign and what a first it was! In the first half England dominated but the Three Lion’s many chances weren’t taken. However, an early second half chance by Frank Lampard lead to the surprising goal from defender Rio Ferdinand and minutes later Alexandr Kuchma put the ball in the back of his own net. England’s celebrations weren’t long lived though due sixty eight minute goal by Zhambyl Kukeyev which promoted Manchester United’s and England’s number ten Wayne Rooney to put away his second of the international season. In the seventy ninth minute history was made with David Beckham coming on as substitute for Theo Walcott which ment it was his hundred and six appearance equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s all time capped record. Shortly afterwards new young legend Wayne Rooney got his second of the night and England’s forth. Minutes later Rooney was treated to a well earned rest with the arrival of Jermaine Defoe. Despite Kazakhstan assuming that their languish was over, Defoe delivered another blow by scoring just before the whistle making it a dazzling 5-1 End Score.

With the Lions having an hundred percent record so far in the campaign, Capello’s men went to Minsk in high hopes for England’s first ever international against Belarus. In the first half an early goal from Steve Gerrard put the lions in front but only seventeen minutes later the newcomers came back with a stunning goal from Pavel Sitko which James couldn’t save. After the break, although Belarus pressed two fifty and seventy minute goals from Wayne Rooney lead Capello’s men to a fourth straight victory under the Italian Manager.

After three friendlies in Berlin, Seville and London against Germany, Spain and Slovakia, England Resumed their world cup qualifiers at home against Ukraine. In the first half there was end to end action with England only just being able to get one goal past Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, in the twenty ninth minute by Peter Crouch. In the second half the game was much of the same until just after the hour mark when Andrii Shevchenko put his Longley anticipated goal past James and put his side back in it. With Such a close game, the winning goal did not come before the eighty fifth minute with John Terry scoring from a corner. End score 2-1

With one of the lions hardest game over, Capello and his men looked forward to a trip to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Despite having a brilliant first half performance England did not put the ball past Alexandr Mokin until the dying moments of the first half with Garth Barry getting a goal in the fortieth minute and Emile Heskey in the forty fifth. With the Game lead, England went out looking stronger and stronger they were with first Wayne Rooney contributing one goal then minutes later frank Lampard stepping up to the spot and sealing the game with a fourth goal. End score 4-0.

In England’s last meeting with Andorra, the three lions beat the southern European team by two goals to nil so the team went into this fixture with confidence which later paid off with six goals. The first of the night was from on form Wayne Rooney who put one past Koldo Alvarez within four minutes of the game starting. Shortly afterwards, Frank Lampard scored England’s second from the spot and only ten minutes later was England’s hat trick by none other than young Manchester United star Wayne Rooney again, who scored his second and England’s third from a beautiful cross from Glen Johnson. Shortly after the second half whistle had gone, Wayne Rooney was substituted for Jermaine Defoe. The next goal was from England with a exemplary, goal from Jermaine Defoe who later got his second in the seventy fifth minute. Ten minutes before the final whistle Peter Crouch topped the score line off by giving Capello something to celebrate about by giving a sixth goal and beating Andorra 6-0.

After Returning from a two, two draw in the Neverlands against Holland, John Terry and co took on a very talented Croatian side who have been hit with many injuries but on paper this fixture wasn’t going to be easy and the three lions had an extra incentive because all England needed was a draw and then they defiantly would be going to south Africa next year. During the first the Croatian side defended brilliantly with only a Seven minute Penalty from Frank Lampard and an eighteen minute header by Steven Gerrard settling it. During the second half the lions came out feeling that they were in touching distance of the world cup which gave them more incentive to play well. It only took another fifth teen minutes for the next goal to come which came from Frank Lampard on the hour mark. With England’s hopes flying high, it only six minutes for the next goal which was a further header from Steven Gerrard. Although England had a four goal lead, their celebrations were cut short with Eduardo getting one back for the visitors. Following an Excellent all-night performance Wayne Rooney notched his first of the night when Vedran Runje took a goal kick which lead straight to the twenty three year old and Rooney put the ball in the back of the net.

