The name Ashley Cole still drives a dagger into the heart of Arsenal fans, and even when the England left-back hangs up his boots, chances are he will never again be consider a Gunner. While it's true that money talks, the idea that one of their own a local boy, who grew up idolizing [...]

The name Ashley Cole still drives a dagger into the heart of Arsenal fans, and even when the England left-back hangs up his boots, chances are he will never again be consider a Gunner. While it's true that money talks, the idea that one of their own a local boy, who grew up idolizing [...]

Last Friday, members of the German Football Federation paid a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp located 50 km west of Kraków, Poland. It was undoubtedly a solemn visit to acknowledge the victims of the World War II tragedy who died between 1940 and 1945.

Players of Polish descent such Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski arrived accompanied by their team captain, Philipp Lahm and team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

England will be making another change to their Euro 2012 squad as Gary Cahill will miss the tournament due to two jaw fractures. The injury occurred during a friendly against Belgium when Cahill collided with goalkeeper Joe Hart. He will be replaced by Martin Kelly. This is one of several injures in the past week for England as Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard were also ruled out.

Gary Cahill's injury during the Belgium friendly on Saturday has unfortunately ruled the seemingly first choice centreback out of England's Euro 2012 competition. Cahill was injured as a result of a stupid push by Dries Mertens who was trying to score a cheap goal to take the lead for Belgium in their friendly with England in which England won 1-0 thanks to a well taken Danny Wellbeck goal.

This does not look good for Roberto Di Matteo's chances of staying on at Chelsea, at least as manager. Days after winning the most coveted prize a European club can hope to get and adding the oldest football trophy in the world to that bag, the club owner and the technical director are the ones calling the shots on the transfers.

After Chelsea's heroics in this season's Champions League, the comparisons are mounting between what Chelsea have achieved, and what England could potentially achieve, this summer, at Euro 2012.
Of course, Chelsea were the underdogs going into both the semi-final, against Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, in the final, but they came through to be successful.

By Alan Duffy

Today saw all of the squads for the forthcoming Euro 2012 extravaganza released. As well as confirming their 23-man outfit, England also released the squad numbers to the press and public.

If we were to see the numbers 1-11 as an indication of Roy Hodgson's prefered first-choice side, then the former West Brom boss is planning to break with convention and actually play Frank Lampard alongside Steven Gerrard in central midfield, with no room for the more defensively-minded Scott Parker.

So the England squad has been finalised for the Euro 2012 competition, with no real notable absense's or additions. You can perhaps read into the squad number allocation though to predict who Roy will be starting with when the competition gets underway in just a couple of weeks, and we've tried to guess the first 11 players below.

If you're reading this, then the likelihood is you're a ‘mug.' You're a mug because you gave Ashley Cole stick for leaving Arsenal to join Chelsea. A mug for feeling angry that Cole left Arsenal because the club only offered him £55,000 a week, which made him feel 'unvalued.' And an even bigger mug, if – unlike Cole – you're one of many football fans who work six days a week, handling two jobs in order to pay for your kid's season ticket, your match-day programme, your merchandise from The Armoury, your train ticket and your very own seat at the Emirates, just to be known.

If you're reading this, then the likelihood is you're a ‘mug.' You're a mug because you gave Ashley Cole stick for leaving Arsenal to join Chelsea. A mug for feeling angry that Cole left Arsenal because the club only offered him £55,000 a week, which made him feel 'unvalued.' And an even bigger mug, if – unlike Cole – you're one of many football fans who work six days a week, handling two jobs in order to pay for your kid's season ticket, your match-day programme, your merchandise from The Armoury, your train ticket and your very own seat at the Emirates, just to be known.

Departing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has shed light on the manner in which former manager Andre Villas-Boas was dismissed in March, reaffirming that senior players had no involvement in the matter.

Villas-Boas was relieved of his responsibilities merely eight months into what was initially intended to be a long-term project, with the aggressive changes he made to the team selection policy identified as a key factor.

