THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
loldude333
New member
I think the Stamford Bridge game was total crap. Liverpool shoulda won it but the old problem of finishing, finishing and finishing came up again. Kuyt works like mad but he can't shoot well, Crouch is excellent with flicks and good in the air but he needs to work on his finish. Babel can and will shoot but his shots sometimes lack direction. It goes to show exactly what Liverpool need to work on to improve their game. If their finishing improves, then the EPL title is a reality. Look at Arsenal last season. Too obsessed with scoring a beautiful goal, fluffed their finishes. But now?
Bottom line: Benitez needs another natural finisher like Torres or Voronin ( yes, him ). It could come in the form of Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. Other examples wld be Nicolas Anelka frm Chelski and Eduardo frm AFC. But can Liverpool lure him? Only time will tell. Oh, and the sale of Kuyt wld help bolster finances, i see no reason to keep him around.
Bottom line: Benitez needs another natural finisher like Torres or Voronin ( yes, him ). It could come in the form of Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. Other examples wld be Nicolas Anelka frm Chelski and Eduardo frm AFC. But can Liverpool lure him? Only time will tell. Oh, and the sale of Kuyt wld help bolster finances, i see no reason to keep him around.
fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Monday, February 11, 2008, 8pm
Arsenal
2
Senderos 4, Adebayor 90
Blackburn Rovers
0
By Richard Clarke
"We are where we want to be after 25 games," said Arsène Wenger, "and we are now going into the final sprint.
"We have made a little difference last week by getting back to the top, but it is not significant enough to say we will be in front at the end of the season."
Those were the Arsenal manager's words BEFORE this weekend's matches. Were he speaking directly ahead of tonight's game against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium then even the normally-reserved Frenchman may allow himself to a be little more bold.
No-one is suggesting Manchester United's derby defeat and Chelsea's draw with Liverpool have anywhere near decided the title but they could allow Arsenal to insert a little daylight between themselves and the chasing pair.
A win this evening would give Wenger's side a five-point lead on Sir Alex Ferguson's men and an eight-point advantage on third-place Chelsea with 12 matches left. Of course Arsenal must travel to both of those opponents but you sense a home victory might alter the psychology of the title race a little.
A common perception has been that, in the long haul, the emerging Emirates Stadium side would falter leaving them open to be gradually overwhelmed and overhauled by either Manchester United or Chelsea - or both.
However an eight-point gap over Avram Grant's side - and, to an extent, the margin over the Old Trafford outfit - would lead to the pressure of 'it's theirs to lose' to be applied. In short, Arsenal might have gone from young pretenders to title favourites in a single weekend.
Still that is only the perception. Wenger's reality is very different. And, ahead of the game, he was concentrating on the very psychological qualities they will draw on tonight.
"I am confident this team has mental strength and desire," he said. "They are good ingredients to go on and continue to play well.
"My target is to get the best out of this team, that is where you see your job.
"We have to do that until the end of the season, and then we can let people judge how good we are or not.
"But I feel we are more mature now. We made a small difference last week. Now we want to capitalise on that, focus after the international break and step up from what we did at Manchester City.
"The team as a whole has a personality and a mental toughness since the beginning of the season. We've been confronted with major problems and have shown resilience on every occasion."
Blackburn could be another 'major problem' this evening. Mark Hughes' men will have been eyeing another Uefa Cup spot after their early season form - when they were the only club to deprive Wenger's side of victory in their opening 15 games.
Although they are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games, in that time they have been dumped out of the FA Cup by Coventry and three straight draws have seen then drop to ninth in the table.
But, on top of David Bentley, Blackburn still have the player Wenger describes as the 'buy of the summer' - Roque Santa Cruz.
"He is that," said the Frenchman. "The only problem Roque Santa Cruz had at Bayern was a lot of injuries. Without that I was always convinced he would be a big hit."
Arsenal have their own injury problems of course. At Friday's press conference, Wenger announced that 11 players could be out because of injury or international duty. As a result he was set to call Kolo Toure over the weekend to try and get him from the Africa Cup of Nations. The other players out or doubtful are: Emmanuel Eboue, Alex Song (both international duty), Johan Djourou (groin), Robin van Persie (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Philippe Senderos (knee), Mathieu Flamini (hamstring), Manuel Almunia (sick), Denilson (hamstring) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring).
