The BBC is reporting that a 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged rape at a Manchester hotel early Tuesday morning.

No comment from the club on the incident which would lead a cynic to believe that a member of the United staff is involved. We will see.

Craigy_f – 1) The professionalization of referees – your thoughts? 2) Mathematically it’s still wide open but psychologically the title chase seems to have become a two horse race – the bookmakers certainly think so. Wenger may not think so but he’s just playing head games. Neither Manchester nor Arsenal is likely to do what Newcastle did. Your thoughts – not on the results or matches – but the psychological effect of the results on Sunday.
3) Goals, results or refereeing decisions that stand out (good or bad) for you this weekend.
4) The Tunisian side substituted its goalkeeper in the 90th minute then lost the penalty shootout 4-2 – your thoughts on this odd move which went awry.
5) The ‘root and branch’ review promised by the FA seems to have been put on the back burner with the search for and arrival of Capello. Will it be resurrected or conveniently shelved.

Bobby – 1. Something that has to continue and grow. There is no going back to the previous system.

2. United slight boost; Liverpool depressing result; Chelsea just slightly negative with some positives; Arsenal probably happy and a bit relieved that they have finally beaten Chelsea and put some doubt in their minds.

3. I thought Milan were just about at their best – apart from the first goal that they conceded. Liverpool and Manchester United game was a massive disappointment. Hargreaves and Ferdinand are getting praised for their performances – it’s difficult to play badly if you are one of four central defenders. My sense is that Ferguson is giving Europe one more go and he thinks the system that he used against Liverpool is the answer. I also have a feeling that this may turn out to be his last season at United – just a hunch.

4. It has happened before – although I cannot quote the games – and it is something that sounds good in theory but comes with a lot of negatives. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me – sounds like something an inexperienced coach would do.  

5. If Capello gets off to a good start then the review will not see the light of day.

Neophyte - Did you see the Barcelona/Valencia match? Eto'o was incredible. Does he get the start this weekend over Henry? As much as I respect the Frenchman's game I just don't think Eto'o should be sitting behind anyone when he is healthy. Your thoughts?

Bobby – I saw the goals but not the game. I don’t think it is a case of playing one or the other and I don’t think Barcelona is looking at either them as a back up to the other.

Atayaagun - I don't see any article mentioning the way Fabio Capello has managed Beckham at Real Madrid. It proved that Capello has badly ignored a very talented played that he had in his squad. It was thanks to Beckham's great form that Real Madrid managed to clinch the La Liga title. Business wise, Capello's treatment to Beckham made Real Madrid miss out huge money by the way Beckham left Madrid to LA Galaxy. Are these things minor elements in the selection process of a new manager to England? Especially because Steve McClaren has made the same mistake by initially dropping the same player, David Beckham.

Bobby – Capello was responsible for the team at Real Madrid not the business side of it. I would be very surprised if the issue came up at all in the decision to hire Capello. McClaren made the decision to drop Beckham because he thought it would give him the aura of being the man in charge. It was also because most England supporters at the time wanted Lennon to replace Beckham – something that has been conveniently forgotten.

CIAO - Is there any possibility for Larsson to end up at Arsenal? I think his inclusion in the squad would bolster the line up without taking away from it. It would help Wenger keep his forwards fresh leading into the second half of the season.

Bobby – None whatsoever. Wenger has Adebayor, Van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo as front line strikers with Hleb and Walcott who can play just off the main striker. Wenger’s bigger problem is keeping his players happy – not bringing in more players.

Milan4ever - In the Champions League, why are some away teams allowed to leave their sponsor's name and logo on their jerseys while some are not?

Bobby – Another poster has mentioned advertising laws in some countries affecting alcohol products. There is also another possibility. In cases where team sponsors are in conflict with any of the Champions League sponsors. I don’t know for sure but I would expect that teams would not be allowed to “ambush” UEFA sponsors.

