King Henry has come out and declare, "If Wenger stays, I stay.'
Henry recently announced that he will stay at Arsenal as long as Wenger does. Wenger's position at Arsenal came under speculation after his close friend and 'bro' David Dein left in a cloud of smoke.
Henry said: 'At the end of last season I signed a new contract as I believe in the gaffar and what he is trying to achieve here. As long as he is here then I will be here - its as simple as ABC.....'
Henry believes a lack of concentration, injuries and experience have cost the club a chance at the treble. He states that if he, Rosicky, Ljungberg, Gilberto, RVP and Toure were fit throughout the season, the Gunners will be fighting in at least 4 fronts to achieve an unprecedental Quadruple!
In his absence the Gunners have fallen out of contention in all competitions and are sure to finish trophy-less when the season draws to a close.
'I think perhaps we lose our concentration,' Henry added. 'We don't do this on purpose. We have ended up losing so many points against teams we should have beaten.
'The talent is there but you need to put the ball in the back of the net, and I wasn't fresh enough, or there enough, to do that for the team this season.
'It was the same with Robin van Persie, who has been injured, and William Gallas, who was out for more than three months. We have a lot of amazing youngsters at the club, but you need experience too. We do have something to build on, but we need to kill teams off. That let us down this year."
King Henry has not featured since the Gunners' Champions League exit at the hands of PSV Eindhoven at the start of March due to injury.
Henry ended by saying, " I will lead the team to big titles next year!"
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Royal Fan!
Is it a truth or a faux? You decide.
Her Majesty The Queen is a keen Arsenal supporter for more than 50 years. It was reported that her late mum was a loyal Gunner fan. It seems amazing but it is the truth according to the Sun Newspaper.The Queen had presented many soccer trophies in her lifetime. However, it was never revealed which club is her favorite.
All this changed in February this year when she let loose the fact that Arsenal is her club of choice at an official function at Buckingham Palace attended by many famous Gunners.Fabregas stated that Her Majesty chatted with him during the function, exchanging pointers on Arsenal’s football club and about her good pal King Juan Carlos of Spain. She hinted directly (in no uncertain terms) that she is an Arsenal Fan.
A senior royal source quoted,” The Queen has been fond of the Gunners for over 50 years. Her late mother was a self-confessed Gooner due to her admiration of their former player Denis Compton.” Arsenal were invited to the Palace after a back injury forced the Queen to pull out of opening their new ground, the Emirates Stadium, last October. Another source, Mr John Pollex, said, “The Queen once told me that she is an Arsenal Supporter!”
The tradition looks set to run on in the family as Prince Harry, 22, has also shown HIS support for the North London giants — visiting both their old home Highbury and the Emirates Stadium.
Her Majesty The Queen is a keen Arsenal supporter for more than 50 years. It was reported that her late mum was a loyal Gunner fan. It seems amazing but it is the truth according to the Sun Newspaper.The Queen had presented many soccer trophies in her lifetime. However, it was never revealed which club is her favorite.
All this changed in February this year when she let loose the fact that Arsenal is her club of choice at an official function at Buckingham Palace attended by many famous Gunners.Fabregas stated that Her Majesty chatted with him during the function, exchanging pointers on Arsenal’s football club and about her good pal King Juan Carlos of Spain. She hinted directly (in no uncertain terms) that she is an Arsenal Fan.
A senior royal source quoted,” The Queen has been fond of the Gunners for over 50 years. Her late mother was a self-confessed Gooner due to her admiration of their former player Denis Compton.” Arsenal were invited to the Palace after a back injury forced the Queen to pull out of opening their new ground, the Emirates Stadium, last October. Another source, Mr John Pollex, said, “The Queen once told me that she is an Arsenal Supporter!”
The tradition looks set to run on in the family as Prince Harry, 22, has also shown HIS support for the North London giants — visiting both their old home Highbury and the Emirates Stadium.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Shocking News: David Dein Leaves!!
what is going on?
David Dein has left the club!! What is going on?!!!!
I Quote another website: " The long-term future of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been left uncertain following the shock departure of his biggest ally vice-chairman David Dein because of 'irreconcilable differences' with the rest of the current board.
Dein, 63, has left the club and will cease to be a director with immediate effect.
However, the former Football Association vice-chairman holds around 14% of shares in the parent company of the Gunners, estimated to be worth around £57million.
A statement from Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood read: 'On behalf of the board I would like to express our gratitude to David Dein for the many years of loyal service he has given to the club.
'We sincerely regret that irreconcilable differences between Mr Dein and the rest of the board have necessitated a parting of the ways.'
Those differences are understood to be over the direction and ownership of the club, with Dein known to be very much in favour of the involvement of American billionaire Stan Kroenke, which put him at odds with Arsenal director Danny Fiszman and also Hill-Wood.
Speculation continues surrounding a potential takeover from American-based Kroenke Sports Enterprises, who recently bought just over an 11% stake in the club - which included a small holding purchased indirectly off Fiszman, who maintained he was unaware of the buyer."
I hope this does not affect us too much...
David Dein has left the club!! What is going on?!!!!
I Quote another website: " The long-term future of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been left uncertain following the shock departure of his biggest ally vice-chairman David Dein because of 'irreconcilable differences' with the rest of the current board.
Dein, 63, has left the club and will cease to be a director with immediate effect.
However, the former Football Association vice-chairman holds around 14% of shares in the parent company of the Gunners, estimated to be worth around £57million.
A statement from Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood read: 'On behalf of the board I would like to express our gratitude to David Dein for the many years of loyal service he has given to the club.
'We sincerely regret that irreconcilable differences between Mr Dein and the rest of the board have necessitated a parting of the ways.'
