Title Chances : Arsenal

Arsenal must be one of the most frustrating football teams to support. At times they play the majestic, clinical sort of football we saw against Manchester United - and at times they play the desperate, inadequate form of football we've seen against Stoke and Aston Villa. Talismanic Adebayor and Fabregas have failed to stand up and be counted this season resulting in Arsenal falling 9 points of the lead with Aston Villa and Everton closing in on the 4th Champions League place from behind them. All this has rightfully resulted in doubts over both manager Wenger's ability and suitability to the job which has historically suited him to the ground.
Arsenal's problems continue in a shaky defence - Mikael Silvestre at times looking like a good aquisition compared to the shambles of Gael Clichy.
Arsenal are a very hot and cold team but their ability is undeniable. Until form comes to the Emirates, Arsenal must learn to win ugly - a skill displayed all to regularly by the top teams this season.
As to whether their title bid is over, I'm inclined to say yes. In past years, Arsenal could have made a similarly slow start and had only Chelsea and occasionally Manchester United ahead of them. Now, with the emergence of Liverpool as genuine title contenders, it seems likely that the top 3 will be more determined to secure difficult results - fearful that more dropped points could be critical.

Title Chances : Manchester United

A typically poor start to the season has seen Manchester United drop 8 points of Chelsea's pace with just one game in hand. Surely then, the title race is over for them, isn't it. It isn't. Sir Alex's men were off the early pace at this stage last season and walked away with the two biggest prizes available - Chelsea the shortcommers in both cases. Even the news of Owen Hargreaves' season long lay-off is made slightly less painful by the emergence of Darren Fletcher and Anderson. Rafael looks to be a revelation at right back - he and his twin brother Fabio injecting a jovial sense of unity and belief into the club with their fearless attitude to the game.
There is more good news for Manchester United. They have played away games at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates already this stadium - arguably the 3 toughest fixtures of the season. And, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo still is not at his imperious best, wing wizard Nani and Wayne Rooney have set games alight with their form. This in conjunction with Berbatov's settling at the club has seen the United line-up neatly slip into place as if the players were merely puzzle pieces in a game orchestrated by puppet master Sir Alex Ferguson.
Perhaps United's biggest concern is their occasional frustration in front of goal. A barrage of chances created by Berbatov and missed by Ronaldo perfectly shows this - nearly getting United burnt at home to Hull. Carlos Tevez has had doubts cast over his future by both pundits and fans - rumours of him making a switch to Manchester's other club filling the gossip columns of many a tabloid. Fans can only hope the the Argentine's penalty against QPR on Tuesday night will give him the confidence to win his place back in the side and score the goals his game has been lacking.

Manchester United are serious title contenders and will feel their toughest games are behind them this season. As the hectic December month approaches, it will fall to the manager to keep his team motivated and inspired to chase down whoever may be in the number one spot.

Welcome All...

We've made a sluggish start to the season but, as Harry Redknapp is now proving, that doesn't mean we're doomed.

Check out the poll just to the right of this post. Who will win the League. Vote, drop us a comment, look around.

Also, take a look at our new article, "Title Chances" in which the big four will be assessed one by one to see what hope they have of lifting the Premier League title again.

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