Unexpected

Football is full of surprise. And that's what just happened in Champions League.

In the beginning of the season, I'm sure few people predicted both Bayern and Inter to go to the Champions League final. Without disrespecting Bayern and Inter, I have to said they were struggling, even from the group stage. Even when the Quarter Final drawing has been made, many people and pundits said, the 2008/2009 final would be repeated once more: Barca vs Man. Utd in final.

Bayern almost eliminated in the Group A, but they showed great mentality, and beat Juventus 4-1 in away games on the last matchday, forcing Juventus to only get the ticket to the Europa League. On the Last-16, they need away goals rule and also an offside-goal to overcome Fiorentina. Robben's great goal seals the ticket despite losing 2-3 on Artemio Franchi. Because Bayern won 2-1 on Allianz Arena, and away goals rule made them go through.

On the quarterfinal, they faced on-form Manchester United. With Wayne Rooney was in an excellent form, Man. Utd was heavily favoured. But, Bayern, once again, succeeded to get to next round, with the same score, losing 2-3 on away games, after winning 2-1 on home. Again, it was Arjen Robben who scored another amazing goal to make Bayern reach the last Four

On semifinal, it wasn't really hard for Bayern to overcome Lyon. Lyon is a great team, but they mentally lose agains Bayern. Bayern reach the final again from the first time since 2001, with 4-0 aggregate. But this time, the hero isn't Arjen Robben, but hattrick-scorer Ivica Olic.

Inter doesn't have too different way, despite having a very good squad, they were put on the same group as Barcelona. And they sealed the last 16 ticket on the last matchday, defeating Rubin Kazan 2-0.

On the last 16, Inter faced Chelsea. Having an inconsistency in Serie A, Inter was slight underdog on that match. However, Jose Mourinho's genius tactical skill made Chelsea unable to win the game, even losing both home and away, 1-2 and 0-1.

Quarterfinal wasn't really hard for Inter. Being drawed against CSKA Moscow, Inter, once again winning the match home and away with the same score, 1-0.

The real test for Inter was the semifinal. Facing defending Champions Barcelona, they again become slight underdog. Inter and Barca had already met on the group stage and Inter never won on two occasion, only gets scoreless draw on home and losing 0-2 on away. But, Inter showed what 'catenaccio' is. Barca couldn't do much, and only get two goals from two match, losing 1-3 on Guiseppe Meazza, winning 1-0 in Camp Nou. And the defending Champions is dethroned.

I didn't say this is a bad Champions League Final. Champions League Final would be interseting, regradless of the playing team in the final.

Inter is a very strong team, they actually have great offensive power. Sneidjer, Stankovic, Eto'o, Milito, Pandev, Balotelli isn't just an ordinary player. The defense is even stronger, with Lucio and Walter Samuel in the heart of the defense, they hardly penetrable. Don't forget "The Special One", Jose Mourinho, as the manager . He is a genius in football.

Bayern is also a good team. Louis Van Gaal has united them into a good team. Without relying on one player. Second-leg semifinal showed they aren't depended on Ribery. Olic could be the trump card for the Bavarian.

Now, just hope Inter don't play defensively, and we could see a great entertainment on the Final of the Champions League. Just wait a month..

What Arsenal should do Next Season

It's another defeat, and It closed Arsenal's title chance. Chelsea had lost a day before, and Arsenal would be back in race IF arsenal win. The first half, Arsenal leaded 1-0 and extended their lead, 2-0 in the beginning on the second half, by Mikael Silvestre's header. But that's all, and Wigan took the control of the game and Arsenal didn't defended well. Clichy, Silvestre, and most notably Lukasz Fabianski made mistakes, and it's ended with 2-3 defeat.

It's another prone defending who makes Arsenal lost. Almost every loss suffered by Arsenal is caused by bad defending, from losing 1-2 from Man.Utd, 0-3 from Chelsea, then FA Cup exit by Stoke 1-3. Then, the 1-3 and 0-2 defeat from Man.Utd and Chelsea is also caused by some bad defending. Then 1-2 from Porto, 1-4 from Barcelona, 1-2 from Tottenham, and the last is 2-3 from Wigan. Don't forget 1-1 draw against Birmingham. It's all about bad defending. Without disrespect other teams ability, Arsenal would have got better result.

