Taking aim at the Premiership

With Fernando Torres limping off the Villa Park pitch last weekend with a hamstring injury, unimpressive Liverpool are no longer unbeaten but they have to cede the reputation of having the best one-two Spanish duo in the English Premier League.

That honor now goes to Francesc Fabregas and Manuel Almunia both of that North Holloway club in London, Arsenal. Everyone knows me as a Liverpool fan (although I also wear Chelsea’s home kit to Ateneo games), but the Gunners are fun to watch more so since they average at least two goals per game while playing an attractive brand of attacking football. That’s kind of strange when the side curries a distinct French flavor and French football isn’t your Latin American variety. But Fabregas and Almunia have been solid for this club and should lead the side again. Football observers everywhere have predicted a two-club clash between Manu and Chelsea for the Premiership while Arsenal and LFC battle it out for the next two slots. Tottenham, Everton, and Aston Villa are expected to crack the top four.

I think Arsenal will challenge for the Premiership despite not having the big names on their side. Yet it depends on how healthy the club is.

Arsenal’s fortunes – they were leading the Premiership until Eduardo da Silva went down with that horrific leg injury – hinge on the health of Fabregas and the return of Eduardo who is a prolific scorer.

With this side having adjusted to all the changes, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Nikolas Bendtner, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor should be able to lead and challenge Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premiership. And look for huge find Aaron Ramsey to make an impact with this club. Arsene Wenger predicts great things from this youngster.

Offense-wise, no side was as effective with those killer crosses last year as much as Arsenal. They booted in 30 (of their 74 total) goals from superb crossing. And they scored more goals than Chelsea who placed second in the title race and were only six goals behind champion Manchester United.

Adebayor, who was named to the PFA Team of the Year alongside Torres as team striker, gives Arsenal a lot of firepower up front but he should be a little smarter on the offense. He was booked 68 times last year for being offside. Wasted chances, dude.

The Togo international is as fast and powerful as Chelsea’s Didier Drogba. Adebayor was one of four Gunners named as the Premiership’s best last season including Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, and Fabregas.

I’m not sure though that William Gallas should continue to wear the captain’s armband. That should maybe be handed over to Koulo Toure or Fabregas after Gallas’ emotional meltdown towards the end of last season. Never show your wounded pride, Gunner. You'll need it if you want to challenge ManU and challenge you will.

As for the Premiership, this is what Wenger, that Emirates Stadium icon, has to say, “Get ready for the fight, lads. We’re in it good."

Musical Chair News: Robinho has left the Bernabeu for English side Manchester City. Holy cow! In the meantime, longtime Anfield players Steve Finnan and Andriy Voronin left Liverpool for Espanyol and Herta Berlin respectively. In their place, they get Spain midfielder Albert Riera. French striker, Louis Saha, late of Manchester United is now with Everton.