Arsenal Season 2009-10

[Ramseth]

Sorry for this late reply cause I missed it earlier. What you said about English football is very enlightening, I agree.

If you are a English supporter, which most of us are, we should rightfully thank these foreign managers as it begins to benefit the English Team.

And if you are puzzle why England has failed to produce few players like Kevin Keegan or Gazza, that's is because they have consistently discard those that do not have the required physic to withstand the rough and tumble of English football, although they may have outstanding technical skill or in that potential. I think English managers and league did a great disservice to their supporters until recently, they started to be more positive in this area, thanks to the influx of foreigners and foreign managers.

I am not really all excited by Walcott, basically a typical English winger, however, I saw a spark in Wilshere, one that is confident and not afraid to hold the ball and not treating it like a hot potato, at the same time be able to take it forward which only Keegan and Gazza has that abilities.

So, really thumbs up to Arsene Wenger and all the foreign influence, you can sense the change of emphasis towards techincal skills, and now, we are beginning to see the light that one day in the near future the English can be in the finals of European cups or World Cup.

Been waiting for decades.

 

[Wayne Piew]

Thanks to all here
for going goo goo,ga ga
over Wanker's team this season,
has certainly jinxed ArseWipe
with Van Pussy out with injury
for at least 6 weeks.
I wonder if Wanker will throw in those english youngsters
or as usual get a french player in jan transfer window.

 

[Glaringly]

After defender less MU win over Wolfberg in Germany, it's interesting to see how the young gunners perform in Greece. Here are the squad.

Arsenal : Fabianski, Mannone, Silvestre, Bartley, Cruise, Eastmond, Gilbert, Ayling, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Merida, Coquelin, Randall, Vela, Walcott, Sunu, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Out of the 18, 9 are Englishman. As I said before and if this trend continues, soon Arsenal would be more English then any of the other big Four.

 

[Wayne Piew]

After defender less MU win over Wolfberg in Germany, it's interesting to see how the young gunners perform in Greece. Here are the squad.

Arsenal : Fabianski, Mannone, Silvestre, Bartley, Cruise, Eastmond, Gilbert, Ayling, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Merida, Coquelin, Randall, Vela, Walcott, Sunu, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Out of the 18, 9 are Englishman. As I said before and if this trend continues, soon Arsenal would be more English then any of the other big Four.

If these English "youngsters" have true-blue pro
like Giggs, Scholes and G.Neville to guide them along,
there might still be hope.
Who do ArseWipe have as role models?
Mr "Cry-Baby, Bad Attitude, gives up easily" Gallas?
Even their 'French GOD" Manager has no class,
refusing to shake hands when defeated by a better team.

 

[Glaringly]

If these English "youngsters" have true-blue pro
like Giggs, Scholes and G.Neville to guide them along,
there might still be hope.
Who do ArseWipe have as role models?
Mr "Cry-Baby, Bad Attitude, gives up easily" Gallas?
Even their 'French GOD" Manager has no class,
refusing to shake hands when defeated by a better team.

You heard about Liam Brady? Btw, he is coaching the youth at Arsenal. I would like to see more English lad learning the flair and technique at Arsenal then the typical British BullDog and hoof up style of play. Agreed with u, Wenger is a sore loser and he admit to that too.

Yesterday game, 5 Englishmen started the game, although they lost, it is very much down to experience and lack of cutting edge up front. Otherwise I am happy to see so many English in there.

Just a side note. AW mentioned that Tom Cruise will be a future Top Gun for Arsenal, he is a Englishmen playing left back.

 

[Baimi]

Wow, this morning i got it right for 2 games
Arsenal 4 Portmouth 1 and Man U 5 Wigan 0

 

[BlueCat]

bro Baimi,
what a way to end 2009 - Double Joy
congratulation again.