Those differences are understood to be over the direction and ownership of the club, with Dein known to be very much in favour of the involvement of American billionaire Stan Kroenke, which put him at odds with Arsenal director Danny Fiszman and also Hill-Wood.
Speculation continues surrounding a potential takeover from American-based Kroenke Sports Enterprises, who recently bought just over an 11% stake in the club - which included a small holding purchased indirectly off Fiszman, who maintained he was unaware of the buyer."
I hope this does not affect us too much...
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
History of Arsenal
An interesting article I got from the web... worth a read...
:)
======================================
The History of Arsenal Football Club - 1886 to 1992
Arsenal was originally formed in 1886 by a group of workers at the Woolwich armaments factory in south London, and the club was first known as Dial Square. The name was soon changed to Royal Arsenal, though when the club turned professional in 1891 the name changed again to Woolwich Arsenal. The prefix was later dropped and the club became Arsenal Football Club. For a period it was popularly known as The Arsenal though this was never the club's official name.
Arsenal was elected to the 2nd division of the Football League in 1893, and gained promotion to the 1st division in 1904. The club survived in the first division for nine years, high points of that period coming in 1906 when the semi-final of the FA Cup was reached, and in 1909 when a 6th place finish in the league was achieved.
Unfortunately, relegation followed in 1913, but coincided with a major landmark in the club's history. Having played for the previous 27 years at various sites in Plumstead, South London, the club moved to its present site at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, North London. The move was instigated by the then chairman, Sir Henry Norris who foresaw greater potential for the club in the north London catchment area. It almost paid off in the following season when Arsenal missed out on promotion only on goal average, and 5th place was achieved in 1915 before the hiatus caused by the 1st World War.
Promotion back to the 1st division was engineered by the colourful Sir Henry under somewhat contentious circumstances when the Football League resumed in 1919, and Arsenal has not been relegated since, thus holding the record for unbroken tenure in the top division of English football. The incident remains the source of rancour with local rivals Tottenham, along with the earlier move when Arsenal were seen as invading their new neighbours' north London fiefdom. Spurs had finished the 1915 season at the bottom of the 1st division, but after the war the league was expanded to include an extra 2 teams in division 1, so Tottenham expected to stay up after the top 2 teams in Division 2 were promoted. However, Norris somehow managed to get Arsenal elected in their place, and elements of the Tottenham support have nursed a grievance ever since.
The following few seasons saw the club maintain a mediocre standard adequate to remaining in the 1st division, but insufficient to progress. However, after narrowly avoiding relegation in 1925, another turning point in Arsenal's fortunes was reached. The legendary Herbert Chapman, fresh from guiding Huddersfield to the first 2 of their 3 successive titles, was appointed manager and over the next 9 years transformed Arsenal from an average first division club into one of the great names in world football.
The visionary Chapman had the nearby underground station renamed in honour of the club, introduced the now famous white sleeves and pioneered the use of shirt numbers. Under his guidance Arsenal gradually progressed in the late twenties, coming 2nd in the league in 1926 and reaching the Cup final in 1927. The club went on to dominate English football over the following decade. The FA Cup became Arsenal's first major trophy in 1930, and the first league championship in 1931 was followed by a further 4 titles and another FA Cup over the next 7 years.
1937-38 brought Arsenal's 5th league title in seven years, though the near invincible team which had dominated the decade was generally held to be in decline. After the interruption caused by the 2nd World War, Tom Whittaker forged another great team, and 2 more titles (1947-48 and 1952-53) and an FA Cup (1950) were won over a 5 year period, with the 1951-52 season also seeing the Gunners narrowly miss the elusive double, runners up in both league and FA cup.
Whittaker's death in 1956 marked a decline in fortunes of the great club, and a barren 14 years followed. Even the appointment as manager of Billy Wright, one of the great names in English football, failed to turn things round, and it took an unknown to bring the glory days back to Highbury. Bertie Mee was previously the club physio and had minimal experience in professional football when he took over as manager in 1966, but he led the club to Wembley in the League cup final in 1968 (though that ended in ignominious defeat to 3rd division Swindon), and 2 years later Arsenal captured their first European trophy, winning the UEFA Fairs Cup against Anderlecht, having to come back from a 3-1 first leg deficit to do so.
The following season was to be the most successful in the club's history so far, when the mythical domestic double was achieved. The league was clinched on the sweetest of nights, a 1-0 win at the home of the old enemy Tottenham, and the FA Cup followed a few days later, a Charlie George goal winning the cup in extra time at Wembley against Liverpool.
The double success wasn't really built upon, despite reaching the FA cup final again in 1972 and finishing second in the league the following season, and Arsenal became a mid-table team once again during the mid seventies. Towards the end of the decade however, under Terry Neill and Don Howe, some success returned when Arsenal set another record, reaching the FA Cup final in 3 successive seasons. Only the middle visit to Wembley, in 1979, was triumphant, a thrilling last minute 3-2 victory against Manchester United. The following season saw cup heartbreak when Arsenal lost the FA Cup final to West Ham, and 4 days later the European Cup Winners Cup final to Valencia on penalties.
Success became more habitual once again during the George Graham era. After Graham took over in 1986, Arsenal won six major trophies in the next eight years. A League Cup triumph in 1987 was built upon, and in 1989 the league championship returned to Highbury after an 18 year absence when Arsenal pipped Liverpool to the title on goals scored. In the most exciting finish to the league season ever witnessed in English football the final, deciding match at Anfield was won 2-0 with a now definitive last minute winner by Michael Thomas. Another championship followed two years later when Arsenal lost only one league game and conceded just 18 goals in 38 matches.
