THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
fgl
Well-known member
anyway it's only goal diffirence seperating the top 2 so if anyone cocks up ... anything can happen.
Dime
New member
This is the period where Man U will leave the pack behind
you make me cry in joy.
fgl
Well-known member
:mrgreen:
fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3pm
Fulham
-
Arsenal
-
By Richard Clarke
If Arsenal do go on to win the Premier League title then history may show it was the games against Fulham that proved pivotal.
Arsène Wenger believes the late comeback on the opening day of the season set the tone for the campaign that has followed.
He takes his side to Craven Cottage on Saturday for the return fixture hoping to re-ignite their title push after they showed perhaps their first signs of battle fatigue in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham last weekend.
That disappointing result knocked Arsenal off top spot for only the second week since mid-September. However even second place seemed giddying height for most of the match on August 12.
Within 52 seconds of the start of the season Arsenal fell behind after David Healy profited from a Jens Lehmann mistake. For the following 82 minutes many were thinking the media’s gloomy pre-season predictions would become a reality.
However Robin van Persie thumped in a penalty seven minutes from time then Alex Hleb trickled home a winner at the death to send Emirates Stadium into delirium.
“That was the most significant game of the season for us because it gave us belief that we have the needed strength,” said Wenger at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “From then it all went on positively.
“That game it showed me that we have the hunger and desire to come back in a game when we are 1-0 down with seven minutes to go. It gave us a big momentum.”
Arsenal have barely looked back. Arguably, the only domestic games they can look back with real disappointment are their solitary defeat at Middlesbrough, the stalemate at Portsmouth and the 1-1 draw with Birmingham last Saturday.
“During the season you will have a game like that one against Birmingham,” Wenger philosophised. “On the day we were not sharp enough and not able to take the maximum. We thought 1-0 was feasible for us maybe a 2-0 would have kept the result. Maybe it was a lack of concentration on set-pieces.
“It does not change my deep belief in our quality, the hunger of the side and our potential to win the Premier League. You can learn from every game and this was a special example for us.”
For the Fulham game, Arsenal have Tomas Rosicky back from sickness. However Robin van Persie (thigh) and Johan Djourou (groin) will be sidelined for a further fortnight. Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are on duty at the African Nations Cup.
Perhaps Fulham also set the tone for their season in that opening-day fixture. Lawrie Sanchez’s side had an unpleasant habit of losing late leads. Even now, under new manager Roy Hodgson, they are fourth in the “Half-time League” with 37 points from 22 games. That is one place and one point behind Arsenal.
However, in the real table, they are second from bottom and facing a battle to avoid the drop. Hodgson is already starting to reshape his side and brought in Marlon King from Watford earlier this week for £5 million.
“I like Marlon King,” admitted Wenger. “When Watford lost him last year that was their downfall. He is a very strong player. He is also very efficient and intelligent.
“For me the problem with Fulham is that they have dropped many points in the final part of the game. I believe they were many times unlucky.
“I feel they will be more organised under Roy Hodgson. He has already bought a centre back and King. They will certainly go a direct way with him up front.
“And remember they are still in a situation where they can stay in the Premier League.”
After last week’s disappointment Arsenal must prove — to themselves as much as anyone — that they still have the quality to win it.
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3pm
Fulham
-
Arsenal
-
By Richard Clarke
If Arsenal do go on to win the Premier League title then history may show it was the games against Fulham that proved pivotal.
Arsène Wenger believes the late comeback on the opening day of the season set the tone for the campaign that has followed.
He takes his side to Craven Cottage on Saturday for the return fixture hoping to re-ignite their title push after they showed perhaps their first signs of battle fatigue in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham last weekend.
That disappointing result knocked Arsenal off top spot for only the second week since mid-September. However even second place seemed giddying height for most of the match on August 12.
Within 52 seconds of the start of the season Arsenal fell behind after David Healy profited from a Jens Lehmann mistake. For the following 82 minutes many were thinking the media’s gloomy pre-season predictions would become a reality.
However Robin van Persie thumped in a penalty seven minutes from time then Alex Hleb trickled home a winner at the death to send Emirates Stadium into delirium.
“That was the most significant game of the season for us because it gave us belief that we have the needed strength,” said Wenger at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “From then it all went on positively.
“That game it showed me that we have the hunger and desire to come back in a game when we are 1-0 down with seven minutes to go. It gave us a big momentum.”