In a fitting tribute to his 'home away from home' for the past eight years London Didier Drogba paraded the Olympic torch through the streets of Swindon, West London yesterday. On Tuesday, the Chelsea striker confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of July when his contract ends.

Laurent Blanc, coach of England's Euro 2012 opponents France, reckons he's got the lowdown on all of Roy Hodgson's men except Leighton Baines, who he doesn't even know by name. The French scouts have been keeping a close eye on the Three Lions' players, unless they happen to play for Everton. Blanc says he [.

England coach Roy Hodgson has added Liverpool defender Martin Kelly to his squad for Saturday's friendly away to Norway.
Hodgson, who was recently appointed as the long-term successor to Fabio Capello, named his 23-man squad for Euro 2012 last week.
However, three of the seven out-and-out defenders selected in that squad have been given extra time off following Chelsea's UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich at the weekend.

Who is the best player to come through the Arsenal Youth Programme? Not signed as kids like Theo, Cesc and Kolo from other clubs but actually raised at THOF

We have seen some wonderful players come through in the last 20+ years (which is my time frame). On a quiet day why don't we have a little reminisce?

Who is the best player to come through the Arsenal Youth Programme? Not signed as kids like Theo, Cesc and Kolo from other clubs but actually raised at THOF

We have seen some wonderful players come through in the last 20+ years (which is my time frame). On a quiet day why don't we have a little reminisce?

Who is the best player to come through the Arsenal Youth Programme? Not signed as kids like Theo, Cesc and Kolo from other clubs but actually raised at THOF

We have seen some wonderful players come through in the last 20+ years (which is my time frame). On a quiet day why don't we have a little reminisce?

Who is the best player to come through the Arsenal Youth Programme? Not signed as kids like Theo, Cesc and Kolo from other clubs but actually raised at THOF

We have seen some wonderful players come through in the last 20+ years (which is my time frame). On a quiet day why don't we have a little reminisce?

We review Chelsea's incredible Champions League Final victory, discussing Didier Drogba (the man), Ashley Cole (man of the match), Frank Lampard (the English Xavi?) and Gary Cahill (the Bolton Beckenbauer). We also ask the big, big question: What on earth was that thing shaved into the back of Salomon Kalou's head?

Rather than write a detailed match report, I wanted to do this instead. It was quite simply the best footballing 12 hours of my life on Saturday and I am still buzzing over the fact that we are Champions League winners!.
What I will say about the game is that Chelsea's determination and resolve shone through yet again.

Ashley Cole Taunts Arsenal after Chelsea's European Triumph

Former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole hit back at the Gunners after winning the UEFA Champions League final for his current club Chelsea against Bayern Munich on penalties.

Ashley Cole Taunts Arsenal after Chelsea's European Triumph

Former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole hit back at the Gunners after winning the UEFA Champions League final for his current club Chelsea against Bayern Munich on penalties.

Chelsea's 2012 UEFA Champions League title was a storybook finish, and after looking back on the epic instant classic, the result seems even more Disney-esque.
Looking at the teams on paper, you would figure that it would be a contrast of two very different styles - knowing that Bayern Munich would come out and press Chelsea offensively, while Chelsea would have to absorb pressure and play off the counter.

And so it finally came to pass. Nine years after Roman Abramovich arrived at Stamford Bridge and spent like no other owner before him, and Chelsea win the one prize that always eluded Roman's riches. Ironically, this comes just a week after Sheik Mansour's Manchester City won the league on even greater resources than Chelsea have been used to.

******.

Anyway, Chelsea are victorious after dodging a thousand Barcelona and Bayern Munich shots and springing the odd random goal JUST when it was needed. Assuming that Roman Abramovich hasn't bought his way into God's great control booth in the sky, this is good old fashioned luck and good old fashioned defending.

******.

Anyway, Chelsea are victorious after dodging a thousand Barcelona and Bayern Munich shots and springing the odd random goal JUST when it was needed. Assuming that Roman Abramovich hasn't bought his way into God's great control booth in the sky, this is good old fashioned luck and good old fashioned defending.

