Source: Daily_Mail
LEO'S LONDON: Arsenal or Spurs for the title? Forget it ... neither of them can defend properly
If Arsenal or Tottenham were to win the title this season they would surely strike a victory for the game's remaining romantics.[LNB]How could any neutral fail to fall for their flowing football orattacking adventure if the ride they provide came with the bonus ofspectacular success at the end of it? Yet after their dramatic andenthralling derby at Emirates Stadium on Saturday it is probably onlyTottenham fans still high on their victory who should be indulged forthinking it is still possible.[LNB]Even in a title race as apparently open as this one, the defensive frailties of both teams are just too great.[LNB] Defensive problems: Younes Kaboul of Tottenham (No. 4) beats five Arsenal defenders to score the winner in last weekend's Emirates derby[LNB] Another one: Samir Nasri beats Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto to net for Arsenal - Spurs have not kept a clean sheet in 17 matches[LNB]The title talk from both camps in certainly rash when you considerthe average number of goals conceded by the last 10 Premier Leaguewinners is 27.[LNB]Tottenham have let in 19 in 14 games already while opponents havescored 15 (the season-long total conceded by Chelsea in 2005) pastArsenal.[LNB] They are not alone in becoming leaky - Manchester United have also conceded 15 goals - but there cannot be many fans of either London side who would not want Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the heart of their defence.[LNB]In a campaign that is crying out for a team to take control, Arsenal and Tottenham do not look ready to step up.[LNB]Maybe Arsene Wenger will use the January transfer window to address Arsenal's problems by signing a new centre-back and a disciplined midfielder.[LNB]Perhaps Harry Redknapp will find a replacement for Wilson Palacios in Spurs' midfield and get William Gallas playing as if he is facing his old club every week too.[LNB]Not good enough: Laurent Koscielny looks frail at the back for Arsenal[LNB]But it is just not the way either manager seems to be made. Theywant to entertain as well as win and that is a big part of their charm.[LNB]PragmatistJose Mourinho laughed mockingly and in disbelief at Arsenal's 5-4 winover Spurs in 2004 and he no doubt would have shaken his head at eventsin north London on Saturday.[LNB]For Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny reminded everyone that he remains a major problem at the back while Denilson underlined the fact that he has neither the ability or discipline to hold the team together in midfield.[LNB]Wenger's last title-winning team had Gilberto playing well, Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure in his prime.[LNB]Arsenal's resilience is growing but it pales in comparison to the grit that Vieira alone once provided.[LNB]Tottenham too are a work in progress. [LNB]Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale may have pushed them on to another level but they are too often inconsistent through the middle behind their forwards.[LNB]Having to come from behind is becoming a nasty and potentially very costly habit - and there are also the new demands of the Champions League to contend with.[LNB]The title is there for someone to grab but the grip at Arsenal and Tottenham does not look strong enough. [LNB]*****[LNB]ROMAN ABRAMOVICH'S quiet approach has sometimes seen him characterised as a man of mystery.[LNB]Man of mystery: Roman Abramovich is in charge of Chelsea and he's letting everyone know it in a subtle manner[LNB]The longer the Chelsea owner has gone without making public statements, the more intriguing he has seemed.[LNB]Yet in an extremely rare interview four years ago, the billionaire admitted that, to him, 'the trophy at the end is less important than the process itself,' and at that point the questions about his management style should have stopped.[LNB]Abramovich is a busy man in every sense and given the power he has over Chelsea and everyone in it, it is little wonder that periods of calm are punctuated by explosive episodes.[LNB]That does not make the recent sacking of Ray Wilkins any more palatable or the club's general lack of managerial continuity any more sensible.[LNB]It certainly does not do much to endear Chelsea - or more specifically Abramovich - to the wider football community either, nor lend them a classy sheen.[LNB]But it should take away the element of surprise.[LNB]Chelsea are Abramovich's club right down to the last bib at their Surrey training base and woe betide anyone who forgets it. The club and the fans have accepted his largesse and become an English and European power as a result.[LNB]That he wants to be actively involved is a part of the bargain they have struck.[LNB]Former chief executive Peter Kenyon called the result of that creative tension and it has left Carlo Ancelotti with his eyebrow raised higher than normal, but the only surprise is that anyone is surprised.[LNB]*****[LNB]WEST HAM may appear to have very little to be grateful for at the moment.[LNB]Only real success: Rob Green has shone in West Ham's nightmare season[LNB]There is Scott Parker, their continued (though extremely vulnerable) place in the Premier League and the fact that they were fairly recently saved from the threat of administration.[LNB]However, as unlikely as it may seem after the summer he endured with England, Rob Green should also be added to that list.[LNB]The goalkeeper is certainly not perfect and, like most other players in his position this season, he has made the odd ricket.[LNB]But quite where West Ham would be without him does not bear thinking about.[LNB]Green has pulled off some amazing saves this season and played a full part in the few points they have accumulated.[LNB]Behind a fluid combination of defenders who have seldom clicked, looking good cannot be easy and the fact that he has managed it deserves some recognition. [LNB] More from Leo Spall... LEO'S LONDON: Bad luck Chelsea, but should you rely on a small squad?17/11/10 Leo's London: Wenger's gamble goes wrong as Koscielny comes up short09/11/10 LEO'S LONDON: Avram has three games to save job - and a sorry season 03/11/10 Leo's London: Defence is the best form of attack for Tottenham26/10/10 Leo's London: Wenger's aura finally shattered by excuses over Wilshere19/10/10 Leo Spall: Chelsea dominance shows Arsenal need more bite and a plan B06/10/10 Leo Spall: The fight for image rights is simply wrong at West Ham United28/09/10 Leo's London: No-one likes them but Chelsea really do care!22/09/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE [LNB] Explore more:People: Peter Kenyon, William Gallas, Nemanja Vidic, Harry Redknapp, Kolo Toure, Rio Ferdinand, Patrick Vieira, Roman Abramovich, Laurent Koscielny, Gareth Bale, Wilson Palacios, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Surrey, London, United Kingdom
