EPL Talking Points- Week 2

I apologize for the belated arrival of this article. Personal commitments, along with a debilitating addiction to the late night Team USA basketball games hijacked my brain for much of this week. But this may prove to be a blessing in disguise. In addition to some observations on last weekend’s games in the Premiership, the past couple of days have seen the development of the two most important talking points outlined here- one on the field, the other in the owner’s suite.

The talking points from Week 2 (plus a few days) of the EPL:

David Dein cashes in his Arsenal stake, accepts position with buyer to accumulate more. This week, Red and White, a company jointly owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and UK fund manager Farhard Moshiri, purchased former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein’s 14.58% stake in the for a reported £75 million (about $150 million). Dein, who left Arsenal in May, has been named chairman of Red and White and charged with the task of accumulating more of the club’s shares. Usmanov said that he’s been an Arsenal fan for eight years and called Arsene Wenger “the best manager in England”. The Russian steel and iron ore tycoon also stated that he sees Arsenal’s business as undervalued, and that the deal is an investment decision, not a political play. Ok… whatever. What part of London is this, again?

Nikolas Anelka extends his contract with Bolton Wanderers through 2011. This has to be the most puzzling four-year decision since the American electorate re-elected George W. Bush. With former manager Sam Alardyce now at Newcastle United, the club’s next best player, El-Hadji Diouf, expressing his desire to exit the club and Bolton looking like a very likely relegation candidate, there seems to be no logical explanation as to why Anelka, who one of the most talented strikers in England, if not all of Europe, would want to stay. He’d better have gotten A LOT of money and an out-clause if the event of relegation.

A very manageable schedule is likely to extend Liverpool’s early-season roll. Despite being robbed of two points at Anfield against Chelsea, the Reds are just two points behind Premiership leaders Manchester City, with a game in hand. Looking ahead at their next four league games (Derby at home, away to Portsmouth, Sunderland at home, away to Wigan), expect the club to reside atop the table by the end of September. With their depth and quality, it is not a stretch to call Liverpool the most impressive side of the young EPL season. A quick side note: Fernando Torres is REALLY good! His pace and skill may even be better than advertised. Unfortunately, he probably only capitalizes on one out of every three chances he gets- just as advertised.

Kasper Schmeichel looks like world football’s next superstar goalkeeper. The 20 year-old son of former Manchester United (and City) star goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, Kasper has looked fantastic in the first four games of 2007-08, conceding just one goal, a point-blank rocket from Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. In the hard luck loss at the Emirates, Scheichel made a variety of saves against the Gunners, from the mundane to the spectacular, not to mention saving a penalty kick from Robin Van Persie in 67th minute. He even took a page out of his father’s book, coming up to join the attack for a late corner- he won the ball and put his header on target, nearly equalizing for City. It is definitely still very early in his career, but Kasper Schmeichel looks like the real deal.

Cesc Fabregas’ goal against City is worth more to Arsenal than just two points. The manner in which Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal’s 20 year-old playmaker (and the object of both Barcelona and Real Madrid’s desire), celebrated his clinching goal against Man City should be very comforting to Arsenal supporters. To see him stand before his fans and kiss the club crest on his shirt was compelling evidence of his commitment to Arsenal. Plus, if it’s ever a huge payday he’s after, nothing beats a Russian billionaire owner!

Chelsea secure two additional points against Portsmouth thanks to Ashley Cole’s brilliant goal-line header. Not a whole to say here. I’m particularly fond of Chelsea or of Ashley Cole, but I will give respect where it is due. Cole’s 87th minute save of Hermann Hreidarsson’s point-blank header was an absolutely brilliant display of awareness and reflexes.