Mind you, he doesnt half try hard… so i cant slate him too much.

I agree with a lot of the article though, obviously I am biased but it does feel that Arsenal’s insistence on playing ‘the beautiful game’ has won many hearts and yes, I even had a Spurs fan friend of mine that he enjoys watching the Gunners play their type of footy. The difference now is that the Gunners are finding out how to ‘grind’ out wins without playing particularly well (by their standards) and still score 3 or 4. The Wolves result was an example of that. Heads aren’t going down this time, when they are closed down too quickly to play with the flair and style Arsenal are renowned for. They then play the waiting game, as teams tire out of chasing them down to prevent them playing. Then the Gunners can score quickly and more importantly often, as the Spurs game showed. Defensively we are weak (i still miss the old back four) but it’s part of our attacking play, with Clichy (Gibbs) and Sagna getting the ball into the box as much as anyone.

Vermaelen and Arshavin have been inspirational buys and it is also Arsene’s lack of spending, or the lack of the need to spend big, that has football fans admiring the Gunners. His faith in his young players is infectious and even when things are tough, results wise, I always believe that Wenger knows best, as he does! Over the 13 years of his charge he has been plucking little known names, nurturing their talent and then, sometimes with a heavy heart I imagine, selling them on for huge profits. Along with the fantastic new stadium we have and his creative use of the Carling cup competition for the Young Guns Wenger and his increasingly animated antics have been the kingpin in Arsenal’s renaissance. Having said that I should give credit to Bruce Rioch who signed Bergkamp – the player I attribute to the start of Arsenal’s Renaissance back in 1996.

Man Utd can’t be written off. They, like Chelsea, have that annoying (when you’re a Gooner) habit of always being up there or ahead of you even after a few bad results. Ronaldo leaving left a huge void, but Ferguson I’m sure will know how to get the best out of the team and knows what’s needed to title challenge better than anyone. Chelsea are just like a machine as said above. Heartless, cold, immense. The game on the 29th Nov is a huge one, not just for Chelsea and Arsenal, but for the clubs playing catch up. It’s also important as I am starting to get the feeling that goal difference might have a role to play come close season (‘89 and now ‘09?).

Whatever you make of my ramblings, if Chelsea can be tripped up, which I’m sure they can, then this season has got to be one of the most exciting of recent years for fans. I can see it being a 3 horse race, but who knows what will happen?

MAn Utd have a lot of good quality, but not quite superstar players (Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand excluded) who will play some great stuff and get close. but it’s still Chelsea vs Arsenal for the title in my eyes, based on what we’ve seen so far.

And Van Persie Petulant? He’d kick you in the face if he knew you said that!

So don’t count your chickens yet, there’s 28 games to go, there will be thrills, pills and bellyaches along the way that’s a definite!