Epl Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wenger - Only fighting for title is acceptable
By Richard Clarke

Arsene Wenger has drawn a line in the sand. The Frenchman argues his team must challenge for the Premiership title in the coming campaign - anything else will not meet the lofty standards he has set during a decade in charge.

"An acceptable season, first of all, for Arsenal Football Club is to fight for the championship," said the manager.

"Last year, at the end of October and beginning of November when we were 16 points off the leaders, that wasn't an acceptable season. For us to be fighting in March, April and May is an acceptable season. If you win it or lose it by a point well OK that is something you can handle.

"Last year we showed in spells - like in the Carling Cup - what we could do. But the Carling Cup is not a major trophy, it is an interesting way to study the potential of your side. The major trophies are the championship and the Champions League.

"I work very hard to develop this team. We knew we were facing major competition in England with clubs who invest a lot of money. We knew we wanted to go a different way and be a little bit patient. But, while we have a young team, it is not a team without experience. For example Fabregas who is 20 but has 100 games in the Premiership.

"We have a great hunger for success. I believe we have the quality and we must show it. That is the target, it is as simple as that. Yes people don't consider we moved to a new stadium and you drop points when you do that but we were too early out of the championship last year."
 
This shows how disarray Arsenal is in right now. Colour jersey also cialak. Next time, Arsenal should wear Apek singlets for their away games :lol:
 
man u can also wear those :D for their home and away kits.. so they can come clean to whatever they are doing in macau and apologise to every ahpek daughter/SONS?? they've screwed ahahahhahaa :twisted:

IM NOT AN ARSENAL FAN BOOOOO HOOOO!
 
Match Report
Emirates Cup
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, July 28, 2007, 4.15pm


Arsenal2Flamini 45, Bendtner 70


Paris Saint-Germain1Luyindula 80


By Richard Clarke

Arsenal gave themselves a great chance of winning the inaugural Emirates Cup with a 2-1 win over Paris St-Germain on Saturday.

The format of this new tournament awards three points for a win, one for a draw and one for each goal scored. Valencia took five points from the first game of the afternoon with a 2-0 win over Inter. Arsenal victory’s in the second game mirrors that tally however they are second in the table on goal difference.

Arsène Wenger’s side play the Italians on Sunday in the final game of the tournament so they will have the luxury of knowing exactly what is required to lift this trophy for the first time.

In all honesty, PSG bossed the game in the first half and were unfortunate to find themselves trailing when Mathieu Flamini crashed home a close-range effort on the whistle. Arsenal were much improved after the break and doubled their advantage in the 70th minute when Nicklas Bendtner’s scored from Denilson’s corner.

Peguy Luyindula reduced the arrears with 10 minutes to go but Bendtner’s late penalty could have put Arsenal top of the midway table. Unfortunately it was easily saved.

Though, as it stands, Wenger will be content with a decent performance and a win. An impressive crowd of 55,106 certainly seemed to be happy with their afternoon’s entertainment.

Emirates Stadium filled up nicely for the arrival of the hosts. Nine days hard work in Austria had cost Arsenal the services of Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky for the weekend. Meanwhile Eduardo was still awaiting his work permit.

It meant Wenger had little choice but to pair Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner up front. Bacary Sagna got his first run-out at Emirates and, for once, Arsenal played without a proper wide man. Denilson and Cesc Fabregas patrolled the middle with Abou Diaby on the left and Mathieu Flamini on the right.

The lack of genuine pace down the flanks did nothing to help Arsenal settle in the opening stages. In fact it took 15 minutes for either side to carve out a chance worthy of note and then it was the visitors who took the initiative. Luyindula found space on the right and crossed low for Pierre-Alain Frau to thump a low shot past Almunia’s right-hand post.

Seven minutes later, Sylvain Armand cut the ball inside to Jeremy Clement on the edge of the area. He neatly played the ball into the path of Luyindula, who wastefully clipped the ball past the far post. Up to this point, Arsenal had offered precious little going forward. Their most incisive attacker had been left back Gael Clichy, who had rampaged into the area on a couple of occasions.

