I'm backing 'The Arse' to come from behind in the title race - and that will really hurt

By Matt Lawrence

Published 11:16 15/03/10

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Manchester United dismissed Fulham on Sunday with another wave of Rooney’s magic wand.

United climbed back to the summit of the Premier League having fallen into third place after Saturday’s fixtures.

The title race is revving up.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are almost inseparable in games played, goal difference and points accumulated.

Scanning the remaining eight games for United and Arsenal, and the remaining nine for Chelsea, you’d be hard pushed not to believe that Arsenal have the edge in that respective column.

Two days after April 1, Chelsea travel to Old Trafford. Only a fool (an April fool, perhaps?!) would suggest that a victor in this match wouldn’t ultimately hold the edge in the title race.

A stalemate would suit Arsenal down to the ground, and could see Wenger land the prize that nigh on every pundit thought impossible at the onset of this season.

As impartial as every journalist and pundit should be I have to admit that I’ve always bloody hated Arsenal.

I think it harks back to the infamous moment Michael Thomas sealed the title for 'The Arse’ at Anfield.

I’ve been a staunch Liverpool fan since the age of four or five, and I still vividly remember sitting on a coach to Holland to partake in a youth football tournament listening to the commentary on the radio.

I don’t think I’d have cried so much if someone had told me I’d left my boots behind and wouldn’t be taking part in the Dutch tournament.

Michael Thomas mentally scarred me that night.

Anyway, sod impartiality, Lawrenson still thinks Liverpool will win the league and Dixon couldn’t be as smug on MOTD right now if Cameron Diaz was straddling him whilst he commentated.

And as for Arsene ‘I didn’t see it, guv’ Wenger, I’m sorry but he’s never aided Arsenal’s cause in my eyes.

All the moaning, complaining and the “they’re always picking on my little Jonny", proclamations have been wearing thin.

That was until earlier this season.

Remember it? Think it was 29/08/09.

When Wenger was sent to the stands at Old Trafford: he scaled a couple of steps and stood apoplectic in a semi-Jesus Christ pose. Wenger wasn’t trying to garner redemption, merely trying to work out where he could go.

I didn’t even know Wenger did humour.

But, that was funny. Very, very funny.

A challenge to authority: not just authority, but the ridiculousness of being sent off in the final seconds for a wonderful Gallic strike of a bottle. Not even at anyone, just a minimal act of tempestuous behaviour.

That is why, at this moment in time, I have sacrilegiously thrown my hat in 'The
Arse’s' ring. (No pun intended!!)

United and Chelsea need to let someone else have a go.

An Arsenal title win would be good for English football – and don’t worry I am only too aware of the irony of that statement. The only Englishman in Arsenal’s last starting XI was an aging, interior designer’s ex!!

Still, I think it would be a victory for Wenger’s principles and the magnificent way he has helped manage the club off the field, as well as his miraculous reformation of the club on it.

Vive le Wenger.

And believe me that hurts!!

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