Messages

1

Football / Re: PL 'consider' play-offs

« on: February 17, 2010, 05:23:12 PM »

If a team prove they is the 4th best after 38 games, why reward the team in 7th with a chance to make the CL in a one-off? Teams in positions 4-7 will have no motivation in the run-in.
The sad thing is you would probably find 16 teams voting in favour of this and only 4 against.

2

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: February 17, 2010, 05:06:10 PM »

Fabianski 100% at fault for the first goal.

For the 2nd, he was actually holding on to the ball (as he should). The ref asked for the ball, and set it down in front of the Porto player. No keeper would go stand in front of the ball. That is for the defender to do. Sol was partially blocked, partially catching breath/sleeping. Usually though the ref should signal to allow them to take it early. He just put the ball down and watch them score.

I'd say the ref was too eager to give them back the ball, but Sol should've been aware.

2-1 is not ideal, but not THAT bad considering we had 5 players out (apart from the long terms). We should be able to do a 2-0 at the Emirates. 1-0 is too risky to sit back on, especially with our keepers.

3

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 14, 2009, 09:30:48 AM »

Van Der Vaart has been a dud at Madrid- not impressed with him at all...preferred Wesley Sneijder...Madrid let the wrong man go in my opinion. 

Gallas was lucky on the pk call because he made no contact with the ball, and clearly obstructed SG, but Gerard lost control of the ball before he was touch, so a scoring chance wasn't really denied....

Yuh could argue that all day.   

Madrid made a bad move letting Sneijder go. I'm very suprised VDV stayed. There was alot of talk about him moving to Chelsea, they've always been interested.

Did VDV really get a chance at Madrid though, all I remember from last season was bench. But he does have quality. He just needs to rediscover the form he had at Ajax and Hamburg.

4

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 14, 2009, 06:44:30 AM »

So we obviously need a center forward in January ... based on who available .. who would you take over:

Van Nistelrooy
Luca Toni
Adriano

Hopefully Wenger tries to get Adriano ... he's hungry and will play for a world cup place.

Van Nistelrooy - based on how I remember him.
Since I haven't seen him play for a while.

I guess we can add Huntelaar to that list.

I hear Madrid trying to offload Benzema .. but they will want as much money as they get robbed for.

Apparently Van der Vaart is a target.

I've always liked VDV but do we really need another midfielder?
What we need is a CF who can hold up play, and bring others into the game. Notice how at the begining of the season we were scoring goals for fun, and even though RVP wasn't scoring much at the start his link-up play was superb.

5

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 13, 2009, 12:40:01 PM »

So we obviously need a center forward in January ... based on who available .. who would you take over:

Van Nistelrooy
Luca Toni
Adriano

Hopefully Wenger tries to get Adriano ... he's hungry and will play for a world cup place.

Van Nistelrooy - based on how I remember him.
Since I haven't seen him play for a while.

I guess we can add Huntelaar to that list.

I hear Madrid trying to offload Benzema .. but they will want as much money as they get robbed for.

6

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 13, 2009, 12:21:25 PM »

So we obviously need a center forward in January ... based on who available .. who would you take over:

Van Nistelrooy
Luca Toni
Adriano

Hopefully Wenger tries to get Adriano ... he's hungry and will play for a world cup place.

7

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 13, 2009, 12:16:24 PM »

When he was younger it was said of him: "Fabianski doesn't just command his penalty area, he commands his half!"

 

I think he might be better than Almunia too.

  Now allyuh have meh wanting to see de man play!  

He is only 24 too which is very young for a keeper. He played in the Champions League game in midweek and did very well.

8

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 13, 2009, 11:42:11 AM »

I find the Italian 3rd string is the best one........but Almunia is the man, I guess.

Mannone started off well. Had a huge performance against Fulham and it was starting to look like Almunia would be getting competition for the #1 spot. But truth is, Mannone flaps are shots and crosses that he should be holding and had luck on his side in those great performances. Eventually ended up being at fault for a few goals and lost his spot. Dont think he ready yet.

allyuh ever read Wenger's biography...great book
plus it have something called the Emirates Stadium....

and I hate arsenal  eh

i bet he write it too without ah ghost writer like the rest of them brain dead ppl in football

Currently reading one called 'Pure Genius' by Tom Oldfield. But I know there is more than one Wenger bio. So it might not be the one BM talking about.

Got to go to the Emirates Stadium a couple weeks ago. Was great  

given or cudichini woulda been brilliant between the sticks

Cudicini? Nah man!

