Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[Tony Adams]

Bendtner - Vela has been well worth the wait


As far as Nicklas Bendtner is concerned, Carlos Vela has been well worth the wait.

The Danish striker's double set up Arsenal's sparkling victory against Sheffield United on Tuesday night but Bendtner was ultimately upstaged by Vela as the 19-year-old marked his full debut with a stunning hat-trick.

Bendtner was on loan at Birmingham when Vela signed for Arsenal in January 2007 but had to wait 18 months to meet the Mexican because the teenager continued his development in Spain until his work permit was issued. Now, after their belated introduction, Bendtner and Vela are clicking on the pitch.

"He is a good striker," said Bendtner. "I remember he came here when he was 16 and then we didn't see him for nearly two years. But he showed good things when he came here on trial and since he came here for the start of the season he has been doing really well.

"He works really hard and is a really good finisher as we saw last night. I think we combined really well. All through pre-season we have been playing together and I think he can be a really, really good player."

"He has had to be patient but everything is through now and he is here and we are delighted to have him."

With Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Eduardo and now Vela on the books at Emirates Stadium, Bendtner faces even stiffer competition for a first-team place. But he is a man on the up with four goals in four games and relishes the challenge ahead.

"For myself, I try to push on as much as possible and try to get into the squad more regularly," said Bendtner. "Scoring two goals today can hopefully help with that.

"We have good strikers here but as I said I am trying to do what I can do. If I keep playing well, it's going to be hard for the boss to pick the team and that's what I want to make him do. I want him to consider when he picks the team who to play."

[Jimmy]

Wenger - Defensive record has gone unnoticed


Arsenal have yet to concede a goal from open play this season.

In nine games, or 810 minutes of competitive action they have only let in two strikes turned in directly from corners (at Fulham and Bolton) plus the penalty at Kyiv.

As yet, Arsenal’s defence has yet to be breached via a move.

“We have defended very well,” Arsène Wenger told Arsenal.com. “It has not been noticed yet but we’ve only conceded those two goals from two corners. In open play we are quite solid. That, for me, is a good response and a good explanation for the team attitude in the squad.”

Last season, Arsenal conceded 31 goals – the highest number of the top four and nine more than champions Manchester United. It was cited by Wenger as a big contributing factor to his side’s failure to hang on to their Premier League lead in the latter stages. But, Wenger being Wenger, his attacking principles will be not compromised to keep his new-found record going.

“What makes me happy at the moment is that we have a good combination of defensive balance and offensive efficiency,” said the Frenchman. “Sometimes when you work on defending better you lose a number of goals.

“But at the moment we are combining the two and it means when everyone puts the effort in we still can be very dangerous going forward.”

lol just about to post this article! We improve without Shaky Senderos.

[Tony Adams]

Wenger - Defensive record has gone unnoticed


Arsenal have yet to concede a goal from open play this season.

In nine games, or 810 minutes of competitive action they have only let in two strikes turned in directly from corners (at Fulham and Bolton) plus the penalty at Kyiv.

As yet, Arsenal’s defence has yet to be breached via a move.

“We have defended very well,” Arsène Wenger told Arsenal.com. “It has not been noticed yet but we’ve only conceded those two goals from two corners. In open play we are quite solid. That, for me, is a good response and a good explanation for the team attitude in the squad.”

Last season, Arsenal conceded 31 goals – the highest number of the top four and nine more than champions Manchester United. It was cited by Wenger as a big contributing factor to his side’s failure to hang on to their Premier League lead in the latter stages. But, Wenger being Wenger, his attacking principles will be not compromised to keep his new-found record going.

“What makes me happy at the moment is that we have a good combination of defensive balance and offensive efficiency,” said the Frenchman. “Sometimes when you work on defending better you lose a number of goals.

