You nearly did it Arsene, you nearly did it. November was hours from ending and Arsenal were on the verge of ending it unbeaten in all competitions. But no, out they crashed. There will be no fairytale EFL Cup Final for the Gooners this season as Arsene has other priorities. Southampton though, they very much fancy a trip to Wembley and they selected a full strength side to see off the home side. No coffee for Theo just yet! Arsene was able to console himself with the thought of flogging Debuchy back to France.
José had to watch from a secret office as United huffed and puffed against the Hammers for the second time in a few days. Zlatan will wish he could play West Ham every game as he actually scores against them. Etc etc. José was probably texting away, presumably keeping tabs on the latest young wonderkid that he is hoping to bring to Old Trafford. Yes, José has the hots for one of Chelsea U23’s midfielders. Not that Spanish kid Cesc, no. He wants to be reunited with John Obi Mikel who, incredibly, is only 29. 29? He must have had a very tough paper round. Either way, with Schweiny bound to be off in January, José needs another slow, cumbersome midfielder to sit on the bench once in a while. Yet when Carrick plays, United win. Surely Mourinho has noticed? Despite the United reject (I know a young English player at United not getting a look in, who’d have thunk it) Ashley Fletcher scoring West Ham want to spank £25m on Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson. Seriously, some clubs have more money than sense.
Liverpool have unearthed their own new Michael Owen/Robbie Fowler/Ian Rush/Steve McManaman hybrid. But, being a fan of King Klopp I will follow his clear instructions to the congregated journo’s after Liverpool beat Leeds. “Just write ‘goalscorer Woodburn and nothing else’” instructed the Liverpool manager after the young striker became Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer. This is just what the footballing world needs, another young striker from Merseyside seeing that the last couple haven’t really fulfilled the expectation of being the “English Pele.” Ben Woodburn does seem to have his head screwed on right though, he is opting to play for Wales ahead of England.
Sunderland owner Ellis Short has finally realised that if his club is managed by David Moyes, it might be time to try and cash in before it is totally worthless. Rather than spend January trying to find a manager to keep them up, yes even despite their mini revival, Short believes he has a better chance of finding someone willing to part with £170m in December. I know people go mad when they are Christmas shopping, but still. £170m for Sunderland? That’s worth more than, well, Sunderland!
Jamie Carragher thinks Gareth Southgate will be a good England manager. Well that’s that then. With that endorsement I am surprised the FA didn’t give Southgate a ten year contract.