The Round Football Column 8.11.08: 163rd Edition - Premier League Preview - Part One

Posted by  on 08.11.2008

Football is back, and we could have the tightest Premier League season ever. In the first of five preview columns this week, we assess whether or not Cesc Fabregas, Ashley Young, Roque Santa Cruz and Fabrice Muamba can help their team's fly over the next nine months. One Click Away.

I couldn't be bothered to talk about transfer rumours after the Euros, so for the first time since Spain v Germany in Vienna, here I am.

All 20 teams will be previewed over the next five days, and here's day one.



Here's the first four:

ARSENAL

Oh Arsenal, how you destroy me so. This team really put me through the mill last season and I don't expect a smoother ride this year. It's hard to preview the Arsenal, when I love them so dearly. However, I feel that I've called it down the middle in the past and I'll continue to do that now.

Mathieu Flamini is close to being an incredible player – top three defensive midfielders in world football, easy – and I've always had Alexander Hleb's back when others have slated him, because I honestly think he's an incredible, unique talent, but I still feel that their exits won't hinder Arsenal's progress as much as critics suggest. For the second year in a row the tabloid hacks are going for Spurs to finish fourth and The Gunners to crumble. For the second year in a row I'm not buying it. Of course, there's a good chance that Arsenal will finish the season in third or fourth once more, but I'm positive it won't be any lower.

Robin van Persie's goals to games ratio is incredible, and if he has the chance to avoid injuries this season he could be a killer. Emmanuel Adebayor is underrated by everyone including myself and can certainly get better. Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song and Armand Traore have the potential to eradicate the stereotypes of Arsenal having a poor squad depth. Gael Clichy is the best left-back in the world, while only Sergio Ramos and Maicon are close to Bacary Sagna in the right-back stakes. Samir Nasri has everything in his locker to be a superstar. The same goes for Theo Walcott, who has looked far more direct in pre-season. Then there's Cesc. Oh yes, the joy of Cesc.

Of course, it isn't all rosy. The lack of experience really affected their Champions League and Premier League run last season – there's no getting around that. Plus, Manuel Almunia may be a very solid keeper, but there's absolutely nothing spectacular about him. Where's his saves? Seriously! Then there's the centre-back pairing, which is both nowhere near as good as it should be and overrated. It's made me question whether both Gallas and Toure are as good individually as the media make out they are. I really liked the Cristian Zapata rumours, because he would have added more height and strength in the centre. Then Wenger could have maybe pushed Toure up to defensive midfield and seen how that would have worked.

Still, there aren't enough negatives to outweigh a set of positives that really could make history this season. People forget how much the Arsenal blew it last season. Now is the time to make amends.

KEY MAN: Cesc Fabregas

ONE TO WATCH: Nicklas Bendtner

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: There's some really worrying flaws in this Arsenal system and their end of season run-in is even crazier than last season (seriously, check the fixture list, it's insane) but the positives really make me think they can win this title. People forget how much they screwed up last season, and 2008/09 is the campaign to make amends. I'll get massacred for this, but I'm being serious……..

PREDICTION: Champions


ASTON VILLA

Villa are a weird team from where I'm sitting. They never seem to play exceptional football, but they grind out so many decent results against most clubs.

It annoys me every time they play a big four side, because I always expect them to do something only to be extremely disappointed. Villa Park should be a much tougher place to go for the big clubs (I think United won 4-1 there last season) but that could come this season. Last year the likes of Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor really struggled against defenders from the big clubs, but they were really ripping the poorer clubs' defences to shreds.

Brad Friedel's a good coup and Steve Sidwell could be decent, but it still feels like they're way to short of quality to push the top four like their fans want them to.

Having said that, I really admire their record against the teams in the bottom half and they have players like Young, Carew and Agbonlahor who can win them matches.

KEY MAN: Martin Laursen

ONE TO WATCH: Nigel Reo-Coker

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: There really is something special about Martin O'Neill. There seem to be many clubs with stronger strike-forces, midfields and defences, but somehow I still expect them to finish in the top eight without flinching. It must be Marty.

PREDICTION: 6th


BLACKBURN

I fear for Blackburn this year. Actually, in fairness I don't really give a shit, but you know what I mean.

Mark Hughes is a monumentally tough act to follow and I think this is too soon for Paul Ince. Like Darren Ferguson at Peterborough, Ince was subtly making a name for himself at MK Dons, but the media hype has gone to his head too quickly and he could be out of his depth here. He's sold Brad Friedel, David Bentley and by the time this goes live, Stephen Warnock and Roque Santa Cruz could be parading shiny new shirts.

Their imports are Paul "Billy Spiller" Robinson and some lad who Ince was bragging about scouting on YouTube, as if that's really big and professional.

As for the current crop, well Chris Samba turned from legend to loser halfway through last season and you've got to doubt his credentials now. Matt Derbyshire's one of the best finishers in the Prem, but will he get a good run in the team?

It's hard to assess Blackburn before we're 100% sure of the ins and outs, but right now I think they're in serious trouble.

KEY MAN: Roque Santa Cruz

ONE TO WATCH: Matt Derbyshire

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: Paul Ince has made a mistake here – he's not ready for this just yet. This could end really badly.

PREDICTION: 18th


BOLTON

Thinking about Bolton's potential has made me realise how tough the Prem is this season. So many teams have major flaws, but on the same note there are so many teams who have dramatically strengthened.

I like the look of Bolton in a way, because Elmander and Muamba are really interesting signings, and I'm a big fan of their main centre-back, Gary Cahill. He's incredibly underrated and he could be someone to look out for this season. If David Wheater and Matthew Upson can make Capello's England squad, then Cahill certainly has the potential to stake a claim soon. Plus, they still have Super Jussi too.

Of course, there are negatives. I have zero faith in Meggo as their manager. I also think Kevin Nolan has totally lost it and the width isn't really there. The bottom half of the Prem is getting stronger and although I see them making mild dents in it and being safe, it'll still be a struggle.

KEY MAN: Gary Cahill

ONE TO WATCH: Johan Elmander

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: They have some really good individuals that will win them enough games to survive, but the wide areas are really weak and a season of mediocrity is surely on its way.

PREDICTION: 17th


More tomorrow.

Done.