Paul Parker Article

Paul Parker

Arsenal primed to attack United

Fri Aug 28 11:24PM

Match of the weekend: Manchester United v Arsenal

This is obviously the stand-out fixture of the weekend. There have been plenty of classic matches between the two sides, and this could be an encounter to savour.

United have been typically slow to get out of the blocks. The season has just kicked off and they have lacked their usual energy, pace and creativity. They will hope the last 40 minutes against Wigan, when they tore them apart, have helped them slip into top gear.

Arsenal are off to a flier, but the absence of Cesc Fabregas is a real blow for them. They have made a great start, but as ever there are questions about their durability.

However, if they stay true to their philosophy and have areal go at United they could get a result.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a problem in midfield, where he might need to play all three of Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Park Ji-Sung to combat Arsenal's energy and endeavour, but that would leave United short of options out wide. It should be fascinating.

Upset of the weekend: Portsmouth v Manchester City

It really would be a surprise if Portsmouth pulled this off - they look as bad as any Premier League side I have seen for a long time, while City have made a solid start and have not yet conceded a goal.

So why do I think there might be a shock? Mark Hughes has filled his side with players who love the big stage, but I am not sure they will be so comfortable at Fratton Park, which is one of the few remaining grounds where the crowd make a big difference.

The first goal will be crucial - if City get it, I can't see them surrendering their lead. But if Portsmouth go in front, they might just upset their millionaire visitors' equilibrium enough to sneak a result.

Player to watch: Jozy Altidore, Hull City

Phil Brown's approach to transfers might seem scattergun at times, but he seems to have found a real gem, signed on loan from Villarreal.

He set up a goal 30 seconds into his debut and scored against Southend on Tuesday; he is a real handful, and looks like a typical American player in that he has outstanding work rate and determination.

Of course he still has plenty to prove and he can start against Wolves. The lack of a consistent front man was a big reason behind their collapse last season - if Altidore keeps firing things could be easier this time around.

Under pressure: Gary Megson and Rafa Benitez

There will be plenty of bitten nails and hoarse voices when Bolton play Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium.

Megson's Bolton were booed off last week against Hull, and must avoid defeat to get the fans off their backs and register their first point of the season.

Two defeats in the first three have left Liverpool bereft of confidence and more importantly points.

They have really missed the midfield linking play of Xabi Alonso and do not look a happy side, constantly arguing with officials when things go against them.

With leaders Chelsea expected to win at home to Burnley, even a draw would leave Liverpool eight points off the top on Saturday night. Not an insurmountable lead at this early stage, of course, but hardly the start Benitez would have wanted. 

- - -

Premier League team news: Fabregas missing

  1. 1st? well i never!

    ppg_1969From ppg_1969 on Fri Aug 28 11:34PM

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  2. Premier Talk Sh*it League

    1) Benny The Ball ( by default )
    2) Arsene Wenger ( new entry, man, what a lot of sh*it )
    3) Mark Hughes ( Lescott )
    4) Barry Fry ( he just does )
    5) Sepp Blater ( can't help himself )
    6) Jimmy Armfield ( commentary )
    7) Rafaforpope ( well you all know (c: )
    8) Martin O’Neill ( ummm and ahhhh )
    9) darren m ( Man City delusions )
    10)Ronaldo ( stay or go, no top ten complete without him )
    11) Stan Collymore ( commentary )
    12) Florentino Pérez ( let's see how they get on )

    ronaldo_in_ten_years_timeFrom ronaldo_in_ten_years_time on Fri Aug 28 11:38PM

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  3. PP keeps on improving. Keep it up I say!

    marcus7aurelioFrom marcus7aurelio on Fri Aug 28 11:39PM

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  4. Premier Talk Sh*it League

    1) Benny The Ball ( by default )
    2) Arsene Wenger ( new entry, man, what a lot of sh*it )
    3) Mark Hughes ( Lescott )
    4) Barry Fry ( he just does )
    5) Sepp Blater ( can't help himself )
    6) Jimmy Armfield ( commentary )
    7) Rafaforpope ( well you all know (c: )
    8) Martin O’Neill ( ummm and ahhhh )
    9) darren m ( Man City delusions )
    10)Ronaldo ( stay or go, no top ten complete without him )

    ronaldo_in_ten_years_timeFrom ronaldo_in_ten_years_time on Fri Aug 28 11:40PM

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  5. Little Late Parker! cAN'T BELIEVE i AM 2ND!

    redangelsfcFrom redangelsfc on Fri Aug 28 11:43PM

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  6. second

    qevoinFrom qevoin on Fri Aug 28 11:48PM

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  7. ....United will tear them apart tomorrow...4.1 the whinger has already started whining..and that is a lttle earlier this season...but always a sign stress ..glory glory Man united!

    stuartxlandFrom stuartxland on Fri Aug 28 11:54PM

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  8. ....United will tear them apart tomorrow...4.1 the whinger has already started whining..and that is a lttle earlier this season...but always a sign stress ..glory glory Man united!

