THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
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fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 3pm
Arsenal-
Wigan Athletic-
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has grand designs for one of the architects of England’s defeat on Wednesday night.
The Arsenal manager not only argues that Eduardo’s stature and confidence will be buoyed up by Croatia’s victory at Wembley. The Frenchman goes on to suggest the 24-year-old could be the leader’s ‘secret weapon’ in the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Over recent years the No 9 jersey has become the most uncomfortable to wear at Arsenal. Davor Suker, Francis Jeffers, Jose Antonio Reyes and Julio Bapista have all been handed it, none have lived up to it.
It may not seem suited to Eduardo yet but his honest endeavour and eye for goal has suggested Wenger was right to prise him from Dinamo Zagreb last summer in the wake of Thierry Henry’s departure to Barcelona.
So far his Club starts have been sporadic and often ended in substitution but, at the same time, he has been performing superbly for a rapidly-developing Croatian side. After having pulled their heads from their sorry hands, every England-supporting Arsenal fan would have been purring at Eduardo’s cute assist for his country’s crucial second goal on Wednesday.
“We have said we have to be patient but it will come for Eduardo,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “He has a good attitude and works hard but he has to adapt physically. He is perhaps a quieter person so it takes him longer.
“Yes I think this confidence will help him at Arsenal. He now knows he will go to Euro 2008. He is now a player who counts in Europe. He is at a big club so that should boost his confidence.”
“So can he be your secret weapon for the latter half of the campaign?” the manager was asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “That is what I am thinking. I am keeping my confidence for the second part of the season. I see him as a striker, although he can play wide as well, I do see him as a central player.”
Eduardo seems highly likely to start on Saturday against Wigan at Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie (knee) is still out and Alex Hleb picked up a hamstring injury on international duty. He will be sidelined for three weeks.
Nicklas Bendtner scored in both Denmark’s games in the past week but the manager has said he is reluctant to play the youngster alongside Arsenal’s other tall striker, Emmanuel Adebayor.
Wenger has less options in midfield. Along with Hleb, he is also missing Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Abou Diaby (back), Cesc Fabregas (suspended) and Gilberto (international duty). That leaves Lassana Diarra and Denilson as the only established central midfielders in the first-team squad.
Struggling Wigan eventually appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager late on Friday afternoon but, reportedly, it will be caretaker Frank Barlow who takes control at Emirates Stadium.
“Apart from the Tottenham game, where they were not at their best at all, the quality of Wigan’s game is better than the points they have got,” said Wenger.
“After an international break and with all the players away I feel this is a big game for us. I am happy we play at home but I am conscious as well of Wigan because now they need points. That means you want all your players to be highly focused and concentrated.
“A quality of a big team is that you to win and to perform when people expect you to win and perform. It is part of being at the top level.”
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 3pm
Arsenal-
Wigan Athletic-
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has grand designs for one of the architects of England’s defeat on Wednesday night.
The Arsenal manager not only argues that Eduardo’s stature and confidence will be buoyed up by Croatia’s victory at Wembley. The Frenchman goes on to suggest the 24-year-old could be the leader’s ‘secret weapon’ in the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Over recent years the No 9 jersey has become the most uncomfortable to wear at Arsenal. Davor Suker, Francis Jeffers, Jose Antonio Reyes and Julio Bapista have all been handed it, none have lived up to it.
It may not seem suited to Eduardo yet but his honest endeavour and eye for goal has suggested Wenger was right to prise him from Dinamo Zagreb last summer in the wake of Thierry Henry’s departure to Barcelona.
So far his Club starts have been sporadic and often ended in substitution but, at the same time, he has been performing superbly for a rapidly-developing Croatian side. After having pulled their heads from their sorry hands, every England-supporting Arsenal fan would have been purring at Eduardo’s cute assist for his country’s crucial second goal on Wednesday.
“We have said we have to be patient but it will come for Eduardo,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “He has a good attitude and works hard but he has to adapt physically. He is perhaps a quieter person so it takes him longer.
“Yes I think this confidence will help him at Arsenal. He now knows he will go to Euro 2008. He is now a player who counts in Europe. He is at a big club so that should boost his confidence.”
“So can he be your secret weapon for the latter half of the campaign?” the manager was asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “That is what I am thinking. I am keeping my confidence for the second part of the season. I see him as a striker, although he can play wide as well, I do see him as a central player.”
