Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[SE13]

Tomorrow, August 4th 2005, is to be "members day" at Highbury. This is an occassion where eight thousand lucky people are invited to the ground and watch Arsene Wenger put the entire first team through a training regime on the pitch. The top tiers of both The East and West stands will be used allowing the best view possible of the proceedings below.

This, of course, is the last season in which Arsenal will play at Highbury, their home since 1913, before the exciting move to the new ground just down the road at Ashburton Grove, to be known as "The Emirates Stadium" which is due for completion toward the end of the new season. The ground will hold 60,000 spectators, and demand for season tickets is high, even twelve months in advance.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[afcpaul]

I cannot wait for members day. After watching the players train theres a chance to go to the Highbury farewell exhibition and museum.

Lucky my friend is going too and I am sure it will be a great day out however people on Arsenal TV online will be able to watch it live on www.arsenal.com

I just do not know how to get season tickets for junior gunners at the new stadium which information was posted about this. SE13, do you know how a cannon member which I will be can sign up for the scheme, I would be willing to go on the waiting list for it but I don't know where?

I also have tickets now for the first three home games of the last season of Highbury, I intend to go to every home game for all competitions.


I hope Arsene Wenger will sign 2-4 more players before the transfer window opens, including the probable new keeper Sebastien Viera. Armand Traore should be on his way as should Alexander Song. There are rumours that Michael Ballack has flown to London, for what I do not know but he would be brilliant for Arsenal if he signed.

[SE13]

At this time, I think season ticket applications for the new stadium are available to "Gold" members, and once their needs have been satisfied, the opportunity for members, moving down the scale, will be able to apply, eventually ending at red members (should there be any places left). There is an article here that explains the proceedure for "Gold" members that might help a little.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[afcpaul]

Thanks a lot SE13.

Owen has been talking to 3 or 4 premiership clubs, please let it be Arsenal! I think he would be great here, also we have had a bid refused for a young Turkish star, we should up the bid if he is as good as has been said.

[Magpie]

I'll bet all the Arsenal fans are looking forward to the first game of the season at home against Newcastle. It's always good to get off with a win and I can guarantee that The Gunners will be doing just that! Still, as a Newcastle fan, I think it's always nice to get a hammering out of the way early in the season - then there's more time to claw back points and a massive negative goal difference!!

If anyone fancies posting a prediction then I'd be interested. I'll start the ball rolling at 3-0 to Arsenal.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[afcpaul]

I have my tickets already for that one Mag but I doubt the game will be a thrashing as you expect, I really do see a close 2-1 victory for the gunners.


Members day was great, Reyes nut megged Hleb so bad! Hleb pulled Reyes down after. The games were fun and Flamini has one hell of a shot! The exhibition was quite poor, it was basically 20 or so pictures from the past. I also got free flip flops and a hat.

[SE13]

I managed to catch quite a fair amount of the members day on the clubs website, and it looked to be quite a lot of fun, and there was a fair bit happeneing in the mini-matches. The one thing I couldn't work out was the goalkeeper at the opposite end to Jens Lehmann, as the stream opened only a small screen, and to be honest, the quality was not as good as I was hoping for.

As for the Newcastle game on the opening day of the season, I think back to the start of last season, when we demolished a much fancied Everton team, who eventually qualified for the Champions League, and on the evidence of the pre-season stuff I have seen, I can't see Newcastle United leaving Highbury with much change. I predict a 3-0 or 4-0 win, unless Michael Owen does move to St James Park, when there would be a greater goal threat.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[afcpaul]

I am sure the keeper was Vito Mannone, if not it was Mark Howard.

[SE13]

Thanks, AFCPaul. Whichever of the two that is was playing between the posts most certainly did not look too over committed to the cause, almost as if it were a token gesture to stand there. That said, Jens Lehmann did not exactly over commit himself at the far end either.

Have you a report from the days proceedings?
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

[SE13]

Yesterday, at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Asrenal played Chelsea in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season, The Community Shield.

We dominated the match, and looked sharp, but came away with a 2-1 reverse, which was hugely dissappointing given the possession and chances.

Still, onwards and upwards. There were many positives to take out of the game. We played well as a unit, and looked fit and raring to go for the mountain ahead.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[HaRvEy]

I'm going to go with Arsenal 2 Newcastle 2. Souness was a master tactically against Arsenal at Blackburn. And last season we out played them completely at SJP despite a 1-0 defeat. But in both last seasons games who was the man who's performance won Arsenal the games? Patrick VIEIRA. Now he's gone i think we stand a chance. However, Henry will be a danger man again, but had Bramble been fit i think he could take him out of the game again like last season. Ljungberg's pace up against a half fit Coco, certainly a big test for the new boy. Our central midfield was weak last season with poor players like Butt and Jenas and at times Faye. Parker and Emre seem to have a fantastic understanding of each other. I just hope that Souness plays Dyer on the right wing and not upfront. I feel he's more useful there. Also from past Arsenal Newcastle games Sol Campbell has taken Shearer out of the game, well there's no Campbell now and i think Shearer can give the unexperienced Philipe Senderos a run for his money.

[Magpie]

A few intersting points there HaRvEy - it's always good to hear from a fellow Magpie! I'm kind of bitter and twisted about our chances this season but I agree with you about Emre and Parker. They are two very good signings and I hope they do well and I would also agree that Faye simply isn't good enough. I don't see us scoring two goals though. We have goals in the side, with Shearer, Dyer, Bowyer, etc. but I honestly can't see us getting two past them. I'd love it if I were proved wrong though. LOVE IT!!!!
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[HaRvEy]

I'm a bit peed off at Freddy Shepherd. He clearly is backing Souness with the money, and if things do go wrong what will happen? Souness will get sacked, when had Shepherd given him the money we could have had Boa Morte and a couple of strikers by now. Shepherd's been a poor chairman for the past 3 years, it's dissapointing, he's the one holding us back.

I think Arsenal are weak at the back, no Vieira no Campbell, a keeper who doesnt open his mouth, not much of a unit. It will all depend on who gets off to the better start in my opinion. Of course Arsenal will be clear favourites and rightfully so. I've seen Souey's boys fight hard when against top opposition like Chelsea and Arsenal, and i'm sure he'll have them working hard again.

No one expects a win, a draw would be a fantastic result, but for once in the past year i'm going to try and find a bit of optimism where there is no hope.

[SE13]

Do not be too quick to write off the defensive side of Arsenal just yet!! Jens Lehmann has a point to prove, as the speculation mounts about the possible signing of a Latin American goalkeeper called Sebastian Viera, although that may well have fallen through. The club are being more than a little tight-lipped on this front.

Kolo Toure and Phillipe Senderos looked good at the end of the last season as a growing unit together, and although may have looked a touch rusty in The Community Shield, I think all will be well come kick-off time on Saturday afternoon. Naturally, Ashley Cole and Lauren should play, adding further strength to the rearguard.

Midfield has not been fully finalised as yet, and there will be a fight to take the places up front.

Alan Shearer looks set to miss out for Newcastle, so a chance has come around for Thierry Henry to overtake a milestone set by Alan Shearer for the most goals set by one player for one club in The Premiership.

I personally can't wait for kick off, which will be screened live on the UK pay per view channel.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space