 

[General Veers]

Eduardo caps Arsenal fightback to sink Hammers

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="789"><tbody><tr> <td colspan="3" height="26"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="5"> </td> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="784"> Football: Eduardo caps Arsenal fightback to sink Hammers

Posted: 04 January 2010 0236 hrs

LONDON : Arsenal staged a dramatic late fightback to reach the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-1 win at London rivals West Ham on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger's side were heading out at the first hurdle with 12 minutes to play at Upton Park as they laboured to recover from Alessandro Diamanti's first half strike.

But the Gunners finally found enough rhythm in the closing moments to equalise through Aaron Ramsey before Eduardo capped their fightback by heading in the winner that justified Wenger's decision to make five changes ahead of Wednesday's crucial league game against Bolton.

Defeat was harsh on West Ham, who deserved their lead and could have been out of sight well before Arsenal's late revival.

A victory over Bolton will take Arsenal to within one point of Premier League leaders Chelsea, so Wenger fielded a much-changed team with Fran Merida, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Vela, Mikael Silvestre and Lukasz Fabianski handed rare starts.

Unlike Wenger, West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola had no option but to send out a weakened side. Scott Parker and Carlton Cole were injured, while Mexican striker Guillermo Franco served a suspension, so the Italian gave first starts to England Under-19 forward Frank Nouble and teenage defender Fabio Daprela.

Leeds' remarkable victory over Manchester United earlier on Sunday encapsulated the drama that the Cup can still produce despite all its' detractors.

But even the magic of the Cup and a visit from one of the 'big four' didn't seemed to appeal much to West Ham's fans.

Faced with the prospect of watching two below-strength teams in freezing conditions they ignored their club's pre-match appeals to turn out in force and left some sections of the stadium unusually empty.

It was Arsenal who made the brighter start and Robert Green was tested when James Tomkins carelessly gifted possession to Eduardo and he rifled in a low snap-shot that the England goalkeeper pushed away for a corner.

Arsenal's dominance was short-lived however as Zola's side, working tirelessly to deny the Gunners time on the ball, took control of midfield.

Diamanti appealed for a penalty when his powerful effort hit Thomas Vermaelen on the arm, but the contact appeared accidental and referee Mark Clattenburg ignored the striker's claims.

Junior Stanislas went close for the Hammers with a dipping free-kick that just cleared Fabianski's crossbar before Diamanti's curling effort drew a good stop from the Polish keeper.

Vermaelen shot wildly over after Green spilled a cross and the Hammers made Arsenal pay for their erratic display in first half stoppage time.

Valon Behrami played a superb defence-splitting pass to Diamanti, who ran clear on goal before sliding a low shot under Fabianski's weak attempted save.

Zola's team are hovering precariously just above the relegation zone, but they were easily matching Arsenal and Stanislas went close to increasing their lead with a fierce long-range effort that Fabianski kept out at full-stretch.

Wenger, searching for a way to reignite his side's fire, sent on Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby for the last 25 minutes.

The changes proved decisive. Diaby almost made an immediate impact as he surged onto Eduardo's backheel and looked certain to score. But Green saved well from close-range and then recovered quickly to make an equally good stop to deny Alex Song from the rebound.

At last Arsenal looked a more formidable proposition. They pushed West Ham back and equalised in the 78th minute when Song and Vela played in Ramsey, who kept his composure to lash a fine finish past Green.

The momentum was with Wenger's team now and Eduardo ensured there would be no need for a replay when he met Vela's cross with a header that looped over Green into the top corner with seven minutes left.

