English Premier League contenders: Manchester United, Arsenal
The English Premier League for the 2010-2011 season has entered into the second phase and the table is shaping up nicely. The gap between the top two teams – Manchester United and Arsenal – is just four points. Manchester City is also a potential contender
for the title. Over the years, the big four teams – Arsenal, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, Manchester United and Liverpool – were almost always in on the top. However, shuffling is expected in the top four teams this year. Experts believe that the current EPL season is a two-horse
title race as the top two teams are serious challengers for the silverware.
Manchester United – 26 games:
Manchester United has not played as convincingly as they have done in the past. However, they are still comfortably at the top of the table with 57 points. Manchester United played 24 unbeaten games this season and was seriously challenging the Arsenal’s
‘invincible’ label, earned in the season of 2003-2004. In their 25th game, a surprise defeat at the hands of the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 was the only incident that they slipped three points in the league so far.
In their 26 games so far, Manchester United have won 16 matches and drawn nine of the fixtures. Known for their attacking game, Manchester United have scored 57 goals and conceded just 25. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 is a surprise package in this season, scoring 19
goals in just 23 games. Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 is in supreme form for Manchester United and has scored nine goals as a winger. Recently-signed striker Javier Hernandez has shown great skill and has scored on important occasions. Hernandez has scored seven goals in his
17 appearances, with most of those goals match winners. Manchester United has been neat in terms of conceding cards, and so far in the season the team has only conceded one red card. The young defender from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858, Rafael was given the red card after receiving
two yellows against Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal – 26 games:
Like always, Arsenal are having a sinusoidal season, but are still in the title race. Second in the table, Arsenal have 53 points and have won 16 games out of their 26 clashes. So far in the season, the Gunners have lost five games and have drawn five. Arsenal
have scored 56 goals and their three unsettled goal keepers have conceded 27 goals.
On occasions, Arsenal have looked the best team in the league, but they lose their flair sometimes. The main factor for their inconsistent performances is the regular shuffling and injuries of the defenders. The two prime examples of their on/off switching
are against Tottenham and Newcastle United. Against their arch rivals Tottenham, Arsenal were had a two-goal lead, but the opposition scored thrice in the latter stages of the game. Inspired by Tottenham, Newcastle United levelled against Arsenal while chasing
shadows after having conceding four goals.
Returning from injury, Arsenal’s prime striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 has developed
into a key member of the team and he has added new dimension to his game. His new element of scoring goals is a real positive sign for the all-rounder talisman. Nasri has produced nine goals in his 20 games and will be a key member for his club in future.
In their last six games, Arsenal have won four games and have drawn twice. Arsenal have scored 14 goals in their last six games and have conceded five, out of which four were in a single game against Newcastle United.
Arsenal are nine goals behind Manchester United and the Gunners have secured 14 points out of possible 18.
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