Football: PROSPECTS FOR THE 2010-11 PREMIERSHIP

Published: 12 August, 2010

ARSENAL with RICHARD OSLEY

FOR the past five seasons it has all  started with the same clamour: Arsene Wenger has to win something this time. And each season, since the FA Cup win over Manchester United in 2005, the team has fallen short. Now, the competition is stiffer than ever before, with Manchester City and Spurs joining the list of contenders. It’s going to be tough going, and the Emirates faithful will be repeating the now famous old mantra: “In Arsene We Trust”.

Player to Watch The Gunners still haven’t found a striker to bang in the number of goals that Thierry Henry once did. If Robin van Persie suffers another injury Arsenal could once again find themselves lacking a cutting edge in attack, and they’ll need summer signing Marouane Chamakh to stand up and be counted. 

Breakthrough Boy Wenger is to be congratulated for trying to deflect the pressure on Jack Wilshere who is, after all, only 18. Yet people are already speculating about the role Wilshere might play for England at the 2014 World Cup. Undoubtedly talented, he could be the reason why Wenger didn’t try too hard to sign Joe Cole in the summer. Johan Djourou might also be a surprise hit.

How it Could all go Right Alex Song emerges as one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders. Arsenal tighten up at the back. Chamakh announces his arrival with a flurry of goals, van Persie stays fit and Theo Walcott finally starts to deliver. An improved record against the big teams will also prove vital. 

How it Could all go Wrong  Defeat at Liverpool on Sunday sets the tone for Arsenal playing catch-up against a larger field of Champions League hopefuls. Erratic goalkeeping and defending costs points and the title contest is over by the end of September.

Time to Deliver Several players might think this: Abou Diaby was picked for the World Cup with France but can he show he is top class in the Premiership? But Tomas Rosicky probably still has the most to prove with a career interrupted by injury. The Gunners have yet to see him at his best.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR with DAN CARRIER

AFTER last term’s highs and lows – making it into the Champions League but losing an FA Cup semi-final that we should have coasted – this season is full of promises. Crucially Harry Redknapp has failed to free up space on the wage bill for one world class signing who’ll keep our Champions League journey alive into 2011. Still, the squad who got us there deserve their chance and surely we’re good enough to win the FA Cup?

Player to Watch With just one new signing so far – the battling Brazilian Sandro – last season’s heroes will be expected to step up once again. Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone and Luka Modric entertained, but what we need is Sandro to acclimatise quickly, thus negating the persistent problem of Wilson Palacios’s poor passing.

Breakthrough Boy Jon Bostock’s stunning volley for England Under-19s against Spain showed his class, but can he make it in the big boys league? It’s also time for Roman Pavlyuchenko to lead the line, providing Harry gives him the chance. 

How it Could all go Right In May it’ll be 2011 – and Spurs  always win something when the  season ends in one. What could go wrong? With Everton, Man City and Villa all looking tasty, and Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United not exactly brimming with confidence, we could easily sneak up on the rails and win the lot! 

How it Could all go Wrong Mad Swiss scientist clones the Young Boys of Berne who reached the semi-finals of the 1959 European Cup and plays them in our Champions League qualifier. Their baggy shorts and Brylcreemed hair distracts our fashion conscious stars, who forget how to play and our European foray ends before the school holidays. 

Time to Deliver Jermain Defoe has long been touted as the most natural goal-scorer in England. Yet when things aren’t flowing for him, or he’s playing away from the Lane, he goes missing. Too often he drifts out of the game, relying on natural ability rather then hard work. No more goal scoring droughts post-Christmas, JD! You should be hitting 20 a season.