Eduardo seems highly likely to start on Saturday against Wigan at Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie (knee) is still out and Alex Hleb picked up a hamstring injury on international duty. He will be sidelined for three weeks.
Nicklas Bendtner scored in both Denmark’s games in the past week but the manager has said he is reluctant to play the youngster alongside Arsenal’s other tall striker, Emmanuel Adebayor.
Wenger has less options in midfield. Along with Hleb, he is also missing Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Abou Diaby (back), Cesc Fabregas (suspended) and Gilberto (international duty). That leaves Lassana Diarra and Denilson as the only established central midfielders in the first-team squad.
Struggling Wigan eventually appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager late on Friday afternoon but, reportedly, it will be caretaker Frank Barlow who takes control at Emirates Stadium.
“Apart from the Tottenham game, where they were not at their best at all, the quality of Wigan’s game is better than the points they have got,” said Wenger.
“After an international break and with all the players away I feel this is a big game for us. I am happy we play at home but I am conscious as well of Wigan because now they need points. That means you want all your players to be highly focused and concentrated.
“A quality of a big team is that you to win and to perform when people expect you to win and perform. It is part of being at the top level.”
fgl
Well-known member
+ 1 million
fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 3pm
Arsenal2Gallas 84, Rosicky 86
Wigan Athletic0
By Chris Harris
Arsenal turned frustration to elation with another late, late show at Emirates Stadium.
Wigan had kept the hosts at arm's length with a stubborn defensive display but, seven minutes from time, William Gallas thundered a header past Mike Pollitt to break the deadlock. Tomas Rosicky fired a second from Nicklas Bendtner's pass to secure three vital points and send Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League following Manchester United's defeat at Bolton.
Poor Wigan. They led with 10 minutes to go at Emirates Stadium last season and lost; this would have hurt almost as much. As for Arsenal, their unbeaten record rolls on - it now stands at 28 in all competitions.
Arsene Wenger had known since the closing stages of the Reading game that Cesc Fabregas would be suspended for this fixture. Injuries to Alex Hleb (hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh) forced him to make a total of three changes from the side which started at the Madejski Stadium.
Denilson and Lassana Diarra, so impressive together in the Carling Cup, were given a chance to shine in the Premier League. Walcott, in blistering form for England Under-21s in midweek, came in for Hleb. Eduardo, one of the architects of England's downfall, had to settle for a place on the bench.
If the last international break seemed a particularly long one, that was probably down to the hoo-hah surrounding England and Steve McClaren. Arsenal beat Reading 12 days ago but it has been three long weeks since they stepped out at the Emirates against Manchester United. It was good to have them back.
Wigan, in theory, were the perfect opponents for an Arsenal side hoping to pick up where they left off before the break. The Latics have lost two managers since the summer and seven games in succession. The appointment of new boss Steve Bruce was only confirmed on Friday afternoon; he watched this game from the stands with Frank Barlow in temporary charge.
Arsenal started promisingly with Denilson, making his first league start, showing some good touches and Walcott playing with confidence. Indeed, the teenager was at the heart of much of Arsenal's best work throughout the half.
With 11 minutes gone Rosicky threaded a great ball through to Walcott in the left-hand channel. The striker sprinted to the byline and his cut-back was heading towards Emmanuel Adebayor when Titus Bramble hacked the ball clear. Five minutes later Diarra fired over from distance after Adebayor's knock-down. Then Walcott picked out Emmanuel Eboue inside the box with a clever return pass but the Ivorian's touch was far too heavy.
Wigan, like so many visiting teams, set out to frustrate Arsenal. Fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation with Denny Landzaat stationed in front of the back four and Marcus Bent ploughing a lone furrow up front, the Latics closed down space and pressed Arsenal hard. And when the chance arose they ventured forward to give the hosts a couple of scares.
One Jason Koumas corner skimmed off the head of the unmarked Paul Scharner and, later in the half, Bent soared above Kolo Toure to power a header just over from Emmerson Boyce's cross. Two let-offs for Arsenal and a stark reminder that they can't afford to switch off at the back.
Having said that, Manuel Almunia did not have a save to make before the break. The same cannot be said of Mike Pollitt, who produced a brilliant stop to deny Adebayor in the 21st minute. The Togo striker spun away from his marker 25 yards out and charged into the box, exchanging passes with the lively Walcott before forcing Pollitt to push his low effort past the post.