Arsenal have barely looked back. Arguably, the only domestic games they can look back with real disappointment are their solitary defeat at Middlesbrough, the stalemate at Portsmouth and the 1-1 draw with Birmingham last Saturday.
“During the season you will have a game like that one against Birmingham,” Wenger philosophised. “On the day we were not sharp enough and not able to take the maximum. We thought 1-0 was feasible for us maybe a 2-0 would have kept the result. Maybe it was a lack of concentration on set-pieces.
“It does not change my deep belief in our quality, the hunger of the side and our potential to win the Premier League. You can learn from every game and this was a special example for us.”
For the Fulham game, Arsenal have Tomas Rosicky back from sickness. However Robin van Persie (thigh) and Johan Djourou (groin) will be sidelined for a further fortnight. Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are on duty at the African Nations Cup.
Perhaps Fulham also set the tone for their season in that opening-day fixture. Lawrie Sanchez’s side had an unpleasant habit of losing late leads. Even now, under new manager Roy Hodgson, they are fourth in the “Half-time League” with 37 points from 22 games. That is one place and one point behind Arsenal.
However, in the real table, they are second from bottom and facing a battle to avoid the drop. Hodgson is already starting to reshape his side and brought in Marlon King from Watford earlier this week for £5 million.
“I like Marlon King,” admitted Wenger. “When Watford lost him last year that was their downfall. He is a very strong player. He is also very efficient and intelligent.
“For me the problem with Fulham is that they have dropped many points in the final part of the game. I believe they were many times unlucky.
“I feel they will be more organised under Roy Hodgson. He has already bought a centre back and King. They will certainly go a direct way with him up front.
“And remember they are still in a situation where they can stay in the Premier League.”
After last week’s disappointment Arsenal must prove — to themselves as much as anyone — that they still have the quality to win it.
fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3pm
Fulham
0
Arsenal
3
Adebayor 20, 39, Rosicky 82
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League with an excellent 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
Arsène Wenger’s side had slipped to second place last week after a disappointing draw with Birmingham at Emirates Stadium. However there were no slip-ups this afternoon. Emmanuel Adebayor gave the visitors a stranglehold with a pair superb first-half headers — his 14th and 15th goals of the season.
Fulham rallied briefly in the second period but nine minutes from time Tomas Rosicky slid in a fine volley at the far post.
The scoreline did not flatter Arsenal however this was more of a measured than memorable performance.
For much of the afternoon it appeared this could be a significant day in the title race. In the end Manchester United and Chelsea both got late winners. But, after the sluggishness of last week, this was Arsenal at their efficient best.
All they could do was win themselves and they did that with something to spare.
Wenger made just one change from the side held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City last Saturday. Rosicky had fallen ill on the morning of that game, his replacement that day, Theo Walcott, made way this afternoon.
It meant the Arsenal manager named the strongest line-up he had available. It was no surprise because, for only the second week since mid-September, Arsenal were playing catch-up in the table.
Fulham had been showing signs of regeneration under Roy Hodgson. However they came into this game with only struggling Derby below them in the table. Neither of their two new signings — Marlon King and Brede Hangeland - were eligible today.
The opening was typical of a London derby. But the pace was so fast that perhaps it affected the quality.
Fulham gave as good as they got in the opening quarter. Danny Murphy’s clever ball sent Seol Ki-Hyeon clear for a split-second but there was danger at the other end when Adebayor’s clipped cross into the area nearly found the head of Eduardo.
However gradually Arsenal started to put their passing together. One flowing move in the 16th minute ended with Fabregas blazing wide. The final execution was poor but the build-up had been encouraging. So it was no a huge surprise to see Arsenal take the lead three minutes later.
Rosicky sent Clichy scuttling to the byline and his high, hanging cross was nodded home powerfully by the leaping Adebayor on the edge of the six-yard box. It was the Togolese striker’s 14th of the season.
The goal tipped the game in Arsenal’s favour. Suddenly Fulham looked inhibited and Arsenal looked imperious. Still, chances were at a premium and the visitors came closest to extending their lead when Adebayor sidefooted wide in the 27th minute.
The 24-year-old was proving simply too big, too strong and too mobile for the home side. His second goal followed seven minutes from the break. Hleb’s inviting cross saw Adebayor breeze in and guide a similar header into the same corner of the net.
