Are the Gunners out is the question that arises in North London after Chelsea's undeserving victory over Arsenal. The Blues fully deserved their lead at the break as Sebastien Squillaci fell asleep on the job with the ever-clinical Didier Drogba waiting. However, the Gunners were far more enterprising in the second period as Jack Wilshere looked lively, dropping a lovely return ball for Marouane Chamakh in the 58th minute, only for the ex-Bordeaux man to enter dancing with stars, losing out in the final to Ramires. The Moroccan then went to Hollywood but his acting was not good enough for Mike Dean. The Gunners really should have been level either then or when Samir Nasri's stunning run ended in a defense cutting through ball. However, Chamakh was again to blame as he let up on the ball allowing Petr Cech to gather way too easily. Arsenal were still in with a fighting chance though until Alex ripped a 30-yard free kick to the left of the wall with a level of spin capable of sending the T-90 into the upper right corner a.l.a Roberto Carlos. The clueless Pole Lucasz Fabianski looked clueless as ever as he watched the Brazilian's rocket. So yes, the question arises, and my answer is, unless they grab some points against the Blues, United, City, and Spurs, yes the Gunners are gone.
Meanwhile, the question for Roy Hodgson led Liverpool is are they gone? By that I mean gone from the Premiership. After the shock defeat at the hands of Blackpool, some would say yes and they have a point. The Reds are sorely lacking attacking options. They've got the attacking midfielders in Babel, Kuyt, and Gerrard but those guys aren't showing the goals. Gerrard and Torres used to combine to be a scoring a machine but Stevie G isn't much without his pal. They have virtually no hope of the Champions League--mid table is the place for the Reds.
After Spurs' convincing 2-1 win over Villa they look very likely to take that 4th Champions League spot as the Villa-O'neill-Houllier debacle doesn't look Champions League worthy. Meanwhile, City look very worthy as they look solid against troubling opposition. It is the way they treat lesser opponents that worry's me. They've got to put Blackburn and Sunderland away and Mancini needs to prepare the Citizens for everyone equally. So the big 3, Spurs, and City look set to challenge, Blackpool's lively start will end up like Hull in 08-09, and West Ham is all but relegated--in October (that's Derby like).
See ya after Euro!