That chance lifted the home side and they piled on the pressure. Rosicky swerved a shot wide from just outside the box after a neat one-two with Denilson. Then Andreas Granqvist slid in to clear Eboue's whipped cross with Walcott lurking. Walcott himself curled another effort over the bar after a clever feint left him in space and the teenager followed that up with a burst to the byline and a tempting cut-back which Eboue could not convert. A first half of frustration was complete when Denilson's long-range effort deflected off Granqvist, looped over Pollitt's head and just cleared the crossbar.
Yet again, Arsenal would need to dig deep in the second half against stubborn opponents. But on this occasion they would have to do without the guile of the suspended Fabregas and the injured Hleb. In their absence, Walcott's pace looked the most potent weapon they had.
It took the hosts until the hour mark to really threaten again. Diarra picked the ball up from Almunia's throw and surged into Wigan territory. He exchanged passes with Rosicky and slipped the ball into Adebayor's path. As the Togo striker prepared to pull the trigger, Boyce slid in to dispossess him.
Too often promising build-up play foundered on the rocks of Wigan's defence and, as the minutes ticked by, anxiety grew. Wenger cut a frustrated figure on the edge of his technical area and groans rang out around the ground when Adebayor broke clear down the right but failed to pick out Walcott.
With 22 minutes left Wenger replaced Eboue with Eduardo but it was Adebayor who went close next with a vicious drive from 25 yards. Tempers flared after dangerous challenges on Denilson and Walcott; the latter was stretchered off with 10 minutes remaining but his injury is not as bad as first feared.
The game looked to be up for Arsenal but, with seven minutes remaining, the frustration was lifted. Sagna curled a cross in from the right and Gallas, up from the back, thumped a header past Pollitt. It was another vital intervention from the skipper after his last-gasp equaliser against Manchester United three weeks ago.
The relief was palpable and the points were secured shortly after. Bendtner slid the ball into Rosicky's path and the Czech fired his shot in off the post.
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 3pm
Arsenal2Gallas 84, Rosicky 86
Wigan Athletic0
By Chris Harris
Arsenal turned frustration to elation with another late, late show at Emirates Stadium.
Wigan had kept the hosts at arm's length with a stubborn defensive display but, seven minutes from time, William Gallas thundered a header past Mike Pollitt to break the deadlock. Tomas Rosicky fired a second from Nicklas Bendtner's pass to secure three vital points and send Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League following Manchester United's defeat at Bolton.
Poor Wigan. They led with 10 minutes to go at Emirates Stadium last season and lost; this would have hurt almost as much. As for Arsenal, their unbeaten record rolls on - it now stands at 28 in all competitions.
Arsene Wenger had known since the closing stages of the Reading game that Cesc Fabregas would be suspended for this fixture. Injuries to Alex Hleb (hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh) forced him to make a total of three changes from the side which started at the Madejski Stadium.
Denilson and Lassana Diarra, so impressive together in the Carling Cup, were given a chance to shine in the Premier League. Walcott, in blistering form for England Under-21s in midweek, came in for Hleb. Eduardo, one of the architects of England's downfall, had to settle for a place on the bench.
If the last international break seemed a particularly long one, that was probably down to the hoo-hah surrounding England and Steve McClaren. Arsenal beat Reading 12 days ago but it has been three long weeks since they stepped out at the Emirates against Manchester United. It was good to have them back.
Wigan, in theory, were the perfect opponents for an Arsenal side hoping to pick up where they left off before the break. The Latics have lost two managers since the summer and seven games in succession. The appointment of new boss Steve Bruce was only confirmed on Friday afternoon; he watched this game from the stands with Frank Barlow in temporary charge.
Arsenal started promisingly with Denilson, making his first league start, showing some good touches and Walcott playing with confidence. Indeed, the teenager was at the heart of much of Arsenal's best work throughout the half.
With 11 minutes gone Rosicky threaded a great ball through to Walcott in the left-hand channel. The striker sprinted to the byline and his cut-back was heading towards Emmanuel Adebayor when Titus Bramble hacked the ball clear. Five minutes later Diarra fired over from distance after Adebayor's knock-down. Then Walcott picked out Emmanuel Eboue inside the box with a clever return pass but the Ivorian's touch was far too heavy.
