Source: The Age (29 August 2011)

“I will chase down Sir Bobby Charlton's
United goals record.
- Wayne Rooney -

That is the aim Wayne Rooney proclaimed after notching up his 6th career hattrick in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal. Gradually, Rooney is beginning to hone the art of set piece situations where his 150th and 151st goal for Man United both came from freekicks. Never has there been as great a freekick taker in the United team since Ronaldo and Beckham.

Far from simply scoring, Rooney was in the midst of every United attack OR defence too as he sometimes tracked back to defend. It seems that the contract saga that plagued his 2010-2011 season is now behind Rooney as he sets his sights on further glory with Man United. This No.10 is certainly proving to be the white Pele and on the case of his performance recently, one can hardly argue otherwise.

Moving away from Rooney, my sympathies also go out to Arsene Wenger because never before in his reign at Arsenal, has his team suffered such a drubbing (especially at the hands of one of its closest rivals). Even though Ferguson was sympathetic of Wenger's situation, his team showed professionalism and did not hold back in dishing out this thrashing on Arsenal. Ferguson's team epitomized all the things that Wenger hoped to build: youth and free-flowing attacking football. Apparently, Ferguson's babes have now taken the initiative from Wenger's babies and seem to be miles ahead in terms of their developmental process.

With rumours circulating that Wenger is set to strengthen his squad, I believe that such a move is more than timely. If Wenger can get 2 or 3 more quality players especially in defence and midfield before the transfer window closes, they will certainly go a long way to improving their season's prospects. Perhaps it may well prevent another drubbing at the return fixture in the Emirates sometime in the future?

While people are calling for Wenger's sacking, I still believe that Wenger is the man to take Arsenal forward. It may be painful to see his Arsenal team play like a youth team but his tactical nous and man management skills are hard to find in any other manager now. The key is keeping faith in Wenger. Having said that, strengthening the squad is a MUST otherwise Arsenal's season may just get from bad to worse...