++ [ originally posted by mikhail
] ++
Ahhhhhhhhhh! I just typed a big reply to this, and then got logged off. Damn IE wiped the form too.

:doh:
In a nutshell, I think that Arsenal's defending is usually by hook, while their free-kicks and penalties are won by crook. Only a trend, and not an absolute. Pires' reaction to that one incident (pure denial) was inexcusable (as inexcusable in my eyes as Man Utd's reaction to the Ferdinand ban), and Cole is the other candidate I'd single out. Henry isn't too bad, nor are Bergkamp or Ljungberg.
Jeffers is a master of the art.
I think Man United's football (particularly their passing at their best) is of similar calibre to Arsenal's - I prefer their style fo play, but it's a matter of taste. Chelsea's hasn't settled yet (and may never do so!), but I think that they are set up more in the style of Man Utd than Arsenal - so I again tend to prefer their style.