The King of Highbury: Welcome Back to N5

On Wednesday 31st March, a certain Thierry Henry will return to face his former side Arsenal, in one of the biggest and most intriguing Champions League ties in recent years. Henry, arguable Arsenal’s greatest ever player, an accolade he's competing for against the likes of Charlie George, Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp and many more to achieve that title, will return to face boss Arsene Wenger for the first time since his departure in 2007.



Thierry Henry, a former club captain, was everyone’s favourite player and gained the respect of every football fan in Europe.

In his time at Arsenal, his achievements are as follows:

• FA Premier League 2001/02, 2003/04
• FA Cup 2002, 2003, 2005
• FA Community Shield 2002, 2004
• PFA Player of the Year 2002/03, 2003/04
• FWA Player of the Year 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06
• Premier League Top Goal scorer 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06
• English Football Hall of Fame 2008
• FIFA World Player of the Year Runner-up 2003, 2004

With all these awards, the French striker biggest accomplishment was breaking Ian Wright’s goal scoring record, finding the net 226 times in 380 games, not to mention 92 assists in his 8 years at the club. Along with the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, he was the focal point which helped the Gunners go 49 games unbeaten in the 2003/04 season. The Frenchman joined from Juventus in August 1999 for a fee of £10million, and after taken his time to settle at the club became undoubtedly the best player to grace these shores.



Wednesday will be an emotional return for Henry, just as Beckham’s return to Old Trafford was last month, within a big game with a range of subplots. Henry has been in good form lately, and was quoted as saying he never wants to play against Arsenal, but after being rested this weekend against Mallorca, he will probably start. It remains to be seen whether the striker will be the key man and make the same impact on games as he use to, even more so with the likes of Messi and Xavi on show, he will undeniably be apprehensive and emotions could get the best for him, which will please all Arsenal fans.



The spectacle of Arsenal-Barcelona game has somewhat overshadowed the return of Henry, as so many people are looking forward to seeing this “pure football”. Arsenal will be underdogs and Barca will be clear favourites. Henry will return and Cesc will meet his makers. It will be a brilliant match and I cannot wait.

Arsenal vs Barcelona. Wenger vs Guardiola. Messi vs Fabregas. Who do you think will come out on top?

Thierry Henry: Arsenal Legend

Chelsea: Still in the Title Race

With only from 14 points from the last 8 games, where 24 points were on offer, Chelsea lost the top spot from Manchester United and last weekend dropped out of the top 2 for the first time all season, but with Chelsea's 5-0 drubbing of Portsmouth last night, it seems Carlo Ancelotti's side have regained some kind of form in the run in for the title.

Here's the factors for why people believe Chelsea could pip Man Utd and Arsenal to the title.



Mental Strength

Chelsea have had all sorts of issues this season; On the field the likes of Jose Bosingwa, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole all picked up medium to long term injuries, along with Cravalho and Joe Cole, who have recently recovered to add to the 1st team options. While off the field the scandal of John Terry saw him lose the England captaincy, while left back Ashley Cole's marriage fell apart in the public spotlight. However one thing we have learned about the West London side is that they extraordinary mental strength whereby they have the ability to churn out results time and time again, like a machine if you will, they may not be attractive, but its effective.

The Drogba Factor

Just like Rooney for Manchester United, Fabregas for Arsenal, Didier Drogba is a man who can change games. 24 goal in 26 games, with 7 assist, speaks for itself. Read more here.


Match Winners

Throughout the Chelsea team, there are indeed key players and match winners throughout. The likes of John Terry is a vital cog in the side, leading and organizing the team. Didier Drogba, as mentioned above, and Frank Lampard who has been a lot more solid in central midfield, although not as attacking as previous seasons, allowing the attacking mantel has been taken up by one of the star performers this season; Florent Malouda. The Frenchman has 11 goals, with 6 assist so far this season. With the loss of Essien, John Obi Mikel has done a good job considering the shoes he's had to fill, along with German Michael Ballack.


Desire and Hunger

With Chelsea seemingly having the "tougher" run in towards the end of the season, it seems that with it still in their own hands, playing the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham, it remains a seriously possibility Chelsea can win their 3rd Premier League Title. Should the Blues fail to achieve that aim, then they still have the prospect of a 6th FA Cup. However the growing pressure on Anclotti, from boss Roman Abramovich is undoubtedly going to be the underlying factor in the teams success this season, even begging the question will the Italian be in charge at the start of next season?

Do you think Chelsea can win the Premiership? Do you think Carlo Ancelotti will be at the club next season? Click Follow on the right hand side, sign up and leave a comment

Manchester United: Title Favourites?

