THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
loldude333
New member
Hahahahaha! I agree! He's a very cultured defender tho.............great tackling skills. I think that Stevie G shld be the England skipper...........he's been the Liverpool skipper for almost what 3-5 years and he's been great!
fgl
Well-known member
Gary Lewin is leaving Arsenal after 28 years with the Club.
He arrived at Highbury as an aspiring goalkeeper in 1980 but soon turned his attention to physiotherapy. Now Lewin is established as one of the world's finest in his field.
We caught up with Lewin shortly after the announcement that he will join the England national side on a full-time basis. In an exclusive interview, the long-serving Arsenal physio reflects on his long association with the Club, describes his role in player signings and reveals why Michael Thomas almost didn't score that famous goal at Anfield in May 1989.
Gary, tell us about your new role with England.
Obviously the job of a full-time physiotherapist in the England team came into full-time capacity when Mr Capello took over. It is something he believes in and he wanted to put that in place alongside a doctor. So over the last few months the FA put together a job spec, advertised it in April which I applied for because I have doing it for the last 12 years and then they offered it two or three weeks ago, Since then I have been finalising the details with them.
How difficult was your decision to leave Arsenal?
It was an impossible decision to make. Being at Arsenal all my working life, first as a player, then travelling away to train as a physio before coming back. I have never really worked anywhere else and don’t know what life is like outside of Arsenal. The opportunity came up not only to work with the England national team on a full-time basis but to go around other sports, Europe and around the world to seek out the best practices around the world. It was one I couldn’t turn down. It took a lot of soul-searching and a lot of thought but in the end it was one I just couldn’t turn down.
It is very, very difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal. This is probably the only job in the world that would get me to leave Arsenal because it has been part of my life since I left school. Obviously it will always be part of my life. I have some fantastic memories over the years, some big, big achievements and some big disappointments but as I said it will be part of my life forever.
How will your England role change?
My main role is looking after the team. That will expand to going around the clubs and working with the medical teams so we can almost put out an international player profile. That will mean when we go away to tournaments we will have a detailed profile on all the players that will help the management team select teams and squads. But then when we go away the continuity of the treatment can be maintained. So when we go around the clubs the actual patient care is at the ultimate limit. I can continue all the rehab and prehab that has been going on with the players. The clubs will benefit, the player should benefit and the England management should benefit because all round the players are being better catered for.
Do you remember when it all started for you as a physio?
I was working at Guy's Hospital having qualified in June 1986 and was actually working in intensive care and medical wards. I got a call from George Graham asking for me to come up and see him - at the time I was doing the Reserve team on a part-time basis - and he said to me that the physio at the time, Roy Johnson, was leaving and would I like to take over. My first game at Arsenal was, during my notice period at Guy’s, Nottingham Forest away where Arsenal fans will remember Charlie Nicholas had an horrendous knee injury. That was a rude awakening for me and I think now it is over 1,200 games since then.
Of course you arrived at Highbury in 1980 as a goalkeeper. How close were you to being a professional?
I think I was well short. I did a two-year apprenticeship at Arsenal in the era of Pat Jennings, George Wood and Paul Barren. I think I was well short. I had the opportunity to go to other clubs and try to be a professional footballer but at the time I decided to get a qualification, mainly under the advice of Fred Street, the ex-Arsenal and England physio. That was when I got interested in physiotherapy.
You were Reserve-team physio at the age of 19. Could that happen today at a top club?
No, because in those days the minimum you needed was the FA diploma and a first aid certificate. So nowadays you need to be a Chartered physio or registered to the HPC.
What are the highlights of your Arsenal career?
I don’t think you will ever beat that night at Anfield in 1989, ever. It was a unique evening. I have been so, so lucky to have so many memories. The Cup double in 1993, the Cup Winners' Cup in 1994, the Double in '98, the Champions League Final. That was a highlight but also one of the biggest disappointments was losing to Barcelona. I have just been blessed with so many happy memories that it is difficult to pick out one. But the Liverpool night in '89, you will have to go some way to beat that.
