Rich Clubs Inc.

Its a world wide phenomenon. Everybody hates the rich. A recently released list which evaluates the richest clubs in the world on basis of turnover shows Real Madrid top followed closely by Manchester United. 4 English clubs figure in the top 10, with Liverpool being the last of them at number 9.
However, does it really matter whether you are number 2,7 or 10 apart from the fact that you get a few more boasting points? The reason why I say this is that does that money really reflect what a team does on the pitch? To a certain extent yes, but then on those counts Barcelona would not be 4th. The Richest league shows the marketing ability of the people it has hired. Let us not forget that a club like Newcastle hasn't come close to winning anything but still figures in the top 20.
Being in the rich league shows that the club has the financial prowess to hold off advances towards it's superstar players from other clubs. Thus Madrid find it tough to get the Ronaldos and the Fabregas' of the world. But apart from that there are no other real advantages. I'd rather that the club start charging less for entry to stadiums than trying to build massive reserves.
The revenues also hide a basic fact, especially in English clubs. Debt. Manchester United's debt means at present revenues, our debt will be re-paid by the year 2020. Same case stays for Arsenal. so unless you are funded by extremely, extremely deep pockets of a Russian Oil billionaire, these revenues are not exactly for spending on better players and fans.
Again, we must not forget that it points to a flaw. the ever widening gulf between the Premier clubs and the first and the second divisions. It means that the newly promoted find it extremely tough to stay up. when was the last time all three newly promoted teams stayed up in the Premiership? And when was the last time these clubs which do not stand in the top 20 Rich League did not win their country's league?
We must not forget that money is alright. But the clubs are there for the fans. the fans deserve to get the right side of the deal. As long as the clubs do that, football will prosper.


This article is written by Jabbar. Jabbar is a Manchester United fan.

Champions League is back....

After a hiatus of 3 months UEFA Champions League makes a comeback this weekend. For many football fans, the Champions League is the true testament to a side's season. Few team who have won recently have gone on the win after winning thier domestic league. Barcelona and Porto are the only teams to do so. Also no side has won this tournament two years in a row after the new format was introduced.

The draw, this year, means that we will be moving on to the quarter finals without 3 of the pre tournament favourites. Only 3 out of Real Madrid, AS Roma, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Arsenal and Milan will progress, thus throwing the competition wide open. This also means teams like Manchester United, Barcelona will fancy thier chances to get one of the easier draw in the next round as well. But as they say there are no easy Champions League matches.

The European Championship also means late night mathces, tactical battles and fights of attrition. All these make it so different from other competitions. Lets have a look at a few selected fixtures:

1. Lyon FC vs Manchester United FC

Going to Lyon in the first leg will by no means be an easy feat for United. Lyon, after a brief stutter at the begining of the season, are bacl on top of the French League. Some starlets have caught the eyes of almost all European clubs. In Karim Benzema and Hatem Ban Arfa, they have the fire power to trouble the so far stingy United defence. Obviously, the Lyon usual suspect Juninho can't be ignored as well. Manchester United will be bouyed by their performance against Arsenal and with Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes and Tevez all probably entering the starting line up, United do have a reason to be confident.

Prediction: 1-2

2. Liverpool vs Inter Milan

A sharp contrast in the season so far for both the teams. Liverpool, after a loss to lowly Barnsley and Inter flying high in the Serie A. However, one just can't look behind Liverpool's Champions League miracles. Their manager seems to adept at handling the tactical pot-boilers that is the Champions League match. Add to that Inter's disappointing performance in recent campaigns, and we have a very even fixture on our hand.

Prediction: 2-1

3. Arsenal vs AC Milan

I wonder how people's prediction for this one may have changed in a week. Arsenal were flying high in the league, seemed un-stoppable until the bulldozer that was Machester united in the FA Cup. However, a full strenght Arsenal will be a different proposition altoghether. Adebayor is in piping hot form and Flamini's return will bolster the midfield which was absent versus United. Milan, like Liverpool, have a knack for this tournament. Thier defenders can grind out results single handedly. However, at the Emirates, Arsenal will be too strong to lose.

Prediction: 1-1

4. AS Roma vs Real Madrid

Madrid just lost 2-1 to Betis this weekend and will be out to make sure their loss doesn't turn into a blip. roma have been patchy at best this season but still find themselves in the second spot in Serie A. I would think that in Rome, Roma's free flowing football will be too hot to handle for the parennially leaking Madrid defence. But Madrid's "You score 2 and we'll score 4" policy will come in handy. Expect an open, attacking game.

Prediction: 2-2

This article has been written by Jabbar. Jabbar is a Manchester United fan.

Fake Gunns

The display by Arsenal on Saturday against Manchester United was abysmal if nothing worse. Although Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager had stated the unavailability of fit, first team players, a side leading the Premiership would be expected to field a side which would pass the ball around. Arsenal on the other hand were made to look like a school team with a host of talented players from around the world.

Manchester United held possession for over 50% of the game, a rare statistic in any clash among the top four for a long time. This statistic is however only good on paper. Any viewer would have bet for an 80% possession by Manchester United if a Nokia phone was up for grabs. Nani, a new-comer, ran around the park with the ease of an artist on a piece of canvas. He created chances, scored a goal but most importantly terrorised the experienced Kolo Toure and William Gallas. The Arsenal wing-backs are best left alone. They are probably still on a pace-maker after the shocker of a game they had. Justin Hoyte played his best football for Arsenal only when he was out on loan to Southampton. Traore is exceptional against the lower Premiership sides and the Championship sides but the quality of the United side revealed his unpreparedness for the highest level of football.

The point of distinction throughout the game could be summed up in one phrase - depth of the squad. Arsenal sure was hit by injury woes but United did not play its full strength either. Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung staked their claim when given the opportunity. Wenger has always showed trust in the young talents he scouts out of places unheard of. And this, Wenger should never change as it has always ensured a healthy future for the club. The match was a disappointment for Arsenal not for the loss of an FA Cup but for the loss of morale and loss of discipline which they have displayed throughout the last 2-3 seasons. Arsenal has a Champions League tie with champions AC Milan and that only compounds their worries. Wenger would no doubt have to showcase his best side against the Italians. The omission of Matthieu Flamini would hurt Arsenal a lot against AC Milan as the free floating Kaka would have the whold midfield to himself. Gilberto Silva is only a shadow of the silent, predatory defensive midfielder he was. He has lost his ability to run behind for the ball after a trademark counter-attack. A strong spine is a necessity for any football club and Arsenal is no different. Flamini, Toure and Gallas, Adebayor and Fabregas are a must for Arsenal. In an FA Cup, as Wenger has always done, a suitable and exceptionally talented attacking midfielder is required. It was Cesc Fabregas till a couple of seasons ago and the emergence of Denilson of Alex Song can cover this flaw.

There are certain things Arsenal can learn out of this thrashing. For one, they know now that the Premier League is still not theirs. They are only 5 points clears and have a game against Chelsea and United each. Any lackadisical attitude amongst the players would definitely have to face the wrath of the French boss. I am an astute Arsenal fan and seeing them play like this has shaken me. But I am happy the warning came so early.

This article has been written by The Missing Clown. The Missing Clown is an Arsenal fan