Is He Really That Guy?

"I'm That Guy" the catchphrase that's synonmous with the imposing Englishmen that's meant to be the man to spear head the Arsenal attack. But is Welbeck the guy to lead the line for Arsenal? He's not a goal scorer and he won't be filling Henry's boots that's for sure. But if last nights, the City game and his two goals for England last week are anything to go by then I would say yes.

There's many questions marks around the Ghanaian born strikers ability. But what ever Girouds lacked Welbeck has in abundance unlike Giroud, Welbeck has pace, feeds of the through the pass and makes things happens. Arsenal may have played poorly last night but all the chances the Gunners had fell to Welbeck who didn't do too badly last night in Germany. With Welebck Arsenal have a striker who will play off the last defender and will be looking to be fed not to mention his great work ethic that will be a big problem once he gets his shooting boots on and is sharp. What many nuetrals noticed that when Giroud is playing his timing of runs is poor and his poor hold up play breaks down many of the Arsenal attacks. Welbeck's link up and hold up play is exceptional and the likes Jackie Boy, Carzola and midfield co will be exceptionally happy that they have a striker that's willing to run and make things happen.

The question remains will he fire Arsenal to the top or be another Chamakah and Bendnter. Give the former Man Unitned man time and if he works on his finishing he will be. Welbeck is a talent and is a good player no matter the hot and cold verdict he gets. Many people say he's not the striker Arsenal need as he is a 10-15 goals a season forward he should at the likes of West Brom or Tottenham. But with right players around him which he has and Arsene Wenger's renowned devolopment him he could one of the most lethal marks men in the league. Like a ex pastor and wise friend says "Only time will tell."

"The X-Factor Syndrome"

You may read the title and think "Why is Ayo talking about X-Factor, isn't this a football blog?" After this blog you will understand why the state of British football links to the mediocre talent pool show that has brought less talents to the UK music industry then I go to gym. (I'm trying to loose weight by the way but I hardly work out, I know it doesn't make sense to me either)  What is the X-Factor Syndrome you ask? Well its the syndrome where a star is made from the show, they are hyped up for months, they get the Christmas number 1 and 5 years down the line you never hear from them again Rick Waller, Gareth Gates and Darius are all victims of this. This is the state of English football we have talent emerging every season, they get hyped up as the next English stars. They don't get a look in at their clubs so they're loaned out and wither away into the football wilderness in the lower leagues or they retire early then expected. Then you wonder why the England team never does well in major tournament every two years.

You all remember David Bentley don't you? He was tipped to be the next David Beckham, he retired at the age of 29 after a disappointing career that had so much promise. Quick, great shot and even a greater cross he didn't have look in the Arsenal team. (Funny how down the years Wenger has over looked so much English talent but that's for another blog.) he went on loan to Norwich then Blackburn where he picked up his career again, gained a few England caps and earned himself a big money move to Spurs then that was the beginning of the end for Bentley and the rest is history. I believe this all could've been avoided if Arsenal gave him a chance and a run in the team. As Lampard said in his Sun piece last week  he made his debut at 17 and at 18 he was a regular the season after. But these days its unlikely this happens to young English players. Their loaned out, get sold and in most cases you never hear of them again. A lot of Premier League clubs are not giving English players their chance to play. They rather play experienced foreign players or snap up young foreign players who are alien to the league. The loan system used to work it made David Beckham the player he was when he went to Preston. It revived Daniel Sturridge's career but these are a few players who really turned it around. Gregg Dyke needs to change or work around the loan system. Designing a U21 league will not unearth the next Rooney's, Cahill's and Hart's of the next generation.

 You look at Spain team of the last 4-5 years, this amazing German team that recently won the World Cup and the Brazil team of the last two decades. They were great because their leagues made them great by giving players of that respective nation a chance in their leagues. The reason why the England team suffers because most of these players are not starters for their teams and are over looked by foreign players. Yes the Premier League is best league in the world anyone would be a fool not to think so. But the league is flawed and doesn't have a blue print in how it can make the national team a success. Spain were a success because the Spanish League had a blue print in making and raising their players a certain way and making sure these player get games for their clubs and are starters in the top teams and other clubs. I believe that the Premier League needs to have a system where the next English talent get a look in their teams especially in the Top 5 where there's hardly any English players. I believe that the Premier League should instate a law where a number of English players should be in the squad and at least play 15-20 games a season. This way English players get in team and if their good become starters and wouldn't need to be sent out on loan. The loan system is not working and Gregg Dyke and the FA needs to follow the blue print of Spain, Italy or Germany or England will continue to suffer in many more years to come. 

Man United Are Still The Greatest Club In The World

If you told me or most football neutrals in May that United would bring in Di Maria, Falcao and most of the great signings United have made this summer. I would've laughed in your face and requested you should be in a mental institute. But even they have surpassed themselves and will be back to the force that we know them to be,these last 20 years.

With Di Maria and Falcao the best goal poacher in Europe they will be a new dimension to this United side. How Martin Edward and LVG made these signings with no European football this season is a testimony in it's self. Not to mention they already have Mata, Rooney and the injured RVP who is undergoing surgery. United boast the best attacking side besides Chelsea and City. But how LVG manages to keep all these egos and great players of attacking quality will be another question.

When Sir Alex left people feared the worst. And more or less the worst did happen but even there was hope they could come back but it was too little too late, last season was abysmal even the beginning of this season hasn't gone the way they wanted. But United will not be the sleeping giants that Arsenal and Liverpool have become if this summer window hasn't shown the intent that United has then I don't how they're going to prove the footballing world wrong. People forget United have been through worse blips and always come out with the last laugh. They won't win the league or any other silverware but with the window they've had they will be a force to be reckoned with. Do you guys think if any of the other Top 5 teams that were in United shoes could attract the Falcao's and Di Maria's of this world? I wouldn't think so. All hail the greatest club in the world this window has shown the force that is Manchester United Football Club.