Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[Raccers]

Top result for us considering how many first teamers are out, we played quite well without really excelling and im glad we have take six points from six

[SE13]

To be absolutely honest, we can take nothing but positives from last evenings display in Amsterdam. In all fairness with the amount of first teamers out of action for one reason or another made for potentially frighteneing reading previous to kick-off. As usual, we should have had no doubt that Arsene Wenger could rally the troops, and get the best out of the players on the night.

I was very impressed that the blend of Youth and experience slotted together so well at the time, proving that perchance the same system is set up through the entire Arsenal system, much the same as Ajax created such a system so many years ago, in the time of Dutch "total football", culmunating in the Dutch success in the 88 European Championships.

The future, on balance of last night, seems just fine.

Onwards toward the weekend, and back to The Premiership with our fixture versus Birmingham City. Here's to hoping the side will be a touch less injury ravaged, and a more familiar line-up will troop onto the field of play.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

[SE13]

We can go as far as we want to go.... However, the "freeze" stage at important games seems to over-ride all possible or probable outcomes.

Why it happens is beyond me, but a coach/manager as vastly experienced as Arsene Wenger should surely, by now, have worked out how to play the difference between Europe and Domestic football.... And at this point in the sason, I wonder if he has got both the wrong way round!!!

Still, qualification is all important, and we seem favourites to do as such, so there can be little or no complaint from me!!
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Raccers]

[SE13]

Time to reflect back to Sundays fixture against Birmingham City at Highbury......

Firstly, what can one say about possibly the best ever goalkeeping performance that "The Old Gal, Highbury" has ever witnessed?? Maik Taylor of Birmingham City single handedly kept the score to something less than a cricket score. And it was not just save after save, but brilliant save after brilliant save!! Incidently, for those who don't know, he was also the heroic goalkeeper playing for Northern Ireland in that game against England recently!!

So, early into the game, and the Birmingham captain was sent off for blatently bringing down Freddie Ljungberg just outside the penalty area, and as the last defender, the referee was left with no option but to dismiss him. Minutes later, and Freddie was brought down in the box....Penalty!! Robert Pires' weak effort saved by Taylor.

Then onto the heroics of the Blues keeper.... Save after save, and so it continued up until the last ten or so minutes. Robin Van Persie strikes from outside the area, and a deflection spins the ball beyond Taylor for the decisive goal.... Possibly the only way he would have been beaten during the course of the match.

Three points gained, although perhaps rather fortunately. However, Chelski won, again, and the gap at the top is starting to look somewhat ominous even at this early stage of the season.

I have been sent a couple of pictures from the game, but am unsure as to whether or not to post them, as they are not my work..????
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Wooder]

I watched the Birmingham game, thought it was quite a good game.
I did feel sorry for poo Maik Taylor, who had an amazing game, including a penalty save. Not a great penalty but still. Then a defelection meant one went past him. Thought Reyes was looking brilliant just a shame he isn't a bit more dangerous in front of goal. Thought Arsenal looked good though on a whole, but catching Chelsea will not be easy.

[SE13]

[rant] What is it with International games, and Arsenal players coming back injured, and unable to compete in major fixtures for some time afterwards?? Now, Ashley Cole will be out for upwards of four weeks with a stress fracture....

There will be soon a time, when The Hallowed Marble area will be over-run with casualties, as well at the normal treatment rooms!!! [/rant]
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Wooder]

Fair enough International games are a pain when players get injuries but, what if say Wenger stopped Cole playing for England, you wouldn't be happy then would you . Well I'm hoping that you wouldn't be.

[Magpie]

I wouldn't be!! What's the alternative at left back? Wayne Bridge?


*shudders at the thought*
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

Hmmm.... The options are otherwise limited it has to be said!!

The injury list at Arsenal is, however, growing from the current batch of Internationals, at a time when Chelski are stretching an almost unrealistic target of point difference.

Perhaps I was a touch annoyed when I posted originally, especially as it seems to be Internationals (Friendlies mostly) when the sqaud becomes somewhat depleted due to injuries as a result....
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[SE13]

Injury latest after the latest round of internationals..... Not looking too good either!!

Stress fracture for Ashley Cole... Alexander Hleb not looking too hopeful, Sol Campbell with a hamstring problem...

There are times when I despair!!

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is quoted as saying something along the lines of "Not a crisis, but we are a little thin on the ground"!!!
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

An excellent result last night for the Gunners (much better than Man U's *snigger*) and a 100% record so far.

I didn't see the game because the place I was in was showing the boring Man U game but I just wanted to pay deference to Thierry Henry's brilliance. They showed the goals after the game and his first was an absolute piece of genius. Does this man have no limit to his talents?

Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

To be honest, Magpie, that was a "so-called" 50% fit Thierry Henry!! And if he is in that sort of mood when not fully fit, then Heaven help the Premiership this season!! We have missed him, and now you can see why!!

Just a note about the all-time goalscoring record being broken, The second Henry strike broke the record. Sort of a shame that it was not at Highbury, but we needed that goal so much, it really didn't matter where it was scored!! Ian Wright, who previously held the record, although I am sure is gutted, will also be delighted about it. Wright is still high in the fans eyes, and is and always will be an Arsenal legend.

So to last nights result... 2-0 away from home is a fine scoreline, and in the knowledge that Arsenal now have a maximum nine from nine points, and that Ajax of Amsterdam beat FC Thun, there is a five point gap at the top already. Qualification to the knock-out stages is almost certain now, so perhaps we are free to concentrate of the league!!
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Pally]

After watching the game last night and seeing Henry in that form I only believe things can be on the up for Arsenal and hopefully you can go on and try and push Chelsea for the title because the Premiership needs to be more entertaining than it currently is.

Henry's goal was a touch of brilliance, when he came on the Arsenal team looked a different side, more confident on the ball and more dangerous in front of goal. Great to see him break the record held by Ian Wright.

My only concern I would have if I was an Arsenal fan are the comments he said after the game, he didn't say he would be at Arsenal next season and his body language suggested he needed to do some serious thinking before he will decide upon his future, for your sake I hope you bring in 3 quality players over January and the Summer window to keep Henry with you - it would be a great loss for you and the Premiership to lose such a talented player.
_________________
" Simplicity; the future of design "