Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal : The curious case of North London

Many dubbed this season to be a step up from last season and that the fight for the 4 Champions League spots would be even tougher with City’s spending power, Kenny Dalglish’s chop and change and the big money signing’s he’s brought in and of course Chelsea bringing in a few names themselves to counter what the Red side of Manchester was doing.

Having said all that, the apparent “Fab 4″ was replaced by a “Big 6″ and even bigger and better things were expected. Three Games into the season and things look strikingly different.

The money men from Manchester have shone and shone bright. Mancini has made City into a playing unit finally and combined with the solidity at the back, he’s made them genuine title contenders already. If City are looking good? The Red half of Manchester can beam at that, simply because they look a world apart. If City look good, United look better.

Started a little slow but games against Tottenham and now Arsenal, have shown why the young guns at Manchester United are worth every bit the money Sir Alex Ferguson paid for. Ashley Young has slotted in almost like he’s been part of the team for years and Phil Jones has made made quite an impact too, probably making Rio feel uneasy about his place in the starting line-up.

Moving onto the other side and Chelsea have looked the same old, yet with the signings of Lukaku and Mata, have finally showed that AVB means business and this Chelsea side knows how to get things done. The likes of Norwich or West Brom may not have been the biggest tests and arguably they couldnt break a stern Stoke, yet AVB seems to be settling in well. On the other hand, King Kenny has started with a bang too and introduced the “one touch” football he was so accustomed to in his days into this newer and refreshed Liverpool outfit who look quite a handful, home or away. Sadly, it makes you wonder how Arsenal and Tottenham would fare but the stories have been nothing short of negativity and dissapointment for any Arsenal or Spurs fans, which so far has continued onto the season and with just 3 games down (2 for Tottenham) , The Champions league looks too distant a dream to reach already.

Arsene Wenger’s Woes :

1. Departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri :

No matter how big a team you are , it does effect you if your star players leave and leave the way Nasri did. It wouldnt’ve been a surprise for all the Gunners as to how Fabregas left because let’s face it, he was a Barcelona player already ever since he had expressed his desire to play for Barcelona last season. What will hurt more will be the departure of contract rebel Samir Nasri to Manchester City and how fans feel he has almost ditched them for their money, considering he was for the former part of last season their best player.

2. Lack of signings :

Time and again , its been the same story at Arsenal and the difference is evident. Manchester has invested, North London hasnt and therefore the gap is evident. Arsene Wenger desperately needs a revamped defence and a creative Central Midfielder with flair that suits his ideology. Does he have enough time left now? Maybe not. None of the Central pairings have clicked for Arsenal and barring Thomas Vermaelen (He too is coming back after a long injury) none of them look top notch defenders worthy of playing for Arsenal. Money is available and Wenger has to act quick or else the season could slip away too quickly for their liking.

3. Lack of Experience :

Barring players like Robin Van Persie , Andrei Arshavin , Theo Walcott or Tomas Rosicky , you really dont see many players with experience at the helm and that is something of a concern. The new batch of talent needs time and even though the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey are the future, Arsene Wenger needs world class players to balance it and make it a better blend of youth and experience.

4. Injures and Suspensions :

Let’s face it , it is a depleted Arsenal side currently (taking nothing away from Liverpool or Manchester United) and with a fit squad to choose from, things can only improve for Arsenal. But it just underlines the fact that 3 red cards in 3 games isnt something you’d associate Arsenal with and that the new crop of players definately need more time. Injury plagued? YES. An excuse? NO.

What Wenger needs to do :

1. Revamp his squad :

Though it looks highly unlikely with Arsene Wenger’s Philosophy, he needs to change things and change them fast before deadline day. Arsenal have been linked with plenty of Players right from Cahill , Benayoun , Hazard to Mertesacker now and I wont make a mincemeat of words , unless he gets in a couple of fresh faces , Arsenal’s season might well be over.

2. Get the best out of the current squad : Lets face it , even with scarce resources , he does have a few quality players left. I feel Arshavin would be the key in midfield along with Walcott and if Arsene Wenger can inspire the likes of Rosicky and Arshavin to step up couple with a few signings , Arsenal CAN be back on track.

Our Suggestions : GO and Splash the cash Arsene and buy atleast 2 Central defenders coupled with a Central/Attacking Midfielder.

Having Said that , Situation with the bitter rivals isnt any better (Much to the relief Of Arsenal) and Harry Redknapp has struggled in his 1st two games of the season. Yes , they were tough games on paper and in reality but surely , neutrals and fans alike would’ve hoped for a better and much grittier performance.

Harry’s Woes :

1. The Luka Modric Saga : Yes , its still going on and it might’ve cost Spurs a top 4 spot already considering the morale at the camp is at an all time low. I have no two ways about this , Luka is a class player and he’s someone we need to get back at the top. Sadly , his attitude has been disgusting and downright disrespectful to the club and to the fans and its about time he leaves. At £40 million , the price looks just right and its about time Harry and Levy agree on something and let him go.

2. Lack of New faces : With Levy and Harry’s unwillingness to sell Modric , nothing much has changed in terms of personnel at White Hart Lane Barring the arrivals of Brad Friedel and Adebayor and Lago Falque on loan. Friedel at 40 is a stable signing but not something of a forward move and I’d still rate the Clown higher than Friedel as long as he doesnt screw up. Harry definately needs another striker , probably Damiao? Or a Llorente? Combined with Parker or a Diarra and a solid Centre back , Spurs can very well be back in the midst of things..only , if only Harry can act.

3. Lack of Goals up front : Barring a few occasions in preseason , none of the current crop of strikers look suited to the 4-4-1-1 Harry so wishes to play and with a 4-4-2 , it might just mean leaving Van Der Vaart out which I personally dont see happening with Harry’s thinking. Adebayor is just the signing we need and he DOES have goals in him. As long as we can add in a couple more maybe , it could very well rejuvenate the whole unit.

4. Puzzling formation and squad selections : From the Livermore – Kranjcar pairing at Old Trafford to the Luka-Kranjcar pairing at WHL (one player who’s not in his right frame of mind and the other a similiar player. Where’s your DM Harry? ) As long as Harry can pick a team accustomed to the opposition we’re in , I’m confident we can do a lot better.

The Solutions :

1. Let Modric GO : Harry has come out and said that the Modric transfer saga has crippled their pre-season and it has dragged on not only to hinder the team’s performance but to leave a ghastly atmosphere all around White Hart Lane which can only be solved by getting the right money and letting Luka go.

2. Wheeling-Dealing : Harry needs to do what he does best , pick up bargains and get in atleast another striker , a Central Midfielder and a Central Defender to have any chance of challenging for the top 4. I personally feel Parker would be an asset and coupled with a solid defender and someone who can cover up for Adebayor would make us a proposition tough to handle.

Having said that , it WILL Take time for North London to cheer up and make the dread and gloom away. Get back up , dust themselves off , think about it during the International break and hit back against two teams which they can easily beat (Not being disrespectful to Wolves and Swansea). All eyes will be on North london not just next week but on Wednesday as well. The Simple difference ? Manchester Invested , North London didnt. About time they do.

Yet , another thing I noticed was the luck factor. At 1-0 down at Old Trafford , RVP missed his golden chance to equalise through the penalty and on the other hand , Spurs had a chance of their own When Crouch had a Free header to equalise barely a minute after Dzeko scored his 1st on the day. When things dont work out , they just dont. Let’s just hope North London gets back to where it should be and show us the free flowing football we’ve so been accustomed to.