Wigan, like so many visiting teams, set out to frustrate Arsenal. Fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation with Denny Landzaat stationed in front of the back four and Marcus Bent ploughing a lone furrow up front, the Latics closed down space and pressed Arsenal hard. And when the chance arose they ventured forward to give the hosts a couple of scares.
One Jason Koumas corner skimmed off the head of the unmarked Paul Scharner and, later in the half, Bent soared above Kolo Toure to power a header just over from Emmerson Boyce's cross. Two let-offs for Arsenal and a stark reminder that they can't afford to switch off at the back.
Having said that, Manuel Almunia did not have a save to make before the break. The same cannot be said of Mike Pollitt, who produced a brilliant stop to deny Adebayor in the 21st minute. The Togo striker spun away from his marker 25 yards out and charged into the box, exchanging passes with the lively Walcott before forcing Pollitt to push his low effort past the post.
That chance lifted the home side and they piled on the pressure. Rosicky swerved a shot wide from just outside the box after a neat one-two with Denilson. Then Andreas Granqvist slid in to clear Eboue's whipped cross with Walcott lurking. Walcott himself curled another effort over the bar after a clever feint left him in space and the teenager followed that up with a burst to the byline and a tempting cut-back which Eboue could not convert. A first half of frustration was complete when Denilson's long-range effort deflected off Granqvist, looped over Pollitt's head and just cleared the crossbar.
Yet again, Arsenal would need to dig deep in the second half against stubborn opponents. But on this occasion they would have to do without the guile of the suspended Fabregas and the injured Hleb. In their absence, Walcott's pace looked the most potent weapon they had.
It took the hosts until the hour mark to really threaten again. Diarra picked the ball up from Almunia's throw and surged into Wigan territory. He exchanged passes with Rosicky and slipped the ball into Adebayor's path. As the Togo striker prepared to pull the trigger, Boyce slid in to dispossess him.
Too often promising build-up play foundered on the rocks of Wigan's defence and, as the minutes ticked by, anxiety grew. Wenger cut a frustrated figure on the edge of his technical area and groans rang out around the ground when Adebayor broke clear down the right but failed to pick out Walcott.
With 22 minutes left Wenger replaced Eboue with Eduardo but it was Adebayor who went close next with a vicious drive from 25 yards. Tempers flared after dangerous challenges on Denilson and Walcott; the latter was stretchered off with 10 minutes remaining but his injury is not as bad as first feared.
The game looked to be up for Arsenal but, with seven minutes remaining, the frustration was lifted. Sagna curled a cross in from the right and Gallas, up from the back, thumped a header past Pollitt. It was another vital intervention from the skipper after his last-gasp equaliser against Manchester United three weeks ago.
The relief was palpable and the points were secured shortly after. Bendtner slid the ball into Rosicky's path and the Czech fired his shot in off the post.
fgl
Well-known member
On Theo's injury...
"Theo looks not bad. The physio told me he has to come off straight away because he was numb, he has been kicked certainly on the nerve. He twisted his ankle, we checked his X-ray now, he looks alright"
On Wigan's resistance...
"We were not really under the threat of conceeding but we needed to find an opening and I must say, for me, Wigan produced that extra ten percent that you get from a team when the new manager is here - to defend and focus on every ball, they played a real cup game defensively. They defended extremely well, I must say. I was surprised how long they did last without giving us an inch, and how tight they could mark for ninety minutes - it was absolutely amazing."
On the first goal...
"It needed something special, and some patience, to find an opening, and Gallas found it. He's a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can turn up with a goal always when you need it. Once again we found the resources in the final fifteen minutes to win the game, and it's not the first time. I don't feel that is a coincidence, that is just a fantastic spirit in the squad."
On going three points clear...
"Well, it's good for us because it strengthens our belief and we need that, that we can compete at the top against teams like Man United, I believe we will but we have a strong December and every point that can be had at the moment it very good for us."
On rumours about the January Transfer Window...
"Pandev? Yes, I know him. No, we're not looking for anybody at the moment."
"Theo looks not bad. The physio told me he has to come off straight away because he was numb, he has been kicked certainly on the nerve. He twisted his ankle, we checked his X-ray now, he looks alright"
On Wigan's resistance...
"We were not really under the threat of conceeding but we needed to find an opening and I must say, for me, Wigan produced that extra ten percent that you get from a team when the new manager is here - to defend and focus on every ball, they played a real cup game defensively. They defended extremely well, I must say. I was surprised how long they did last without giving us an inch, and how tight they could mark for ninety minutes - it was absolutely amazing."