“But at the moment we are combining the two and it means when everyone puts the effort in we still can be very dangerous going forward.”

lol just about to post this article! We improve without Shaky Senderos.

sorry 2 pip ya jimmy

[Missing Post Count]

Arsenal v Hull City prematch stats:
Arsenal haven’t met Hull City since the Gunners were last outside the top flight in 1914-15.
In 40 league games at the Emirates, Arsenal have only lost once (0-1 v West Ham, 2006/07).
It is 408 minutes since Arsenal last conceded a goal at the Emirates in the Premier League.
Hull have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 regular league games.
Arsenal have won eight of their last nine league games.
Nicklas Bendtner has scored three goals in his last five Premier League starts.
Robin van Persie has scored 15 goals in his last 20 Premier League starts.
Both goals Arsenal have conceded have come from corners, while both goals Hull scored against Everton last time out were from corners.
Hull have conceded 79 fouls - more than any other - while the Gunners have conceded a league-low 49.
The assistant referees could be busy in this match, with Arsenal having been flagged 25 times for offside and Hull on 24 occasions - the two highest tallies in the division.
If play-off winners Hull win, they will equal their predecessors Derby’s 11-point haul of last season.

[delfino_1936]

quality, thanks Bodo.
I think we'll get over the line 2-0, with Hull proving to be a resiliant side

[ForzaChievo]

Arsenal 5-0 Hull

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal 5-0 Hull

walcott, adebayor, rvp x2, bendtner (late sub) for the goals

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal On The Verge Of Signing South American Striker

Arsenal chief Richard Law flew into Salamanca this week and before he could even settle into his hotel, he came promising gifts for the Gunners partner club during the January transfer window.

Law operates as the link between both the Club’s, and speaking to local newspaper ‘Tribuna de Salamanca’ he confirmed that a deal is progressing well with a young forward, but details will not be announced until the signing is completed.

“A South American striker is very advanced, it’s very interesting but it’s not sealed. The aim is that he will continue his development with Salamanca.

“The player would be on the same level as Carlos Vela, we are talking through some options, they are looking at some videos, and we will see.”

Chairman Miguel Torrecilla has diverted attention away from the new arrival, telling supporters ‘it’s a long way to January’ and ‘We must keeper focused until the end of the season’.

Law is carrying out various checks on how the Academy and the arrangements are progressing, he has also had meetings with both Håvard Nordtveit and Pedro Botelho.

“My visit is to check on our players (Håvard and Pedro) I also wish to share a coffee with Miguel Torrecilla and Juanjo Pascual.

“Relations between the two sides are perfect, the players on loan are an example of that. I speak with the boys two-three times a week, on Wednesday I met Håvard for dinner, both he and Pedro are very happy here. What has pleased me most is that Salamanca are taking special care with their training.”

Richard took time to explain that UDS will not be particpating in the Emirates Cup this year, as Arsenal prefer big names to draw in maximum revenue. He also spoke about the dinner he had with Nordtveit, and his reasons for the surprise loan move.

“Howie’s concept is very simple. He had the option to stay in the Reserves and play in the Carling Cup, or come to Salamanca and fight for a place. He was very brave, and he made a good choice.”

“We are not worried that they are not playing so much, Cesc Fabregas did not play a lot for Spain, but he made a contribution when it mattered. They both have quality, so they will thrive with Arsenal.”

Salamanca’s push for promotion continues this weekend as they take on Castillion, Nordtveit will be looking for valuable minutes before going away Norway, Botelho will also hope for a recall.

[Tony Adams]

Inter Milan Awaiting Agency Out Come With Wilshere

Inter Milan’s transfer chief Marco Branca is keeping close tabs on the situation between Jack Wilshere and Italian based Sports Agency Pasqualin D’Amico, with a view to potentially signing the highly rated youngster.

Young Guns first broke news of Pasqualin D’Amico’s interest in the Arsenal play-maker two weeks ago, and although Jack is already with the Base Soccer agency, the company confirmed the news to us last week. Mr D’Amico himself e-mailed the website to admit his interest, and tell us that he is ready to meet the 16-year-old and his parents to thrash out a deal.

We have since learnt that Internazionale’s head of transfers, Branca, has a close association with both partners, and should they manage to tie up the rights to represent the youngster, the former striker will attempt to bring Wilshere to the Italian Champions.