Again it was a goal conceded far too easily by Fulham but the real driver behind the strike had been Arsenal’s willingness to fight to regain a lost ball on the right flank.
With a two-goal advantage, the visitors were now prepared to hit cruise-control. The vociferous travelling support even start some early olès. However Fulham finally produced a decent shot across their bows three minutes from the whistle when Simon Davies reached the byline and cut the ball back for Murphy to sidefoot over.
Hodgson attempted to put further impetus into his side at the break by hauling Jimmy Bullard off the bench. The popular midfielder, who is yet to start a game since his horrific knee injury, came on to a huge reception.
However it did nothing to change the tide. Within four minutes of the restart Bacary Sagna nearly touched home a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas. Then Eduardo beat two defenders with some sublime skill on the left-hand byline. Rosicky met his low cross to the near post but his snapshot hit the outside of the post.
Arsenal were unsettled somewhat soon afterwards when Senderos needed treatment after getting a bash on the nose from Clint Dempsey.
Their concentration drifted a little bit and that loosened their grip on the game. Fulham fired another warning midway through the half when Dempsey nodded in at the far post. However the assistant referee had long-since flagged for offside.
Later Antti Niemi also required lengthy treatment after Adebayor caught him in the face following through.
Twelve minutes from time, Fabregas nearly prodded a third goal in the corner but Bullard responded by curling a free-kick well over the bar.
To be honest the visitors had started the game sprinting but, as the minutes ticked away, Arsenal seemed happy to coast over the line.
That said, they did conjure up a lovely third goal nine minutes from the end when Eduardo worked himself into space on the left byline and the flying Rosicky fired in a low volley at the far post.
ARE YOU WATCHING MAN U?????
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3pm
Fulham
0
Arsenal
3
Adebayor 20, 39, Rosicky 82
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League with an excellent 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
Arsène Wenger’s side had slipped to second place last week after a disappointing draw with Birmingham at Emirates Stadium. However there were no slip-ups this afternoon. Emmanuel Adebayor gave the visitors a stranglehold with a pair superb first-half headers — his 14th and 15th goals of the season.
Fulham rallied briefly in the second period but nine minutes from time Tomas Rosicky slid in a fine volley at the far post.
The scoreline did not flatter Arsenal however this was more of a measured than memorable performance.
For much of the afternoon it appeared this could be a significant day in the title race. In the end Manchester United and Chelsea both got late winners. But, after the sluggishness of last week, this was Arsenal at their efficient best.
All they could do was win themselves and they did that with something to spare.
Wenger made just one change from the side held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City last Saturday. Rosicky had fallen ill on the morning of that game, his replacement that day, Theo Walcott, made way this afternoon.
It meant the Arsenal manager named the strongest line-up he had available. It was no surprise because, for only the second week since mid-September, Arsenal were playing catch-up in the table.
Fulham had been showing signs of regeneration under Roy Hodgson. However they came into this game with only struggling Derby below them in the table. Neither of their two new signings — Marlon King and Brede Hangeland - were eligible today.
The opening was typical of a London derby. But the pace was so fast that perhaps it affected the quality.
Fulham gave as good as they got in the opening quarter. Danny Murphy’s clever ball sent Seol Ki-Hyeon clear for a split-second but there was danger at the other end when Adebayor’s clipped cross into the area nearly found the head of Eduardo.
However gradually Arsenal started to put their passing together. One flowing move in the 16th minute ended with Fabregas blazing wide. The final execution was poor but the build-up had been encouraging. So it was no a huge surprise to see Arsenal take the lead three minutes later.
Rosicky sent Clichy scuttling to the byline and his high, hanging cross was nodded home powerfully by the leaping Adebayor on the edge of the six-yard box. It was the Togolese striker’s 14th of the season.
The goal tipped the game in Arsenal’s favour. Suddenly Fulham looked inhibited and Arsenal looked imperious. Still, chances were at a premium and the visitors came closest to extending their lead when Adebayor sidefooted wide in the 27th minute.
The 24-year-old was proving simply too big, too strong and too mobile for the home side. His second goal followed seven minutes from the break. Hleb’s inviting cross saw Adebayor breeze in and guide a similar header into the same corner of the net.
Again it was a goal conceded far too easily by Fulham but the real driver behind the strike had been Arsenal’s willingness to fight to regain a lost ball on the right flank.
