Football infographic

How does £100,000-a-week sound to you? Like a dream? Like you’ve won the lottery? I bet it does. To the likes of Luis Suarez and Theo Walcott, this is a reality and something that happens every single week as part of their job! Lucky so and so’s! This interactive infographic compiled by Clear Debt shows you the amount of money that Premier League clubs are paying their top stars, and just how much debt they’re in – often as a direct consequence.

In recent years the digital world has been filled with infographics, new and innovative marketing tools that put a unique twist on traditional content. After all, why spend so long working on an ingenious newspaper campaign only to read the odd word between your chips and gravy outside the ground on match day? Tablet computers and smartphones have opened up a whole new world for marketing, allowing football fans covering endless motorway miles following their club each week to access the content anytime, anywhere.

Clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are known the world over as being some of Britain’s top clubs, even in Europe in many cases, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re on stable ground in terms of their bank accounts. Sure, they might be owned by millionaires and billionaires, but it’s always interesting to see how buying and paying the top players in the world affects success both on and off the pitch.

Manchester United, for instance, are owned by the Glazer family and last summer went out and spent £24million on Robin van Persie, a signing which significantly influenced their Premier League title winning season. However, the club remain £366million in debt!

As youngsters stood on the terraces, we always dream of being out there, scoring the winning goal and earning thousands of pounds each week. For the majority of us, however, this dream doesn’t become reality and we’re left wondering what could’ve been the next time we hear about Wayne Rooney’s latest pay rise.

With this cool infographic, you can actually compare yourself to the game’s top players to see how your salary compares, how much they earn just while you’re looking at the page (it’ll make you sick trust me) and how often they earn your salary. It’s a great way for all fans to see their club in a whole new way – we know how well they do on the pitch each week, find out how they’re getting on off it and how you compare to your heroes. Then, see how your mates get on by sharing it on Twitter or Facebook.

(http://debt.co.uk/football)

Is Nasri the real deal?

I have a novice footballing culture and concept cultivated from a Brazilian football school mentality and experimented on using mediocre amateur footballers. The team composition of the likes of Arsenal has the latitude and luxury of playing with 10 men, regardless who they play. If they cannot do that they are not good enough and must convert to the Chelsea, Manchester United, Spurs or Liverpool way.

Barcelona are a cool example of the flair you get from playing football to win without trying too hard. The priority is to play the way you want. In that style, there is not a single need for Lionel Messi to perform defensive duties. Arsenal had matches where their own Messi, Samir Nasri cleared the balls off the line. That is abuse if you are in a team blessed with Alex Song, Jack Wilshire and Cesc Fabregas. What can be said to be unfortunate for Arsenal is the injury to a potential discovery of the decade in injured Frimpong. Would the Gunners have exempted a mercurial play maker from defending with him? I wonder.

The 10 men plan basically requires grinding out a result with ten players. The worst you expect is a goalless draw. All it takes is a roving playmaker who penetrates and curves opportunities for one versus one situations with goalkeepers for himself and others. The idea is to have this man receiving the ball at his freshest every time so as to continually execute with deadly venom. The concept frees others as time goes by. If you have always wondered why Barca look like they have Xavi, Iniesta and Messi as extra players on the pitch, that is why.

Is Nasri the real deal? Nay, not at all. He is a one season wonder. Samir Nasri has been a dear to many this season, and has been to some of us, all along. His rise has not been steady or guaranteed, but rather sudden. The potential was always there and it was threatening never to blossom until the summer.

Alex Song has been the one making a telling statement in the last few seasons and he has arrived, save for a few suspensions and injuries. Like has been the case with the flash wonders of injury prone Theo Walcott, Nasri has matured his game tremendously at the beginning of the 2010/2011 season, but will need to keep that tempo going to stay on top.

Nasri has the deception and ability to win matches on his own. The best thing is that he has the nurturing hand of coach Arsene Wenger, who moulds youngsters into great shape. Nasri will become a big name if the whole Gunners side pulls up their socks to win the league. Save for that, Nasri and his captain, Cesc Fabregas, will be pedestrian next season. Fabregas must have his overdue move completed soon, not that he is bad, but no more good for the team.