Oldcoach - Sports psychology and England. Do I detect a humorous jab on your part? The "dramedy" that is England's pursuit of international hardware has to be the longest running and most amusing soap opera in world history, fuelled in large part by a delusion and hyper active press corps. Is there even the slightest chance that the media will back off some with a hard man like Capello in charge?

Bobby – No jab. I am surprised that we don’t read more about sports psych and football as I know that it a rapidly growing field in relation to other sports. Capello will have an extended honeymoon period but if there is any sign of blood in the water after a couple of games the sharks will start to feed.

Neophyte - Crazy question. I once heard a rumor that Capello was looked at for a "Technical Director" for the USMNT. Then the rumor was gone as fast as it occurred. Do you think that England hiring a non-Englishman for their National Team will bring more precedent for the same thing happening in the US?

Bobby – Crazy rumour. I very much doubt that Capello applied for such a job or was interested in any way. Your question seems to be predicated on Capello being the first foreign manager of England which he is not. If it was to make a difference we would have seen it after Eriksson was hired – and it didn’t change anything.

Atayaagun - I am always astonished by the number of goals scored on free kicks. Several of these goals are due to a bad wall. For example, small players should never be part of a wall, but you still see them in the world highest level matches. But the worst, is to see a wall open up, leaving the goal keeper powerless when the ball "goes through" the wall. That's how Gerrard easily scored against Arsenal this season. And there are many goals like this one because of such a fundamental mistake. If a player is part of a wall, why move? The wall is expected to stay compact, even if the free kick is taken indirectly. The players should have faith in the keeper, and they should stick to their task. For instance, during yesterday’s match between Arsenal and Chelsea, Shevchenko’s powerful free kick that was directed to the part that the wall was not covering, was brilliantly saved by Almunia.
My question is why such basic things do not seem to be addressed by the best teams in the world, since every aspect of the game is expected to be analyzed and taken care of? I am so puzzled that I believe someone should gather all these goals and put them in a DVD and title it: "The evidence that top football players don't understand some rudiments of the game." Even thought, the free kick takers do understand very well this specific flaw. That's the reason why some free kicks are directed towards the wall, in case it cracks!

Bobby – In theory you have a point – from a practical point of view I am not so sure. You don’t want small players in the wall – then where are you going to put them? Do you really want a small player up against a centre back? A big player on the end of the wall - yes. Banishing all smal players from the wall - the little buggers will just let you down someplace else!  

Your thoughts are based on a direct shot on goal being the only option but that is rarely the case. A shot, a cross, a lay off, a trick are all possibilities.

The dynamics of a free kick are going to change significantly based on the position of free kick, the taker (left foot, right foot, a bender, a rocket), the weather conditions (surface, wind direction) , opposition in the wall or the vicinity, and other factors.

There is also another thing you need to consider. How many goals are averted by the wall breaking and the shot being blocked? It is like saying that goalkeepers should just stand in the middle of the goal and not move on penalty kicks because so many go down the middle. They would save some but would they save more than by diving to one side or the other?

Shevchenko’s shot was saved because he did what Almunia thought – unfortunately not all players cooperate. Ronaldinho in the same circumstance would have put the ball in the keepers top right hand corner with Almunia frozen to the spot.

WeneedmoreFriedel - I'm interested to hear your current thoughts about Shevchenko. How do you see his future at Chelsea, or his playing career for that matter? Is there a possibility he would ever consider going to MLS to end his career?

Bobby – I just can’t see it turning round for Shevchenko at Chelsea. I thought a loan deal might be best for him but with Drogba out I think he will be sticking around. His wife is American so MLS at some point is an option. However, some point is not now.

Neophyte – Ringo, we all know you were a Beatle in the 60's, a Sex Pistol in the 70's. In the 80's were you known as Ranking Ringo...dressed in a pink suit, loafers and shades following your favorite Ska band from pub to pub?
Can you see Bobby with a Flock of Seagulls hair doo? Or was he more of the Rod Stewart type during the 80's? Which was it Bobby?