I find the Italian 3rd string is the best one........but Almunia is the man, I guess.

I feel Fabianski is better than Mannone right now. But Szczesny will overtake them in not too long. He's the youngest too. He had an unfortunate setback and was out for 6 months. Broke both arms when a weights bar fell on him in the gym.

Arsene f*** up by not getting Given for a few years until one of the young ones ready to take over.

Who you think better between Almunia and Fabianski?

Fabianski is better. He is a better shot stopper, and he comes out for crosses. Almunia is very average. He usually makes the saves he is expected to make, nothing more, and is terrible on crosses.

The only thing Fabianski needs to work on is his decision making. The complete opposite of Almunia, he's off his line for everything. Sometimes it gets him in trouble, say FA cup semi against Chelsea.

When he was younger it was said of him: "Fabianski doesn't just command his penalty area, he commands his half!"

9

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 13, 2009, 11:37:36 AM »

Gallas kick nothing but air. 90% of the time that is a penalty

At first I thought Gerrard lost control of the ball and fell over Gallas. In slow mo it looked a penalty.

I think Gerrard did lose control of the ball. If you look at the slo-mo, by the time Gerrard goes down the ball is near the endline, he was never going to get there.

For the first time this season, Liverpool look like Liverpool. You can see a squad that should be challenging for the title.
Also for the first time this season Arsenal look out of sorts.  Liverpool not letting them pass the ball around. The pace of the game does not suit them at all.

I agree. It's not a penalty if he has no hope of retrieving the ball. By the time Gerrard falls over the ball is on the way out.
The same happened when we played United. Yes Rooney dived, but when he went down the ball was already in the stands. Therefore, the penalty was wrongly given.
Man can't just kick away the ball and dive into a challenge to get a penalty.

10

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 12, 2009, 10:17:12 PM »

Arsene doing what he does best tonight...putting out a juvenile side to play great passing football and then lose.

?? you are a numb skull

arsenal already qualified
the youngster got valuable experience
played with pride commitment and could have taken a point or three had it not been for vela wasting two and ramsay's effort cleared off the line
also you fail to realise what these youths were facing and where
it was away in greece at olympiacos stadium, a very hostile venue for ANY away team far less a side who's average age was 20
so really come with better ponts of discussion than rum shop rhetoric

With all the injuries we have he would be an arse to put out a first team when top spot in the group is secured.

Average age of 20 (with one man being 32), away to Olympiacos. That team included youths who not even in the reserve team, or play Carling Cup football. That experience is invaluable. Playing youths like Gilbert, Bartley, Ayling, Tom Cruise will benefit more than playing first choice and risking injury. And this experience will do the world of good to Vela, Merida, Ramsey, Wilshere. Even Sunu get a little run out.

11

Football / Re: The greatest goals of the decade

« on: December 12, 2009, 02:14:52 PM »

oops ... Bergkamp against Leicester wasn't in this decade.

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Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: December 12, 2009, 02:13:28 PM »

I find the Italian 3rd string is the best one........but Almunia is the man, I guess.

I feel Fabianski is better than Mannone right now. But Szczesny will overtake them in not too long. He's the youngest too. He had an unfortunate setback and was out for 6 months. Broke both arms when a weights bar fell on him in the gym.

Arsene f*** up by not getting Given for a few years until one of the young ones ready to take over.

13

Football / Re: The greatest goals of the decade

« on: December 12, 2009, 02:01:43 PM »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/jp_6yBB47bE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/jp_6yBB47bE</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/yy0M7yPT9Hw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/yy0M7yPT9Hw</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/hGEczztuCyw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/hGEczztuCyw</a>

14

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: November 14, 2009, 04:28:03 PM »

hahahahaha just noticed a trend on this threads history and its been justified

when arsenal are doing well the non arsenal fans postings are few and far between, more so the last run of games, they had a lil spike after the draws at west ham and AZ Alkmar but gone cold since then and taking into account the international break

ah yes i will do what all good arsenal fans do and not brag, state facts, and continue an unwavering faith in our AFC

I noticed this a long time ago.

Cross fingers/say prayers because Van Persie looked in alot of pain after that challenge from Chiellini.
Had to be taken off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for scans.

Eduardo scored 2.
Ramsey played 57 mins and got MOM for Wales. Scored one with a run from his own half, and created 2.

15

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 28, 2009, 06:23:58 AM »

SQUAD for tonight's game.
Wilshere is "short", suprised Vela isn't there. No reports of injury. Maybe he's playing on Saturday but he's 20 ... he can play 2 games in 4 days.