Which memories stand out on the medical side?
Interestingly enough from the '89 game, fans might remember Michael Thomas had a medial ligament injury against Wimbledon 10 days before the game. We had a battle for those 10 days. I remember telling George [Graham] on the day of the game the Michael is fit to start but I can’t guarantee he will finish. That shows what I knew at the time because what a finish he had for us!
I think any player you get back from injury, especially long term, you take a lot of satisfaction from. But the biggest satisfaction I get is watching Arsenal win. You are part of that team, the backroom team that has done everything they can to get everyone on the pitch and performing to the highest level. That has got harder and harder over the years. When I first started I worked on my own, now we have four. There is the general satisfaction of being involved in such a successful, friendly club.
What have been your lowest moments at Arsenal? I think the only disappointments I have had are personal. We had a kit man here called Tony Donnelly who was here for many, many years and six months after he retired, he died from cancer. George Armstrong, who collapsed and died here on the training pitch — we spent a lot of time resuscitating him and trying to keep him alive. So too David Rocastle’s death; you won't meet a nicer fellow in the world. That is the greatest sadness, when people you have been with, worked with, pass away. Over the years people come and go so often and the nice thing is when you meet up with them again. Football is a universal language but it is also a universal friendship. You build them up in this working world and you have them for the rest of your life.
What has been the secret of your longevity at Arsenal?
Probably madness! I love the job, the job has been my life for such a long time and I think that shows in everything I do. I have enjoyed every minute of it, even the lows, but you take them with the highs. I enjoyed every working minute, working at a fantastic club with fantastic people. The club look after you, they are very professional, appreciate what you do and let you get on with it. I think that has been it. It is very satisfying what I do and I’d like to think the club has been very satisfied with the work that I have done in 22 years.
Tell us about your relationship with Arsène Wenger.
That has been one of the hardest things about leaving. I have been up front and honest with Arsène as this has been developing and he has been the same with me. You won’t get a better manager, you won’t get a nicer person to get on with. He is someone that lets you get on with your job, trusts you to do that and lets you know when he thinks things aren’t going right but also when they are going well. I just think the testimony to his work is what he has achieved in such a short space of time.
Do you have an input when Arsenal consider signing players who have had career-threatening injuries, such as Marc Overmars and Kanu? Yes. They have an intensive medical with the doctor and all the backroom staff have a big say. There are players that have been here before but haven’t signed for medical reasons but you won’t read about it because that is how the Club works. You only hear about the player once they are signed. We have a big say and I think the whole club does. The fitness staff do, the scouts do, the medical team do, so they build up a complete player profile when they arrive. The backroom team uses top cardiologists, top orthopaedic surgeons who report their feelings to us and we report them to the Board and the manager.
The fans have often chanted your name at matches. How does that make you feel?
It makes me feel fantastic. They are such a special set of fans and have made me feel so special. I have a good rapport with them. It makes me feel appreciated, what I do, and again it is one of the many things I will greatly miss when I leave.
fgl
Well-known member
OFFICIAL CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
Ramsey completes move from Cardiff City
Arsenal is delighted to announce that Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey has today signed for the Gunners from Championship side Cardiff City on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.
Although still only 17, Aaron has already represented his country at Under-21 level and became the youngest player ever to represent Wales at this level in August 2007, in a 4-3 victory over Sweden Under-21s. He was also recently called up to the full Welsh squad for their friendly international matches in Iceland and Holland, but was an unused substitute on both occasions.
Young midfielder Ramsey progressed through the youth ranks at Cardiff City and also became the youngest ever player to represent the Bluebirds, coming on as a substitute in the League match against Hull City on April 28, 2007, at just 16 years 124 days, breaking the previous record set by John Toshack.
Since making his debut for Cardiff City in the 2006/07 season, Ramsey went on to make a total of 22 appearances for the Welsh side, including a substitute appearance in last season’s FA Cup Final against Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium.