It could be a crucial night at Emirates Stadium
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Monday, February 11, 2008, 8pm
Arsenal
2
Senderos 4, Adebayor 90
Blackburn Rovers
0
By Richard Clarke
"We are where we want to be after 25 games," said Arsène Wenger, "and we are now going into the final sprint.
"We have made a little difference last week by getting back to the top, but it is not significant enough to say we will be in front at the end of the season."
Those were the Arsenal manager's words BEFORE this weekend's matches. Were he speaking directly ahead of tonight's game against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium then even the normally-reserved Frenchman may allow himself to a be little more bold.
No-one is suggesting Manchester United's derby defeat and Chelsea's draw with Liverpool have anywhere near decided the title but they could allow Arsenal to insert a little daylight between themselves and the chasing pair.
A win this evening would give Wenger's side a five-point lead on Sir Alex Ferguson's men and an eight-point advantage on third-place Chelsea with 12 matches left. Of course Arsenal must travel to both of those opponents but you sense a home victory might alter the psychology of the title race a little.
A common perception has been that, in the long haul, the emerging Emirates Stadium side would falter leaving them open to be gradually overwhelmed and overhauled by either Manchester United or Chelsea - or both.
However an eight-point gap over Avram Grant's side - and, to an extent, the margin over the Old Trafford outfit - would lead to the pressure of 'it's theirs to lose' to be applied. In short, Arsenal might have gone from young pretenders to title favourites in a single weekend.
Still that is only the perception. Wenger's reality is very different. And, ahead of the game, he was concentrating on the very psychological qualities they will draw on tonight.
"I am confident this team has mental strength and desire," he said. "They are good ingredients to go on and continue to play well.
"My target is to get the best out of this team, that is where you see your job.
"We have to do that until the end of the season, and then we can let people judge how good we are or not.
"But I feel we are more mature now. We made a small difference last week. Now we want to capitalise on that, focus after the international break and step up from what we did at Manchester City.
"The team as a whole has a personality and a mental toughness since the beginning of the season. We've been confronted with major problems and have shown resilience on every occasion."
Blackburn could be another 'major problem' this evening. Mark Hughes' men will have been eyeing another Uefa Cup spot after their early season form - when they were the only club to deprive Wenger's side of victory in their opening 15 games.
Although they are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games, in that time they have been dumped out of the FA Cup by Coventry and three straight draws have seen then drop to ninth in the table.
But, on top of David Bentley, Blackburn still have the player Wenger describes as the 'buy of the summer' - Roque Santa Cruz.
"He is that," said the Frenchman. "The only problem Roque Santa Cruz had at Bayern was a lot of injuries. Without that I was always convinced he would be a big hit."
Arsenal have their own injury problems of course. At Friday's press conference, Wenger announced that 11 players could be out because of injury or international duty. As a result he was set to call Kolo Toure over the weekend to try and get him from the Africa Cup of Nations. The other players out or doubtful are: Emmanuel Eboue, Alex Song (both international duty), Johan Djourou (groin), Robin van Persie (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Philippe Senderos (knee), Mathieu Flamini (hamstring), Manuel Almunia (sick), Denilson (hamstring) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring).
It could be a crucial night at Emirates Stadium
Last edited:
GrimRiffer
New member
It's gonna be Arsenal's year. It is the curse of the Charity Shield!!
fgl
Well-known member
fgl
Well-known member
LONDON (AFP) - - Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League as goals from Philippe Senderos and Emmanuel Adebayor secured a 2-0 win over Blackburn on Monday.
[SIZE=-2]ADVERTISEMENT[/SIZE]
Arsene Wenger's side took full advantage of Manchester United's defeat on Sunday to open up a substantial advantage over the reigning champions.
If the Gunners go on to take United's crown this could prove to be a defining weekend in the race for the title.
After a brief wobble in December, Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 league games and show no sign of nerves as their duel with United hots up.