Bobby – None of the above. By the 80s it was Captain Sensible for me.

Ringo -  Which blogs do you read? How many World Cups and Euros will England win under Capello?
And what was on your football wish list to Father Christmas?

Bobby – I check in at soccer by Ives, du Nord, Steve Goff and  EPL talk from time to time. Others I hit more by accident than design.  

Djnima - 1. With Hleb and Van Persie back in the mix and Eboue now sidelined, do you see Wenger using Van Persie and Adebayor up front w/ Hleb slotted on the right?
2. Did u catch the Arsenal Blackburn match? Eduardo looks deadly. I think he is going to be huge for Arsenal down the road.
3. Do you think Utd will be on top in the New Year? They seem to have an easier schedule than the rest of the big four, but I think Arsenal is looking fierce as well.

Bobby – 1. It is an option that you will likely see but will he use these three in these positions every game with no changes?– no I don’t think so. Walcott and a number of other players come into the equation as well. So does the oposition and state of the game.

2. I did. The way he rolls the ball into the net reminds me of Jimmy Greaves and Romario.

3. The fixtures for the top six from now to and including the first game in the New Year are: Manchester United – Everton (h), Sunderland (a), West Ham (a) and Birmingham (h). Arsenal – Spurs (h), Portsmouth (a), Everton (a), West Ham (h). Chelsea – Blackburn (a), Aston Villa (h), Newcastle (h), Fulham (a). Liverpool – Portsmouth (h), Derby (a), Manchester City (a), Wigan (h). Everton – Manchester United (a), Bolton (h), Arsenal (h), Middlesbrough (a). Manchester City – Aston Villa (a), Blackburn (a), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a).

I went back over the last four seasons and looked at how Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have done over the last four seasons. Not surprisingly they have done pretty well. Each team played four games over the holiday season – 03/04 first with the total in ().

Manchester United – 12, 10, 8 and 10 (40).  Arsenal – 8, 10, 8 and 9 (35). Chelsea – 6, 12, 12 and 6 (36). Liverpool 7, 9, 10 and 9 (35).

I would be surprised if Arsenal is leading the Premiership when the 3rd round of the FA Cup comes around in January.

Atletifan - Can Atleti really break into the top 2 of La Liga?

Bobby – I would echo Atleti’s comments. The one thing I would add is that of the major leagues in Europe Spain over the last decade has been the hardest the pick and the league title has rotated through a few teams with others coming close. Deportivo, Valencia have both won titles while Villarreal and Sevilla have given it a good shot.

Nick Szczepanik on the cardiac screening of players.

The Beckham effect on MLS website visits.

For those of you who followed the FA Cup blog last season you will recognize Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association FC. That was the side that the blog started to follow at the Extra Preliminary Round last season.

A look at the challenge Israel will pose for England in European qualifying.

Duncan Castles considers the battle for the Arsenal boardroom.

James Lawton delves more deeply into David Dein’s ambition.

Stewart Robson with a comparison of Pires and Ljungberg vs. Hleb and Rosicky.

Brian Doogan takes a look at Portsmouth’s impressive new signing John Utaka.

The dream is dead – again! American Samoa will not be one of the thirty-two teams in South Africa in three years time.

In another extract from his autobiography, Sir Bobby Charlton on Denis Law and George Best.

Verbal 97- First, can (or rather will) a team like Portsmouth or Bolton be able to claim 3rd or 4th? Second, can someone from the pack jump into the title race (i.e., is there precedence that someone as many as 16 points down at this stage of the season winning the title)?

Bobby- To answer the second question first, I can't remember anybody coming back from 16 points down, particularly as someone else has pointed out when two teams are involved. In regards to Portsmouth or Bolton or other such teams, the squad depth will have a major impact as well as avoiding injuries.  That is where the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have a significant advantage over the other teams. If you're looking for a team to spring a surprise then maybe you look at last year when Spurs got knocked out of both cups early and were able to concentrate on the league. A third-round exit in the FA Cup, early in the New Year may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for someone.