Ramsey, born in Caerphilly on Boxing Day 1990, has already had a good experience of Emirates Stadium. Aaron actually scored Cardiff City’s first goal in the FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final in 2007, in a match which was watched by 11,610 supporters, with Arsenal eventually coming out 3-2 winners.
Manager Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey. He is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at under-17 and Under-21 levels. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the Club for our pre-season preparations.”
Aaron Ramsey said: “I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.
“It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career. I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds.”
Aaron will join up with his new team mates at Arsenal for pre-season training in early July.
Our new signing holds up his shirt
Arsenal is delighted to announce that Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey has today signed for the Gunners from Championship side Cardiff City on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.
Although still only 17, Aaron has already represented his country at Under-21 level and became the youngest player ever to represent Wales at this level in August 2007, in a 4-3 victory over Sweden Under-21s. He was also recently called up to the full Welsh squad for their friendly international matches in Iceland and Holland, but was an unused substitute on both occasions.
Young midfielder Ramsey progressed through the youth ranks at Cardiff City and also became the youngest ever player to represent the Bluebirds, coming on as a substitute in the League match against Hull City on April 28, 2007, at just 16 years 124 days, breaking the previous record set by John Toshack.
Since making his debut for Cardiff City in the 2006/07 season, Ramsey went on to make a total of 22 appearances for the Welsh side, including a substitute appearance in last season’s FA Cup Final against Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium.
Ramsey, born in Caerphilly on Boxing Day 1990, has already had a good experience of Emirates Stadium. Aaron actually scored Cardiff City’s first goal in the FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final in 2007, in a match which was watched by 11,610 supporters, with Arsenal eventually coming out 3-2 winners.
Manager Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey. He is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at under-17 and Under-21 levels. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the Club for our pre-season preparations.”
Aaron Ramsey said: “I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.
“It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career. I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds.”
Aaron will join up with his new team mates at Arsenal for pre-season training in early July.
Our new signing holds up his shirt
fgl
Well-known member
RAMSEY SIGNING
'I think the Arsenal fans will really warm to him'
Aaron Ramsey has completed his move from Cardiff City to Arsenal. But how much do you know about the exciting 17-year-old midfielder?
We asked Steve Tucker, a football writer for the Western Mail, for a Welsh perspective of the latest addition to Arsène Wenger's squad. Read on to find out more about Ramsey's emergence at Cardiff, his attributes as a footballer and the allure of Arsenal for a young player.
Steve, when did you first hear of Aaron?
"There had been rumblings for many years from those who regularly saw the reserves and youth team football here. I hadn't seen a lot of him in the reserves but I heard good reports that he was regarded as someone special by those in the know. The first time I really saw him was when he became Cardiff's youngest ever player [aged 16 years 124 days], the season before last now, when he came on against Hull for a little cameo. He beat John Toshack's record as Cardiff's youngest player that day.
"It was really last season when he came to prominence with a few brief appearances which gave us a glimpse of what he was capable of. The first thing I thought when he first broke through at the age of 16 was just how comfortable he was at the level he was being asked to play at. He is an incredibly well-balanced player with great poise. The first time I wrote about him, the main observation I made was that, like all class players, he always looked like he had time on the ball."
How quickly did he establish himself in Cardiff's first team?
"It was hard to judge Ramsey on his full debut because they only played Chasetown but, fair play to [Cardiff manager] Dave Jones, he had the courage of his convictions and started playing Ramsey in the Championship too. Results, which hadn't been too clever, started to pick up. Obviously that wasn't just down to Aaron but he slotted in very nicely."
What positions can Ramsey play in?
"The interesting thing is that Dave Jones never played him in his preferred position. Aaron will say he is a central midfielder but Jones played him out on the wing a lot and also at right back, which showed the lad's versatility. Jones said that he didn't feel Ramsey was strong enough to play in the centre of the park yet, although a few people would argue about that. Either way he came in and cemented his place very quickly and never looked uncomfortable at Championship level at all."
