Manchester Mauling

David Moyes' Manchester Derby debut didn't go quite to plan, as his United side were made to look like amateurs by their noisy neighbors on Super Sunday. The other highlight was the home debut of record signing at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil. As he grabbed 3 more assists to make it 4 in 2 as his gooners got the victory which was a lot harder than it sounds against a changed Stoke City.

At the Emirates, Ozil took the gunners home turf for the first time in the Barclays Premier League clash with a rejuvenated Stoke City, no longer rugby's answer for football! Theo Walcott was a late pull out for Arsenal giving another german his debut, with Serge Gnabry making his first Premier League appearance. Arsenal started with confidence and swiftly Ozil lit up the Emirates stage and pretty much teed up the man of the moment Aaron Ramsey for his 8th goal in 9 games. Ozil's free kick was poorly saved by Begovic as Ramsey swept in the rebound under the keeper for 1-0. However, as Arsenal often do they took their foot off the gas and Stoke dominated possession !! (Shocking at Arsenal, seeing as the opposition is Stoke) They duly got their equaliser through Geoff Cameroon, after Marko Arnautovic rattled the post, a cooly taken rebound was slotted in by the American to level it at 1-1. Gnabry was looking very nervous on the BPL stage, not making passes longer than 5 yards, not trying to run at men and only starting to make attacking runs with purpose. Then another set piece masterstroke from Ozil got his german partner Per Mertersacker his first goal of the season, the two recently combined for Germany to score, they proved a troublesome twosome from set pieces through the game.

The second half was arguably again mostly Arsenal counter attacks with Stoke keeping good possession but with no real penetration as Arsenal seemed comfortable dealing with attacks in the second half. But it's worrying how Arsenal have been slack with possession in recent games and against better opposition would be punished. But the game was sealed as Bacary Sagna looped a header in from yet another Mesut Ozil set piece as Begovic's horror day continued, with the final score 3-1 to Arsenal.

This was followed by a hotly anticipated Manchester Deby, as Moyes and Pellegrini entered their first duels for local pride in the tenors, it was a day to forget for Moyes' men. For 35 minutes it was just an onslaught from Manchester City as they deservedly got their lead with an instinctive volley from Sergio Aguero. Kolarov did brilliantly and fed it beautifully for Aguero who's finish from top class. United looked to be getting settled till a corner in stoppage time really changed the game into City's favour further, a Negredo flick was kneed home by human tank Yaya Toure to make it 2-0 at half time. But if half time was meant to wake up United up they were swiftly KO'd by a scintillating 15 minute spell for City, as Aguero and Nasri finished off crosses from Kolarov and then a superb counter lead by captain Vincent Kompany to make the scoreline 4-0, humiliation two season's after City's 6-1 destruction at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney brilliantly bent in a sumptuous free kick to make the score 4-1 at full time, humiliation  demolition and a humbling for David Moyes.

Best Of The Rest

Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: In this South London derby, Mourinho unconvincingly got back on track as goals from Oscar and a first in over 250 games for John Obi Mikel got a vital 3 points for Chelsea.
West Brom 3-0 Sunderland: In what turned out to be the end of Paulo Di Canio's dictatorship in the North East, a masterclass lead by old boy Stephane Sessegnon, sold by Paulo put a sorry Sunderland to the sword as Ridgewell and Amalfitano killed Di Canio's reign.
Liverpool 0-1 Southampton: Unbeaten leaders Liverpool were stunned at Anfield as Dejan Lovren beat Osvaldo to a first Saints' goal ending Rodgers' unbeaten start with a dominating display.
West Ham 2-3 Everton: A thriller at Upton Park was won by a cameo super sub role from Romelu Lukaku and two world class free kicks from Leighton Baines to retain an unbeaten start for Martinez's toffee's.
Cardiff 0-1 Spurs: A superhero display from David Marshall didn't get it's justice as a late Paulinho tap in, done in Brazillian style, got the late win for Villas Boas taking them joint top with Arsenal.
Newcastle 2-3 Hull City: A solo display from Sone Aluko outdoing a great debut for Loic Remy to stun St James', a Remy double out done with strikes from Brady, El Mohammady and a wonder volley from Aluko to make Steve Bruce dance for joy (literally) 

Outstanding Ozil takes Gunners top!

