Source: Telegraph
The race for the Champions League
A blown title charge, a European campaign shattered by Ryan Babel's pace, power and surprising lack of balance, a captain sulking, then complaining, then a captain no more, and an injury that rules their great white hope out of much of the rest of the campaign.[LNB]Even before Cesc Fabregas's knee gave way against Liverpool, Arsenal's seat at the table of the top four was coming under question. They have not won the league since 2003-04 and are on the cusp of their longest barren spell for 25 years.[LNB]Defeats to Stoke, Fulham, Hull and Manchester City have left Arsenal, for all of their beautiful football, looking over their shoulders more often than at the horizon – and they would be well advised to do so, because another team to have condemned Wenger's side to defeat this season are threatening to stay with them every step of the way.[LNB]Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa can match Arsenal for youth, verve and pace. The only difference is that their momentum is carrying them forwards, not backwards. Last summer, Villa strengthened, not only holding on to Gareth Barry but adding Luke Young and Nicky Shorey in their problem full-back positions. [LNB]Arsenal lost Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb. Their side is weaker than it was at the turn into 2008.[LNB]The closeness of the margin between Arsenal and Villa is testament to how far the Midlands club have come as much as how much Arsenal have fallen.[LNB]To suggest the race for the final Champions League spot is a two-way battle is a disservice to Everton, though. David Moyes' side sit just three points behind Arsenal, despite not having a single fully-fit striker. [LNB]If one arrives in January, do not discount the one side to have broken the 'Big Four' Champions League cartel from doing it again. [LNB]
