This season has seen the emergence of Wojciech Szczesny as the undisputed no.1 at Arsenal, and for the first time since the departure of the Invincibe Jens Lehmann, we have a world-class keeper in our squad. But do we have a decent enough deputy to the young shot-stopper? The answer is quite simply a big [.

The buzz is Didier Drogba will be joining his Chelsea compatriot Nicholas Anelka in the Chinese Super League this summer for a whopping £270,000 a week. That kind of money for three years will amount to a nice retirement nest egg. Drogba has become an after thought with Roman Abramovich rooting for Fernando Torres to succeed so he can justify spending an £50m giveaway, the largest in sporting history.

First off, I accept that this is a pretty unfair comparison.

To rank any Arsenal team from any era against the most feted group of Gunners ever to have worn the sacred cannon is clearly destined to be a mismatch.

It's a bit like comparing Dan Brown with Charles Dickens, or Boyzone with the Beatles.

Thierry Henry has agreed to rejoin Arsenal on a two-month loan deal from New York Red Bulls, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The former Gunners captain, who left the club for Barcelona in 2007, has been training at London Colney during the Major League Soccer off-season and has impressed Wenger who is looking for short-term cover while Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are away on Africa Cup of Nations Duty.

Good morning to you. I hope you're all set for tomorrow, dinner wrapped, presents cooked, and all that.

The action continues though and as we prepare for our festive football fare the manager is mulling (eh? EH?!) over some possible recruitments as our squad, already quite stretched, gets set to lose a couple more players.

French great Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian icon Ronaldo put on their annual Match Against Poverty event Tuesday, taking on a team of Hamburg SV All-Stars in Germany, and the legend-laden squad did not disappoint.

Ronaldo scored as part of his team's 5-4 victory, with proceeds from the event going toward combating poverty in the Horn of Africa.

Appreciation

The legends descended on the hallowed turf of the Grove. This is probably the first time that I've ever used hallowed turf and new-ish stadium in the same sentence. For me (and I'm sure many others too), Highbury remained the truly real Arsenal stadium. However, with each match/season and the growing memories, not forgetting the continual Arsenalisation of the stadium, Emirates Stadium is turning into home.

Inter Milan poised to swoop for Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie. Or how about Borussia Dortmund midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz admitting he is interested in a move to Gunners?

These are two of the offerings within the nation's sports pages this morning in a week that will drag out the merest rumour of a yarn to fill the papers in the absense of domestic football and the stories to meet our thirst for knowledge.

Arsenal were uninspiring at best, cocky at worst, against Marseille in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates tonight.

It was disappointing to see the players unable to build on the fantastic win at Chelsea. Overall, the team lacked urgency, Walcott reverted to type, and Park was invisible.

Szczesny nearly cost us a stupid goal after trying to beat a striker in the box with a trick after being very lucky to avoid a red card at Stamford Bridge, someone needs to have a word with the cocky Pole about calming down a bit and being more sensible with his decisions.

This year's festivities featured an extremely limited supply of fit footballers who we'd gladly commit fashion faux pas with. Still, we were tickled to see Didier Drogba who, just hours after Chelsea's 4-1 win over Swansea on Sunday put on his best lederhosen and mingle with fellow Oktoberfest-goers in Munich.

I take you back to the 94/95 season. Arsenal finished 12th in the Premier League. 6 points fewer, and they would have been relegated. It was a season riddled with scandal, with George Graham being sacked for accepting bribes and Paul Merson famously breaking down and admitting his cocaine and alcohol addiction.

The Bundesliga was on its' worst behavior ever. According to the referees, who dished out a league record 5 straight red cards. Tim Wiese kicked off proceedings with a foul outside the box, following one of his kamikaze excursions. He equalled Oliver Kahn's 3 career total red cards in the Bundesliga and is only two away from Jens Lehmann's five red cards.

English clubs in Europe – present but not transcendent | Kevin McCarra

Despite being Champions League regulars, top clubs from the Premier League have struggled to blend heft and finesse to make iconic teams England's clubs have been achieving prominence rather than excellence in the Champions League.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is sure that Germany International Per Mertesacker will turn out to be a quality signing for the Gunners. Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the 41-year old retired goalkeeper explained that the ...

