Germany can go all the way

Well I know what you all are thinking as you read the title,"Its not surprising that you think the pre-tournament favourites will win the Euros." I completely agree with this point of view but haven't Germany been pre tournament favourites before and ended up not winning the tournament. Lets go back to 2006 where every person you met would say "Isn't it obvious, how can Germany lose in Germany with a squad like that?" But it was not to be Germany's year.

Germany have gone through a footballing revolution ever since 2006. The rise of players like Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller have strengthened them immeasurably and the best part is that they are very young. They put up a fantastic show in 2010 and they have the chance to go one better in 2012. You can't help but feel that this German squad is more lethal than the one we saw in 2006. Take for example the recent game against Netherlands; the Germans were beaten by statistics in every department: shots on target, possession, etc.
But what mattered was that they took their chances as they came and won the game.

Just like in 2010 when I could never see a moment in the World Cup where Spain would bow out (even though they had some sub-standard games) this time around I find it very hard to see Germany getting eliminated. With their precision attacking and ever improving defence they could finally seal that elusive title.

Chelsea vs Barcelona: How it will be played

Well here I am sitting at 12:00 am IST waiting for the mouthwatering clash between Chelsea and Barcelona and I was wondering how a game between sides with very different styles play will turn out. Well one thing is for certain, if Chelsea are to win this game, it could very well be just what Chelsea fans and Chelsea players will look back upon. Chelsea have had a horrid season and reaching the Champion's League final could suddenly breathe fresh air into a dismal campaign.

I definitely feel that Chelsea will stick to their long ball play, something Cesc Fabregas talked about recently.
Playing the long will definitely help Chelsea get past Barca's diminutive players and may help them create decent chances. Chelsea will more or less try and clog the midfield as most other teams have fruitlessly done against Barca in an attempt to halt Iniesta and Xavi. But for some reason I feel that these tactics will not work against Barca simply because if Chelsea resort to using the long ball, they will end up losing possession more often and will never have a real grip on the game and that is very dangerous especially if Barcelona is the opposition.
On the other hand, Barca will attempt to run and pass their way through an ageing Chelsea defence. I can just about see Sanchez and Messi ripping the defense to shreds with pacey zigzagging runs.As usual I feel that Barca's midfield will take complete control over game and will leave Chelsea gasping for breath.

My prediction: Barcelona wins. But if Chelsea do manage an unlikely victory, they will be on course to deliver a Champions League trophy to their Champions League fanatic owner.

Alex Oxalade Chamberlain: Legend in the making

From the moment Alex set foot on the Emirates pitch, many supporters knew he had talent. He wasted no time in displaying that and has played exceptionally well in every appearance he has made. The thing that tells us how good Chamberlain is, is how comfortable he feels on the pitch. From day one, he looked perfectly at home playing in the League. That is a quality only few possess and is a quality that was seen in Cesc and Rooney when they began their careers. For example Chamakh who has had 18 months in the Premier League looks about 10^5 times more nervous and prone to error than Alex.

I must say that I was one of those supporters who criticised Wenger for always looking at the future and not doing enough for the present but now I realise that Arsene fully knows what he is doing. Bringing in a 17 year old for 14 million pounds required immense courage and that has paid off as we now have a player who has the makings of a world beater.

One of Alex's best qualities is his eye for goal. He has this uncanny ability to identify points where he can slot the ball through. For proof of this, just watch all the goals he has scored this season and you will get what I am trying to say. At the moment he is like this creative goal scoring winger and that's a deadly combination in any game and against any opponent. Alex's potential at such a young age could persuade the manager to play often and this could eventually lead to a burnout but Wenger is a man with a keen foresight and I am glad he has addressed this issue; vowing to take his time with Chamberlain.

What's the matter with Arsenal?