In the 24th minute Arsenal got themselves on the chance-sheet if not the score-sheet. Van Persie’s electrifying run was abruptly halted by Armand and the Dutchman picked himself up to crack the free-kick just over the bar.

Pauleta weaved in from the right and thumped a shot into Almunia’s chest. Then seven minutes before the break Jerome Rothen sent a free kick to the far post and Didier Disgard’s spectacular effort had to be tipped over the bar by Almunia. From the corner Zoumana Camara flicked a header wide of the far post.

Arsenal were still struggling to find any kind of attacking rhythm while PSG were carving out by far the better chances.

But on the stroke of half time, Arsenal scored. Clichy floated a ball into the area, Bendtner chested it down and the stumbling Flamini hooked the ball home off the upright.

There was a delicious irony about the goal. All last term Arsenal had dominated teams at Emirates Stadium only to concede sucker-punch strike. Yet in the first home game of this season, the had inflicted exactly that on their opponents.

Wenger changed five players at half time. Perhaps the most interesting move saw Emmanuel Eboue stationed in front of full back Justin Hoyte on the right. Alex Hleb replaced Van Persie and was pushed into a more attacking role through the centre as Arsenal moved from a traditional 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1.

For once the plethora of changes seemed to settle Arsenal. They enjoyed their first spell of sustained pressure in the opening quarter of the second half, creating a couple of half-chances along the way.

Frau’s burst into the area just before the hour suggested PSG might have something left. But William Gallas snuffed out the danger. Shortly afterwards Bendtner latched on to Clichy’s ball through, outpaced Camara but could only steer his shot past the far post.

The Dane would make amends midway through the second half. PSG defender Sammy Traore deflected a low cross past his own post with Bendtner breathing down his neck. Denilson swung over the corner and the 19-year-old met the ball with a towering downward header. It hit Traore and rebounded for Bendtner to stab home from close range. He celebrated Shearer-like with one arm raised. It was the perfect way to announce his return from a successful year on loan at Birmingham.

Almost immediately, Almunia made a fine low save from Pauleta at the far post. After a sluggish start both sides seemed determined to put on a show in the latter stages.

Therefore it was no surprise when Frau reached the byline with 10 minutes left and crossed low for Luyindula to convert at the near post.

Arsenal should have restored their two-goal advantage seven minutes before the end when Hleb was brought down in the area. However Bendtner’s penalty was weak and Mickael Landreau saved easily
 
the inter - valencia game was soooo bloooodddyyy borrriiinnnngg.

and shit, digard in psg so next season i cannot buy him for 190k for my stoke city in fm.

i'm a man utd fan but i dont hate arsenal. how to hate a team that play real football? TOTTENHAM and LIVERPOOL different case though.

i'd say the biggest rivalry is between chelsea and liverpool.

i'd also say that mourinho will be better off worrying about sunderland than liverpool :twisted:

i still remember two seasons ago, london derby match, tottenham vs arsenal. arsenal player was down injured, but edgar davids , who saw the injured player, continued play and that move resulted in a goal. PUI no sportsmenship, but it's tottenham so it's understandable :twisted:
 
fgl, please do update everyone on the arsenal - inter match.

when i saw van persie's goal i was like "OMGWTFBBQ?! 8O "

kieran gibbs looks real good, another gem in wenger's treasure chest!

eboue was marauding down the flank like nobody's business

but arsenal sure is back in business
 
Match Report
Emirates Cup
Emirates Stadium
Sunday, July 29, 2007, 4.15pm



Arsenal
2
Hleb 67, Van Persie 85




Inter Milan
1
Suazo 62



By Richard Clarke

A dazzling late goal from Robin van Persie helped Arsenal beat Inter Milan 2-1 on Sunday afternoon and, as a result, lift the Emirates Cup.

With five minutes to go the Dutchman collected Emmanuel Eboue’s pass on the corner of the six-yard area, weaved inside Danielle Pedrelliez and rifled a rocket-shot high into the far corner of the net.

