Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[SE13]

I can confirm that the deal will be for four extra years on top of his existing contract, which basically keeps Thierry Henry at Arsenal until the endo of his playing career. Figures floated around suggested quite a pay increase, but this is yet to be confirmed for certain. Speculation said it was in excess of onehundred thousand pounds per week, but knowing the pay scales in operation at Arsenal, that might be somewhat unlikely.

So, The Champions League Final, our new sixtythousand all seater stadium, which is some twentytwo and a half thousand increase of Highbury, plus the resigning of Thierry Henry, the future looks fantastic. Add to those facts, that our young starlet, Theo Walcott is quite likely to figure in this years World Cup tournament in Germany, and the fact that most of the first team squad are involved in the said tournament.

The first game at Ashburton Grove will be the testimonial for our great servant, Dennis Bergkamp, another member of the hundred club at Arsenal (meaning he has scored in excess of one hundred goals for the club), which will be most fitting. It is just such a great pity that The European Cup can not be paraded prior to kick-off.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[woosaah]

Any ideas or news about what Dennis Bergkamp will do after he retires?

[SE13]

As far as I am aware, he has been offered a job for life at Arsenal. Nothing is cast in stone as yet, and there is still the small matter of his testimonial game, where I think an official announcement will be made.

However, there is some talk of having to cancel or at least move his testimonial game due to The Champions League qualifiers, but again nothing is cast in stone as yet. Watch this space!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[jonmoody61]

As some of you may be aware, I went to Paris for the Champions League final at the Stade de France. I went there Wednesday morning and returned Thursday night, and here is my little tale of my day there!
Before the game, Paris was amazing. One of the best, if not the best, day of my life. Atmosphere was something to behold at the Gard du Nord, the banter and singing with Barca on the tube was incredible (they are top lads, Barca fans - love them). It went all too quickly though and soon enough we were making our way to the stadium. The Barca fans were excellent, we had 8 on the tube in our group next to 8 of them on the same carriage and the singing from us then them was amazing. Brilliant banter, I love them.

Getting in to the stadium was a total disgrace. It was almost like Hillsbrough at our turnstile (block L entry). It took over 2 minutes to get each fan in, whilst the queue behind was ever increasing. We were being crushed and could hardly breathe, and there were little kids scattered in the crowd getting caught up. It took a minute for the machine to read the ticket, before you were searched, then body checked by one officer then exactly the same by a second officer. A complete and utter disgrace, just ridiculous.

The game... Jens was right to be sent off.

I've never quite felt so disappointed as I did immediately after the 2nd goal, and after the game. We can't complain though, nor can we blame the team. We scored and defended brilliantly for 70mins against arguably the best team in Europe. We can be proud, very proud of what we have achieved. Can't blame the ref really, he had to make an instant decision and we don't know what would have happened if play had carried on. I suppose he should have played on and who knows what could have happened if they scored and we went to 10 men. They could win 5-0, we could fight harder and win 2-1. It's all if's and but's. It's all in the past now, history, irrelevant. They deserved to win based on posession really. I thought the ref was terrible all night, not biased. Just more wrong decisions went against us. I've not seen anything on TV, but I believe Eboue dived (from what I heard) and yes, that was a big decision that turned in our favour. We got lucky there. On to Hleb and Ljungberg though - the amount of times they broke free of their man on the wings and burst forward before getting taken out from behind, the offenders could have been sent off and, again, who knows what could have happened. Ultimately, what happened happened and we still had clear chances to go 2, 3 or even 4-0 up when we had 10 men and had scored.... Indeed, if Henry had took the one on one chance, we would have won the game - nobody can question that, it was just a case of putting the game to bed. 99% of the time, you'd put your life on him finishing that chance off, yet another showing that it wasn't our night and that it simply just wasn't to be. I can't complain. Wednesday showed what our very young team is capable of, and now with Henry staying and new signings coming, we can go very far in years to come, let alone next season. Our two days in paris were great, absolutely excellent - I think without doubt, the best couple of days and the biggest laugh I have ever had in my life. Wednesday before the game especially was something out of this world, gold. Here's to many more events like it in the future!

And finally, I know some of you are after another listen to Highbury Highs... here you go:

http://media.putfile.com/Highbury-Highs

I am hopefully going to post some pictures of our days once I get hold of them, for anyone on the list whom is interested.

Come on you reds!

--

www.comboutique.com/absofabregas

[jonmoody61]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....arch=cygan

And I thought I was right saying he was terrible...

Also I found this article...