With England already securing qualification, Capello and his men went into their hardest game of the season with confidence. The three lions started well with many attempts on goal until the thirteenth minute when Rio Ferdinand mistakenly let Yaroslavl Rakytsky past him and Robert Green Caught him late resulting in Greens dismissal and a penalty for Ukraine. Once Green was dismissed Capello decided to replace Aaron Lennon for David James for the penalty. With James’s first job in goal to save a penalty the pressure was on for him but to the lions luck Andriy Shevchenko sent James the wrong way but the ball hit the bar and went out for a goal kick. After the dismissal of Green the game was very quiet with Ukraine getting most of the chances including in the twenty ninth minute with extraordinary goal by Sergiy Nazarenko. Despite England having many chances in the second half none of them were used and Capello’s and England’s record received their first loss of the season.

With qualifying in the bag, Capello decided to give some non regulars a chance by starting: Ben Foster, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Peter Crouch. For Foster it was a very quite night with him only having to make one substantial save in the whole ninety minutes. It only took four minutes for England to get a goal; a beautiful run for Gabriel Agbonlahor down the left wing gave the home side the lead with peter crouch putting one past Yuri Zhevnov. The rest of the first half was dominated by England with only a few chances for Belarus to try attack. The next goal was on the hour mark when Shaun Wright-Philips made an excellent run which turned into a brilliant goal. With only quarter of an hour left, Peter Crouch thought he would finish the Belarus side off with England’s hat trick and his second making a brilliant campaign come to an end with a brilliant match.

Thanks for Reading Please comment and give any tips or advice below

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(c)Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

Tackles Are Getting Harder

2009-10-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Following the injury of Theo Walcott many football enthusiasts are calling for tougher action to be taken against players who are going into tackles with too much force and injuring other players. In the Fifa Football Laws book it quotes ‘If a player uses excessive force in a tackle then the player should be dismissed straight away by means of a red card’ and no measures were taken when Liam Ridgewell slide tackled Walcott in arsenals 3-1 victory over Birmingham City. Although the football officials on the day didn’t find anything wrong with the tackle many ex referees have commented say that Ridgewell should have been sent off like Gary Neville in Manchester uniteds win over Barnsley where Neville tackled Adam Hammill and caught him high in the leg with his boot when slide tackling him. In Addition to Neville getting sent off, earlier in the month Souleymane Diawara got sent off for his harsh tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo which later resulted in him going off injured. Football Officials are looking to get the law clarified so that all harsh tacklers will receive proper punishment in the form of red cards and in some cases longer term bans.

http://viewfrom.blogsfc.com/football-tackels-getting-harder.html

(c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

Barnsley Vs Manchester United Match Report

2009-10-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

Manchester United returned to winning ways tonight with a 2-0 victory over championship side Barnsley even with only 10 men. With an Early goal by Danny Welbeck, united were dominate from the start with only a few minor glitches along the ways and the eagerly anticipated goal came at the hour mark with Michael Owen having a one on one chance and hit it into the right corner with no chance of Steele saving it.

An early corner (thanks to newly signed Gabriel Obertan) created uniteds first chance of the game and first goal of the game. Anderson stepped up to the duty of delivering the corner and after the cross was delivered in young Danny Welbeck, who was unmarked, fired the ball into the back of the net with an exceptional header.

With fifty three minutes without a goal and end to end action, Owen finally hammered home with an twenty yard shot which curved into the right corner and gave united the ticket to the quarter finals and ever closer to retaining the carling cup trophy.

Shortly after the tantalising second goal the Manchester united captain Gary Neville tackled Adam Hammill and although he won the ball the reds captain also caught Hammill with his boot high on the way out and Chris Foy was forced to pull out a red card and united were down to ten men not for the first time in the carling cup.

Ferguson’s men looked strong when attacking however, when it came to defending the reds defence had many lapses in concentration which caused the home side to have many attempts on goal including a brilliant shot from Butterfield which prompted brilliant save by foster.
Overall Uniteds performance was good but did have defensive and goalkeeping errors and looked very weak from set pieces with Barnsley captain foster coming closest to scoring but on both attempts they we either over or wide of the goal. In Addition, to the reds having a brilliant game newly signed Gabriel Obertan had an extraordinary debut game with coming close to scoring and helping setup Michael Owens goal.

(c)Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

Manchester United Vs Barnsley Match Preview

2009-10-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Barnsley take on a united side who are riding high in the premier league after an excellent start to the season. And a victory for the reds will put them ever closer to maintaining the carling cup. After another top fight performance against wolves in the third round, Fergusons men are looking very strong this season and on paper this is fixture is set to only go only one way But as Southend proved to United's cost in 2006, anything can happen in the carling cup...