Manchester United, arguably Britain’s most loved, and at the same time revered, football team; who currently sit atop of the Premier League and are billed as the favourites to lift the title for a record 4th time in a row, as well as United’s 19th league title, which will make them the most successful club in English history.

Here’s why I feel so many people believe United are favourites

Players standing up and being counted

With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, sorry to bring up old news but such a great player which took Man Utd to the Champions League title cannot be ignored, many thought the Red Devils would surrender their title without such a whimper, with to the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool waiting to pounce. How those people were wrong. Many of the so called “fringe players”, or unappreciated squad player finally stood up and helped Wayne Rooney fill the shoes of the former World Player of the Year. Antonio Valencia, whose form someone took a slump in the middle of the season, stepped up to the plate and put it some very good performances at the start of his United career, and more recently in the later stages of the Champions League, whereby the Columbian collected 7 assists, many of them finding the head of striker Rooney.

Underrated Midfielder Darren Fletcher has received many plaudits in this season, mainly for his excellent work rate and stamina. The Scotsman once branded “Fergie’s Son” just because he was in the squad has kept the likes of Carrick, Anderson and up and coming midfielder Darron Gibson on the bench, and himself becoming one of the most important clogs in United machine.

Experience

In Basketball, teams have the “6th man” who comes off the bench and changes the game, Man United 6th man is that of experience. The balance between youth and experience at Manchester United is just right, with players such as Paul Scholes (35yrs old), Gary Neville (35yrs old), and the evergreen and most decorated player in Premiership history, Ryan Giggs (36yrs old) all still proving valuable assets on and off the field.

The Back Five

Although not as strong as they were in previous season, with Nemanja Vidic having injury problems, along with off the field speculation regarding a summer transfer to Real Madrid, and England Captain Rio Ferdinand having back problems and disciplinary problems, the likes of Wes Brown and Johnny Evans have stood up to be counted when need (check the 3-1 win over Arsenal). At right back Gary Neville has been sloppy sometimes, but Rafael Da Silva has performed admirably, while that man again Wes Brown has filled in when and where needed. With Hargreaves and utility man John O’Shea spending most of the season injured, it’s clear that the key man defensively is that of the solid and arguably best left back in the world, Patrice Evra. The full back leads by experience, gives his all for the team, and is blessed with having all the qualities to be a top class player, and a future United captain.

Rooney factor

26 league goals in 29 appearances, 33 in all competitions. What more to say? Read my post here, but he has been a MAJOR factor for United.

Finally Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been the Manchester United manager for 24 years, has done and seen it all, and his experience is unlike any other. Time will only tell when he is content with winning and calls it a day, however for now, he wants to reach title number 19.

Do you think Manchester United can win the title? Do you agree with this article? or Do you believe another team will win the title? Click follow, sign up and then leave your comment

A Look Around Europe

As we enter the final third of the football season, its clear that there are many teams still in the hunt for their respective domestic league honours. Players will be willing to give there all in order to attain a spot on the plane to South Africa.

This post is a look at the title races going on in and around Europe, and the key players involved.

The Premiership

First up is the English Premier League, whereby as things stand right now, its a three horse race for the title, between Arsenal, Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester United. Only four points separate the top 3 and competition is fierce. With Chelsea's exit from the Champions League, they have less games to concentrate on, however they still have the prospect of a double this season. With 7 games remaining, all managers believe it will go down to the wire, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Manchester United - Current Position: 1st - Key Man: Wayne Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have to still face Chelsea, Tottenham and rivals Manchester City in the run in, but with one of the deadliest strikers in the World at the moment; Wayne Rooney, he could lead the Red Devils to a record 19th League title. All eyes will be on the Englishman.

Arsenal - Current Position: 2nd - Key Man: Cesc Fabregas

The team from North London were written off at the start off the season, mainly due the sales of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, however boss Arsene Wenger has instilled belief and courage throughout the side, which gives them as good an opportunity as any other to pick up some silverware. All eyes will be on star midfielder, and club captain, Cesc Fabregas who has 18 goals in 33 games with 15 assists.

Chelsea - Current Position: 3rd - Key Man: Didier Drogba

Carlo Ancelotti's side have struggled in March however they are still very much in the race for the title, with a game in hand, as well as no more tough Champions League matches, that may be a blessing in disguise. Striker Didier Drogba is definately one of the most feared strikers and can drag the blues to the title, with the help of the in form Florent Malouda, the underrated John Mikel Obi and the ever dependent Frank Lampard.

Who do you think will win the title?

