Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[delfino_1936]

don't know about this decision, basically chosen the best footballer in the team, but he is not the best leader in the team. IMO Toure should have got the armband.

agree with you 100%

[barbarez01]

can't believe i woke up early to watch this crap.

[delfino_1936]

can't believe i woke up early to watch this crap.

3 points is what mattered most

[delfino_1936]

btw the what a ball by Capitano and a great control and finish by Bendtner

[adriano10]

that's 22 successive games unbeaten at home in the UCL for the gooners, impressive

[delfino_1936]

that's 22 successive games unbeaten at home in the UCL for the gooners, impressive

why thankyou softie

[delfino_1936]

'Winning this game is the first step for us'

* Betting - PaddyPower 5/2 Arsenal to win Carling Cup Get a free £20 Paddy Power bet!
* Champions League 12/1 Arsenal to rule in Europe Get a free £20 Paddy Power bet!
*

On leaving it late against Dynamo Kyiv…
“Yes we left it late but I felt that it was a more steady than spectacular performance and for us it was important to come back to win the game. I believe that Kyiv defended very well and until now they had not conceded a goal away from home in the Champions League. They drew 0-0 at Fenerbahce and won 1-0 in Porto and you could see why tonight. They were very well organised and they gave us no time on the ball. At the moment the fact that we were less spontaneous in our game gave us a big problem.

“Winning is a first step for us because the team needs a bit of reassurance and at least the win will give us that.”

On Nicklas Bendtner’s impact from the bench…
“It is a great goal and it is not handball you can see that on the replay. It was not taken on his arm and it is not handball like Kyiv complained. It was a great goal because first, it was a fantastic ball from Fabregas, and then it was a good touch and a good finish.

“I am very happy for him because I felt he was a bit disturbed recently, maybe because of a lack of confidence. That will give him the needed confidence.”

On Cesc Fabregas’ first outing as club captain…
“He was very good tonight, he was focussed for 90 minutes and he worked hard both offensively and defensively. It was not easy in midfield because they closed us down very well there. I expected Kyiv to drop a little bit in the second half but they didn’t and overall I think Cesc had a very good game.

On the performance of William Gallas…
“I believe that his focus was great and he wanted to do well. You could see that he was completely committed at the back and it was not an easy performance for the defence tonight. Overall I feel he did well.

“The crowd responded very well and that means that they acknowledge that he was a committed captain. I was very happy that the crowd responded in a positive way to him.”

On the role of the younger players…
“Aaron Ramsey worked very hard and Carlos Vela looked good during his hour and he worked very hard. Afterwards he did drop a bit physically because he is not used to playing at that level. Jack Wilshere, when he came on, did extremely well. He has big composure on the ball and he doesn’t look fazed at all and he has done very well.”

On Manuel Almunia’s crucial save at 0-0…
“It was a turning point in the game I feel. In this kind of game, the keeper always has to make a save and he did just that at the right moment.”

[Tony Adams]

only got 2 watch 2nd half but my opinions of the performance r

almunia ~ kept a clean sheet made a few good saves. 1 thing i've noticed is he is a lot more comfortable in the squad & he is quite happy to get agro at the team wen they fail him.... def a good thing imo

djourou ~ rb isnt 4 him but looked solid enuf, spose desperate times.......

gallas ~ most determined gallas ive seen in a while. not bad effort apart from getting in the way of rvp's shot 2ward the end

silvestre ~ turning out to b a decent squad member. no real complaints apart from he and clichy need 2 talk

clichy ~ has had a few off weeks but back 2 normal thank fuk. just needs 2 communicate with silvestre

ramsey ~ worked his arse off did well for his 2nd cl appearance, def more to come from him

cesc ~ great ball 4 the goal, up & down game by his standards

song ~ no real complaints yet no real great feats either

denilson ~ pretty much same as ramsey

rvp ~ hope he finds form soon. didnt play shite but def not world class strikers performance

vela ~ nothin but absolute praise, gonna b a star this kid

bendtner ~ got the goal keep em coming i say. needs to relax on feild a little imo always 100kph with him

wilshere ~ cant believe he is only 16! wat an absolute gem. + his english and completely arsenal trained

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal target Xavi moves closer to exit after Barca baulk at his wage demands

Xavi, the Barcelona midfielder voted the best player of Euro 2008, moved closer to leaving the Nou Camp after the club admitted talks about a new contract have broken down.