Arsenal undoubtedly need to strenghten their squad, especially the defensive force. The need-to-improve position is Defensive Midfielder, Goalkeeper, and also Center Back. Maybe Arsenal need a central forwarder, but if Marouane Chamakh has agreed a contract with Arsenal, there would probably not buying another central forwarder.

On the defensive Midfielder, Arsenal has a good defensive midfielder in Alex Song. However, there's no backups for Alex Song. Arsene Wenger always believe Denilson to replace Song, and if Song and Denilson is absent, the water-carrier position is given to Craig Eastmond. Denilson is a potentially-good player, but he isn't a defensive midfielder. He is physically not too strong, and he is more like a playmaking central midfield. Craig Eastmond is still too young to play on the highest level. Maybe Anthony Annan (Rosenborg / Ghana); Blaise Matuidi (St. Ettiene / French), who has already expressed his desire to play under Wenger; and Moussa Sissoko (Tolouse / French), is a possible transfer


Then Goalkeeper position, Almunia has been up and down this season, but still much better than second goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski. Vito Mannone is still lack of experience. Fabianski could be offloaded due to error prone. Sergio Asenjo (Atletico / Spain) would be perfect, and could be 1st goalkeeper, replacing Almunia. Sebastian Frey (Fiorentina / French) also reportedly being linked to Arsenal but it's unlikely for Frey to move.

The weakest position is the center back. Thomas Vermaelen is world class, William Gallas is strong, Campbell is dependable, but Mikael Silvestre is the main weakness! He is always been prone error, alongside Fabianski. Well, Silvestre is likely to offloaded in the end of season, while Gallas' contract is runing out and some clubs like AS Roma, and PSG has already declared interest. Campbell would renew his contract, but Arsenal still need another Central Defender, if Gallas leave or not. Mamadou Sakho (PSG / French), Frederico Fazio (Sevilla / Argentina), or Brede Hangeland (Fulham / Norway) would be great transfer for Wenger

Reportedly Wenger has 45 millions pounds to spend this summer, so Wenger should buy something, or Arsenal would probably have another title-less season..

Goodbye!

It's another lost Arsenal suffered and Arsenal have to say goodbye to the EPL title. Mathematically, Arsenal still has chance to dethrone Chelsea from the top as the gap is six points with twelve points available. But logically it's unlikely for Arsenal to go to the top. In addition, Vermaelen is reported got an injury so he's out for 2-3 weeks. With Silvestre and Campbell in the central of the defense, Arsenal would be more penetrable, as they both not so fast, and sometimes careless, especially Silvestre.

1-2 defeat from a city rival, Tottenham Hotspurs is really painful for Arsenal. A defeat from a rival is kind of unacceptable, and that defeat is also - as I said - almost denied Arsenal's title chance. Once again, with domination, but without killer instinct, Arsenal failed to win, and even lost.

But, it's football, even a smallest hope means the race isn't over, and I could only hope for a miracle..

No english team in Champions League semifinal, english football declining moment??

The quarterfinal of Champions league is over, and everyone knows the result. Barcelona overcame arsenal 6-3 in two-legged entertaining matches. Lyon go to the semifinal, despite losing 1-0 to Bordeaux, and thanks to Hugo Lloris' saves, with 3-2 aggregate. Inter comfortably beat CSKA 2-0, with 1-0 win both home and away. and the last, Bayern Muenchen need away goals rule again - they need away goals rule to send Fiorentina out of the competition - go to next round, while having 4-4 aggregate, 2-1 in home, and losing 2-3 away.

For the first time since Champions League 2003-2004, English teams didn't feature in Champions League semifinal.

English clubs representative in the last seven season in Champions League semifinal
2003/2004: Chelsea
2004/2005: Liverpool, Chelsea
2005/2006: Arsenal
2006/2007: Chelsea, Man. Utd, Liverpool
2007/2008: Chelsea, Man. Utd, Liverpool
2008/2009: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man. Utd
2009/2010: -
It was even three seasons of semifinal domination in three season before this, although english teams only win the champions league on 2007/2008.