Branca has close connections with England through his time in Middlesbrough, scoring several important goals for Boro’, and is known to be a huge admirer of the Premiership, even bringing in Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth in August.

Jack signed scholar terms during the summer, but the deal is not in danger as the forms have an indefinite option to turn the scholarship into a professional contract on his 17th birthday.

However, regardless of this - Inter believe they can poach the prospect from the Gunners, with Pasqualin D’Amico ready to market the Stevenage born Wilshere with the same ‘Little Magician’ campaign they did with legendary forward Alessandro Del Piero.
.

fuck off you fucking cunts
i wouldn't sell him for 20million, he along with theo, vela and merida are the future of our club

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal Stopper Szczęsny Pens Brand New Contract

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has told Polish newspaper ‘Gazeta Wyborcza’ that he intends to spend some time out on loan in the next three seasons, after confirming the details of his new professional deal.

The 18-year-old penned a new three-year-contract with the Gunners last week, and has spoken of what the extension means for him, as well as quashing speculation that he is unhappy in the capital.


“The Club says that the first contract a young player signs is only on the basis of his talent and potential. The second, a professional deal, is the choice of Arsène Wenger. The fact I have got this contract gives me hope that I am in their plans for the future. I feel really fine in London, if this was not the case I would have gone elsewhere”

Wojciech has stepped up a level this campaign in being made the first choice for the Reserves, yet he has kept his role for the Under 18’s, due to a special ‘loop hole’ in the Academy League rules. He continued by saying that being named in the Champions League squad didn’t bother him, because he has firm eyes on being first choice.


“My plan for the next seven years is to become Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper. Therefore, at this point in time, it doesn’t bother me if I am number 3 or number 4 choice. For me, this contract means that the Club believes in me, and that they do not want me to go anywhere.”

Earlier in the month Szczęsny was linked with a loan switch to Championship outfit Swansea City, and although that move never came to fruition, he does have an eye of gaining experience.


“I would expect that for at least half a year, I will end up being loaned out. It’s necessary for me, because it’s rare that a keeper’ goes straight into the first team from the Reserves. I need to go out and feel the pressure to win.”

[# 9]

quality, thanks Bodo.
I think we'll get over the line 2-0, with Hull proving to be a resiliant side

exactly, they are flying high right now, this will be no easy beat side, but i still believe our football will really open their eyes. they play a really basic game, and its served them well thus far, but it wont come into play against the gunners.
a 3nil will im predicting, adebayor with 1, gallas with one and bendtner with the other, walcott settin up 2, and gallas' goal to come from a fabregas corner.

[ForzaChievo]

Is Clichy playing this game?

[haywood djablowme]

Is Clichy playing this game?

back in the squad. Should play with brusied shin

Clichy = GUN

[ForzaChievo]

Was so tired last night, fell asleep early on & woke up 1-0 up. Then i fell back to sleep, to wake up this morning for a 1-2 lose.

What the hell happened?

[E. Grant & Co]

Was so tired last night, fell asleep early on & woke up 1-0 up. Then i fell back to sleep, to wake up this morning for a 1-2 lose.

What the hell happened?

You got beat by a better side............don't you love it.............

[delfino_1936]

Was so tired last night, fell asleep early on & woke up 1-0 up. Then i fell back to sleep, to wake up this morning for a 1-2 lose.

What the hell happened?

got complacent
didn't take chances
letting Hull back into the game, by not closing down a great ping
and slack marking from a corner, were Cousin rocketed a header
Almunia no chance for both goals
CHANCES, not taken.



credit to Hull, played fucken brilliantly and if they play like that against any club i see them easily surviving relegation this season

[delfino_1936]

'We gave Hull too much room and were caught'

On the performance...
"I believe we had the chances to win the game as you have seen. I feel the commitment was on Hull's side. They fought for 90 minutes and I believe from the start onwards we were not completely switched on to the level that you need to be to win the game.

"Maybe it is because human beings are not always machines. We thought subconsciously that we will make it, that’s basically it. But after we were 1-0 up and that’s when we were a bit careless. Instead of pushing on and scoring a second goal, we gave too much room to Hull and in the end we were caught.