There have been more than 10 meetings between Xavi's representatives and Barcelona about a new deal but there is little sign of progress.

The Spain international wants a salary in keeping with his status as one of the world's outstanding playmakers. Xavi is looking for a contract to put him on a par with Barcelona's leading earners - Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o.

His current agreement has 18 months to run and Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona's director of football, conceded that "it could be a question of weeks or even months" before the situation is clarified.

Begiristain said: 'Xavi is a great player and has some large expectations. In the world of the football it is not easy to close this type of contract because of the length of the deal and the need to keep a salary equilibrium of the staff.

'If it was easy the deal would already would be done.'

Cesc Fabregas, the new Arsenal captain, would welcome the chance to play alongside his international team-mate on a week-to-week basis.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... mands.html

[Tony Adams]

Luis Gustavo Conte

Arsene Wenger's bid to garner the cream of the world's young talent shows no sign of letting up as Arsenal prepare to welcome Luis Gustavo Conte to the club next month.

Conte is only 14 but L'Equipe suggest that a deal is already in the pipeline with the Mirassol youth teamer expected in London on December 5 to discuss terms.

The Sao Paulo-based rookie could be made to feel at home at Emirates Stadium by Denilson but such a move would be a huge step for somebody so young to take.

Wenger has always developed youngsters in the English capital and has earned a reputation for giving them the perfect footballing education.

http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Foo ... nid-28989/

[Tony Adams]

Wayne Hennessey

Arsenal head a clutch of Premier League clubs chasing Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey as boss Arsene Wenger mulls over an £8million bid.

The Wales international, 21, is on the Emirates radar after a string of impressive displays for club and country.

Wolves insist publicly that Hennessey is not for sale as Mick McCarthy's side aim for automatic promotion next season.

But the Molineux powerbrokers know every player has a price, despite the 6ft 4in youngster signing a new four-year contract in January.
Advertisement
Click Here for more Information

Wenger badly needs a new keeper as Jens Lehmann's imminent return to Germany on a free this summer will leave him with just Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

Hennessey kept 21 clean sheets this term - and another last night as Wales won in Iceland.

And Wenger is now pondering whether to splash out on Hennessey as Aston Villa, Everton and Middlesbrough are also very keen.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/2008/05/2 ... -20433200/

[Tony Adams]

Hennessey on his way to North London

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/10 ... ondon.aspx


Speculation is growing that Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey will be at the centre of a January transfer tug-of-war between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Both London sides are thought to be keen on adding depth to their goalkeeping options after recent high-profile gaffes from Heurelho Gomes and Manuel Almunia.

The 21-year-old Welsh international kept 19 clean sheets last season and was voted into the Championship side of the year. Although he has recently lost his place in the starting line up at Molineux to Carl Ikeme he has been in sparkling form for Wales. Rewarded by John Toshack for his commanding performances Hennessey has since kept a further 7 clean sheets in 14 appearances.

Tipped for a future at the top of the game, the youngster has already been linked with numerous top level sides including Everton, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Nevertheless, it now appears that the Gunners and Spurs have leapt to the front of the queue with a £5m valuation thought to be a small price to pay for such potential

[Tony Adams]

Afobe Chasing Michael Owen’s Historic England Record

Arsenal striker Benik Afobe will take to the field for England’s Under 16’s tomorrow evening, knowing a hat-trick would etch his name into The Three Lions record books.

Afobe has three goals from Victory Shield fixtures against Northern Ireland (2) and Wales (1), and should he add to his tally further on Friday night, he can match, or even overtake Michael Owen’s all time record.

A brace would put Benik on 5 overall - matching the Newcastle hit-mans rate - whilst a hat-trick would mean the 15-year-old becomes the leading goalscorer in Victory Shield history. It would be a massive moment for Afobe, who is yet to even establish himself in Steve Bould’s Under 18’s.

Joshua Rees and Chuks Aneke have been dropped from the squad, meaning Afobe is the sole Gunner in the ranks. A point will all but seal the imminent retention of the annual trophy, but the Benik sideshow will spice up a cold evening in Lincoln.