BlueBlades-Being an Everton Fan it has become very frustrating that we don’t seem to score very many goals. Is this the players fault or the system that the team plays? Do you think James Beattie should be moved on and the younger players given more opportunities? Victor Anachebie looks like he would run through brick wall for the side.

Bobby-I think if you go back to last year's Everton’s scoring rate has increased.  But then again, last year was pretty awful. I think you have to factor in that Arteta and Cahill are both out and they create and score a lot of Everton's goals. Beattie’s scoring rate is down significantly from when he was at Southampton and Moyes must be losing patience with him I would think. However, you have to consider that the relegation battle this year is going be very tight and although Everton are sitting in mid table I don't think they could count themselves out of trouble quite yet. Until Moyes feels safe I can't see him gambling on youngsters from the start.

Gunner 44- Great game it was. Essien is the best midfielder in the EPL at the moment the guy can do everything, even Vieira and R. Kean weren't this good where they? One thing I noticed though is the high pressure that Arsenal put on Sunday. They did the same against Tottenham and it seems to bother teams. Even Chelsea some times lost the ball because of it. So I think Wenger should keep telling his team to do that but when they win the ball they have to finish the opponents off.

Bobby-the difference perhaps is that Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane did it for season after season. The way that Arsenal played against Chelsea (early on) and Spurs was quite reminiscent of the way Milan used to play- placing the opposition under pressure high up the park. As for finishing the opponents off, I am sure Arsenal team are not missing chances on purpose!

Henry 14- Is it worth to put a player of Robben's ability on the bench when Sheva is not performing, because l feel Robben would make it in any of the top four team's first eleven, how do you view that?

Bobby- Robben tends to be quite inconsistent - on his game he could play for just about anybody, but he is not always on his game. It is quite different coming into a game than it is starting one. On Sunday, Robben was able to take advantage of a tiring Arsenal side and the space created between Hleb and Fabregas.

ranndino-The whole episode with Lehmann and Drogba provided me with some comical relief. What penalty, Bobby? They both totally exaggerated the contact and dived. Lehmann's push on Drogba would not have knocked down a 10-year old girl. Same goes for the flop Jens took when Drogba came back at him. It all reminded me of old Charlie Chaplin films really. Except his falling over looked less fake.

One small comment about Sheva. I absolutely agree that patience is required. I think he's been getting better in the last few games. However, it is really difficult for Jose to keep Robben on the bench. He completely turned the match when he came on and is 10 times more effective than Shevchenko at the moment (and I'm a big fan of Sheva). With Robben on the bench Chelsea have no width and look very short of ideas up front. It's mostly limited to individual runs by Drogba and long shots by Lampard. I still think that dumping Duff for Sheva has really hurt Chelsea. With Duff and Robben Chelsea's attack was nearly unstoppable.

Bobby- What penalty?  Then why yellow cards? I think the Duff and Robben combination was much more effective two seasons ago.  I'm not sure the statistics from last year backup your argument about Duff and Robben being nearly unstoppable. Duff only started in 18 Premiership games last season and was substituted in 14 of them.  Robben last season started 21 games and was substituted in 10 of them.  So between the two of them they only managed to complete 15 games.

USA England fan-What was your favorite goal and favorite match of the weekend, and who would you say was MVP (I'm guessing Essien)?

Bobby-There were certainly some crackers on the weekend- Essien, Matthew Taylor, Pedersen to name three.  My favourite has to be Essien though -a clutch goal.  As the MVP- I would probably go for Gilberto Silva, he held Arsenal together particularly in the first half.

Bigmacmtl - I believe there was no penalty given because Drogba was not pushed during open play?  (Drogba and Lehmann incident).