Arsenal's Premiership history - 1992 to the present
In the Premiership's inaugural year 1992-93, still under Graham's stern control, Arsenal again made history by becoming the first team ever to win both domestic cups in the same season, Sheffield Wednesday the unfortunate victims on both occasions. Arsenal came from behind to win the Coca Cola Cup 2-1, and eventually also won the FA Cup, winning the replay by the same score with a last minute extra time winner from Andy Linighan. The following year an ambition for further European success was fulfilled by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in Copenhagen. Graham's workmanlike side were underdogs against the star-studded Parma of Italy, but defended doggedly for much of the match to carve out a trademark 1-0 win with Alan Smith's winner.
However, despite the cup successes with what at the time was regarded as an ageing team, Arsenal's league results during the first 3 years of the Premiership were distinctly ordinary, and following the Rune Hauge bung affair Graham was disgraced and sacked in the middle of the 94-95 season. Under the temporary stewardship of Stewart Houston, Arsenal did manage to reach the Cup Winners Cup final for the 2nd successive year, but lost in the final seconds of extra time to the Spanish team, Real Zaragoza.
The period 1995-1997 turned out to be transitional and somewhat turbulent. Bruce Rioch was installed as manager in June 1995, but after guiding Arsenal to UEFA Cup qualification with a 5th place finish in the league and significantly signing Dennis Bergkamp, he was inexplicably sacked in August 1996 just days before the new season was due to begin. The sanity and motives of the Arsenal board were questioned, but eventually the Frenchman Arsene Wenger was confirmed as Arsenal's new manager at the end of September. He quickly impressed the Arsenal faithful by the calm and assured way he took control, and without making any major changes (apart from introducing the majestic Vieira) took Arsenal to 3rd in the league, and qualification for the UEFA Cup again, by the end of the season.
The following season, 1997-98, he made history by winning the double for the second time. With some astute close season signings from abroad he revitalised and reforged the team, apart from the astonishingly enduring defence. The new faces took time to bed in, and the early part of the season reached a low point with a UEFA Cup 1st round exit at the hands of PAOK Saloniki, but the ultimate result was an exhilirating and irresistible late season surge. At one point in January 13 points behind Manchester United, Arsenal eclipsed their rivals in the title run-in to clinch their first Premiership (and 11th league) title with 2 games to spare. The second half of the double, the FA Cup, was acheived with a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle at Wembley in May.
The team almost performed similar heroics the following season, but this time fell just short, losing unluckily in FA Cup semi-final extra time to Manchester United, and missing out on the title to the same deadly rivals by just one point. In a sign of times to come, a reserve Arsenal side played in the Worthington cup, losing heavily in the 4th round to Chelsea. The Gunners also disappointed in the Champions' League, failing to get beyond the group stages as self inflicted woes cost them dear.
:)
======================================
The History of Arsenal Football Club - 1886 to 1992
Arsenal was originally formed in 1886 by a group of workers at the Woolwich armaments factory in south London, and the club was first known as Dial Square. The name was soon changed to Royal Arsenal, though when the club turned professional in 1891 the name changed again to Woolwich Arsenal. The prefix was later dropped and the club became Arsenal Football Club. For a period it was popularly known as The Arsenal though this was never the club's official name.
Arsenal was elected to the 2nd division of the Football League in 1893, and gained promotion to the 1st division in 1904. The club survived in the first division for nine years, high points of that period coming in 1906 when the semi-final of the FA Cup was reached, and in 1909 when a 6th place finish in the league was achieved.
Unfortunately, relegation followed in 1913, but coincided with a major landmark in the club's history. Having played for the previous 27 years at various sites in Plumstead, South London, the club moved to its present site at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, North London. The move was instigated by the then chairman, Sir Henry Norris who foresaw greater potential for the club in the north London catchment area. It almost paid off in the following season when Arsenal missed out on promotion only on goal average, and 5th place was achieved in 1915 before the hiatus caused by the 1st World War.
Promotion back to the 1st division was engineered by the colourful Sir Henry under somewhat contentious circumstances when the Football League resumed in 1919, and Arsenal has not been relegated since, thus holding the record for unbroken tenure in the top division of English football. The incident remains the source of rancour with local rivals Tottenham, along with the earlier move when Arsenal were seen as invading their new neighbours' north London fiefdom. Spurs had finished the 1915 season at the bottom of the 1st division, but after the war the league was expanded to include an extra 2 teams in division 1, so Tottenham expected to stay up after the top 2 teams in Division 2 were promoted. However, Norris somehow managed to get Arsenal elected in their place, and elements of the Tottenham support have nursed a grievance ever since.
The following few seasons saw the club maintain a mediocre standard adequate to remaining in the 1st division, but insufficient to progress. However, after narrowly avoiding relegation in 1925, another turning point in Arsenal's fortunes was reached. The legendary Herbert Chapman, fresh from guiding Huddersfield to the first 2 of their 3 successive titles, was appointed manager and over the next 9 years transformed Arsenal from an average first division club into one of the great names in world football.
The visionary Chapman had the nearby underground station renamed in honour of the club, introduced the now famous white sleeves and pioneered the use of shirt numbers. Under his guidance Arsenal gradually progressed in the late twenties, coming 2nd in the league in 1926 and reaching the Cup final in 1927. The club went on to dominate English football over the following decade. The FA Cup became Arsenal's first major trophy in 1930, and the first league championship in 1931 was followed by a further 4 titles and another FA Cup over the next 7 years.
1937-38 brought Arsenal's 5th league title in seven years, though the near invincible team which had dominated the decade was generally held to be in decline. After the interruption caused by the 2nd World War, Tom Whittaker forged another great team, and 2 more titles (1947-48 and 1952-53) and an FA Cup (1950) were won over a 5 year period, with the 1951-52 season also seeing the Gunners narrowly miss the elusive double, runners up in both league and FA cup.