Indeed, it almost seems like it’s ‘meant to be’ as England play their first game in Lincolnshire for 50 years. That record will be broken before kick off, and if the visitors underestimate Benik Afobe, there is no doubt a second could also be dispatched before the night’s over.

Best of luck, Benik

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal Tracking Danish Centre Back Jørgensen

Arsenal are among five Premiership clubs who are tracking F.C. Copenhagen’s exciting young centre back Mathias Jattah-Njie “Zanka” Jørgensen.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle have all made checks on the giant 18-year-old, who recently became a full international with Denmark. Mathias started out with home town club B93, where he played for his country at Under 16, Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 level.

In 2007 he made his first team debut aged just 16, and his run in the side coincided with B93 going on a four game unbeaten stint. His then coach said he “could be the best defender in Denmark’s history” and with the praise still fresh in his ear, Copenhagen came calling.

He was snapped up the the prestigious outfit, who began work developing his abilities. At 191cm he is obviously very commanding in the air, yet at the same time, possesses the talent and intelligence to pass and move the ball out from the back. It’s those qualities which has seen the biggest teams come calling.

Jørgensen only has 23 appearances for FCC’s first team under his belt, but was deemed experienced enough to make his International bow against Wales during the recent round of friendlies. He also has the eye for the odd goal, proving he is as much a threat in attacking situations, as he is in defensive ones.

Before the start of the current campaign, Mathias collected both the Players’ Talent of the Year and Arla Talent of the Year awards. Nicklas Bendtner has previously won both prizes, after his break through season with the Gunners.

It’s believed a fee of around £3 million would prize away the highly rated youngster. Let the chase begin.

[delfino_1936]

great stuff Fabulous, imagine if Xavi plays with Cesc next season

[# 9]

xavi and huntelaar will be welcome at the emirates.







btw bought my 08/09 arsenal top the other day

[delfino_1936]

xavi and huntelaar will be welcome at the emirates.







btw bought my 08/09 arsenal top the other day

what name and number u get??

[pires7]

Got a Clichy 22 shirt last season b4 the man city game He just hasn't been the same since

[delfino_1936]

Got a Clichy 22 shirt last season b4 the man city game He just hasn't been the same since

you really reckon he hasn't??

[Tony Adams]

Eduardo In Action As Simpson Sinks Notts Forest


Eduardo da Silva stepped up his rehabilitation from a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle on Wednesday, as the Croatian striker featured for an Arsenal XI against Nottingham Forest, in a behind closed doors friendly.

The encounter was arranged due to the gap in fixtures which both second string sides suffer during November, but it also presented Arsène Wenger will an opportunity to give the 25-year-old some vital minutes in his bid for fitness. Forest have a strong relationship with the Gunners, after Liam Brady sent Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers and James Dunne to the City Ground for trials last month, with the latter being snapped up.

James Dunne is only on loan for the time being, meaning he did not get the opportunity to line up against Arsenal. The team had a strong Carling Cup feel too it, with the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Mark Randall and Gavin Hoyte all being involved. Banfield’s boys ran out 2-0 winners, as Jay Simpson continued his run of form with a well taken brace.

‘Dudu’ reportedly came through unscathed, and will now step up his training with the first team as he edges closer to a first team return. However, after Simpson’s strikes in the Cup and now against Forest, competition will be as hot as ever.

[delfino_1936]

Wenger - Why I see Fabregas as a 26-year-old

* Paddy Power 4/1 Arsenal beat Chelsea Free £20 Paddy Power Bet
* Premier League 13/1 Gallas scores on Sunday Free £20 Paddy Power Bet
*

By Chris Harris

Cesc Fabregas has long been considered an 'old head on young shoulders'. Now Arsène Wenger has pinpointed a 'virtual' age for the new Arsenal captain.

The Frenchman handed Fabregas his first-team debut at the tender age of 16 years 177 days in October 2003. Now, a little over five years on, the influential midfielder has piled up 213 appearances for Arsenal and will lead them out for the first time in the Premier League at Chelsea on Sunday.

Only Tony Adams has captained the Club at a younger age but Wenger is not concerned about that. Although Fabregas is just 21, the Arsenal manager believes he is closer to 26 in footballing terms and does not expect the captaincy to change the Spaniard's approach.

