By Brian Reece
twitter @oldfattoad
We saw a systematic destruction of both Arsenal and Spurs by the Manchester duo on Sunday, but do we take the results at face value or do we analyse the clear gap of quality between Utd and City and the other top four hopefuls.
The fact is that Arsenal sent out a team that would struggle against a championship team never mind the defending Premier League champions, while Spurs simply need to improve their squad or face next season without any European football what so ever.
Arsenal have an injury list the size of the Incapacity Benefit claiming office and a disciplinary ethic of a thug, so it’s not surprising to see Arsenal in absolute disarray, the answer is to replace the players Arsene Wenger has sold but some how failed to replace for some mind-boggling reason.
It is inconceivable to believe that Arsene Wenger didn’t know that Fabregas or Nasri wanted to leave the club and this situation was a surprise to him or maybe caught him of guard, he knew but for whatever reason didn’t look for a replacement for them, and that is the core of Arsenals problem, who is really in charge of their transfer policy.
When Arsenal do get all their players back from injury and suspension and if Arsene makes any additions to the squad, I would very much doubt that Man Utd could inflict such a humiliating score line that we saw on Sunday again.
And this is the point, Man Utd did destroy Arsenal but what Arsenal team did they beat so convincingly and with ease, the answer is simple it was a team made up of fringe players and one of inexperience in the main, it certainly not one that Arsene Wenger would happily choose or one that he felt could get a result at Old Trafford.
You can only play the team that’s in front of you but do Man United really believe that this was an Arsenal team that would normally give them a real game, I think not.
The Spurs game on the other hand was a true reflection of the current gap in quality between the two sides, but it was still a very poor show by Spurs who are normally very difficult to beat at White Hart Lane they surrendered the game at half time, Spurs we not expected to beat United at Old Trafford and by form were not expected to beat City either, so even if the City supporters now believe that this result is one that they expect as a normal scoreline against the rest of the Premier League then a massive shock is about to become them.
Spurs have squad problems and have an extremely poor defence which was clear against City and most of the better quality sides in the Premiership will expose when the opportunity arises to do so, Spurs like Arsenal need to buy before the transfer window shuts and buy top quality players not gap fillers or they run the risk of dropping out of contention before Christmas, I am not getting drawn into this media biased opinion that the Premiership is only a two-horse race or the over exaggeration of either of the Manchester teams, simply because they won convincingly against two very poor opponents, one that fielded a reserve team an another who’s defence has more leaks than a tea strainer.
One thing is certain don’t be fooled by these results from Manchester they haven’t played a team with any fight or quality yet, Liverpool are waiting for you.