But for Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel's heroics at the Emirates Stadium the leaders would have won by more.
This was the kind of gritty display that is not always Arsenal's trademark and it proved they are prepared to get their hands dirty to win the title.
"It has been a very good weekend for us after the results on Sunday," Wenger said. "We were under pressure to get the win but we controlled the game and Friedel kept them in it.
"We are in a good position and believe we can do it but we know it is far from over. We will have to fight until the last minute of the championship."
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes added: "We were disappointed to concede so early but I was delighted with the response. We passed it around on a par with Arsenal after that.
"2-0 is a little bit harsh on us. I thought the performance merited more than that. But Arsenal are in pole position and if they keep winning they will win the title."
United's slip-up in the Manchester derby had presented Arsenal with the chance to give themselves some breathing space. It was a tantalising prospect and clearly added an extra edge to their play.
They were razor sharp early on, with Eduardo setting the tone as his penetrating run earned a fourth minute corner.
Eduardo took the set-piece himself and his teasing cross was perfect for Senderos, who escaped Benni McCarthy's slack marking and powered a header past Friedel.
Wenger's side should have been further ahead after a sublime one-touch move gave Mathieu Flamini a clear sight of goal.
Adebayor swept a volleyed pass out to Cesc Fabregas, who wrong-footed the Rovers defence with a header that sent Flamini clear, only for the French midfielder to shoot straight at Friedel.
Few teams in Europe can match Arsenal's sense of adventure. Even the central defenders are given license to go forward, as William Gallas showed with a surging run and shot that deflected just wide.
It is a year since Fabregas found himself in hot water for aiming a petulant tirade at Hughes's defensive tactics after Blackburn ground out an FA Cup draw at the Emirates.
Blackburn were marginally more aggressive this time and could have been level before half-time despite being out-played for long periods.
Brett Emerton's cross picked out McCarthy and he should have done better than glance a weak header away from goal. Even then Roque Santa Cruz almost converted the South African's miscue with a diving header at the far post.
Santa Cruz was off-target again with a lunging effort from Bruno Berner's cross moments later.
Blackburn winger David Bentley has prospered to such an extent since leaving Arsenal two years ago that he is now regarded as one of England's brightest stars.
He forced Jens Lehmann into action after the break with a free-kick which the Arsenal keeper scrambled away.
Arsenal were quickly back in the ascendancy though. Eduardo lifted a pass to Alexander Hleb on the opposite side of the penalty area and the Belarus winger crashed his shot against a post.
Adebayor was next to threaten with a low shot after leaving Andre Ooijer for dead but Friedel saved well.
Fabregas went close with a 20-yard shot that skimmed wide after good interplay between Hleb and Eduardo.
But Rovers refused to cave in and Friedel denied Adebayor twice in quick succession. The American keeper's best save was yet to come as he sprang to his right to keep out Hleb's stinging drive.
Adebayor delivered the knockout blow in stoppage time when he collected Hleb's pass and drove his shot past Friedel. United have been warned.
English Premier League table after Monday's match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Arsenal 26 19 6 1 54 18 63
Man Utd 26 18 4 4 50 14 58
Chelsea 26 16 7 3 38 17 55
Everton 26 14 5 7 41 23 47
Liverpool 25 11 11 3 40 17 44
Aston Villa 26 12 8 6 48 34 44
Man City 26 12 8 6 34 29 44
Portsmouth 26 11 8 7 36 26 41
Blackburn 26 10 9 7 32 33 39
West Ham 25 10 7 8 30 23 37
Tottenham 26 8 8 10 48 41 32
Middlesbrough 26 7 8 11 23 38 29
Newcastle 26 7 7 12 29 47 28
Sunderland 26 7 5 14 26 45 26
Bolton 26 6 7 13 26 35 25
Wigan 26 6 5 15 24 42 23
Birmingham 26 5 7 14 25 38 22
Reading 26 6 4 16 30 53 22
Fulham 26 3 10 13 25 44 19
Derby 26 1 6 19 13 55 9
[SIZE=-2]ADVERTISEMENT[/SIZE]
Arsene Wenger's side took full advantage of Manchester United's defeat on Sunday to open up a substantial advantage over the reigning champions.