"I think first you want him to do his job well and not to be too worried about the rest, and that is the best way to be a captain basically," said Wenger.

"Play your game well, lead by example, and the rest comes along because I believe that he has experience already, he has [nearly] 250 games for the Club.

"Basically he is 26 instead of being 21 because a player normally at 26, 27 years of age, he has 250 games for his club. That's why I believe, with the rest, he should just behave like he is used to."

to say that Fabregas isn't an experienced player is a joke now. We do have some experience just not enough

[delfino_1936]

'We need that kind of focus in every game'

On the importance of the win…
"It is a massive win for us because we recently lost two games unexpectedly, and to lose today would have put us 13 points adrift of Chelsea; that would have been too much. It was a test of character and we came here maybe without the needed level of confidence but we showed from the start that we have character and I think we were a bit unlucky to be behind at half-time.

"In the second half we slowly moved on top and started to win the fight in the middle of the park. From then when we had the ball we looked as though we could be dangerous. So I am very, very happy to now, after beating Manchester United, we beat Chelsea and I believe that brings us back. It is still far but not impossible. I have an intelligent team, a talented one, but we want to come back with humility and work hard. We have learned that we need that kind of focus in every game no matter who you play."

On a slow start...
"In the first-half I think they [Chelsea] started a bit stronger and it took us 15 minutes to get into the game. We were on the back foot and then came slowly in. When we got in we scored an own goal. I had to tell the players to keep the high pace as long as we could because that was when we looked dangerous. I didn’t think we should be concerned by the fact we were trailing, but just to keep the high pace, get closer to their midfield – we had given them too much freedom before – and that changed the game."

On the team's title credentials…
"It is true that we have more regrets this season, but the results show we have the level needed to be there [at the top] but it is up to us in the coming months."

On injuries…
"We have been disturbed by injuries you know, sometimes with nine players out, and that is too many. You can take four or five but nine is too much."

On getting in the right mindset…
"I believe this is part of the learning process, to win when you are not on the edge. You know you will not be is the same mindset every game, but you must learn to win whenever. I have an intelligent group and a young one. When you think you can just turn up and win, it is not good enough."

On the performance of William Gallas…
"I think William was outstanding today, absolutely amazing. He came out of that troublesome period with, for me, a lot of credit. His commitment is fantastic and he was outstanding today, and had already been like that against Kyiv on Tuesday night. It shows he is a fighter."

On partnering Johan Djourou and Gallas in defence…
"I wanted to try that partnership and I believe also Song gives us the stature to defend in the air. Djourou added it too, and we were a bit stronger in the duels and in the air."

On being a threat from high balls…
"We felt in the first half that we could be dangerous in the air because we had some joy with Van Persie winning some balls and of course with a fit Adebayor, he can win in the air against anybody."

On Chelsea's stuttering home form…
"Sometimes it is strange in this game. Remember when we went 49 games unbeaten and then lost, we couldn’t win again for five games. It looks like a sort of charisma goes when you lose a long record. It looks like players have been on top of Mount Everest and then get knocked all the way down, and now you must tell them to climb back up again."

On John Terry's challenge on Bacary Sagna…
"I think it was a bad tackle because he had no chance to get the ball. It was not bad because he had two feet on the ground, a sliding tackle, one that wasn’t intended to hurt Sagna."

On the psychological ramifications of the match…
"I believe the win gives us the belief we can come back [into the title race], but what it does to Chelsea, I don’t know."

[delfino_1936]

The Stamford Bridge Derby Player Ratings

Arsenal

Manuel Almunia
The Spaniard's terrible decision-making was the start of Chelsea's goal and his poor positioning was its conclusion. As F365 is fond of observing, Almunia is a goalkeeper of few saves so it was just as well for the visitors that their hosts did not muster a single shot on goal after falling behind.
Rating: Five.


Bacary Sagna
Very solid. The Frenchman is also a better player in the air than his height would suggest - an attribute that came to the Gunners' rescue on more than one occasion.
Rating: Seven.