Its been three weeks since my previous post and since then Arsenal have slumped to three consecutive
defeats in Premier League something that a team like Arsenal would not be expected to do. This recent dismal run of form has had more severe repercussions than just 9 points lost. One of the major outcomes of that run has been a complete loss of faith in the manager and also to some extent in the players. For probably the first time in Wenger's illustrious career, fans are actually calling for his head. I personally feel these accusations are not justified as according to me Wenger is the best man to have at Arsenal at the moment. I am shocked at outraged at the fact that some fans are even suggesting Mourinho is a better man for the job. I for one would not want a man who pokes his opponent's eyes out, leading my favourite club.

Nevertheless the fans do have a point in saying that Wenger is being too stubborn. Arsenal can no longer dominate possession even against teams like Swansea. They are at the moment completely outclassed in all departments as the recent match against United testifies and still for some strange reason Wenger feels a new signing will not help. Well if he signs some random guy from the 8th division Belgian League,  it obviously will not help(with all respect to the 8th division Belgian League).

I really hope that Arsenal can somehow pull off a recovery because if they dont, we may be faced with another mass exodus in the summer. At the moment everything except the goalkeeping department is not on the right track and needs attention if Arsenal ever feel the need for some silverware.

Tevez to AC Milan!?

I am a little surprised that the media have not felt that Tevez's transfer to AC Milan is a little strange. Wasn't his homesickness the main reason he wanted to leave, if so then why AC Milan? The distance from
Manchester to Buenos Aires is 8638 km and the distance from Milan to Buenos Aires is 9616 km. So what is really puzzling me is why he would move a further 1000 km away from home? This sort of logic is not uncommon in footballers these days but at least Tevez is sane enough to transfer to a top European club instead of certain clubs in Russia or China.

The only possible explanation I can think of as to why Tevez would move is because he wants to revive his career. He was City's hero last year, amazing people with his phenomenal work rate and passion but all of a sudden he did something uncalled for and is now left to rot in the reserves. As he has no chance of ever playing for City, he probably wants to move for footballing reasons.

Whatever is running through his mind, I wish him good luck as I really hope to see the former Tevez back,the one who terrorised defences with his pace and skill.

The Legend is back!

With just the final few things left to be sorted out, it is already virtually confirmed that Thierry Henry will be returning to Arsenal. It was a deal Wenger could not turn down and it has arrived  hardly two weeks after Henry was immortalised in stone outside the Emirates. Now the burning question, Is he still good enough and is he risking his reputation?

I say yes to the first and no to the second. Wenger has been known to make wise decisions and the fact that he has decided to bring back a 34 year old player means that Henry will definitely make the cut.
About Henry's rep, I say that the rep he has earned for his previous accomplishments will always remain with him and now he has a chance to increase it.

Now what can henry bring to the Arsenal side? If not anything, Henry's arrival will lift the whole squad's moral as they finally have a legend in the dressing room.
I dont care what Paul Parker thinks about this transfer as the signing of a legend can only mean a successful 2012. Happy New Year to all the Gooners out there!

Wojciech Szczęsny: The next Casillas

Wojciech Szczęsny. Dont let that name throw you off even for  a few seconds, as behind a difficult to pronounce name, there is a world class keeper in the making. I know its a little too early in Szczesny's career to be making such a claim but I feel after watching him grow in the past season that he definitely has what it takes to be the best. Anyone who watched the match between Arsenal and Manchester City on the weekend would agree that some of the saves that Wojciech pulled off were simply stunning. He kept out Aguero's powerful shots not once or twice or thrice but at least 6 times(all of which looked to be heading in).His frame also seems to be helping him in the Premier League where most strikers tower beyond 6' 4".
But there is one thing which distinguishes Wojciech from the rest and that is complete control over the ball and a thorough understanding of the game. He is never shy to take a striker on with the ball at his feet and most of the time manages to leave the striker behind in a twisted heap. He is a good reader of movements and understands and forsees developements in a move. He is also very optimistic and has a good approach to games. It looks like Arsenal have finally landed their hands on a world class keeper, produced in their own academy and surely in the years to come, Sczczesny's heroics will win the Gunners some silverware.