I've lost all respect for FC Barcelona.
Of course they have the living legend Thierry Henry and on their day football-wise they are almost as good as Arsenal reserves but thats about it for me. To put it politely, they can go fuck themselves.
Its not Chico time but it has to be time for UEFA, FIFA or the WWE to throw the book at the Catalan's.

Arsene Wenger's rapidly increasing dependence on youngsters within his squad reached new heights this midweek when he chose to start off the Champions League group stages with rookie Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone between the sticks.

Last night we saw the Arsenal past and Arsenal future, with a good stark warning for all of our youth players who think that they are bigger than the club...

Jerome Thomas of West Bromich Albion began his Arsenal career having joined the Arsenal from his schoolboy appointment at Luton Town Football Club in 2001.

A very good Saturday to all of you. No Arsenal today as they will only be playing tomorrow. So full preview only on tomorrow's post.

Arsenal held their AGM on Thursday and it was a much relaxed one compared to the one held post the semifinal lost to Man United. There were no one in the party who questioned Arsene Wenger's actions or tactics.

Last Englishman Not Standing

There's another new name added to the injury list after the conclusion of the England U-21 game last night when Kieran Gibbs limped out of the game after just 20 odd minutes. I do not know for sure the extend of his injury but if it really is a broken metatarsal, it would mean April or May as his return date, which will also effectively mean an early end to what was supposed to be a promising season for me.

Welcome to a brand new feature on Carlos Vela News, a monthly podcast called 'Vela Interactive'. The aim of the chat is to catch up with fellow bloggers and fans to discuss the latest news and views on all things Carlos Vela related.

This week we catch up with Jamie Sanderson, owner of Arseshirts and talk-show co-host.

As Wenger ponders on the upcoming Carling Cup fourth round game against Liverpool, he now has a decision to be made regarding the goalkeeping situation. Vito Mannone has done well since he had to step in for then injured Manuel Almunia and the boss had no reason to drop him although the Spaniard custodian has returned, fully recovered from his chest infection.

To all the fans of Standard Liege, I want to extend my apologies for the the Premier League match is more important than the meaningless final game away to Olympiakos. If it meant that the Greek side wins and go through to the next round, then there is nothing you can do about it. This is just the advantage and privilege of qualifying to the next stage of the Champions League with a game to spare, that we get to parade and field the reserves and future stars of the club.

The Reserve fixtures were announced today and are available to view on Arsenal.com.

Normally I would not get excited about such an event and would skip past this "Breaking News", but this season's fixtures need a second look. In fact if you look a second time you would see what a farce Reserve team football is.

It's a big week of football for the club what with the Celtic clash being followed by a Saturday game against Portsmouth in the Premier League but it's not just the first team that will be busy. This weekend also sees the Premier Academy League kick off as Arsenal's young guns are away to Sheffield United on Saturday.

Today is an auspicious day as the longest serving manager in Arsenal's history celebrates his 60th birthday. There won't be any lavish parties or anything. I'm betting that it will just be a quiet dinner with the family and then straight to his desk to run through Tuesday's draw at AZ Alkmaar.

Tuesday night was a special night for Arsenal, not only because we took one more step towards the knock-out stage of the Champions League, but Samir Nasri played for Arsenal reserves away to Wolves.

Samir suffered a broken leg in pre-season before he was able to kick a ball, with Rosicky fitness unsure and Walcott suffering an injury; it was a severe blow to Arsenal fans.

Better him than Usmanov

News fluttered in yesterday that the American tycoon, Stan Kroenke has purchased more Arsenal shares to bring his shares to 29.9%. Just 0.09% short of needing to make a move for the rest of the shares. Now I've reserved my thoughts on this matter for quite some time as it has already been highlighted in many other blogs and there is no need for me to talk anymore about it, but with Stan so close to a takeover, I guessed now is as good a time as any to give this topic a special mention.

Greece is the location this time for Arsenal's final group game in the Champions League. However this time it's the young guns turn to take centerstage. Arsene Wenger takes his youngest side ever to an away European tie in what is the dead rubber for us as we have already confirmed our participation in the knockout stage of the premier European competition.

