Monday night saw Manchester United arguably strike a serious psychological blow to Arsenal’s title hope as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men reclaimed top spot. We examine how United’s 1-0 win, plus the other Premier League results, have affected the title race (outright and match prices on totesport.com).
The cry of ’same old Arsenal, always cheating’ rang around Old Trafford on several occasions on Monday night as the Gunners tried to get stuck in against their title rivals. Perhaps a more apt chant would have been ’same old Arsenal, always failing’ as Arsene Wenger’s side once again faltered when faced with some serious opposition.
The north London outfit started the match as huge underdogs to come away with three points and anyone who wondered why they were such a big price only had to look at their limp-wristed display to find the answer. Monday’s defeat has seen Arsenal go to 9/2 to win the Premier League and even that seems generous when you consider all their flaws.
Arsenal started the match as top dogs in the Premier League and with Wenger having told his team to use the match as an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the league. However, after 90 minutes the only statement the Gunners had made was to show they still aren’t good enough to win the league.
Monday was supposed to be the night when Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and Jack Wilshere announced themselves on the big stage. Instead the only positive Arsenal fans will take out of the game is that they may have finally found a goalkeeper good enough to wear the number one shirt in Wojciech Szczesny.
The 1-0 defeat means Arsenal have won just three out of their last 23 matches against either United or Chelsea in all competitions. Their record against the big two speaks for its self and surely now Wenger must realise that some of his youngsters aren’t good enough and he needs to spend to be considered serious title challengers again.
Whereas Arsenal fans had to endure 90 minutes of horror United supporters will be a very content bunch, especially with the re-emergence of a certain Wayne Rooney (25/1 top Premier League goalscorer).
The England striker looked as fit as ever and was showing signs of getting back to his menacing best. While his penalty miss could have been costly it turned out to be just a blot on fine night for the 24-year-old.
Overall it was a good night’s work for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who showed that even when they aren’t at their best they still have enough to overcome one of their supposed title rivals.
United are 7/5 to reclaim the Premier League and with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City stuttering along who would bet against them. Watching the three others title rivals they all have problems right now and if United can get a positive result at Stamford Bridge on Sunday you can see them going on to walk away with the crown, again.
United will travel to west London full of vim and vigour as they prepare to face a struggling Blues side. Had Didier Drogba scored that last minute penalty against Tottenham on Sunday you could make a strong case for a resurgent Chelsea side. Instead United’s price of 23/10 to bet the Blues in the football betting looks too good to turn down based on what we saw on Monday.
While Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea face a tough December schedule their big-spending rivals City should be licking their lips at the opportunity to keep pace, or even overtake, the trio. City’s next four matches will see them face Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Blackpool, all games they will feel confident of winning.
However, nothing is ever simple at City (11/2 Premier League outright) and with Carlos Tevez having thrown his toys out of the pram Roberto Mancini can be forgiven for being distracted by his band of spoilt brats.
So what have we learned about the title race this weekend? Based on the past three days it seems the title will only be heading in one direction come May and that is back to Old Trafford.
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