Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

SE13 · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:40 am Post subject:

I really can not see Cesc Fabregas moving from Arsenal in the very near future. And in realistic terms, I doubt that Ronaldo would even contemplate a move across to The Premiership. Cesc already has a very good deal at Arsenal, and a quite long term contract. Any potential sale would be very costly to the purchasing team, and possibly might have to break records in the process. He seems very well settled in London now, and has just passed his driving test, and seems to be enjoying travelling and sightseeing into the bargain.

As for Thierry Henry, I agree he has a better chance of The Champions League away from Highbury, but in our current form, who can say that we will not lift the trophy this very season. There has been talk linking him with a move from Highbury for some time now, but he did recently verbally agree to stop at the club and extend his contract. Thierry would be another very costly player to the purchasers, and although Arsenal would probably welcome such a cash boost, they are not in any real financial danger, and certainly not in enough trouble so as to turn their backs on the supporters by selling their prized assets.
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Magpie · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:33 am Post subject:

How popular must Newcastle United be in a certain part of North London after this weekend's results! Beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 means that Arsenal are now only two points behind them with a game in hand. Cool

Tomorrow sees the Gunners travel to Italy to play the second leg of their Champions League tie with Juventus after a 2-0 win over what I personally thought was a very poor Italian side last week. If Juve don't raise their game in front of their own fans there'll be hell to pay from the stands. I can't see the Ultras liking it one little bit.

One small, tiny, eensy bit of criticism is that Arsenal didn't field a single English (or British) player. I'll probably get a pasting for saying it but it just sticks in the throat sometimes that we rely so heavily on foreign players when WE invented the game in the first place.
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SE13 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject:

Actually, we had no fit English players for that particular leg of the quarter final. And manager Arsene Wenger looks to have opted to stick with the tried and tested "if it is not broken, do not attempt to fix it" approach, thus is likely to start with the same eleven that kicked the match off at Highbury last Tuesday evening. However, young Theo Walcott has a better chance of coming off the bench to make an apperance before the end, so at least the number can be upped to err... one!! Laughing

And if you think that Juventus fielded a somewhat weakened or depleted side for the first leg of this tie, wait until you see the selection headache the coach has ahead of the all important second leg. Patrick Vieira got himself booked in the Highbury leg, and misses out, Allesandro Del Piero has failed a fitness test, and there is the snall matter of Juventus only finishing the first leg with nine men, which means a further two suspensions.

On the down side, The Italian Police have told Arsenal fans to expect to be stoned and bottled, but not to retaliate.... What sort of a mad world do they think people live in?? "Expect to be stoned and bottled".... Sorry, but if this is the case, then it will be down to very poor policing, and how they can expect supporters to just take it is beyond me!!
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Magpie · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:31 am Post subject:

What really REALLY annoys me about the whole Police Warning thing is that it was mentioned on the radio yesterday without a single comment about how disgusting it is that away fans cannot travel without the risk of violence. If it was the other way around, the FA would have issued a statement saying how they would do their best to co-operate with the police to single out trouble makers and UEFA would issue a statement threatening to ban all English clubs from Europe if anything happens. It's like one rule for Europe and one rule for us: over there, it's swept under the carpet but over here it's paraded over the world as yet another sickening display of violence that supposedly only happens in England. It makes my blood boil!!!

Galatasaray, for example, won a competition they should have even BEEN in when two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death in Istanbul. How the club was allowed to remain in the European Cup is the most blatent example of double standards I have ever seen. If it were the other way around, every Englsh club would have been banned from playing in Europe for ten years.

I'm going to stop ranting now and have a sit down and a breather!!!
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SE13 · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:51 am Post subject:

Magpie, it is a good point and very well made. However when it comes to UEFA and FIFA the English "disease" has been double standards for more years than I care to remember. It is wrong, and should be judged on merits, and not past reputations, of which The English are FAR from the worst offenders!!

Meanwhile onto tonights second leg quarter final in La Stad Alpi, Turin... An early goal will soon ease the tension, put the tie beyond The Italians, and put Arsenal into cruise mode, and the fans into heaven!!