As of now, the young Frenchman is the toast of the league and on top of the world and that gift needs a reward. I am not convinced Wenger has any new tricks left to outwit Sir Alex of Manchester United, nor Arsenal enough cash to topple Roman Abrahamovic of Chelsea. The Gunners needed Nasri in their failed bids for the Carling and FA Cups, the Champions League and only then, could we say Nasri has arrived. As for his talent, he is a gem of first grade quality.

My concepts may be novice and unartistic, but they are basically football engineering. Being practically applicable in the game, the components must be the right material to withstand offensive onslaughts of the marauding unsuspecting attackers who think they have an extra man. As soon as the advantage bites, they are caught on the wrong side of action and a deadly finish of your Messi, they will be buried. As a caution, please do not try this if you have a small budget.

Manchester United beats Arsenal 1-0 to go top

Manchester United came into the Barclays Premier League home encounter against leaders, Arsenal, with a sole mandate to outnumber them, basically by inviting the full participation of goalkeeper van der Sar. Naturally, the Gunners front runners lost a lot of energy chasing loose ball and ran out of steam when they had solid and sound decisions in passing the final ball.

United midfield bullied the disjointed Arsenal link, winning all second balls and forcing the blunt preparation zone work of the visitors to constantly retreat. It developed to be a one way traffic as Arsene Wenger failed to have any answers to Sir Alex Ferguson's not so clever tactics. Sir Alex ensured all attacks bypassed the zone that is operated by Alex Song, eliminating him off the equation, and drawing Samir Nasri off offensive areas to the centre line.

The long ball always caught the Gunners defence wrong footed, with crosses from both wings troubling the young and inexperienced goalkeeper. Worse still, the lad had a lot of nerve-wrecking moments with numerous back-passes to deal with far too early and very often. Generally, Arsenal played not to lose and that was exactly what they were inviting.

The tirade of United attacks found Nani probing the right channel and delivering a deflected cross that almost shaved Ji Sung Park's forehead skin off before hitting the inside second post and nesting in the net for an opening goal. Arsenal failed to having any telling passes in the final third of the field. They could not get their rhythm at all and surely were outplayed.

Andrei Arshavin and Tomas Rosiscky were quite prominent in the opening stages, eventually running out of steam with time, as Michael Carrick, Rafael, Nani and Park dominated the midfield with amazing ease. As expected, Chamakh suffered a great deal of 'ball malnutrition' until after half time.

The second half saw the Gunners up the stakes early on, increasing their ball possession statistics and creating more obvious chances, but not troubling van der Sar. Arsenal were lucky not to sink further after Rooney fed Anderson who fluffed the golden chance against the run of play in the 54th minute. The match began opening up and Chamakh nearly got an equaliser a minute later, only for Fletcher to clear the ball for a corner. United started to depend on counter attacks as Arsenal pinned them in their own half.

Fabregas and Robin van Persie came in for Rosiscky and Jack Wilshire and almost changed the Gunners' fortunes. Clichy conceded an unfortunate penalty that Rooney ballooned over the bar. Theo Walcott had to replace Arshavin with 12 minutes of play remaining while Ryan Giggs came in for Anderson in the 84th minute. Rooney nearly made up for the missed penalty but found the keeper alert, but it really didn't matter.

Are Manchester United back to winning ways for good, or it was a fluke?

It was a genuine coaching mistake by Wenger and I understand why

Arsene Wenger and myself do not always agree in matters of tactics and teams selections, and even worse, substitutions. In recent weeks, he has erred and still came off tops. There are matches in which the ineffective Andrei Arshavin was supposed to be replaced by Nicklus Bendtner and he brought in Tomas Rosiscky, and others in which he had to bring Bendetner for Chamakh when the Moroccan needed Walcott for a partner.

During the 2010 World Cup in which we were both observers, I outscored him 3 : 1 in all issues from day one till the final. This is a combination of him trying to be modest to protect his high profile status and reputation and your truly being free to say my mind without any risk of consequence. In that case, he should be more analytical to shoot his status down by wrong assumptions and anticipation.

