THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
fgl
Well-known member
Friendly: Crawley Town 0-1 Reserves XI
Arsenal Reserves XI
Pre-season Friendly
Broadfield Stadium
Saturday, July 26, 2008, 3pm
Crawley Town
0
Arsenal Reserves XI
1
Gibbs 71
Arsenal's young stars put on mature and ultimately pleasing performance as they defeated Blue Square Premier outfit Crawley Town 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Midfielder Kieran Gibbs capped his return to Gunners' action - he has recently been on duty with England Under-19s - with the games only goal midway through the second half. It was just rewards of an assiduous afternoon's work.
As the senior squad looks set to rob the academy of some of its most prized possessions, the match was full of sparkling glimpses of the strength down the age groups. Second-half substitutes Emmanuel Frimpong, Thomas Cruise and Luke Ayling all produced a fine defensive cameo against a physical Crawley side.
Manager Steve Bould named, arguably, the strongest XI available to him, with the exception of Havard Nordtveit. The Norwegian defender was a late withdrawal and replaced by Jay Thomas. Gibbs and Nacer Barazite brought a splash of senior experience to a largely Under-18 side, but there were several second-string regulars in attendance.
Crawley provided the match's only player with a taste of the Premier League in the form of Isaiah Rankin. The one-time Gunner made his only appearance for Arsenal in a North London derby in 1997. Paolo Vernazza was another familiar face; he was named among the substitutes.
The hosts plundered over 100 goals last season and have strengthened their forward department over the summer month; their exciting new forward line hit Tottenham's youngsters for six earlier in the week. Crawley began today's game with similar ambition.
But Arsenal quickly had moments of their own. Sanchez Watt came close to sliding Gibbs through on goal, and Barazite's perseverance down the left almost paid the ultimate dividend for Rui Fonte. However, the Portuguese shot lacked the venom to trouble Simon Rayner in goal.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Crawley continued to cause problems. First Jamie Cook was thwarted by Paul Rodgers before the offside flag halted Rankin as he bore down on goal. Cook then wasted a glorious chance to hand the hosts the lead after 25 minutes, sending a free header over the bar from a matter of yards.
The Gunners response was warming - Fonte forced Rayner into a full-stretch save from distance and defender Kyle Bartley saw a header hacked off the line by Lewis Killeen.
Arsenal's passing game was starting to take centre-stage.
But for every chance created the Gunners had defensive duties in equal measure. Thomas Pinault reacted quickest to a loose ball and fired just wide, and Rene Steer made got a vital touch away from Rankin at the far post.
For all the goalmouth action though, neither goalkeeper had been overly busy. That all changed as the first half drew to a close. Barazite drew a smart stop at the near post from Rayner, and Fonte, too, had the stopper clamouring across his goal to palm a shot round the post.
At the break the sides were deadlocked.
Thomas' simple back-to-front pass just eluded substitute Rhys Murphy in a rare moment of excitement in a stagnant start to the second half. In fact it took until after the hour for the crowd to be roused. Then, Cruise and Murphy combined brilliantly down the left flank with the latter's surge into the box stopped at the last moment.
It was a prelude to a spell of Arsenal pressure.
Frimpong scuffed a free-kick from just outside the box, Fonte had another goal bound effort shut down, Rodgers headed wide and Cruise had his misguided cross fumbled onto the post. And there was more to come.
In the 71st minute Barazite, who had been a class above for much of the afternoon, raced into the area, slipped past two men and, as the angle narrowed, rolled in Gibbs at the far post to hand Arsenal a deserved lead.
Even with the advantage attained it was the visitors who looked most likely to trouble the scorers again as Thomas fizzed an effort just over from all of 25 yards.
It was his final act before being withdrawn, and was similarly the last real chance of the match for either side. Crawley finished strongly, forcing Arsenal onto the back foot for a brief spell. However they failed to cause much consternation.
Arsenal Reserves XI
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Paul Rodgers
- Kyle Bartley
- Rene Steer
- Abu Ogogo
- James Dunne
- Kieran Gibbs
- Nacer Barazite
- Sanchez Watt
- Rui Fonte
- Jay Thomas
- Emmanuel Frimpong
- Thomas Cruise
- Luke Ayling
- Rhys Murphy
Pre-season Friendly
Broadfield Stadium
Saturday, July 26, 2008, 3pm
Crawley Town
0
Arsenal Reserves XI
1
Gibbs 71
Arsenal's young stars put on mature and ultimately pleasing performance as they defeated Blue Square Premier outfit Crawley Town 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Midfielder Kieran Gibbs capped his return to Gunners' action - he has recently been on duty with England Under-19s - with the games only goal midway through the second half. It was just rewards of an assiduous afternoon's work.
