Some could say it’s ‘small club mentality’ to take a picture of the PL table as soon as Arsenal gets to the top rank, just in case it doesn’t last that long. That’s what happened several times before. Arsenal have very briefly taken the top spot occasionally over the last few seasons but they never managed to hold it more than one or two games or even a few hours. And to be fair, we have played one more game than ManU, who are one point behind. And this Monday, another ManU-Arsenal classico will test the new leaders. Despite the top spot and the excellent record away this season, no-one is very confident that Arsenal can beat ManU for the first time in six fixtures. The last two games were wins, but not the kind of win of a confident, powerful title contender should grab at home against smaller clubs: against Fulham in PL (2-1) and against Belgrade in CL (3-1). In both games Arsenal took the lead, dominated the game completely but then conceded a stupid equaliser, suddenly lost composure and looked shaky behind. Win was only secured in the last 20 minutes and the team looked vulnerable till the end. The Spurs syndrome (losing after a 2-0 lead) is somehow still in the players’ heads. The official spokesman for Arsenal sceptics is pundit Alan Hansen on Match of the Day who keep saying, week-after-week, that Arsenal cannot win a major trophy with goalkeepers and central defenders that are just ‘average’ against the steel of the Ferdinands, Vidic or Terrys at their best. He’s also, as everybody, questioning the team’s nerves despite its amazing ‘creativity’.
Arsenal will once again play one of the big two without key players: Fabregas and Vermaelen, our best defender. Just like they both missed the Chelsea game earlier this season (our only away defeat). ManU on the other end look better and better after a not-impressive season start. Rooney and Ferdinand will play, no major player is missing, and the last PL show (7-1 win with 5 goals from Berbatov) has injected a ton of confidence in the squad. Evra, the usual barking dog of sir Alex before this fixture, has reminded the press that Arsenal are babies and sissies, one more proof being that some of their players – Nasri most notoriously - wear a ‘snood’ around the neck when temperature is freezing. Like sir Alex confirmed, ‘real men don’t wear a snood’. Classic ManU intimidation. But somehow, it may be a good thing for Arsenal to be that much the underdog despite the top spot.
Chelsea meanwhile hasn’t won in five PL games. Since the sacking of their coach Wilkins and the shock home defeat to Sunderland (0-3) the club is in crisis. Even the return of Terry and Essien has not brought back confidence. Lampard is still injured. Later today, a tricky game at in-form Tottenham could see Chelsea concede their fifth defeat of the season.