After the wonderful exploits in the second half the Liverpool match to fight back from a goal down to win, to lose tonight away to Burnley would just make the earlier go to waste. Having claw our way back into the championship battle with potentially just 3 points separating us from the top spot, anything [.

Obafemi Martins' pile driver of a goal at the Lane a couple of seasons back still haunts me. I thought we would win that game comfortably but the inconsistent African came up with some magic to ruin that Sunday for me. I can see this Sunday being a different story.

I have a lot of time for Newcastle, especially their fans but I really fear for their Premiership status this season.

The journey continues for Wenger and Arsenal as they knock Liverpool out in the fourth round Carling Cup clash at Ashburton Grove. As it often is with the second cup competition in England, Wenger put his faith in the lesser lights of his squad. Silvestre took the armband with Senderos as his centerback partner in front of the returning Fabianski.

See, I told you I'm a bit good

Let's face it. We all remember Julio Baptista once played for Arsenal on a season long loan from Real Madrid. Jose Antonio Reyes went the other way in the same deal. I don't know about you but for the life of me, I can't remember much of his performance during that season bar for one.

I may young but you boys can still learn from me

Good Friday to you. Sorry for the late post as I was doing a bit of traveling today.

Most would've expected Fabianski to keep the keeper's jersey for this tomorrow's North London Derby but unfortunately for the Polish custodian, he is again crocked by injury.

According to the website Young Guns, a site about Arsenal reserves and youths, Arsenal have signed Fluminense striker Wellington Silva. The source of this news is from Rio-based journalist Gilmar Ferreira, who stated that the club spent 5 million dollars for him.

Arsenal reserves vs. Man City by Phil Gregory Nothing like a bit of Carling Cup action to soothe the pain of the weekend's result! When the draw came out, I was admittedly apprehensive, being that at that point, City were playing their first team in the competition and were on top form. Now however, I'm viewing [.

Counting on Carlos and Jack

The first semifinal spot of the season comes into contention tonight for Arsenal. It is the quaterfinal of the Carling Cup and it is against our newest member of the clubs that we dislike. Now, I'm sure we all remember what happened the last time we visited Man City but I doubt that we will be able to witness any similar incidents.

It's always the top corners aren't they

It wasn't meant to be was it. A bunch of youngsters isin't really going to match the multi-millions worth of players. With Mark Hughes desperate to land his first trophy with Manchester City to save his ass, he started with his first choice players and duly sent Arsenal packing out of Carling Cup.

The win against Stoke put us back with a shout with regards to the league campaign but it came with a price. Four more players joins the 8 already in the medical room. Gallas, Traore, Eboue and Rosicky all suffered injuries following last Saturday's game and will face time on the sidelines. The long list itself is a very scary one.

Nothing to be ashamed about.

In the end, the men did beat the boys but not without getting a real fight to win it. As Arsenal broke the Champions League record by fielding the youngest ever squad to start the premier European competition, the young guns gave a very good account of themselves and left the stadium with their heads held high.

Our young guns had a nice run out. Their somewhat unpolished skills and endeavor fell short but Arsenal reserves showed they are capable of competing and even dominating a European tie. A 1 – 0 loss away to the Greek champions, with our youngest ever Champions League squad, is not a bad result by any means.

With the matches coming thick and fast as always during the year end and the new year signalling the end of a decade, I will take this oppourtunity to reflect back on the past 10 years of Arsenal Football Club. Over the next 15 days, in between Arsenal games, it's as good a time as [...]

The 2002/03 season saw the retirement of Mr. Arsenal, Tony Adams. The one-club man embodies everything that is Arsenal. Battling with alcoholism half of his career but always giving 110% whenever he's on the pitch wearing the red and white. I always found it weird that Alan Shearer was chosen to lead England in France'08 [.

Continuing to look back at the decade that was for Arsenal, we come to season 2003/04. The history books were rewritten as Arsenal reclaimed back the Premier League by remaining unbeaten throughout the entire campaign. This was virtually the same team that finished runners-up to Man United in the previous season, except for the replacement [.

Continuing on from yesterday's topic, topic we'll take a look whether Wenger needs to dip into the transfer market next month. Today, it will be all on the midfield and forward positions. In the new formation that Wenger has employed this season, there's only 3 midfield positions to be filled each match.