William Gallas
Has - and here's a sentence that seemed an impossibility just two weeks ago - the disruption caused by Gallas served to galvanise and unite the Arsenal dressing-room? By all accounts, the deposed captain has been professionalism personified in training for the past ten days and it may be the case, now that he has assumed the role of experienced pro, that Gallas is finally providing the leadership he couldn't as captain. Perhaps. Regardless, this was an excellent display from the 31-year-old.
Rating: Eight.


Johan Djourou
The headline feature of the youngster's afternoon was, of course, his own goal but Djourou cannot be faulted for attempting to clear what was a dangerous cross. He should also draw considerable consolation from both his inclusion in the starting line-up - F365 has said for a long time that Gallas requires a tall player alongside him - and a display that, despite that early calamity, was as composed as his partner's as they successfully reduced Anelka to anonymity.
Rating: Eight.


Gael Clichy
Every bit as good as Evra was in the Manchester derby. Clichy's anticipation and pace is simply phenomenal.
Rating: Eight.


Alex Song
There's a strange limit to Song's trackbacking, as if he is prepared to follow an opponent back as far as the penalty area but then hits a wall and can go no further (replay, for instance, Lampard arriving unaccompanied into the box to send his header into Almunia's arms in the tenth minute). That said, Song did a useful job, particularly in the second half, to reinforce the conclusion that Arsenal require a defensive midfielder. The question that remains unanswered is whether Song can be that player.
Rating: Six.


Denilson
Put in a decent shift on the right of midfield - a position that he is clearly ill-suited to fill - and provided a cute through-ball for Van Persie's offside equaliser. Beginning to establish him at Arsenal despite the lingering suspicion that he is not quite good enough to be a regular in a top-four, title-threatening side.
Rating: Six.


Cesc Fabregas
A class apart in Arsenal's midfield. After a very average start to the campaign, Fabregas' promotion to captain has coincided with a match-winning through-ball to defeat Kiev in midweek and his best display since March's masterclass in the San Siro this weekend. He must be wondering what Gallas' fuss was all about.
Rating: Seven.


Samir Nasri
Only the scoreline can save Nasri from censure because his individual contribution was woeful. The Premier League still seems too quick and robust a league for the 21-year-old newcomer but that's no excuse for his failure to cover Jose Bosingwa for Chelsea's goal and his passing, which is frequently soft both in terms of weight and decision-making.
Rating: Four.


Emmanuel Adebayor
Palpably short of full fitness, the Togo striker spent most of his 80 minutes labouring to escape the attentions of John Terry and the pushy Branislav Ivanovic but still managed to make a contribution for Van Persie's winner. Substituted late on and the muted reaction of the away support was a reflection of their general ambivalence towards him.
Rating: Five.


Robin van Persie
Partly because of his petulance and partly because he has missed so games with injury, the Dutchman is an unheralded class act but his two goals at Stamford Bridge underlined what an influence he could be in the league in which his 65 starts have brought 35 goals. A smashing finish with his right foot followed two minutes later by a smart swivel and shot with his left peg, he was only denied a 'perfect' hat-trick by Gallas flicking the ball off his head during the first half.
Rating: Eight.

[pires7]

Almunia's positioning to blame for the own goal :? I don't agree, Djourou should have put it out for a corner. Shit intial throw though

[delfino_1936]

Almunia's positioning to blame for the own goal :? I don't agree, Djourou should have put it out for a corner. cabernet intial throw though

his throw was terrible, Djourou tried 2 get it out for a corner but his clearance wasn't good enough obviously

[pires7]

At least we will still finish 3rd this year. Lol Liverpoo

Wigan must be punished

[pires7]

Merida what a dribble v Burnley

[delfino_1936]

Merida what a dribble v Burnley

he fucken licked the shit out of those defenders, amazing ability to throw a dummy

[pires7]

Merida what a dribble v Burnley

he shiraz licked the cabernet out of those defenders, amazing ability to throw a dummy

and then like the rest of the team, not score! Bendtner you clown! We should have won/drawn that match

[delfino_1936]

Merida what a dribble v Burnley

he shiraz licked the cabernet out of those defenders, amazing ability to throw a dummy

and then like the rest of the team, not score! Bendtner you clown! We should have won/drawn that match

agree with you 100%

i hope they smash wigan on the weekend