The main talking point of this weekend's BPL matches was the debut of the £42.4m signing, Mesut Ozil for Arsenal against Sunderland. He didn't disappoint with an assist in the first ten minutes of the match for Olivier Giroud to grab his 4th in 4, he's started incredibly this season. Aaron Ramsey saved Arsenal with a second half brace to lift Arsenal to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

I saw the highlights and Ozil looked like a £42.4m signing, every touch, pass and movement was different class to any player on the pitch, should've had more assists if Walcott had any kind of composure. Even being ill he dominated the first half with some bits of pure class, the touch and take for the assist and the lay off to Giroud was perfect. As an Arsenal fan I am so excited to go watch him play and with a couple more additions at the back in January, we could be challenging for trophies come the April part of this season and when Ozil links up with Cazorla, Podolski and Wilshere as a trio, this could a very exciting season for Arsenal.

The form of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud have stood out for me this season. Ramsey is playing in the form of his life, in 6 games he's got 5 goals, 4 man of the matches and has looked a completely different player from a guy who couldn't string two passes together last season. I believe as Wilshere had his breakthrough season in 2010/11, this could be the big season for Aaron Ramsey, he's always had talent but the injury suffered at Stoke really hindered his career. Now he's back and I think he's going to play a major role in Arsenal winning anything this season. As will Olivier Giroud, I don't know how many times I've said, this'll be the season he breaks through, and after getting 4 in 4 games in the league, including the winning goal against Spurs. His runs, finishing and hold up play has been first class so far, I can't believe how good he's become, last season his finishing was appalling, he had a great pre-season and he's clearly settled into the Premier League culture. One moment in the Sunderland game, he comes short for the ball and with the outside of his left he flicks it over two defenders for Walcott who's through, he misses. But the fact he's trying this is stunning, I'm as excited for Giroud as Ozil, he's taken a lot of stick but this season he will be the 3rd main factor in Arsenal's season.

Review of the Rest

• Jose Mourinho crashed to earth as Everton stunned them with a 1-0 victory to get Martinez off and running. A game dominated by Chelsea but without a clinical finisher, the loan out of Lukaku I think is the worst move made this summer.
• Manchester United got past Crystal Palace thanks to a controversial penalty by Van Persie, in which the foul seemed outisde the box, although the red card decision seemed fair. Wayne Rooney curled in a sumptuous free kick, if he's back on full cylinders then he may lead United to another successful season.
• A frustrated Manchester City dropped players and points at Stoke with a 0-0, a game they probably were lucky not to lose, but they need a good UCL campaign to really confirm themselves as European heavyweights.
• Spurs got back on track with a Sigurdarsson double, Newcastle got a massive win at Villa and Hull & Cardiff, Saints & West Ham and Fulham & WBA drew

The UCL returns next week, Arsenal take on Marseille in France. I'm very nervous about this encounter as with the group we have it's vital we get a win against the weak link in the group. It looks like Santi Cazorla will be out for a few weeks, Vermaelan, Podolski and Arteta are back in training but I wouldn't rush them back, I'd try an unchanged side against Marseille hopefully if Giroud can shake off his knock from the weekend, but if we can field an unchanged line up we should get the 3 points we need, as the Dortmund and Napoli encounters will close-nit games. 

#COYG

Sports Special- Unbelievable Underdogs

Underdogs, people who aren't favourites to win the match or contest. Everyone loves a good underdog and this past week has emerged another to the list. Yesterday,  I watched the US Open semi-final bout between Djokovic and Wawrinka and Stan the Man was playing the tennis of his life, he'd beaten reigning champion Andy Murray in straight sets and now had the task of beating the world number 1! It was one hell of a match, a thrilling 5 setter which you couldn't call right to the end, unfortunately Wawrinka the underdog fell short losing 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 2-6, 3-6. So he was unsuccessful but many have triumphed, here are some of the best across recent sport.......

