Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[delfino_1936]

Simpson - Pre-season was a privilege for me

By Declan Taylor

The last 12 months has seen Jay Simpson conquer the steepest of learning curves and, this season, the striker is eager to continue the climb.

After winning the League One Player of the Year award during his loan spell at Millwall, the 19-year-old was awarded a place on Arsenal’s first-team tour of Austria in July. His pace and power caught the eye as he featured in all three of fixtures out there. Simpson feels his recent progression owes a lot to the Lions.

“The loan spell definitely helped me a lot on the physical side,” he told Arsenal.com. “My ball retention with defenders behind me has really improved. In League One, they like to get into you and give you a kick. It was a very good experience for me and I feel it’s something that I’ve brought back to Arsenal.

“It was really valuable experience going away with the first-team [in pre-season] too. Training out there with some of the best players in the world was really intense and it helped me a lot with my fitness. It was a privilege to be out there, just knowing the Boss is taking note of you.

“If the Boss would like me to go out on loan again this season then I will do. If he needs me to stay I’ll stay. Like everybody, I just want to play, especially after playing all of last year. But it’s down to him and I’m happy to be at Arsenal.”

future gun, good to see he's happy

[delfino_1936]

Wenger's heart set on Seba

Reports in Italy state that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged the Gunners to launch an audacious bid for Juventus starlet Sebastian Giovinco.

Diminutive playmaker Giovinco is one of the most exciting talents in European football and is set to receive a chance to shine at Juventus this term.

The Azzurrini ace is currently negotiating a new deal with the Old Lady, but there are rumours that Juve are refusing to meet his wage demands.

Giovinco was also frustrated at being left on the bench for the Bianconeri's season opener against Fiorentina.

“He needs to play regularly, there's no doubt about that,” agent Andrea D'Amico told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“The new contract isn't just about figures but about certainty for the future. Giovinco is young but he is desperate to play as many matches as possible.”

And Wenger allegedly wants to pounce when the transfer window reopens at the start of 2009.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the French tactician is demanding the funds are made available to table a vast bid.

However, Juve would be very reluctant to sell a man who is seen as the possible heir to Alessandro Del Piero's throne in Turin.

[adriano10]

as much as I hate Juve, I hope they hold on to him.... or at least make him stay in Serie A.... if he goes to Assnal he can kiss his season goodbye!

[# 9]

very much doubt it mate. just cause he's italian dont mean he will shine. havent seenm much of him, but his reports make him sound a true superstar. we all know how good wenger is with youngsters. arsenal is the better place for rather than any of the other top4.

[delfino_1936]

as much as I hate Juve, I hope they hold on to him.... or at least make him stay in Serie A.... if he goes to Assnal he can kiss his season goodbye!

he'll fucken play adri, no doubt about it.

the kid is a gun and i see him as being similar to a Nasri, just a more complete footballer imo

[barbarez01]

THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[barbarez01]

WALCOTT HAT TRICK ON SECOND START FOR ENGLAND!!!!!

THE KIDS DEADLY! WHAT A GUN!! LOVIN IT!!!!!!

[delfino_1936]

THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO

[Tony Adams]

all praise prince theo.

[# 9]

im still praying this aint gonna be just a once off again for theo. i wanna see this class all the time, or atleast 90% of the time

[pires7]

THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO

Not many English players in our squad, Just the best one

[delfino_1936]

THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO THEO

Not many English players in our squad, Just the best one

exactly right....everyone do you see why Arsene doesn't buy them regularly??? ;)

[pires7]

Think of all the Gooners going to work today with a big grin

[delfino_1936]

Think of all the Gooners going to work today with a big grin

hahaha my dad

[pires7]

score some more goals this week hopefully!

[# 9]

score some more goals this week hopefully!

he can smack in as many goals as he likes against rovers

[barbarez01]

AW not in the running for Appiah.

