Fuente: © Arsenal
http://www.arsenal.com/

ARSENAL: 'On his day he is the best in the division'

/noticias.info/ By Adam Clark

With just over two months of the season remaining the race for promotion to the Premiership promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

As it stands there are just seven points separating Championship leaders Derby County from Wolverhampton Wanderers in sixth. And even Cardiff, another three points behind in eighth, will not consider themselves out of contention.

The current bookies' favourites are Steve Bruce's Birmingham. Bolstered by Arsenal youngsters Nicklas Bendtner and Fabrice Muamba the Blues have been there or thereabouts for the majority of the season. They also have a game in hand which would take them above Billy Davies' Derby.

Furthermore, the Rams, who have also benefited from an Arsenal loanee in Arturo Lupoli, go head to head with Birmingham at St Andrews on Friday night. And with all three young Gunners likely to play a vital role in what is being billed as a 'Championship decider' we spoke to Colin Tattum of the Birmingham Mail and Steve Nicholson of the Derby Evening Telegraph.

Read on to find out what impact our players have had with the promotion hopefuls and which sides are likely to come out on top in the race for a Premiership place.


Nicklas Bendtner, Fabrice Muamba
Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
"They’ve had a huge impact. On his day Bendtner is possibly the best player in the Championship and he’s been so important to Birmingham because he can make something happen. Without them it would have been very interesting to see how Birmingham would have coped. I’d say they would have been strong but not as strong.

“Fabrice has been a bit of a slow burner but he’s just what Birmingham needed. He’s the first player since Robbie Savage who’s set the tempo in midfield and dragged the team forward. Whenever Fabrice starts more often than not Birmingham win.

“In many ways Bendtner is an ideal player to fit in with Arsenal’s style of play. He likes to do an Henry and drift wide. But he also drops deep and has a touch of Bergkamp in that sense. If he focuses and works hard I think he’ll easily be able to play at a Premiership level. Steve Bruce said he’s probably the best talent he’s seen at 18 and considering he played with [Ryan] Giggs that’s high praise.

“As for Muamba, if he works at his game and improves his passing he can make it in the Premiership too. At the top level? That remains to be seen. He’s got a great attitude and he’s really endeared himself to everybody here.

“Against Derby it could be very, very tight. If it’s not 0-0 I think Birmingham could nick it by the solitary goal — 1-0 or 2-1. Because Birmingham were a big name to get relegated people expected them to roll through the Championship this season. But the team’s changed a lot, it’s much younger and there are some good sides around. Birmingham don’t give much away though and they can nick games, hence where they are in the league. If they win on Friday I think that will give everybody the belief they can do it."

Arturo Lupoli
Steve Nicholson, Derby Evening Telegraph
“He’s got quick feet and a quick brain but what’s stood out is that he can finish. He’s got this Arsenal quality to his play. As a teenager to be able to train with the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg etc, he’s picked up tips and I’m sure he’s learnt from them.

“[Derby manager] Billy Davies has been impressed too. He knows what’s needed in this division and what Arturo has provided is a spark and a knack of making something happen. At the right times that can pay off.

“His 11 goals alone have to have had an effect. Equally important is that he’s created goals with his twinkling feet. His ability to do that has helped Derby pick up vital points and he’s made a valuable contribution to them being top. There’s no question about that.

“As for Friday I think the pressure is on Birmingham because they’re two points behind albeit with a game in hand. They’ll feel they need to win but a draw would be fantastic for Derby. They [Derby] have won 11 on the road though and another would equal their season’s best, so you wouldn’t want to bet again them. But I’m going to sit on the fence and go for a draw.” notas_de_prensa_archivo