Liverpool 

UEFA Champions League Final 2005, Istanbul, at half time it's AC Milan 3-0 Liverpool and the game looks all but over, Kaka and co. have ripped Liverpool apart, so what on earth did Rafa Benitez say at half time. Liverpool were real underdogs now, just to draw level against what is a world class Milan XI with Shevchenko, Maldini, Pirlo etc. So when Liverpool came out to the second half, they came out fighting! A John Arne Risse cross, a Steven Gerrard header, it seemed like game on again, 3-1! The pivotal moment was bringing on Didi Hamann, it allowed Gerrard to attack and lead Liverpool, it was him that teed up Vladamir Smicer to fire home another for Liverpool, 3-2! Milan were shell shocked only 15mins into the half and it was 3-2, then came the chance, Milan Baros flicked the ball off to Gerrard, he skipped past Gattuso, but a trip..... PENALTY! Up stepped Xabi Alonso, he missed but in goes the rebound, as I watched I leapt off my seat, amazing, 3-3! The rest is left to fait, heroics from Jerzy Dudek and horrible Milan penalties and from the barrel of defeat, Liverpool were kings of Europe!

Andy Murray

This flying Scotsman has gone from a man the people love to hate, to a cult hero across Britain and the real underdog of Tennis, as shown in 2012 US Open and even the famous 2013 Wimbledon finals. In the US Open he cruised through early rounds but then faced tests of character, going set and breaks down against first Feliciano Lopez then Maran Cilic, prevailing through both. Again the underdog mentality got him through, this time Tomas Berdych in a 4 hour thriller which lead to a meeting with Novak Djokovic. I hadn't really taken to Murray yet, but it seemed after his teary interview after Wimbledon defeat that year to Federer, a sympathetic warming came Murray's away along with Olympic Gold! But in New York he became a man, his first grand slam, a 5 set marathon against Mr Djokovic, who he'd beat the next year in a historic Wimbledon final! Both finals were fancied for Djokovic, but Murray has proved he not only believed he was the underdog but he triumphed as the underdog, a sports personality award is heading his way soon!

Christine Ohuruogu 

This woman is never getting the acclaim her performances show, always in major finals, Olympics, World and European Championships and most of all she always delivers! Always looked over at the start as race favourite, she has this incredible finish to her race which see's her stun the world and reach standards beyond expectations. In 2008 it was gold for Christine, at London 2012 it was bronze, but so close to gold, this year it was the World Championships in Moscow. Christine was racing against highly favourited Montsho from Botswana and with the experienced Sanya Richards-Ross. Ohuruogu had a awful start, seemingly out of it going into the last 150m, lying in 6th, but the last 100m is Christine's territory. Back she came, pushing and pushing and pushing, all of a sudden, 50m to go she was 3rd going 2nd. 10m she was neck and neck with Montsho, it went right to the line and Christine had won it my millimeters, both finishing on 49:41 it was won by a lean from Ohuruogu, she'd done it again, from the seemingly impossible, the underdog triumphed and it was British!

Thank you for reading, let me know what the next 'Sports Special' should be, could be a team, player or athlete even a competiton! Cheers

Bye Bye Bale and Ola Ozil

As an Arsenal fan I have probably experienced the best two days in my time as a supporter. Let's start with Sunday, North London Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, Emirates Stadium and I'm lucky enough to witness it there and then.

As soon as I exited Arsenal station, you could taste Derby Day literally, the Hot Dog's were really nice! I entered the Emirates, music booming, 45 minutes till kick-off and soaking up the build up to what was to be one of the most looked forward to, important North London Derbies of recent memory. Spurs had smashed their transfer record 3 times going into the game with signings of Paulinho, Soldado and Lamela. Arsenal, meanwhile, hadn't spent a penny with the two free transfers of Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini, so criticism was a plenty for Arsene Wenger, i'll admit from me. I can safely say, all I asked for was a marquee signing, just one at least and i'll put my trust back in Arsene, we'll see if he has met these demands.

