The race for 4th is on………..

So who will claim the 4th spot in this seasons Premier League? I think we can pretty much guarantee that the top 3 will stay the same but hopefully in a different order!

Let’s look at the four teams looking for that 4th place finish.

Arsenal:
Arsenal are normally guaranteed a place in the top 4. In fact since the Premier League started they have finished in the top 4 more than any other team along with Utd. The reason this season could be different is that where as City are trying everything to get 4th spot Arsenal seem to be doing everything to drop out the top 4. If I was an Arsenal fan I’d be so frustrated with Arsene Wenger. It’s clear that on their day Arsenal play probably the best football in the league and are only a few world class players away from the perfect team. But Wenger opts not to buy anyone and invests in the youth team. That’s all well and good but what about the now and what if tomorrow never arrives in terms of success?  Arsenal haven’t won a trophy for five years.  They are now on the verge of selling Adebayor to City who are the main rivals for fourth. They have Eduardo coming back but are still a forward short. They also need two new defenders. Wenger really needs to put his hand in his pocket and splash the cash. Too many of his “shrewd” signings haven’t paid off. Song, Diaby, Bentdner, Rosicky & Sendaros should all be shown the door in favour of quality signings. Wenger can’t find a Fabregas every season. Money talks and Arsenal are just not spending any.
Also the question all Arsenal fans must be asking themselves is “Is Theo Walcott ever going to be good enough?” This will be his fourth season with the Gunners and he really needs to deliver after three mediocre seasons.

Manchester City:
Manchester City is the team that everyone is tipping to finish fourth this season.
As well as spending an ever full pot of cash they have no European football to distract them in their quest to reach the Champions League. While Everton and Villa will be playing in the tin pot Europa league on a Thursday night somewhere in the unknown regions of Europe, City will be at home relaxing for league games.
If they add the players they have been linked with (Terry, Adebayor and Lescott) as well as the recent additions then they look a good bet to get fourth.
There are three things that could stop them getting fourth and the first is what if they don’t get any good defenders? They are beginning to look heavy in attacking options but still have the same defence that shipped shed loads of goals last season. Secondly, The away form last season was horrendous. 1 win in 18 is not top 4 form. This needs to be sorted out and fast. Thirdly, is Mark Hughes the right man for the job? Known for managing teams that play kick and run football Hughes will need to get his team of overpaid superstars playing expensive looking football.

Everton:
Everton have done well over the last couple of seasons and I expect this year to be much of the same.
The bitters have had some terrible injuries over the last few seasons and still managed a high position in the league. They even got through to the FA Cup final last year. The trouble for Everton is finances. They don’t have much money and need investment. Until that happens then expect bargain signings & signings that are gambles. David Moyes has done brilliantly on the money he has available but (like Wenger) won’t find a Tim Cahill every season. They will also hope that Yakubu and Saha can stay injury free to give them more fire power. Qualifying for the Europa League is almost bad news for an Everton squad that’s already too thin. Everton have no chance of finishing fourth and may even slip a bit further down the table if their normal injuries take place.

Aston Villa:
Villa were heading for fourth spot last year and then blew it by signing Emile Heskey!!
When Heskey arrived at the start of Jan, Villa were 4th in the League and still in the UEFA, FA and Coca Cola cups.
At the end of Feb their season was over. Villa fell apart. OK so it’s not all Emile Heksey’s fault but this showed that just like Everton, Villas squad is way too small and lacks quality in depth. With the squad they have there is no way Villa can compete in four competitions. When Carew got injured and Abonglaghor went on a barren run they struggled.  Again (like Everton) qualifying for the Europa League is almost a bad thing (money aside). So far there has been no major signings, they have lost Martin Laursen who had to retire and they have Utd sniffing around Ashley Young. They have been linked with Tuncay and Downing of relegated Middlesbrough which would be good signings for them. But they also need some good squad signings. They have a good first 11 and after that the selection becomes a headache for O’Neill.

Conclusion:
My conclusion is that it’s out of Arsenal and City for fourth spot. Its not rocket science is it?
Arsenal have the know how but if City can get it right then who knows where they could finish. Although they have spent a lot of money City are gambling with Adebayor and Tevez in my opinion. Tevez got 5 goals last season and Adebayor got about 14 after hitting 30 in all comps the year before. Arsenal need to bring in some world class defenders and a forward if they want to cement a top four finish.

Wenger its over to you………

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