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Sitting proudly in top spot with a goal difference of +5, Arsenal will undoubtedly be delighted with the way in which the opening weekend of the Barclay’s Premier League panned out. For Chelsea, Manchester United and most of all, Liverpool, however, day one didn’t prove to be quite so rosy.
As United and Chelsea laboured past Birmingham and Hull respectively and Liverpool were outplayed by Spurs, Arsene Wenger no doubt purred with self-satisfaction. One clear component was missing from the performances of his three biggest domestic rivals: creativity, a trait that his Arsenal side possess in abundance. Whether the Gunners’ superior attacking nous will get them anywhere near the title this season remains to be seen, but the major worry for Messrs Ferguson, Ancelotti and Benitez may prove to be the narrowing of the gap between the big four and the rest.
“United will be weaker. They know that, and are fine with it – Ferguson simply presumes that with Rooney as a figurehead, they will still just about be good enough to hold off the competition”
Spurs on the other hand looked refreshingly good. So often they have flattered to deceive as a Premier League force, but with Defoe and Modric in terrific form, they opened up Liverpool’s notoriously stingy defence on numerous occasions. While last season’s top four have either lost big players or failed to add any major signings, Spurs and big-spending Manchester City have added quality to squads that were already capable of top six finishes.
So can Redknapp’s men and Hughes’ millionaires gatecrash the Champions League places? Personally, I believe that at least one of them will. Both sides will score goals, which is a commodity that in this of all seasons could prove to be incredibly valuable. Every game in the Premier League will be that little bit tighter, as was proved on the opening day with narrow victories for United and Chelsea. In many ways, Arsenal’s result at Everton may prove to be an anomaly. Everton have been known to start seasons poorly and Wenger’s men were ticking over nicely after pre-season and capitalised impressively on a bad day at the office for the Toffees. It wasn’t even the Gunners at their mouth-watering best, they were simply ruthless – a characteristic that will hold them in good stead for the forthcoming season.
My main point is that goals will no longer come so easily for the top four, particularly for Manchester United and Liverpool. The sheer weight of goals Cristiano Ronaldo scored are not easily replaced, and the man signed to fill the void left by his departure to Real Madrid, Antonio Valencia, doesn’t possess a great goalscoring record. United will be weaker. They know that, and are fine with it – Ferguson simply presumes that with Rooney as a figurehead, they will still just about be good enough to hold off the competition. With injuries at the back and a lack of individual brilliance in midfield, I’m not so sure they will be.
At least United won on opening day though, as unconvincing as they looked. Their bitter rivals Liverpool fell to defeat at Spurs and looked worryingly devoid of attacking threat. Torres clearly had an off day, which can happen from time to time. Gerrard on the other hand, simply didn’t see enough of the ball. Lucas is no replacement for Alonso, and without the Spaniard the supply line to the deservedly hyped frontline of Gerrard and Torres simply won’t be up to scratch. Benitez has still failed to sign a back-up striker of any calibre so goals may well be an issue for the Anfield club.
Chelsea will continue to bulldoze their way to victories as they did against Hull, but the jury remains out on the Drogba – Anelka strike pairing, with Anelka looking somewhat subdued in the shadow of the imposing Ivorian powerhouse. Ancelotti’s diamond seemed a good idea but with Drogba being at his most devastating arriving on the end of crosses and Lampard starting too far forward to ghost into the box late and unmarked, the new system may not be playing to Chelsea’s strengths. With Joe Cole still injured and Deco still not performing, they may lack the invention to open teams up without resorting to slinging over crosses from out wide.
Arsenal look most likely to benefit from the departures of Alonso and Ronaldo from their respective former clubs. Despite losing their primary centre forward Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal will still score goals. Wenger has bedded another gem into his club’s frontline with the signing of Russian genius Andrei Arshavin, and with Eduardo fit and firing, the Gunners’ intricate and exciting football will guarantee they continue to hit the back of the net at a more impressive rate than their rivals. Vermaelen looks a suitable replacement for Toure, meaning Wenger is one more commanding centre-back away from building a team that could challenge sooner rather than later.
So the key for Spurs and Man City, if they aim to usurp one of the big four and claim a Champions League spot is simply to keep on scoring goals. Both clubs have the firepower, in the shape of four proven strikers (something which cannot be said of United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal), to succeed in a league where defences may often come out on top this season. The gap between the top four and the rest has certainly reduced over the summer, and Spurs proved as much at the weekend. City have the money to compete and Spurs have the set up, but only time will tell whether the big four, most notably United and Liverpool, can find the goals to hold them off. My hunch is that the Premier League and its elite top table for four better get ready for a shake-up, as if injuries strike at the wrong time, it could be last years top two who end up looking rather embarrassed come mid May.
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