Whittaker's death in 1956 marked a decline in fortunes of the great club, and a barren 14 years followed. Even the appointment as manager of Billy Wright, one of the great names in English football, failed to turn things round, and it took an unknown to bring the glory days back to Highbury. Bertie Mee was previously the club physio and had minimal experience in professional football when he took over as manager in 1966, but he led the club to Wembley in the League cup final in 1968 (though that ended in ignominious defeat to 3rd division Swindon), and 2 years later Arsenal captured their first European trophy, winning the UEFA Fairs Cup against Anderlecht, having to come back from a 3-1 first leg deficit to do so.
The following season was to be the most successful in the club's history so far, when the mythical domestic double was achieved. The league was clinched on the sweetest of nights, a 1-0 win at the home of the old enemy Tottenham, and the FA Cup followed a few days later, a Charlie George goal winning the cup in extra time at Wembley against Liverpool.
The double success wasn't really built upon, despite reaching the FA cup final again in 1972 and finishing second in the league the following season, and Arsenal became a mid-table team once again during the mid seventies. Towards the end of the decade however, under Terry Neill and Don Howe, some success returned when Arsenal set another record, reaching the FA Cup final in 3 successive seasons. Only the middle visit to Wembley, in 1979, was triumphant, a thrilling last minute 3-2 victory against Manchester United. The following season saw cup heartbreak when Arsenal lost the FA Cup final to West Ham, and 4 days later the European Cup Winners Cup final to Valencia on penalties.
Success became more habitual once again during the George Graham era. After Graham took over in 1986, Arsenal won six major trophies in the next eight years. A League Cup triumph in 1987 was built upon, and in 1989 the league championship returned to Highbury after an 18 year absence when Arsenal pipped Liverpool to the title on goals scored. In the most exciting finish to the league season ever witnessed in English football the final, deciding match at Anfield was won 2-0 with a now definitive last minute winner by Michael Thomas. Another championship followed two years later when Arsenal lost only one league game and conceded just 18 goals in 38 matches.
Arsenal's Premiership history - 1992 to the present
In the Premiership's inaugural year 1992-93, still under Graham's stern control, Arsenal again made history by becoming the first team ever to win both domestic cups in the same season, Sheffield Wednesday the unfortunate victims on both occasions. Arsenal came from behind to win the Coca Cola Cup 2-1, and eventually also won the FA Cup, winning the replay by the same score with a last minute extra time winner from Andy Linighan. The following year an ambition for further European success was fulfilled by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in Copenhagen. Graham's workmanlike side were underdogs against the star-studded Parma of Italy, but defended doggedly for much of the match to carve out a trademark 1-0 win with Alan Smith's winner.
However, despite the cup successes with what at the time was regarded as an ageing team, Arsenal's league results during the first 3 years of the Premiership were distinctly ordinary, and following the Rune Hauge bung affair Graham was disgraced and sacked in the middle of the 94-95 season. Under the temporary stewardship of Stewart Houston, Arsenal did manage to reach the Cup Winners Cup final for the 2nd successive year, but lost in the final seconds of extra time to the Spanish team, Real Zaragoza.
The period 1995-1997 turned out to be transitional and somewhat turbulent. Bruce Rioch was installed as manager in June 1995, but after guiding Arsenal to UEFA Cup qualification with a 5th place finish in the league and significantly signing Dennis Bergkamp, he was inexplicably sacked in August 1996 just days before the new season was due to begin. The sanity and motives of the Arsenal board were questioned, but eventually the Frenchman Arsene Wenger was confirmed as Arsenal's new manager at the end of September. He quickly impressed the Arsenal faithful by the calm and assured way he took control, and without making any major changes (apart from introducing the majestic Vieira) took Arsenal to 3rd in the league, and qualification for the UEFA Cup again, by the end of the season.
The following season, 1997-98, he made history by winning the double for the second time. With some astute close season signings from abroad he revitalised and reforged the team, apart from the astonishingly enduring defence. The new faces took time to bed in, and the early part of the season reached a low point with a UEFA Cup 1st round exit at the hands of PAOK Saloniki, but the ultimate result was an exhilirating and irresistible late season surge. At one point in January 13 points behind Manchester United, Arsenal eclipsed their rivals in the title run-in to clinch their first Premiership (and 11th league) title with 2 games to spare. The second half of the double, the FA Cup, was acheived with a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle at Wembley in May.
The team almost performed similar heroics the following season, but this time fell just short, losing unluckily in FA Cup semi-final extra time to Manchester United, and missing out on the title to the same deadly rivals by just one point. In a sign of times to come, a reserve Arsenal side played in the Worthington cup, losing heavily in the 4th round to Chelsea. The Gunners also disappointed in the Champions' League, failing to get beyond the group stages as self inflicted woes cost them dear.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Arsene Wenger
Wenger to stay or go?
There are many rumors about Wenger leaving at the end of the season. People are saying he has lost the touch and should give way to someone younger and with more energy. HOWEVER, personally, I believe the Professor is the one to lead the team out of this valley for the past 2 seasons.
There are 4 great managers (love them or hate them) for the top 4 teams in the EPL. Based on trophies and Final appearances, I think only Fergie comes close to Wenger. Just look at the list below for Wenger’s track record for the past 10 years.
97-98 Double98-99 Nothing achieved. Rebuilding99-00 UEFA Cup Final (Lost)00-01 FA Cup Final (Lost)01-02 Double02-03 FA Cup (Won)03-04 An unbelievable season with 0 Losses.04-05 FA Cup (Won)05-06 CL Final (Lost)Mourinho and Benitez does not have a track record to match our gaffer although I admit they have proven themselves in their own countries.
