Paul Scholes: A Special Player & A Footballing Legend

A footballing legend has retired today. A legend who has been praised by some of the best because he is one of the best. Nothing and no one can take away from the fact that Paul Scholes, the now former Manchester United midfielder has been a sensation at Old Trafford, and anyone who has had the privilege to play alongside him, play against him or even see him in action should count themselves very, very lucky because this man is one of the greats.

Described as the "complete footballer" by Zinedine Zidane, a "role model" by Xavi, and "the best" by Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Edgar Davids, Laurent Blanc, Pep Guardiola and Nani, you really do get the feeling straight away that he is a special player. He may not have developed the ability to tackle over his 17 years as a Manchester United professional, but with his stunning passing quality and precision, super natural vision and devastating shot accuracy and power, you can forgive him.

When you look at his career highlights, of which there are many in abundance, you get the feeling that you are witnessing something like magic. He can pick a man out from anywhere on the football pitch, he can spot a through ball that any one else who think of as impossible, and he can keep the ball like it is his life objective to not let it go. Sometimes words are not enough for a player like this.

It is sad to see such a fantastic footballer retire when many believe that he could go on so easily for a few more years and show up countless of players so much younger and quicker than him, but it was very fitting in my opinion that his last game in a Manchester United shirt came against Barcelona.

It was of course hugely disappointing that his career could not end on a perfect high note of lifting his third Champions League trophy, but when you look at the players in the Barcelona team and notice how much they admire the man, you can see why going out to Barcelona was so appropriate.

When the Spanish midfield maestro Andres Iniesta goes out of his way to ask for your shirt because he is afraid that your last game has been played, you know your different - superior to the rest. Iniesta averages 2075 passes per season when the average a player is only 658, and with a success rate in those 2075 passes of 93.7% last season, it is easy to see why Scholes is held in such high regard.

In just 19 games for Manchester United this season, 13 being starts, Scholes managed an amazing 1348 passes with a success rate of 90.4% - at the age of 36! It really is unbelievable, and playing his last game against the pair of midfielder's in Xavi and Iniesta who have seen Scholes as their role model really is a fantastic tribute to him.

17 seasons at Manchester United, 675 appearances, 150 goals, 24 trophies, and a huge impact on the world of football, this shy, humble 36 year old man has made a big name for himself all over the world, letting his football do all of the eloquent and articulate talking. Thank you Paul Scholes.

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"Massive boost" For Arsenal in Build up to Barca

For every strength someone has, there is always a fault - a weakness. In football, there are many faults in players, and putting aside those misplaced passes, wild, ambitious shots, dangerous, lunging tackles, off the field troubles and terrible temperament that some have, a shared feature for any sportsman is the injury.

Robin van Persie is no stranger to the irritating pests that are injuries. The 27 year-old has only played 15 Premier League games this season because of them, and although not allowing them to destroy his contribution to the team (10 goals, 5 assists), injuries are still an ever present feature to his game.

In the process of scoring another wonderful goal against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final which, as you all know Arsenal were unsuccessful in winning, the Dutch striker injured himself whilst adjusting his knee to bend around the defender to make contact with the ball. There were major doubts as to whether he will be fit for the scond leg of Arsenal's Champions League tie against Barcelona. Wenger said:

"Fabregas will have a final test (on Monday). It is 90% he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there."

Arsenal's former left back Nigel Winterburn summed the situation up nicely:

“A van Persie playing at the Camp Nou is going to be massive for Arsenal and it will give the other players a massive lift as well,”

“It’s a massive boost because it was looking like Robin van Persie was completely out for three or four weeks, so not only for the Champions League but for the Premier League as well.

“If he is fit and can play then, with the goalscoring form that he’s been in, it just gives Arsenal another added dimension that they lack a little bit when he doesn’t play.”

Of course, the situation must be considered as to what would happen if Wenger were to start van Persie only for him to suffer another injury - which seems unfortunately likely. Winterburn added:

"If he’s not 100 per cent fit I don’t see how they can risk him because they’ve also got the FA Cup and a fantastic chance now in the Premier League as well,”

“I’ve got to think that maybe the injury is not as serious as first thought and he’s healed a lot quicker. I just don’t see how they can take that chance.


"I possibly could see him being on the bench if he was sort of 75 per cent fit but not starting because there are two other big prizes to go for if they come up short in the Champions League."