La Liga

Next up is La Liga, where the Spanish teams have spent a lot of money this season, no more so than Real Madrid, who forked out a whopping €250million. Its a two horse race at the top, with superclubs Barcelona and Real Madrid joint at the top, leading 3rd place Valencia by 18 points. Only 11 games to go, all eyes on 11th April for "El Classico" at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid - Current Position: 1st - Key Man: Gonzalo Higuain

Suprised I didn't say Cristiano Ronaldo? Well check out the Higiuan post and you'll understand why! Don't get me wrong CR9 will be a vital factor, but Higuain has been on fire this season. Real, out of the Champions League, have the advantage with just 11 remaining league fixtures for them to solely concentrate on. The importance of Sergio Ramos, the playmaking skills of Xabi Alonso and the magic of Ronaldo have sured up Real's title chances.

FC Barcelona - Current Position: 2nd - Key Man: Lionel Messi

Barcelona have just as good a chance to win the La Liga crown, and retain the Champions League, however they face a tricky task of facing English side Arsenal, and must go to Real Madrid's stomping ground and come away victorious. Striker Zlatan Ibrahomovic has been rather hit and miss this season, but scored a few important goals, along with the young winger Pedro chiping in with 7, Thierry Henry with 3, but the main man and undoubted superstar is Argentine forward Messi. Back to back hat tricks in the League against Valencia and Real Zaragoza, plus 2 against Stuttgart in the Champions League, has led to Barca President, Joan Laporta calling him "the best player in history". Can he take Barca to the double?

Who do you think will win the title?

Serie A

One of the most boring leagues in Europe? Overrated? Tactical and defensive? Some of the many statements used to describe the Serie A in the last few season, however thanks to a resurgance at AC Milan and with Claudio Ranieri's Roma, player contract disputes, the terrible form of Diego and Juventus, plus the added relegation fears of SS Lazio all have mixed up the league and made it very very interesting. Oh yeah, lets not forget about that "bloke" Mourinho... After blowing a 7 point league, Inter are only top of the league by one point, from AC Milan and 4 points from AS Roma, with 8 games to go.

Inter Milan - Current Position: 1st - Key Man: Wesley Sneijder

The man who pulled the strings against Chelsea and cause them all sorts of problems, is fastly becoming the key man at the Inter side of the San Siro, along with striker Diego Milito. However in the past month it seems Mourinho's side focus on the Champions League has led them to drop valuable points and lose their grip on the Scudetto. Mourinho's side need to fix up and not look to the Champions League Quarter-Final against CSKA and concentrate on getting Eto'o, Stankovic and Pandev to maintain their domestic dominance.

AC Milan - Current Position: 2nd - Key Man: Ronaldinho

After a really poor start to thier Serie A challenge, Ronaldinho and co are mounting a serious offensive for the title, however they have been a big blow losing both David Beckham and Alessandro Nesta to injury. But with the returning Alexandre Pato, maybe AC could actually knock Inter off of thier throne.

AS Roma - Current Position: 3rd - Key Man: Luca Toni

What is there to say about the "tinkerman" Claudio Ranieri? He was ousted from Chelsea and kicked out of Juventus and now he has manage a mini miracle at Roma. He has led to the Romans being just 4 points from Inter and at the very least a certainty to achieve a Champions League spot, and a return, next season. January signing Luca Toni has scored 4 goals in 7 matches although he has struggled to settle in thanks to a knee injury, but he is finding his feet back in Italian football. With goalie Julio Sergio performing well, John Arne Riise finding a new found love for football and Talisman Francesco Totti, they could be the dark horses.

There the "Big Leagues" but here is quick insite to the other leagues around Europe. In Holland: with 6 games remaining, former England Manger Steve McClaren's FC Twente lead former Champions League winners AFC Ajax by 4 points, with PSV 1 point behind them and the McClaren's side are in pole position to win the Eredivisie after finishing second last season.

In France, its clear that this lead is without doubt the most exciting in Europe, with as many a six teams battling it out for the Ligue 1 title. With 10 games left, Girondins de Bordeaux and suprise package Montpellier are joint top with 56 points, Auxerre are 1 point behing with 55, Marsielle have 53, while Lille and Lyon sit 5th and 6th respectively with 51 points. Expect a very exciting finish to the season, with the added spice of Lyon facing Boredeaux in the Champions League Semi-Final aswell. All to play for...

Thats my comprehensive round up of the Big Five leagues in Europe and a look at the Key Men involved. For more search Real Talk Football in google and get the Twitter or Facebook Page.

Remember to comment and let me know who you think will collect silverware this season.