2010 is on the horizon and it's safe to say that it's been a wonderful decade for football. We here at Footy Factor have taken the opportunity to celebrate the greatest teams, players, and matches of the past 10 years. Next up...

Upset of the Decade

Winner: Senegal 1 –� France� 0 (2002 World Cup, Group Stage).

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The International Break is a Welcome One for Top Squads

The 1-1 Inter-Roma draw this weekend highlighted the risk for top flight Serie A clubs participating in international tournaments; Inter has played three matches this month already and eight in the past 22 days.

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Jose Mourinho is a little frustrated with Mario Balotelli. The young striker came on for Patrick Vieira at halftime of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Roma and after the match, Jose wasn't exactly complimentary about his performance:

"Balotelli was terrible today, close to zero. He didn't move, didn't work and did not help the team with [Dejan] Stankovic injured and [Wesley] Sneijder incredibly tired.

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Carlo Garganese looks back over another explosive weekend of Serie A action, paying tribute to an incredible Jose Mourinho record and coining a new nickname for elbow-attacker Patrick Vieira... Click to continue reading...

The Offside's Main Page decided to compile a list of the "100 Best Players of the Decade." I thought it might be of some interest to you, especially since Arsenal is out of action for a couple of weeks. It was voted on by all of the Offside's bloggers, as well as readers. I will say that I thought the criteria was a little vague it was simply to name the 20 best players who played in the decade.

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Ligue 1 teams had an amazing week in the Champions League (not so much in the Europa) that somewhat validated my prediction of French teams being real contenders this year. While Bordeaux won with class and Lyon once again upset Liverpool in the same manner they did 2 weeks ago, Marseille destroyed Zurich and are now in a position to make Real and Milan sweat. Click to continue reading...

A reaction to a decent set of suggestions.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy
Real Madrid

The former Manchester United striker is probably not the most popular figure among the Anfield faithful, but he certainly would provide more of a goal threat that the hapless Andrei Voronin or the inexperienced an raw David Ngog.

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As French Revolutions go, Arsene Wenger's transformation of Arsenal in 1996 was decidedly less brutal than its 1789 predecessor. But at the beating heart of a side that espoused the values of a liberated style of football was a totemic figure who struck fear into the hearts of opponents thanks to his formidable talent and fiery competitiveness. Click to continue reading...

France's do-or-die match against Ireland is just around the corner, with the first match taking place on November 14th in Ireland and the second taking place on the 18th at the Stade de France (boo...). I don't know about you guys, but I'll be praying extra hard that France don't screw up against a tough Irish team.

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French national football team coach Raymond Domenech has named his squad for Les Bleus two-legged with the Republic of Ireland. There are few surprises in the squad apart from the omission of former France captain Patrick Vieira in favour of younger Ligue 1 talent like Loic Remy and Rod Fanni. France and Ireland meet in Dublin on [. Click to continue reading...

...and remembers some of it's predecessors fondly...
The technical side:A new PowerSpine technology is supposed to give the Predator X an unprecedented increase in shooting power of seven percent in comparison to its predecessor. Ball velocity tests in the adidas laboratory demonstrated that the new PowerSpine enables the Predator X to reach a velocity of 110 kilometres per hour which, when compared to other boots, makes a speed difference of almost three metres per second.

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February 2nd 2002 was a pretty non-descript day in the History of Football, or indeed the history of anything Prince Willem -Alexander of Orange, heir to the Dutch throne got married, Euro-Monarchy Fans will tell you (and, er... wikipedia) but that aside, Manchester United stayed atop of the Premier League with a 4-1 win against Sunderland, with Newcastle just behind after beating Bolton, and Arsenal dropped seemingly crucial points at home against Southampton, 1-1.

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After the transfer of David Beckham to Major League Soccer (MLS) has had increased exposure and interest from abroad. Many of the European players now view MLS as a realistic choice, especially as they wind down their careers. The success of Freddie Ljungberg with the Seattle Sounders has only increased the interest from European players.

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Patrick Vieira returns to the Emirates Stadium this weekend — as a mural on the side of the arena! The former Gunners skipper, who currently plays for Inter Milan, will be depicted on a mural with legends Eddie Lewis, Lee Dixon and Joe Mercer, as Arsenal continue their 'Arsenalisation' process of the stadium. Click to continue reading...

Talk of a bunch of self entitled players. This team will not get a "major trophy", or even a self titled piddling little one. For the second match in a row, Arsenal decided to "wing" it.

Wenger's memos of bravado do not seem to be filtering down to the players. At the very least, one would expect some positive response to such a bold and unequivocal statement.

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Arsenal defender Gael Clichy fears they lack senior leadership.
Clichy admits the Gunners' young team would benefit from having a Sol Campbell-type in the dressing room.
He told the Sunday Times: "I'll talk personally, this is my point of view: it's easier for a player to play his first games when there are people around like Sol Campbell, Lauren, Henry, Patrick Vieira — how it was for me. Click to continue reading...

Genoa v Inter Milan
Saturday 17 October 2009
Stadio Luigi Ferraris
Kick-Off: 20:45 CET

Inter Milan

Diego Milito is likely miss the opportunity to face his former club as Inter Milan travel to Genoa for Saturday night's match.

Milito's attempted comeback against Udinese was short-lived (25 minutes to be exact) and it is feared that the Argentine will be sidelined for an additional two weeks with a muscle strain, and miss this match.

