DISQUS

I agree with most of whats said, and I disagree with the third point on one simple basis: injuries. Villa has one of the smallest squads in the Prem, and if they get any injuries to key players, they'll be lucky to finish 5th. I'd like to see how far Villa could go without Ashley Young and Agbonlahor, two similar players that Arsenal have out injured (Walcott & Eduardo). With that said, Villa's one of my favorite teams beside Arsenal so I do hope they finish high in the table and in the UEFA Cup...just below Arsenal that is.

I have to agree with ls7's comment. I'm and Arsenal fan, and I've never rated Eboue since the 05/06 season when he played right back and actually did pretty well, but I don't think he's absolute sh*t either. He's put in some poor performances, diving a lot, making poor decisions, but the performance against Wigan was the only one where I've wanted him taken off because he looked like he didn't care. This was the first time where he moped about and never tried to get the ball back when he lost it. The way the fans treated him was somewhat justified (even though it was a little extreme), but to cheer like that when he was taken off was unacceptable.

I don't think you can call him the WORST player in the league when you've only had one piss poor performance. If you do rate these players on their performances, than Bramble has to win by a long shot. He's KNOWN to have these kind of screw ups in games and has easily lost his team dozens of points due to unimaginably bad defending. He also has continually screwed up for multiple teams, I don't know many players who've actually done that, it's quite a feat.

Boumsong was pretty bad as well...that's a concerning combination for any team. Maybe we should start a "Worst XI" team now, that'd be fun. I'd have to think about that.

I'd still have to go with Titus Bramble.

Will the game be available in the U.S.? If so, will it be available on PS3?

I would say Arsenal but they're my favorite team so that's no good. Other than that, I'd say Aston Villa. They're playing great football right now and it's face paced which I like a lot. I'd score the hat trick that got Spurs relegated :)

Oh wow I can't count, I meant "2." instead of "3." for the second question

1. Are there any new improvements or major changes to Manager Mode?

3. Are trophies available for the PS3 version of FIFA 09?

Great analysis. This was my first game at Toyota Park and I have to admit that at some moments I'd rather have been at home watching it. The majority of the fans around me had no idea what they were talking about and were constantly talking about the Cubs, basketball, business, etc.

Some of them had no concept of basic strategy. When the ball went backwards at all or to the keeper I heard questions of "Why'd he do that, that was pointless, this game's terrible" and when shots weren't taken fans started boo-ing immediately. I wanted to turn around and try to explain to them why possession, passing, and other parts are so important, even though it may not be all out attack, but I didn't think I'd get through to them.

I think more than a few first timers to soccer went home with a terrible view of the game because of; 1. the defensive mindset, 2. the disinterest of some of the players, and 3. the fact that Everton played like it was preseason. Some fans have a view now that top teams in the EPL like Everton are bad enough that the Fire could compete in the Premiership.

I wouldn't go as far as to say "only do the 39th game or dont come at all" but I would make sure that the teams coming over the pond play like they mean it and play attacking soccer so as not to disappoint the fans and at least make the game competetive.

Banner looked pretty decent for the Fire; he only featured in the second half but he did well to get up the left flank and get some crosses in.

Nyarko played the first half. He did alright, holding up the ball and distributing it well but he never really got a good shot off.

I was at this game aswell and I thought it was alright overall but lacked in several areas. Cahill and some other Everton players were sorely missed as they didnt have much going forward. Yakubu didn't do much and Vaughn came on way to late (and ended up getting sent off). I thought the Fire were much better in the first half, but there were a few stand outs in the second half including Banner.

The best part of the game though which got people out of their seats was when a couple of Everton fans ran out on the pitch from the Everton section and ran right through the play. They ended up going a whole lap around the field until they were eventually hauled off by security. I got a few pictures but the quality isn't that great considering the camera couldn't zoom in very far.

I didn't expect much going into the game, but I was somewhat dissappointed at the way that both teams approached the game. Everton didn't seem to care too much and some players seemed disinterested at times, and the Fire players didn't get enough time (two different teams in each half) to really make an impression.

