Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[blightyred]

Well, well, well here we jolly well go again. Fixtures out today

Arsenal open at home to Fulham, London 'derby' in name only, if you can't get a result against The Cottagers then your season is going to be a long one, besides you should have signed a striker to replace theory by the 11th of august

Don't know whether you have seen the proposed new Arsenal away kit. I truly laughed my sphincter inside out when I saw it.

IT IS WHITE!!!!!

If that is not a sign that your new board is out of touch with its fanbase I really do not know what is. Sad day for a great club, not as sad as losing Henry though I am sure you will agree.

[SE13]

Yes, we are aware that the mindless idiots somewhere in the midst of utter loonacyville have recreated a Tattenham Hotspud kit, and expect us to buy it, and swell their coffers. NEWSFLASH ..... It isn't going to happen. The day you see me wearing a Spuds replikit is the day someone has drugged me, and physically tortured me. What were they thinking of, and why? Yes, there is a bit of purplecurrant in the kit, and yes there is a bit of history with regard to Sir Herbert Chapman, but white? God, give me strength! Someone needs leading to the highest tower in the land, and given a plank to walk down.

In summary, I am utterly disgusted that they could even think of offering such a debacle to the buying public, let alone actually doing it. Believe me, if one of my relatives purchases this for me, it will be subject to my cigarette lighter, heavily doused in petrol!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[SE13]

Well, here we are post Thierry Henry. The talisman has been sold on to Spanish giants Barcelona for a deal worth around sixteen million English pounds to Arsenal Football Club. Given that he has been carrying an obvious injury, I suppose in hindsight the actual price paid might have been a fair reflection, especially as he seems to be getting more and more prone to injury theses days. I for one, am sorry to see him leave the club he stated he would finish his career at, only twelve months ago.

On the bright side, we have signed Croatian Eduardo Da Silva, who has been tipped to be the next Thierry Henry, and also that Theo Walcott is about 85 percent ready for action, plus Robin Van Persie is ready for action. The latter two have already started pre-season training in a bid to be fully match fit when the curtain opens in August.

Apparently, manager Arsene Wenger is still on holiday, but will be looking to further strengthen the squad on his return to North London sometime soon.

The early season friendlies will, as usual, kick off away at Barnet FC, where Arsenal reserves play their home games. At this time it is unknown whether or not Eduardo Da Silva will be playing, this match generally features the newest high profile signing, and the supporters have an early chance to see where the money has been spent, and to be given an idea of what to look forward to in the coming months.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[West_ham_hammer]

Well it seems four year deals mean F all in football thesedays!

Lets see what Da Silva can do, pretty big ask to fill Henry's boots though!

Surprised you havn't gone in for Tevez, everyone else has. But who owns him!!!!

[SE13]

There was a fair amount of interest in Carlos Tevez, but no official bid was made, nor any official press release regarding any interest in signing him.

Gilberto Da Silva was stand in captain for most of last season, and did a fair job. I feel certain that he will take the job on in a full time capacity with relish. I much prefer to see captains behind the play, as opposed to up front as Thierry Henry was. There is far more to see, and organising players would be that bit easier.

Latest reports suggest that Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott will be available for the start of the season, and that Theo Walcott will play a far bigger part of the forthcoming season than in the previous.

No panic buying thus far, and a good indication that the starting eleven will be similar to last season, with everyone fully fit again. Eduardo looks set to partner Robin Van Persie up front, Theo Walcott will be used as an attacking midfielder, with Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto Da Silva controlling midfield, alongside Tomas Rosicky. The defence is subject really to whether Jens Lehmann will start, or whether he will be moved down the pecking order, something I am all in favour of.

The future is bright, the future is Arsenal.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[StephenG]

There are whispers in the wind today that there could be a joint bid from Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone AND Stan Kroenke, for control of Arsenal Football Club, despite the fact that both have been linked with separate bids. Keith Edelman, who is the club's Managing Director has warned that anyone trying to take over might want to take money out of the club rather than pumping money into Ashburton Grove. Bernie Ecclestone, who is a personal friend of David Dein, sits in twentieth position in the Sunday Times Rich List, with a personal fortune of two and a quarter billion pounds.

There's breaking news that Freddie Ljungberg has completed a move to West Ham United.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h.....911613.stm

[West_ham_hammer]

In reply to StephenG's post about Freddie Ljungberg, I am absolutely delighted if we have indeed signed him. I know he didn't have the best of seasons last season, and probably the previous one. But if he can recapture his form of a few seasons back I will welcome him with open arms.
I've always been an admirer of Freddie. And really hope the move is the kickstart of him finding his form again.

