* Yes, this is a shout-out to our recently departed midfield maestro, The Martin. (Check the guest appearance.)

As you now know, a few of us will be taking over the Arsenal Offside page, so some introductions are in order. I think Homey's prepping an intro post, but seeing as I just finished a contract and have a few days free, I thought I'd come on and tell you all a little bit about myself while he gets that sorted.

This time it's less controversial Last time Cesc Fabregas decided to play dress-up he ended up wearing a Barcelona shirt in front of a watching audience of millions. This time around the choice of kit is more acceptable to your average Arsenal fan and Cesc has chosen the outfit of his own accord (rather than [.

Don't believe all the crap you read by Anthony Armstrong As an Arsenal fan, this week has been a particularly depressing one. Fabregas is off to Barcelona in exchange for pocket money, Nasri is soon to be a Manc, van Persie is about to hand in a transfer request, Chelsea want Walcott and we are [...]

There is an absolutely amazing interview with Cesc Fabregas Spanish magazine Don Balon in which the Gunners captain blast Arsene Wenger.

Here are some of his comments:

"It [Wenger's position] is now easier to understand because I've been here for many years," said Fabregas.

It would seem that the Belgian youngster Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Arsenal since he was in nappies, and he is far and away the one foreign youngster that just about every Arsenal fan would love to see arriving this summer, whether Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are still at the [...]

Newcastle completed the greatest comeback in Premier League history; however most of us would consider it the greatest choke in history. Following this match there has been much debate as to who was actually to blame for Arsenal's disgraceful demise. As an Arsenal fan that has supported the club before the arrival of the Arsene [.

You know your team isn't doing too well when the blasted international break becomes the blessed international break, and the top searched news is Jack Wilshere being hauled in front of the media jury for offering to clean a spud cabbie's window. At times like these, you feel like going into your shell, try thinking about ramp functions rather than downward spiralling seasons, maybe watch a bit of the Unbeaten DVD and cry tears of blood.

So, I had this great idea for a post about Arsenal and Barcelona fans, and how to distinguish them. An Arsenal fan will feel good about him or herself for entering a Starbucks and buying coffee imported from Nicaragua or some other third world country. A Barcelona fan? He or she will turn over the coffee package and scowl in disgust.

Italian giants, Internazionale also known as Inter Milan, are tracking featured player Nicklas Bendtner. According to SkySports, Inter are keeping a close eye on the situation with NB and could bid for the Danish forward. Other clubs have been linked with Bendtner in the past few weeks such names as Juventus, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, Hamburg, Aston Villa and Besiktas.

EMMANUEL Frimpong has had a corking bust-up with celebrity Gooner Piers Morgan after the TV host had a dig at the young Arsenal midfielder. Frimpong was sent off in his Premier League debut in the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates yesterday and he was in fighting mood when Morgan gave him some grief about his haird-do and his dismissal.

Before I start I want to make it clear that there are no words I can use in order to describe how it felt to finally beat Barcelona. When my father called me after the final whistle, I was still inside the Emirates, crying like a baby. And when he asked me why I was crying, I realised that only an Arsenal fan knows what that moment represented.

(When it comes to the Champions League, I can't help but root for any English team, unless that team is playing against Arsenal... How the Gunners beat Barcelona is not for me to decide, for I'm certainly not an analyst. My best answer is that Arsenal beat Barca the same way Arsenal can be beaten: Solid defending and goalkeeping, making chances count, waiting for a couple sloppy passes and scoring on the break.

Written by Harry

The inner workings of Arsène Wengers mind have for some 15 years, had the average Arsenal fan's imagination captivated. We've been spellbound by the intricate passing and mesmeric breathtaking counter attacks, in awe of the array of attacking talent on show, which saw us reach the pinnacle with the Invincibles unbeaten run in 2004, a feat unliklely ever to be matched by another team.

Well that's what we should have been reading this morning anyway! Isn't it weird how 24hrs after the event the sense of frustration at Chelsea's performance over rides the result. How many more times are we going to have to sit there and hope that Chelsea don't choke or blow it and watch exactly that unfold right before our very eyes!

The end of another trophyless Arsenal season has gooners everywhere wondering how this Arsenal team can get out of its rut and move forward. It's obvious that a couple of quality signings would no doubt improve the team, but I thought I would look at our current resources to see if there is something new or different we could try next season.

Short of the Premier League changing its mind and awarding Arsenal the league title for plucky against-all-likelihood endeavour, the one thing that would have kicked the summer off in a marvellous and positive fashion would have been some early incomings.

Wishful thinking, it seems, seeing that a) in signing terms it's early doors (whatever early doors are) and b) the futures of two very important players are obfuscated if, indeed, obfuscated is the word I'm looking for.

Nothing like a lazy, serene Monday morning in bed. Except for an Arsenal fan of course. Currently touring the Far East in search of money, and some pre-season football action, Arsene Wenger faced the press in Malaysia and answered a couple of questions about This Guy AND That Whore

This Guy - That Whore

Some completely redundant background info in case you have just got here from the future where you were living in a post-apocalyptic world and have been sent back by the humans to save John Connor, in which case, what the heck are you doing reading this blog anyway.

The Arsenal Chief Executive Officer Ivan Gazidis has promised the fans that that the Gunners DO have substantial funds to invest and they still intend to strengthen the "areas of weakness" before the end of the transfer window. As every Arsenal fan (and his dog) know that it has been the defence that has been [.

It is not often that I have been ashamed to be an Arsenal fan, but sadly today was one of those days. It wasn't to do with the team, the manager, the result, it was the quite pathetic behaviour and attitude of a group of so called 'Arsenal fans' who booed their players in a pre season friendly match.