"We don’t know [if our rivals winning will cost us] but I believe Hull were committed. It’s a good lesson for us because the commitment was on their side. We know from these kind of games that, in the League, when your attitude from the start is not good enough you risk losing the game.

"They played well and they defended especially very well. I think that's where they were dominant and where we were beaten. I think we had 25 crosses today, their keeper and defenders did a great job."

On the consequences of such a defeat...
"You can never afford a defeat. I think we had a good opportunity to still be top the game and we’re not. I believe at the end of the day if you imagine that we had the same level of concentration that Hull had we would’ve won the game because the technical difference was in our favour. They had a little bit extra, that was seen on the corner that they scored.

"I don’t know it's very difficult to say [if they lost due to inexperience]. I believe what is important now is that we responded after Fulham and we must respond this time on Tuesday with a performance that shows our strengths. That’s all you can do. Of course we are all disappointed, the dressing room is very shocked and quiet but its part of mental strength aswell to deal with that. We have to show how united we are on Tuesday night.

"There's nothing to celebrate [his 12 year anniversary of being in charge]. There’s more to prepare for the next one and anyway if we had won there was nothing to celebrate anyway."

On conceding from corners...
"It is a weakness in our team but that’s aswell linked with the level of concentration. You can work for hours on the training ground but if you don’t attack the ball on the day of the game it will cost you. We were caught already the corner before when the guy got infront of Adebayor. I believe that's more down to how much you want the ball."

On bouncing back...
"During the next 48 hours our job will be to repair the damage done mentally and psychologically by the defeat today because that was not an expected one of course. It will be more difficult to deal with because we are used to being dominant at home and what we have done today will be difficult for the players.

"I woudn’t like to go into any individual comment on individual performances today because you can always fault this one or this one. I believe as a unit, as a team we were not at the level where we wanted to be. I believe that’s more collectively and its more down to mental aspects rather than technical aspects."

"The team is young enough. I believe we need some more experience in some areas in the game and to defend better. The way we gave the first and second goal away is not exactly what we need is to bring younger players in."

On the threat of Porto...
"I'm confident that we’ll respond well on Tuesday night because the dissapointment is so deep. The attitude is good and the overall spirit in the team is very very good. Today we were caught a little bit for being too easy and I don’t think that will happen on Tuesday.

"They are always a difficult side to play. They’ve just beaten Fenerbahce. They played last night and have given enough. We know in the Champions League we don’t have the same risk as we have tonight. We have to rebuild the conifdence before Tuesday to get the right belief into the game."

"We are always under extra pressure but Tuesday night will be a vital game for us. I'm more concerned by the Premier League than the Champions League and its very concerning when we lose a game like we lost today."

[delfino_1936]

big game vs Porto at home this weekend. Must win!!!

[pires7]

big game vs Porto at home this weekend. Must win!!!

[Piola]

have you guys heard any more about Ettore Mendicino moving to Arsenal?

[pires7]

nope, when does he turn 15

[Piola]

nope, when does he turn 15

hahah he's 18

check previous pages on this thread for the info

[pires7]

uncovered this on the arsenal forum

Madrid still the big boys

F*ck Liverpool are miles behind on matchday revenue

[pires7]

Hill-Wood wrote:
Our repayments on the stadium are under £20m a year and it`s producing an extra £50m a year. Our annual costs are fixed for 25 years. They will not rise. Our income will rise and our gate income will rise. Those payments are fixed.

Forbes estimate Arsenal to be worth $1.2 billion (before deducting debt), up 31% over the past year.

unlucky Man U 12 million out this season

Manchester United have 300m overseas supporters

[delfino_1936]

Hill-Wood wrote:
Our repayments on the stadium are under £20m a year and it`s producing an extra £50m a year. Our annual costs are fixed for 25 years. They will not rise. Our income will rise and our gate income will rise. Those payments are fixed.

Forbes estimate Arsenal to be worth $1.2 billion (before deducting debt), up 31% over the past year.

unlucky Man U 12 million out this season

Manchester United have 300m overseas supporters

quality stuff, thanks for that Pires, great information. What forum did you find this on????

i know so many spuds fans that have been saying you guys are fucked with debt, but they just don't understand a set plan.

