Arsenal-Chelsea: a Songful preview

Some say it would be a clash between brute strength and silky football when the London giants meet. In what should be one of the biggest matches in Europe this weekend, Arsenal would have to win to have any good chance at the title.

So far, Arsene Wenger has done an appreciable job of serving his exotic cuisine of attractive passing attacking football. Perhaps one player who has suprised many with the speed of his development is Alex Song Billong.

Many pro-Arsenal blogs like Arseblog, Arsenalist, Arsenalmania and Goonernet have, in recent weeks, portrayed the young Cameroonian as quite indispensable to any silverware ambitions the club may have this season. For me, that is not far-fetched at all.

I was standing behind the goalposts when Ghana lost to Cameroon in the semi of the Ghana 2008 Afcon. Alex Song was mammoth in that game as he'd been throughout the competition. Never mind his size as compared to Ghana's Junior Agogo, Michael Essien or even the bullish Sulley Muntari, the lad played like he had been doing that all his life.

Suprisingly, that Afcon was his first major international tournament. In the end he was so good he was named in the competition's Best XI.

Against Chelsea, I expect Arsene to play him especially after his Man of the Match performances against Sunderland and Standard Liege. The middle of the field was his, that much was clear. And maybe he can even get that rare goal - now that'd be special.

At 22 years and at this rate, the little man from Douala may yet be one of the best central/defensive midfielders in Europe in a season or two.

Ancelloti is likely to employ a rugged midfield - like he usually does - and apart from Song, I'm not seeing who the Arse would employ to match the strength of the blues. Gallas left the last game with eyes like a pufferfish and if he would play, Song may get some respite. Otherwise it's gonna be a tiring day for the man who was loaned to Arsenal on a £1 million from Bastia.

Personally, I'd like an Arsenal win and here's why: in an ideal world Wenger's vaunted scouting and youth development policy must be seen to be beating over Abramovich's ridiculous 'buy-and-win' way of ruling Chelsea since he arrived in 2002-3. Sadly, our planet is anything but ideal.

That said, I cant wait for the game, can you? Especially to see how Eboue fares, too.

Till later.

Wanted: Essien and Adebayor in Milan!

Brazilian Leonardo has only been the new coach of Milan for a day, but the Brazilian has already highlighted some of the stars he wants.

With Chelsea taking Carlo Ancelotti, it is rumoured that he will take some of his favourite Rossoneri players with him to London. And Leonardo has asked that any potential deal see Michael Essien moving in the opposite direction, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

The 26-year-old missed the first half of the season through injury, but was extremely influential upon his return, especially during Chelsea's Champions League run to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Leonardo is reportedly also interested in acquiring Arsenal hitman Emmanuel Adebayor, who has frequently been linked with the Rossoneri over the past couple of years. The Togolese striker scored 15 goals in all competitions for the Gunners this season and is viewed as the idea man to add some strength to the Milan attack.

The Serie A giants came in third place in Serie A this season and were knocked out in the early stages of the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia, thus enduring a trophyless campaign.

PS: I'm also hearing that Milan could swap with Andrea Pirlo.
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Ancelloti was a red. Ancelloti is a blue. His first English interview

We've seen a lot of coaches come through Chelsea in these few years. And they have had varying degrees of success.

And they have all worked with the Africans in the team in different capacities. Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Big Phil Scolari and until last Saturday, Guus Hiddink.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004, Jose Mourinho went in September 2007 and Grant also followed in May 2008. Scolari was kicked out in February.

Now another man has come to manage the team that has Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's John Mikel Obi. Carlo Ancelloti left his job at Milan after their win against Fiorentina and is now in England.

This is his first English interview.



The team also includes Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba. Good luck to him.
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