Bobby- From the commentary it certainly sounded as if the ball was in play – there was a foul, the referee booked the players, why wasn't a free kick given where the incident took place which was in the penalty box - why not a penalty?  I would agree that the referee showed good sense, but my point was that by his stupidity Jens Lehmann could have cost his team dearly.

Riocharlie- One thing I’ve noticed during the 1st half of the season, are the number of young Irish lads making strong contributions to their sides. Is there a renaissance of Irish football under way? They have a tough Euro qualifying group, how do you rate their chances?

Bobby- I think you have to keep your eyes on Ireland for  2010 World Cup qualifying. They got off to a bad start in Euro qualifying and I can't see them catching the Czech Republic and Germany.

bigdavedisaster - I have admired the play of Gamst-Pedersen since early last season great balls in especially from corners is there any talk of him moving from Blackburn?

Bobby- There was some talk a year or so about Gamst-Pedersen may be going to Old Trafford.  But I don't think a wide midfield player is really what Alex Ferguson is looking for.

Carljamaica – I am from Jamaica and I make sure I don’t miss the show when you are on. What will Man Utd have to do to get a little credit? I always wonder what team you support. Is it me or does Man Utd seem to not get much love at all. Everyone talks about their squad and it’s like everybody expects them to falter, and how they have had a good home fixture. that team as always done well on the road, from week one everyone has been predicting united will soon come unstuck and now we are in week 17. Do you think united can win the league? I just think people need to give credit where it is due and look beyond Chelsea and their whining players. A couple weeks ago Drogba said he was the best striker, now he is stuck on eight goals and a number of players have caught up with him. Man Utd. has done well and if Fergie get one or two players in January then I honestly believe they can win it. Chelsea is just stupid cause there is no way Robben should be on the bench, they can’t expect to out muscle teams every week, they need some spark that Robben has.

btw which players do you think could be available for Man Utd that would help that team in January? 

Bobby- Interesting Carl, I usually get accused of going light on Manchester United! I think people are cautious about United's chances of winning the league because of the depth of the squad, and in particular, a shortage of quality midfield players -- central midfield players -- and what would happen if Saha or Rooney were injured.Talk of signing Fernando Torres percolates every now and again, and of course, Owen Hargreaves who seems to me to be just  a younger version of Philip Neville.

Djnima - Do you think Jose will stick around if he fails to win the league or the champs league this season?

Bobby-I think Mourinho is just as liable to leave if he wins the league or the champions league this season as he is to leave if he doesn't. Ronaldo has been absolutely outstanding so far this season and has been the player of the season so far IMHO. 

Realmadridcffan - 1. Out of the EPL managers their right now, which manager gives the best post game sound bites or press conference quotes? 2. With the January transfer window coming soon, who do you see so far being mentioned as the biggest name to move to a different club? 3. What do you think of the FIFA World Club Cup? I find it is ok, but 6 teams is too awkward and with the fixture schedule as hectic as it is for the clubs in this competition, is it even feasible to have in reality?

Bobby- I like Stuart Pearce’s honesty, and I'm waiting for Steve Coppell to crack a smile. I'm not sure that there will be many big-name moves during the transfer window- Ribery perhaps? FIFA will not let the Club World Cup die so we may as well get used to it. It will take a couple of years, and a few good games for the fans to embrace it.  Next year will be the last tournament in Japan and taking the competition around the world will help.

Eriktheviking-re: Sheva I'm not sure what is worse for Sheva--Chelsea's system or Lampard either shooting whenever he gets the ball or making all those CF runs in the box. Sheva drops to receive the ball. Lampard fills the CF channel. Sheva is left supporting play.

Bobby- I thought it was interesting that the comments Shevchenko supposedly didn't make seemed quite accurate to me.  When he was at Milan it seemed like the player's knew exactly the areas that they were to operate in, while at Chelsea a number of players seem to want to operate in the same area.