On the first goal...
"It needed something special, and some patience, to find an opening, and Gallas found it. He's a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can turn up with a goal always when you need it. Once again we found the resources in the final fifteen minutes to win the game, and it's not the first time. I don't feel that is a coincidence, that is just a fantastic spirit in the squad."
On going three points clear...
"Well, it's good for us because it strengthens our belief and we need that, that we can compete at the top against teams like Man United, I believe we will but we have a strong December and every point that can be had at the moment it very good for us."
On rumours about the January Transfer Window...
"Pandev? Yes, I know him. No, we're not looking for anybody at the moment."
fiqthefallen
New member
fgl
Well-known member
We are men of peace. We dont like to argue over silly milly things. Did I not mentioned before that I am a loverboy, incase you missed that. We are lovers and not fighters.
wahhhahahaaaaaa ....sure bro...sure....
Fergie in hot soup with F.A!
fgl
Well-known member
Clichy injured, Gallas rested as Wenger rotates for Sevilla
Sevilla v Arsenal
Champions League Group Stage
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Tue, Nov 27, 2007, 7.45pm
By Chris Harris
Arsène Wenger has rotated his squad for the Champions League trip to Sevilla - but one change has been forced on the Arsenal manager.
Gael Clichy will miss the Group H clash after suffering a thigh injury during Saturday's 2-0 win against Wigan. The French left back is expected to be fit to face Aston Villa at the weekend but his place is expected to go to Justin Hoyte or Armand Traore in Spain.
Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas are also omitted from Arsenal's 18-man squad as Wenger takes the opportunity to rest players amid a hectic run of 12 games in just under six weeks.
Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto and Mathieu Flamini have travelled after missing the Wigan game but the latter is still short of full fitness after a thigh injury. However, one player who will start against Sevilla is Nicklas Bendtner.
"We leave out William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor while Gael Clichy is injured," said Wenger. "I would have taken Clichy but he has a thigh problem, however he should recover for the weekend.
"Mathieu Flamini will travel. I wanted to start him but we do not have good indications from training today. We will see tomorrow.
"Nicklas Bendtner will start - I want to give him a chance."
Arsenal squad
1. Jens Lehmann
3. Bacary Sagna
4. Cesc Fabregas
5. Kolo Toure
6. Philippe Senderos
7. Tomas Rosicky
8. Lassana Diarra
9. Eduardo
15. Denilson
16. Mathieu Flamini
17. Alex Song
19. Gilberto
24. Manuel Almunia
26. Nicklas Bendtner
27. Emmanuel Eboue
30. Armand Traore
31. Justin Hoyte
32. Theo Walcott
Sevilla v Arsenal
Champions League Group Stage
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Tue, Nov 27, 2007, 7.45pm
By Chris Harris
Arsène Wenger has rotated his squad for the Champions League trip to Sevilla - but one change has been forced on the Arsenal manager.
Gael Clichy will miss the Group H clash after suffering a thigh injury during Saturday's 2-0 win against Wigan. The French left back is expected to be fit to face Aston Villa at the weekend but his place is expected to go to Justin Hoyte or Armand Traore in Spain.
Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas are also omitted from Arsenal's 18-man squad as Wenger takes the opportunity to rest players amid a hectic run of 12 games in just under six weeks.
Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto and Mathieu Flamini have travelled after missing the Wigan game but the latter is still short of full fitness after a thigh injury. However, one player who will start against Sevilla is Nicklas Bendtner.
"We leave out William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor while Gael Clichy is injured," said Wenger. "I would have taken Clichy but he has a thigh problem, however he should recover for the weekend.
"Mathieu Flamini will travel. I wanted to start him but we do not have good indications from training today. We will see tomorrow.
"Nicklas Bendtner will start - I want to give him a chance."
Arsenal squad
1. Jens Lehmann
3. Bacary Sagna
4. Cesc Fabregas
5. Kolo Toure
6. Philippe Senderos
7. Tomas Rosicky
8. Lassana Diarra
9. Eduardo
15. Denilson
16. Mathieu Flamini
17. Alex Song
19. Gilberto
24. Manuel Almunia
26. Nicklas Bendtner
27. Emmanuel Eboue
30. Armand Traore
31. Justin Hoyte
32. Theo Walcott
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