About the line-up that faced Shakhtar in Ukraine, I was 100% with Wenger in both the tactics and team selection, but as it turned out we were both so wrong in our different differences. This match must tell one something that is so easy to overlook. Shakhtar are a physically strong side in terms of conditioning but tactically, they are very much inferior. That was both our true observations of the team.

Given that, superior planning and the quality Arsenal have, any player selected for that match would not struggle. Wenger forgot the technical ability of the Brazilians in the Ukrainian side. It all boiled down to tacticians versus technicians. It that aspect, it would result in a draw match for the Gunners, which would be a welcome result in any case. I would still tip the English team to grind a result nonetheless.

What I did not factor in was the home crowd. It is exactly the only difference that mattered at the end of 90 minutes. The feel good factor just put wings on Shakhtar who were effective in dispossessing the nervous Arsenal and then launching counter attack after counter attack. It was enough to steal the points Wenger and I banked on. Arsenal live to fight another day.

As for Real Madrid, Ike Casillas had a nightmare of an outing as he gifted AC Milan with golden goals in a silver platter. Mourinho will be disappointed but the relief of the final minute goal can only be summed up by his run in celebrating the goal.

Chelsea will always give you that clear separation of boys from men with an all round intimidatory effort in both the Premiership and Champions League. With Drogba coming back, it looked a little easy for the Blues. Frank Lampard and John Terry were not missed much as the team showed steel and class to put away 4 even though they let in a silly goal.

Manchester United Draw 2-2 With Fulham.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Manchester United played Fulham at the Craven Cottage, but after they collected maximum points last week against Newcastle who they beat 3-0. Dimitri Barbetov, Hernandez and Valencia played a crucial role in supporting the main actor role of Manchester United's 'Mr Dependable', Paul Scholes.

Scholes latched onto a lay-off after a corner-kick, to score a trade-mark long-range shot that the goalkeeper should have dealt with 11 minutes into the match. They were matched man for match by a purposeful and patient Fulham. An equaliser came from a Davies first time shot from close range in the second half after a flowing move from the right.

United were made to continuously labour in vain by a systematic Mark Hughes coaches side, without any solution in sight to rescue the match. Bobby Zamora played with the maturity of a master, holding the ball well and waiting for support which was lean.

With 6 minutes left, a well taken Nani corner was deflected home by defender Hangeland. A few minutes later, Damien Duff, who was instrumental in the Fulham's first equaliser, was unlucky to have the ball strike his hand and a penalty was given. Nani stepped up to take the spot kick. The goalkeeper Stockdale dived low to his right to parry the effort out. 

Hangeland had the final say when he majestically rose high to head powerfully past Van de Saar from a corner, with only a minute of regulation time left. Fulham had a penalty shout turned down by the referee and will feel poetic justice was done on both the Nani penalty miss and the penalty shout they had against Vidic just a minute before the goal. A frustrating day in the office for Sir Alex Ferguson as Man U drops 2 valuable points.

Newcastle came from the 0-3 drubbing by Manchester United last week to score 6 past sorry Aston Villa. It was always going to be bad for a team without a manager, but Villa did not help themselves when John Carew missed an early penalty, blasting it over the bar. Newcastle got more confident as by contrast, Villa heads dropped.

Newcastle were riding a confidence crest wave, Andy Carrol scoring a 3rd hat-trick of the new season after Didier Drogba and Theo Walcott, and Kevin Nolan had a double. This was a 4th 6-0 scoreline of this fertile season. Chelsea beat West Brom and Wigan and Arsenal against Blackpool.

Villa were 3-0 victors last week but never really looked like they were in it after the penalty miss. Ashley Young showed some determination in flashes but there is really need for a motivational head in the dressing room.

Do these reports supply enough information for your consumption or you would like more? If so, what detail do you expect?

Manchester United Draw 2-2 With Fulham.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Manchester United played Fulham at the Craven Cottage, but after they collected maximum points last week against Newcastle who they beat 3-0. Dimitri Barbetov, Hernandez and Valencia played a crucial role in supporting the main actor role of Manchester United's 'Mr Dependable', Paul Scholes.