- AFP /ls


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[Ginchiyo Tachibana]

Rosicky rescues Arsenal

Sport
Home > Breaking News > Sport > Story
Jan 10, 2010

Rosicky rescues Arsenal

LONDON - TOMAS Rosicky's stoppage-time leveller rescued a point for title-chasing Arsenal in their 2-2 English Premier League draw at home to Everton on Saturday. Everton were on course for a shock victory after South African midfielder Steven Pienaar scored a brilliant goal to put the visitors, who kicked-off four points above the relegation zone, 2-1 up with nine minutes left. But there was still time for Czech midfielder Rosicky to equalise after his shot looped off Australian defender Lucas Neill and over United States international goalkeeper Tim Howard. Arsenal, both of whose goals came via deflections, would have gone into second place if they'd won but the draw left them in third place, three points adrift of leaders and London rivals Chelsea. In one of only two of the weekend's nine Premier League matches to survive the freezing conditions sweeping Britain, Everton took a 12th minute lead when midfielder Leon Osman headed in a corner from on-loan United States international Landon Donovan, making his debut for the Merseysiders. But the Gunners were level at a snow-covered Emirates Stadium before the half-hour mark when Denilson's shot deflected off Osman. -- AFP

 

[General Veers]

Fabregas keeps Arsenal title challenge bubbling


Fabregas keeps Arsenal title challenge bubbling

35 minutes ago

* Fabregas inspires Arsenal to vital win
* Merida scores first league goal for Gunners
* Villa frustrated by West Ham (adds Arsenal victory)

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Arsenal stayed hot on the heels of champions Manchester United and leaders Chelsea when they won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday with captain Cesc Fabregas again providing the inspiration. Fabregas scored the opener and played a big part in Fran Merida’s first Premier League goal as Arsenal moved to 45 points with United, who have played a game more, on 47 and Chelsea on 48 after they both enjoyed convincing victories on Saturday. Aston Villa became the latest top-four challenger to miss an opportunity when they were held to a disappointing goalless draw by West Ham United and Fulham’s poor away form continued with a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

The battle for the final Champions League qualifying slot is as wide open as the scrap for the title but the four clubs best-placed to fight it out all faltered over the weekend. Tottenham Hotspur occupy fourth on 38 points but they missed an opportunity when they were held 0-0 at home by Hull City. Manchester City are fifth, also on 38, after they lost for the first time under Roberto Mancini, 2-0 at Everton, with Villa sixth on 36. Liverpool, “guaranteed” a top-four finish by manager Rafa Benitez, are seventh on 34 after they drew 1-1 at Stoke City. After watching Chelsea and United rack up 10 goals between them the pressure was on Arsenal to win at Bolton who were playing under new boss Owen Coyle for the first time. As expected, the home side began full of intent and ruffled the visitors in the early stages at the Reebok Stadium with Ivan Klasnic having a goal chalked off for offside.

PENALTY CLAIM
Fabregas had a decent penalty claim turned down when he went down under challenge from Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Spaniard was at the heart of all Arsenal’s best moments and it was no surprise when he gave his side the lead. There seemed no way through a forest of bodies in the 28th minute but after a spot of pinball on the edge of the area Fabregas combined brilliantly with Eduardo before drilling a low shot into the corner of the goal. Bolton always looked capable of replying and should have done so after the break when Matt Taylor fired wildly over the bar after being played in by Klasnic. Arsenal sealed the points with 12 minutes remaining. Fabregas made a surging run towards the Bolton area and the ball was eventually played across goal by Eduardo where Merida pounded from close range.

(additional reporting by Martyn Herman)
(Editing by Ed Osmond; To comment on this story email
[email protected])

 

[General Veers]

Arsenal must seize opportunity

Sport
Home > Breaking News > Sport > Story
Jan 19, 2010

Arsenal must seize opportunity

LONDON - ARSENE Wenger admits Arsenal have a golden opportunity to underline their title credentials as they bid to go top of the Premier League with a two-goal victory over Bolton on Wednesday. Wenger's side defeated Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday and a repeat of that result in north London would be enough to send the Gunners above Chelsea and Manchester United into first place. After being widely written off as also-rans in November when Chelsea's 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal 11 points behind the leaders, there has been a significant change in fortunes for Wenger's men. While Chelsea and United have squandered points in matches they were expected to win, Arsenal have been able to put together an impressive run and Wenger knows it is essential not to waste the chance to grab that coveted first place.