Emanuel Aboue faces a late fitness test, Cesc Fabregas has been passed fit, so the starting eleven should be that of Highbury last week, when we cruised to that famous 2-0 victory.

Keep The Faith.

Red Army!!!
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Magpie · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:38 am Post subject:

Well, mission accomplished. I have admit I didn't watch the game as I'd arranged something else because I thought that the game would have been on Tuesday night. What a plank I am - I really should plan things a lot better!

Am I right in thinking that Arsenal now face Villareal in the semi final? Either way, to get as far as this for the first time in the club's history is an achievement in itself so I've no doubt that there are some very happy smiley Gooners this morning!!
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SE13 · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

I have to tell you, that you missed a real treat. Yes Arsenal were already two goals to the good before travelling over to Italy, but even so, although in theory Arsenal should have passed the test, which incidentally they did with flying colours, there was always the remote possibility of something along the lines of an English cricket batting collapse!! Thankfully, Arsenal stuck to the task, and have reached new heights, in that this is the furthest they have ever progressed in this prestigious tournament. Over the years, when I have seen Arsenal fade and pale into insignificance at this stage in the past have been overshadowed by this two legged mugging of the runaway leaders of Serie "A" in something I can only refer to as "The Italian Job"

Sure, we have progressed further than ever before, and probably further than most supporters dreams, and have gained possibly the "easiest" tie for the semi final stage of this competition, however, at this stage, there can be nothing remotely described as an easy tie. Villareal will be no pushovers, and perhaps supporters, players and management alike would do well to remember this!!

Should Arsenal progress to the final, there is the mouthwatering prospect of either Barcelona or ACMilan at Le Stade De France in mid-May.

Back to things domestic, there is the small matter of Manchester United at the weekend. Should we win, our place in The Champions League for next season has a stronger feel... Lose, and the title might just be slipping from the grasp of the current holders, Chelsea. Tough one to call!!
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jonmoody61 · Savant Poster Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 108

Well, at some point we were going to pay the price for our recent exertions and yesterday was that day. Despite starting very brightly and looking quite dangerous for the first 15 minutes once United got into the game we were never quite able to change the momentum.

The main talking point pre-game was the fact that Thierry Henry started on the bench as AW felt he hadn't recovered sufficiently from Wednesday to start the game. There was no place in the 16 for José Antonio either nor, tellingly, for Sol Campbell. We started with Adebayor and van Persie up front in a 4-4-2 and had we been going for the draw we'd definitely have started with the 4-5-1.

We had a couple of half chances, van der Sar made a good save from van Persie after Jens had made two great stops from Rooney but the big incident of the first half was when Rooney got in behind Kolo Toure, Jens got a touch on the ball but with Senderos on the post waiting Rooney's shot was wonderfully and hilariously saved by ...er... Kolo Toure.

In the end it didn't really matter but it could very easily have been a penalty. The only reason I can think why it wasn't given is because Rooney's shot was so hard and Kolo's hands were so near his head Graham Poll didn't see it. Early in the second half United went one up when Vidic tackled van Persie near halfway, Silvestre dropped a great cross over Senderos and although he nearly got back Rooney smacked it home to make it 1-0. Henry and Diaby came on for van Persie and Cesc and not long after that they went 2-0. Rooney was played in and he squared the ball for Park to put the game out of reach. No chance after that and it was a matter of playing out time then although Senderos was forced into some excellent defending as we pressed forward.

A disappointing result and performance but if we're going to win as a team like we have done in recent weeks then we lose as a team yesterday. Certainly it looked as if the exploits of the last few weeks caught up with us and there were some tired legs out there. I don't think I've ever seen Kolo look so tired and had he kept running then he might well have stopped the second goal. Maybe though he's suffering a bit now after the ACN because Eboue was not his normal self either. Cesc and Hleb also looked quite jaded and we probably could have done with the extra man in midfield to begin with but once you're a goal down that becomes impossible. A word for Gilberto who was excellent though.

jonmoody61 · Savant Poster Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 108

