Premier League Race: 'When 3 Became 2'

Last weekend the Premier League was full of drama, the story of ‘when 3 became 2’ as finally, Arsenal’s legs went in the final stretch, United gained a ‘leg up’ and Chelsea looked as if they were start to roast theirs.  It all seemed to be going well for Arsenal, 2-0 up, looking comfortable and in control with Wigan not posing any real threat, but lack of concentration, professionalism and just old fashioned ‘grit and determination’ give Wigan an inch and then for them to take a mile.

Arsenal’s problems are all to clear to see. In the summer, Wenger (who will still be in charge) must buy a top class goalkeeper. If you look back at history, teams who have been successful have always had top class goalkeepers. United had Schmeichel, Liverpool had Grobbelaar, Everton had Southall and Arsenal had Seaman. In a nutshell Almunia and Fabianski are not in their league. Two centre backs are needed as Gallas, Campbell and Silvestre are all out of contract and up front as good a job as Bendtner has done over the last few months, Arsenal need another top class goal-scorer – someone who can score 25+ a season and work alongside Robin Van Persie. Could it be Chamakh? Only time will tell.

Up the M1 motorway it is a very different matter – Manchester United are still in the hunt following another late, late show in the Manchester Derby (that’s twice this season). In an un-enthralling match Paul Scholes squeezed a superb placed header in the 4th minute of injury time for three precious points.

A result that galvanised Tottenham and took the wind out of Chelsea’s sails. Why? Tottenham realised that with a win they would be two points clear of City in the race for fourth place, and all the pressure had been put back on Chelsea as the gap was down to a single point.

It clearly showed as Chelsea, as in midweek against Bolton, looked nervous and edgy, as for the first 45 minutes they were completely outthought and outclassed by a more determined Spurs side.

Now as we reach the climax of the Premier League season, get used to seeing a little ‘cat and mouse’ between Chelsea and Manchester United due to our friends Sky Sports showing all games live – each will be fighting to apply pressure to the other. First it will be United vs. Tottenham in Saturday lunch-time kick-off 12:45 BST. If United win the spot light, pressure on Chelsea (who play Sunday 4pm BST) will be magnified to an exponential level having looked odds on favourites.

With three games remaining, the key weekend could be when Chelsea plays Liverpool and United go to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland – one thing for sure is that this Premier League goose hasn’t cooked just yet.