Main Entry: ambiguity
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: uncertainty of meaning
Synonyms: double meaning, doubt, enigma, obscurity, puzzle, uncertainty, unclearness, vagueness, Felix Magath

Well, not yet, but his cryptic character should have long earned him an entry in a thesaurus.

Wojciech Szczesny has revealed that he is set to be Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper this season.

The No.1 position at Emirates Stadium has been problematic for the past couple of seasons, with Arsene Wenger trying out a number of different options.

Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski have both been inconsistent, while German veteran Jens Lehmann was even brought back to the club on a short-term deal in March following an injury crisis.

Claudio Villa/Getty Image (Bleacher Report) The world of football has seen its fair share of crazies over the years. Currently one of the biggest headcases of the current generation is Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, whom will be discussed later.
In the spirit of one of the newest leading members of the headcases, it seems necessary to take a look back at some of those who have come before him.

The signing of a third designated player ought to be an occasion that inspires the New York fanbase with confidence and appreciation for the club's management. However, in the wake of the humiliating 4-0 exit from the US Open Cup at Chicago Tuesday night, the mood in Metroland is anything but pleased.

Arsenal misses out on a golden opportunity to recruit the class of the 2004 Invincibles. Patrick Vieira retires and is absorbed within the Man City ranks as football development executive.

Vieira would have been an inspiration to an Arsenal team that has struggled with self belief and a six year drought after he left.

This morning I was looking back through the archives to see if I could do an 'On this day', kind of feature. I think I picked a bad day.

My choices were: the day after Thierry Henry left (2007), us being linked very heavily with Alexander Hleb (2005), Jens Lehmann talking about how we should sign Miroslav Klose (2006), Barcelona talking about wanting to sign Thierry (2003), vaguely hoping Igors Stepanovs might cripple Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Euros (2004) and a quote from Chris Waddle talking on 5Live about the Swedish back four at the 2002 World Cup:

The Swedish back four is amongst the tallest in the world cup.

In diversen Branchen gibt es bereits den Mindestlohn und die Gewerkschaften kämpfen immer weiter, damit es bald überall einen Mindestlohn gibt. Jetzt haben sie einen neuerlichen Erfolg erzielt, mit dem bisher niemand gerechnet hat, geschweige denn überhaupt für notwendig angsehen hat. Es ist die Spielergewerkschaft VDV, die einen Tarifvertrag für Fussballer der 1.

Nachdem Jens Lehmann im vergangenen Sommer seine Karriere beim VfB Stuttgart beendete, wurde es eher ruhig um den ansonsten vor harten Worten nicht zurückschreckenden ehemaligen Nationaltorwart. Außer als Experte bei Fußballübertragungen und -shows rückte Lehmann erst wieder so richtig ins Rampenlicht, als er gegen Ende der Saison bei seinem ehemaligen Verein Arsenal London aufgrund der dortigen Verletzungsmisere der etatmäßigen Torhüter aushalf.

Die Zusammensetzung der Kader der 18 Erstligisten in Deutschland nimmt langsam Form an, denn immer mehr Neuverpflichtungen für die kommende Spielzeit werden bekanntgegeben. Beim Hamburger SV beispielsweise nutzt der neue Sportchef Frank Arnesen seine Kontakte zu seinem vorherigen Verein FC Chelsea.

When Arsene Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, critics raised many an eyebrow. But as the trophies rolled in and he transformed Arsenal into one of the most skilful teams in the world, the same people began to laud him as a genius. Now, after a sixth consecutive season without a trophy, it seems that the eyebrow-raising has justifiably returned.

The season is over, and the long summer has begun. With no World Cup to distract us (not that it was exactly riveting viewing last year), we have nothing but three months of scurrilous transfer rumours, antagonistic agent quotes and the drama of the fixture announcement. What a day that will be.

In fairness, this summer does promise to be busier than normal plenty of players look to be on their way out, and the obvious deficiencies of the squad mean that more should arrive.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is considering extending his stay with the Gunners for one more season. Speaking to Bild, the 41-year old explained that his return to the North London Club was more of a hobby ...

Is this just an excuse to toss up another Jens Lehmann is bonkers highlight? Possibly.

Nonetheless, the man has threatened to continue on yet again, apparently unable to rid the footballing world of its greatest muppet.

Jens really is the gift that will not stop giving.

"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort actually more of a hobby," said the former Schalke, Dortmund and Stuttgart shot-stopper.