With a two-goal advantage, the visitors were now prepared to hit cruise-control. The vociferous travelling support even start some early olès. However Fulham finally produced a decent shot across their bows three minutes from the whistle when Simon Davies reached the byline and cut the ball back for Murphy to sidefoot over.
Hodgson attempted to put further impetus into his side at the break by hauling Jimmy Bullard off the bench. The popular midfielder, who is yet to start a game since his horrific knee injury, came on to a huge reception.
However it did nothing to change the tide. Within four minutes of the restart Bacary Sagna nearly touched home a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas. Then Eduardo beat two defenders with some sublime skill on the left-hand byline. Rosicky met his low cross to the near post but his snapshot hit the outside of the post.
Arsenal were unsettled somewhat soon afterwards when Senderos needed treatment after getting a bash on the nose from Clint Dempsey.
Their concentration drifted a little bit and that loosened their grip on the game. Fulham fired another warning midway through the half when Dempsey nodded in at the far post. However the assistant referee had long-since flagged for offside.
Later Antti Niemi also required lengthy treatment after Adebayor caught him in the face following through.
Twelve minutes from time, Fabregas nearly prodded a third goal in the corner but Bullard responded by curling a free-kick well over the bar.
To be honest the visitors had started the game sprinting but, as the minutes ticked away, Arsenal seemed happy to coast over the line.
That said, they did conjure up a lovely third goal nine minutes from the end when Eduardo worked himself into space on the left byline and the flying Rosicky fired in a low volley at the far post.
ARE YOU WATCHING MAN U?????
fuzztremecho
New member
yeah bro i'm watching
kudos to you..great game
kudos to you..great game
fgl
Well-known member
heheh ...morning .....
sunday morning, up with the lark.... we take take 3 points, from fratton park,
hey hey hey... its a beautiful day .....
cheng cheng, cheng cheng...cheng...krannnggg :mrgreen:
fgl
Well-known member
wenger's view
Arsene Wenger
'We have a variety that allows us to deal with any resistance'
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Sat, Jan 19, 2008, 3pm
On the performance...
"We were in control of the game for 90 minutes. We gave a strong performance and scored an early goal. Defensively we did not give chances away so overall I am pleased at the way we responded to the disappointment last week. That shows that the team want to do it and they can come back in a big way."
On the challenge at Fulham...
"It was a derby. The first goal was important today. Fulham played with a congested midfield, it was important for us to break through and we did it on the flanks. We scored three goals through crosses and that is quite unusual for us. We have a variety in our game that allows us to deal with any resistance we get."
On having Adebayor in the side...
"Somewhere the fact that Togo did not qualify for the African Nations Cup helps us because we can now have Adebayor. But I still feel we have players who are coming on well now - Bendtner and Eduardo and Walcott. Even if Adebayor had gone then I am not sure I would have been on the market."
On picking him up after Togo did not make it to Ghana...
"Yes but he is a mentally strong-willed guy anyway. You could see that in his game today. He has personality and he is focussed on what he has to do here at Arsenal. It is first year where he is the main striker and he want to show how good he is.
"He loves to play. Sometimes he loves to play so much that he is not where he needs to be on the crosses. He likes to touch the ball and that drags him out from where he can be lethal. Today he was focussed more to be central. That is where he is more dangerous. He has an unbelievable jump and his timing on crosses was right today. He hangs in the air and today he proved you don't have to head it very hard to score."
On moving Eduardo wide and Hleb up front in the second half...
"The main reason was we were 2-0 in front. We had some room on the flanks to get some cross in and Hleb could find the players on the flanks."
On Gael Clichy's contribution to the first goal...
"Clichy's crossing has improved tremendously. He is much better than he was one year ago. Much cleaner technically."
On keeping his subs on the bench...
"I thought that we were 2-0 up and looked in control. If Fulham had scored I would have changed. But the players who did play today will play on Tuesday so they had a good breather today."
'We have a variety that allows us to deal with any resistance'
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Sat, Jan 19, 2008, 3pm
On the performance...
"We were in control of the game for 90 minutes. We gave a strong performance and scored an early goal. Defensively we did not give chances away so overall I am pleased at the way we responded to the disappointment last week. That shows that the team want to do it and they can come back in a big way."
On the challenge at Fulham...