It was a satisfying end to exhilarating weekend of entertainment at Emirates Stadium and the late drama only added to the spectacle for the home fans.

PSG’s 3-0 victory in the opening game of Day Two had left Arsène Wenger’s side with a simple equation — win the game, win the trophy.

For an hour it looked like a stroll. Arsenal created numerous chances but, in a throw back to last season at Emirates Stadium, failed to convert.

In the 62nd minute they were stunned when David Suazo nodded home after a rare Inter attack. However Alex Hleb equalised five minutes later and then, at the death, Van Persie showed all his ability to hand Arsenal the trophy.

Hopefully it won’t be the last this season.

As expected Wenger’s side was heavily changed from the 2-1 win over PSG on Saturday. Only five starters from that match kicked-off today’s encounter. Jens Lehmann came in for his first appearance of pre-season and Kieran Gibbs, 17, was promoted into the first XI.

He started on the left wing, in front of full back Justin Hoyte with Bacary Sagna continuing his adaptation to English football on the right side. Eboue was on the right side of midfield. Hleb once again offered support to Van Persie.

Emirates Stadium was packed and partying for the final game of this exciting two-day event. In contrast to Saturday, the home side looked very sharp in the opening stages. Gibbs was involved quickly and Van Persie stung the hands of keeper Julio Cesar on the half-hour. Inter were second best. The closest they came was Cristian Chivu’s free-kick high over the bar.

As the half wore on, Arsenal began to take a stranglehold. Marco Materazzi felled Eboue near the byline and Van Persie whipped in a free-kick to the near post. It deflected en route and Cesar did well to bat the ball away.

Then, on the half-hour, Hleb fed Gibbs who laid the ball off for Flamini to run on to. The Frenchman’s right-foot shot was fierce but too close to Julio Cesar. Arsenal followed up but Eboue’s low cross was cut out the near post.

Nine minutes from the break, Sagna’s angled low drive was only half-saved by Julio Cesar but Materazzi intervened before Gibbs could pounce. Then, just before the whistle, Walter Samuel illegally halted Eboue’s mazy run just outside the area and Van Persie fizzed a curling free-kick inches over the bar.

For once, Arsenal made no changes at the break. As a result they continued to dominate. In the 55th minute, Fabregas sent Van Persie racing into the area with a clever short ball, Chivu appeared to bring him down but referee Mark Halsey waved play on and keeper Francesco Toldo gathered.

To be honest, it seemed a matter of time until Arsenal would score. However, last season had proved that the home crowd can never afford to assume anything at Emirates Stadium.

In the 62nd minute, Cesar sent a hopeful ball into the area from the right and Suazo stole in front of William Gallas to send a header past Lehmann and in off the upright. It was totally against the ball of play.

Arsenal almost equalised immediately. Van Persie danced into the area and it took a bevy of Inter defenders to stop him. The ball ran loose to Eboue who thumped a rising left-foot shot past the angle of post and bar.

As it turned out, the equaliser would come from the next attack.

Eboue fed the overlapping Sagna, who cut the ball back from the right-hand byline. Hleb timed his run perfectly and lashed a shot goalwards. Toldo saved brilliantly but the ball rebounded to the Belarus international who trickled a shot into the far corner.

Suddenly Arsenal had the glint of silverware in their eyes once more.

Hleb has been outstanding and started to make merry down the right flank. With 14 minutes left he crossed low for Van Persie to stab a shot straight at Toldo. Seconds later he found Toure in the area but the centre back dribbled a shot wide.

In the 79th minute, Gibbs was replaced by Bendtner. He got a standing ovation from the crowd and hearty round of applause from his manager. It has been an impressive debut.

Arsenal continued to strive for the winner but as the seconds ticked were away they became anxious. However they kept to their footballing principle and — via Van Persie’s cracker- it more than paid off.
FixturesFixtures & ReportsLeague TableTicketsReserves FixturesYouth FixturesLadies FixturesLadies ReservesLadies C of EFixture AlertsBetting
 
I feel that these match reports are kinda biased and reek of sensationalism, and since I am so bored at work, I'll take the liberty to entertain myself and write up briefly of my frank opinions of the Emirates Cup involving Arsenal.

