Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[Jimmy]

Bendtner and Djourou fit to face Fenerbahce

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal will welcome back Nicklas Bendtner and Johan Djourou for the trip to Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Both youngsters missed the victory over Everton at the weekend, the Dane had an ankle problem while the Swiss defender had suffered concussion on international duty. But, speaking on Monday morning, Wenger said both will be OK for the Champions League Group G tie in Turkey.

However William Gallas (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (knee) are still out while Kolo Toure is missing after damaging shoulder ligaments at the weekend.

“From Saturday, we have Nicklas Bendtner back in the squad and Johan Djourou is available again,” said Wenger. “But we don’t have Kolo Toure.

"Gallas and Sagna are out but they are not long-term and could be back in the squad for Sunday."

Arsenal squad:

Manuel Almunia
Lukasz Fabianski
Emmanuel Adebayor
Robin van Persie
Carlos Vela
Nicklas Bendtner
Aaron Ramsey
Abou Diaby
Theo Walcott
Cesc Fabregas
Denilson
Samir Nasri
Kieran Gibbs
Gael Clichy
Mikael Silvestre
Alex Song
Emmanuel Eboue
Johan Djourou

[Jimmy]

Wenger - Istanbul atmosphere won't affect us

By Richard Clarke

Although Arsène Wenger feels Istanbul is a “special, unique” football venue, the Arsenal manager does not believe the city’s famously vociferous fans will affect his team when they take on Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

The visiting party fly on to Turkey on Monday in search of a victory that would make them red-hot favourites to win Champions League Group G.

However, in last season’s competition, Fenerbahce proved anything but pushovers. They won all five of their home games, including a 2-1 victory over eventual finalists Chelsea in the last eight.

A part of that proud record is credited to the passion created by the home fans. However Wenger argues that previous excesses have been curbed.

“They have the most passionate fans in Europe,” he said, speaking before the weekend. “Especially in Istanbul where you have Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

“It is a unique place and for me it is a special city. But it is very, very tough.

“However it will not affect the players,” he went on. “It could have done 20 years ago but one of the good things done by Uefa is that they protect the players and the competitions so much they know if [the teams] do too much they will be kicked out.

“Every simple thing is filmed. That was not the case 20 or 30 years ago. You had a little more freedom to express your aggressiveness then. But that has gone.”

[ForzaChievo]

I would line up like this.

--------------Alumnia--------------
Eboue---Djourou---Silvestre---Clichy
---------------Diaby---------------
Walcott------------------------Nasri
--------------Fabregas-------------
-----------------------RVP---------
----------Adebayor-----------------

[delfino_1936]

I would line up like this.

--------------Alumnia--------------
Eboue---Djourou---Silvestre---Clichy
---------------Diaby---------------
Walcott------------------------Nasri
--------------Fabregas-------------
-----------------------RVP---------
----------Adebayor-----------------

i think that's the perfect for us right now considering all our injury problems but i highly doubt Wenger will go for that, it's almost as if he is against playing Eboue at RB

[ForzaChievo]

http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/N ... in-locale/

Exclusive: Pires hails successor Nasri
by Laurent Picard, 20 October 2008

Robert Pires has hailed Arsenal new boy Samir Nasri and compared his partnership with fellow left-sided player Gael Clichy to his association with Ashley Cole.

Arsenal legend Pires has added his name to the list of Nasri’s admirers and the former Gunners midfielder has tipped his successor to reach the top.

The left side composed of Clichy and Nasri can be compared to the Cole/Pires partnership, according to the Frenchman who has hailed Arsene Wenger for signing such a talented player.

The Frenchman also confessed he did not expect the former Marseille starlet to adapt so quickly to Premier League football.

“Arsene [Wenger] was looking for a talented left midfielder and it appears he has found a creative one with enormous qualities,” Pires told setantasports.com.

“This coach is always looking for perfection and Nasri is a massive signing for “my” Gunners.

“To be honest I am surprised by Nasri because he is doing so well in his debut season. Moving to The Premier League is so hard because it is a physical fight every day.

"I watch all their games on TV so I am speaking of something I have been able to watch.

“I told myself he would struggle because of his size, but he is proving the opposite. He is showing the world that when you are technically gifted you can cope with every situation.

“His partnership with Gael Clichy on the left side reminds me of mine with Ashley Cole when we started to play together.

“They get on well together on and off the pitch and we can see how confident they are when they play together, like me and Cole a few seasons ago.

“I am very optimistic regarding Gael Clichy’s career and development, he is a talented defender raised by Arsene Wenger’s touch.”

