by CARL ELDRIDGE I've been to a good few Arsenal games over the past four decades but never have I had the pleasure to bump in to a Gunners fan quite as lovely as this buxom babe. More's the bleedin' pity!

So when this rather appealing snap landed at arsenalinsider we thought it only right and proper to share it with our growing army of visitors.

It has been announced that Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi chairman of the Ras al Khaimah Department of Customs and Seaports, has purchased 60 per cent of an English Premier League football team. Whilst the speculation points to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> Portsmouth being the club in question, Mr Sulaiman Al Fahim was at pains to deny that his deal was being supplemented by Sheikh Al Qasimi.

For some, this may be a controversial article but I felt the need to write it when I saw all the criticism Diaby received after the United game. Let's put things into perspective quickly; everyone bar United fans and Fergie knew that we deserved to win the game, with only a nightmare 5 minute spell costing us.

If there was one element of our new 4-3-3 formation that nobody had predicted at the start of the season it was the use of Robin Van Persie as the central striker and Nicholas Bendtner as a right sided forward. I'm sure that for many gooners, like myself, this was unfathomable; it just literally never crossed my mind that Wenger might play like this.

Rumours at the weekend that were rife suggesting that Kolo Toure was being sold appear to have gained some credibility this afternoon after sources confirm that he was seen clearing his locker and saying goodbye to acquaintances. If this is really true, and all transfer rumours carry a health warning until officially confirmed by the club, then this would end a six [.

Today in Nyon the Third Qualifying draw took place which should identify the teams most likely to enter the play off round of the competition and therefore have the chance to meet Arsenal. The new format of the Champions league is I argue just a pointless exercise in revenue generation by UEFA.

Rarely since moving to the Emirates have I witnessed such an united outpouring of emotion from fans and players alike. The way that Eduardo's name was cheered when it was announced on the public address system made the hairs stand up upon the back of my neck. I hoped that I was to witness something [.

Hands up those of you who watch Serie A football and knew about this player? A report carried in today's Daily Mail suggested that Arsene Wenger is about to bid for Felipe Melo, a wonderfully gifted Brazilian who plays for Fiorentina. I have to confess that for once I had not even heard his name mentioned on our site as a possible replacement.

Ok, so everyone is salivating at the prospect of Andrei Arshavin coming to the Emirates, and as usual Fabregas the King is going to play party pooper and dare to suggest that this is all a fuss about nothing. I argue that if anyone with half a brain sat down and looked at the facts, [...]

International week again. Hmmmmm.... Another week of sitting watching and praying that none of our beloved squad come back injured Of course the big thing is when the players return our captain we be just about ready to take the field with them and the news that Theo's injury wasn't as bad as first feared [.

Hi guys Arsenalinsider.com have teamed up with Soccerpro.com to offer a lucky reader a Arsenal Away Jersey 2009-2010 absolutly free. All you need to do to for a chance to win the Arsensl jersey is answer this very simple question.

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10 things I hate about Arsenal

OK, during this International break and before the news of goings on in the Boardroom, I thought that I would have a light hearted rant. As Arsenal fans we are long suffering and this rant is mainly aimed at those of us who attend the Emirates. I find myself incredibly frustrated at times and I thought that I would share these with you.

What a weekend for yours truly. The low was being floored by a right hook by a Stoke hooligan at the head of the RedAction March in favour of Arsene Wenger, the blow did not hurt me or the pride that we had altogether in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> North London. Yes, PRIDE. Not pride as in love of the hooligan element, but proud that over a hundred Gooners held their cool in the face of mindless provocation from some zero life forms from the Potteries.

by JAMES CURTIS Ronald Koeman and his trusted staff accommodated the away dug-out last night wearing long black trench coats, black ties and matching leather gloves. As Arsenal pounded the Alkmaar goal one of his grey-haired men scribbled notes into small black book. It was like watching a scene from The Untouchables.

The exit of Tony Adams and Phillipe Scolari from their respective clubs recently has again highlighted that the Premier league is a results driven business. Portsmouth allegedly have financial difficulties and if the club is to be sold, they cannot afford to be relegated. The situation at Chelsea [.

Have you noticed the heavy marketing of Arsenal TV Online recently, with the sleek Dan Roebuck and his dulcet tones. Subscribe to Arsenal Tv Online and watch Arsenal TV anywhere in the world... Now I've just discovered providing you don't live in the UK or Southern Ireland. I made the discovery when [.

Arsène Wenger faced a group of about 75 Arsenal shareholders last night in a question & answer session moderated by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson. This was the second such session, open only to Arsenal shareholders following the inaugural event at the end of last season.

In the midst of transfer rumours and speculation, I decided to have a look back at last season and personal highlights and disappointments.

Best Goal of the Season

This season has seen some memorable goals, some of individual brilliance, others of combination play.

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So Felipe Melo has extended his contract with Fiorentina after coming back from the Confederations Cup in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"> South Africa.

This time last year, I think during another dull international break, I had a look at the reserves and which players will make an impact, albeit in the Carling, on the First Team this season. I thought I would do that again as the only news out of the club at the moment is the scheduled injury to an important back up centre back (Johan Djourou for those who are unaware)

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Am I alone in being concerned about Gael Clichy who seems to be rushing into tackles like a youth player and losing his positional awareness? I rate the player very highly and see him as potential leadership material when Fabregas departs for Barcelona. He links well down the flanks and gives the team much needed width, but his early performances this season have worried me.