The next reason was cash! What was given to Wenger when manure had pounds and pounds of money? What was given to Wenger again when Chelsea became Chelski? More recently, as Liverpool receives the bounty from the American owners, What is given to Wenger? He had peanuts and spare change and HE alone kept us in the race for title.
It is worth mentioning that until the coming of Abramovich it was Manure who were winning trophies above all the other clubs in England as they flaunt their financial power. Only Wenger was able to pull off upsets during the years of Manure domination.
In addition, I am full of admiration for Wenger’s skill in discovering talent for the club. He has dug out gems like Henry, Viera, Fabregas, Toure, Freddie, Pires, Petit, Overmars, Edu, Berkamp and many others from near obscurity or established team and guided them in Arsenal. All players coming to Arsenal have developed their skills and I dare say they have become better from the day they come to the day they leave or retire from the club.
Let's take a balanced view. Wenger had a bad season because of a lack of funds, bad luck with injuries, adapting to a new home, lost of key midfield players and the lost of his inspirational Skipper. I will bet my last dollar that Wenger will bring us back next season, stronger, fitter and hungrier!
There are many rumors about Wenger leaving at the end of the season. People are saying he has lost the touch and should give way to someone younger and with more energy. HOWEVER, personally, I believe the Professor is the one to lead the team out of this valley for the past 2 seasons.
There are 4 great managers (love them or hate them) for the top 4 teams in the EPL. Based on trophies and Final appearances, I think only Fergie comes close to Wenger. Just look at the list below for Wenger’s track record for the past 10 years.
97-98 Double98-99 Nothing achieved. Rebuilding99-00 UEFA Cup Final (Lost)00-01 FA Cup Final (Lost)01-02 Double02-03 FA Cup (Won)03-04 An unbelievable season with 0 Losses.04-05 FA Cup (Won)05-06 CL Final (Lost)Mourinho and Benitez does not have a track record to match our gaffer although I admit they have proven themselves in their own countries.
The next reason was cash! What was given to Wenger when manure had pounds and pounds of money? What was given to Wenger again when Chelsea became Chelski? More recently, as Liverpool receives the bounty from the American owners, What is given to Wenger? He had peanuts and spare change and HE alone kept us in the race for title.
It is worth mentioning that until the coming of Abramovich it was Manure who were winning trophies above all the other clubs in England as they flaunt their financial power. Only Wenger was able to pull off upsets during the years of Manure domination.
In addition, I am full of admiration for Wenger’s skill in discovering talent for the club. He has dug out gems like Henry, Viera, Fabregas, Toure, Freddie, Pires, Petit, Overmars, Edu, Berkamp and many others from near obscurity or established team and guided them in Arsenal. All players coming to Arsenal have developed their skills and I dare say they have become better from the day they come to the day they leave or retire from the club.
Let's take a balanced view. Wenger had a bad season because of a lack of funds, bad luck with injuries, adapting to a new home, lost of key midfield players and the lost of his inspirational Skipper. I will bet my last dollar that Wenger will bring us back next season, stronger, fitter and hungrier!
Nicknames for Arsenal Players
Have anyone wondered how did the different nicknames for the players come up? Does it always fit or is it a figment of some smart Aleck's imagination?
Lets start with our club's players. The one nearest to nature must be the BEAST (a.k.a Baptista). He was so named as he supposed to have played as fierce and strong as a beast. So far, the beast is just a beast. Clumsy and sad to say, not up to the mark.
Fab (a.k.a) Fabregas was brilliant at the start of the campaign. He strung passes around like a wizard and was instrumental in our good runs. However, as the season went by and the games piled up, Fabulous Fabregas was overworked and his young body was worn out.
TH 14 is a close nick for our Captain Sensational Henry. He is sensational and number 14 is his shirt number. BUT, with too many games, his body was reduced to bits by injuries. With him gone, our season went up in smoke too.
Copperfield is what some of my friends called our beloved Keeper. One moment he is brilliant and the next, he has done his disappearing act. There is really nothing more to add except that lehmann is really as baffling as David Copperfield.
RVP (a.k.a Robin Van Persie)is a short form sort of nick for our young raising Dutch star. Although the nick is his initials, someone has pointed out that somehow it reminds him of rest in peace. Funny way of looking at it.
No prizes for knowing why Big Ade is the nick for Adebayor as the beanpole strikers stand head and shoulders above most Arsenal players. (except opposition defenders). The professor is the nick for our beloved Wenger and rounding up the list, the whole team and any Arsenal Fans are collectively known as the Gunners and impolitely the Gooners! I wonder who came up with the latter one.
Cheers......
Lets start with our club's players. The one nearest to nature must be the BEAST (a.k.a Baptista). He was so named as he supposed to have played as fierce and strong as a beast. So far, the beast is just a beast. Clumsy and sad to say, not up to the mark.
Fab (a.k.a) Fabregas was brilliant at the start of the campaign. He strung passes around like a wizard and was instrumental in our good runs. However, as the season went by and the games piled up, Fabulous Fabregas was overworked and his young body was worn out.
TH 14 is a close nick for our Captain Sensational Henry. He is sensational and number 14 is his shirt number. BUT, with too many games, his body was reduced to bits by injuries. With him gone, our season went up in smoke too.
Copperfield is what some of my friends called our beloved Keeper. One moment he is brilliant and the next, he has done his disappearing act. There is really nothing more to add except that lehmann is really as baffling as David Copperfield.
RVP (a.k.a Robin Van Persie)is a short form sort of nick for our young raising Dutch star. Although the nick is his initials, someone has pointed out that somehow it reminds him of rest in peace. Funny way of looking at it.