'It is important psychologically, not mathematically so much,' Wenger said. 'We have a good opportunity to do it so we have to focus. 'When the season started, we were not all convinced in our squad maybe that we could be where we are now. Now that we are there, we want to have a go.' Even if Arsenal do go top of the table, Chelsea will have a game in hand on their London rivals, so there is no chance of Wenger getting carried away. But the French coach is convinced his young team are capable of lasting the distance in the title race as long as captain Cesc Fabregas remains fit and in form. -- AFP

 

[Yoshitsune Minamoto]

Arsenal go top after battling back against Bolton

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="789"><tbody><tr> <td colspan="3" height="26"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="5"> </td> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="784"> Football: Arsenal go top after battling back against Bolton
Posted: 21 January 2010 0553 hrs
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Bolton Wanderers' Gretar Rafn Steinsson (L) vies with Arsenal's Abou Diaby.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
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LONDON: Arsenal fought back from two goals down to go top of the Premier League with a controversial 4-2 win over Bolton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's title chasers were stunned when Gary Cahill put Bolton ahead before Matthew Taylor increased the visitors' lead with a first-half penalty.

But Tomas Rosicky's strike brought Arsenal back into the match and a piece of debatable refereeing from Alan Wiley allowed the Gunners to equalise through Cesc Fabregas.

Wiley waved play on despite William Gallas' ugly stamp on Mark Davies and Arsenal, ignoring Bolton's protests, took full advantage as Fabregas levelled.

Thomas Vermaelen's goal completed Arsenal's revival before Andrey Arshavin struck to send the north Londoners above previous leaders Chelsea on goals scored.

Chelsea have a game in hand on Arsenal, but Wenger's men will fancy their chances of winning the title race if they continue to play with this kind of spirit.

With pole position up for grabs, Arsenal needed a repeat of the dominant display that saw them cruise to a 2-0 win at Bolton on Sunday.

But the Gunners were caught cold in the seventh minute as woeful defending allowed Bolton to snatch a shock lead.

French left-back Gael Clichy started the comedy of errors when he miscued a clearance high into the air, then Vermaelen allowed Kevin Davies to out-jump him on the edge of the area and the rest of the Arsenal defence stood statuesque as Cahill pounced to drive the knock-down past Manuel Almunia.

Fabregas should have equalised moments later when Rosicky's pass picked out the Arsenal captain but, with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat, he shot weakly at the Finn.

While Arsenal were beginning to carve open Bolton's back four, their own defence still looked far from impregnable and it needed a fine stop from Almunia to keep out Taylor's low free-kick.

Even the warning of that narrow escape went unheeded and the Gunners pressed the self-destruct button again in the 28th minute.

Lee Chung-Yong posed no immediate threat when he took possession inside the penalty area, yet Denilson betrayed his lack of recent action with a poorly-timed lunge that floored the South Korean and left Wiley with no option but to award a penalty.

Almunia, diving low to his left, got both hands to Taylor's spot-kick but couldn't stop it trickling in.

Wenger must have feared Arsenal's luck was out when Kevin Davies accidentally headed Fabregas's free-kick past Jaaskelainen, only for the ball to hit the crossbar and bounce to safety.

But Rosicky gave Arsenal a lifeline on the stroke of half-time. Taking Fabregas's flick in his stride, the Czech midfielder burst into the penalty area and, from an acute angle, smashed a fierce strike past Jaaskelainen at his near post.

Wenger's side may have been poor at the back but there was never any question that they were capable of fashioning an equaliser. It came in controversial circumstances in the 52nd minute.

Gallas caught Mark Davies on the ankle with a crude challenge that left the Bolton midfielder writhing in agony.

It looked a clear foul but Wiley played on and, despite Bolton's protests, Gallas did just that.

The ball was eventually worked into Fabregas via Arshavin and a fortunate deflection and the Spaniard calmly placed his shot through Jaaskelainen's legs.

