Looking back at the start of the season (I know it has only just begun and we haven't played
that many games but allow me to indulge in it) and especially after the departure of Alex Song, at
that time I really thought that Francis Coquelin would be a confirmed starter. It's no rocket
science that he is one who could play in a similar role to the one vacated by Song.
many headlines this morning regarding PHW's interview in the Standard screaming 'WE CAN'T
COMPETE', which really doesn't tell the full story. We can't compete in some respects, we know
that, and that's what the Chairman said.
"At a certain level, we can't compete"
And he's talking about the clubs whose resources are endless.
many headlines this morning regarding PHW's interview in the Standard screaming 'WE CAN'T
COMPETE', which really doesn't tell the full story. We can't compete in some respects, we know
that, and that's what the Chairman said.
"At a certain level, we can't compete"
And he's talking about the clubs whose resources are endless.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midfielder Jack Wilshere is ready to return to
playing within the next month or so.
Wilshere, 20, has not been in action since suffering a pre-season injury last year and his
absence leaves a void in the Gunners' midfield, particularly after the departure of Alex Song to
Barcelona earlier this summer.
Anfield. Arsenal do have plenty of memories at this ground. As with many things in this world,
there are good memories and bad memories. Whether we were old enough to remember the 1989 game or
know about it via watching old videos or reading articles about it, that last game of the season
has to go down as one of the best moments in Arsenal's history.
The Sunday game against Stoke was my first chance watching any incarnation of Arsenal since last
May and as predicted there were some good points and bad points that caught my eye. I felt they
started the game with a lot of energy and speed and basically controlled the pace of the match.
Abou Diaby actually stood out for the first 20 minutes as it's as good as I've ever seen him
play.
Hello and good day to you all. We're just 2 days from another Arsenal
match and this time it will be a trip to Stoke, or as Arseblog likes to call it, Mordor. The last
time we won there was when Aaron Ramsey was brutally assaulted by a thug.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was wearing a new number 13 shirt today but Arsenal fans need not worry
about another star heading for the exit, the young England star has been honoured for his rise to
stardom by being on the front of the UK version of the EA Sports FIFA 13 game packaging, where he
is pictured alongside none other than Lionel Messi and Joe Hart.
Despite the departure of former captain Robin van Persie earlier this week and persistent rumors
surrounding the future of star midfielder Alex Song, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident that
Arsenal start the Premier League season in great mood this afternoon.
The Gunners welcome Sunderland to the Emirates in a rematch of the FA Cup clash that resulted in
the former's elimination six months ago but this time around, Oxlade-Chamberlain is feeling very
optimistic about his side's chances.
This is the last of the look at the squad and we're at the forward line now. On the official
website, there are 9 players listed there. One, we would not talk about because at this point, he's
probably looking at what's the best route to got to Old Trafford. There's another 2 more which also
doesn't warrant mention because just like the one before, they are on the verge (in the loosest
sense) of leaving the club.
No matter if Robin van Persie stays with Arsenal or pulls another club's shirt over his head this
season, the London club looks to be a pretty strong side. The team will eventually have last year's
long-term injured players back, such as Jack Wilshere and the new signings are all pretty much
world-class players.
It's official. Santiago Cazorla González, best known to his mates as Santi Cazorla, is now an
Arsenal player. The ambidextrous 27-year-old midfielder has been capped 45 times for his country,
and that's no mean feat when your national side, Spain, is the reigning European and world
champion.
First off, let me say I am most encouraged by the way everyone went for goal. Wenger always says
he likes everyone in his team to score, and it seems they are really taking it to heart. Is it
just for pre season, or is it really a new attitude? Â I hope it continues into the regular season.
I sometimes wonder if our guys are a little gun- shy, because we think everything has to go through
van Persie.
First off, let me say I am most encouraged by the way everyone went for goal. Wenger always says
he likes everyone in his team to score, and it seems they are really taking it to heart. Is it
just for pre season, or is it really a new attitude? Â I hope it continues into the regular season.
I sometimes wonder if our guys are a little gun- shy, because we think everything has to go through
van Persie.
At the time you read this, some events may have overtaken it, and I truly hope that is the case.
