A few days back, during the course of some random web surfing, I came across a quote by former
US president John F. Kennedy. It took a few moments to sink in but since then I haven't stopped
admiring the wisdom captured in just a few words. Moreover, it's extremely relevant in the context
of Arsenal FC.
by Tony Attwood It is hard to find many people in football who don't have a bad word to say about
Arsène Wenger, and Arsenal FC. In the current era it seemed to start with the journalists who
tried to run the original paedophile story when Arsène Wenger first arrived (and who now
conveniently forget [.
A lot of noise has been kicked up today about how Manuel Almunia will probably leave in January.
His position as Arsenal's number one is... well... he isn't number one anymore to put it most
bluntly. A mixture of mistakes against West Brom and an injury problem has allowed Lucasz Fabianski
to stake his claim for the number one spot and he has taken it despite a share of the fans still
not being totally convinced by him.
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Arsenal look set to renew their (in)famously rivalry, affectionately known as the battle of
buffet. We at 11G bring the battle of buffet with extra garnishing of add ons straight into your
plate. And here is the injury report of Arsenal FC before our trip to OT.
Michael Sheehy a.
There was one reason I have been looking forward to January: Wellington Silva arriving at the
club.
He is a type of player we have rarely seen in an Arsenal side, a player with tricks and the
ability to beat a man that few players in this current squad have. Imagine your typical English
full-back who has been pestered by Arshavin, Nasri or Walcott for 80 minutes then having to deal
with a tricky, enthusiastic young Brazilian with searing pace.
I often find Player interviews on ATVO offer something interesting. An insight into a player's
psyche, thoughts on the spirit within the dressing room, opinions on various issues, or even some
personal tidbits; there is something in these that we don't get from regular media coverage. And
after listening to his last few interviews, Wojciech Szczesny is fast becoming one of my favourite
players.
The Teams Group Winners Pot: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid,
Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk, Tottenham Group Runners-up Pot: AC Milan, Arsenal>, FC Copenhagen,
Inter Milan, Lyon, Marseille, Roma, Valencia Potential Opponents for Arsenal: Barcelona, Real
Madrid, ...
It is well known in footballing circles that Eden Hazard wants to move to Arsenal, something he
hinted at in his recent comments about his future. Some sources have claimed that he will
definitely join the club in the summer after he asked for another season in France last time round,
however I hold no information of my own to validate or quash those claims.
One of the more interesting parts of being a fan of more than one sports is the ability to observe
parallels and general trends that transcend each sport. We as fans like to believe that every
player on our teams is as dedicated to the cause as we are and yet in most cases this is the
exception and not the rule.
On this most festive of days, what with all the snow and stuff, I would like to wish you all a
merry Christmas and thank you all for reading this blog over the past 12 months there are too many
people to thank without leaving a few out so that will be something to write with a little thought
next week.
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Cracking Performance form the lads, and its here for you to watch in full high fidelity!
Or if you have less time see the shorter highlights of each half as well, below.
It was absolutely freezing last night, but at a tenner for my ticket it would have been rude not
too. First of all I would like to thank the company I had last night as always the legend that is
Arsenal TV Online's Akhil and Steve were on top form and we tried our very best to liven up the
graveyard that is Block 1.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Russia following the announcement made by FIFA
president Sepp Blatter this afternoon. The 2022 tournament bid was won by the small Middle Eastern
state of Qatar which had demonstrated the huge amount of wealth that they intend to invest in
stadia and infrastructure as a result of winning the bid.
Last weekend I had a chat with a source and received some very interesting information, I wrote
about some of this just the other day and thought I would leave the last bit until later on in the
week. The plan was to write about the information yesterday but there was just not enough time with
a deadline for some other work due earlier on today.
As always for Saturday games, a quick preview of the upcoming game before work calls..
We face Fulham at home and considering our recent form at the Emirates we should take absolutely
nothing for granted. What will be interesting from a personal point of view is if Andrey Arshavin
manages to replicate the form he was showing last weekend against Villa where he really did look
like something approaching his best.
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
The definition of Samir Nasri: Awesomeness personified.
What a marvelous player he is, and what brilliant goals he scored on Saturday afternoon. I said
a week or so ago after our slump that someone really needed to stand up and drag this team along
and it seems that Samir will be that player for us this season it was Cesc last season and Robin
before that.
Tomorrow night we draw the curtain on what has been a Champions League group stage of two
halves. The first we were breaking records and annihilating teams and the second, so far, we have
been dreadful.
Forgive me for feeling negative about this Champions League campaign but can we really get to
the semi's, or the final, and win, with the amount of goals we are conceding?
There's really only one game that matters today: the Arsenal v Partizan matchup. We've been
focusing a lot on the Gunners this week (apologies to Spurs fans) though can you blame us? What
with the classy showing from the overbite last weekend, and now with the top team in England (game
in hand, of course) on the verge of disqualification, we simply can't help ourselves.
There's really only one game that matters today: the Arsenal v Partizan matchup. We've been
focusing a lot on the Gunners this week (apologies to Spurs fans) though can you blame us? What
with the classy showing from the overbite last weekend, and now with the top team in England (game
in hand, of course) on the verge of disqualification, we simply can't help ourselves.
Arsenal 3-1 Partizan
The performance was rubbish, the result was key. Isn't that what good teams are supposed to
do?