No prizes for knowing why Big Ade is the nick for Adebayor as the beanpole strikers stand head and shoulders above most Arsenal players. (except opposition defenders). The professor is the nick for our beloved Wenger and rounding up the list, the whole team and any Arsenal Fans are collectively known as the Gunners and impolitely the Gooners! I wonder who came up with the latter one.
Cheers......
Monday, April 9, 2007
Soccer Players' Blogs
Soccer Players Blogging
Anyone ever wondered if soccer players truly blog online? For those uninitiated, a blog is an on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal or public life.
One day, I was curious and did a search on google. There were many blogs on players by ordinary folks and there were blogs on soccer clubs, major soccer tournaments and soccer events. There was just No blogs by players. Correction, there was just only one player’s blog from a particular Brian Ching. Yes, right. Brian Ching who? Apparently, he is a national player for the US team. Now, how many of us can honestly cross our heart and raise our hands and say we know this guy? Probably just a handful of US citizens.
I was wondering if Google search engine had failed this time round, so I turned to yahoo. I was still disappointed as the returns were similar. Similarly Zero. Soccer players just do not blog…..
I dug further and thought maybe other sports personal also did not catch on with this global phenomenon of blogging. I typed in “Basketballer’s Blog” and low and behold, Mr Zero’s Blog pop up. Mr Zero is Mr Gilbert Arenas. He is the superstar of Washington Wizards in the NBA. I read through it briefly, but there was sufficient content to keep me interested. Although not very detailed in nature, the blog had a light hearted –ness to it and was very easy and enjoyable reading.
Anyway, back to the point. I wished we had more blogging done by our soccer stars. I would love to read about them from themselves personally. He will know what is true or what is false and how much more public he wants his life to be. He can give an insight to the nitty gritty and not so glamorous parts of his life.
However, one of my friends suggested that THAT Is Maybe why they prefer not to blog. They do not want to divulge personal details to the public. The public attention in the real life is already suffocating. Why add another dimension online? Another friend was less forgiving and commented that footballer don't blog because they do not have the brains to blog while another said that they simply do not have time
What do you think?
Anyone ever wondered if soccer players truly blog online? For those uninitiated, a blog is an on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal or public life.
One day, I was curious and did a search on google. There were many blogs on players by ordinary folks and there were blogs on soccer clubs, major soccer tournaments and soccer events. There was just No blogs by players. Correction, there was just only one player’s blog from a particular Brian Ching. Yes, right. Brian Ching who? Apparently, he is a national player for the US team. Now, how many of us can honestly cross our heart and raise our hands and say we know this guy? Probably just a handful of US citizens.
I was wondering if Google search engine had failed this time round, so I turned to yahoo. I was still disappointed as the returns were similar. Similarly Zero. Soccer players just do not blog…..
I dug further and thought maybe other sports personal also did not catch on with this global phenomenon of blogging. I typed in “Basketballer’s Blog” and low and behold, Mr Zero’s Blog pop up. Mr Zero is Mr Gilbert Arenas. He is the superstar of Washington Wizards in the NBA. I read through it briefly, but there was sufficient content to keep me interested. Although not very detailed in nature, the blog had a light hearted –ness to it and was very easy and enjoyable reading.
Anyway, back to the point. I wished we had more blogging done by our soccer stars. I would love to read about them from themselves personally. He will know what is true or what is false and how much more public he wants his life to be. He can give an insight to the nitty gritty and not so glamorous parts of his life.
However, one of my friends suggested that THAT Is Maybe why they prefer not to blog. They do not want to divulge personal details to the public. The public attention in the real life is already suffocating. Why add another dimension online? Another friend was less forgiving and commented that footballer don't blog because they do not have the brains to blog while another said that they simply do not have time
What do you think?
Why did we lose the way?
Dear Fellow Gunners,
Why did we lose our way this season? Many people gave many views and dimension on how we lost the plot. Some say Henry some say Fab while others were mumbling about crazy Lehmann and/or our youngsters' inexperience.
So What happened?
1) The youngsters' inexperience. We knew about this before the season started, but the Gaffar placed his faith in the team and felt that the older ones were able to lead them through. However, due to some unlucky injuries, Henry, Gallas, Ljungberg and Gilberto took turns being out of the team. While the most experience one (i.e Lehmann) remained crazy with his antics resulting in sometimes brilliance and sometimes despair.....
2) Major injuries to our goal getters. Between Henry and RVP, i figured we lost about 4/5 of our possible goals scored if they are out. And how long they are out? probably 1/2 or more of the season. You do the maths. The basic rule is if you dont score goals, you dont win games.
3) Lack of confidence. A lot of our players thrived on confidence. The more games we win, the more confidence we have and the more likely that we would steamroll the opposition. Take a look at Hleb and Rosicky. These 2 players are really on song once they score a goal or provided an assist. The look, the swagger and the cross over dribbles are out of this world once they have the confidence. Ditto the reverse.
4) Overworked playmaker. Cesc Fabregas is only 19. He is the team's official playmaker but he has played more games than his body can take it. In fact, it seems that he has played more games than any other Gunner in the team for the past 2 years. He has also played in the World Cup games.
5) NO big signings. I know this is very debatable for many people but somehow a big signing seems to lift the team to greater heights. There is no one in the past 2 years. Wenger has refused to pay big money for a big player. And when he does get interested, there is always a United or Chelski that had more money to pay...
That in a nutshell is why we failed this season...
Lets wait for the next one...
Go Gunners!
Why did we lose our way this season? Many people gave many views and dimension on how we lost the plot. Some say Henry some say Fab while others were mumbling about crazy Lehmann and/or our youngsters' inexperience.
So What happened?
1) The youngsters' inexperience. We knew about this before the season started, but the Gaffar placed his faith in the team and felt that the older ones were able to lead them through. However, due to some unlucky injuries, Henry, Gallas, Ljungberg and Gilberto took turns being out of the team. While the most experience one (i.e Lehmann) remained crazy with his antics resulting in sometimes brilliance and sometimes despair.....