    stuartxlandFrom stuartxland on Fri Aug 28 11:54PM

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  9. what an annoying article...does he not know how to use the spacebar?!?!?!?!

    von_zipper123From von_zipper123 on Fri Aug 28 11:56PM

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  10. is there really people out there wanting to be first to comment on this, fkn racing each other,

    rayronanFrom rayronan on Sat Aug 29 12:09AM

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  11. If Arsenal had more English players, I'd respect them. Man Utd !!

    zombierunnerFrom zombierunner on Sat Aug 29 12:10AM

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  12. greetings to all man u fans, most of which are not from anywhere near manchester you glory hunting idiots.

    your going down 2later today afc going for revenge over last season. no show pony aka ronaldo just got to watch the token scot fletcher.

    morbin_22From morbin_22 on Sat Aug 29 12:15AM

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  13. FIRST!!! HAHAHAHAHAH !!!!!!!

    bretorneFrom bretorne on Sat Aug 29 12:21AM

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  14. first!!!

    djmh68From djmh68 on Sat Aug 29 12:31AM

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  15. i am first!!

    djmh68From djmh68 on Sat Aug 29 12:32AM

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  16. WAT ALOADA BALLACKS MISTAR PERKAR.

    donneymcclainFrom donneymcclain on Sat Aug 29 12:34AM

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  17. Arsenal 6 Manu 1

    victorshesnikovFrom victorshesnikov on Sat Aug 29 12:41AM

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  18. Good article Paul

    tolu_wanileFrom tolu_wanile on Sat Aug 29 12:47AM

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  19. paul we'll going to thrash this goons

    honeybadger_17From honeybadger_17 on Sat Aug 29 01:32AM

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  20. im in stiches that man utd fans have the nerve to talk about arsenal being cheaters when we had to endure ronaldo's diving for 3/4 bloody seasons! ridiculous. grow spine u north western c***s, pleaseeeee. arsenal to win 2-0 :) (hopefully)

    james.nelson13From james.nelson13 on Sat Aug 29 01:37AM

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  21. why are u so anti City PP, all you munich tw ats are running scared......players on the big stage is @#$%, all the big signing Hughes has made this summer are Prem veterans and are used to playing in places like Fratton Park - this is the difference between what Chelski did - write an article about that you pathetic c. u next tuesday.....

    pageynickFrom pageynick on Sat Aug 29 02:25AM

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  22. Arsh*le are s*it..that dont win anything...go UNITED...!

    roblaw6125From roblaw6125 on Sat Aug 29 02:38AM

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  23. morbin, not bad comments, well i should say not bad comments for a 9 yr old school yard chav ya dxxk,
    as for glory hunters the majority incuding me have supported them since the 70`s, thru thick and thin, the hiighs the lows, as for the knoxxxb page wtf has munich got to do with anything, is it funny to bring someones dead relative into it, someones dad, someones son, seems like another one living in the past to me, as for veterans, well maybe they are but a team needs to know each other, most england players are veterans, what have they done upto now!!!!

    mike1968ukFrom mike1968uk on Sat Aug 29 02:39AM

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  24. Stating the obvious paul,lol. Joke

    mccloudtony26From mccloudtony26 on Sat Aug 29 02:41AM

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  25. Parker you donkey. Why dont you just say "we" when you are talking about them.

    2-0 Arsenal.

    willjh_2003From willjh_2003 on Sat Aug 29 02:41AM

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  26. Eduardo is a DIVING CHEAT & a DISGRACED!!!...he will get both his leg­ BROKEN by the Serbian Serial Killer Nemanja Vidic this­ Sat for good!!!...& IT'LL HAPPEN!!!!...LOL!!!!...

    chrls79From chrls79 on Sat Aug 29 02:43AM

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  27. This guy Paul Parker always states man city`s matches as the upset of the weekend. It just gets boring.I know he does not like them but he MUST be OBJECTIVE. His comments are just ridiculous and make me laugh.That is why I still read them.What he said about man utd vs arsenal is kind of objective but its also freaking obvious.

    filip_vas19From filip_vas19 on Sat Aug 29 02:46AM

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  28. Well done UEFA!!!..rightly deserved!!!...Eduardo is a DIVING CHEAT & a DISGRACED!!!...he will get both his leg­ BROKEN by the Serbian Serial Killer Nemanja Vidic this­ Sat for good!!!...& IT'LL HAPPEN!!!!...LOL!!!!...

    chrls79From chrls79 on Sat Aug 29 02:50AM

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  29. NO MONEY - NO CLASS - NO JOBS - THIEVING PIKEY SCUM = MANCHESTER

    ashley.dave50From ashley.dave50 on Sat Aug 29 03:04AM

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  30. HERE WE GO AGAIN about united

    shaunscrossFrom shaunscross on Sat Aug 29 04:43AM

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