THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
fgl
Well-known member
onz lah bro ... I figure I will finish the gig say 11pm (hopefully earlier) or so .... chope a good table.. K? .. prefarably near the front of the giant screen where the hardcore gooners are .... :mrgreen:
fgl
Well-known member
Arsenal
Portsmouth
official
- Referee
Steve Bennett
By Chris Harris
Everton away, Celtic away, Portsmouth home, Celtic home, Manchester United away, Manchester City away.
Arsenal’s opening six fixtures to a season have rarely - if ever - looked tougher. But hang on - at least Pompey is a home banker. Right?
Wrong. Arsène Wenger likes what he has seen from his team in the past week but he knows that the struggling south-coast club represent a potential pitfall.
Burnley’s shock midweek win over Manchester United was a reminder that the old cliché of ‘no easy games’ holds as true as ever in the Premier League. And last season’s home defeat against Hull City is fresh enough in the memory to ensure no complacency creeps into Arsenal’s performance this weekend.
Wenger’s number-crunching during the summer produced a number of telling stats but none more striking than Man United’s imperious home form. The champions dropped just seven points at Old Trafford all season and Arsenal will need to enjoy similar home comforts if they want to sustain a title challenge this time around. Rule No 1 is simple: don’t slip up against the so-called minnows.
“Last year if you look well we got a big blow against Hull at home because if we won that game we would have been top of the league,” recalled Wenger.
“On that day we didn’t do it and we never came back to the top of the league the whole season. We lost ground.
“I believe if you look at last season Arsenal and Liverpool on that front were a bit similar – too many draws at home. And too many draws at home loses you the championship.
“But I feel we have started well and we have shown some potential. I have seen in my team some ingredients that I like – a good team ethic, good quality of play. We have not played at home yet but considering we have started at Everton and Celtic we are happy of course to have two wins.”
Portsmouth are not exactly in freefall – they lost by the narrowest of margins against Fulham and Birmingham – but uncertainly reigns at Fratton Park.
The club’s ownership issues remain unresolved and a fire sale of players has left manager Paul Hart with few resources and, according to many observers, little chance of keeping Portsmouth out of the relegation zone.
Lassana Diarra, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch used to be the bedrock of the Pompey side but they now play as far afield as Madrid, Liverpool and North London.
Wenger sympathises with Hart but he insists that Pompey are not without hope.
“It is very difficult to lose your best players because you cannot offer them good contracts, that’s very difficult for a manager,” he said.
“I believe the first quality of a manager is to have good players. It is not enough but without that it’s an impossible task. It’s a needed condition for a good manager to work.
“When you lose your best players you lose a part of you as well. But I believe the club looks to have some problems more than the team. I saw their game at Birmingham and they had some good chances and played with spirit. I do not expect any weakness.”
Arsenal have half-a-dozen players sidelined for Saturday – Carlos Vela (ankle), Theo Walcott (back), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Samir Nasri (broken leg), Johan Djourou (knee) and Lukasz Fabianski (knee). But Eduardo could start after shrugging off the groin problem that forced his late withdrawal from the midweek win at Celtic.
Wenger can afford to shuffle his pack with a big squad at his disposal and a big week ahead - Celtic and Man United lie in wait after the weekend. But for now the Frenchman is looking no further than Saturday.
“We play at home and we know to be ambitious our home form will be vital. In our first home game of course we want to dictate the game the same way we did away from home,” he said.
Sixty-thousand fans at Emirates Stadium will expect nothing less.
Last edited:
fgl
Well-known member
Wenger: I might still sign defensive player
Arsène Wenger has not drawn a line under his transfer dealings yet, but he has revealed that most managers are currently looking for the same type of player.
Since the transfer window swung open on June 1, Arsenal have signed Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax and sold Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City.
At Friday's press conference, Wenger admitted that there might be more movement on the transfer front, especially on the defensive side. However, if there are no new faces in his squad on September 1, the manager will not be concerned.
"I was always happy with my squad, that's a quality I have. Don't forget the players we have out - we have quite a big squad.
"At the moment Abou Diaby hasn't played until the other night, we have Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Samir Nasri - there are plenty of offensive players who are still not there.
"Carlos Vela is still injured and not playing so we have plenty of possibilities; offensively I don't think we need to strengthen the squad.
"Defensively, number-wise, maybe we could still do with one."
But it seems as though Wenger is not the only manager in this particular boat.
When asked exactly which position he wanted to strengthen Wenger said: "I must confess one thing.
"I've spoken to 10 managers and all 10 are looking for centre-backs or defensive midfielders.
"It looks like the offensive players are the most-paid but at the end of the day, in the modern day, all the managers I speak to ask me the same thing.
"‘Do you know a player somewhere?'
fgl
Well-known member
SPOTLIGHT ON ARSENE WENGER
Arsène Wenger
- Select Coaching Staff - Pat Rice Boro Primorac Neil Banfield Gerry Peyton Tony Colbert Colin Lewin Gary O'Driscoll David Wales Neal Reynolds John Kelly Vic Akers Paul Akers Paul Johnson
Arsène Wenger profile
No Arsenal manager has presided over more matches than Arsène, and nor has any enjoyed the same amount of success.
