It’s a bit early to be making broad statements about the title challengers, but broad statements promote debate, and I’m all about the debating. This season will be a 2 horse race between Chelsea and Arsenal for the premier league.
Man Utd simply lack any flair what so ever, Liverpool sadly have blown it by not having enough players who can play football, and Manchester City don’t seem to have the right manager just yet.
So with just over a quarter of the season gone, it’s down to 2. the big, bad, evil empire of Chelsea, with their stormtrooper players, evil genius chief executive and shady emperor, against the pluck young good guys over at the Emirates, with their dedication to good, clean fun, no nasty tackles, and a desire to entertain. (ok, they can be a bit moody and their manager complains, but they are still the good guys).
So it’s a bit of a good versus evil in my eyes. But is that the view of everyone? This nation loves an underdog. I’m not saying Arsenal are an underdog. Burnley are an underdog. I’d love it if they won the prem. I don’t think they will though.
Arsenal are the lowest dog of any team with realistic title ambitions. Everyone had them written off (again….) before they thumped Everton on the first day of the season.
Chelsea by contrast are a ‘war machine’, built to destroy any challenge. They have a squad packed with talent, and they have the cheque book stubs to prove it. But they also have an element of nastiness that might not sit well with the great British public’s view of fair play.
They are the John and Edward to Arsenal’s Olly Murs. They are the Empire to Luke Skywalker’s rebellion, and the current favourites to take the prize.
But Arsenal have never compromised on their morals. In fact, they have used their morals as an excuse for failure in the past. It’s coming together though, and the neutrals are starting to support them. Their match of the day billing is going up a bit, the players are scoring goals (and conceding them, sure, but this is Arsenal remember!) and the confidence is there.
So as I see it, it’s a straight forward battle to the line. The golden Gunners who can do no wrong, fight a clean fight against the cheating, untrustworthy meanies from the King’s Road.
Who do you want to win? Do you believe in good or evil? Could Man U get back in the game quickly enough? Or are they just a bit rubbish now?
I’m backing the Gunners. The nice guys are going to come in first.