Van Persie's fantastic ability to achieve the improbable was layed on a plae for all to see at the Emirates a cuple of weeks ago when he smashed the ball past a helpless Victor Valdes in the Barcelona oal from the tightest of angles. If Arsenal are to succeed at the Nou Camp, they are going to ned all te improbabiliy and skill they can get. Van Persie therefore, is vital.

Man United v Man City: Preview

Manchester United's unbeaten record may lay in tatters after the shock loss to Wolves last week, but they still have their unbeaten home record to cling hold of, not to mention being in pole position to win the Premier League title for a 19th time. They will host their fierce rivals Manchester City - a rivalry that has been burning ever more ferociously since the mass money injection that City have enjoyed, and their climb up the league table. United now recognise City as a threat. They don't like it.

A win for United will see them jump seven points clear at the top - a feat they could have achieved last week if it wasn't for Wolves, and if a win is achieved, it will strike another dent on City's hopes of winning their first League title in 43 years.

It has to be said, the omens look good for the men in red. City have won just one of their last 26 league visits to Old Trafford and have failed to score in four of their last five league encounters with their rivals. Consider then that United have the best home record by quite a distance this season, and the mountain that City have to climb is a daunting one.

City do have some of the statistics on their side however. As they travel to Old Trafford, they can remember that their away record is the second best in the League, having taken 22 points on the road behind Arsenals 25.

It must be emphasised though, that form counts for nothing in derby's. And in any case, whatever the form guide tells us about United this season, it can't hide the fact that the performances haven't been the strongest in some very lucky results.

Dimitar Berbatov, the Premier League top scorer is up against Carlos Tevez - a former United team mate, and current second in the top scorer list with 18 behind the Bulgarians 19. Both players will have their chances to build on those impressive tallies, and whats more, both could make themselves local heroes in what could be the game of the week-end.

Sir Alex Ferguson could be without Javier Hernandez due to fatigue after the Mexican had to travel across the world and back for his countries friendly against Bosnia in the week. The United manager will be without Ferdinand and Evans who have a calf and ankle problem respectively, so the youn Chris Smalling will partner Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence.

City will definatley be without England starlets Adam Johnson and Micah Richards, while Mario Balotelli is doubtful with a problematic knee injury and Nigel De Jong is struggling with ankle trouble.


Football fans will be hoping that the drab 0 - 0 draw which was witnessed between these two sides earlier in the season will not be repeated, but perhaps the Man City manager Roberto Mancini might accept that result now.
There will be top quality on show on Saturday, and anything could happen. Both sides should be eager to win, and as long as they are not too cautious as was previously witnessed, it could be an entertaining and enjoyable match of football. Much depends on whether the impressively good United or the poor United show up.

Stoke Manager Complains Arsenal are less Disciplined than Stoke

Arsene Wenger has complained in the past about Stoke City's aggressive play and crunching tackles, especially after their defender Ryan Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey's leg. But now, Tony Pulis has hit back at Arsenal and Wenger ahead of the match between the two teams at the Emirates on the week-end.

Pulis said:

"Arsenal have got more red cards than us this season, more yellows than us and committed more fouls,"

"It'd also be nice to tell the ref that before Saturday - I just have? Good! People have perceptions and you struggle to change those.

"You speak to the layman and its 'bad old Stoke going to The Emirates.' But the facts don't back up that."

Pulis has obviously looked up the statistics on the two teams in preparation, because what he said is correct. Arsenal have conceded 224 fouls this season to Stoke's 194, and the Gunners have received 4 red cards to the Potters' 1.
The statistics are true, but many of the yellow and red cards Arsenal have received were from silly challenges and not dangerous ones. Wenger agrees:

"He's right. We've got more yellow cards. It's surprising about our yellow cards. Like the other night (against Manchester United) we picked up yellow cards but I thought it was a fair game."

Pulis and Wenger have often had a difference in opinion when it comes to discipline. Wenger and Arsenal fans were furious with the horrific challenge that left the Welsh midfielder, Aaron Ramsey with a terrible broken leg which threatened his career. Pulis argued that his player didn't purposely injure Ramsey, and Shawcross "has no bad blood in him whatsoever", while Wenger called on the FA to act swiftly to severely  punish Shawcross for the tackle.

Pulis is obviously frustrated with the reputation his team have when it comes to discipline, and although Ramsey is now healed from his leg break, the anger that sparked from the orignal tackle is still verymuch in the air. Stoke shouldn't be surprised if certain players are get a frosty reception from the Arsenal fans on Saturday.