Wojciech Szczesny
Lukasz Fabianski
Philippe Senderos
Kyle Bartley
Mikael Silvestre
Kieran Gibbs
Kerrea Gilbert
Fran Merida
Francis Coquelin
Craig Eastmond
Emmanuel Frimpong
Aaron Ramsey
Mark Randall
Samir Nasri
Eduardo
Gilles Sunu
Nicklas Bendtner
Sanchez Watt

16

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 26, 2009, 08:25:09 AM »

stupid loss of 2 points yesterday, the referee decision to give a free kick for a clash of two players neither of whom had control of fthe ball was as dumb as vito palming the ball into the six yard area instead of for a corner

the second penalty claim which the reff gave was soft but we looked fo rthat because of complancency

gallas and vermaelen need to stay in the back in these gams where teams are desperately looking for a result throwing caution to the wind

we should have killed the game earlu in the second half and we failed to do so

wenger should have subbed since the 70th to find the fkiller 3rd goal instead of subbing after the game was 2-2

and why? why? why? sub on bendtner when you have nasri and eduardo on the bench??

You forgot to mention that the penalty given wasn't even a foul. The ref had a very bad game, including the sending off for West Ham. No mention of Upson handball in the first half.

But ... in any case ... Van Persie has no excuses for missing that header in injury time.

17

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 19, 2009, 06:09:11 AM »

Good Clichy interview

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article6879305.ece

18

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 19, 2009, 05:41:17 AM »

Wenger - Fans' Taylor chant was 'atrocious'

Birmingham fans who chanted Martin Taylor's name during Saturday's game have been branded as "stupid" by Arsène Wenger.

Seven minutes were on the clock at Emirates Stadium when Liam Ridgewell felled Theo Walcott with a full-blooded challenge which won the ball but took the man as well. As Walcott writhed in agony on the turf, visiting supporters sang 'One Martin Taylor...' in reference to the Birmingham defender whose tackle shattered Eduardo's leg and ankle in February 2008.

The Birmingham fans seemed to take pleasure in watching another Arsenal man suffering at the hands of a Blues defender and Wenger condemned their chants when he spoke to reporters after the match.

"That was frankly atrocious," he said. "They [the Birmingham fans] will not be remembered for the quality of their taste with that kind of remark.

“I didn’t say a word [when I heard the chant], I just thought 'that’s low'.

“Eduardo was here for the game. I  don’t know how he felt about the chants. I just put that in the ranks of stupidity, you want to forget about it and not talk too much about it because there’s not a lot to say.

“With people like that, one starts to say something stupid, everybody follows, even intelligent people. People lose their identity together, and their sense of responsibility."

19

Football / Re: FIFA 10 - First Impressions

« on: October 06, 2009, 05:53:29 AM »

Rooney, Benzema, Xavi, Chiellini, Schweinsteiger in that commercial...Anyone else?

Tim Cahill.. I think Carlos Kameni

Theo Walcott

20

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 04, 2009, 08:33:46 AM »

Good for Theo to come on a get a goal too, and great goal from the so called "shithong" Bendtner

21

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 04, 2009, 07:27:28 AM »

Great game so far.
Blackburn score inside 5 minutes
Vermaelen with a left footer from outside the box
Blackburn take the lead again via a deflection
Cesc to Van Persie - Goal
Cesc to Arshavin - Goal

Cesc with 3 shots saved so far, and hit the crossbar. Arshavin and Rosicky swaping positions.
Half Time 3-2 to the Arsenal.

Henry looked pleased with that goal by the new CB

22

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 01, 2009, 12:34:46 PM »

So .... Theo Walcott is available, Nasri and Fabianski ready for training by the international break.
Eduardo aggravated a slight injury midweek and is out for the weekend. Should be fine after that.
Almunia is still suffering from his "chest infection"

Players coming back, hopefully we don't lose anyone during the internationals.
Now if only Cesc plays at his best and stop looking like one eye in Barcelona.

23

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: October 01, 2009, 10:09:37 AM »

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has reserved special praise for Arsene Wenger after he became the club's longest serving manager.

On Thursday the French manager officially surpassed George Allison's 4,748-day record set 60 years ago after 13 years at the helm.

Henry insists Wenger has transformed Arsenal during his time at the club, changing them from a boring side into an attractive team to watch.

The striker thoroughly enjoyed his time with Arsenal and believes he could never imagine the club being without their French manager.

Tremendous
"Arsene has been tremendous for Arsenal football club," he told Sky Sports News. "He's done tremendously well.