Form

The tykes had a good start to the season with wins against West Brom, Doncaster and Lincoln but with two shock defeats at Nottingham forest and Bristol city, Robin’s side have recently had goalkeeping errors which has caused them to concede twenty eight goals. Despite goalkeeping errors Barnsley’s recent cup form is impressive with victories over Liverpool and Chelsea in the 2008 Fa cup. The tykes claimed a win over another premier league team this season Burnley in the third round of carling cup. In all thirty seven league and cup games that the tykes and reds have met, united have an impressing twenty one wins, eleven draws and the tykes have won five. The last time these two sides met was in 1988 when the sir alexs men travelled to Oakwell and won 2-0 with goals from Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham.

Team News

The only doubt for Robin’s side was Daniel Bogdanovic, but as he came on as a substitution against Bristol city at the weekend suggests he is fit for the game. Whereas, united are look to make a wholesale of different changes from the defeat at anfield and as usual Ferguson is expected to field a manifest of young new players such as the four newly registered players: Joshua King, Magnus Eikrem, Matt James and Joe Dudgeon who could all play a part tonight. In addition to the newly registered players, Ferguson is expected to play his recent French U21 signing from Bordeaux, Gabriel Obertan. Obertan has appeared 3 times in the united reserves and with a very impressive performance against Oldham athletic Ferguson is keen to recognize his performance with the first team. Likewise First team regular Darren Fletcher is likely to appear having recovered from a groin injury which kept him out of uniteds clash with Liverpool and Rafael De Silva could also make and appearance after recovering from a shoulder injury earlier in the year.

Star Man

Daniel Bogdanovic is the Tykes' joint-top scorer this season with four, including one goal in the Carling Cup. He has had 26 caps for Malta, and his most profitable season came when playing for Marsaxlokk a Maltese side, where he scored 31 times in 31 matches.

Officials

Chris Foy is the referee taking charge of the game, having not taking control of a game with Barnsley since their victory over Birmingham city in 2008. However, Foy has refereed united several times recently including uniteds carling cup final victory against Tottenham and a recent defeat to Chelsea in the Fa community shield which he made controversial decisions over the consistent fouls between Patrice Evra and Michael Black.

(c) Oliver McGrath & Blogsfc

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Is 2010 The Gunners Season

2009-10-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

With Arsene Wenger Celebrating his 60th Birthday earlier this month he insisted that his young side can bring an end their four successive season run without any silverware! Whether it is a minor trophy or major trophy Wenger will target it, but without doubt he’ll have his eye on the big one the primer league. Having Wenger only winning the league three times out of a possible thirteen that will be Wengers main priority.

In Addition to dreaming of league triumph, Arsenal have so far this season made their league dream come to life by winning their first six out of nine league matches putting them in third in the premier league table above Tottenham due to goal difference and a game in hand.

Regardless of Arsenals form there are three big teams standing in the gunners and Wengers way: Manchester United, The winners for the last three seasons running but without departured Cristiano Ronaldo, United are looking weak in midfield and have regular defence errors; Chelsea, with new manager Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea are looking strong but with their recently inflicted transfer ban, the blues can’t buy any players until the January transfer window 2011. Which means that their ever older squad will become weaker within the next few years and the weakness is already showing with their defending from set plays becoming ever more flaccid; Liverpool, despite the fact that Liverpool were very strong contenders last season since the departure of Xabi Alonso in the summer, the reds form has been in very poor form this season with shock defeats at white hart lane and the stadium of life. Incredibly along with three defeats away from home Liverpool additionally suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at anfield against Aston Villa. Likewise, the gunners we also be keeping an eye on Tottenham and Aston Villa who are trying to break into the top four after a very successful season start.

Regardless of Arsenal having a brilliant start to the season they’ve had regular goalkeeping errors this season with keeping only two clean sheets and conceding 13 goals. After only four games the gunners number one Manuel Almunia obtained a chest infection which made newly appointed, inexperienced deputy Vito Mannone step up to the spot but keeping two clean sheets against Fulham and Wigan out of a possible five of Vito has had a better season start than Wengers number one Almunia.

Despite, arsenal having the occasional goalkeeping blumper Wengers’ men are the top scorers in the premier league with twenty nine goals and have only lost two games against the two Manchester sides with not all of their players at full fitness. In addition, the gunners have many players who have came back from injuries such as Walcott, Diaby and Fabregas who will bring back the excellence of which there once was at the emirates.

By Oliver McGrath 13

I Created this piece for the football journalism competition
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(c) Blogs FC and Oliver McGrath