Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[jonmoody61]

Oh god. Here come the usual Madrid-crowing-over-Arsenal-asset summer. This time (again) its Arsene Wenger being linked with the vacant managers job - which will probably go to Sven Goran Errikson after he leaves the England post after the World Cup - and I don't think that'll ever happen. Its usually Patrick Vieira being linked with a move away so at least this makes a difference!

The Spanish giants are in the market for a new boss following the exit of Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, and a number of names have already been linked with the prestigious position.

As I previously said, England coach Sven Goran Eriksson is said to fancy the job, whilst Michael Laudrup is also believed to be a strong frontrunner and Juventus coach Fabio Capello has already held talks according to reports. Roberto Mancini of Inter Milan has also recently pulled out of the running for the big name post.

However, with the presidential elections set for July, candidate Carlos Sainz – who hopes to gain control with Juan Miguel Villar Mir, has revealed he is hoping to hold talks with Wenger.

"We are in the process of trying to do that," Sainz confirmed. "We want a complete overhaul of the club. We need to secure a general manager and a coach first who will be at the heart of the club."

With the Gunners set to move to their new Emirates Stadium next season and Thierry Henry pledging his future to the club, it is highly unlikely that Wenger will break his contract with us Gooners here in north London.

[SE13]

There has been some talk of late regarding a million pounds being passed to a Belgian club, with regards to some sort of takeover bid. Seemingly The World controlling body, FIFA (Federal Of International Football Associations) are looking into the claims that Arsenal have attempted to break rules by giving or buying the Belgians, Beveren for such a sum of money. Arsenal deny any wrongdoing, saying that they merely lent the money out, although there is some talk of linking the two clubs to potential African youngsters with major potential. Due to the current UEFA regulations, African players have to have so much experience before transfers are allowed, and the train of thought is that Arsenal have bought into Beveren to allow this to happen. The potential punishment would be a hefty fine, and possible expulsion from the coming seasons Champions League.

Personally, I am not too sure how I see this, but as far as I can see from reading Arsenals official club website, and the reports from people high up in the media in The United Kingdom, there is probably no cause for concern, however, all the time that this particular item of news is somewhere near to the headlines, Tattenham Hotspuds will live in hope of perhaps recapturing the Champions League spot they most spectacularly squandered on the last day of the last season, despite all their best efforts to call skullduggery!!
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[jonmoody61]

f there’s one thing I hate more than no news it’s news that I don’t like. And by that I don’t mean I don’t like it because Arsenal are supposedly in ‘big trouble’ with FIFA because of a Newsnight investigation. I mean I don’t like it because things like financial agreements and partnerships and documents that have been tangoed bore the **** ring off me.

The BBC say Arsenal may have had a controlling interest in Beveren (Update: Arsenal Times has a good piece on the Newsnight programme here).

Arsenal have denied the accusations strongly. Some other bloke says Arsenal still owe money on Kolo Toure. Double-D’s signature is on documents all over the place and there’s some suggestion that Arsene Wenger has acted improperly by investing in the Ivory Coast academy run by his friend Jean Marc Guillou.

Apparently we could be kicked out of the Champions League but that’s sort of like saying Boy George could have gone to jail in New York for 50 years over that cocaine thing. The media likes to dish out the strongest possible punishment. Some bunch of **** in suits will sit around, examine the documents and make some kind of decision.

To me it all seems like a bit of a storm in a teacup. It’s hard to imagine the club putting themselves in a position where they could be punished as severely as the BBC is making out. That’s not to say the club haven’t bent the rules as far as possible. Let’s be realistic, like every other football Arsenal are not whiter than white, but we’ve got enough nous to keep our noses clean although perhaps a little smudged.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said when contacted by the BBC:

Let Arsenal give the Football Association their report. It will be then be reported later to Fifa but for the time being I am not in a position to make any comments about what punishments or sanctions should be taken against a club

Which, for Blatter, makes a lot of sense. As the always sensible Goodplaya says it’s best not to judge either way too soon but personally I think this is only getting the mileage it’s getting because there’s **** all else going on.

It is funny though how the BBC are poring over a petty little £1m when if they decided to look into Chelsea’s finances and where they came from with as much energy they’d dig up a much more interesting story.

In other news Ashley Cole is again being linked with Chelsea despite their interest in Roberto Carlos. Swap deals with SWP are mooted but apparently Arsene would prefer straight cash. No doubt he’ll want in in unmarked bills left on a bench in Finsbury Park in a sports bag.

The boss also talks about new signing Tomas Rosicky and as expected he’s the replacement for Robert Pires. The boss says:

He is a little bit similar position-wise to Robert. He can play in Dennis Bergkamp’s role, on the left, in a 4-3-3 or central. But he is slightly a different style. He is an accelerator of the game, a guy who can create things, see things quickly and whose best years are ahead of him.

Grand, that’s the kind of news I like. Idle transfer speculation and chat about our new signings. Come on, Arsenal, get rid of this Beveren story off the front page with a couple of signings.

