by Don Howe
ARSENAL
Mathieu Flamini exemplifies everything that is good about my old club. Not only has young French midfielder fulfilled he role of midfield anchormen with intelligence and tenacity, he also urged to get forward by manager Arsene Wenger.
Flamini's endeavours this season have tpified the way Wenger approaches football that he combines a demanding work ethic with a strong desire to see his players express themselves in attack. Aresenl might not boast as many match-winning individuals on the books as Old Trafford, but the way they work for each other and play off each other is splendid.
Flaminin is an unsung hero. He complements the more attack Cesc Fabregas perfectly by sitting back when the Spaniard heads forward, but he judiciously joins the attack when the opportunity arises.
His efforts against Newcastle a fornight ago showed what an asset he has become setting up a goal for Adebayor and scoring one himself. It obviously helps the midfield that they have the best pair of Premier League ahead of them in Adebayor and Eduardo.
MANCHESTER UNITED
When they're not on song collectively United have a terrific advantage in that they have several individuals capable of winning matches on their own in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
They possess the flair and ingenuity to sway matches United's way when their team is flat because players like Ronaldo can rise above mundane performances - a great asset that Arsenal and Chelsea can't really match.
It's great that Sir Alex Ferguson has maintained the club's proud tradition of attractive, passing football, but he must be aware that his defence could be more resilient. United are very capable defensively, and in Rio Ferdinand they have appear an excellent centre-half, but they still appear vulnerable at set-plays- due to a mixture of lapses in concentration and the failure to attack the ball in these situations. It is an area of weakness they will have to work on in the training ground or it will end up costing United their Premier League crown.
CHELSEA
Jose Mourinho may be long gone but he certainly hasn't been forgotten by the players at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese coach was shown the door beacuse the people upstairs wanted the club to head into a more attractive direction where goals are plentiful. Against Liverpool, when things didn't click, Chelsea reverted to their old defensive ways instead of preservering . It showed that they remain locked into Mourinho's style.
Chelsea remain very efficient defensively ut they are still finding it difficult to score goals, which explains why they bought Nicolas Anelka. Against Liverpool there was the tendency to lose sight of the basic objectives which are, of course, to score goals and win matches. I wonder whether this desire to play eye-catching football will scupper Chelsea's chances of regaining the title.
Shaun Wright-Phililips remains a key player for thie hopes, having become more of an attacking threat inside and outside the penalty box. - Telegraph Group Ltd, London.
Chelsea remain very efficient defensively ut they are still finding it difficult to score goals, which explains why they bought Nicolas Anelka. Against Liverpool there was the tendency to lose sight of the basic objectives which are, of course, to score goals and win matches. I wonder whether this desire to play eye-catching football will scupper Chelsea's chances of regaining the title.
Shaun Wright-Phililips remains a key player for thie hopes, having become more of an attacking threat inside and outside the penalty box. - Telegraph Group Ltd, London.