It is the 10th of November and the basic notions coming from the press are that Liverpool are genuine title challengers and Arsenal’s season is finished. It is the 10th of November. The vast majority of press on the English Premier League originates from the broadcasters and newspapers of the United Kingdom, in particular the BBC, so why are we hearing such absurd things so early on?
Simple.
The press is full of ex-Liverpool players and fans who hanker back to the glory days of the 70s and 80s. Arsenal will never get the credit they deserve because they will never be forgiven for that last minute Michael Thomas winner and if Liverpool haven’t completely ballsed up going for the title by week 10 then they are cast iron certainties to finally bag the trophy. All of this is, of course, complete rubbish.
No matter what flak they get Arsenal’s reserves are still extremely good. Straight from the off in this match it was clear that Sam Nasri was beyond the control of our defence, he went on to score both of their goals. For messers Neville and Van Der Sar the fat lady is clearing her throat. At least we now know the future of the right back position. Rafael’s performance oozed confidence and he was far more assured than the club captain, or even Rio, after he came on.
Why did we lose this game? Arsenal wanted it more. Why did we lose against Liverpool? They wanted it more.
Now we can say that the hardest away matches of the season are already out of the way and we are still vaguely in touch but I am more worried about this. Here is a quick table outlining the influence of the clashes between the top teams and the eventual winner of the League:
2002/03
PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 83pts, Arsenal 78, Chelsea 67, Liverpool 64
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Man U 14pts, Arsenal 7, Liverpool 5, Chelsea 5
2003/04
PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal 90pts, Chelsea 79, Man U 75, Liverpool 60
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Arsenal 14pts, Chelsea 7, Man U 6, Liverpool 6
2004/05
PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea 95pts, Arsenal 83, Man U 77, Liverpool 58
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Chelsea 14pts, Man U 12, Arsenal 5, Liverpool 3
2005/06
PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea 91pts, Man U 83, Liverpool 82, Arsenal 67
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Chelsea 15pts, Man U 11, Liverpool 4, Arsenal 4
2006/07
PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 89pts, Chelsea 83, Liverpool 68, Arsenal 68
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Arsenal 14pts, Man U 11, Liverpool 6, Chelsea 5
2007/08
PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 87pts, Chelsea 85, Arsenal 83, Liverpool 76
BIG FOUR LEAGUE: Man U 13pts, Chelsea 10, Arsenal 6, Liverpool 4
Do the rest of the maths yourself. We are in trouble.