What actually happens to English teams today? Are they now isn't as strong as before?
There are two possible answer: money and unluckiness.

First probability, MONEY
Well, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said that tax is the main problem in england. What is the corelation between tax and football. Well, football players are paid by the club. And football players are obligated to pay the tax. As the tax is very high in England, they should pay more for the tax, and that means they get fewer money. For example, one player is paid 5 million euros a year, they might pay more than 2 million euros only for tax. In Spain, football players get a fairly low tax rate, about 15%.. And with the same example, 5-million-pounds-wages player only pay only about 750.000 euros. Money maybe the reason why some superstars chose to leave England, as we seen last summer, the departure of Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Arbeloa. Cristiano Ronaldo said that his reason moving to Real Madrid is for a new challenge, but we don't know if he has money as his reason too.

Still about money, English clubs also has a very big debt, more than 3,5 billion pounds. Having a bid debt, they are forced to sell players with high prices, and buy cheaper players. Man.United had sold Cristiano Ronaldo with more than 80 million pounds but only buy Antonio Valencia, Mame Briam Diouf, and Michael Owen. While Liverpool sell Xabi Alonso to get injury-prone Alberto Aquilani, plus selling Alvaro Arbeloa. While Arsenal sold Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, and buy Thomas Vermaelen. Chelsea had different story, since Roman Abramovic funds them, and buying Yuri Zhirkov.

Well, maybe English club need to make some great transfer to strengthen their squad. A star player, not only a youngster. Some english club has already linked with star player. Chelsea is after Wolfsburg striker, Edin Dzeko, and also Bayern winger, Franck Ribery. Man. Utd also linked with Franck Ribery, and also Real Madrid's striker, Karim Benzema. Arsenal is said to have signed Marouane Chamakh in free transfer. Wenger has expressed desire to buy some star players.

Second probability, Unluckiness
Or maybe, the second theory, they're just unlucky. Expect Liverpool, they get strong teams in the last 16 and quarterfinal. Chelsea had to face Jose Mourinho's Internazionale, while they dominating both first and second leg, but however they failed to go through. They also should've got penalty, but the referee didnt' gave it. Man.Utd were also unlucky when Rooney injured in the first leg, and he didn't play well in the second leg. And Arsenal is the most unluckiest team in the drawing this season. They have to face defending champions "Los Fantasticos" Barcelona. First Leg, Arsenal fought bravely and got 2-2 draw result in Emirates. But on the second leg they are beaten by Lionel Messi's magic, and lost 1-4 in Camp Nou.

Whatever the true reason is, it's a slap to England's team to prepare themselves for next season.

3 points from the top... 5 games remaining.. Still Title Hope

Following Arsenal last-gasp victory against Wolverhampton and Man.Utd's defeat from Chelsea in home, Arsenal is just 3 points away from Chelsea, although still lost goal difference. It means Arsenal has to win all of the remaining game, and Chelsea had to slipped in at least two games, while Man.Utd has to slipped in one games. With 5 games remaining, everything is still possible, since all of the title chaser had three beatable opponent and two tough games. Arsenal is going to White Hart Lane, and also meet Man.City in Emirates. Chelsea, has to met Tottenham and Liverpool, both of them away games. And Man.Utd still has fixture against Tottenham (home) and Man. City (away)

Looking at the points, it's Chelsea who have the biggest chance to win the EPL, but looking at the fixture, Arsenal, Man.Utd, and Chelsea still have same chances winning the title.

Two away games with two tough opponent, in away games, might force Chelsea to drop more points. Chelsea is on-form now, especially after beating Man.Utd, but they showed they have one weaknesses, they often played bad against weaker team.

Man. Utd, who last week lead the table, is now on second place, two points away from the recent league leader, and also losing four goal difference. As Rooney injured, Man. Utd would lost 50 % of its power, and would probably dropping to third position, if Arsenal get to the second place

As Arsenal fans, I really hope Arsenal win this season's Premier League. But, as I said before, it's three points away with losing goal difference, with Chelsea had to slipped in two games plus obligation for Arsenal to win all the remaining games, it would be really hard. If only Arsenal had won agaist Birmingham. But since there's still hope, Arsenal have to give all their effort in the remaining of the season!!