"I'll never forget the club or him. He's been at Arsenal for 13 years. What a tremendous achievement. I don't see Arsenal without Arsene Wenger.

"I couldn't see Arsenal leaving Highbury, but it happened. I hope it will never happen for Arsene.

"He's the type of guy that you'd always associate with Arsenal, like Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Patrick Vieira and Bob Wilson.

"Arsenal was well known for being a boring team and he's changed that as soon as he arrived with the style of play and trophies we won.

"He didn't have to convince me too much to come to play for Arsenal because that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to play for Arsenal full stop.

"I won't lie, it also helped that he was there. The best advice he gave me was, 'try to stop blaming others and try to see what you can do to help others'."

Henry was brought to the Gunners by Wenger in 1999 and he scored 174 goals for the North Londoners before joining Barcelona two years ago.

He was already a France international before moving, however, he was playing out wide for Juventus - something Wenger quickly altered.

Henry insists Wenger's man-management skills are among his best traits and that he comes into his own when it comes to getting the best out of his players.


Winger to striker
"He knew me from Monaco's youth-team. He saw me playing as a centre forward. He couldn't understand why I was playing as a winger," he added.

"I was already in the France squad and doing my thing on the left, he said to me, 'I don't want you playing on the left, you're wasting your time and you have to play through the middle'.

"He's the type of guy that makes you realise that you can do anything you want. Whenever a player comes to play for Arsenal they suddenly become better. I don't know why or how?

"He will let you do what you have to do when he knows that it is the time to let you play and on another side when he has to talk with you and be honest he will always do it.

"The most important thing is it is a pleasure to play under him and to train with him because he wants his team to play football. He's a great human being on top of everything."

Henry is being tipped to return to Arsenal in the future but, while he concedes he would love to return to the club, he currently cannot envisage in what capacity.

"I'd maybe watch a game or something like that. I really don't know. I'm trying to finish what I started 15 years ago," he said.

"I've always said you go back to where you belong. I've never stopped saying that I love Arsenal and I'll one day go back there. How? I don't know, maybe a waterboy.

"I just love the club and one day I'll go back. I'm not thinking about it right now."

SKY

24

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 29, 2009, 01:19:09 PM »

in the 20th minute we have 6 shots to olympiakos nil and with 78% possession

Arsenal is utterly dominating this game

25

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 29, 2009, 12:19:11 PM »

Mannone
Eboue Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Cesc Song Diaby
Rosicky VanPersie Arshavin

Not bad. But I rather Rosicky in midfield instead of Diaby, and Eduardo starting.

26

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 29, 2009, 11:04:04 AM »

seeing as it is a euro game i bet he has rosicky starting but where do you fit him in? you need two battlers like diaby n song
will be surprised if he starts with rosicky cesc and song in the middle
but you are right rvp will have more room to play if he went wide and eduardo went middle having said that eduardo favours a side of the middle not nessesarily in the striker position

I think Eduardo likes to play central. He is a 'fox in the box' Inzaghi type player who gets in the right positions to finish without being too extravagant. Wenger likes his players out of position to 'develop' different aspects of his game, thats why you see Eduardo wide left or left of a front three. If Wenger played his players in their natural positions, Eduardo would be central with RVP right. Same with Bendtner.

Diaby is strong, but doesn't offer much defensively. And in the past few games I've seen him as a liability. On the other hand, he has one good game in 5, so tonight might be where he is due a good one.

27

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 29, 2009, 10:44:24 AM »

line up today

             Mannone
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
       Diaby Cesc Song
Eduardo Van Persie Arshavin

Rramsey, Wilshire, Eboue, Silvestre, Szczesny, Vela, Rosicky, Gibbs, Watt

You might be right, knowing Wenger.
But please, Rosicky or Ramsey instead of Diaby. And switch Eduardo and RVP.

28

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 27, 2009, 05:27:35 PM »

Watching the Gunners its obvious that this squad needs serious strengthening. First to begin if they depending on Bendtner they in trouble, he is not a prolific goal scorer and neither is Van Persie. Both may contribute, but neither can be considered goal scorers. Van P took his goal well today, but it was literally his only chance. Arsenal also do not look threatening from set plays, Van P is not lethal in that department either (very one dimensional). Today Fulham created more chances than Arsenal and were stalled by excellent goalkeeping and unlucky not to come away with 3 points.

Diaby today gave away every second pass and thanks should go to Song's excellent break up play defending.

Then once Wenger realized his squad was failing to penetrate he left on his love child Bendtner and brough on Eboue. Again someone who cannot win a game for you.