The media has gone Andrei Arshevin-listic in the last 24 hours. Reports have him and his other half plotting up at the Landmark Hotel in London. Others have his club Zenit St Petersburg still trying to jack up the price. For what it's worth I thought he was over-priced in the summer. [...]

Nine Gunners played in International fixtures for their countries yesterday and most came through Unscathed. B. Sagna – Played a full game with France who beat Lithuania one nil courtesy of a goal from Franck Ribery. W. Gallas – also played a full game with France, who started their campaign diastrously now have [.

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1> Arsenal came to Anfield on the twentieth anniversary of that famous game in 1989 determined to leave their mark. Perhaps the script writers have a sense of humour, because I didn't see this one coming! Liverpool had the better of the early exchanges as both sides set out their stall.

Well, another mad, mad night at Anfield, which seems to be becoming a bit of a habit up there. Plenty of pub team defending at both ends. Hurry back Manuel Almunia and Johan Djourou please! Lukasz Fabianski, despite making some excellent saves in the first half, badly seems time in a darkened room.

And it all started so well too. Then the referee blew for kick-off and it all rapidly went nipples skyward.

So much anticipation and pent up passion amongst the Gooner Nation. The flags for every Arsenal fan - a nice touch by the club management. They were fully deployed to good use, even in the directors' box and the Diamond Club seats.

"Where next?" is the question on the lips of the entire Gooner Nation at the moment. Well, to state the blindingly obvious, Chelsea at home on Sunday followed by a trip to Old Trafford and what will now be the end of the season for us – home to Stoke City.

It might sound completely mad at the moment but I think we've got to go for it big-style against <?

Morning insiders, not too much happening again today after Englands 4-0 win yeaterday. Fabregas The King should be back from his holidays tomorrow, as for today this story in the Sunday Mail caught my eye.

Arsene Wenger has opened talks with Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg over the signing of German player of the year Edin Dzeko.

We as Arsenal fans will now need a reality check. It has become clear that with the likes of Real Madrid and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> Barcelona keen to wrestle back the global TV rights of having the best league in the world, serious money is going to be spent this transfer window.

Soon the news will confirm that Adebayor is a <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> ManchesterCity player, the fee rumoured to be between 22 and 25 million pounds, a salary estimated £150 thousand pounds a week. I have been no supporter of Adebayor, as people who regular read this blog will appreciate.

Looking at the strikers linked with the club I really hope that stats may decide how Arsene Wenger spends his money after the sale of Adebayor to Man City. Not since the departure of Thierry Henry have we been graced with a clinical goal scorer. Thierry Henry's goal scoring record was 174 in 254 appearances.

by CARL ELDRIDGE Carlos Vela could be set for a loan move to Fulham. As the transfer deadline looms, arsenalinsider.com has been told the Mexico striker will switch to Craven Cottage and that has sparked a rumour that Brede Hangeland could yet make a move to the Gunners as part of the deal.

One thing is really starting to infuriate me as a watching fan; our persistence with Cesc and Van Persie as our only set piece takers. Do not get me wrong, some things are working fine, confirmed by the goals from Gallas and Vermaelen. However we can still improve.

Sometimes I think the knowledge that he will get go after go means that Robin uses many to get his aim in.

What words do we need to describe the genius that is Cesc Fabregas and for the first time on Saturday, he seemed to be enjoying his football, and I do believe him now when he says that he wants to stay. Why? well the lure of the catalans is great, but at Barcelona, he would be one addition to the rank of mega personas that the Spanish giants feel necessary to accumulate.

By CARL ELDRIDGE Brainless Liam Ridgewell must have watched re-runs of his Birmingham City team-mate Martin Taylor's leg-breaking assault on Eduardo as preparation for his miserable side's visit to Arsenal yesterday.

That is the only conclusion I can make after watching him cut through poor Theo Walcott in a thuggish attempt to bully the speedster out of the game.

Niklas Bendtner did what was necessary today, He acknowledged the support of Gooners, who said, keep trying boy... Sometimes you have an off day at the office, and we don't want to let you think that we don't value your efforts. This Dane has tried his heart out when placed out wide by Arsene Wenger, but [.

We all know now the cost of European football – in the case of Villarreal away, it's £72 a pop – ouch! Unfortunately this is, believe it or not, the price fans of El Submarino Amarillo (the Yellow Submarine) are paying as well. There are only two price categories as El Madrigal, category 2 behind the [.

Hi insiders after six weeks in the making we can present below the results of the 2008 Arsenalinsider survey. Firstly many thanks to all 25,000 of you who took the time to enter our survey. The information you have given us will help Arsenalinsider to be even bigger and better for the 2009/10 season here in blog land.

One of the most striking things about the youth setup at Arsenal is the way that the "Arsenal way" of playing football is inculcated into the very fabric of the Academy structure. All of the players share the same vision and have one abiding common characteristic. A high degree of technical ability.

It now appears that Arsène Wenger will not be house-hunting in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> Madrid next month. At least I hope not. His interview with the French TV football magazine programme Téléfoot, extensively covered both here and in the Spanish sports dailies As and Marca really set some hares running.