Anyway, we have to accept the rough with the smooth, especially this season, and the lads have given everything in the last few weeks. They've worked so hard and given us great nights and afternoons of football but today wasn't our day. We can talk about the team selection but I'm sure the manager had his reasons for picking the team he did. I'm convinced Henry had to be carrying a knock, José too, and van Persie and Adebayor are capable of goals. We just lacked the freshness to play the way we needed to. Still, our destiny is in our own hands despite the loss. We may be five points behind Sp*rs but we have a game in hand, they have to come to Highbury and they have to play United as well. It's not all doom and gloom and the defeat yesterday has to be put in perspective. It's never nice to lose but of all the games we have coming up if you had to choose one to have an off day this would be it. Now it's a matter of getting behind the lads and for them to start it up again on Wednesday against Portsmouth.

Afterwards AW put defeat down to tiredness and missed chances. He said "Physically I thought Man Utd were sharper than we were. We looked a bit jaded in the final half-hour, and that's why I think Man Utd maybe deserved to
win the game. At 1-0 down we missed two great chances - one for Van Persie and one for Adebayor. Then their second goal on the break killed the game."

So that's it. Time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back on track at Portsmouth on Wednesday.

Magpie · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

I think Arsenal suffered the same as Middlesbrough. It's always difficult to replicate a magnificent performance time after time and I think both teams' European heroics took their toll. Not that I'm complaining about Boro's lack of performance of course!! Laughing

Like you say, Jon - it's just a case of move on and look to the next game. There's still the small matter of overtaking Spurs!!
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The Artist Known As GTM · Master Poster Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 232

I found out recently my Dad has a bet on Arsenal to win the trophy - he wouldn't venture how much but I think it was back in August and he stands to make a healthy profit.

He's a sly one my old boy he never broadcasts it but always seems to pick winners.

I think Arsenal have a very good chance BUT I think what would be doing them a favour would be Milan beating Barca..

I think Barca would be 50-50 whereas I think they can confidently beat Milan on their day...
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SE13 · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

I can not fail really, but to agree with your there, sir. I very much doubt that Arsenal could produce a result against Barcelona on a neutral venue in a one-off ninety minute extravaganza, however, I feel that their chances would be somewhat greater against AC Milan. This is, of course, all theory based, as Arsenal still have to overcome Villareal of Spain over two legs in the Semi-Finals....And the downside is that the first leg is at Highbury, meaning getting the maximum result, and travelling to Spain to defend it. All the time that this is Arsenals greatest ever chance of lifting this magnificent trophy, and adding their names to the elite, there really is no such thing as an easy match in this competition, especially at this stage of proceedings.

One point, is that in the final season for the magnificent old lady, Highbury Stadium, she will bow out with her final European game, being the furthest stage Arsenal have ever reached in the competition. Train of thought says that it would just be an honour to bring the European Cup home, parade it at Highbury before the stadium is officially handed over to the builders, and then the trophy can sit in magnitude at Ashburton Grove, our new 60,000 all seater, for the first twelve months of her life...

Even if it is only a dream to The Arsenal fans, what a dream it is!!!
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jonmoody61 · Savant Poster Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 108

Where to start? I thought that, despite our poor performance, we really should have won and had so many chances to kill the game off.

And, speaking of chances to kill the game off, I come to Adebayor - how on earth did Monaco manage to get £8m off of us for that pile of rubbish? Chance after open goal after chance he spurnned and he really did cost us the three points. The Guardian, in its match report, described Ade's touch in front of goal as 'laughably poor' and as Arseblog rightly puts it this morning, to miss one sitter can happen to anyone, to miss two and you have to question the quality of the player. I think we're all agreed in thinking that if Robin had started the game and been on the end of the chances, the game would have been killed off in the first half.

Yesterday afternoon there were rumours that Alex Song and Abou Diaby would be starting in midfield which worried me. Diaby is a talented player but very raw still while Song remains so far out of his depth at this level it beggars belief that he would be handed a start in a game we really had to win. I know we have to rotate and I know Cesc was out injured but Gilberto should have played, or even Seb Larsson. Alex Song is not good enough to play for Arsenal at this level and it makes me wonder why we can't give any playing time Theo Walcott when we can start Song. The excuse that the games are too important just doesn't wash when you pick a team with Rigobert Jr in it.