Pires does not know whether Nasri will stay a Gunner forever, but the Villarreal star believes Wenger will manage to keep his new diamond for many seasons to come.

“I do not think he is going to leave because Arsenal are a special club,” Pires added. “This club makes you want to wake up and go to training every day.

“They make of you a confident footballer. Of course seeing something different is attractive, but being at Arsenal is even better!

“For that reason I do not think Nasri will leave the club in the close future.”

Pires then sent a message to his numerous fans as a response to all the compliments he has received on his player page.

“Tell setantasports.com readers “thank you” on my behalf because their compliments mean so much to me. Them supporting me is pure pleasure.

“Arsenal and myself was a love story and to be honest I am so proud to have been part of such a different club, they are a class apart.”

[ForzaChievo]

i think that's the perfect for us right now considering all our injury problems but i highly doubt Wenger will go for that, it's almost as if he is against playing Eboue at RB

Densilon or Diaby could probably fit into the DM spot, but i prefer Diaby & always have.

Reminds me of Vieira, always thought he would get that spot.

[delfino_1936]

i think that's the perfect for us right now considering all our injury problems but i highly doubt Wenger will go for that, it's almost as if he is against playing Eboue at RB

Densilon or Diaby could probably fit into the DM spot, but i prefer Diaby & always have.

Reminds me of Vieira, always thought he would get that spot.

agree about diaby, but denilson aint bad, i just think the fact diaby is so strong on the ball similar to Vieira gives him an advantage

[Tony Adams]

almunia
song djourou silveste clichy
eboue cesc denilson nasri
rvp ade

not wat i want but wat it'll look like imo

[delfino_1936]

Fenerbache 2-5 Arsenal

10' [0 - 1] E.S. Adebayor
11' [0 - 2] T. Walcott
19' [1 - 2] M. Silvestre (o.g.)
22' [1 - 3] A. Diaby
49' [1 - 4] A.S. Billong
78' [2 - 4] D. Guiza
90' [2 - 5] A. Ramsey

[ForzaChievo]

Good solid win, especially with some key players out.

What was the lineup?

I haven't watched the match yet.

[delfino_1936]

Good solid win, especially with some key players out.

What was the lineup?

I haven't watched the match yet.

Almunia

Eboue Song Silvestre Clichy
Walcott Fabregas Denilson Nasri
Diaby
Adebayor

[haywood djablowme]

Good solid win, especially with some key players out.

What was the lineup?

I haven't watched the match yet.

Almunia

Eboue Song Silvestre Clichy
Walcott Fabregas Denilson Nasri
Diaby
Adebayor

Surprised to see RVP not get a run let alone a starting berth BUT why should we ever doubt Wenger
Have a rest son get yaself ready for Saturday v the Hammers

Diaby has always been groomed to be the long term replacement for Viera, but injuries have been aginst him & when he has been fit he has been played out of position. He is the mold of Vieria built like him, good in the air, solid in the tackle, can score goals & has sublime touch IMO. I think he will push Denilson out but he too has a big future & will still play a big part.

Things are starting to look up again with a good 3 points at Upton Park this week & a draw at Stamford we should be heading back closer to the top then the kids can have a good run out & show what the future is all about with a Carling Cup fixture at home against Bolton

& SPURS ARE BOTTOM

[Jimmy]

Almunia - It seemed like a training match

By Richard Clarke

Manuel Almunia has labelled Tuesday night's victory at Fenerbahce as a “strange” and “crazy” game.

The 31-year-old was handed a tough task for his first match as Arsenal captain – a European tie in Turkey.

However, Almunia saved from Ugur Boral at point-blank range in the opening moments and the visitors capitalised on that by scoring twice in 70 seconds around the 10-minute mark.

Mikael Silvestre then inadvertently put the ball high past Almunia however Arsenal responded immediately through Abou Diaby.

The visitors could have added to their lead before the break but Daniel Guiza, a former team-mate of Almunia at Recreativo Huelva, spurned two fine chances to pull Fenerbahce back into the game.

Alex Song seemed to have put the game beyond doubt early in the second half but Guiza did beat Almunia before substitute Aaron Ramsey wrapped things up in injury time.

The match finished 5-2 but it could have easily have been 10-4.

“It was a crazy game,” admitted Almunia afterwards. “There were so many chances it seemed like a training match.

“The game started well for me with that save. It made things easier. After that I found the game more comfortable.

“Personally I had a strange feeling about the match, everything seemed much easier than normal in the Champions League.

“But it must have been a great game for the supporters of both clubs.”

[Tony Adams]

Eduardo ready to return in three weeks

Arsenal may be handed a huge boost in three week's time when Eduardo da Silva could return from injury ahead of schedule.