As the senior squad looks set to rob the academy of some of its most prized possessions, the match was full of sparkling glimpses of the strength down the age groups. Second-half substitutes Emmanuel Frimpong, Thomas Cruise and Luke Ayling all produced a fine defensive cameo against a physical Crawley side.
Manager Steve Bould named, arguably, the strongest XI available to him, with the exception of Havard Nordtveit. The Norwegian defender was a late withdrawal and replaced by Jay Thomas. Gibbs and Nacer Barazite brought a splash of senior experience to a largely Under-18 side, but there were several second-string regulars in attendance.
Crawley provided the match's only player with a taste of the Premier League in the form of Isaiah Rankin. The one-time Gunner made his only appearance for Arsenal in a North London derby in 1997. Paolo Vernazza was another familiar face; he was named among the substitutes.
The hosts plundered over 100 goals last season and have strengthened their forward department over the summer month; their exciting new forward line hit Tottenham's youngsters for six earlier in the week. Crawley began today's game with similar ambition.
But Arsenal quickly had moments of their own. Sanchez Watt came close to sliding Gibbs through on goal, and Barazite's perseverance down the left almost paid the ultimate dividend for Rui Fonte. However, the Portuguese shot lacked the venom to trouble Simon Rayner in goal.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Crawley continued to cause problems. First Jamie Cook was thwarted by Paul Rodgers before the offside flag halted Rankin as he bore down on goal. Cook then wasted a glorious chance to hand the hosts the lead after 25 minutes, sending a free header over the bar from a matter of yards.
The Gunners response was warming - Fonte forced Rayner into a full-stretch save from distance and defender Kyle Bartley saw a header hacked off the line by Lewis Killeen.
Arsenal's passing game was starting to take centre-stage.
But for every chance created the Gunners had defensive duties in equal measure. Thomas Pinault reacted quickest to a loose ball and fired just wide, and Rene Steer made got a vital touch away from Rankin at the far post.
For all the goalmouth action though, neither goalkeeper had been overly busy. That all changed as the first half drew to a close. Barazite drew a smart stop at the near post from Rayner, and Fonte, too, had the stopper clamouring across his goal to palm a shot round the post.
At the break the sides were deadlocked.
Thomas' simple back-to-front pass just eluded substitute Rhys Murphy in a rare moment of excitement in a stagnant start to the second half. In fact it took until after the hour for the crowd to be roused. Then, Cruise and Murphy combined brilliantly down the left flank with the latter's surge into the box stopped at the last moment.
It was a prelude to a spell of Arsenal pressure.
Frimpong scuffed a free-kick from just outside the box, Fonte had another goal bound effort shut down, Rodgers headed wide and Cruise had his misguided cross fumbled onto the post. And there was more to come.
In the 71st minute Barazite, who had been a class above for much of the afternoon, raced into the area, slipped past two men and, as the angle narrowed, rolled in Gibbs at the far post to hand Arsenal a deserved lead.
Even with the advantage attained it was the visitors who looked most likely to trouble the scorers again as Thomas fizzed an effort just over from all of 25 yards.
It was his final act before being withdrawn, and was similarly the last real chance of the match for either side. Crawley finished strongly, forcing Arsenal onto the back foot for a brief spell. However they failed to cause much consternation.
fgl
Well-known member
Friendly
Sonnenseestadion
Monday, July 28, 2008, 6.30pm CET
Burgenland XI
2
Foric 73, Martna 90
Arsenal
10
Wilshere 1, 65 (pen), Bendtner 14, 19, 30, 37, Vela 25, 33, 52, Walcott 69
By Richard Clarke in Ritzing
Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere grabbed their first goals for Arsenal in a 10-2 hammering of a Burgenland XI at SC Ritzing on Monday night.
Nicklas Bendtner was the dominant figure of the first half, netting four times against a select side that seemed out of their depth as soon as Wilshere had scrambled home the opener in the first minute.
Vela contributed a couple of cool finishes as Arsenal cruised into a 7-0 at the break and then completed his personal treble seven minutes in the second half.
Wilshire won and then converted a penalty just past the hour before setting up Theo Walcott for Arsenal's 10th shortly afterwards. Burgenland's Junuz Foric fired in the very definition of a consolation goal almost immediately and Alexander Martna added an unlikely second at the death.
But this had been little more than stroll.
This was Arsenal's third visit to Ritzing in the past five years. The first had ended in a 2-2 draw. The second, in 2005, saw the visitors run out 5-2 winners in a match that celebrated the opening of the home team's newly-developed stadium. This small town on the Hungarian border only has 900 inhabitants but it possesses a ground that would grace any English Conference side.
Ritzing themselves play in the Austrian 'Mitte' Regional League however today's opponents, a Burgenland XI, were drawn from teams of a lower standard. It would be glaringly obvious throughout the 90 minutes.