Scholes latched onto a lay-off after a corner-kick, to score a trade-mark long-range shot that the goalkeeper should have dealt with 11 minutes into the match. They were matched man for match by a purposeful and patient Fulham. An equaliser came from a Davies first time shot from close range in the second half after a flowing move from the right.

United were made to continuously labour in vain by a systematic Mark Hughes coaches side, without any solution in sight to rescue the match. Bobby Zamora played with the maturity of a master, holding the ball well and waiting for support which was lean.

With 6 minutes left, a well taken Nani corner was deflected home by defender Hangeland. A few minutes later, Damien Duff, who was instrumental in the Fulham's first equaliser, was unlucky to have the ball strike his hand and a penalty was given. Nani stepped up to take the spot kick. The goalkeeper Stockdale dived low to his right to parry the effort out. 

Hangeland had the final say when he majestically rose high to head powerfully past Van de Saar from a corner, with only a minute of regulation time left. Fulham had a penalty shout turned down by the referee and will feel poetic justice was done on both the Nani penalty miss and the penalty shout they had against Vidic just a minute before the goal. A frustrating day in the office for Sir Alex Ferguson as Man U drops 2 valuable points.

Newcastle came from the 0-3 drubbing by Manchester United last week to score 6 past sorry Aston Villa. It was always going to be bad for a team without a manager, but Villa did not help themselves when John Carew missed an early penalty, blasting it over the bar. Newcastle got more confident as by contrast, Villa heads dropped.

Newcastle were riding a confidence crest wave, Andy Carrol scoring a 3rd hat-trick of the new season after Didier Drogba and Theo Walcott, and Kevin Nolan had a double. This was a 4th 6-0 scoreline of this fertile season. Chelsea beat West Brom and Wigan and Arsenal against Blackpool.

Villa were 3-0 victors last week but never really looked like they were in it after the penalty miss. Ashley Young showed some determination in flashes but there is really need for a motivational head in the dressing room.

Do these reports supply enough information for your consumption or you would like more? If so, what detail do you expect?

Manchester United Draw 2-2 With Fulham.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

Manchester United played Fulham at the Craven Cottage, but after they collected maximum points last week against Newcastle who they beat 3-0. Dimitri Barbetov, Hernandez and Valencia played a crucial role in supporting the main actor role of Manchester United's 'Mr Dependable', Paul Scholes.

Scholes latched onto a lay-off after a corner-kick, to score a trade-mark long-range shot that the goalkeeper should have dealt with 11 minutes into the match. They were matched man for match by a purposeful and patient Fulham. An equaliser came from a Davies first time shot from close range in the second half after a flowing move from the right.

United were made to continuously labour in vain by a systematic Mark Hughes coaches side, without any solution in sight to rescue the match. Bobby Zamora played with the maturity of a master, holding the ball well and waiting for support which was lean.

With 6 minutes left, a well taken Nani corner was deflected home by defender Hangeland. A few minutes later, Damien Duff, who was instrumental in the Fulham's first equaliser, was unlucky to have the ball strike his hand and a penalty was given. Nani stepped up to take the spot kick. The goalkeeper Stockdale dived low to his right to parry the effort out. 

Hangeland had the final say when he majestically rose high to head powerfully past Van de Saar from a corner, with only a minute of regulation time left. Fulham had a penalty shout turned down by the referee and will feel poetic justice was done on both the Nani penalty miss and the penalty shout they had against Vidic just a minute before the goal. A frustrating day in the office for Sir Alex Ferguson as Man U drops 2 valuable points.

Newcastle came from the 0-3 drubbing by Manchester United last week to score 6 past sorry Aston Villa. It was always going to be bad for a team without a manager, but Villa did not help themselves when John Carew missed an early penalty, blasting it over the bar. Newcastle got more confident as by contrast, Villa heads dropped.

Newcastle were riding a confidence crest wave, Andy Carrol scoring a 3rd hat-trick of the new season after Didier Drogba and Theo Walcott, and Kevin Nolan had a double. This was a 4th 6-0 scoreline of this fertile season. Chelsea beat West Brom and Wigan and Arsenal against Blackpool.