[delfino_1936]

very happy with win!! all played very well

[delfino_1936]

'It was a well-accomplished away performance'

On keeping Blackburn quiet…

“Blackburn are a team that can be dangerous going forward and I feel that, as well as our good offensive performance, we had a good defensive performance. On crosses they can be extremely dangerous but we kept [Roque] Santa Cruz quiet. I am happy we didn't concede and that we always looked fluid going forward. It was a well-accomplished away game.”

On the midweek trip to the Ukraine…

“It is another big game on Wednesday night. It is important to start the Champions League well, with a win away from home. That will give us confidence. It will be same approach on Wednesday. It is our strength and we can be successful by expressing our strength. It is a difficult group because all the teams are used to playing in the Champions League, are strong at home as well, and that is why we need to find the same kind of performance.”

On Walcott's starting berth…

“I assessed every individual and was thinking to leave Theo out, but for the balance I kept him in. I wanted to rest Nicklas Bendtner and I thought having Theo away from home could give us the penetration. I think he can play left and right and he is happy on the left because he knows he can score with his right foot; he tried a couple of times today. Theo has been educated that way, where he can play on either side., but he also prefers to play in the middle. The problem with scoring three times for the national team is that everyone expects you to score again. Football isn't like that. What is most important is that he has a good team attitude, tries to work hard and the rest will come with time.”

On hitting top gear…

“We try always to play our way and slowly we are getting there. We started our training late because of the amount of players away at the European Championships. We are growing now and scored four goals against FC Twente, three against Newcastle and four again today, all without conceding. Despite our youth we looked mature.”

On the timing of the second goal…

“We looked before half-time that we just wanted to keep the ball, and when you are patient and simple the chance come along. That is what we did and I think it was about 20 passes from right to left, back to front and it gave us the momentum for the dangerous last pass.”

On his players being greedy…

"I am after my players to make the right decision and many times you see when a player shoots, someone could be in a better position. So I want my team to be capable of making the right decision without being greedy.”

On injuries…

“[Samir] Nasri is a big doubt for that, Eboue we might lose and Clichy too. We have to assess them tomorrow. It doesn't look too good.”

On Jack Wilshere's record breaking appearance…

“I bring English players slowly through. He is another one who will soon play for you [England].”

[delfino_1936]

at this

Alan Hansen
"Traditionally, when Arsenal come to the north-west they have a bit of a nosebleed. Teams like Blackburn, Everton and Bolton get men behind the ball, get into them, stifle them and stop them playing" - Alan Hansen, Match of the Day.

Total number of goals scored by Arsenal last season in matches at Blackburn, Everton and Bolton: 13.

[delfino_1936]

0-4 and 1-2

oooh to be a gooner

[pires7]

...That's it! I can no longer take this pain of being a Spurs fanatic. Like the disappointment of a parent in an errant teenage son, I have at last realised that they will never grow into the finished article I crave. I've had it, in these times of melting polar icecaps and financial meltdown, I'm not prepared to let Tottenham Hotspur ruin my life as well.

No more will I groan at Jermaine Jenas getting caught in possession. Not for me a tortuous wince as Didier Zokora's first touch goes 10 yards to the opposing team. Never again will I bemoan QE2 Dawson lumbering after an opposition attacker like he's running in treacle and god strike me down if I ever scream in anguish as Darren '3 points for a conversion' Bent puts the floodlights in danger with another shot.

And what the hell is Juande smoking? I was beating the drum for him to take over from Jol, albeit unhappy at the treatment of the big Dutchman, but tactically Ramos seems incredibly flaky. My big criticism of Jol was in player selection and tactics and his ability to change a game. In hindsight and in comparison to Juande's stick pin approach, I'm starting to yearn for the return of BMJ, particularly having paid close attention to the free-scoring Hamburg so far this season. For Juande, another game, another system, another set of personnel.

