Missing element for Sunderland is silverware
Nov 21 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
Arsenal are ravaged by injuries as they head to Sunderland but Phil Bardsley tells Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards why they will still be a formidable foe
Phil Bardsley has left the Manchester United school, but he will always be a former pupil and as much as he praises Arsenal’s young side, he can not look beyond the lack of silverware as a true barometer of success. “Everyone knows what sort of team they are,” said Bardsley, who is anticipating a frantic afternoon at the Stadium of Light.
“They are tremendous. No matter what team Arsene Wenger puts out, they are always an exciting team. They have closed the gap a bit, but they still have many young lads.
“Manchester United and Chelsea have pros in there that have been there and done it. Year after year they keep competing for the title.
“Arsenal, maybe next year, or the year after they could be right in there, but I think this year they have young lads who are still bedding in. I can’t look past Chelsea and United.”
They have been saying something similar at the Emirates Stadium for the last four seasons, although Wenger is convinced his youngsters have matured enough to win a prize this year.
Whether, as Bardsley suggests, they are strong enough yet to take the Premier League crown remains to be seen, although the full-back admitted there is still not a more daunting opponents to face as a defender. “I played against Arsenal on loan at Aston Villa and it was tough,” he said about an Arsenal side which will be without both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner today. “Against the top boys your head is like a windscreen wiper because of the movement their players have got. It is mentally draining more than physically.
“Arsenal are a tremendous outfit and the way Arsene Wenger brings young players through is exceptional. We have to be on our game because no matter what type of team he puts out they are always capable of winning.
“He will put out a team which he thinks will get three points off us. As we have seen in the Carling Cup, he has brought young players in against Premier League opposition and they have turned them over comfortably. The young players who he brings in will do the job if they are called upon.”
