In what was a crazy weekend of football action, Steve Kean dragged Blackburn out of the relegation zone, Landon Donovan shone and Arsenal look to be in disarray all over again.
Arsenal will not finish fourth
After one of the worst openings to a season in the club’s history and some desperate last-minute deadline day shopping by Arsene Wenger after that humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United, Arsenal find themselves in a worryingly familiar position.
With a full-back injury crisis bordering on farcical and Thierry Henry proving that there is a vast difference between a Leeds United defence and a Swansea defence, one wonders exactly what might happen when Arsenal and Manchester United meet again next weekend.
As always, the problems at Arsenal refer to long-term and also immediate deficiencies not being addressed but merely papered over or worse, ignored. With that in mind and Robin van Persie’s red-hot form inevitably beginning to cool, Red Devils fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of Antonio Valencia taking on the bumbling figure of Miquel on Sunday.
We’re not trying to be hard on the young Spaniard but why a short-term fullback deal hasn’t been considered is beyond any rhyme or reason. Simply put, with no potential reinforcements on the way, this Arsenal side are bereft of inspiration and are saddled with a merely average squad. With Chelsea beginning to find form, Arsenal could slip to seventh this time.
Special mention should go to Swansea yesterday, however, for a truly stunning performance with a passing game that put Arsenal’s much-vaunted playing style to shame. The Welsh side have been a truly wonderful addition to the Premier League and barring any Hull-style meltdowns, we look forward to seeing them in the league next season too.
Landon Donovan could be the January deal of the season… again
Already the January transfer window has seen some ludicrous dealings; the unlikely returns of Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane and Paul Scholes, the puzzling logic behind signing Gary Cahill for £7m rather than wait a months and a particular canny deal from Everton. Obviously, we’re not referring to the pleasingly one-dimensional Darron “Shoooooot!” Gibson.
With the spotlight firmly targeted at Robbie Keane, it was his LA Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan that deservedly won the plaudits on Saturday, making an instant contribution for Everton two years after his first loan spell for David Moyes’ club.
Unlike some of the aforementioned comeback kids, it appears as though Donovan will not be used merely as an impact player and produced a stellar performance and goalscoring assist as if he hadn’t been away.
It’s hard not to feel relief for Steve Kean
Though alarm bells first rang over the Venkys ownership of Blackburn when the club started to set their sights on the unfeasible signing of Ronaldinho, it was the sacking of Sam Allardyce and subsequent appointment of Steve Kean that confirmed to the world that the new owners at Ewood Park didn’t have a clue what they were up to.
However, such has been the undignified spectacle of Blackburn fans booing their own goalscorers for celebrating with Kean or abusing him a week after orchestrating an away victory to Manchester United, it’s hard not to feel a little sorry for the Scot. After a spirited 3-1 victory over Fulham – despite losing Yakubu to an early red card – Blackburn are now out of the relegation zone for the first time in four months. The club’s fans must be really miserable to hear that.
Newcastle are firmly back in business
Without doubt, Newcastle were the surprise package of the first half of the Premier League season. Yet after a disappointing December that included defeats to Liverpool, West Brom, Norwich and Chelsea, the Toon Army find themselves just one point from fifth spot.
Granted, that’s a testament to the recent underperformance of Liverpool and Arsenal but for a side which were expected to fall further down the table, particularly after the loss of Demba Ba this month, Alan Pardew’s side are showing that they are made of stern stuff.
Spurs were brought back down to Earth
Last weekend reporters everywhere decided that it was finally time to admit that this year’s title race could be a three-horse race rather than a Manchester battle. Yet with a home victory against Wolves considered a formality by many, Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw and brought firmly back down to earth,
“Man City and Man United will be red hot favourites but, if we have a fantastic run in the second half like we have had in the first half of the season, it could happen,” admitted Harry Redknapp after the game.
The Sky Sports News regular is of course speaking the truth but it was a disappointing result both for Spurs fans and neutrals desperately hoping for a new narrative for a Premier League top two that have barely moved an inch since September.
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