4-2-3-1's, 4-3-3's, 4-5-1's?! No one knows what in the name of the lord is going on. In Seville, this system was employed with Alves and Adriano making up the midfield numbers wide from their full-back positions and Poulsen and Keita holding at the back to cover these areas when required. Zokora and Huddlestone are not Poulsen and Keita and this left Bale bombing forward leaving Zokora to cover, who is, quite frankly a joke who looks like he's never played football before. Modric played on the left, and must take some sort of defensive responsibility, he never left the opposition half. To be fair to him, he's probably never played in that position in his life and therein lies the problem.

I know it's the same old story with us Spurs fans but this year seems different. The anticipation, even by our standards, was so high and the reality, even by our standards, is so low. I felt absolutely sick to the pit of my stomach last night, not because of the score but the inept and embarrassing performance. And a word for Villa, I like their style, their drive, their team work and their English spine. Davies, Barry and Young were superb. MON has created a vibrant, positive, organised unit, who I think can seriously challenge the top four this season. They are, unfortunately, everything that we are not.

So goodbye dear Spurs, it's been a roller coaster 25 years and I will look out for your scores, maybe on Soccer Saturday, if I'm in, but never again will I darken the turnstiles at the Lane or study my mobile WAP on a Saturday afternoon. I feel unburdened and now only have to worry about whether my savings are safe or that London will become immersed in an apocalyptic tidal wave.
Stephen Marshall, THFC

Let's all laugh at Tottenham!

[delfino_1936]

fantastic read!!!!! THE WHEELS ON THE SPUDBUS ARE FALLING OFF, FALLING OFF

[pires7]

Jaunde they will in again

Lol at Gomes!

[delfino_1936]

Jaunde they will in again

Lol at Gomes!

he did keep it at 1-0 with a couple of fantastic saves, but then he fucks up

what a laugh

[pires7]

Never knew until today that Arsenal's major shareholders are all Jewish bankers. No surprise we are run like a business same at Tottenham, $$$ before success, I doubt it's all Wenger and his moral standpoint

As far as I see we are no different to the other big 3 or city, we are paying off the stadium etc at the expense of success you could argue. Because the club members have to pay? No, the major shareholders will reap all of this money which is fine, need to run the club like a business to compete in the English market, but on the other hand they will not spend a pence as long as 60,000 people turn up to the games and we finish in the 4 Imo. they won't put a dollar into the club.

[delfino_1936]

Never knew until today that Arsenal's major shareholders are all Jewish bankers. No surprise we are run like a business same at Tottenham, $$$ before success, I doubt it's all Wenger and his moral standpoint

As far as I see we are no different to the other big 3 or city, we are paying off the stadium etc at the expense of success you could argue. Because the club members have to pay? No, the major shareholders will reap all of this money which is fine, need to run the club like a business to compete in the English market, but on the other hand they will not spend a pence as long as 60,000 people turn up to the games and we finish in the 4 Imo. they won't put a dollar into the club.

that's what why money has killed football. The situation has become so bad, even if we won the treble every year and made a loss (in money terms) every year with that, the club wouldn't exist, due to money keeping the club afloat and not success, which isn't fair for the fans
If the situation above was to happen, the club would rather finish 4th every year and make a profit, as you said isn't fair for the fans, but i'm sure the fans want their club to exist

do you catch what i'm saying??? i'm just backing your point

[pires7]

oh well, we probably have to sell if we want to compete with the top 2 for now. We are still close but every season our best players will always be able to get a big pay rise and piss off if they feel like it

[delfino_1936]

oh well, we probably have to sell if we want to compete with the top 2 for now. We are still close but every season our best players will always be able to get a big pay rise and piss off if they feel like it

it's interesting, all we need is a tad more depth to be able to compete with the 2 imo
last year that's what we lacked. there were so many players on the market we didn't get that we could've easily gotten to add to our depth

[delfino_1936]

St Totteringham's Day may come before the end of September at this rate! 1 point in 4 games, thats even shit by your ultra shit standards!!

Arsenal 9
Tottenham 1