England's Euro 2012 Chances - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

There are always plenty of ‘if's, but's and maybe's' when It comes to England at a major tournament; Euro 2012, though, will take that to a whole new level.

It says a lot about the upheaval surrounding the Three Lions that star man Wayne Rooney's suspension for the first two matches of the competition is almost seen as the least of their worries.

ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has apologised to Gunners fans after labeling them "mugs" in a rant about Ashley Cole on Twitter. Wrighty backed Cole's decision to quit Arsenal and join Chelsea after the they lifted the Champions League trophy following a penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich last night.

ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has apologised to Gunners fans after labeling them "mugs" in a rant about Ashley Cole on Twitter. Wrighty backed Cole's decision to quit Arsenal and join Chelsea after the they lifted the Champions League trophy following a penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich last night.

Drogba Completes Roman's dream - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Chelsea found redemption for the misery of Moscow and ended their long quest to win the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the Allianz Arena.

Di Matteo delivered a surprise in his starting line-up, with youngster Ryan Bertrand handed a role on the left flank in front of Cole in an attempt to stifle the threat of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

By Chris Wright

1. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him maybe you can hire: Didier Drogba. Didier...f**king...Drogba. Nine cup finals, nine goals and a winning penalty in a Champions League final.

2.

Champions League final: Dilemma for Di Matteo as Chelsea look to make history is a post from: Just Football

The Champions League final is ironically being contested by two sides who are not champions of their own domestic leagues.

Chelsea have finished 6th and Bayern Munich have lost the league for the second year running, compounded by a 5-2 defeat to Dortmund in the German Cup final last weekend.

Chelsea. Bayern Munich. One game for Europe's bragging rights.

The two clubs fought their way to the UEFA Champions League final (FOX, 2:45 p.m., Saturday), and while both will have to overcome some personnel absences Saturday at Allianz Arena in Munich, players like Franck Ribery, Didier Drogba, Mario Gomez, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Cole, Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech carry the starpower and international cache to turn in a memorable final.

Are we really less than 24 hours from contesting a second UEFA Champions League final? It really is hard to fathom. Tomorrow, we seek atonement not just for our loss to Manchester United in 2008 but for all the cruelty that has beset us in this competition over the past eight years. It is time, my friends, for the last act of a legendary generation.

Frank Lampard has finally spoken at length about his benching during Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Napoli, which he believes was the lowest point of the season for him as well as his teammates.

Andre Villas-Boas, who was then in-charge of Chelsea, chose to bench veterans such as Lampard, Michael Essien, and Ashley Cole and instead started the more inexperienced Raul Meireles, Jose Bosingwa, and Ramires.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has played down recent comments from Michael Ballack and Petr Cech that the Bundesliga side will have an emotional advantage as the host of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.

Schweinsteiger could help Bayern win a maiden historic home Champions League final against Chelsea, with former Bayern and Blues midfielder Michael Ballack recently insisting that playing at the Allianz Arena would fuel up the Bavarians.

England manager, Roy Hodgson, has named his squad for this summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine. Any fans hoping for surprise call-ups and omissions will have been sadly disappointed.
The 23-man squad follows a familiar pattern, with the inclusion of Steven Gerrard, as captain, and Chelsea favourites, Ashley Cole and John Terry, in defence, as well as club mate Frank Lampard in midfield.

I spent yesterday on the blog focusing on the Bayern Munich perspective and now today I want to focus on Chelsea's coming into the game on Saturday. So let's start with Robbie Di Matteo and what I believe to be an important message to his players within his press conference that took place on media day at Cobham yesterday.

I spent yesterday on the blog focusing on the Bayern Munich perspective and now today I want to focus on Chelsea's coming into the game on Saturday. So let's start with Robbie Di Matteo and what I believe to be an important message to his players within his press conference that took place on media day at Cobham yesterday.