Wenger's side was similar to the one held to a 1-1 draw at Szombathelyi. Bendtner and Vela were paired up front, Denilson and Ramsey were paired in the middle and the Hoyte brothers were paired in central defence. Wilshere and Armand Traore were the wide men with Manuel Almunia in goal. It was little more than a Carling Cup side for Arsenal but it was far, far, far too much for the opponents tonight.
Arsenal took the lead within a minute when Wilshere scrambled the ball home after a melee in the area. At first the goal was credited to Aaron Ramsey and it could have been an own goal aswell. However the 16-year-old will have been glad to grab his first goal for the club.
Keeper David Lehrner pulled off a couple of decent close-range saves just before the quarter-hour. First Bendtner controlled Armand Traore's hanging cross and let fly then Ramsey wriggled clear before.
It was starting to look like an easy evening, especially when Bendtner lashed home a thunderous drive from the edge of the area in the 14th minute to double Arsenal's advantage.
The Dane followed it up five minutes later with low cross-shot that crept just inside the far post.
In the 25th minute, Carlos Vela added a fourth - his first goal for the Club - when he dribbled up the right and planted his effort into the same corner.
Bendtner pounced after Lehrner parried Ramsey's shot but could not convert. However the former Copenhagen striker completed his hat-trick when he slid in a shot from the left on the half-hour.
Vela converted a low cross from the right to give Arsenal a round half-dozen and, eight minutes from the interval, Bendtner controlled a high ball from the right and clipped home his fourth goal and his team's seventh.
Having already brought on Henri Lansbury for Traore, Wenger took off Bendtner, Almunia, Gael Clichy and Denilson for Mark Randall, Theo Walcott, Vito Mannone and Jay Simpson at the break. The last of these missed a glorious chance in the opening seconds after Vela's shot was parried into his path.
However the Mexican would complete his hat-trick in the 52nd minute with a simple finish and, almost immediately afterwards, Simpson would rattle the bar from close range. Burgenland had changed their entire XI at the interval but the game had altered very, very little.
In the 65th minute, Wilshere was brought down on the right of the six-yard box and stroked home Arsenal's ninth from the penalty spot.
Four minutes later, the Englishman squared a simple ball for Walcott to tap Arsenal into double figures.
In the 73rd minute, something very strange happened - Burgenland scored. Junuz Foric fired in a drive past Vito Mannone after collecting a corner from the right.
It was Burgenland's first shot in anger.
However a couple of minutes later only a perfectly-timed challenge by Gavin Hoyte stopped them having another when Foric looked to go clear.
But it was hardly Burgenland pressure. Arsenal were attacking at will with Wilshere and Walcott both firing wide in the intervening minutes.
Still Foric went close again and in the final minutes Alexander Martna chipped a second for the hosts.
It was the final act in a game that was barely competitive but a decent 'run-out'. And, most importantly, the crowd of 3,200 were certainly entertained.
Arsenal line up pre-match
Jack Wilshere on the offensive
Denilson prowls in midfield
Aaron Ramsey plays a pass
Sonnenseestadion
Monday, July 28, 2008, 6.30pm CET
Burgenland XI
2
Foric 73, Martna 90
Arsenal
10
Wilshere 1, 65 (pen), Bendtner 14, 19, 30, 37, Vela 25, 33, 52, Walcott 69
By Richard Clarke in Ritzing
Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere grabbed their first goals for Arsenal in a 10-2 hammering of a Burgenland XI at SC Ritzing on Monday night.
Nicklas Bendtner was the dominant figure of the first half, netting four times against a select side that seemed out of their depth as soon as Wilshere had scrambled home the opener in the first minute.
Vela contributed a couple of cool finishes as Arsenal cruised into a 7-0 at the break and then completed his personal treble seven minutes in the second half.
Wilshire won and then converted a penalty just past the hour before setting up Theo Walcott for Arsenal's 10th shortly afterwards. Burgenland's Junuz Foric fired in the very definition of a consolation goal almost immediately and Alexander Martna added an unlikely second at the death.
But this had been little more than stroll.
This was Arsenal's third visit to Ritzing in the past five years. The first had ended in a 2-2 draw. The second, in 2005, saw the visitors run out 5-2 winners in a match that celebrated the opening of the home team's newly-developed stadium. This small town on the Hungarian border only has 900 inhabitants but it possesses a ground that would grace any English Conference side.
Ritzing themselves play in the Austrian 'Mitte' Regional League however today's opponents, a Burgenland XI, were drawn from teams of a lower standard. It would be glaringly obvious throughout the 90 minutes.
Wenger's side was similar to the one held to a 1-1 draw at Szombathelyi. Bendtner and Vela were paired up front, Denilson and Ramsey were paired in the middle and the Hoyte brothers were paired in central defence. Wilshere and Armand Traore were the wide men with Manuel Almunia in goal. It was little more than a Carling Cup side for Arsenal but it was far, far, far too much for the opponents tonight.
