Ron Dennis Returns - What Next For McLaren?

This 'hostile takeover' by McLaren's former Team Principle came out of the blue. Insiders will say that it was inevitable but if you look at it from a Formula One neutral's perspective, it's an unwanted surprise.

I have no doubt that McLaren will get back to winning ways, but this coup by Ron Dennis won't assist that happening. He was dominant throughout the previous three decades in F1 and, after a few years running the consumer side of McLaren, he's back.

I really like Martin Whitmarsh, he's very straight when he answers questions. You never get the impression he's hiding something and he always talks about his drivers and the other teams with the utmost respect. Ron Dennis, on the other hand, is a nasty piece of work who was at the very centre of the Spygate scandal that cost McLaren their first Constructor's Championship in nearly a decade.

Dennis doesn't agree with Whitmarsh's way of running the team but I feel he's brought in a few changes that have certainly benefited the team. The central 'island' in between the two drivers' garages for example, this brought the teammates and their respective engineers closer together in the way they shared technical information.

This all having been said, McLaren haven't won a Constructor's Championship in over a decade and a Driver's title since 2008. They've just had their worst season in F1 and they've brought in a rookie driver to replace Perez. Can Ron Dennis bring the team back to its former glory? 

Whatever he does this year, whatever happens, will have been built from Martin Whitmarsh's foundations. The recruitment of Eric Bouillier shows Whitmarsh is on the way out. This season will be very interesting indeed. 

Tactically Sound, Resilient and Top Of The Table - Why Are Pundits Still Writing Arsenal Off?

With an injury list that, for most of the season, included players that would walk into most Premier League sides, you could have forgiven Arsene Wenger if Arsenal were doing their usual and fighting for the fourth Champions League spot. However, they are top of the table and have been up there for a few months now, chased by the hungry pack of Manchester City and Chelsea. They have an unenviable record of clean sheets and a startling attack bolstered by the late arrival of Mesut Ozil to the party.

So why is it that the majority of pundits are as quick to praise Arsenal as they are to write off the club's chance of winning the Premier League? Well, I believe that there are a few arguments that can hold sway but I'm sure that I can provide good enough retorts.

1. Goals. This seems like the number one argument all pundits, writers and bloggers go to in their argument against Arsenal winning the Premier League. They don't score enough goals. However, it's not just about the number of goals scored but also about the number of goals conceded. Arsenal have kept 9 clean sheets so far this season, the most in the PL, and only let in 19 goals, the fewest. Also, with 41 goals so far this campaign, Arsenal place in third for the number of goals scored behind Manchester City and Liverpool. So of the pack nipping at the heels of Arsenal, City have scored more goals and Chelsea have conceded the same number as Arsenal. However, neither have done both. Of the 19 goals Arsenal have conceded, 10 of them come from just two teams, City and Aston Villa. Incredible.

2. Character. When Manchester City play a home game they have a tendency to brush aside their opponents. They dominate their home pitch. There are a lot of people saying that City are showing the character to win the title. Except that what is, undoubtedly, a fierce tiger at the Etihad somehow transforms into the most adorable kitten at any other stadium. Once City leave their fortress, they are a completely different team. One incapable of getting a serious result. True, they are known to kill the game off if the opposition aren't performing but that is only at home. Arsenal may not kill off the game, but they sure have the character to see it out and grab the three points, either home or away. Look at Aston Villa. For many an Arsenal fan, the bogey team for this season after the opening day defeat at home. They scored with 25 minutes left on the clock and the familiar groan of 'Here we go again.' went through the fanbase. Except that this time, Arsenal showed the character and the determination to take the three points back to the Emirates.

3. History. Remember, in February a few seasons ago, when Arsenal topped the table, into the final of the League Cup, next round of the FA cup and were riding high after their 2-1 home win against Barcelona in the Champions League? I do. Then Birmingham went and won in the League Cup final and Arsenal's season imploded. Down the pecking order in the Premier League, run ragged by Fabio and Rafael da Silva against Manchester United in the FA cup and dumped out of the Champions League by a combination of Barca and the referee. This happened and there's no getting away from it. People are saying that whenever Arsenal are in a good position, they are their own worst enemies. However, I also remember the exact opposite happening in both of the last few seasons. What was it that Tottenham supporters were saying? Mind the gap? I bet they regret that now. History doesn't mean anything for this current Arsenal team, they are focused on this season, not on what has happened previously and rightly so.

This Arsenal team can go the distance and they are genuine title contenders. I'm not saying that they are definitely going to with either the PL title or any other trophy, all I'm saying is that you would have to be incredibly foolish to write them off and say that they won't win. Robbie Savage, I'm looking at you.