2) Major injuries to our goal getters. Between Henry and RVP, i figured we lost about 4/5 of our possible goals scored if they are out. And how long they are out? probably 1/2 or more of the season. You do the maths. The basic rule is if you dont score goals, you dont win games.
3) Lack of confidence. A lot of our players thrived on confidence. The more games we win, the more confidence we have and the more likely that we would steamroll the opposition. Take a look at Hleb and Rosicky. These 2 players are really on song once they score a goal or provided an assist. The look, the swagger and the cross over dribbles are out of this world once they have the confidence. Ditto the reverse.
4) Overworked playmaker. Cesc Fabregas is only 19. He is the team's official playmaker but he has played more games than his body can take it. In fact, it seems that he has played more games than any other Gunner in the team for the past 2 years. He has also played in the World Cup games.
5) NO big signings. I know this is very debatable for many people but somehow a big signing seems to lift the team to greater heights. There is no one in the past 2 years. Wenger has refused to pay big money for a big player. And when he does get interested, there is always a United or Chelski that had more money to pay...
That in a nutshell is why we failed this season...
Lets wait for the next one...
Go Gunners!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Arsenal vs West Ham - the aftermath
The after math:.....
I am now very sure that Robert Green prays to some God up there. Not sure which God, but this God was very powerful today.
We had shots from all angles. We had a sure goal header by Adebayor saved by Green's left hand, a long range screamer by Fabregas that beat Green but somehow hit the cross bar. In addition, we had Gilberto screwing a shot somehow onto the post when it was easier to score (related to Green's God?) and Aliadiere had the whole post to shoot but he opted to shoot the ball at the side netting. (related to Green's God?)
It was an amazing show of shooting profligacy! In total, there was 30 shots from our team with no goals to show for it. To rub salt into injury, there was a couple of lousy shots from the Hammers. In all, Lehmann make one proper save and was beaten by an offside goal. Even my grandma with her poor eyeside could read that offside.
In conclusion, the Hammers really had someone looking after them from above. After this, they will go on and beat the drop.
What a dismay result.....
I am now very sure that Robert Green prays to some God up there. Not sure which God, but this God was very powerful today.
We had shots from all angles. We had a sure goal header by Adebayor saved by Green's left hand, a long range screamer by Fabregas that beat Green but somehow hit the cross bar. In addition, we had Gilberto screwing a shot somehow onto the post when it was easier to score (related to Green's God?) and Aliadiere had the whole post to shoot but he opted to shoot the ball at the side netting. (related to Green's God?)
It was an amazing show of shooting profligacy! In total, there was 30 shots from our team with no goals to show for it. To rub salt into injury, there was a couple of lousy shots from the Hammers. In all, Lehmann make one proper save and was beaten by an offside goal. Even my grandma with her poor eyeside could read that offside.
In conclusion, the Hammers really had someone looking after them from above. After this, they will go on and beat the drop.
What a dismay result.....
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Who will qualify for the Uefa Cup from the FA Cup?
If Watford and Blackburn lose their respective semi finals to manure and chelski, which team will qualify to the UEFA cup?
Will Watford and Blackburn have a play off?
Some one pls advise. Thanks....
Will Watford and Blackburn have a play off?
Some one pls advise. Thanks....
Top signings suggestions
As the season draws to an end, I guess many of us are thinking of who will sign and who will go and who will retire or who will be loan out again etc etc.... What will the team look like in the new season? Will we be disappointed or delighted?
Lets talk about possible signings first...
1) Franck Ribery ending our wide-man woes. He is the man to be the next Pires. Besides the fact that he is French, i guess he can score more goals than our misfiring bunch of midfielders. Ribery has already show us what he can do in the World Cup. So Lets take up the check book and sign the guy!
2) Upfront: Carlos Tevez
Why? Because we need to sign one OUTSTANDING player...
Julio Baptista best position will be an attacking midfielder. He does not have the first touch to lead the front line but he can be a good come from midfield player to snap up the chances.
Sad to say Jeremie Aliadiere is a disappointment...
Walcott is still young and I hope to see him more in a winger position so that he can develop confidence to take on players and see the whole picture in midfield. He is a raw diamond in the making... no doubt a good one..
Nicklas Bendtner is also highly promising but I am not sure he will be able to make the grade next season. He is doing well out on loan at Birmingham this season but the fact that he is in a division with the likes of Jamie Cureton, Gregorz Rasiak, Stevie Howard, Chris Iwelumo, Alan Lee etc... he might still need one more season to be able to contribute positively in the Premier League.
That is why we need Carlos Tevez. He has taken his time to settle down at West Ham, but now that he is settled in, he is showing why he is so highly rated. He has already scored and created a few goals to give the Hammers a ray of hope in the relegation fight.
Tevez captained Corinthians to the Brazilian title and won the 2004 Olympic Golden Boot with six goals in four games. Tevez is quite a tough character and is clearly taking over leadership to bring the Hammers to safety. He Has HEART.. and clearly this is what we need in the Gunner's team now. if we get him now, we can nurture him to be the next SUPER star in the soccer world.
3) Ronaldino - No more need to explain why we need him. :)
4) One great Keeper ( To be identified...)
With this 4 new additions and our defence staying fit, we will win at least a couple of title next year...
:)
GO Gunners!!
Lets talk about possible signings first...
1) Franck Ribery ending our wide-man woes. He is the man to be the next Pires. Besides the fact that he is French, i guess he can score more goals than our misfiring bunch of midfielders. Ribery has already show us what he can do in the World Cup. So Lets take up the check book and sign the guy!