Arsenal fans would like to know about Ramsey's attributes. Who would you liken him to?
"He has been compared to Gerrard at Liverpool but I would personally say Bryan Robson in his prime. He is one of those midfielders who can make things happen in the middle of the park. Ramsey is a small figure still, he needs to bulk up, but of course he is only 17. However he is very tenacious, he's not afraid to put his foot in. He will break things up, he will make tackles and win the ball, and then he is very creative using the ball, whether it's just a simple pass, laying it off or having an eye for a through-ball. He is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He has a great eye for a pass, can dribble really well, and I think Arsenal fans are going to warm to him."
Do you think he is ready for the Premier League?
"It's a difficult one but I would love to see him given a chance. Perhaps Arsène Wenger will give him his first chance in the Carling Cup side. Maybe he isn't ready to step into the middle of the Arsenal midfield straight away because not many are at 17. It will take him time to adapt but he is regarded in Wales as the most exciting player to come out of the country since Ryan Giggs."
What is so attractive about joining Arsenal?
"It's on the record that Ramsey and his parents were flown out to Switzerland to meet Wenger. What impressed them the most was Wenger's incredible knowledge of Aaron personally. Of the managers who spoke to him, Ramsey was impressed by the fact that Wenger already knew so much about him, his strengths and weaknesses. Then of course there is Arsene Wenger's record with youngsters, he has an ability to blood youngsters, develop their game and bring them through. Aaron will need work, there is no denying that, he will need the rough edges taking off, but I think Arsenal will find they have a very good player on their hands."
With Ramsey, Gunter and Bale, is this a golden generation for Welsh football? "That's the big hope. There are big expectations for Ramsey in Wales. The one thing we have lacked for many years is that creative force in midfield, a real holding midfield player with some vision. There are great hopes that Ramsey will fill that role and go on to play a major part for Wales. He hasn't had a senior cap yet - although he travelled to Holland and Iceland recently - but that will soon change. There is no doubt, now he's at a club like Arsenal, that he will be a major player for Wales for years to come
Aaron Ramsey has completed his move from Cardiff City to Arsenal. But how much do you know about the exciting 17-year-old midfielder?
We asked Steve Tucker, a football writer for the Western Mail, for a Welsh perspective of the latest addition to Arsène Wenger's squad. Read on to find out more about Ramsey's emergence at Cardiff, his attributes as a footballer and the allure of Arsenal for a young player.
Steve, when did you first hear of Aaron?
"There had been rumblings for many years from those who regularly saw the reserves and youth team football here. I hadn't seen a lot of him in the reserves but I heard good reports that he was regarded as someone special by those in the know. The first time I really saw him was when he became Cardiff's youngest ever player [aged 16 years 124 days], the season before last now, when he came on against Hull for a little cameo. He beat John Toshack's record as Cardiff's youngest player that day.
"It was really last season when he came to prominence with a few brief appearances which gave us a glimpse of what he was capable of. The first thing I thought when he first broke through at the age of 16 was just how comfortable he was at the level he was being asked to play at. He is an incredibly well-balanced player with great poise. The first time I wrote about him, the main observation I made was that, like all class players, he always looked like he had time on the ball."
How quickly did he establish himself in Cardiff's first team?
"It was hard to judge Ramsey on his full debut because they only played Chasetown but, fair play to [Cardiff manager] Dave Jones, he had the courage of his convictions and started playing Ramsey in the Championship too. Results, which hadn't been too clever, started to pick up. Obviously that wasn't just down to Aaron but he slotted in very nicely."
What positions can Ramsey play in?
"The interesting thing is that Dave Jones never played him in his preferred position. Aaron will say he is a central midfielder but Jones played him out on the wing a lot and also at right back, which showed the lad's versatility. Jones said that he didn't feel Ramsey was strong enough to play in the centre of the park yet, although a few people would argue about that. Either way he came in and cemented his place very quickly and never looked uncomfortable at Championship level at all."
