Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[pjthefarmer]

I think Arsenal have a very good chance of winning the title this year, even despite the loss of Patrick Vieira. Fabreges is maturing with every game and Flamini is impressing me more and more with every game i see him play in. Yes there are some doubts about their defense but all the other top teams, apart from Chelsea, have the same problem.

The main thing Arsenal have going for them is Thierry Henry. Chelsea just don't have any that can make or score as mant goals as he can' He is a master at the game and one of the world's best in my opinion.

I would say Arsenal could do with 1 more signing before the transfer deadline. Will it happen though? Thats the question!
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[SE13]

Arsenal will take Alexandre Billong Song on loan for the next twelve months, with a view to a possible permanent move next summer. The figure was quoted at fivehundredthousand euros for the first twelve months of the loan deal, and aproximately three and a half million euros transfer fee after this time. Although this is something of a "sale or return" deal, it would appear to make good business sense from an Arsenal prospective.

This would technically make an extra signing, pjthefarmer, and with the news that Cesc Faregas has signed a six year deal today, things are starting to fall into place rather nicely.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[pjthefarmer]

What position does Song play in? And would he be good enough for the Premiership? Alot of recent Premiership signings aren't makin the grade but i am sure that Arsene Wenger knows what he is doing. He has found a few gems in his time, namely signing Freddie Ljungberg for £500,000 (i think). What a signing, and what a bargain, he turned out to be.

Glad to hear that Febregas has been awarded with a new deal. He deserves it. Looks like another top player. I bet Barcelona are kicking themselves for losing him now!
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[Magpie]

[HaRvEy]

[afcpaul]

I got three signatures on my shirt from 3 Arsenal legends, Emmanuel Petit, Lee Dixon and Perry Groves. Before the games loads came out and I came late I shook loads of hands and Pat Jennings said no to me, pissed me off.

Still it was great with my shirt increasing its value.

I though Jenas should have got at least a yellow anyway, he could have seriously injured Gilberto Silva but I think it was unintentional so it was more of a yellow than a red.

The penalty was a penalty after watching match of the day 2 this evening, Graeme Le Saux clearly pointed out N'zogbia pushing Ljungberg, putting off Ljungberg which made him miss the ball completely.

Van Persie was great and I'm pleased we got to give him the right reception, of course it was inevitable Newcastle fans started chanting rapist but shut them soon up


Thierry...soon to Wrights record

[Crazysah]

Arsenal vs Newcastle was played yesaterday and I think Arsenal played very well, and Alexander Hleb impressed on his debut, though he came on as a second half-subsitute.

Henry opened the scoring with a penalty and I think Cesc scored the second goal minutes later.
All in all a good game.

[SE13]

The second goal was scored by Robin Van Persie.

I thought the game was somewhat overshadowed by a dubious red card for Newcastle midfielder, Jermaine Jenas. It was the first real challenge of any note through the game, and although Jenas came in from behind Gilberto, he did appear to take the ball first. The referee deemed the challenge as using excessive force, which under the new ruling, warrents an instant red card. From the position I saw proceedings, it appeared to me that the linesman gave the foul, but was not consulted as to his thoughts. The sending off changed the whole complexion of the game, which up to that point was fairly evenly matched. Newcastle had employed a five man midfield strategy, which appeared to stifle Arsenals free play and one touch passing.

The second half saw Arsenal turn on the style, but the dogged Newcastle defence held firm up until the eighty-first minute, when Freddie Ljungberg was manhandled in the penalty area. Thierry Henry stepped up and slotted the ball to the goalkeepers right hand side. Shay Given did get a hand to the ball, but it was struck hard and true into the corner. 1-0. Newcastle began to pour forward in numbers striving for an equalising goal, but were hit with a typical Arsenal counter-attack, at pace with crisp passing, rounded off with Robin Van Persie beating the goalkeeper on his near post.

Three points in the bag, perhaps somewhat forunately, but hey, they all count.

Onwards to Stamford Bridge next Sunday when the current Premiership champions, Chelsea entertain the Gunners in a 4pm kick off, live on the television.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[HaRvEy]

As Thierry Henry said "Newcastle have been hard done by"

the ref screwed us over and we fought hard, deserved a point. Not the first time we've been cheated against Arsenal and it probably wont be the last

[Magpie]

The game was summed up yesterday with the fans chanting "To the referee 1-0" after the first goal went in. It was no way a straight red for JJ and the replays showed than the ref couldn't even SEE the tackle, as two players were in his way. How can he have made such an important decision as that without at least consulting the linesman? Madness!! I never expected us to win but that incident changed the whole game so we'll never know how it would have turned out.

As far as the rest of the season goes, we really REALLY need some firepower up front. If not, I think I'm going to have to get used to looking at the bottom half of the table from now on
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[afcpaul]

The red has become a yellow now, that was pretty quick.

[Magpie]

That IS quick. Mind you, it probably proves how wrong the decision was in the first place.

... a case in favour of video replays perhaps?
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[HaRvEy]

Bennett should never referee a Newcastle game again. He's sent a letter of apology to Newcastle for his performance. That doesnt change the score though does it

Nov 2000: Didn't dismiss Birmingham City's Ian Bennett after bringing down Alan Shearer as he rounded the 'keeper.

Jan 2001: Sent off two Newcastle players at White Hart Lane as we lost 4-2, Bennett also awarding two dubious Spurs penalties.

Nov 2003: Failed to award a penalty at Molineux as ex-mackem Craddock handled a cross in the box.

Aug 2004: Didn't spot Boro's Hasselbaink handle the ball into the net for a late equaliser at the Riverside.

Dec 2004: Arsenal at St.James' and Ashley Cole admitted he'd handled in his own box, but got away scot-free

Aug 2005: Rivalled foolish colleague Rennie's sending off of Shearer with an unbelievable red card for Jenas. Dubious late penalty given against N'Zogbia.

Why does this official keep being given our London games to officiate (Arsenal, Tottenham, Charlton) when he's from just down the road? Tyneside whistler Mark Clattenberg has never reffed at St. James'.

[SE13]

[Magpie]

Well we've had two shocking decisions by referees (both involving Jermaine Jenas - bizarre!) that could have easily been avoided if replays had been available. It's no good rescinding a red card after a game because the game has already been spolied by the bad decision. I agree that replays would be a good idea.

Besides, most of the time, the ball is dead anyway so I don't see how the "It'll slow the game down" argument works, especially as the guy controlling the video replay can be looking at the incident whilst the players are protesting to the referee on the pitch!!

It works very well in other sports, such as Rugby, and I really can't see why it couldn't be introduced (on a trial basis initially) to football.
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