When Arsenal posted a very emotional message on their website to fans after the departure of our then captain and talisman people wondered how we would replace him and if we would even get into the top four in the coming season. Now, in January 2012, he is coming back. Does he still have the speed?

Tonight MLS shifts from the regular season to the postseason as two teams that could have entries in the DSM-IV face off on Fox Soccer Channel at 9 PM ET. The New York Red Bulls will try to advance to face ...
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It is clearly evident that during recent months the red and white armoury has come under intense pressure, with many even questioning whether "Arsene Wenger is the right man for Arsenal Football Club?".

A few years ago such a question would have been responded with laughter, yet today critics and many Arsenal fans find themselves pondering on the very thought of Arsenals greatest manager being replaced.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is almost done and last night's set of semifinals at Reliant Stadium left us with the final everyone expected in the first place. The USA will face Mexico on Saturday in Los Angeles with a crowd demographic that should line up with what we saw during the second match last night.

Luke Rodgers scored his fifth goal of the season, converting a Jan Gunnar Solli cross to cement the New York Red Bulls' come-from-behind, 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps at Empire Field.

Vancouver opened the scoring in the 24th minute with Eric Hassli's successful penalty kick after Camilo was tripped in the area by Carlos Mendes.

Mike Woitalla of Soccer America reports on Week8 attendance in Major League Soccer.
Week 8, which included two Wednesday night games, marked the lowest average attendance for a week of games this season -- but the expansion Portland Timbers kept alive their streak of sellouts. For MLS attendance rankings .

I've put the photos from this weekend into a separate post. First up, the game versus NJPC:

Stefani Miglioranzi and Sebastien LeToux during warmup.

Our little hero.

Justin Mapp warms up.

SOB TIFO display at Red Bull game.

Theirry Henry at PPL Park.

Strikers Billboard is up! If you are headed Northbound on I-95 be on the look out for this new Fort Lauderdale Strikers sign pictures captured by Miami Ultra Pabony Rivera and Flight 19 member Derek Reese. It's between Sunrise and Oakland Park.
The good news we hear is that the Strikers front office is selling season tickets like hotcakes!

#5 - A Fascinating Read: Take a few minutes and read Neil Morris' article, "An inside look at the rise and fall of the Carolina RailHawks: From Game Day to eBay". It's an interesting look at the dysfunction that surrounded the team and how the rights to the franchise ended up for sale on eBay.

Its been 5 months since I last wrote here, and a lot has happened in this period.
Arsenal, for the first time in a long, long time, in January, is still in with a good chance in all 4 competitions.
The English Premier League - We are in with a decent chance, we are just a few points behind Manchester United, with plenty of games yet to be played.