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Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Stoke City at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2013 in London, England.
“You don’t know what you’re doing” were the chants at the Emirates Stadium after a disappointing 1-3 loss to Aston Villa on the opening day of campaign. The Gunners were irritated by promises made of adding quality acquisitions to the side, but nothing other than youngsters appearing at the entrance door to the Emirates to pen deals, but this term the Professor shocked the football world with a club record signing of German international Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old has wasted no time in settling down to business with four assists in two league games. In a contrast of styles, Arsenal scored their three goals via set pieces against STOKE! The rhetoric has now moved to ‘In Wenger we Trust’.
Yes, Stoke City, the Brittania stadium club!
Man of the moment, Aaron Ramsey, grabbed the first. The victory took Arsenal to the top of the table. Here is the point – can Arsenal supporters start dreaming of the title considering how other rivals are performing with particular reference to Manchester United? I believe this is a question that will be answered in May 2014.
For the records, Arsenal have won league titles in a World Cup year – 1997/98 as well as 2001/02. This is a world cup year. I’ll leave it at that.
Swansea hit Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with two good goals from Michu and Nathan Dyer. No European exhaustion for the South Wales team who gave a dominant performance against Ian Holloway’s team. Perhaps if he was not suspended, his presence in the dugout could have lifted a dispirited Palace side. It has been a great week for the Swans.
Tottenham left it late, but as the saying goes, it’s better late than never. Paulinho back-heeled in Erik Lamela’s low cross right at the death. Bluebirds goalkeeper David Marshall produced a series of outstanding saves to keep the Londoners at bay, but in the end, it was more than a deserved victory for AVB’s side who dominated for long periods during the game.
The fixture of the round – The Manchester derby – did not go according to script.
We saw City blow United away in a convincing display. They ensured David Moyes’ first derby as Manchester United manager ended in abject humiliation with a crushing defeat at the Etihad Stadium. It was a day of delight for new City boss Manuel Pellegrini as he watched the rampant Sky Blues make a powerful statement about their Premier League ambitions.
United did not have Robin van Persie because of injury, but the absence of one player – no matter how significant – cannot account for the manner in which they were utterly outclassed.
City have made a huge statement, Arsenal are getting the job done, Jose Mourinho is still looking for the right balance and approach for Chelsea while United have struggled in games so far. Only Sunderland have pressed the panic button as we prepare for another round of excitement next weekend.
Do you think Arsenal can mount a serious challenge this campaign? Who will be the next manager to vacate his office? Leave your comments in the space provided below.
