Sportsnob – Critics Corner

Its time to look back at some of my predictions and how they went haywire. Seriously, I suck at these! The original post is here: Predictions

Arsenal (My Prediction- Fourth)

I got this one right. Arsenal ended the season at fourth place. A very disappointing season for the club and a poor start in the new stadium. Thierry Henry contributed practically nothing this year (due to a series of injuries). Ditto for Robbie Van Persie. They were pretty competitive against the the big teams (they took 6 points off United!) but poor away form and the inability to convert possession into goals resulted in a title no show.

A very disappointing run of form in the Champions League also resulted in getting knocked out by PSV Eindhoven. (how I relished that result!) A glorious run in the Carling cup was probably the only bright spot in an otherwise nothing season.

Expect the take over saga to run through the summer resulting in Kroenke winning full control and then promising a number of big signings for Wenger. Whether this team ever comes out of the “transition” period remains to be seen. A top quality striker is an absolute must during the transfer window.

Possible Transfers:

Arsene Wenger is expected to find his summer transfer budget this week. The club is doing well financially so Wenger would definitely be able to go after two or three players. And he needs some big signings to convince the likes of Fabregas and Henry. What will happen to Henry this year? Rumours are on that Barcelona are interested in getting Henry to Nou Camp. Samuel Etoo now seems certain to leave Barcelona and Arsenal’s style would suit him a lot more than those of Chelsea and Liverpool. Julio Baptista is definitely moving back to Madrid but whether Reyes will move in the opposite direction remains to be seen.

Liverpool (My prediction- Second)

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My original prediction was that Liverpool would run Chelsea close for the title. I expected Rafa Benitez to get it right in England after two attempts. But both haven’t happened. The Reds have lacked firepower up front and also creative wingers. That said, they are in the final of the one trophy that both Ferguson and Mourinho wanted more than anything else- the Champions League. Benitez will be looking to add one winger and one more striker during the summer. I expect him to offload Craig Bellamy to any team that will take him.

Benitez has proved his mastery in Europe but the fans want the league title more than anything else. Its close to two decades since Liverpool and have been crowned Champions of England and fans will undoubtedly be disappointed that the team is not even challenging for the title. But, the Champions League title could prove to be very sweet compensation.

Possible Transfers

Liverpool are expected to sign Brazilian youngster and Lucras Leiva. Funnily enough he is a holding midfielder. Liverpool really lack players in that position! But he has got to be one for the future, whether he adapts to life in England remains to be seen. It is very possible that Liverpool’s best signing of the season came in January when they signed on Mascherano from West Ham United. Liverpool have also signed Andriy Voronin from Bayern Leverkusen, he is expected to add much needed strike power to the squad.