As Fabregas and company celebrated, Bolton's players surrounded Wiley to complain. Their anger only increased when Davies was eventually stretchered off.

Arsenal were an irresistible force now. In the 65th minute, Diaby headed a corner down towards Vermaelen and the Belgian defender had time to pick his spot and smash Arsenal into the lead.

Bolton's spirit had been shattered and Arshavin ensured Arsenal would take first place when he took Eduardo's flick and fired gleefully past Jaaskelainen in the 85th minute. - AFP/de


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[Adidas]

congratulation to all Gunners here.

 

[Wayne Piew]

As usual, that French Wanker in post-match interview, claims that he didnt see it!!


Gallas escapes punishment
Gunners defender will not face disciplinary action for challenge

Arsenal defender William Gallas will not face retrospective disciplinary action from the Football Association over his challenge on Bolton's Mark Davies.

The Frenchman went in late on Davies, catching the midfielder on the ankle. The challenge went unpunished by referee Alan Wiley and to rub salt into the wounds the Gunners, instead of kicking the ball out of play, went on to equalise.
Trotters manager Owen Coyle was angered by the incident, which left Davies to be stretchered off, and called the challenge an 'assault'.

Bolton team-mate Paul Robinson labeled the tackle 'disgusting' but no separate disciplinary proceedings can take place as the FA do not 're-official' matches.

Referee Wiley is said to have thought that the challenge was only a coming together and that was why he allowed play to continue.

Bolton had taken a 2-0 lead at Emirates Stadium and were 2-1 up when the incident occurred. Arsenal then went on to win 4-2 with Andrey Arshavin wrapping up proceedings in the final five minutes.

 

[General Veers]

Gunners' last chance

Sport
Home > Breaking News > Sport > Story
Feb 5, 2010

Gunners' last chance

LONDON - WAYNE Rooney was widely believed to have shattered Arsenal's Premier League title hopes when he orchestrated Manchester United's 3-1 win over the Gunners at the Emirates last weekend. So tamely did Arsene Wenger's men surrender that it was hard to resist the conclusion that the title race had just been downgraded from a three to a two-club contest. Wenger, understandably, begged to differ and Chelsea's unexpectedly lacklustre display in a 1-1 draw at Hull on Tuesday suggested the Arsenal manager was right to predict a few more twists in the plot before the denouement of what has been an intriguing season.

Chelsea's midweek slip means Arsenal can move back to within three points of their London rivals if they can repeat last season's win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The way in which Arsenal were bullied into submission by Didier Drogba when the two clubs met at the Emirates in November will not give Gunners fans any great cause for optimism, but Wenger is confident of engineering a reaction from his players to last weekend's humiliation. 'Against United, we were naive,' the Frenchman admitted. 'We were completely not at our level and now we need to deliver something special to stay in the race.'

Chelsea's recent tendency to concede goals from set pieces - described as their Achilles heel by Hull boss Phil Brown - could prompt Wenger to start Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is fit again after three months out following groin surgery. Abou Diaby is also back from injury and could be brought in to stiffen a midfield that was overrun in the defeat by United. -- AFP

 

[jw5]

Re: Gunners' last chance

Fabregas is a world class player.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, he's the only one they have.

 

[Ramseth]

Re: Gunners' last chance

European Champions League 2nd Round 1st Leg

Porto 2 Arsenal 1

(Varella 11, Campbell 18, Falcao 51)

 

[shOUTloud]

Re: Gunners' last chance

Unless Almunia shows a dramatic improvement in form, I do not think Arsenal can do anything other than being third this season. sian

 

[Gallego99]

Fabianski is a joke. Manone is no better. The problem is just not just about poor keepers. The midfielders are not helping out in defence.

If the Gunners are to win any title this season, Wenger has to use more rod and make the players compete for the first team.

 

[shOUTloud]

knn, this season really fucked by injuries. Now Arsenal is surely on par with Chelsea and Man United as faves to win the title. Next few matches are Burnley, Hull and West Ham.