Match Day 5: Arsenal and Liverpool still not good enough

For the past 6 years, Arsenal and Liverpool have played the traditional role of 'Special Escorts' to the Kings - Manchester United and Chelsea. 


Arsenal more so than Liverpool have been in the top four since their last title in so many years. Liverpool have fallen off in the last couple of years and don't appear to be getting back to their traditional escort role anytime soon.


For the first time, it appears that Arsenal is set to also surrender that role to the 'new escorts' Manchester City, and to a certain extent Tottenham. The only difference is while Tottenham will be only too happy to follow the leaders to a fourth place finish, Manchester City appears to be changing the dimension of the challenge this year. They are bent on transforming Chelsea into the escort team this season. City rivals, Manchester United may help them further if they beat Chelsea at Old Trafford this afternoon.


Back to Liverpool. Liverpool's display at White Hart Lane in a 4-0 drubbing was an absolute disgrace. Talk about the wheels coming off in the first 10 minutes of the game. The game was subsequently over after just 28 minutes, when Charlie Adam decided to go for an early shower. By the 65th minute, and down to nine men, the Reds were begging to be put out of their misery. Ironically, it was the ex-Arsenal man who obliged them by punishing them with two goals on the afternoon. Liverpool will be lucky to better their 6th position finish this season, if they don't win away from home.


And now to Arsenal, who lost 4-3 to Blackburn. What happened to defending? The Gunners have had this problem for the last five years. No one has ever questioned their attacking powers and ability to score. They just don't seem to want to address the problem at the back. I wonder if it crossed Wenger's mind that he had passed on Gary Cahill (not that he's doing particularly well with Bolton shipping goals), Scott Dann and Samba. It certainly crossed their fans minds, because they are all wondering why they have to put up with Wenger for another year.


Such is life in the EPL.