If the Gunners go on to take United's crown this could prove to be a defining weekend in the race for the title.
After a brief wobble in December, Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 league games and show no sign of nerves as their duel with United hots up.
But for Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel's heroics at the Emirates Stadium the leaders would have won by more.
This was the kind of gritty display that is not always Arsenal's trademark and it proved they are prepared to get their hands dirty to win the title.
"It has been a very good weekend for us after the results on Sunday," Wenger said. "We were under pressure to get the win but we controlled the game and Friedel kept them in it.
"We are in a good position and believe we can do it but we know it is far from over. We will have to fight until the last minute of the championship."
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes added: "We were disappointed to concede so early but I was delighted with the response. We passed it around on a par with Arsenal after that.
"2-0 is a little bit harsh on us. I thought the performance merited more than that. But Arsenal are in pole position and if they keep winning they will win the title."
United's slip-up in the Manchester derby had presented Arsenal with the chance to give themselves some breathing space. It was a tantalising prospect and clearly added an extra edge to their play.
They were razor sharp early on, with Eduardo setting the tone as his penetrating run earned a fourth minute corner.
Eduardo took the set-piece himself and his teasing cross was perfect for Senderos, who escaped Benni McCarthy's slack marking and powered a header past Friedel.
Wenger's side should have been further ahead after a sublime one-touch move gave Mathieu Flamini a clear sight of goal.
Adebayor swept a volleyed pass out to Cesc Fabregas, who wrong-footed the Rovers defence with a header that sent Flamini clear, only for the French midfielder to shoot straight at Friedel.
Few teams in Europe can match Arsenal's sense of adventure. Even the central defenders are given license to go forward, as William Gallas showed with a surging run and shot that deflected just wide.
It is a year since Fabregas found himself in hot water for aiming a petulant tirade at Hughes's defensive tactics after Blackburn ground out an FA Cup draw at the Emirates.
Blackburn were marginally more aggressive this time and could have been level before half-time despite being out-played for long periods.
Brett Emerton's cross picked out McCarthy and he should have done better than glance a weak header away from goal. Even then Roque Santa Cruz almost converted the South African's miscue with a diving header at the far post.
Santa Cruz was off-target again with a lunging effort from Bruno Berner's cross moments later.
Blackburn winger David Bentley has prospered to such an extent since leaving Arsenal two years ago that he is now regarded as one of England's brightest stars.
He forced Jens Lehmann into action after the break with a free-kick which the Arsenal keeper scrambled away.
Arsenal were quickly back in the ascendancy though. Eduardo lifted a pass to Alexander Hleb on the opposite side of the penalty area and the Belarus winger crashed his shot against a post.
Adebayor was next to threaten with a low shot after leaving Andre Ooijer for dead but Friedel saved well.
Fabregas went close with a 20-yard shot that skimmed wide after good interplay between Hleb and Eduardo.
But Rovers refused to cave in and Friedel denied Adebayor twice in quick succession. The American keeper's best save was yet to come as he sprang to his right to keep out Hleb's stinging drive.
Adebayor delivered the knockout blow in stoppage time when he collected Hleb's pass and drove his shot past Friedel. United have been warned.
English Premier League table after Monday's match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Arsenal 26 19 6 1 54 18 63
Man Utd 26 18 4 4 50 14 58
Chelsea 26 16 7 3 38 17 55
Everton 26 14 5 7 41 23 47
Liverpool 25 11 11 3 40 17 44
Aston Villa 26 12 8 6 48 34 44
Man City 26 12 8 6 34 29 44
Portsmouth 26 11 8 7 36 26 41
Blackburn 26 10 9 7 32 33 39
West Ham 25 10 7 8 30 23 37
Tottenham 26 8 8 10 48 41 32
Middlesbrough 26 7 8 11 23 38 29
Newcastle 26 7 7 12 29 47 28
Sunderland 26 7 5 14 26 45 26
Bolton 26 6 7 13 26 35 25
Wigan 26 6 5 15 24 42 23
Birmingham 26 5 7 14 25 38 22
Reading 26 6 4 16 30 53 22
Fulham 26 3 10 13 25 44 19
Derby 26 1 6 19 13 55 9
subversion
Moderator
Gunners showing everyone thusfar they are consistent + they know when to lose, when not to...
