Chelsea’s run-in should make things interesting…
446 comments June 22nd, 2006
The provisional fixture list was released by the Premier League today. Whilst July’s announcement of the television schedule will probably change everything, the first draft makes interesting reading, particularly concerning Chelsea’s tough finish to the season. They end with games against Spurs, West Ham, Man U, Newcastle, Bolton, us, and Everton in that order. Any team who can stay in touch with them until April would have to fancy their chances. Easier said than done.
As for our fixtures, Aston Villa will be the first team lucky enough to play at the Emirates Stadium. We face an early trip to Old Trafford, and our last home game of the season is against Chelsea, before finishing on a tricky away trip to money-bags Portsmouth.
Marseille winger/model Franck Ribery has stated his intent to move to Lyon and reject the overtures of Arsenal and Man United. Fair enough: whilst he’s undoubtedly a promising player, a wide player is not our current priority.
A striker might be though, with Javier Saviola the latest to be linked. A lot depends on whether Arsene is as reluctant to play Theo Walcott as Sven. We shall see.
Finally, no matter what anyone in Spain might say: Arsene Wenger will not be the next manager of Real Madrid. The lies that these presidential candidates for Spanish clubs come out with are astonishing. Don’t be surprised if Juan Miguel Villar Mir promises to pair Keanu Reeves up front with Marily Monroe.