Three League titles, four FA Cups and four Charity/Community Shields have been amassed in his 11 years at the helm, including League and Cup ‘doubles’ in 1998 and 2002.
He is the only Gunners manager to have won the FA Cup more than once and the only manager to take the Club to a Champions League Final, while he was also the first manager in English league history to complete an entire 38-game season unbeaten in 2003/04.
Renowned as a cerebral, studious coach with a rare ability to spot and develop players from around the world, Arsène has had vital input into all areas affecting the first team — from the squad’s diet and training methods to the design of the first-team dressing room at Emirates Stadium.
His calm and measured demeanour is reflected by the style of his teams, which he sends out to play attacking and attractive football.
Arsène holds an economics degree from Strasbourg University and has also been awarded an honorary DSc by the University of Herfordshire. In 2002 he received France’s highest civil honour, the Legion d’Honneur, and was presented with an honorary OBE a year later. He was awarded the Freedom of Islington in 2004 and is fluent in five languages.
On September 7, 2007, Arsène signed a three year extension to his current contract, taking his tenure at the Club to June 2011.
Arsène Wenger
- Select Coaching Staff - Pat Rice Boro Primorac Neil Banfield Gerry Peyton Tony Colbert Colin Lewin Gary O'Driscoll David Wales Neal Reynolds John Kelly Vic Akers Paul Akers Paul Johnson
Arsène Wenger profile
- Name
Arsène Wenger - Position
Manager - Born
October 22nd, 1949, Strasbourg, France - Previous clubs as player
Mutzig, Mulhouse, Strasbourg - Clubs as manager/coach
Strasbourg (youth), Cannes (assistant), Nancy, AS Monaco, Grampus Eight Nagoya - Joined Arsenal
28 September 1996 - First match as manager
Blackburn Rovers (a), Premier League, October 12, 1996, Won 2-0 - Honours (Monaco):
French League championship 1988, French Cup winners 1991, French 'Manager of the Year' 1988 - Honours (Grampus Eight):
Japan's 'Manager of the Year' 1995, Emperor's Cup winner 1996, Japanese Super Cup winner 1996 - Honours (Arsenal):
League championship 1998, 2002, 2004, FA Cup winners 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, Voted 'Manager of the Year' 1998, 2002, 2004
No Arsenal manager has presided over more matches than Arsène, and nor has any enjoyed the same amount of success.
Three League titles, four FA Cups and four Charity/Community Shields have been amassed in his 11 years at the helm, including League and Cup ‘doubles’ in 1998 and 2002.
He is the only Gunners manager to have won the FA Cup more than once and the only manager to take the Club to a Champions League Final, while he was also the first manager in English league history to complete an entire 38-game season unbeaten in 2003/04.
Renowned as a cerebral, studious coach with a rare ability to spot and develop players from around the world, Arsène has had vital input into all areas affecting the first team — from the squad’s diet and training methods to the design of the first-team dressing room at Emirates Stadium.
His calm and measured demeanour is reflected by the style of his teams, which he sends out to play attacking and attractive football.
Arsène holds an economics degree from Strasbourg University and has also been awarded an honorary DSc by the University of Herfordshire. In 2002 he received France’s highest civil honour, the Legion d’Honneur, and was presented with an honorary OBE a year later. He was awarded the Freedom of Islington in 2004 and is fluent in five languages.
On September 7, 2007, Arsène signed a three year extension to his current contract, taking his tenure at the Club to June 2011.
fgl
Well-known member
4
Arsenal
1
Portsmouth
Diaby 18, 22,
- Gallas 51,
- Ramsey 69
- Kaboul 37
Arsenal
Abou Diaby struck twice as Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with an emphatic 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Frenchman sidefooted in after 18 minutes and swept home another soon afterwards as Arsène Wenger’s side produced some sublime football in the first half.
They were pegged back by a header from Younes Kaboul just before the interval but a freak goal from William Gallas, his third in three games this term, and fourth from substitute Aaron Ramsey completed a satisfying afternoon for Arsène Wenger.
On paper this was the ‘gimme’ of Arsenal's teak-tough start to the 2009-10 campaign and, in fairness, the home side were always in control. But had they been off-par then an energetic, dogged Portsmouth outfit may have pushed them all the way.
However it never came to that; this was Diaby’s and Arsenal’s day. They completed the task with diligence and bought their goal tally to 12 goals in three games.
If they can see off Celtic on Wednesday in similar fashion then Wenger’s men can look forward to greater challenges ahead this season with real confidence.
The main news before kick-off was all about Eduardo. The Croatian had featured in four games last season and cameoed at Everton last weekend but this was his first Premier League start since that fateful day at Birmingham on February 23, 2008. The 26-year-old took up a role on the left side of the front three. Robin van Persie replaced Nicklas Bendtner at the pinnacle and Andrey Arshavin was on the right.
There were three further changes from the midweek win at Celtic. Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Diaby came in for Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Alex Song respectively.