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/....._page.html

It shows and points to the fact that Arsenal, the manager, and the fans hate diving. Just because a couple of our players do it, such as Reyes and Eboue, does not mean we accept and ignore it. I hate diving, I hate people diving in games against us, I hate seeing diving and its even worse when someone in you're on team does it. It is nice to see that Arsene has criticised his own player like this, to make an example of him. You don't see Rednose moaning about Horseface too much, or Moaninho about Didger Dogsh!t...

[woosaah]

It seems like you had a great time in Paris before the game! Considering what has happened, although right after the game I wasn't too happy, but in the end, I am and I'm sure every Arsenal supporter is very proud of the lads and how they played (considering the circumstances).

Though Henry and Arsene Wenger had other thoughts:

[SE13]

All across the press and media today is speculation that central defender, Sol Campbell may be sliding over to Turkey to join Fenerbache in an eight million pound deal, also worth some seventy thousand pounds a week to him personally. I am not altogether sure what to make of the speculation, however, seven million recieved for a player of thirtyone years of age would be good business, especially as we obtained him on a free transfer from local rivals Tattenham Hotspuds a few years ago. Given the boost to the trophy cabinet in his time with the club, and manager Arsene Wengers pleasure with the players deputising in Sol's absence, any sort of firm reasoning at this present time would be somewhat difficult, suffice to say mixed feelings from here!!

There is still some talk of Robert Pires being close to a move as well, plus mentions of Tomas Rosicky of Borussia Dortmund coming in as a potential replacement for Robert Pires, one can never be too sure the facts and the fiction until such time as the ink hits the dotted line on the paper, in front of the cameras....
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[squibs1989]

rumours speculate that ashley cole could be moving to chelsea whilst sean wright-philips comes to arsenal

many people have said it and im wondering if its true or not

if it is ... great we have the one player ian wright wants in the squad lol
shame about cole if it is though because he is an excellent player and he will be a great loss to arsenal even though we do have Gail Clichy and Matty Flamini

any one have any more information on this im dieing to know

[Magpie]

Yes, the Silly Season is upon us once more! I've just posted a list of Ins and Outs in my Newcastle thread but I'm with SE13 on this one; I tend to be sceptical until I see a player shaking the manager's hand on the pitch or at a press conference.
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[woosaah]

It's official! Arsenal have signed Tomas Rosicky from B. Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. I think it's rumored to be about 7Million pounds.

As far as I'm concerned he's a really good player. Can't wait to see what he can do at the World Cup let alone next season.

Check out Arsenal.com for more info if you want!

[SE13]

I saw the news regarding the signing of Tomas Rosicky from Dortmund yesterday, and am quite pleased really to see a signing of this calibre so early into the transfer season. Seven million pounds seems something of a snip to me, but would seem to spell the end for Robert Pires, who has served the club so well. Pires is pushing for a two year extention to his contract, however Arsenal are reluctant to allow players of over thirty years of age to have more than a single year at a time.

There is also a lot of press speculation recently, linking Sol Campbell to Fenerbache of Turkey, in a deal worth eight million pounds, however the latest in the papers this morning indicated that Sol himself was going to play through The World Cup Finals for England, in Germany, and make some sort of a decision then. Personally speaking, I think it would be good business sense to all parties involved, as Sol Campbell would be on a major wage rise, with a contract taking him to the verge of retirement, and Arsenal profit greatly, as Sol was signed on a free transfer in the first place.

Naturally, time will tell, but at this time of year the speculation is rife, and the media usually have some sort of basis for their stories, after all, there is no smoke without fire!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[woosaah]

Although the arrival of Rosicky is fantastic news, the departure of R. Pires is well for me, not really such good news. It has been confirmed that Pires will join Villareal. He's a great player and one who I'll miss, the past 6 seasons he's been at Arsenal, there's been many fantastic moments when Pires was on the field, like Arsene Wenger said, "He is not only a great footballer but a good man, so of course, we are sad to see him go."

[SE13]

I suppose the departure of Robert Pires was inevitable, given the arrival of Tomas Rosicky, and the fact that Arsenal refuse to offer more than single year contracts to players over the age of thirty years, and this has proved to be the case. So it is with sad eyes, that we see Robert Pires play his last game for Arsenal, and that was The Champions League Final, where he had to be sacrificed to allow the option of having a recognised goalkeeper in the shape of Manuel Almunia, to replace the previously sent off Jens Lehmann.

Just as a footnote to my last comment, is that had Jens Lehmann stayed on the pitch, and Robert Pires have possibly completed the full ninety minutes, and potentially won The Trophy, would he still be in such a hurry to depart, or would he be happy just signing a single year deal with The Champions Of Europe??