Think of the successful Arsenal teams, Henry scoring consistently, Wiltord & Kanu contributing consistently & the ever dependent Pires and Lundburg to pull you through
with 10+ goals from out wide

All said Arsenal will not win the league with its present squad. Sorry I just don't see it happening! Maybe  a cup is possible with a run though.

Wenger needs to play either Eduardo or Bendtner centrally.
With the current formation, I don't think they looking at one main guy scoring 25 goals with the others in support.
They looking at attacking as a unit and goals coming from all sides ... Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Arshavin, Cesc, and Rosicky.
But Bendtner is no good on the right, and Diaby needs to go back to the Carling Cup team.

Diaby is the most inconsistent footballer at Arsenal. He has the potential to be great, he has all the skill, close control, but he has one good game, then 5 bad ones.

Nothing more to say about Eboue that hasn't been said before. He is a back-up right back and nothing more.
Bringing him on for a center forward makes no sense unless he was moving into defense, but he was playing up top. Why?
With Vela on the bench?

Arsenal needs another CB that is better than Senderos, Djourou and Silvestre (not hard to find), a world class goalkeeper (Fabianski is good but needs some years), and a defensive midfielder.

I don't think they can challenge over 38 games either, but we'll take it week by week and hope for the best.

29

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 24, 2009, 10:33:34 AM »

Arsenal celebrates Highbury Square opening

Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger, together with Club Directors and players from Arsenal’s past and present, today made a memory-filled return to Highbury to celebrate the Official Opening of the Club’s former home as a unique residential development.

After 93 years as a football stadium, Highbury has been converted into over 650 high specification one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses, with the development being named ‘Highbury Square’.

The development bears more than a passing resemblance to Highbury Stadium. The apartments have been constructed around the four sides of the old pitch – which has been turned into a wonderful garden area. Construction is now fully completed, with the development already being occupied by residents.

Over 100 invited guests, including current players Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy, together with Arsenal Legends including George Graham, David O’Leary, Frank McLintock, Arthur Shaw, Bob Wilson, John Radford, Eddie Kelly, Kenny Sansom, Perry Groves and Martin Keown, attended the ceremony, which took place on a specially constructed stage positioned on the site of the old Highbury pitch.

Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “I would just like to congratulate the entire project team on what has been an absolutely marvellous job they have done in the construction and redevelopment of Highbury Square.

“Our wish for the development was always to retain more than a passing resemblance to Highbury Stadium and to respect its class and heritage. With the apartments being constructed in the same location as the four old stands and the pitch being converted into a wonderful garden area, we are delighted that we have achieved our goal. Although Highbury as a football stadium is now gone, Highbury Square has ensured that our old home will never be forgotten.”

Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Coming back to Highbury has filled me with so many great memories of our time here. Highbury was a very special football stadium and I feel honoured to have been part of this great place. Full credit has to go the project team, who have done an amazing job in retaining Highbury’s class and characteristics. The people living here are very lucky.”

Highbury was Arsenal’s home from 1913 until May 2006, when the Club moved to its new 60,000 capacity Emirates Stadium. As soon as the Club left Highbury, the old stadium was partially demolished and redeveloped.

The Art Deco façades of Highbury’s old Grade II-Listed East Stand, with its famous Marble Hall, and the locally-listed West Stand have been preserved, in order to retain the iconic status of the site. The North and South Stands have been replaced by new-build apartments designed in a contemporary style to harmonise with the East and West Stands.

Paying tribute to the football terraces’ original rectangular arrangement, the apartments face inwards towards a central garden square, occupying the exact dimensions of the former pitch, which is the focal point of the development.

Residents of Highbury Square will have access to a full range of amenities including a fitness centre, 24-hour concierge service and underground car parking. All apartments have access to the old two-acre Highbury pitch, which has been converted into a private garden square. The apartments are three tube stops from King’s Cross St. Pancras, which serves the Eurostar to Paris and Brussels.

The project also includes over 70 apartments that are shared equity/affordable housing, and also includes apartments that have been designed for disabled and wheelchair occupancy, and there is now only limited availability on all apartments in the development.

Further information on the limited available apartments can be found at www.highburysquare.com or by calling 0845 262 6000.

30

Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER

« on: September 24, 2009, 09:59:35 AM »

Whats your best XI *if* everyone is fit?

Aluminium
Sagna Gallas Verm Clichy
Fabregas Song Nasri
Rosicky VanPersie Arshavin

with Theo, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Denilson, Ramsey, Wilshere to rotate the front 6.