Arsenal fans would like to know about Ramsey's attributes. Who would you liken him to?
"He has been compared to Gerrard at Liverpool but I would personally say Bryan Robson in his prime. He is one of those midfielders who can make things happen in the middle of the park. Ramsey is a small figure still, he needs to bulk up, but of course he is only 17. However he is very tenacious, he's not afraid to put his foot in. He will break things up, he will make tackles and win the ball, and then he is very creative using the ball, whether it's just a simple pass, laying it off or having an eye for a through-ball. He is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He has a great eye for a pass, can dribble really well, and I think Arsenal fans are going to warm to him."
Do you think he is ready for the Premier League?
"It's a difficult one but I would love to see him given a chance. Perhaps Arsène Wenger will give him his first chance in the Carling Cup side. Maybe he isn't ready to step into the middle of the Arsenal midfield straight away because not many are at 17. It will take him time to adapt but he is regarded in Wales as the most exciting player to come out of the country since Ryan Giggs."
What is so attractive about joining Arsenal?
"It's on the record that Ramsey and his parents were flown out to Switzerland to meet Wenger. What impressed them the most was Wenger's incredible knowledge of Aaron personally. Of the managers who spoke to him, Ramsey was impressed by the fact that Wenger already knew so much about him, his strengths and weaknesses. Then of course there is Arsene Wenger's record with youngsters, he has an ability to blood youngsters, develop their game and bring them through. Aaron will need work, there is no denying that, he will need the rough edges taking off, but I think Arsenal will find they have a very good player on their hands."
With Ramsey, Gunter and Bale, is this a golden generation for Welsh football? "That's the big hope. There are big expectations for Ramsey in Wales. The one thing we have lacked for many years is that creative force in midfield, a real holding midfield player with some vision. There are great hopes that Ramsey will fill that role and go on to play a major part for Wales. He hasn't had a senior cap yet - although he travelled to Holland and Iceland recently - but that will soon change. There is no doubt, now he's at a club like Arsenal, that he will be a major player for Wales for years to come
fgl
Well-known member
08/09 - Draft Premier League Fixtures
Barclays Premier League
2008/2009 - Draft Barclays Premier League Fixtures
The draft fixture list for the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season has been announced. Arsenal kick-off their campaign when West Brom visit Emirates Stadium on August 16. They follow that with a short trip to Fulham and a home game with Newcastle before the end of August.
The two games against Tottenham are later than last season. Unusually, the home game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 while the trip to White Hart Lane takes place on February 7.
Turning to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, Arsenal entertain Sir Alex Ferguson's side on November 8 and visit Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season on May 16. Arsène Wenger's men go to Chelsea on November 29 with the reverse fixture also very late on May 9. Meanwhile, the home game with Liverpool is just before Christmas on December 20 and the Anfield fixture is scheduled for April 18, though that is FA Cup Semi-Final day.
That game is start of a tough looking run-in for Wenger's men. Assuming there are no changes, the final half-dozen games of the season will read like this: Liverpool (a), Middlesbrough (h), Portsmouth (a), Chelsea (h), Manchester United (a), and Stoke (h).
Please note that this is a draft fixture list and will be subject to change. We will carry further fixture updates when the first set of television dates are announced.
