It's difficult to remember a kit launch with as much anticipation as Nike's French revolution, but that may be down to the simple fact that France was donning adidas when they stormed the Bastille.

Wait no longer. Nike's first French kit, complete with poetic ad campaign, has been unchained.

If that game is anything to go by, I guess I should miss more matches! In fact, the Mrs. did cheekily make such a suggestion but it was stared down.

More importantly, it's three big points at a very difficult venue as Arsenal continue to make light work of really tough games. If the reverse phenomenon can be stemmed the title will certainly end up at the Emirates.

Union

Justin Mapp talks about how welcome he felt when he came to the Union, what he's doing in the off season, and the team's focus on winning in 2011. "Our fans are the best in the league. They're loud. They're supportive. They're passionate. When we start stringing wins together, these fans are going to be the ones who deserve it.

The Game There is always a sense of anticipation when cup games are around the corner, especially when we play at home. Some expect big wins and a party mood at the Emirates and in a ...

Checking in now as Nick Rimando and Sean Johnson start warming up.

Sean Franklin: Starting in his club stadium....so proud...

You're starting line-up...sorry we're late:

GK: Nick Rimando

DEF: Zach Lloyd, Omar Gonzalez, Tim Ream, Sean Franklin

D MID: GINGER NATION (Dax, Larentowicz)

MID: Brek Shea, Mix Diskerud, Ale Bedoya

STR: Chris Wondolowski

Bench: GK Sean Johnson; Ds A.

The first training session of the January camp is done and dusted, and all the nervous energy and anticipation will start to give way to better focus and sharper soccer. All of the 22 players currently in Carson took part in the nearly 90-minute long session which included a lengthy warm-up, technical exercises, simultaneous small-sided possession games and finally 6 v.

Our heroes have made a pleasing habit of dispelling various hoodoos in recent months, and the latest to present itself is a ten-year drought against the eleven men of Manchester United and their various assistants in black. Over the last year or so we have torn apart some of the cream of Europe, with United's the only scalp now missing, and while unbeaten our visitors have looked far from invincible to date this season.

FC Barcelona took full advantage of Real Madrid slip

FC Barcelona won their 17th consecutive win of the season with a 4-1 demolition of Malaga at the Camp Nou. By doing so we have now moved four points clear of our arch-rival Real Madrid. Iniesta opened the scoring followed by Villa, Pedro and again Villa to complete the tally.

Before you read on let me first put forward a question. If Roy Hodgson was to have played Glen Johnson in the left back position in a must win match against Blackpool he would surely have been crucified by the Kop and indeed any other follower of Liverpool, yet ‘King' Kenny Dalglish does this and it is seen as a step in the right direction.

Ayr United v HibsThe Sky Sports cameras will be at Somerset Park tomorrow night. Not, I think, to savour the surroundings or in anticipation of a cracking game of football.
No. The Honest Men are hosting Sky because they scent an upset. The vultures are circling ready to feast on the corpse of Hibs' season.

Reports surfaced last week that Nery Castillo was attempting to engineer a loan deal back to Greek club Aris FC. A post on Castillo's Facebook page mentioned a possible move but Aris' manager Hector Cuper quickly shot down the suggestion a few days later saying

"The road has not opened. Castillo is neither close nor far from Aris.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has chosen to focus on youngster Theo Walcott's improved efficiency amidst controversy that followed the player's confession of a dive against Leeds United in the FA Cup first leg fixture between the two sides.

Walcott, who told the Gunners' official website that diving was certainly not a part of his game, apologized for his desperate attempt at earning a penalty in his club's 1-1 draw at the Emirates a little less than two weeks ago.

When getting right down to it, there may be no arena more in tune with superstition than sports. Despite its lack of rooting in rationality, everyone from coaches to players to fans believes in something of zero relation which impacts the outcome of their most beloved team. Whether it's rooted in rationality or not more often the latter nonetheless, they still believe.