Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 16 December 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Ferdinand dismisses Arsenal hopes
Defending Manchester United Rio Ferdinand has written off Arsenal, the chances of mounting a challenge for the Fa Barclaycard Premiership title this season.

Ferdinand, 30, believes reigning champions United will face three-way battle with Chelsea and Liverpool.

"I presume we, Chelsea and Liverpool began to draw away a little after Christmas," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It is not beyond them (Arsenal), it's just my personal opinion that this will be between us three this season."

Adrift Arsenal are eight points of leaders Liverpool, seven behind Chelsea and two outside United, having lost five and drawn three of their opening 17 games.

The Gunners, who are a point behind Aston Villa drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday, while Liverpool drew at Hull to Anfield, Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge and out to Tottenham.

United are at six points off the top of the third place, but have two games in hand upon their return from the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side of the semi-final against the Gamba Osaka in Yokohama on Thursday to try to reach last Sunday.

United for the next football match is at Stoke on Boxing Day.

"We'll look and see what happens (this weekend)," said Ferdinand.

"Last weekend we were disappointed, especially after our game, but when you look at it, you should consider that we came out better than anyone because we have away and other teams drew at home.

"We can take some comfort, but that he would have been nice to have got the three points we would have been sitting pretty much as we are now.

"It seems that the teams points. Hull go to Anfield and get a draw is a tremendous result for them. Who would have thought that before the season started?

"West Ham get a draw at Chelsea was a surprise too. There were quite a few unusual results this season, but I'm sure it's good for the fans."

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira insists his former club can win trophies this season, but they must find a consistency that has so far escaped them this term.
"It will be difficult, but I do not write off," said the Frenchman. "If we can find a way to carry out, week after week together, they can fight for the title.

"I expected to be a little better than they do. I expected to be closer to first place so it is disappointing so far.

"But there is a long way to go and I'm sure they'll be up there fighting for the title at the end of the season. They are capable of winning trophies this season."
Vieira, 32, believes that the sale of key players last summer has been at the expense Arsenal, but he believes that the replacement of young people should be given more time to prove themselves.

"You must keep your best players," he said. "Last year they lost (Mathieu) Flamini, Gilberto Silva, (Alexander) Hleb and Philippe Senderos, which is too many important players and they were the year before.

"Now you look at the average age of the team and you must be patient. They are young and need time to make Thursday after Thursday.
by bbcnews.