AUGUST
12/13 UEFA Champions League Qualifier - 1st Leg
Sat 16 West Bromwich Albion (H)
Sat 23 Fulham (A)
26/27 UEFA Champions League Qualifier - 2nd Leg
Sat 30 Newcastle United (H) SEPTEMBER
Sat 13 Blackburn Rovers (A)
16/17 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 1
Sat 20 Bolton Wanderers (A)
23/24 Carling Cup Third Round
Sat 27 Hull City (H)
OCTOBER
30/1 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 2 (played on 30th Sep or 1st Oct)
Sat 4 Sunderland (A)
Sat 18 Everton (H)
21/22 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 3
Sat 25 West Ham United (A)
Tue 28 Tottenham Hotspur (H)
NOVEMBER
Sat 1 Stoke City (A)
4/5 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 4
Sat 8 Manchester United (H)
11/12 Carling Cup Fourth Round
Sat 15 Aston Villa (H)
Sat 22 Manchester City (A)
25/26 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 5
Sat 29 Chelsea (A)</SPAN>
DECEMBER
2/3 Carling Cup Fifth Round
Sat 6 Wigan Athletic (H)
9/10 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 6
Sat 13 Middlesbrough (A)
Sat 20 Liverpool (H)
Fri 26 Aston Villa (A)
Sun 28 Portsmouth (H)</SPAN>
JANUARY
Sat 3 FA Cup Third Round
6/7 Carling Cup Semi-Final - 1st leg
Sat 10 Bolton Wanderers (H)
Sat 17 Hull City (A)
20/21 Carling Cup Semi-Final - 2nd leg
Sat 24 FA Cup Fourth Round
Wed 28 Everton (A)
Sat 31 West Ham United (H) </SPAN>
FEBRUARY
Sat 7 Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Sat 14 FA Cup Fifth Round
Sat 21 Sunderland (H)
24/25 UEFA Champions League Last 16 - 1st leg
Sat 28 Fulham (H)</SPAN>
MARCH
Sun 1 Carling Cup Final
Tue 3 West Bromwich Albion (A)
Sat 7 FA Cup Quater-Finals
10/11 UEFA Champions League Last 16 - 2nd leg
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (H)
Sat 21 Newcastle United (A)
APRIL
Sat 4 Manchester City (H)
</STRONG>7/8 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final - 1st leg
Sat 11 Wigan Athletic (A)
14/15 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final - 2nd leg
Sat 18 Liverpool (A)
Sat 18 FA Cup Semi-Finals
Sat 25 Middlesbrough (H)
28/29 UEFA Champions League Semi-Final - 1st leg</SPAN>
MAY
Sat 2 Portsmouth (A)
5/6 UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals - 2nd leg
Sat 9 Chelsea (H)
Sat 16 Manchester United (A)
Sun 24 Stoke City (H)
Wed 27 UEFA Champions League Final
Sat 30 FA Cup Final
2008/2009 - Draft Barclays Premier League Fixtures
The draft fixture list for the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season has been announced. Arsenal kick-off their campaign when West Brom visit Emirates Stadium on August 16. They follow that with a short trip to Fulham and a home game with Newcastle before the end of August.
The two games against Tottenham are later than last season. Unusually, the home game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 while the trip to White Hart Lane takes place on February 7.
Turning to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, Arsenal entertain Sir Alex Ferguson's side on November 8 and visit Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season on May 16. Arsène Wenger's men go to Chelsea on November 29 with the reverse fixture also very late on May 9. Meanwhile, the home game with Liverpool is just before Christmas on December 20 and the Anfield fixture is scheduled for April 18, though that is FA Cup Semi-Final day.
That game is start of a tough looking run-in for Wenger's men. Assuming there are no changes, the final half-dozen games of the season will read like this: Liverpool (a), Middlesbrough (h), Portsmouth (a), Chelsea (h), Manchester United (a), and Stoke (h).
Please note that this is a draft fixture list and will be subject to change. We will carry further fixture updates when the first set of television dates are announced.
