Clinging to the rickety banisters I walked slowly up the seemingly endless winding staircase before climbing onto the roof of the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere. The guide directed us down a narrow passageway which led onto an overhanging balcony that can't have been designed for touring parties. Click to continue reading...

Today started in a very confused fashion, that tends to happen when someone messes with all the clocks in my house. It makes it worse when you forget one and then have to check BBC News for what time it actually is. That didn't happen to me off course, I only put my clock forward three weeks early. Click to continue reading...

As with so many of his compatriots, Rafa Benitez likes nothing more than unwinding over a game of 'mus', a traditional Spanish card game devised in the Basque country, which pits teams of two in a battle of tactics, concentration and collaboration. To the uninformed, mus sounds similar to the sedate, cerebral game of 'bridge'. Click to continue reading...

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...

In the wake of relegation from the Premier League, Bryan Robson had just one aim for the 1997-1998 Season: promotion at all costs.

The £5million signing of Arsenal's Paul Merson signalled this intent, but as transfer deadline day approached promotion was anything but certain. Robson decided to dig in to the chairman's pockets with a further four major signings: Paul Gascoigne, Marco Branca, Alun Armstrong and the enigmatic Columbian Hamilton Ricard.

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This week ITS brings you our top ten one hit wonders, we will show you ten players who defined the odds by getting the honour of putting on the England shirt....erm once!

10. Joey Barton (VS. Spain, 2007)

Schteve Maclaren is a manager full of good ideas. One of his best was to give Barton an England Cap just after he had lamented his frustration at the whole England squad in his book.

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Some incredible links for you to enjoy!

The Most Pointless Liverpool Rumour Ever!

(The Kop End)

Join Our Fantasy Football Game!

(Fantasy Football COS Style)

It's Google wearing a Man United Shirt!

(Manroo)

Literally 100s of Superb WAGS Scantily Clad, Bikini's or Naked!

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Paul Merson just couldn't contain his excitement as he watched Burnley beat Man Utd 1-0 while live on the Sky Sports. But it's hard to blame him you really can't overstate how major it is for the club that finished 5th in the Championship last year, won promotion via playoff, and now has the lowest wage bill in the Premier League to upset Manchester United.

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Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has criticised Rafa benitez's £18m outlay on Glen Johnson, claiming that right backs are not worth that amount of money. Is he right?
Merson stated: "The Premier League is not blessed with 15 world-class left wingers so I don't see how a right-back can affect a game that much. Click to continue reading...

Back in 1995, Boro signed Jan-Aage Fjortoft, from Swindon Town, for a club record £1.3million. The fans were delighted.

In the same year, we signed full England international Nick Barmby. Then we signed Brazilian prodigy Juninho. In 1996, we signed European Cup winner Fabrizio Ravanelli. The excitement was too much to bear.

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Twenty years ago, football witnessed the most riveting finish in the history of the league, so riveting that throughout this season, in every match-day programme, Arsenal have returned to the "Spirit of 89", interviewing anyone and everyone involved on May 26, 1989 at Anfield. This is the moment, as told by those who made it . Click to continue reading...

Paul Merson. The name conjures up many memories. For some, it's the troubled footballer who suffers from addictions of drugs, gambling and alcohol. For others, it's the former England international footballer Paul Merson, who played 327 matches for Arsenal.

If you're wondering what the legend has been up to lately, he's been doing the dinner circuit in the United Kingdom which consists of speaking engagements at sports and men's clubs.

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Arsenal.com Anfield '89 feature

Where did those twenty years go?

26th May 1989 was the moment that has come to define Arsenal's modern era - a league title that propelled us forward as a club. It was also the most impossibly close finish to a league season - the goal required to win the title coming in the last minute of the last game against the other team challenging for it.

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I have supported Boro since 1986, in the wake of the 'Hand of God' World Cup in Mexico and our club avoiding destruction by the skin of a parmo-bound chicken giblet. This means that in my time, I have suffered four relegations - a lot by some people's standards, not bad going by others. This time will be the one that hurts most.

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Former Arsenal, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth star Paul Merson has tipped Rafael Benitez to bring title glory to Liverpool next season so long as he secures the signing of Gareth Barry.
The Reds look certain to pip Chelsea to second position behind Manchester United with only Tottenham Hostpur standing in the way of their best season since 2001-2002. Click to continue reading...

Terry Venables writes for The Sun comparing Rooney to Messi.

Paul� Merson on Sky Sports reckons Boro may give us a shock today.

Soccerlens compares United and Liverpool's stats this season.

The Guardian contemplates a referee of the year award.

The Independent looks at the best final day dramas.

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Fuck me have Arsenal been in the wars today or what?!
So many people have an opinion on us but you know something? As long as we Gooners stick together the rest can jog right on. Mugs.
Even Merse, former Gooner, wants us to lose! Yep, you heard it. Paul Merson, ex-Arsenal wants us to be beat by Middlesborough. Click to continue reading...

A massive game ahead for Boro at The Emirates against Arsenal, if Boro are to stay up a point at least would be very helpful. With one eye on their Champions League tie with Manchester United coming up will Boro be able to catch Arsenal out and come away with something?

We took some time to interview Arsenal fan and blogger Chris Wheatley who runs the excellent Gooner Talk site.

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Better hope he doesn#8217;t end up being your best customer Bookmakers Better has made gambling addict Paul Merson its new commercial face. The ex-Arsenal and England star has battled his addiction for more than 20 years and claims to have lost more than £7 million at the bookies. But he has still agreed to front Better#8217;s [. Click to continue reading...

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has launched a scathing attack on the Gunners' bitter rivals Spurs after labelling them a "shambles". Under Spanish coach Juande Ramos Tottenham have made their worst league start in 34 years, with just one point from their opening four Premier League games. Spurs have only themselves to blame for the state they [. Click to continue reading...

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has launched a scathing attack on the Gunners' bitter rivals Spurs in his newspaper column by dubbing the north London side a "shambles". Under Spanish coach Juande Ramos Tottenham have made their worst league start in 34 years, with just one point from their opening four Premier League games. Click to continue reading...

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has launched a scathing attack on the Gunners' bitter rivals Spurs in his newspaper column by dubbing the north London side a "shambles". Under Spanish coach Juande Ramos Tottenham have made their worst league start in 34 years, with just one point from their opening four Premier League games. Click to continue reading...

There should be a rule that stops people naming teams as 'a dark horse' when it's clear as mud that they're a talented side that are expected to go well next season. While it might be a reflection that the Premier League has become increasingly easy to call, it's a shame that former pros that [...] Click to continue reading...

Paul Merson speaks to Soccerlens about England's chances in 2010, Alan Shearer, and why any Germany game holds special memories for him. Watching a 40-year-old Paul Merson take to the field a couple of months ago against Scotland Legends you could see, despite his lack of pace, the touch and the vision that saw him become [. Click to continue reading...

For those that missed it, youtube link from a city fan to your on sky sports, responding with zest to Paul Merson's comments earlier in the week that he wouldn't have a season ticket given to Manchester City.
Why not Paul you could sell it for some more gear ?
Degenerate Crackhead Click to continue reading...