To the uninitiated, the Emirates Cup is a 2 day event (Saturday and Sunday)

4 teams are involved upon invitation, and they are Valencia, Inter Milan, PSG and Arsenal(Host)

The point system is such, 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 1 point awarded to each goal scored which is tallied in total to determine the winner.


Having watched both matches closely between Arsenal and PSG and InterMilan, I have the following observations.

1. Arsenal Vs PSG (2-1) Flamini, Bendtler

The first half was crap, but the second half was an interesting sign of things to come. Traore and Sagna/Hoyte were employed as Full backs and Eboue and Clichy were used as Wingers. 4 Natural Fullbacks were played at the same time! Clichy and Eboue were pacy but they lacked the final ball that day, but it certainly looks interesting for the new season if they were allowed more games to get used to those positions.

Bendtler showed some promise in the aerial department due to his height, and for a 19 year old, his rawness on the ball was quite evident , yet forgivable.

I believe that he will link up well with Eduardo(If his work permit gets approved that is) as he has the ablilty to hold the ball up and wait for runs/link-ups to happen.

2. Arsenal Vs InterMilan (2-1) Hleb, Robin Van Persie

Three Forwards were missing, (Walcott, Adebayor, Eduardo) and Rosicky was injured too, but yet Arsenal managed to penetrate the greatest defence in the Serie A (InterMilan- 2006-2007 Serie A champions)

It is interesting to note that Eboue was used as a right winger again, and I must say, he will make that spot his own in time to come. His dribbles caused lots of panic amongts the milanese defenders, who had no choice but to repeatedly foul him collecting yellow cards in the process. Although I must say, Eboue is quite a good actor when it comes to feigning and writhing in pain on the ground. I hope he changes that attitude. Leave that to Ronaldo , please.

Another interesting point to note was that Hleb was used a supporting striker, and WOW, he was amazing. I guess this is his natural position and I hope Wenger takes note of that.

The 17 year old Londoner ,Kieren Gibbs, was used as a left winger, and boy, did he impress. Another Diamond unearthed from Wenger he is.

Sagna showed more attacking flair , and he ventured out more into the opponent's half as compared to the previous day, and he looks and plays every inch like an Arsenal player.

Robin Van Persie, wonder goal extraordinaire.Brlliantly linking up with Hleb throughout, a real pain to the defences and what a great goal to determine the winner!

The back-four of InterMilan comprised of their first choice defenders and they were totally dominated by Arsenal's wave of attacks. Figo featured and he looked frustrated and he tried to stamp his authority on their midfield, but the kids ran rings around him.

All in all, It was an entertaining match, with good football being played, and I personally can't wait for the season to start.

Cheers!

(back to work now)
 
Thanks FGL, Haha, it was a simple report, and hey! ANyone here can co-host this thread.

Bantering is fine but after a while it gets boring, I mean how many times can you see someone say "XXX sucks!" before you realise that there is no substance in the posts.

I wish to see more fans get involved, I don't care if you are a liverpool or man utd fan or Arsenal fan for that matter, but you know, just post constructive opinions once in a while lah.

But of course, lets not all forget to have fun and occasionally take free jibes at each other!

Calling all wannabe Soccer Pundits and Analysts! Lets hear more views/opinions!

Gooner 4 Life!
 
ok I'll start... Man U and pool playing inferior teams from the far East as compared to Euro giants... SUX! :o
 
But Asia's weather conditions defer so much from Europe. That ups the level of competition when playing the Asian teams.
 
What's the deal with Inter's jersey anyway? Like, I know the popped out of Milan 'coz of the international thing...but why an England flag? Are they gonna do a Spain one next season?
 
eh cheeky little eboue!

roberto mancini told me over dinner yesterday that the inter jersey for next year would have the singapore flag on the front.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
The official MetallicA thread.
11 12 13
Replies
251
Views
72K
tchiky
T

Latest posts

Share this page

Back
Top