2) Upfront: Carlos Tevez
Why? Because we need to sign one OUTSTANDING player...
Julio Baptista best position will be an attacking midfielder. He does not have the first touch to lead the front line but he can be a good come from midfield player to snap up the chances.
Sad to say Jeremie Aliadiere is a disappointment...
Walcott is still young and I hope to see him more in a winger position so that he can develop confidence to take on players and see the whole picture in midfield. He is a raw diamond in the making... no doubt a good one..
Nicklas Bendtner is also highly promising but I am not sure he will be able to make the grade next season. He is doing well out on loan at Birmingham this season but the fact that he is in a division with the likes of Jamie Cureton, Gregorz Rasiak, Stevie Howard, Chris Iwelumo, Alan Lee etc... he might still need one more season to be able to contribute positively in the Premier League.
That is why we need Carlos Tevez. He has taken his time to settle down at West Ham, but now that he is settled in, he is showing why he is so highly rated. He has already scored and created a few goals to give the Hammers a ray of hope in the relegation fight.
Tevez captained Corinthians to the Brazilian title and won the 2004 Olympic Golden Boot with six goals in four games. Tevez is quite a tough character and is clearly taking over leadership to bring the Hammers to safety. He Has HEART.. and clearly this is what we need in the Gunner's team now. if we get him now, we can nurture him to be the next SUPER star in the soccer world.
3) Ronaldino - No more need to explain why we need him. :)
4) One great Keeper ( To be identified...)
With this 4 new additions and our defence staying fit, we will win at least a couple of title next year...
:)
GO Gunners!!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Ronaldino for Arsenal
A local newspaper has reported that Ronaldino is interested to play for Wenger in a bid to improve himself as a player. He sees the Professor as the man to guide his career to the next stage.
Although Dino (nickname for him from his loyal fans) maintains that he is happy and enjoying himself at Barcelona, there remains a lingering flame to join the EPL to prove that his tricks are not just for show. Dino wants to be able to rub shoulders with players like Henry and Gilberto as they are good friends via their Nike commitments and National duties respectively. He also wants to be show that he is able to handle the cold, hard defending of the British style and run rings around John Terry or Rio Ferdinard.
However, there are whispers that things are not so positive for the talented playmaker. Rumor has it that the Barcelona camp is divided by jealousy. Dino is not happy with certain team mates performance and vice versa. Being a person who is all about friendship and fun, the pressure is making it an unpleasant place for him to stay.
This is good news for the Gunners as we desperately need a STAR player to share the weight of expectations with Henry. With Gilberto ,Toure and Gallas providing support and some of the younger ones (RVP, Theo, Fabregas and Djourou) coming of age, the Gunners might finally be able to challenge for the league title.
Although Dino (nickname for him from his loyal fans) maintains that he is happy and enjoying himself at Barcelona, there remains a lingering flame to join the EPL to prove that his tricks are not just for show. Dino wants to be able to rub shoulders with players like Henry and Gilberto as they are good friends via their Nike commitments and National duties respectively. He also wants to be show that he is able to handle the cold, hard defending of the British style and run rings around John Terry or Rio Ferdinard.
However, there are whispers that things are not so positive for the talented playmaker. Rumor has it that the Barcelona camp is divided by jealousy. Dino is not happy with certain team mates performance and vice versa. Being a person who is all about friendship and fun, the pressure is making it an unpleasant place for him to stay.
This is good news for the Gunners as we desperately need a STAR player to share the weight of expectations with Henry. With Gilberto ,Toure and Gallas providing support and some of the younger ones (RVP, Theo, Fabregas and Djourou) coming of age, the Gunners might finally be able to challenge for the league title.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Unhappy Flamini
Mathieu Flamini has admitted a lack of first-team opportunities could force him to buy out the final year of his contract and leave Arsenal. He is unhappy that he is playing so few games even though there is a string of injuries to the starting line up. The defensive midfielder was recruited by the Gunners from Marseille in the summer of 2004, but has failed to secure a regular place in the club's starting eleven.
The 23-year-old is now in competition with a clutch of young midfield talent brought through by manager Arsene Wenger, such as Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Denilson. 'The next three years will be important for me,' Flamini told L'Equipe. 'I want to play, to go to the next level. The Arsenal team is young, it has quality, but I am not playing as much at the moment. It isn't easy to live like this and I am in a situation where all players ask themselves questions.' 'I am coming to the end of the cycle. I have just spent three years at Arsenal and my lawyer has told me that I could leave in June. For that, I must pay the final year's salary to the club.'
Flamini's stock rose earlier this season when he was drafted into the France squad by coach Raymond Domenech for February's friendly against Argentina. His versatility came to Arsenal's rescue last season when he played at left-back in the absence of the injured Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy. He proved a key player for Wenger in the Gunners' run to the Champions League final. However, he lost his place to Cole for the showpiece against Barcelona, who ended up winning 2-1. To add insult to injury, Cole left the Gunners for Chelsea. Flamini was then reported to be fuming over his exclusion in preference to Cole. This is despite his previous contribution.
Personally, I hope Flamini stays and prove his worth. We already need whatever experience possible. If we lose him, the team is even younger than before.
Go Gunners!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
1-4 lost to Pool
What a disappointing result.....
Is that the best we can do? No doubt we hit the post twice but surely we could have gotten a draw or at least restricted the scoreline. Its amazing how we allow a half fit Crouch score with his left, right and head. A delightful hattrick for him and a disgrace for us....
Disillusioned.....
sigh....
Is that the best we can do? No doubt we hit the post twice but surely we could have gotten a draw or at least restricted the scoreline. Its amazing how we allow a half fit Crouch score with his left, right and head. A delightful hattrick for him and a disgrace for us....
Disillusioned.....
sigh....
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