European Footballing Weekend Summary

If Robin van Persie stays fit and plays over 35 games in the premiership, Manchester United will coast to the title. If the Dutchman could carry a lurching Arsenal to 3^rd place on his shoulders alone, surely this Man U team has that extra bit of pedigree. The defence remains United’s big and surprising worry. However they need to wrap RVP in cotton wool and cross all possible fingers and toes every time he goes away on international duty (and they will come thick and fast given that it is world cup qualifying season).

Arsenal were the English team of the week. A composed defence and a sparkling midfield performance ensured that they took thoroughly deserved honours at Anfield.  The things the Gunners need is to keep that defence fit and to get Olivier Giroud to start scoring. Thus far in the season he’s only managed to look a more refined version of Marouanne Chamakh. If the Frenchman doesn’t heat up soon, Wenger will be enforced to play Lucas Podolski up front instead of the left side, where he’s made such a promising start to his Arsenal career.

In other results of note, City gained a mundane win over QPR while Spurs conceded yet another late equalizer to draw Norwich.

In Spain Real Madrid gained their first la Liga victory of the season while Barcelona maintained their home stranglehold over Valencia thanks to a ripper of a goal from Adriano. The real talking points over the week in Spain were the alleged tears of Christiano Ronaldo after their win. Ronaldo later apparently admitted that there is cause for professional dissatisfaction for his at Madrid. Watch this space - I can already sense Man City and Chelsea reaching for their chequebooks.

European Performance of the Week : Bayern Munich , who after conceding midway through the first half produced at 6 goal blitz in 20 minutes either side of half-time – truly scintillating to watch.