[SE13]

[simmouk]

I don't know much about this financial fiasco story but what I do know is that it happens in most clubs these days, in all leagues, in all counties. Us as supporters only get fed news and information from the club that the club want us to hear, and on top of that we get spoon fed spin stories from the media, sometimes just because they have nothing else to report but mainly its to stir things up. With a report of a Premiership club in trouble with Fifa, its going to be all over the tabloids and covered in detail. But its not always the truth, its either what they have made up OR what they have been spun from the club. Us mere supporters, unless we have real inside contacts, will never know.
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iSheep. Everywhere.

[SE13]

Half the problem will always be that supporters only get directly from the clubs, the news THEY want to hear, or that the club wishes to tell us for the feel good factor. The press and media in general, as pointed out in another thread started by Magpie whip up the slightest "Joe Bloggs broke wind" into the largest media circus they possibly can in an attempt to sell newspapers, ar add extra costs to the advertising spaces, or in the case of the television, advertising breaks.

Meantime, some fabulous new pictures of our new stadium, The Emirates Stadium, or either one of "The Arsenal" or "Ashburton Grove" to Arsenal supporters, are available HERE Ignore all his pleas for cash, and view in comfort!!
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[SE13]

There are now further pictures of our spankingly brand new stadium available HERE

Meantime, with an eye on The World Cup, one Mister Tomas Rosicky is looking like quite a bargain at only seven million pounds.... One wonders how much extra would have been slapped on the price-tag, should Arsene Wenger have bidded right at this minute!! Once again, he has proved that he really has a keen eye for a bargain.

Now all we have to do, is look at some more home grown talent... The academy has several young talents eager to break into the first team, but with the like of Thierry Henry et al keeping them out, perhaps this might not happen in the near future.....
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[simmouk]

Your new stadium looks very impressive SE13, looks like Arsenal are certainly moving in the right direction! Not as good as the Ricoh though, of course!
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iSheep. Everywhere.

[Shearer's Shirt]

Very good looking stadium that SE13, it's nearly as good as St James' Park. One thing I did notice, I know Thierry Henry isn't the tallest guy in the world but those urinals are very low! I'd like to go down and pay a visit sometime.
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[mellymoo]

just had a good look at those pics! it looks absolutely amazing! im so jealous - my wee club's ground doesnt even come close to that!

loving the black mosaic tiles in the showers - real nice!

why are they watering the pitch with a hose and sprinkler attachment and not using the proper sprinklers?

oh, and my company makes parts for those big bath tubs!

[Magpie]

Very impressive indeed! I loved this picture of something left by a cheeky Hammer...

[img:fd6b4dba0f]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/benscorner.jpg[/img:fd6b4dba0f]

I dread to think what has been left by any Spurs fans working on it! I know that a sunderland fan left a...erm..."calling card" in the new stand at St James Park when it was being extended.

I look forward to visiting the Emirates Stadium and watching a depleted Newcastle United get slaughtered on 18th November!
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[SE13]

I did hear some rather graphic details with regard to some of the Tattenham Hotspud supporters working on the site, however I am also in the knowledge that Manchester City supporters have done much the same at Manchester Uniteds extra corners over the summer months, and as pointed out previously, Sunderland supporters at Newcastle United. Although I am not entirely convinced, someone actually mentioned that the project manager was a Chelsea supporter.... So maybe the truth within the concrete is not worth bearing even the merest of thoughts!!

Meantime, a preview of next seasons home strip is Here and the latest pictures from "Liverpool Dave" from the new development are HERE
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[West_ham_hammer]

[Magpie]

I can see the lingering shots of the stadium now, getting larger as the blimp moves closer and then, there it is, Ben's Corner!!! To be honest, he's welcome to it - have you seen how high off the ground it is??!!!

Can't quite read what's written at the top of the board though. Probably some derogatory anti-Arsenal word!!
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[SE13]

I imagine that the mere fact that there is such a picture available will have the heirarchy scuttling to the minnows to have the board removed

Meantime, I note that Arsenal Football Club have agreed to sell Sol Campbell on. Bearing in mind that we obtained him on a free transfer from near neighbours Tattenham Hotspuds, and the fact that he is still subject to a three year deal with Arsenal, we could cash in quite wealthily. Links suggest a move to Galetaseray of Turkey, and he also stated in an interview that he would like to move abroad to further his career, and also a move to Portsmouth of The English Premier League, where they are currently rebuilding the squad under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, and seem to be heading for something of a "Grandad" team.

Other transfer indications suggest that the club are interested in Ribery, and he also suggested that he would like a move where a French Manager was available.... However his agent seems to be shutting the curtains on this move.

Also, I note that although the number 6 shirt was supposed to have been retired in honour of former Captain (and most succesful too) Tony Adams, that Phillipe Senderos, perhaps the succesor to his crown, will wear the said shirt next season.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space