“Boring, boring Arsenal”, on the other hand, have added that touch of romance by putting brakes on runaway United in 1998, 2002 and 2004. All this accomplished by “Arsene Who?” and his discoveries (Vieira, Henry, Pires et al), and by creating a stylish team on the cheap (how much did he pay for Fabregas or Toure?)

George Graham’s Arsenal also put an end to Liverpool’s domination in 1989 and 1991. Also thanks to the likes of Blackburn (1995), Leeds (1992) and Everton (1985 & 1987) for making England’s top flight interesting.

The same thought had been discussed in Holland, where one could argue that the level of competition is even more limited. But recently, clubs like AZ Alkmaar, Roda and Heerenveen have proved that small but well managed clubs could still challenge the big boys.

And this season in English Premiership, an interesting phenomenon is in progress, after more than a quarter of the season gone, clubs like Wigan (granted that they have an easy opening schedule), Bolton and Charlton are all closer to the summit than MU or Arsenal.

It’s too early to conclude that the table has being turned on the big boys. But it well may be that the best players have been bought by Chelsea and the big boys have to settle on 2nd-tier players such as Helb, Flamini, Park, Foster etc. These players are not better than most of the obscure little known players that are being employed by Bolton/Charlton. And the level of competition, without considering Chelsea, is the fiercest since the inception of the EPL.

If the big bosses at OT and Highbury (or soon AG) continue to ignore the signs that their highly paid mercenaries are no longer head and shoulder above the rest, they will continue to suffer “upsets” at WBA/Boro/Blackburn etc.