Mad Brit Diary

Drat! Arsenal is not only unbeaten, but looking good.

(Saturday, February 7, 2004) -- The Mad Brit doesn't hate Arsenal; hate is too strong a word. He despises the Gunners.

For years, the Highbury club played boring soccer. One-goal wins were the club's staple fare. Now, Arsenal's game is just too pretty, too delicate, too darn good, even too dirty at times (over 50 red cards under boss Arsene Wenger's reign) and they must be stopped at all costs. The big-money boys of Manchester United, Arsenal and now Chelsea, are dominating the English Premier League and it's all too predictable.

Where are the fine clubs of days gone by? It's time for Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham, Leeds United (dream on) and even Aston Villa, to shake off the cobwebs and take on the big boys for the title. These clubs, once feared no one. Now, they are all 30 points or more behind the leaders. This is ridiculous.

It's cruel, but we all delight in seeing the giants brought down. It's called the "penalty of the lead" politics. Still, its good to see Ashley Cole (wonderful overlapping runs on the left) and Sol Campbell, two of the few Englishmen starting on the French-based London club (forgive me, it's only satire), performing well these days.

Do I want Arsenal to win the Champions League? You bet. I'm a Mad Brit after all. But, please, not the EPL. Who can stop the unbeaten league-leader?. Who can stop the Gunners who made Wolverhampton look so plain and bland in the 3-1 defeat on Saturday? Who can stop the brilliant Thierry Henry from notching his 100th EPL goal? Probably only Manchester United, yet again.

United States national-team and Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard was named Europes's best goalkeeper of the month, receiving three out of 10 votes, beating out Ivan Pelizzoli of league-leading Roma in Italy's Serie A, and his two votes.

Howard played an erratic game in United's 3-2 win over Southampton recently, but pulled off an one amazing save that had folks shaking their heads in wonder over the New Jersey kid.

The transfer window is now shut in Europe. In the dying hours before the trading deadline, Premier League club Tottenham signed West Ham ball wizard Jermain Defoe for $11 million with Bobby Zamora going in the opposite direction. Newcastle snatched up forward Michael Bridges from Leeds, while in-form and League Cup final-bound Middlesbrough signed Brazilian star Ricardinho.

Portsmouth, which failed to land American sensation Landon Donovan, signed Newcastle's Lomana Tresor LuaLua on a loan. American striker Jovan Kirovski, whose contract was cancelled by Birmingham, has joined the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, back in his home state of California.

Dutch star Edgar Davids scored his first goal since joining FC Barcelona last month in a 5-0 victory over Albacete. Meanwhile, Brazilian star Ronaldo scored twice Sunday to help Real Madrid beat Valladolid 3-2 and regain first place from Valencia in the Spanish league.

The Times of London is reporting that FIFA will reintroduce the World Club Championship and it will likely be hosted by the U.S. in July 2005 with between 12 and 16 teams expected to participate.

It's good to see two Americans scoring in their debuts for their new clubs last weekend. Brian McBride got the game winner in Fulham's 2-1 decision over Kasey Keller's Tottenham in the English Premier League, while Clint Mathis notched a goal in Hannover 96's 3-2 win over Hamburg in the German Bundesliga.

The Women's United Soccer Association, the American women's pro league that closed up shop last summer, is showing signs of new life. The league will put on soccer festivals around the country this June in hopes of relaunching the eight-team league next year.

While venues and dates are not yet set, the WUSA will stage up to three doubleheaders in June featuring four teams each. In the meantime, the U.S. women beat Sweden 3-0, tied China 0-0 and beat Canada 2-0 to win the Four Nations Tournament in China.

Former Austria midfielder Andreas Herzog, who played in two World Cups, has signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy, becoming the first Austrian to play in Major Legaue Soccer.

The San Jose Earthquakes have signed new contracts with midfielders Ronnie Ekelund and Brian Mullan, and World Cup star Jeff Agoos.

A.K. Neilson says: "With reference to your Mad Brit diary, 30th January: Frank de Boer is the captain of the Netherlands and Ronald de Boer signed from the mighty Barcelona, not Feyenoord! Scottish football is in desperate need of a boost and we don't need your dear selves enhancing Scottish football's, and in particular Rangers' reputation as being the graveyard for those footballing greats that are now past their 'sell by date!' " Thats what Qatar is for -- as you point out!"

Victor Wang asks: "I am a goalkeeper that must wear glasses. I have been trying to find out who makes Edgar Davids' goggles. Did you ever find out? (Extreme Eyewear of Miami, Fla., USA.)

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.