Names in, or names out, either would make me feel good. Like most of you, one of the first things I
do each day is check the news about Arsenal. Again, like last summer, this is not a normal transfer
season.
At the time you read this, some events may have overtaken it, and I truly hope that is the case.
Names in, or names out, either would make me feel good. Like most of you, one of the first things I
do each day is check the news about Arsenal. Again, like last summer, this is not a normal transfer
season.
At the time you read this, some events may have overtaken it, and I truly hope that is the case.
Names in, or names out, either would make me feel good. Like most of you, one of the first things I
do each day is check the news about Arsenal. Again, like last summer, this is not a normal transfer
season.
We missed Wednesday's deadline due to our travels, but that doesn't mean that your weekly Gossip
Column has to be postponed! This week, read about Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez's summer
escapades, David Beckham's fatherly love, Sergio Ramos' new tattoo and Walcott and The Ox's Kung-Fu
lesson in Beijing.
Arsenal have always not been big spenders in any transfer window, always opting for purchasing
players at the age of 15 and 16 for £400,000, rather than spending £25 £30 million on proven
talent, and hoping they become the next big thing. Fabregas is one of the rare occasions where it
has actually worked.
Arsenal have always not been big spenders in any transfer window, always opting for purchasing
players at the age of 15 and 16 for £400,000, rather than spending £25 £30 million on proven
talent, and hoping they become the next big thing. Fabregas is one of the rare occasions where it
has actually worked.
Good morning/afternoon to you. Believe me I've tried, but up to this point in time, there's not
a single picture available from yesterday's first training session back with all the big boys.
Perhaps it will be up on the official website later, who knows. But I'm sure we'll like to see how
Nicklas Bendtner reacts to the presence of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud at the training
ground.
Theo Walcott is confident that England and Arsenal teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will return
to the Gunners squad for the pre-season much stronger than before after taking part in this
summer's Euro 2012 tournament.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was a shock inclusion in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine
but the 18-year old didn't stop there; he also earned his first start against the in-form France
last Monday.
England winger Theo Walcott has defended skipper Steven Gerrard for an incident that took away
what was poised to be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first goal for the Three Lions.
Walcott came off the bench during Friday's 3-2 win over Sweden and in his impressive substitute
appearance, he was able to score the equalizer and assist Danny Welbeck's match-winner to help
England come from 2-1 behind to claim all three points.
Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rubbished suggestions that the team's 1-1 draw
against France on Monday is a discouraging indication about the Lions' prospects in the
competition.
Roy Hodgson's men opened the tournament confidently against Les Bleus, taking the lead
through a Joleon Lescott header and going into the interval with a 1-0 advantage.
French international striker Olivier Giroud is on the verge of completing his
£12 million deal from Montpellier to Arsenal. (BBC)
The 25-year-old frontman, who scored 21 goals in Montpellier's Ligue 1 triumph last season, is
being tipped to complete his move to Emirates Stadium in the next few days.
In the end, the real star for England tonight was their youngest player on the pitch
Chamberlain who did a marvelous job, despite England's boring defensive
strategies. France relied on their techniques to drive the ball past some very hardworking English
defenders, and at times, Karim Benzema and Ribery had to rely on
some creative maneuvering to get past them!
England and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has argued that despite creating fewer chances
than France in their tournament opener, the Three Lions had the better of the chances and only
needed more clinical finishing to win the match.
The only England goal was a Joleon Lescott header from a Steven Gerrard free-kick but Samir
Nasri quickly equalized after the interval to leave Roy Hodgson's men searching for more.
France vs England |Â 18:00CET
Group D
Donetsk, Ukraine
In the past few weeks, we've received tons of mails rallying support for England -Â
a nice change, considering the fact that recent polls conducted among fans have produced
gloomy results. For example, only 3% of English fans think that they'll win the Euro 2012 under
Roy Hodgson (But.
Now that I've done with the favourites (my own choice, at least) for Euro 2012, it's time to
look at those dark horses. Teams that I won't necessarily wage my house on but worth a small punt
if the prices are right. Teams that will go into the tournament without much chance of winning it
but could rise to the occasion and spring a surprise or two.