[SE13]

Sadly for us Arsenal supporters, it was indeed true, and Freddie Ljungberg has completed a move to West Ham United. In typical Arsenal style, the transfer fee goes down as "undisclosed" meaning that Arsenal supporters are kept in the dark with regard to the peanuts he was actually sold for. And so that we can not quote the board as being tight-wads for not spending some of the money they have in the coffers from the sale of said player.

Meanwhile there has been a lot of talk recently about a potential takeover bid, with first Stan Kroenke and then Bernie Ecclestone, and finally a joint bid. The joint bid would be enough to see the return of David Dein, and secure the futures of a number of players, and manager Arsene Wenger. Not to mention that Bernie Ecclestone has a personal fortune of some three billion English pounds, which if reports are true, he would be happy to share at least some part of.

Should it all go through, it would be a double kick in the face for CSKA Fulham supporters, as firstly, Ecclestone has been seen on a number of occasions at Stamford Bridge, and secondly that their own Sugar Daddy has pulled the plug on the spending there, and they now have to compete on a level par with the rest of us again!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[West_ham_hammer]

From what I hear SE13 he was sold for a fee which could rise to 3 million. What you have received upfront I do not know? but I think we got a bargain there.

[StephenG]

According to the Sky Sports website, the fee for Freddie Ljungberg could rise to £3 million pounds. He was purchased for £3 million pounds and was Arsenal's longest-serving player. There are rumours today that Italian giants Juventus could be lining up a bid for Phillippe Senderos.

The possible takeover talk is also continuing today. Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's hat is still firmly in the ring, along with American billionaire Stan Kroenke. Ecclestone might be interested IF the price is right, and Kroenke is apparently looking to increase his shareholding with the North London club, although the major shareholder, Danny Fiszman, claims he won't be moved from his position.

http://home.skysports.com/list.....nnel=&

Kroenke also owns amongst others, the Denver Nuggets Basketball team, Colorado Avalance Ice Hockey team and the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer (FOOTBALL, ffs ) team, who have a link with Arsenal Football Club.

[SE13]

All this talk of takeover, yet the club are really keeping fairly quiet on the matter, with the exception of the following statement;

[G.T.M]

Ljungberg is half the player he used to be - West Ham are throwing money at any player they deem to be "top 3 quality".

He hasn't had a good "season" since the unbeaten run.

He's gone for the money, plain and simple.

[SE13]

I am not aware of any figures to suggest he will be being paid any more at West Ham United, however, there must have been some sort of carrot to dangle at the end of the stick. No-one would leave and take a pay cut, surely?

Then and again, he would not have to move house, so any renumeration package would be safely deposited in the back pocket, and of course his signing on fee and so on would give him quite a healthy pay out.

At least he went without all the fuss of Thierry Henry or more notably Patrick Vieira, so will be remembered for the footballing aspects, as opposed to the money grabbing opportunities on The Continent amid much bribary of the club in a bid to earn more by staying.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[pjthefarmer]

Finally Arsenal got rid of Reyes. What a wasted talented. Another sulker to ender the Arsenal doors. Apparently he was booed at the Atletico press conference as well, because of the fact he won the league of Real Madrid last season.

Good luck to him
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[SE13]

Jose Antonio Reyes started out just fine, but the constant whinging, and so-called homesickness made him quite a hated squad member, and since he has left on a full-time contract, I have yet to see an Arsenal supporter disappointed by the move.

Meantime, the two early pre-season tournaments saw two new pieces of silverware to adorn the trophey room, and while they are not exactly European Cups, they have provided some clueage as to how the season will progress post-Henry.

There is a lot of talk regarding the new Captain, with several names in the frame. As long as Manager Arsene Wenger does not pander to the whims of those spitting their dummies, then Gilberto Da Silva is the obvious choice, with Kolo Toure as vice. Kolo would have gained it, but I feel he is still learning, and needs to concentrate more on becoming a Tony Adams, before they let him become Tony Adams, if that makes sense.

Next up is Fulham, at Ashburton Grove, followed by The European Cup Qualifier on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.

Barclays Premier League

Arsenal Vs Fulham

[img:c1b0df9dc8]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.johnston570/SAMAvatar.gif[/img:c1b0df9dc8] [img:c1b0df9dc8]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.johnston570/Fulham_Crest.jpg[/img:c1b0df9dc8]

Sunday 12th August 2007

12pm

Ashburton Grove

[img:c1b0df9dc8]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.johnston570/Ashburton_Grove2.jpg[/img:c1b0df9dc8]
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space