Today the winter transfer window already closed, and (as I predicted) the Owen Hargreaves transfer rumor will be closed too at least until the next transfer window. Of course it really surprising for a big club like Manchester United to end the winter transfer with no signing and only loan one player, H. Larsson for 2 and a half month.
It is totally different than last year where Manchester United signs 2 players, N. Vidic, and P. Evra. But what makes me feel sad is Owen Hargreaves move delayed until the next summer (if the deal accepted). I really think that Hargreaves presence in the midfield area will enriches Manchester United style of play.
Even Red Devil legend, Bryan Robson said that Hargreaves style of play is what Manchester United needs now. And his style of play is similar to him and Roy Keane.
Well if Hargreaves really moves to Old Trafford in the next summer, maybe we can see him wearing a captain-ban.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Owen Hargreaves not going anywhere
Arsenal Future Bright
The combination of young guns and senior guns during December and early January really impressed me. Even though me as a Red Devil fan and Arsenal hater since 1998 because one of my friend who fans of the Gunners like to jerk each other.
What impressed me is of course the double beating Liverpool in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup and the dramatic victory against Manchester United. In that three matches, the Gunners never have the same 11 starting players.
The future I am talking about is not only in 1 or 2 sectors, but in every sector from the goalkeepers to the strikers.
GK sector:
The first goalkeeper, J. Lehmann is one of many best goalkeepers in Europe. He is the senior in here. Even sometimes makes blunder but he had experience that can be learned by the second goalkeeper, Almunia.
DF sector:
This is the youngest sector in average ages. They have 4-6 players who under 25 age and have some decent experience as starter in Premiership. And those players have a mentor like W. Gallas who had experience in World Cup Germany 2006.
MF sector:
This is the most promising sector. The Gunners is very lucky to have C. Fabregas on their side. This player is really promising. On his 19 years old he played very well in the last European Champion League. In that tournament, one of the most memorable moments of him is where he played against R. Madrid.
The Gunners also have G. Silva who the most senior and currently top scorer in MF sector. The other seniors like A. Hleb, and T. Rosicky also have some experience in the international level.
ST sector:
This sector is really lucky having T. Henry as their partner both in the practice match and in the real match. The trainees of course are T. Walcott, R. Van Persie, and E. Adebayor.
Walcott still have much to learn. Van Persie showing some good performance when T. Henry injured and E. Adebayor also proved that he is not only good in the air but also dangerous in finishing.
Well with that potential its not surprising if in the next English Premier League, Arsenal will be the most toughest rival for every teams who wants to top the English Premiership League.
Manchester United still at the top
Manchester United took their time before turning on the style against Watford to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Premiership.
The leaders ran out 4-0 winners over the rock-bottom Hornets at Old Trafford to keep second-placed Chelsea at arm's length.
United went ahead when Jay DeMerit conceded a penalty for hauling down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 20 minutes in.
Cristiano Ronaldo showed all the confidence of a man with seven goals in his last seven games to send Hornets keeper Richard Lee the wrong way from the spot.
The leaders were far from their best and were gifted their second goal just past the hour mark when Lloyd Doyley headed Kieron Richardson's left-wing cross into his own net.
United turned on the style for their third and fourth, substitute Henrik Larsson exchanging passes with Wayne Rooney before finishing deftly.
Ronaldo and Rooney then combined in breathtaking fashion, the former's delicious lofted pass releasing the latter, whose outrageous chipped finish left Lee stranded.
Chelsea were almost equally comfortable in beating in-form Blackburn 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, re-establishing their five-point lead over third placed Liverpool.
The champions did not take long to open the scoring, Didier Drogba continuing his remarkable scoring form with his 23rd goal of the season six minutes in.
Put through by Frank Lampard, Drogba outpaced Stephane Henchoz before planting a low left-foot shot across Brad Friedel from 12 yards.
In-form Blackburn refused to buckle and it took until the 67th minute for Chelsea to double their advantage, Frank Lampard drilling a rising shot past Friedel from 25 yards.
Salomon Kalou wrapped up the points by sliding the ball home in the first minute of injury-time after Michael Ballack nodded on Wayne Bridge's pass.
Charlton moved level on points with third-bottom West Ham thanks to a hard-fought 1-1 at Bolton.
It looked ominous for the Premiership strugglers when Henrik Pedersen grabbed his first goal of the season six minutes in.
The striker netted from eight yards from Gary Speed's left-wing cross.
But it took just another six minutes for the visitors to level, Talal El Karkouri's free-kick deflecting off the wall, hitting Jussi Jaaskelainen's arms before squirming into the net.
An electric start ultimately earned Newcastle a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at St James' Park.
The home side flew out of the blocks, going 2-0 up inside the opening seven minutes.
James Milner got the ball rolling five minutes in, picking up the ball midway inside the Villa half and charging at the defence before unleashing a fierce left-foot shot from the edge of the area.
Milner then turned provider, lofting the ball in from the right for Kieron Dyer to loop a header over Thomas Sorensen.
Ashley then cut the deficit on his debut, drilling the ball home from eight yards after a corner caused confusion inside the Newcastle six-yard box.
It took until stoppage-time for the home side to break Villa's resistance again, Antoine Sibierski sliding home after some trickery from the returning Damien Duff.
