January sales : Can Arsene compete with Sir Alex, Rafa?

January sales : Can Arsene compete with Sir Alex, Rafa?

By Myles Palmer

_______________________________

LIVERPOOL and Man Utd want to sign men.

They are competing for adults, not teenagers.

In November, Liverpool offered £4.8 million for Spartak Moscow's Serbia and Montenegro defender Nemanja Vidic.

He is an aggressive centreback.

United will sign him for £7.2 million to replace Silvestre, who will move to left back till Heinze recovers from his cruciate operation.

Vidic is 24 and Liverpool's new right back Jan Kromkamp is 25.

He is Dutch, from Villareal,born August 17th 1980.

Henry's birthday is August 17th, and so is mine.

MEANWHILE, Gooners see Arsene linked with every 17-year old wonderboy in the western hemisphere, but doubt if he will sign a 26-year old ballwinner who can pass.

Can Arsenal beat Aston Villa and Manchester United?

I don't know.

But if they can't beat Aston Villa, they will not beat United.

That I do know.

Villa have scored seven goals in their last two games, so Saturday could be interesting.

But I expect Arsenal to win by one goal.

So far Arsenal have won 2 away games, Spurs have won 3, Liverpool have won 4, Wigan have won 5, Man United and Chelsea have each won 7.

If you can't win away, you won't be in the Champions League.

THIS HOLIDAY has been kind to Arsenal in terms of travel. Two games in London, one in Birmingham, plus Man United at Highbury on Tuesday night.

Villa is only a short hop up the M1.

What is Colney to Villa Park?

About 80 miles ?

It's not too far for Gooners, who will travel in hope, as always, for the last game of 2005.

December 30th 2005.