Predictions for Arsenal, Goalkeeper analysis
The English Premier League has always been dominated by four clubs known to be the top four. These clubs are Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. With these four teams shining throughout the English Premier League, everyone thought that the dominance of these four is never going to change.
It was never to change until last season when teams like Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs, Aston Villa and Fulham, came out of nowhere and impressed football fans from all around the world, as they were able to give the top four a tough time. Last season, the top four changed as Liverpool was not able to finish like they were expected to finish and came seventh. The top four changed to Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs as Chelsea were the ones who were crowned Champions.
Throughout the English Premier League there has been one team which only managed to win three titles but were always able to finish in the top four. That team is Arsenal. With amazing young talent this year round and by playing good attacking football, Arsenal is always able to stay on top of the table. Arsenal has always managed to qualify for the Champions League even though they haven’t won any yet.
Arsenal, in 2004, became the “invincible” as they did not lose any match throughout the league and it was Manchester United, after a controversial goal, that ended Arsenal’s streak. Arsenal has always been a “tough” competition for other teams but they only managed to win 3 EPL titles. One of which, obviously, came during their “invincible” run in 2004. In 2006, they managed to make it to the finals of the Champions League. Arsenal went on to face the Spanish team, Barcelona, who were in good form during that time as well.
Since the final match of the Champions League is not a home and away legged tie, the day was pretty unlucky for the North London club, Arsenal. The match kicked off with a spectacular atmosphere as both teams were playing their best 11 and none of the first team players were suspended or injured. Arsenal, however, managed to get themselves a red card; even though they were the ones who found themselves one man short, it was Sol Campbell of Arsenal who headed home the first goal for the English club to make the score line 1-0. Later, it was Barcelona’s striking sensation, Samuel Eto’o who managed to pull off the first goal as Beletti sealed the deal for the Catalan giants as they won the match to be crowned Champions.
Recently Arsenal has not really played well with their “young” players. Arsene Wenger does not really have too many players that have experience as they take their positions on the field during EPL without too much experience.
This time round, Arsenal is trying to recruit a few players and below is an analysis of one of the goalkeepers Arsene Wenger is going to consider this year round:
Manuel Almunia (Goalkeeper):
Throughout the season there was one player, who just could not perform for Arsenal, and that was definitely their goalkeeper. Manuel Almunia has been criticized over his pathetic goalkeeping time and time again. Almunia joined Arsenal back in 2004 and he is one of those players, who just could not live up to his expectations throughout his time in Arsenal. The 33-year old Spaniard was not even close to being a part of the Spanish squad as he just cannot keep the ball out. Arsene Wenger is trying to sign a new goalkeeper for the team but there is quite a possibility that no one is going to arrive before January. Manuel Almunia is definitely going to be the first choice keeper for Arsene Wenger in that case and maybe this time round he can actually prove his critics wrong.
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