On The (+) Side

"At least there are some positives", that's what I would be saying if I were a gooner. If you are wondering what I am talking about I am referring to the human shield that Arsenal created to fend of the attacking chickens from across the street. Forget about Arsenal's uber successful transfer season and focus on the much anticipated celebration of St. Totteringham's day.

The game was a close one, with each team wanting to assert its superiority. On the one hand was Shylock and his minions sporting the red and white jerseys (disclaimer: this article was written before deadline day ended), and on the other was Sherlock and his new-look band of Watsons, all bought by using a left leg as 'Levy-rage'. 

As is well documented, Spurs' scouting system relies  highly on other clubs' links (read... Lamela, Eriksen, Capoue, Soldado). And all the money, which by the way is a lot,  has been spent to achieve what probably seemed an impossible task up until this summer, finish above Arsenal. 

Obviously there is no better way to be considered a threat to Arsenal's superiority in North London than making them hang their heads in shame when they face-off against each other  Except that when they did clash, Mertesacker and co. were the ones popping the champagne at full time. 

An unlikely stat produced itself in the game. Tottenham dominated possession... Wait what!? Tottenham dominated possession!? Yes Tottenham dominated possession. Arsenal was only playing on the counter attack or so it seemed for more than half of the game, their outlet for said counter-attack was Flash Gordon who gave the spurs defense a rotten time. And that's how the solitary goal was scored in the game as well, scored by a Frenchman who is growing in confidence with each second he spends on the pitch... Suarez who?

It wasn't the usual north London derby, by that i mean there couldn't be Facebook statuses such as "ar5ena2 roxxx!!!", but those die hard gunner fans still didn't shy away from sticking it to the tighty-whiteys. Getting back to point, what was most surprising was not the fact that Spurs lacked cohesion given the stature of their newbies, rather that Arsenal performed as a cohesive unit especially in defense.

For eons, Arsene's Arses have been criticized for being poor at the back, and although last night's defensive performance isn't indicative of the whole campaign, if Arsenal manage to defend like that and scrape through dirty wins throughout the campaign, then they might just be safe from the wrath of the angry fan. 

Never have I seen Mr. Wenger adopt a 6-3-1 formation as he did last night to fend of the barrage that ensued in the last 5 minutes of the game. To the neutral, the match had its scrappy moments, but to Arsenal fans, it was a matter of pride... They can scrap it out, Hurrah! 

There He Goes... Again!

It's that time of the year again when the hottest talent in the world of kicking a ball comes around to see who's got the best negotiator. And this year hasn't failed to disappoint. There has been every sort of drama the transfer market would like to see and its still 2 days to closure, or as the fans call it rumour time for january.

So we say Samuel Eto'o join chelsea about 5 years after calling them crap. That should bear well for the blues. Flamini is back in arsenal shoes, which just leaves them with needing a keeper, a center back, 2 full-back, a central mdifield, an all english breakfast, some sushi, a pair of pyjamas, an aircraft and 3 pots of gold on the back of Megan Fox away from the title. They are always one bad performance away from "Wenger suxxx man!! #fail" statuses on facebook. Loyalty died in 2008. Then there is Gareth Bale, who has to be the ugliest squirm on the planet to have that much money thrown at him. All that for a left foot. Madrid's current offer is 100 million euros, Di maria, local women from Mallorca, 6 freshly hatched chickens and the Starship Enterprise (because we need to cater to trekkies too). Its hilarious that London has Bale advertising for Lucozade. Bale posters have the unique purpose of scaring drunks on a Tuesday night, who mistake it for a signal from the planet of the apes.

David Moyes has proved in the transfer market that he is the singular polite guy in Scotland. Anyone else from that frigid country (ah! pun) would just walk up to the Everton toffee house, give mints to Roberto Martinez and walk out with giant Baines-Fellaini shaped holes in the doors of Goodison Park (i think that's where Everton play). Madrid decided to buy funny sounding names. I mean Isco, really? the comedy practically writes itself, if you're from Punjab (read: birmingham).

So what will happen till the end of the market. Lets feature uneducated guesses because hey its free. Modric to United. Because his role at Real is to make sure the roofs  are fine. geremi might go to bursaspor (thats my attempt to sound well researched). and jose mourinho will blame birds for his troubles. Something like that. Wait for our in-depth coverage of transfer deadline day frenzies.