AUGUST
12/13 UEFA Champions League Qualifier - 1st Leg
Sat 16 West Bromwich Albion (H)
Sat 23 Fulham (A)
26/27 UEFA Champions League Qualifier - 2nd Leg
Sat 30 Newcastle United (H) SEPTEMBER
Sat 13 Blackburn Rovers (A)
16/17 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 1
Sat 20 Bolton Wanderers (A)
23/24 Carling Cup Third Round
Sat 27 Hull City (H)
OCTOBER
30/1 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 2 (played on 30th Sep or 1st Oct)
Sat 4 Sunderland (A)
Sat 18 Everton (H)
21/22 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 3
Sat 25 West Ham United (A)
Tue 28 Tottenham Hotspur (H)
NOVEMBER
Sat 1 Stoke City (A)
4/5 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 4
Sat 8 Manchester United (H)
11/12 Carling Cup Fourth Round
Sat 15 Aston Villa (H)
Sat 22 Manchester City (A)
25/26 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 5
Sat 29 Chelsea (A)</SPAN>
DECEMBER
2/3 Carling Cup Fifth Round
Sat 6 Wigan Athletic (H)
9/10 UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 6
Sat 13 Middlesbrough (A)
Sat 20 Liverpool (H)
Fri 26 Aston Villa (A)
Sun 28 Portsmouth (H)</SPAN>
JANUARY
Sat 3 FA Cup Third Round
6/7 Carling Cup Semi-Final - 1st leg
Sat 10 Bolton Wanderers (H)
Sat 17 Hull City (A)
20/21 Carling Cup Semi-Final - 2nd leg
Sat 24 FA Cup Fourth Round
Wed 28 Everton (A)
Sat 31 West Ham United (H) </SPAN>
FEBRUARY
Sat 7 Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Sat 14 FA Cup Fifth Round
Sat 21 Sunderland (H)
24/25 UEFA Champions League Last 16 - 1st leg
Sat 28 Fulham (H)</SPAN>
MARCH
Sun 1 Carling Cup Final
Tue 3 West Bromwich Albion (A)
Sat 7 FA Cup Quater-Finals
10/11 UEFA Champions League Last 16 - 2nd leg
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (H)
Sat 21 Newcastle United (A)
APRIL
Sat 4 Manchester City (H)
</STRONG>7/8 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final - 1st leg
Sat 11 Wigan Athletic (A)
14/15 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final - 2nd leg
Sat 18 Liverpool (A)
Sat 18 FA Cup Semi-Finals
Sat 25 Middlesbrough (H)
28/29 UEFA Champions League Semi-Final - 1st leg</SPAN>
MAY
Sat 2 Portsmouth (A)
5/6 UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals - 2nd leg
Sat 9 Chelsea (H)
Sat 16 Manchester United (A)
Sun 24 Stoke City (H)
Wed 27 UEFA Champions League Final
Sat 30 FA Cup Final
headwan
New member
Wylde, long time never see, since the season end, very rare to see you post a thread, or maybe i miss some of ur thread due to fast pace thread posting on soft....btw, how do u feel on Arsenal new signing? Ramsey? i seen his video on youtube, superb......wat bt u? gd signing,for me gd signing for the future.....
wylde
New member
haha..well bro headwan, im still around....
Speaking about this new wales kid ramsey.good signing i must say.another youth talent that Wenger will transform into a pure class footballler.
i`ve seen his videos .quite fast kid.would fit in midfield.Did you see van persie`s goal against romaina?..damm,that was a good strike.he will be fit and prepared for next season.i`m counting on that.
Yeah FGL...next season we will rule the BPL!
But for now...it`s Euro and thank goodness Italy has pulled through.They have to buck up for the quarter finals with Spain..
Speaking about this new wales kid ramsey.good signing i must say.another youth talent that Wenger will transform into a pure class footballler.
i`ve seen his videos .quite fast kid.would fit in midfield.Did you see van persie`s goal against romaina?..damm,that was a good strike.he will be fit and prepared for next season.i`m counting on that.
Yeah FGL...next season we will rule the BPL!
But for now...it`s Euro and thank goodness Italy has pulled through.They have to buck up for the quarter finals with Spain..
headwan
New member
U noe, any Flying Dutchman playing for Arsenal, will always score a superb goal for Oranje...ring a bell? Overmars,Bergkamp and now Persie,im proud to be a gooner fan, Persie is getting better and better....ahakz.....next season, is Arsenal season...i really pray they buy Kompany...........buy wenger buy........
fgl
Well-known member
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