November would see Arsenal and frustrate in the league and dazzle in the Carling Cup while Tottenham did pretty much the same, knocking out Liverpool in the process.

Outside England we saw Bayern Munich announcing plans for an academy in India, Maradona being appointed as Argentina’s manager, Axel Witsel being pegged as the latest hot talent targeted by Europe’s top clubs and Football Manager 2009 was released worldwide.

With Chelsea and Liverpool pulling away at the top of the table, the spotlight was on Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa in their race to secure a Champions League spot / catch up with the league leaders. Manchester United would lose to Arsenal and despite having a more experienced squad than the Gunners, looked no closer than the London club in reducing the lead, while Aston Villa’s aim for a Champions League spot hinged more on the other two’s inability to string a few wins together.At the other end of the table, Tottenham’s resurgence under Redknapp hit a roadblock as Tottenham’s underlying problems, not fixed since the time of Martin Jol, came to the fore again.

Also See:

Footballitis – it happens to the best of us

The 20 most loyal footballers in Europe

2008 MLS Season Review

Reasons To Hate Football Players

Football Club Lists

Middles East looks to influence Premier League

Torpedo Moscow – a farewell to arms

Leeds United – from Milan to Yeovil

Back to Soccerlens’ 2008 Review.