As usual, Portsmouth were backed by their boisterous, bell-ringing supporters. However their Club were perceived to be tethered by takeover talks and in real danger of relegation. Their early season performances had not really backed up that notion but they could surely do without facing a rampant Arsenal this afternoon. But then who could?
Eight goals and two stirring wins were celebrated with 60,000 twirling scarves before kick-off. The Club had arranged for one to be left on every seat and the supporters waved them with gusto as their side came out. The home team soon adjusted their play to the party atmosphere.
In the opening seconds, Diaby found a fraction of space on the right only to dally and allow the recovering Nadir Belhadj to deflect the ball over the bar.
It was the sign of things to come in the first 15 minutes – incessant Arsenal pressure but without real focus. Arshavin rolled a shot wide in the ninth minute and the home side forced a flurry of corners but David James should have been called into greater action before Arsenal took the lead in the 18th minute.
Eduardo collected the ball on the left, nudged it one side of Marc Wilson then cheekily raced around the other side to collect near the byline. The striker steadied himself before rolling a pass into the path of the onrushing Diaby, who sidefooted a powerful shot into the roof of the net. It was inventive, incisive Arsenal at their best.
And there was more to come. Within a couple of minutes it was 2-0 thanks to a classic counter-attack. Portsmouth had a free-kick that was headed clear by Diaby. He then roared forward as Arsenal broke and, by the time Fabregas had clipped a pass to Eboue on the right who squared the ball into the area, the Frenchman was on the penalty spot and able to sweep home a second.
Simple but brilliant football.
Arsenal were now threatening goals with every attack. A combination of Denilson and Fabregas somehow missed a low Fabregas cross in the following minutes. After that Arshavin nearly wriggled through, Van Persie produced an airshot when well-placed and Diaby tried his luck from distance.
On the half-hour, Kanu set up John Utaka at the near post but his shot was blocked by Eboue. However Arsenal were looking irresistible this afternoon and Van Persie replied with a deft control outside the area followed by a cute, curling shot that required all of James’ massive frame to tip the ball away.
The England keeper was similarly stretched in the 36th minute when Van Persie’s free-kick deflected off the wall and seemed destined for the top corner.
It was not exactly one-way traffic. Portsmouth were attacking with intent, but Arsenal seemed full of goals this afternoon. So Portsmouth’s strike, while not exactly a bolt from the blue, was entirely against the run of play.
The home side failed to clear a corner and Belhadj floated a cross to the far post where Kaboul bundled a header home. It was an old-fashioned goal and referee Steve Bennett allowed old-fashioned contact with Manuel Almunia in letting it stand.
The strike was a blow but Arsenal still had a strut about them. Van Persie shimmied himself free in the area two minutes from the whistle only to see his shot saved by the feet of James.
Fabregas felt his hamstring tighten at half-time and was replaced by Ramsey.
There was nearly a more significant change in the scoreline immediately after the restart. First Utaka went one-on-one with Gallas at the back and then went tumbling. If referee Bennett had ruled a foul against the Arsenal man then he was off. Fortunately he did not.
Seconds later Frederic Piquionne pounced on Gibbs’ indecision only to fire into the sidenetting. A decent chance.
They would be made to pay in bizarre circumstances as Arsenal extended their lead in the 51st minute.
Arshavin played over the free-kick, Van Persie flicked on, Vermaelen slid in at the far post but could only find Gallas, who kicked the ball into his own face and into the net.
The French centre back has scored in each of the opening three games but the last two have been laced with good fortune.
Arsenal were now searching for a goal to set the points in concrete. Eduardo shot straight at James while Van Persie had numerous chances to grab a fourth. However Portsmouth were refusing to lie down and only the timely intervention from Gibbs prevented Piquionne reducing the arrears midway through the half.
In the 69th minute, Arsenal did find their fourth when Van Persie split the Portsmouth defence and Ramsey raced through to slot home.
Wenger felt safe enough to substitute Arshavin and Eduardo for Bendtner and Fran Merida. Though just after making the changes Diaby picked up a knock that left the Arsenal midfielder ‘walking wounded’ for the next 10 minutes. Portsmouth were barely any better off with James having to be replaced by rookie Asmir Begovic.
To his credit, Piquionne had not given up. In the closing stages he shot straight at Almunia and then set up Utaka to sidefoot wide.
But the points belonged to Arsenal.
legio_morituri
New member
extremers
New member
4-0 to the arsenal. At least
a 2-0 win would be sufficient for the boys. i don't want them to overwork since we've got a big four match on old trafford this coming sunday.
anyhoots, Sylvinho joins Arsenal's home for the has-beens, Man Shitty.
fgl
Well-known member
yah - dammmmmm we need him big time v man u
FABREGAS (SUNG TO THE TUNE OF VOLARE')
FAREGAS ... WOAH OH
FABREGAS..WOOOOOOOOOOAH
HE GOES IN F****** HARD
HE"S BETTER THAN GERRARD
FAREGAS ... WOAH OH
FABREGAS..WOOOOOOOOOOAH