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Things slowed just a little yesterday:

• Liverpool and Emily Heskey.
  
• Alex commits to Chelsea.
  
• No January move for Patrick Vieira.
  
• Shevchenko turned down United and Barca.
  
• Spanish team Cadiz after Michael Bradley.
  
• Robinho offers to be turned down?

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�

by FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team defender Jay DeMerit may soon be going under the knife.

DeMerit will be monitored over the next� ten days by Watford in order to determine if he needs surgery for an eye infection in his right eye. The infection came when DeMerit accidentally cut his eye while removing a contact lens.

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�

by FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team defender Jay DeMerit may soon be going under the knife.

DeMerit will be monitored over the next� ten days by Watford in order to determine if he needs surgery for an eye infection in his right eye. The infection came when DeMerit accidentally cut his eye while removing a contact lens.

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With another round of International world cup qualifiers and friendlies taking place, we gooners have to find a way to pass the weekend without our beloved team in action. With Arsenal scoring goals for fun from all positions of the pitch, the International break has come at a wrong time for the team.

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Morning all and welcome to the daily backpage news roundup...

The Sun -� Wenger has a Fran plan
ARSENE WENGER is determined to fight off Atletico Madrid and Seville who are eyeing young Spanish star Fran Merida.

The Daily Mirror - Ramsey calls for consistency
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey insists Wales must start learning to be consistent throughout a match, rather than just in purple patches.

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Cesc is enjoying his new role.

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Cesc Fabregas is revelling in his new role at Arsenal.

The captain has been the fulcrum of Arsène Wenger's midfield since Patrick Vieira left for Juventus in 2005 but he has had to adapt to a subtle positional change this year.

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Recently many HP Sauces, I mean 'sources', have revealed that a return to Arsenal could be on the cards for Patrick Vieira.
If this was indeed the case, I would welcome it more than a naked Rihanna fetching me a Chinese meal consisting of sweet and sour pork hong-kong style, BBQ spare Ribs, special fried rice, and a bottle of Peroni whilst jumping up and down singing 'Vieeeeeeeira, woooooooah'
That would be nice indeed! Click to continue reading...

Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira is tipped by many to be leaving the Italian giants after failing to find a regular place in Jose Mourinho's side. Besides Arsenal, his old club, Chelsea seems to be interested in the 33-year old.

Speaking of this, striker Didier Drogba told RTL:

Patrick Viera will be a good addition to our squad, if we can recruit.

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Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira is tipped by many to be leaving the Italian giants after failing to find a regular place in Jose Mourinho's side. Besides Arsenal, his old club, Chelsea seems to be interested in the 33-year old.

Speaking of this, striker Didier Drogba told RTL:

Patrick Viera will be a good addition to our squad, if we can recruit.

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I can still remember my first impression of Arsene Wenger when he took over as Arsenal manager back in 1996. He had the look of a geography teacher about him and came across as being very studious. A few of us in that Arsenal side were of an age where we were set in our ways, but also looking over our shoulders to see how long we had left in the game. Click to continue reading...

Big names in this edition:

• Is Beckham on the verge of another Milan deal?
  
• Xavi wants Puyol to sign a new Barca contract.
  
• United will never be the place for me says Fernando Torres.
  
• Patrick Vieira threatens to quit Inter Milan over playing time.
  
• Villa, Hull and Wolves in the Sol Campbell mix.

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Ancelotti interested in bringing veteran Frenchman?

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Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira could finally be set to seal his return to London, but surprisingly with Chelsea, according to reports.

The 33-year-old Frenchman who made more than 250 league appearances and won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his time at Arsenal - was linked with a return to Arsene Wenger's side along with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer.

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Former legend set to make move back to north London?

Vieira is set to join Arsenal on an 18-month deal in January. The French midfielder wants to leave Internazionale to salvage his World Cup hopes, and Arsenal haven't had a proper defensive midfielder since, well, Patrick Vieira left the club.

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A rather blustery morning to you all.

After three old-school Saturday 3pm league kick-offs, we're back at the whim of the televisual gods with a 1.30pm Sunday start. Our game will doubtless be the lesser written about and hyped of the two Sunday games, but that's fine with me. If we can keep chipping away at the fixtures we need to chisel off the slate, that suits me fine.

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Ex-Arsenal captain Thierry Henry was speaking to Sky Sports News in a full interview in which he highlighted the importance for the club of Arsene Wenger, especially now that the 59-year old celebrated his 13th year in charge of the North London Club.

The Frenchman said:

Arsene has been tremendous for Arsenal football club.

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Ex-Arsenal captain Thierry Henry was speaking to Sky Sports News in a full interview in which he highlighted the importance for the club of Arsene Wenger, especially now that the 59-year old celebrated his 13th year in charge of the North London Club.

The Frenchman said:

Arsene has been tremendous for Arsenal football club.

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Today Arsene Wenger becomes Arsenal's longest serving manager ever. 13+ years in the job he has gone past George Allison who is, I suppose, his Cliff Bastin to Wenger's Thierry Henry (I'm not forgetting Ian Wright, btw!).

He joined an Arsenal team which had been somewhat in the doldrums, although improving under Bruce Rioch, and essentially revolutionised the place.

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Thirteen years to the day a spectacled Frenchman signed a contract making him the manager of Arsenal Football Club, out went the old training methods and unhealthy foods and in came strict diets and training regimes. It was a day that not only started our ascent to one of Europe's elite clubs but it was also a day that started a revolution in English football.

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