Arsenal fans could soon see Eduardo back in the famous red and white of the Gunners
The Croatia international suffered a horrific leg injury following a challenge by Birmingham's Martin Taylor in February which was expected to keep him on the sidelines until Christmas. But boss Arsene Wenger has revelaed he could be back in action by the middle of next month.

Eduardo suffered a fractured left leg and open dislocation of his ankle in the tackle which forced him to miss his adopted country's Euro 2008 campaign after being their top scorer in the qualifiers.

"Eduardo is three weeks away from playing competitive football," Wenger told Arsenal's website.

The news on Tomas Rosicky is not so promising. The Czech international, who has been out of action since the FA Cup victory over Newcastle at the end of January, will not be fit again until the New Year with a hamstring injury now troubling him.

Wenger, meanwhile, feels his young Arsenal side are not "getting the support they deserve'' from their own fans or the media.

He reiterated his view when addressing shareholders at Arsenal's Annual General Meeting this morning.

"You are all very quiet, a little bit like the game on Saturday. It is a recession mood, but it will not last, do not worry,'' Wenger joked as he took the microphone.

"The structure of our team is fantastic, but very young. That means that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. I believe we are at a stage where this season we are close to deliver, and it is my job to do that.

"Last year were very close to winning the championship, finishing just four points behind Manchester United. We were really unlucky at a difficult part of the season. Having led for so long, it was very disappointing.

"But today when you have such a young team, you have to be intelligent. Instead of showing resentment, we have to believe in our team, more than ever because this team will deliver. But the younger you are, the more you need support and the belief in the quality of these young players. I ask you as well to be proud of them and to show your support.

"I am personally very proud, and believe this team needs a strong guide to go through difficult periods, because at the moment I do not feel that either from the media or our supporters that this team gets the support that it deserves.

"That is why I think they need a stronger guide than ever and I want to get this team to deliver not next year, but this year.''

FUCK YEA!!!!!!!!!

[Tony Adams]

Bergkamp eyes Premier League return - as coach

Dennis Bergkamp has revealed he would consider returning to England as a coach.

The 39-year-old former Arsenal striker retired from playing at the end of the 2005-06 season and has kept a low profile since.

However he has started a coaching course and admits he would be tempted if any offers came in from England.

The Dutchman told BBC London: ``People ask me the question if I could come back to England one day to coach and I say yes.

``I always enjoyed it here and it's a fantastic country to be involved in football. Maybe in the future I will be back in some way.''

Bergkamp joined Arsenal in 1995 and spent 11 years with the club, making over 400 appearances and departing before the Gunners moved to their new Emirates Stadium home.

[Tony Adams]

Gallas and Toure available for West Ham trip

William Gallas and Kolo Toure are back for the trip to West Ham on Sunday.

The Ivorian injured his shoulder against Everton last Saturday and missed the game at Fenerbahce in midweek while the Frenchman was absent for both because of a hamstring problem. However the pair are set to return for the game at Upton Park.

In addition, Bacary Sagna (knee) is in line to make his comeback against Tottenham next week.

“It looks like Kolo Toure and William Gallas will be available while Sagna could be available for Wednesday,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

The Arsenal manager also clarified his comments over the return of Eduardo. At the AGM on Thursday, Wenger said the Croatian striker is "three weeks away from playing competitive football".

Speaking to the Club’s official website later on, he said: “What I mean by competitive football is joining in completely with a normal training session. After that he has to come back to match-fitness. But he is ahead of where we expected him to be and that is fantastic news.”

[Tony Adams]

Wenger - We won't rule out January signing

Arsène Wenger may make a signing in the January transfer window.

Speaking at Thursday’s AGM, the manager revealed that he would consider opening the cheque book in the New Year if it would help his side win their first silverware since 2005.

Despite this, the Frenchman said that no decisions would be made until the window swings open, insisting that his focus would be solely on the team’s current performance.

“We will not rule anything out,” Wenger said. “We want to win at the end of the season and if we feel that signings are needed in January to accomplish this we will do so.

“What is more important until then is to deliver as much as we can. If, in January, it is needed then we will do something.

“But what makes me unhappy is that we got beaten by Hull. If we had won then we would only be one point behind the leaders and in a very strong position.”

[Jimmy]

Gallas and Toure available for West Ham trip

By Richard Clarke

William Gallas and Kolo Toure are back for the trip to West Ham on Sunday.

The Ivorian injured his shoulder against Everton last Saturday and missed the game at Fenerbahce in midweek while the Frenchman was absent for both because of a hamstring problem. However the pair are set to return for the game at Upton Park.