Before I comment on the game itself there is a subject that has been really bothering me over
the past season or two and that is the abuse that Denilson seems to get from his own fans.
Wojiech Szczesny has admitted that he will play tonight after Lucasz Fabianski seems to be
struggling to shake on an injury in time to play United tonight.
Speaking via text to a Polish journalist, he is claimed to have said:
"Yes. (after being asked if The Sun report is true), and I really like it"
If this is indeed correct, it is a massive chance for him to live up to his own hype in three
games he has not conceded a goal and been reasonably impressive, he is young but we all know he has
a lot of talent and all the potential to become a very classy keeper.
Man United 1-0 Arsenal
For a team who's philosophy is based around creating chances and scoring goals, last night they
looked more toothless than at any other point in the season. After the first 25 minutes it was
clear that United planned to put real pressure down the flanks, forcing us to play through the
congested midfield on a pitch that didn't suit our game, but nor did it suit United's either.
Arsenal never really found themselves turning up to this game; clearly Wenger did not want a
repeat of when Arsenal concede to many goals against the big four teams, due to a lack of
discipline at the back. However we simply did not pass and get the ball forward enough, firstly
as often as we should and secondly when we did, we weren't decisive and fluid.
Some people love the guy, some think his time is up, I'm afraid to say that my opinion is of the
latter please read what I say before castigating me!
When Ashley Cole left, Clichy took his chance so well he displayed all the characteristics he
displayed now but there was also a reliability to his game, you knew that if you but the very best
up against him you could hedge your bets on him giving them a damn good game.
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Do You Have It You!?
Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars is a unique soccer tournament which promotes soccer among
school children and helps talented young soccer players to access the best in terms of
infrastructure, training and above all an international platform to exhibit India's next
talent.
The draw for the Round of 16 stage of the UEFA Champions League has been made this afternoon in
the Swiss town of Nyon. Here are the eight ties that will leave many football fans on the edge of
their seats in February (group winners first):
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
Shakhtar Donetsk - AS Roma
Tottenham Hotspur - AC Milan
Schalke 04 - Valencia CF
FC Bayern - Internazionale FC
Real Madrid Olympique Lyonnais
FC Barcelona Arsenal FC
Chelsea FC - FC Kobenhavn
Manchester United Olympique Marseille
ALL TIES TO BE PLAYED OVER FIVE WEEKS FROM 15-16 FEBRUARY TO 15-16 MARCH
Following a draw that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims he expected, the Gunners will face
favorites FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League's first knock-out stage.
Premier League title contenders Chelsea and Manchester United, who will square off at Stamford
Bridge in a battle for domestic supremacy this weekend, should fancy their odds of progressing to
the quarterfinals having drawn FC Copenhagen and Marseille, respectively.
A couple of reports have started to come out of Germany claiming that Wolfsburg have given
Schteve McClaren the go ahead to lodge a bid for Denilson in the region of £11-£13 million,
depending on where you read.
I could understand why Denilson might be tempted to move on. He isn't the number one choice for
the deep-lying role in midfield and if there is even the merest hint of a mistake the fans are
onto him in a flash.
Last night on Twitter I requested a few ideas for articles my followers wanted during the week
due to the lack of action on the pitch, one of those asked just how close was Ronaldinho to signing
for Arsenal.
It was a pretty close run thing.
Arsenal, Gremio, Ronaldinho and his brother/agent had a deal agreed the only stumbling block was
the work permit request which was rejected, the problem was his lack of international
appearances.
Want to know why? It will never be approved by the board. Any takeover attempt has to have their
approval.
So, no. Usmanov is not 'on the verge of an automatic takeover' -thanks, Sky. Usmanov has to
make a takeover offer if he breaches the 29.9% barrier currently occupied by Stan Kroenke who is
already a board member and their preferred future owner.
After having a discussion with people more informed on the ownership situation and the relevant
procedures than myself, it has shone a different light on what may actually be going on with the
whole Usmanov / Kroenke situation.
Many, including myself, think that it is pretty set in stone that Stan Kroenke will one day own
Arsenal Football Club no doubts about it.
The Nike CTR360 Maestri II Elite is designed for the player looking to master
control on the pitch. Controlling the tempo with accurate passing, dictating the pace and creating
chances are necessities for the midfield maestro.
Both Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC) and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona
FC) personify the ultimate control players and both wear the CTR360 Maestri II Elite football
boot.
Before the game I billed it as the time Arsenal really do have to come to life and beat a title
challenger lose and we were as far off as ever win and we can start to think differently. From the
first minute the players really, really wanted that win.
What really got me was that there was no fear, respect for them, but they didn't stand off
Chelsea and let them play a part in the match.
Bit of transfer news to start with...
I was told by a reliable source last night that Arsenal are keeping their eyes on one transfer
target in January and it is 50/50 whether they make a move for him, the only other information is
that available to me is the nationality and age of the target German and 25 no other information
has been made available to me on that front.
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way. For issues with the content please contact the content host.
Lee Probert is now my most hated referee. I think the worst performance I have seen in a year in
an Arsenal game by a match official.
Wigan 2-2 Arsenal
A beautiful high is always going to be followed by a crash, but things really aren't as awful as
people think they are. There is some absurd comment flying about and whilst everyone is entitled to
an opinion, a bit of rationality can go a long way.