"It was a derby. The first goal was important today. Fulham played with a congested midfield, it was important for us to break through and we did it on the flanks. We scored three goals through crosses and that is quite unusual for us. We have a variety in our game that allows us to deal with any resistance we get."
On having Adebayor in the side...
"Somewhere the fact that Togo did not qualify for the African Nations Cup helps us because we can now have Adebayor. But I still feel we have players who are coming on well now - Bendtner and Eduardo and Walcott. Even if Adebayor had gone then I am not sure I would have been on the market."
On picking him up after Togo did not make it to Ghana...
"Yes but he is a mentally strong-willed guy anyway. You could see that in his game today. He has personality and he is focussed on what he has to do here at Arsenal. It is first year where he is the main striker and he want to show how good he is.
"He loves to play. Sometimes he loves to play so much that he is not where he needs to be on the crosses. He likes to touch the ball and that drags him out from where he can be lethal. Today he was focussed more to be central. That is where he is more dangerous. He has an unbelievable jump and his timing on crosses was right today. He hangs in the air and today he proved you don't have to head it very hard to score."
On moving Eduardo wide and Hleb up front in the second half...
"The main reason was we were 2-0 in front. We had some room on the flanks to get some cross in and Hleb could find the players on the flanks."
On Gael Clichy's contribution to the first goal...
"Clichy's crossing has improved tremendously. He is much better than he was one year ago. Much cleaner technically."
On keeping his subs on the bench...
"I thought that we were 2-0 up and looked in control. If Fulham had scored I would have changed. But the players who did play today will play on Tuesday so they had a good breather today."
fgl
Well-known member
Wenger - Diarra 'panicked a little bit' at Arsenal
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Sat, Jan 19, 2008, 3pm
By Matt Fortune
Arsène Wenger believes Lassana Diarra's move to Portmsouth was prompted by a bit of "panic"
With the European Championships on the horizon, a perceived lack of games led to the midfielder seeking pastures new. It was a problem the 22-year-old had encountered before.
"I believe he was impatient especially because he had known a situation like that before at Chelsea," said Wenger. "When he had exactly the same problem again, he panicked a little bit."
Having battled for the Frenchman's signature just a few months ago, Wenger expressed regret at the departure. However with an abundance of talent in the middle, the boss has no doubt the gap can be filled.
"I regret that he has gone and I wish him well," said Wenger. "I believe he has enough quality to play at the top level, that means for a big club.
"He was impatient and I decided to open the door because I have players in that position."
"But you always regret to lose a very good player."
fgl
Well-known member
Tottenham H. v Arsenal
Carling Cup S/F Leg 2
White Hart Lane
Tue, Jan 22, 2008, 8pm
By Richard Clarke
Injuries have forced Arsène Wenger to call on William Gallas for the Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg at Tottenham on Tuesday night.
Arsenal are without four centre backs for the short trip across North London. Kolo Toure and Alex Song are on duty at the African Nations Cup while Johan Djourou picked up a groin injury during the first leg at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago.
The quartet is completed by Philippe Senderos who suffered a nasty blow to the nose during Saturday’s 3-0 win at Fulham. Even though Wenger has brought back his captain for a tie delicately poised at 1-1, Gallas’ partner will still be a makeshift centre back. Justin Hoyte and Gilberto are the players most likely to step in. Otherwise the manager will employ the usual squad members supplemented with a few more first-team players.
“We lost Philippe Senderos at Fulham and the injuries before that game are the same,” said Wenger on Monday afternoon.
“I will rotate the squad which means those that didn’t play on Saturday will play at Tottenham and after that I will complete it with first-team players. I will use William Gallas because I have no choice but Fabianski will play, Hoyte will play and the players that didn’t play against Fulham will all play. Walcott will feature as well.”
fuzztremecho
New member
hey bro
you must see who jaga this thread..
must respect the man when we enter his area
you must see who jaga this thread..
must respect the man when we enter his area
fgl
Well-known member
well what u expect from a team thats been in ARSENAL'S shadows FOR so long... FINALLY they qualified for a mickey mouse final by beating a vastly half strength AFC with their first team.
The scum will LOSE to either Everton or Chelski REGARDLESS in the final!
ARSENAL STILL ON FOR THE TREBLE!
The scum will LOSE to either Everton or Chelski REGARDLESS in the final!
ARSENAL STILL ON FOR THE TREBLE!
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