In addition, Bacary Sagna (knee) is in line to make his comeback against Tottenham next week.

“It looks like Kolo Toure and William Gallas will be available while Sagna could be available for Wednesday,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

The Arsenal manager also clarified his comments over the return of Eduardo. At the AGM on Thursday, Wenger said the Croatian striker is "three weeks away from playing competitive football".

Speaking to the Club’s official website later on, he said: “What I mean by competitive football is joining in completely with a normal training session. After that he has to come back to match-fitness. But he is ahead of where we expected him to be and that is fantastic news.”

[Tony Adams]

ARSENE WENGER looks like landing long-time target Yaya Toure — brother of Gunners defender Kolo.

The Arsenal boss has had the Ivory Coast man in his sights for months and sees him as the player for the defensive midfield role.

Wenger held talks with Barcelona over a switch in the summer and agreed on an £8million fee.

But they were unable to woo Yaya, 25, as they would not match his £50,000-a-week wages.

Yet a January move appears on after the Arsenal board agreed to up the offer of personal terms. A source said: “It’s now likely that he and the Gunners can resolve the issue.”
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/article52605.ece

[# 9]

ARSENE WENGER looks like landing long-time target Yaya Toure — brother of Gunners defender Kolo.

The Arsenal boss has had the Ivory Coast man in his sights for months and sees him as the player for the defensive midfield role.

Wenger held talks with Barcelona over a switch in the summer and agreed on an £8million fee.

But they were unable to woo Yaya, 25, as they would not match his £50,000-a-week wages.

Yet a January move appears on after the Arsenal board agreed to up the offer of personal terms. A source said: “It’s now likely that he and the Gunners can resolve the issue.”
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/article52605.ece

bit pricey for an unproven player. wouldnt mind having him tho, would do wonders for both toure's mentality towards the games.

[delfino_1936]

i think he's proven that he can mix it with the best while at Olympiakos and Barca.

Would be a good signing as a partner to Cesc, cause Yaya is a player similar to Flamoney who gets in and does the dirty work correct??

[# 9]

i think he's proven that he can mix it with the best while at Olympiakos and Barca.

Would be a good signing as a partner to Cesc, cause Yaya is a player similar to Flamoney who gets in and does the dirty work correct??

mixed with the best, but ive seen some in-consistent performances, but having in a gunners top is definatly a huge plus. hed have a good future with arsenal. and yes does do alot of the dirty work in midfield, works hard.

[# 9]

WTF, just heard on the pre-game show that gallas was seen leavin a nite club with a cigarette.

10bucks says he media fucked it up and wanted to make a meal of something out of nothing. it could have been anything. a fad , pen, etc.

[Lilly Whites]

heard that yesterday aswell, meh.

apparently wegner as warned him etc.

[Judge Judy]

WTF, just heard on the pre-game show that gallas was seen leavin a nite club with a cigarette.

10bucks says he media shiraz it up and wanted to make a meal of something out of nothing. it could have been anything. a fad , pen, etc.

10 bucks says it was a cigarette

heaps of players would smoke

[# 9]

WTF, just heard on the pre-game show that gallas was seen leavin a nite club with a cigarette.

10bucks says he media shiraz it up and wanted to make a meal of something out of nothing. it could have been anything. a fad , pen, etc.

10 bucks says it was a cigarette

heaps of players would smoke

like?

what it beneficial from smoking?

[delfino_1936]

Good hard fought 3pts in another London Derby.

Surprised with Wengers starting line up

Not sure Song is good enough for Arsenal @ CM.. Were was Denilson also Diaby started on the bench, thought he would push Denilson out @ CM
Eboue was rubbish IMO - looked like he was running with an injury
Bedntner started poor but got better once Ade came on to be the target man
Walcott minimal impact
RVP cant even buy a goal sometimes :?

On the bright side
Cesc is starting to find the form of last year
Nasri is looking better game by game same with Silvestre
Almunia is starting to show why he is No1
Ade got a 65min break
Sagna got 10 mins so should push out Eboue for Wednesday game

Bring on Harry & the SCUM to the Emirates Wednesday

thought i'd post your summary here, Song was good imo and Nasri was poor. Silvestre was solid, Almunia was quality, Cesc needs to step up the gears against Spuds, cause he hasn't been playing good enough.

this is thoughts from another forum which i thought were very interesting and would create talking points. the stuff not quoted are my responses

It was a fantastic game to watch, with both teams having real go. West Ham got into some very good positions on the counter attack, but Almunia kept them out solidly. Almunia has progressed and developed so much it is unbelievable that this is the same keeper we saw 2-3 years ago! On the otherside of the pitch, I saw Robert Green performing at his usual 'nothing's getting past me' best like he does so often against Arsenal.