Villa were 3-0 victors last week but never really looked like they were in it after the penalty miss. Ashley Young showed some determination in flashes but there is really need for a motivational head in the dressing room.

Do these reports supply enough information for your consumption or you would like more? If so, what detail do you expect?

Arsenal Blast Pathetic Blackpool.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

The Arsenal artillery could be seen launching attack after attack as Gunners played sleek one touch passing. Blackpool goalkeeper worked a little over-time making telling saves. Andre Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosiscky and Chamakh took turns to miss glaring opportunities or see their efforts saved. Walcott's double and Arshavin's penalty were enough for the first half.

The Arsenal defence were a pathetic lot, failing to thwart weak and occasional Blackpool build-ups. Blackpool, who were reduced to 10 men when a defender denied a goal-scoring opportunity to Chamakh, have a salary cap of GBP 10000,00 per week and it was not hard to see why. Blackpool conceded the 4th after Abu Diaby finished a well calculated cross. Walcott sliced through their defence and slotted a cool pass to the net.

Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas came in for Arshavin and Diaby hoping to add to the 5 goals already scored. Walcott was later replaced by Carlo Vela. The changes slowed down the match and Blackpool regrouped to decelerate Arsenal attacks.

Chamakh finally broke his duck scoring with a head after Carlos Vela earned a corner kick from a fine run.  The match picks up pace and for a moment, Blackpool seemed out-numbered. They nearly got their goal towards the end. Arsenal wasted a dozen chances themselves.

Is this a statement for Arsenal to say they have a shout of where the title will go, or that they are in it to win it?

Arsenal Blast Pathetic Blackpool.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

The Arsenal artillery could be seen launching attack after attack as Gunners played sleek one touch passing. Blackpool goalkeeper worked a little over-time making telling saves. Andre Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosiscky and Chamakh took turns to miss glaring opportunities or see their efforts saved. Walcott's double and Arshavin's penalty were enough for the first half.

The Arsenal defence were a pathetic lot, failing to thwart weak and occasional Blackpool build-ups. Blackpool, who were reduced to 10 men when a defender denied a goal-scoring opportunity to Chamakh, have a salary cap of GBP 10000,00 per week and it was not hard to see why. Blackpool conceded the 4th after Abu Diaby finished a well calculated cross. Walcott sliced through their defence and slotted a cool pass to the net.

Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas came in for Arshavin and Diaby hoping to add to the 5 goals already scored. Walcott was later replaced by Carlo Vela. The changes slowed down the match and Blackpool regrouped to decelerate Arsenal attacks.

Chamakh finally broke his duck scoring with a head after Carlos Vela earned a corner kick from a fine run.  The match picks up pace and for a moment, Blackpool seemed out-numbered. They nearly got their goal towards the end. Arsenal wasted a dozen chances themselves.

Is this a statement for Arsenal to say they have a shout of where the title will go, or that they are in it to win it?

Arsenal Blast Pathetic Blackpool.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]

The Arsenal artillery could be seen launching attack after attack as Gunners played sleek one touch passing. Blackpool goalkeeper worked a little over-time making telling saves. Andre Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosiscky and Chamakh took turns to miss glaring opportunities or see their efforts saved. Walcott's double and Arshavin's penalty were enough for the first half.

The Arsenal defence were a pathetic lot, failing to thwart weak and occasional Blackpool build-ups. Blackpool, who were reduced to 10 men when a defender denied a goal-scoring opportunity to Chamakh, have a salary cap of GBP 10000,00 per week and it was not hard to see why. Blackpool conceded the 4th after Abu Diaby finished a well calculated cross. Walcott sliced through their defence and slotted a cool pass to the net.

Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas came in for Arshavin and Diaby hoping to add to the 5 goals already scored. Walcott was later replaced by Carlo Vela. The changes slowed down the match and Blackpool regrouped to decelerate Arsenal attacks.

Chamakh finally broke his duck scoring with a head after Carlos Vela earned a corner kick from a fine run.  The match picks up pace and for a moment, Blackpool seemed out-numbered. They nearly got their goal towards the end. Arsenal wasted a dozen chances themselves.

Is this a statement for Arsenal to say they have a shout of where the title will go, or that they are in it to win it?