I thought Alex Song had a terrible first touch and it was yet more proof that Rigobert's cousin is totally unable to play at this level of football - much like his Uncle. Sol had a decent return before yet another injury which probably rules him out of the West Brom game - the sooner he either gets back to his form of yesteryear or gets out the club the better...

Credit to Pompey aside, it was without doubt two points dropped and 4th place is back out of our hands. The manager refused to blame the dropped points on squad rotation though, saying "If you look at our programme you can't play the same 11 every game. We play every three days and you have to make changes and we did not drop points because of that. There were a lot of positives from the match, but the negative is that we should have won the game by five, and in the end we finish 1-1."

We have to win every game now and hope Sp*rs slip up, anymore dropped points and we simply have to win the Champions League to get back into it. Especially important if we hope to clinch the signing of Torres this summer (thats the story going around today anyway)

A word for the town of Portsmouth. It was my second visit there, and the second time I have found it to be a complete shanty town dump. Terrible place, hate it, and what made it much worse (the result aside) was the length of time it took to get out of there. Courtesy of a brilliantly arranged "convoy" system for works on the main road out of there - the A3 I believe - it took almost twice the amount of time to get home than it should of.

Well we all know what we have to do now... win every game - simple.

Our new song (made by us in the car on the way done) to the tune of All These Things That I've Done by The Killers - the I've Got Soul, But I'm Not A Soldier part of the song...

*WE GOT SOL, AND HE'S F***ING MENTAL! WE GOT SOL AND HE'S F***ING MENTAL!*

In other news we're being linked again with Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres which apparently has the Sp*rs manager, John Goodman, absolutely steaming as they thought they'd reached an agreement with the player's representatives. According to JAR "He is very important to Atletico and for Spain and would have no problems adapting to England. I would be delighted if he joins Arsenal.” Torres would be an amazing signing for us.

jonmoody61 · Savant Poster Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 108

Good Friday to you all and if your name is Jesús watch out for Romans. Not a huge amount happening, I have to say. We had confirmation from the club that Sol Campbell's nose is broken and he now faces the dilemma of having surgery now or at the end of the season. If he waits his World Cup place is surely in jeapordy, if he has it now his Arsenal future is set to be very limited. Personally I think he should have the operation now, he can swan off to the World Cup and maybe a decent performance or two, if he gets a game, will add a few quid to his value when he gets sold this summer.

I'm not sure how we're going to line up tomorrow against West Brom but Villarreal play Barcelona tonight and they've made their intentions clear by resting Riquelme, Forlan, Sorin and Tacchinardi ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final. Where they have an advantage, if you can call it that, is that they're 9 points behind the 4th place side Osasuna and the chances of catching them are slim so they are going to be 100% focussed on the European game. We still have a battle on our hands for the 4th which does complicate things a bit. The only thing I will say is that we're not really a team of veterans and with most of our best performers this season young players their recovery time will be much quicker.

There's not much point in me saying how vital three points are tomorrow. We all know already. Expect team news to break during the day - hopefully no Song!

Congratulations to Arsenal Ladies who have won the Nationwide Women's Premier League for the 5th time in 6 seasons.

SE13 · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

The Arsenal ladies are really dominating the title of late. All credit to them. Should Arsenal themselves have any silverware to parade *COUGH*European Cup *COUGH* then the Ladies will be on the second open-top double decker in the drive around Islington to the Town Hall.

Meantime, back to today, and West Bromwich Albion visit Highbury. I am not sure if anyone else saw SoccerAM this morning, but their fans were on this week, and held little hope of even a point today. I would like to think similarly, but with the hiccup of late, who knows. Arsene has already said he will rotate the squad again, to keep players fit for the Villareal crunch game. My hope is that he will partner Robin Van Persie with Thierry Henry up top, and bring back Gilberto Da Silva, although he is far from top of the pops in my eyes at the moment!!

Two players will definitely sit this one out.. Sol Campbell after his broken nose in the midweek game, and Cesc Fabregas, who is also a doubt for Villareal. And as I type, Skysports confirm that Song will also sit this one out, and that Freddie Ljungberg is rested.

Come on you reds!!
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