The matches that will draw more attention are those involving Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur—all for different reasons. At the very top of the English Premier League table, the Mancunian rivalry is boiling. Only goal difference puts the Red Devils above the Sky Blues; both can boast about possessing a perfect record thus far.
Liverpool and Chelsea—locked on 7 points—follow closely behind whereas Wolverhampton Wanderers are the early surprise package. Newcastle United are also doing well enough to earn the 6th spot in the table. The Magpies’ goalless draw against Arsenal on the first match-day apparently contributed in Newcastle United’s remarkable start.
Talking about Arsenal, they occupy the 17th position. London rivals Tottenham Hotspur cannot mock the Gunners as their condition is worse. Spurs have played twice and lost twice. But the last moments of the summer transfer window gave Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur something to hold on to. There’s hope for better things to come this season for both teams thanks to new signings.
Arsene Wenger’s Gunners are expected to produce a sensational comeback this season—more or less like what football fans witnessed last season when Liverpool overcame early relegation battles to finish in the top half of the table after 38 match-days.
The likes of defenders Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos as well as midfielders Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta could contribute in helping Arsenal survive the losses of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Park Chu-Young and Gervinho should not be forgotten either.
Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor might also transform into Spurs’ redeemer. The Togolese is targeting a top 4 finish.
Suddenly, Wolves and Newcastle United’s condition as 5th and 6th placed teams seems precarious. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur certainly have the experience to make things happen. Both sides traditionally do not belong to the bottom of the English Premier League table.
How the top 6 looks like ahead of match-day 4:
POS.
TEAM
MP
W
D
L
GF
GA
D
P
PREMIER LEAGUE 2011/2012
1
Manchester United
3
3
0
0
13
3
+10
9
2
Manchester City
3
3
0
0
12
3
+9
9
3
Liverpool
3
2
1
0
6
2
+4
7
4
Chelsea
3
2
1
0
5
2
+3
7
5
Wolverhampton Wanderers
3
2
1
0
4
1
+3
7
6
Newcastle United
3
2
1
0
3
1
+2
7
Where Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur rank ahead of this weekend’s round of matches in the English Premier League:
17
Arsenal
3
0
1
2
2
10
-8
1
18
West Bromwich Albion
3
0
0
3
2
5
-3
0
19
Blackburn Rovers
3
0
0
3
2
6
-4
0
20
Tottenham Hotspur
2
0
0
2
1
8
-7
0
Matches to not miss
There’s been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates Stadium. The chances of Swansea City upsetting the Gunners have considerably decreased despite last time’s 8-2 defeat to Manchester United. Arsenal fans must thank Arsene Wenger’s late shopping on the transfer market for that.
Raul Meireles’ 11th hour switch from Anfield to Stamford Bridge may also put football fans on their feet as Chelsea and Liverpool will play simultaneously on Saturday afternoon. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur will stand the chance of “disciplining” Wolverhampton Wanderers. Luckily for Spurs, they still have Luka Modric in their squad after winning the transfer battle against Chelsea.
Manchester United, who ruled out a late transfer for Internazionale’s Wesley Sneijder will be in action against Bolton Wanderers. Could the Trotters get things right against the Red Devils after narrowly failing to beat Manchester City earlier in the season?
Sep 10, 2011 2:00pm Arsenal vs Swansea City
Sep 10, 2011 2:00pm Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic
Sep 10, 2011 2:00pm Stoke City vs Liverpool
Sep 10, 2011 2:00pm Sunderland vs Chelsea
Sep 10, 2011 2:00pm Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur
Sep 10, 2011 4:30pm Bolton vs Manchester United
Sep 12, 2011 7:00pm Queens Park Rangers vs Newcastle United