Is it possible to get this on a podcast? Either EPL Talk or BBC Five Live?

Oh wow I can't believe I didn't see it. Thanks a lot, I might go watch right now.

Oh cool, you wouldn't happen to have comcast in Chicago would you? And know what channel GolTV is?

Anybody know if GolTV is available on Comcast?

Well I just went to foxsoccer.com and I found this, I guess these are the games that are going to be shown in August.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleagu...

Oh and I forgot - I think that playoffs would only work effectively in a league like the Prem because the same teams are going for the title/Europe all the time. I still think that the majority of the MLS season is a joke because nearly every team has a chance at making the playoffs. Only a few teams though have the talent to actually win the league (or at least get the most points by the end of the regular season).

To be honest, when i started to read this article, I thought 'no' immediately. But after reading through it and thinking about your points and the structure that'd be set up, I think it'd be great. It would add so much excitement to then end of the season and some other teams would (maybe) win the league, which would generate more fans and revenue for the teams. Good post Michael.

Did that really happen? Anybody got a link to the video? That's really odd...I started reading it and thought it was a joke.

Yeah this was the article I was talking about in the Gaffer's post about the Man Utd-Arsenal game. I think it's kinda surprising that the top players only earn between $11 mil to $15 mil a year.

Yeah you're probably right. I'm a follower of the World Soccer Daily podcast and on a recent episode Kenny had a list from some internet site of the top paid players in the world and according to the list no Arsenal player is in the top 50. Hopefully that changes if Flamini signs.

Thank you Michael. I know Arsenal doesn't pay it's players very high, but does anybody know any actual figures they're dishing out? I've heard Flamini wants 80 grand a week, which I think is reasonable because he's integral to the squad. We've obviously got the cash that's accumulated from the stadium and the profits of last summers transfers (and from the prior two seasons in fact) so a couple dozen grand a week shouldn't be that bad.

I agree with some of Alex Hleb's points, but we definately need to improve in each department. When we had one or two players out of the starting back four, it hurt us alot. Senderos filled in well eventually but he started off badly, he needs a string of games before he pulls of something like Titus Bramble. Hoyte does not look confident and doesn't seem up to the Arsenal standard. I have faith in Traore but even he can be susceptible at times (Man Utd in the FA Cup). I think a solid and proven center back would help.

As you said, we need wingers. Arsenal have NO out and out wingers. Hleb and Rosicky are center attacking mids, Walcott and Van Persie are strikers, Diaby is a center mid, and Eboue can't decide if he's a full back or a midfielder (i hope he goes in the summer, I can't stand his acting and crying). Hatem Ben Arfa would be a good buy and maybe even another winger would help. We need wingers that run at people and go to the endline who can cross in for Adebayor.

You also have to remember that Eduardo is going to be out for a good portion of the season too. I don't know if Van Persie will be able to handle a whole season uninjured so that leaves Ade, Walcott, Bendtner and Vela (if Wenger decides on playing him up front) as strikers. Adebayor is the only one who has scored more than 10 prem goals. We need someone who can score when counted on so Ade can relax more and not be relied on so much.

In short, we don't need a revamp of the squad, just a few patch ups to keep the squad from being thin so they can handle the season. We've got the backbone set up, the cash to sign players, we just need to keep Flamini and buy a few players.

**slimmest sorry

I'm an Arsenal fan, and even though i disagree with Michael sometimes, I have to agree on this one. The slimest of touches are being called for penalties and if they're being rewarded more and more it will only make players more likely to dive. I know true supporters want to see less diving as its been a huge issue the past few years.

And some people need to be more subjective. Every time I read an article even slightly critizing our club I see some people going on and on about why the person who posted something negative was wrong. It's their opinion - deal with it. Im not trying to call you out "Alex Hleb" but as a fellow gooner - just cool down. I'm sorry if you disagree with me but I feel like you're giving some Arsenal fans a bad reputation.