Too many ifs, whats, whys and maybes. It has happened now, and life must move on.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[SE13]

Today is a day affectionately known as St. Thomas Day to most Arsenal fans. This is the day when, in 1989, we needed to go to Liverpool as huge underdogs, and win by two clear goals to clinch our first title in some eighteeen years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....nal%201989



Oh the memories that just brought flooding back. There was a point when the camera on that video pointed at The Kop, and I tell you, the noise from that end was deafening. I think it was about the only time during the ninety minutes that they were louder than us!! At the point when John Barnes started snaking through, most of us just turned to each other, hands clenched, and somehow we got a song going. Next thing, Alan Smith was heading the ball down and Michael Thomas was slotting the ball past Grobelaar. Our end absolutely exploded, there were surges in every direction, in probably the most celebrated goal of my entire Arsenal viewing years. At the point of the goal, I was somewhere near to the back (and can be seen in that clip) and ended up just near to the exit vomitory, such was the surge, and I can't remember my feet touching the floor for the most part of it. We just bounced and celebrated for what seemed like an eternity, and it wasn't until a few years later when I saw the video, that I realised that the game actually restarted after the goal.

Give the Liverpool fans their due, they stopped behind, and applauded the trophy presentation, and joined us for a mammoth party afterwards in the local bars.

That night will live with me forever, especially after so many years of no success, suddenly to have The Championship, then nearly let it slip away (That home game against Wimbledon) and then go there when they were so dominant, and actually beat them 2-0!!

Funnily enough, that season, Norwich were in the running for title contenders for quite a while.... After the First Division was suspended due to Hillsborough, they came to Highbury, and we thumped them 5-0, ending their chances, and at some point around that time, our 12 (I think) point lead was whittled down to nothing by a rampant Liverpool. I referred earlier to the game against Wimbledon.... A game we should have won, and not had to have gone to Anfield for that night. We bottled it big time... We utterly thrashed Wimbledon in a 2-2 draw. Most people leaving the ground that night thought our chance had gone.... Sir Michael of Thomas proved us all wrong. Just a footnote, and a reminder that Sir Alan of Smith was also in that line-up that night, and not only scored the first, but headed the ball down for Thomas to run on to.

Happy memories, and a Happy St. Thomas Day to one and all....
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[jonmoody61]

Good evening. A quick round-up for you of the latest Arsenal news.

The News of the World reports Arsenal have told a ‘high maintenance’ Sol Campbell that he’s played his last game for the club. No surprises there to be honest. If we were actively trying to sell him last summer before his histrionics there’s no doubt we’ll be trying even harder this time around. Campbell himself is always willing to play the wounded soldier and talks about 8 years of hurt. Right. Drama queen. The People suggests Fulham will make a bid.
Robert Pires says he knew it was time to leave Arsenal when he was substituted after Jens Lehmann’s sending off in the Champions League final. It’s not a ‘blast’ at Arsene Wenger just an intelligent guy explaining why he chose to go to Villarreal. He also talks about the chances of the French squad in the upcoming world cup.

Peter Beardsley says Theo Walcott is, along with Wayne Rooney, the best young player he’s ever seen.

The People says Patrick Vieira wants to return to Arsenal because Juventus might get relegated and he’s been keeping in the touch with Gilles Grimandi. Could he do an Ian Rush and come back after one season ‘abroad’? I doubt it although there’s no doubt we need a midfielder of his general stature and style. Manchester United are also said to be interested if Vieira does decide to come back to England.

I am sorry to say that Arsenal have not signed Andriy Shenchenko, given after all the hot debate when the player database link for Shevchenko on Arsena.com came through. It’s just that arsenal.con (see what I did there? Clever!) shares a player database with Sky Sports or something similar. A shame I know but there you go.

hen there was Jens Lehmann telling his German friends about Theo Walcott. There was a witty aside about how the Germans know as much about his as Arsenal fans because we’ve never seen him play either but that might change with little Mickey Owen injured and Rooney’s metatarsal buckling under the immense weight above it. Maybe we’ll see Walcott get a decent run out tonight as England take on Hungary.

Thierry Henry was complaining about the French fans at the Stade de France while reports in Spain have linked us with Villarreal’s Spazilian midfielder Marco Senna. He’d be a good signing for us and would certainly strenghten the squad but whether or not Villarreal will let him go is another thing. They’ve just added Pires to a midfield with Riquelme and they are going to need a physical presence in there.