So as we go into the New Year, things are getting very tight and although Arsenal may sit at the top, the distance is pretty much non-existent. Only a point separates each of the top three teams and there is no sign any one team will go and win ten games in a row. But the question kids, is which team really has that psychological edge over the other?
Arsenal will go into the New Year as leaders and that shows the rest that the City loss and the dropped points at HOME, did nothing to shake them. TOUGH wins at West Ham and Newcastle has showed they mean business and know how to grind wins. But it's only going to get harder, and the strain is going to show. The REAL character comes in when City or Chelsea drop points and Arsenal have to respond and take advantage. They failed to do that against Everton, and that was the one match where I saw the pendulum swing away from Arsenal.
People have talked up and down about them needing only a striker, but that's bullshit. Fact is this, CHARACTER wins Leagues, not fancy play. As amazing as the invincibles were with their attacking football, it was the character and leadership of Vieira and the others that ensured they did not register a single L and they won the league. I don't see that character in this Arsenal team. It keeps getting teased in the way they beat Newcastle, but for a whole season? I am not convinced.
Pellegrini only has to figure out ONE thing for City to win this league. If they can win Away on a consistent basis...it's done, it's over, it's finished. Thank You and BYE BYE!
At home, City are just too good. They know the pitch, they have built up a habit of winning there and they have THE best squad in the league. Pellegrini has shown that just like the Chilean national team, he knows how to make a team attack. Once City are on the attack, they are pretty much impossible to stop. All that Pellegrini must figure out is a system in which they can stop conceding stupid goals away from their patch, score goals and CLOSE OUT matches. That is the key to winning away most of the time. It's about getting that goal and defending and shutting out the opposition, and when the opportunity presents itself....putting in that final dagger of G to say goodnight. WIN AWAY FROM HOME
The Don, the Man, the Myth and the Legend. Mourinho for me has already been coach of the season. What he has managed to do with a team that has past it and is too young is great. He has somehow kept Chelsea right in contention when they should have been at least five points behind Arsenal. Mourinho must be thankful January is back as he has his eyes set on a GOALSCORER. Someone who was born to score goals, and actually feed off the creative jewels of Oscar, Mata and Hazard. Mourinho knows midfielders can't be relied upon to get twenty goals and Lampard just does not do that anymore. If Chelsea get a goalscorer or Blondie or Eto'o rediscover their scoring touch, then Chelsea can do the miraculous and win this crazy league.
HH