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal By Phil Gregory So it's a new season but the story is very much the same as what has gone before: a smattering of injuries, and a "will they, won't they" around Cesc and an attacking midfielder. Such is the life of an Arsenal fan, but we're a courageous lot, [.

Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub is a post from: Just Football

Any Arsenal fan will tell you that the last few seasons have been tough. They will need no reminding that the last trophy the club won was back in 2005. However the start of this season led to more than a few whispers that perhaps Arsène Wenger wasn't the right man for the club.

By Tony Alvarez

A we are around midway into the January transfer window we decided to look into what types of players each club needs, I will also put forward my opinion of the ideal players to fulfil the roles and how likely it is to happen.

Arsenal- Arsenal are a few players away from being truly great, this may be a bit biased as an Arsenal fan so I may rate us a little higher than other readers.

Last week, Chelsea Coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to take in a FA Youth Cup match featuring Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Unfortunately, for Ancelotti, but fortunately for us, the Italian figured he could sit any seat he so desired; however, he chose the seat of an elderly Arsenal fan who was not having any of it:

I have an interesting Guest Post today from an Arsenal fan in the Caribbean who is known as Swagger on Just Arsenal. He is very worried that the usual "meaningless friendlies" could have an adverse affect on what could be the most crucial month of the season. Over to Mr Swagger...... International Friendlies Apparently three [.

Fact: Hitler was a Shalke fan. Today I delve into the world of celebriti, with a set of ten fans in mid that epitomise global stardom. Whether they are an actor, a musician, or, well that's all I have on here actually they all share a 'love' for a certain team in England, or claim to at least.

I'm like a new signing here. Not of the Suarez kind though. BigFourZa didn't spend a penny on me. Although I don't think I'd be worth more than a few rupees. I'm of the Ramsey ilk. Out for nearly a year when I was just beginning to fulfill my Carlton Palmer-esque promise, I now return. I'm certain my return won't be like that of Eduardo.

There is an absolutely amazing interview with Cesc Fabregas Spanish magazine Don Balon in which the Gunners captain blast Arsene Wenger.

Here are some of his comments:

"It [Wenger's position] is now easier to understand because I've been here for many years," said Fabregas.

The Game Had you asked any Arsenal fan what tomorrow's game means a month ago, everyone would have said it's massive, it's the game of the season, it's where the title will be decided. Weeks later, the ...

Sir Alex Ferguson said the other week that it doesn't matter what the other sides do "as long as you win your games". United lost this afternoon to Arsenal to put Chelsea level on goal difference and just three points behind with our next game at Old Trafford. I am not one to big myself up (much) but the goal today came from a late run in the box from Aaron Ramsey and is one of the weaknesses I pointed out about United a while back.

Morning all, a quick Saturday round-up for you.

Let's start with the transfer latest involving as many players as I can find info on.

Cesc Darren Dein has phoned Barcelona to tell them that Arsenal are willing to sell. Barcelona want to offer €30m, Arsenal want more.

Well, we're about to find out what happens when mommy and daddy give the keys to the new BMW to their punk teenage kids. Or something. Let's just hope we get it back into the garage safely. But seriously, our new group is attempting to do the impossible, which is fill the shoes of our outstanding predecessors, the Martin and Sairax.

Where has the pride gone from the team? by Vinay in Bangalore I have been an Arsenal fan for the last 15 years and i am just 30 now, so yes my boyhood, childhood, adulthood and rest of my life team has always been Arsenal. I just wanted to write to you and express a [...]

Another Year, Another Transfer Saga (or three) by Gaz Being an Arsenal fan can be difficult at times, with the lack of silverware to celebrate for the last six years, and the fact that our manager is so uninterested when it comes to signing star players. But one thing in particular this summer is frustrating [.

Arsenal Transfer Scenarios: Possible situations and outcomes by Anders Marshall As we all know, the transfer season has just begun with a bang with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd splashing the cash early to get things rolling. It makes me sad as an Arsenal fan knowing Wenger would never make such bold moves [.

The long-dreaded summer saga of Cesc Fabregas appears to be heading for it's conclusion, at least from Arsenal fan's point of view. BBC Sport has learned that, while the Arsenal board has already rejected a ...

While he looks arguably a better prospect than Giovani dos Santos was, is Bojan Krkic going to be another over priced disappointment from the fringes of the Barcelona squad? A £14m price tag would suggest this 20 year old is a bit special but as he's yet to do it on a consistent basis at the highest level, this transfer would be a very risky one.

The focus of the football world is Samir Nasri. The little mercurial midfield maestro, who was proclaimed the little Zidane is the centre of a massive tug of war.

Nasri has not signed a new contract, he says money is not the route of the dispute, Arsenal have offered £90,000 as week and Nasri wants in the region of £110,000 a week.

If you're an Arsenal fan, we're guessing that uppermost in your thoughts at the moment is the fact that you may well be about to witness one of the most psychologically damaging player exoduses in the Premier League era.
You may also be wondering at which point manager Arsene Wenger will say enough is enough and finally reach into his pocket to buy a player who the average football fan has actually heard of, or perhaps you're spending your time day-dreaming about watching your club captain lift a trophy for the first time in six years.

I would like to start this post with a shout-out of support to Mumbai and all those affected by the bomb blasts over there. Condolences to the victims and their families, a plea of extreme caution to the rest. Terrorists are sonsofbitches; I would have ordered van Persie to slam free kicks into Ajmal Kasab's balls every day, but the Supreme Court has yet to answer my mail in this regard.

Lauren Cheney: Her stunning goal and set piece assist lifted the USA over France

First, kudos have to go to the unsung US defense that battled a spectacular French side to no more damage than Sonia Bompastor's equalizer. Take a bow Christine Rampone, Amy LePeilbet, Ali Krieger, and especially Becky Sauerbrunn whose assured performance belied this being her World Cup debut.