Is it time for Arsene Wenger to take on a new “project”?

IT IS the time of the season where rumours of arrivals and departures abound, and the latest speculation is about Arsene Wenger’s possible departure to Real Madrid.

Now the Frenchman had been routinely linked to various top jobs in the past, including the Real job a few years ago, and usually he would clear up any doubts in a jiffy by declaring his loyalty for Arsenal.

Not this time though.

When asked to comment on Real presidental hopeful Florentino Pérez’s plans to revive the “galacticos” era at the Bernabeu, Wenger said: “With Florentino Pérez in charge, the project he has put forward would be ­interesting for any coach but I would prefer not to comment on this.”

When asked if he intends to honour his contract, which runs till 2011, he said: “In general I usually stay until the end of my contract.”

In general?

Wenger has faced fierce criticism in recent weeks for sticking to his youth policy at Arsenal, which has resulted in a third consecutive trophy-less season, having some of the brightest young talent in English football now.

“You sit here, you are in the last four in Europe, and every day you feel you have killed someone. It is unbelievable. If you do not take a distance with it, you think: ‘What kind of world do we live in?'”

The question now is – do you think Arsene Wenger should move on to a new project, or should he stick around at the Emirates Stadium to see his youth policy bear fruit?

Q & A with Letter of the Weekend Winner Daniel Gan

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When and why did you become a Liverpool fan?
I have been a Liverpool fan for over 17 Years, ever since I was 12. I had three big reasons then – John Barnes, Ian Rush and Bruce Grobbelaar! Since than, the reasons just kept on growing and to top it off, I am a huge Beatles fan! Glory Liverpool!

What was the most memorable experience you had as a Liverpool fan?

Arsenal an average club?

Has Wenger opened mouth and inserted foot? (Picture: AP)

They were dismantled by Man United in the Champions League and yesterday by Chelsea in the Premiership.

Arsene Wenger still insists that his Arsenal side are not too far from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United though and any one who has seen the Gunners in recent games will be hard pressed to see where the Professor is coming from.

Question of the Weekend (Champs League return legs)

Hi all,

THE POSTMAN’S QUESTION OF THE WEEKEND: For next week’s return legs of the Champs League semis, are Chelsea the favourites to win because Barcelona will miss the injured Rafael Marquez and suspended Carles Puyol, and can Arsenal upset Man United?

Cheers

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

 

Will Rio’s absence swing the Premiership title race?

MANCHESTER United are one foot into the Champions League final, thanks to John O’Shea’s solitary goal in the first-leg semi-final at Old Trafford early this morning.

But the victory comes at a price, as centreback Rio Ferdinand could be out for the rest of the season with a cracked rib, pending further tests.

This comes at a time where United’s backline is just looking more confident following its recent shakiness, notably in games where Sir Alex Ferguson had to rely on central defensive pairings other than the usual Ferdinand-Vidic axis.

United are currently leading Liverpool by three points, with a game in hand, but United have some tough opponents in their remaining five league matches – against Manchester City at home on 10 May, and a home game against Arsenal the following weekend.

Given how United looked so frail without Ferdinand and Vidic together in the heart of defence, and how Liverpool have come into form in March, will Ferdinand’s injury swing the fate of the Premiership race this season yet again?

What would Fergie’s and Wenger’s starting lineups be like tomorrow morning?

(Picture: AFP)

SIR ALEX Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are set to renew their long-standing rivalry tomorrow morning (Singapore time) as Manchester United face Arsenal in the first-leg Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford.

The two managers have fought epic managerial battles since the Frenchman took charge of the London club in 1996, with sly jabs thrown in either direction from time to time.

And given the recent circumstances, it would be interesting to see how both managers will select their starting lineups.

For United, the spotlight will fall squarely on its front-line. United’s Wayne Rooney and company had to rely on the introduction of Carlos Tevez against Spurs to spark a stirring second-half comeback. The 4-2-4 formation – with Rooney, Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo – tore into the Lilywhites’ defence and put five past a hapless Heurelho Gomes, who had been outstanding in the first half.

United certainly need to score goals, given that they are again faced with the unfamiliar situation of playing at home in the first-leg, but Fergie will surely remember how Arsenal dominated the midfield in their 2-1 victory over the Red Devils earlier this season, and scheme to prevent a similar situation.

For Arsenal, changes are afoot, with Andrei Arshavin cup-tied and Robin van Persie and Eduardo doubtful due to injury. Wenger has been quoted as saying that he is considering moving Samir Nasri – the star of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over United last November – to a central holding midfield position or the left flank to plug the gap left by Arshavin’s absence.

If you were Ferguson or Wenger, how would you select the players for your starting lineup, and what formation would you use?

Question of the Week (EPL world’s best league?)

HI all,

THE POSTMAN’S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With three English teams in the Champions League semi-finals next week, and only Spain’s Barcelona challenging their might, is the English Premier League finally the best league in the world? Why or why not?

Cheers,

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

Will the international break swing the title race?

THE PREMIERSHIP has paused for a two-week international break, just as the title race is getting more exciting in the last two matches.

Manchester United would no doubt appreciate the break, after losing their last two games – including a 4-1 mauling by Liverpool at Old Trafford, the first time they lost two consecutive Premiership games since the 04/05 season.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men could use the break since, at 51 games in all competitions, United have played the most number of games so far this season. Liverpool and Chelsea have played 45 games thus far, and Arsenal have played 48.

On the other hand, Liverpool – currently the league’s form team of the month – could rue the lengthy break, especially if key players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres come back from their national teams injured.

Nonetheless, the pause could have a psychological impact on the players, be it good or bad, and have a major impact on the title race.

Will we see another swing in results come the first weekend of April, or will Liverpool’s current hot streak and United’s slump continue?

What is your dream Champions League q-final match?

THE Champions League quarter-final draw will take place later this evening, with English teams making up half of the field.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Porto and Villarreal will find out who they will face after 7pm (Singapore time), when the draw will take place at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Which possible match would prove to be the most exciting for you, and why?

14 March 1998

The New Paper’s Lim Han Ming wrote today about the eerie coincidence between Manchester United’s 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford last Saturday, and their 1-0 loss to Arsenal on 14 March 1998.

In the above video, you can catch Marc Overmars’ winning goal for Arsenal in 1998, if you fast forward to about 40 seconds. Enjoy!