Real Madrid has the biggest stadium off all those 5 teams mentioned yet their matchday revenue is one of the lowest.

very good to see we are getting so much money off our match day revenue and not relying on other shit.

[Piola]

I hope it all works out for you because Claudio Lotito is following the "arsenal model" for Lazio.

[pires7]

Here
http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=37458

also a link to the financial statement of the year 25million pounds in the black last season, but with all the sales and things going on, it could well go the other way this year.

[pires7]

Interesting Perspective

Outlaw_Member says -

I have felt for a while that our attack is not as effective as people would lead you to believe. We have been praised for out attractive style but over the last 2 seasons, ever since we changed to a possession-based game, viewing Arsenal has turned into frustration rather than excitement. I back the change in style because it is proven to be more effective in Europe, so I do not want it to be changed or for us to revert back to our old style. However I would like to point out that our style is no way near as effective as it should be and that goals do not come easily. In terms of number of goals we do have a large amount, however my concern is how long it takes us to score in games and that affects us seriously as we end up expending too much energy in order achieve a favourable result.

07-08 (All competitions, exc. Carling Cup & CL qual.)
Games played: 51
Games where we failed to score in the 1st half- 23
Games with our decisive goal coming in the last 20 mins- 14
Games where we took the lead but failed to win- 8
Games where we had 2 or more goals lead at half time- 8

Those are quite atrocious numbers. Almost half of the games we played, there was a collective failure to score in the 1st half. To me that explains how ineffective our attack is and that it takes sustained pressure over a long period of time before we even manage to score. This is not a sign of an attacking team who should find it easy to score but a sign of a team, for whom goals do not come easily. Another problem is how unlikely we are to determine a game before the 2nd half. Only 8 games out of the 51, did we go into the 2nd half with the victory more or less guaranteed, again pointing out that it takes a long time before we are safe. For a team who is so gung ho in attacking, that is very disturbing statistics. 14 games were decided in the last 20 minutes, either in favour of a win or draw. Many would put it down to mental strength and I would agree with that, however it’s our ability to persist that should be commended and not our ability to attack. Time and time again, we fail to decide a game early and we end up taking a long time before the result is determined. If our attack was as effective or penetrative as it should be for an attacking team, we would not face this problem and instead we would decide the game relatively earlier and kill the game off with a good lead and possession football.

The season before posted similar results. We were better at keeping the lead, capitulating only 3 times. However the other stats are very similar.

06-07 (All competitions, exc. Carling Cup & CL qual.)
Games played: 53
Games where we failed to score in the 1st half- 29
Games with our decisive goal coming in the last 20 mins- 13
Games where we took the lead but failed to win- 3
Games where we had 2 or more goals lead at half time- 6

I did do these stats myself by looking at all the results over the last 2 seasons. It is very obvious that failing to score in the 1st half in 52 out of 104 games played is absolutely shocking. Our ability in making a result certain early in the game is even worse, with only 14 games out of 104 where we were home and dry early on. Our defense is bad, there is no disagreement there, however people need to realize that when your RB, LB, CM, CM, RAM, LAM, CF & ST are as attacking minded as ours are, we are bound to concede. This does not mean the defence needs to be neglected, as there are gaping holes that need to be rectified. However our attack is no way near as effective as an attacking team like ours should be, and that is a very big concern for me.

[delfino_1936]

Here
http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=37458

also a link to the financial statement of the year 25million pounds in the black last season, but with all the sales and things going on, it could well go the other way this year.

i just had a quick read over some of the stuff, and Wenger was definitely right in making the move. So many people have doubted it saying was it right, because it wouldn't let us compete with the big clubs, but that's all bs really.

At the end of the day we are going to make massive profits from the move weather Spuds and other cunts like it or not

at least Lazio are doing one thing right

[pires7]

I can't remember the last good counter attack we played, where we hit a team at pace, pass, pass , pass GOAL! There has to have been a few but during the Henry era it would be one a game.