fgl
Well-known member
Ivorian duo in contention for Old Trafford tie
Manchester United v Arsenal
FA Cup Round 5
Old Trafford
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 5.15pm
By Chris Harris
Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are in contention for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
The Ivorian duo returned from the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday and are due to report for training today. Neither Toure or Eboue played in their country's final game in Ghana, the third and fourth place play-off against the hosts on Saturday, but they could feature at Old Trafford.
Arsène Wenger admitted before the Blackburn game that he was down to the "bare bones" thanks to injuries and international commitments. Manuel Almunia, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Robin van Persie, Denilson and Johan Djourou were all sidelined for Arsenal’s 2-0 victory but Rosicky could return at the weekend.
"Kolo and Eboue came back today [Monday] so we hope to see them tomorrow to see if they're not injured," said Wenger at his post-match press conference.
"Rosicky, he looks better. Van Persie looks better, but he is still a few weeks away. But Rosicky maybe has a little chance for Saturday."
Arsenal.com will bring you the latest injury news on Thursday afternoon.
fgl
Well-known member
Manchester United v Arsenal
FA Cup Round 5
Old Trafford
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 5.15pm
By Chris Harris
With the Champions League around the corner and a Premier League title to fight for, some might expect Saturday's FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Arsenal to lack its usual intensity.
Abou Diaby disagrees. The French midfielder expects both sides to give it everything at Old Trafford and believes that the winner of the Fifth Round tie could have a psychological advantage when the title rivals go head to head at the same venue in April.
"I think we want to play well in every competition whether it's the FA Cup, the Champions League or the League," Diaby told Arsenal TV Online. "We want to win all of them because we are a big club and we want to win trophies. This Saturday is very important to us.
"Maybe a win will give us a psychological advantage. We just want to give our best and win the game."
Unfortunately, Diaby will not get a chance to make his mark in the FA Cup this weekend. The 21-year-old suffered a calf injury against Manchester City at the start of February.
"I took a kick around the ankle against Manchester City and my calf felt very stiff," explained Diaby. "I won’t make the match against Manchester United, but I hope to be back as soon as I can."
DarknessIsComfort
New member
aiyahhh!!! some more afc logos..
Anyway, guys dont you think that the clubs now have too many foreign players?
And instead of playing overseas, they should focus on keeping the English Premier League, 'english' and improving the game dont you agree?
Anyway, guys dont you think that the clubs now have too many foreign players?
And instead of playing overseas, they should focus on keeping the English Premier League, 'english' and improving the game dont you agree?
Dime
New member
Giggs happy to win ugly
Ryan Giggs warns high-flying Arsenal to prepare for a backlash
Ryan Giggs has hit out at Arsenal and their pretty football, claiming the Premier League is about winning ugly.
And Rio Ferdinand joined the attack by warning Arsene Wenger's side to expect a backlash from Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Giggs was amused by all the plaudits heaped on the Gunners for playing attractive football during their resurgence as a topflight force this season.
He claims United's play has been just as appealing and doubts whether Arsenal will be able to dig out results when the pressure is really on.
"I did notice all the praise Arsenal were getting for their football, but it didn't really bother me," said Giggs. "Arsenal have been playing good football, but we have as well.”
David Anderson, The Mirror
GrimRiffer
New member
Go Giggsy!
Viera! Woahhohh
Viera! Woahhohh
He gave Giggsy the ball
His pass was shite sumthin sumthin
Viera! Woahhohh
Viera! Woahhohh
He gave Giggsy the ball
His pass was shite sumthin sumthin
GrimRiffer
New member
Ronaldo has a knack of not turning up during the big games.Haiz. Come on Rooney!
subversion
Moderator
it's the mind games at work...
fgl
Well-known member
aha ...in other words he can only perform against the "also ran players" ?????
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