I thought our back 4 was average. I'm not very keen on the Gallas-Silvestre partnership as I feel they both lack the pace needed to cover eachother, especially Silvestre. Wenger should bring Toure and Sagna back for the Tottenham match.

Walcott was dangerous until he got subbed, which was a bit of a surprise for mine. I thought he was one of the only players where I saw a goal or assist coming from. van Persie was the other who was very dangerous. How he didn't score is beyond me, but he did well to set-up Adebayor and our own goal. His left foot is a weapon that worries defenders, and he drew a couple of defenders giving space to Adebayor to get past the West Ham defenders.

Bendtner was a tad disappointing, but his amazing long ball for Adebayor's second was fucking awesome. Beckham-esque, or Fabregas-esque, whichever you want really. Still, he was a bit disappointing, along with Samir Nasri. Can't wait to get Rosicky back, as he will be a perfect replacement for Nasri should one not be playing well. I do love Bendtner though, and was very happy Wenger gave him a full 90mins. He needs games to get to his best, and he brings a creative game that Adebayor doesn't have in my mind.

Anyways, great win to keep us just 4pts away from top. Was definately a potential banana-skin, but we managed it admirably. Well done Arsenal!

very much agree, especially with the wanting Rosicky back factor.....me and buckz are dying without our boy
all your points are spot on, the team played well, apart from a few, imo Nasri inparticular, whenever he got it, he tried to use his body which he does so well but he lost it always. Ah well lets hope he turns it on vs spuds. Ade was fantastic when he came on, created so much, him and Bendtner combined well.

special mention- RVP'S FREE KICK, absolute corker

Well, seems like nobody guessed the starting line-up! It was:

---------- Almunia

Eboue - Gallas - Silvestre - Clichy

Walcott - Cesc - Song - Nasri

------- RVP - Bendtner

Nasri had a poor game IMO. I rate him, but last 2 games he seems to underperform. Adebayor was terrific when he came on, and it was awesome to see some of his combinations with Bendtner (hopefully they've left their differences well behind now).

Song did very, very well this morning. Looked much better as a defensive mid than Denilson.

Song was very good i agree, but i disagree about Eboue. I thought his first half was good, very solid defensively and was good going forward. He didn't really decrease his game in the second half, but i do agree, Sagna >>>> Eboue

Eboue is fantastic replacement for Sagna at RB though.

this is the starting line up i want vs Spuds:

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy

Walcott Fabregas Diaby Nasri

RVP Adebayor

[pires7]

Eboue is a tit! If he stops diving like a clown, I may forgive him

[delfino_1936]

Eboue is a tit! If he stops diving like a clown, I may forgive him

agree, but he did ok last night i thought

[delfino_1936]

We could not afford to drop points today'

On the result…
“It is a big win for us because if we had come out of it with a frustrating 0-0 draw, we would have felt that we had wasted an opportunity to get closer to the top.

“For us it was important not to make a mistake and to take one of our own chances. We gambled a lot and fortunately we had some strikers on the bench and in the end that made the difference.

“We knew before the game that we couldn’t afford to drop points today but I must say that West Ham can feel frustrated because they defended very well and gave absolutely everything today. In the end we got a little opening, maybe they got a little bit fatigued in the last 20 minutes.”

On the fear that it could have been ‘one of those days’…
“It could have been. West Ham decided to frustrate us by defending very deep. They protected the centre very well and I thought in the first half they we tried to go through the middle a little too much. We needed to stretch their defenders in the final third. On some occasions we did that better in the second half.”

On West Ham’s penalty claims…
“Maybe for the deflected hand-ball in the last five minutes but I did not see the other one. It was a guy who was protecting himself when it hit him. I felt that their keeper was outside the box in the first half and they could have been playing with 10 men.”

On Robert Green’s heroics…
“He always has the game of his life when he plays against us. And he repeats that every year.”

On Adebayor's impact...
“What is fantastic is that he is a regular starter in my team and he fights very hard. Today he came on with 25 minutes to go and fought for every ball. That is more than any speech I can make. We have a great spirit in the side and we have great quality. We are of course very determined to come back to the top. If you look at the results against Fulham and Hull and you see where we are it is quite positive.”

On there being more to come from Theo Walcott…
“At 19 years of age I hope so. There is already a lot there but of course there is a lot more to come. We have all been 19, we were not all better at 21, but he will be better. “

On the prospect of facing Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham…
“It was a surprise for me to see him move from Portsmouth to Tottenham in October but football is full of surprises.”