Is this just an excuse to toss up another Jens Lehmann is bonkers highlight? Possibly.

Nonetheless, the man has threatened to continue on yet again, apparently unable to rid the footballing world of its greatest muppet.

Jens really is the gift that will not stop giving.

"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort actually more of a hobby," said the former Schalke, Dortmund and Stuttgart shot-stopper.

Making chums with the newbies

So, what have we been up to the past few days? Still seething over the latest home defeat to a 'lesser' side? Already thinking of the next season. Judging by the comments that I've seen over these past days, the latter seemed to be on everyone's mind. There's list here and there about which player they want out of the club and which player they want Arsene Wenger to sign.

It's the last away game of the season. Here's the team Gary McAllister is sending out at the Emirates to grab a point or three against an Arsenal side eager to ensure they finish in the top three at least to guarantee themselves a place in the Champions League next season.

Should be interesting tactical battle, it looks like a 4-2-3-1 vs a 4-3-3.

It's the last away game of the season. Here's the team Gary McAllister is sending out at the Emirates to grab a point or three against an Arsenal side eager to ensure they finish in the top three at least to guarantee themselves a place in the Champions League next season.

Should be interesting tactical battle, it looks like a 4-2-3-1 vs a 4-3-3.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny confessed 41-year old Jens Lehmann is helping him in developing his game and understand where he can improve. Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme, the Poland International explained the process is a ...

Arsenal

Starting Lineup: Wojciech Szczesny; Gael Clichy, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Bacary Sagna; Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, Theo Walcott; Robin Van Persie, Aaron Ramsey

Subs: Jens Lehmann, Kieran Gibbs, Sebastien Squillaci, Emmanuel Eboue, Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh

Manchester United

Starting Lineup: Edwin Van der Sar; Fabio da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra; Nani, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-Sung; Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez

Subs: Tomasz Kuszczak, John O'Shea, Rafael da Silva, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen

Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United

"Arsenal vs.

Wojciech Szczesny has demonstrated that he has the talent to be a great #1 keeper for years. What he – and every other keeper at Arsenal presently (except, perhaps, Lehmann) – lacks is the ability ...

So no trophies for Ancelotti this season. He may manage to keep his job because he managed to win the double in his first season, then again, he may be shown the door because he won the double in his first season.

In truth Chelsea haven't played well since October; whether this is Ancelotti's fault is up for debate, but there is no escaping the fact that should he be replaced, Chelsea's next boss will still inherit a club in desperate need of rejuvenation.

So no trophies for Ancelotti this season. He may manage to keep his job because he managed to win the double in his first season, then again, he may be shown the door because he won the double in his first season.

In truth Chelsea haven't played well since October; whether this is Ancelotti's fault is up for debate, but there is no escaping the fact that should he be replaced, Chelsea's next boss will still inherit a club in desperate need of rejuvenation.

Silent Stan has been making the headlines.

But what's excited me about The Arsenal this week has been the noise.

The noise of Arsenal players getting their heads in the game.

First: the noise of Robin van Persie bawling out Abou Diaby at half time versus Blackpool for getting himself a stupid yellow card.

Silent Stan has been making the headlines.

But what's excited me about The Arsenal this week has been the noise.

The noise of Arsenal players getting their heads in the game.

First: the noise of Robin van Persie bawling out Abou Diaby at half time versus Blackpool for getting himself a stupid yellow card.

Mein Abstand zu Manuel war zunächst sehr groß. Ich habe aber nur drei Wochen gebraucht, um fit zu werden. Jetzt kann ich körperlich mithalten. Wir werden sehen, wie es weitergeht.

Jens Lehmann, Torwart bei Arsenal London, ist nach seiner Rückkehr in den Sport und seinem Comeback im Tor von Arsenal London, wieder in Streitlauen mit seinem alten und auch wieder aktuellem Konkurrenten Manuel Alumnia.

Mein Abstand zu Manuel war zunächst sehr groß. Ich habe aber nur drei Wochen gebraucht, um fit zu werden. Jetzt kann ich körperlich mithalten. Wir werden sehen, wie es weitergeht.

Jens Lehmann, Torwart bei Arsenal London, ist nach seiner Rückkehr in den Sport und seinem Comeback im Tor von Arsenal London, wieder in Streitlauen mit seinem alten und auch wieder aktuellem Konkurrenten Manuel Alumnia.