Tragedies Bring Us Closer Together

In the wake of the horrific scenes at White Hart Lane on Saturday, the old phrase that football is more important than life and death became more irrelevant than possibly it ever has been. Fabrice Muamba's shocking collapse due to a cardiac arrest stunned the entire football community, yet while there was great upset and emotion not only on the pitch but throughout the footballing world, it has shown the true togetherness that football does bring in its time of need.

Everywhere you looked there were tributes to the stricken Bolton midfielder, straight away '#Pray4Muamba' began trending on social networking site Twitter, and fans from all over the globe were sending there well wishes. However for me the greatest example of togetherness came at the Santiago Bernabeau on Sunday night. Despite being in a completely different country the Real Madrid stars came out of the tunnel with shirts supporting Muamba and also Barcelona's Eric Abidal, who is awaiting a liver transplant.

Juventus star man Andrea Pirlo even dedicated his team's 5-0 demolishing of Fiorentina to Muamba, a true sign of class and professionalism from one of Europe's star performers. Bolton's horrible scenario is one that reminds us that football is only a game, and in no way shape or form is the life of a young 23 year old family man ever more important than a simple game of football. It's a strange feeling that sometimes the greatest of tragedies can often bring the best out of us, but that's just human nature I guess. Looking back at tragedies like Hillsborough and the death of Hungarian international Miklos Feher we always notice a similar trend, at time of need everyone comes together in football, and let's hope this never changes













Gary Cahill's moving tribute, and the sheer emotion of Tottenham players, shine light on one of modern football's darkest days to date.

Chelsea vs Arsenal, The Battle For Fourth

With Arsenal racking up 6 points against tough opposition, and Chelsea seemingly being plunged into a season-destroying crisis, the battle for that illusive fourth Champions League spot is becoming more heated and tense with every game that passes.

But just who at the end of this topsy-turby season will be entering Europe's elite competition? The sacking of Juan Mata lookalike Andre Villas-Boas, may have plunged Chelsea into almost a season destroying crisis, and with seasoned players Lampard, Drogba and Terry struggling to have any impact these days, it seems a pretty big hill to climb for the boys in blue.

However crossing over to the red side of North London, things for once are starting to look up for Arsenal. With back to back victories over Liverpool and Tottenham, and talisman Robin Van Persie scoring goals for fun, it would seem that after a season of 8-2 thrashings that Arsenal could be in the driving seat to achieve fourth place; not many of us would have said that 6 months ago.

The big worry for Chelsea fans though has to be there lack of goals. For me without the £23.5 million signing of Juan Mata, Chelsea would be struggling for even the Europa League places, as the little Spanish wizard has fitted into a blue shirt like a hand fits into a glove. Apart from that and maybe a handful of fine performances from Daniel Sturridge where is the rest of Chelsea's threat going forward? Fernando Torres? Clearly not.

For me with Arsenal's Dutch goal-scoring machine up front this could secure them that fourth Champions League place, because Chelsea no longer have their tight defence with David Luiz and Gary Cahill not looking up to scratch in any shape or form. Even though Arsenal's defence may at times have more gaps than most, there threat going forward and there ever improving form, could be the deciders on what is going to be one hell of a battle.

The Key Game: Arsenal vs Chelsea 21 April 2012: This game could be the decider, and Chelsea will find it mighty hard to scrape much at the Emirates.

Who would you rather have in the battle for fourth place? Goalscoring could be the key factor.

Disagree with anything, or have your own thoughts? Feel free to comment.