Dire Straits For United

What goes up, comes down ; and that is exactly what has happend with Manchester United. After winning the League comfortably last year, the Reds are languishing in 8th and are not showing any signs of improvement.

David Moyes's s arrival has not been as smooth as expected and even Champions League qualification seems a distant dream which is slowly slipping away from the horizon. Not even the staunchest Man City fan would have thought that by January Man Utd will be 13 points of the Premier League summit and struggling to go above 7th in the League. A summer of being linked with the likes of Sneidjer, Fabregas and Baines, the Red Devils only clinched the signing of Fellaini from Everton for a substantial fee of $27 million. Fellaini has failed to fit into the United midfield and many fans were left wondering why Moyes would splash out on the 6 foot Belgian when they already had the ever improving and impressive Carrick protecting their defence. The ageing Manchester United backline was not strengthened and the creative midfielder the fans had been craving for, still remained unfulfilled.

United's downfall started with the anhilation at the Etihad followed by a shock defeat at the hands of  West Brom at Old Trafford. Arguably their best result was the victory over Arsenal at home, one of the few occasions where Moyes's men have put up a respectable performance in front of their own fans. United's form at Old Trafford has been atrocious; under SAF teams would come away from OT feeling happy with a 1-0 loss but today teams like Swansea and Newcastle settle for nothing less than a win. The fear factor has disappeared and it is the Theatre of Dreams for only the away team these days.

United fans find solace in the fact that even Ferguson had a bad start in his early years , but it seems they are trying to console themselves and not convince the opposition fans. They have tried hard to support Moyes and have given him time to settle in. Many United fans have accepted their fate this year, and are already looking forward to the new season. An analogy can be drawn between a class topper who is suddenly struggling to perform well in the new year and Manchester United, no matter however hard they try they just cannot get the required results. Calls for Moyes's resignation have not yet started but if the tide doesn't change for United, let us hope he has sharp ears to hear the knives being sharpened behind his back.

It is not as if Manchester United have lost any big player over the summer, their squad has not changed from last year, so what does that tell us about the impact a Manager can have on a team, even at a legendary club like Manchester United. That winning habit has deserted the Manchester club and so has the winning mentality. They are no longer the comeback kings and struggle to overcome a 1 goal deficit, even with time on their hands. Moyes seems clueless when United fall behind in the game, he seems clueless and his assistant Phil Neville seems more capable of making decisions form the dugout . Moreover, his post match interviews don't project him in a better light , only helping him lose the United fans's trust.

The only silver lining for United and Moyes has been the arrival of Adnan Januzaj at the big stage, the youngster had been a revelation and has won many a game on his own. But is this what it has come to, The 20 times Premier League champions need an 18 year old to change their fortunes? United fans need to remain patient for it could be a long and winding road but could culminate in them becoming greater than before.

GUNNING FOR GLORY

John W Henry asked a question before the season started "What do you think they are smoking at the Emirates"? That's the question that has been on the lips of the rest of the world. 

There is something different about this new look Arsenal side; there is more self belief,more confidence and the hunger and willpower for success is more than evident. The Gunners are playing with the same style and panache, that brought them all the glory in the early 2000's . Completely written off after their opening day loss to Aston Villa; Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal have responded in great fashion and have registered just 2 losses in the League ever since. The Premier League still remains the objective for the North London side, who are still in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup. 

Mesut Ozil's arrival has been the catalyst that has propelled the Gunners to heights,that many fans thought were unreachable before the season started. He has changed the mood around the Emirates and it is tough to say who has been more affected by his arrival; the fans or the players. A sublime assist for Giroud in his first game against Sunderland,won the hearts of all the Arsenal fans out there and ever since he can do no wrong in their eyes. Ozil has already racked up 7 assists in Premier League, only behind Rooney who has nine and has hit the back of the net 5 times for the Gunners this season. Even if Ozil doesn't do anything remarkable this season, he would have made as much of a contribution to the team as much as anyone else; he has brought that fear factor back with the Gunners, and has brought back much needed self belief and confidence which was lacking in previous Arsenal squads over the last 5-6 years.  The thought of playing with the 42 million Real Madrid star has left many in awe and in the effort to impress him, they have brought the best out of themselves..

Ramsey's astronomical rise has left all his doubters speechless and Giroud is finally fulfilling the potential he showed last season. In Flamini, Arsenal have found the defensive midfielder they needed . His experience is key to the this young Arsenal side and his passion and drive has made him a true fan favourite. The defensive partnership of Mertesacker and Koscielny has been really solid, ably supported by Gibbs and Sagna on either side.

Crucial wins over such has Newcastle at St.James Park, where Arsenal weren't at their best have but still came away with the three points have added to their title credentials . To win the ultimate prize it is these kinds of games that the Gunners have to slog out and get the three points. This present Arsenal side is one that never gives up; they didn't settle for a nil all draw against Cardiff at the Emirates and got 2 goals in the last 4 minutes to bag all three points. Even against City, at 5-2, they didn't give in and pulled a goal back in the 89th minute,but alas only for Yaya Toure to make it 6-3. 

To bring silverware to the Emirates, Arsenal will need to bring in another striker to reduce some of the pressure on Giroud's shoulders, having only Bendtner as a substitute striker( who hasn't been that bad) and the young Sanago as back up. Someone like a Berbatov or Costa will fit in well at Arsenal but it all rest in the hands of the 63 year old Frenchman. Can Arsenal beat the odds and bring the Premier League trophy to the Emirates for the first time?..