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24 Декември 2007 11:41
And the improvement has not gone unnoticed by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger who has heaped praise on the Bulargian - and even compared him to an Arsenal legend.
"Berbatov is a bit like Thierry," Wenger said. "He doesn't turn up where you want him to be. Left, right, centre, he goes everywhere. He has the same temperament as Thierry, too. He shows his emotions. He was outstanding today
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imitar Berbatov was last night shoved back into the transfer spotlight courtesy of lavish praise from Arsene Wenger.
The issue of Berbatov's future is set to become the saga of the January transfer window despite Tottenham's denials that he will move on. And after the Bulgarian hit-man scored in Tottenham's defeat by Arsenal on Saturday, Wenger compared the Manchester United target to Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
"Berbatov is a bit like Thierry," Wenger said. "He doesn't turn up where you want him to be. Left, right, centre, he goes everywhere. He has the same temperament as Thierry, too. He shows his emotions. He was outstanding today."
Time and again on Saturday Berbatov threw his arms into the air in disgust at wayward passes or missed chances and generally looked as if he didn't want to be on the same pitch as his teammates.
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But Berbatov's demeanour is never sunny and it is his way to fret at the periphery of a game before exploding into it with moments of inspiration, as he did on Saturday when he scored the equaliser and then won the penalty wasted by Robbie Keane
For all the transfer speculation about the Bulgarian, it seems more likely that £ 16.5m misfit Darren Bent will leave the club in January but only if Spurs are ready to suffer a financial loss on him.
Bent looked even more disinterested in the game than Berbatov as he sat behind the bench wearing a pair of earphones.
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If only it was so simple. If only Berbatov's services were guaranteed for the duration of his contract. Those same fans don't need telling that it doesn't work that way. With the January transfer window approaching, will the player be content to sit tight at White Hart Lane knowing Manchester United, for one, are said to be keen.
Dimitar Berbatov and William Gallas
Heading for a fall: Berbatov in action at the Emirates
Just like Bolton's Nicolas Anelka, another tempting target for the big boys, Berbatov remains eligible for the Champions League having only competed in the Uefa Cup this season.
It makes him a rarity for circling suitors: a thoroughbred striker who could add an extra push in the knockout stages.
So it doesn't really matter what Damien Comolli, Tottenham's director of football, says about the forward's situation, insisting that no sum in the world could prize him away from the club. A disenchanted player makes a poor one. Worse still, an uninterested individual upsets the dressing room. In other words, if Berbatov really wants away there isn't much anyone can do, not even Juande Ramos his ambitious new manager.
And on the subject of being disenchanted, no one does that quite as convincingly as Berbatov, the figure in white seen testing Arsenal to the limit at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
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When feeling so inclined the man in the Alice band can make a right exhibition of himself - all resigned shrugs and quizzical looks, as if he shouldn't really be there, as if he had temporarily stepped down from a higher plane.
In truth, an element of that occasionally surfaced at Arsenal. Once or twice Berbatov shot withering glances at well-meaning team-mates who hadn't followed the script devised in the mind of their ingenious colleague.
Not often though. For the most part, Berbatov showed all his best bits, proving once again what wonderful talent he harbours; why so many admirers stay in the fan club. During the first half, for instance, when space and time was tighter than Scrooge in a mood, Berbatov somehow managed, effortlessly and elegantly, to slip into areas that caused the home side concern.
It is amazing to see how he does it, despite the frantic pace of the game. He keeps his body relaxed, his feet as soft as snow, so that the ball remains under his spell.
I don't think I have ever seen someone so laid back on the field of play who produces, at the same time, so many mercurial touches, such improbable feats.
His equalising goal was a perfect example. Robbie Keane's back-heel might have been clever but the narrow angle and the close proximity of two defenders seemed to rule out anything too promising. Yet, in a flash, Berbatov let fly with a stabbing toe poke. Yes, the ball may have taken a helpful deflection off Kolo Toure to render Manuel Almunia redundant in the home goal, but, nevertheless, Berbatov's sharp conversion was a marvellous piece of opportunism, just as his quick feet shortly afterwards deceived Toure to present Keane with a penalty kick he surprisingly spurned.
Having witnessed this performance, Arsene Wenger couldn't hide his admiration.
"Frankly, he was outstanding," opined the Arsenal manager, having compared Berbatov's movement to that of Thierry Henry.
An intriguing comparison that - Henry stayed in the same place for a full eight years before moving on. It was easier for him. Arsenal were successful, picking up silverware. Their north London rivals are in a wholly different place just now. It naturally follows that keeping Berbatov happy ranks as a stiff task.
Sooner or later, footballers as good as this seek their rightful stage.
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http://forum.segabg.com/img/smokin.gif>(снимка: натиснете тук)
/!!! После - пак там и накичен в синьо да ми е по-топло!!! 
едно хиксче и.......второ мЕсто /засега/ 
THANK YOU, GUNNERS!!! 
Гадно ама какво да се прави. Тоя масчерано е много добър халф дано да го купим. 