So match time  4pm, atmosphere is buzzing and the red army is out in full force to cheer on the Gunners against their noisy neighbours. Arsenal made 2 changes to the starting side that beat Fenerbache the previous Tuesday, an injury to Lukas Podolski hurt the squad depth of Arsenal further, so Santi Cazorla shifted out to the left wing with Jack Wilshere slotting back into the middle of midfield alongisde Tomas Rosicky and the inform Aaron Ramsey. Laurent Koscielny returned from his suspension after a dismal Emirates Stadium opener for him, he returned alongside captain Per Mertersacker, coming in for Bacary Sagna who reverted to the bench with a cold as Carl Jenkinson made his first North London Derby start. The opponents Spurs had an unchanged back 5 with no goals conceded in all competitions so far this season. Etienne Capoue, making his derby debut was the only change as he came in for Gylfi Sigudarsson, slotting in alongside Moussa Dembele and Paulinho. New men Soldado and Chadli were other derby debutantes  Soldado had scored 4 in 4 for Spurs so far this season, despite 2 of them being spot kicks. Necer Chadli from FC Twente started his 3rd game in a row in the league and looked impressive, strong, powerful and quick, is he the answer too the near departed Gareth Bale?

Away we go! It was a passive start, but dominated by Arsenal, passing the ball beautifully, testing this Spurs back line and looking like a good outfit. They were the first to have a effort at goal, with Santi Cazorla putting Hugo Lloris at full stretch with a near wonderful free kick, thank goodness Walcott has stopped taking them! But, Walcott had his moment, beautifully sent away by Cazorla, he was clean through on goal, only for Hugo Lloris to come out and perform an inch perfect slide tackle to deny Theo surely a chance for the opener. Spurs though were getting into the game and started having long spells of possession with a lot of ventures forward, mainly through corners, although nothing troublesome for Szczesny. Then the moment which made my summer holidays, Arsenal broke away quickly down the left, Ramsey stroked it cross field to Rosicky, who turned and found Walcott in behind down the right, fed the near post cross in where Giroud connected! GOLAZO! Outside of the foot finish, beating Lloris at the near as Giroud converted his 4th goal in 5 Arsenal games, 3 in 3 in the league to make the score, "1-0 TO THE ARSENAL"!

Arsenal were forced to a change as Jack Wilshere was substituted due to illness for the return of Mathieu Flamini to the North London Derby stage, he didn't waste time introducing himself, clattering into a tackle to Paulinho, welcome back Monsieur Flamini. The second half was a lot more wide open, but again Arsenal dominated the chance creation, Giroud put Lloris' reflexes to the test as he was at his very best to deny a deflected effort by the Frenchman. Although Woijiech Szczesny was eqaul to Lloris' heroics, Arsenal failed to clear a Spurs' free kick as sub Jermain Defoe fired goal-bound, deflecting off Laurent Koscielny, meaning Szczesny had to readjust to superbly tip away the effort, with Giroud blocking another goal-bound effort from Roberto Soldado. Etienne Capoue unfortunately was stretchered off, he impressed me that day, good solid display, but a twisted ankle in an encounter with Cazorla ended his derby, enter £30 million man Erik Lamela! But, it was Arsenal who had the last real chance of the game, Giroud who tirelessly worked the whole game skinned Dawson and Rose, laid off Walcott who was once again foiled by Lloris as Naxo Monreal couldn't find the telling first touch for the second goal. Nervous times were ahead as the last 10 minutes was all Spurs, back's against wall time for Arsenal, thankfully due to a outstanding team performance! We moved above Manchester United and Spurs into 4th and with 4 wins in 5, back on track!

Transfer Deadline Day

So the highlights of this amazing day were:

• Liverpool were at the triple, swooping in for Mamadou Sakho, Tiago Illori and loaning Chelsea's Victor Moses.
• Manchester City completed the signing of Martin Demichelis from Athletico Madrid
• Everton were busy on Deadline Day, buying and selling, swooping for Wigan's James McCarthy and loaning in Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry.
• West Brom also bought swiftly signing Stephane Sessegnon for £6m
• Manchester United failed in there attempts for Ander Herrera but settled for Everton's Marouane Fellaini, for the cost of £27.5m, well could of got him for £23.5 a month earlier....
• And, Arsenal mad the most expensive signing, smashing there transfer record, with the acquisition of Mesut Ozil for £42.4m, the second highest transfer in British history