Arsenal took the lead within a minute when Wilshere scrambled the ball home after a melee in the area. At first the goal was credited to Aaron Ramsey and it could have been an own goal aswell. However the 16-year-old will have been glad to grab his first goal for the club.
Keeper David Lehrner pulled off a couple of decent close-range saves just before the quarter-hour. First Bendtner controlled Armand Traore's hanging cross and let fly then Ramsey wriggled clear before.
It was starting to look like an easy evening, especially when Bendtner lashed home a thunderous drive from the edge of the area in the 14th minute to double Arsenal's advantage.
The Dane followed it up five minutes later with low cross-shot that crept just inside the far post.
In the 25th minute, Carlos Vela added a fourth - his first goal for the Club - when he dribbled up the right and planted his effort into the same corner.
Bendtner pounced after Lehrner parried Ramsey's shot but could not convert. However the former Copenhagen striker completed his hat-trick when he slid in a shot from the left on the half-hour.
Vela converted a low cross from the right to give Arsenal a round half-dozen and, eight minutes from the interval, Bendtner controlled a high ball from the right and clipped home his fourth goal and his team's seventh.
Having already brought on Henri Lansbury for Traore, Wenger took off Bendtner, Almunia, Gael Clichy and Denilson for Mark Randall, Theo Walcott, Vito Mannone and Jay Simpson at the break. The last of these missed a glorious chance in the opening seconds after Vela's shot was parried into his path.
However the Mexican would complete his hat-trick in the 52nd minute with a simple finish and, almost immediately afterwards, Simpson would rattle the bar from close range. Burgenland had changed their entire XI at the interval but the game had altered very, very little.
In the 65th minute, Wilshere was brought down on the right of the six-yard box and stroked home Arsenal's ninth from the penalty spot.
Four minutes later, the Englishman squared a simple ball for Walcott to tap Arsenal into double figures.
In the 73rd minute, something very strange happened - Burgenland scored. Junuz Foric fired in a drive past Vito Mannone after collecting a corner from the right.
It was Burgenland's first shot in anger.
However a couple of minutes later only a perfectly-timed challenge by Gavin Hoyte stopped them having another when Foric looked to go clear.
But it was hardly Burgenland pressure. Arsenal were attacking at will with Wilshere and Walcott both firing wide in the intervening minutes.
Still Foric went close again and in the final minutes Alexander Martna chipped a second for the hosts.
It was the final act in a game that was barely competitive but a decent 'run-out'. And, most importantly, the crowd of 3,200 were certainly entertained.
LadyInTears
Well-known member
wtf 10-2
omgomgomg
omgomgomg
fgl
Well-known member
http://www.arsenal.com/matchmenu.asp?thisNav=fanzone&fxid=338052&cpid=703
Arsenal
- Manuel Almunia
- Lukasz Fabianski 45
- Gael Clichy
- Johan Djourou William Gallas
- Bacary Sagna
- Gavin Hoyte 78
- Samir Nasri
- Jack Wilshere 61
- Denilson
- Henri Lansbury 85
- Emmanuel Eboue
- Aaron Ramsey 61
- Theo Walcott
- Mark Randall 78
- Robin Van Persie
- Carlos Vela 45
- Jay Simpson 85
- Emmanuel Adebayor
- Nicklas Bendtner 45
VfB Stuttgart
- Jens Lehmann
- Serdar Tasci
- Arthur Boka
- Khalid Boulahrouz
- Matthieu Delpierre
- Roberto Hilbert
- Thomas Hitzlsperger
- Sebastian Rudy 62
- Pavel Pardo
- Yildiray Bastürk 45
- Jan Simak
- Mario Gomez
- Matthias Morys 62
- Ciprian Marica
- Danijel Ljuboja
- Christian Träsch
- Manuel Fischer
- Sami Khedira
- Alexander Stolz
- Ludovic Magnin
- Martin Lanig
- Robin Schuster
Match Report
Friendly
Mercedes-Benz Arena
Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 8.15pm CET
VfB Stuttgart
1
Bastürk 51
Arsenal
3
Vela 58, Bendtner 65, Wilshere 73
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal welcomed back their ‘Big Guns’ for the trip to Stuttgart on Wednesday night but it was the ‘bright young things’ who secured a fine 3-1 victory.
Arsène Wenger chose this evening’s prestige friendly to select Robin van Persie, William Gallas, Johan Djourou, Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue for the first time this summer while the manager also handed Samir Nasir his first start for the Club.
All benefitted from at least 45 minutes of ‘competitive friendly’ action. However, after Yildiray Basturk had given the hosts a surprise lead just after the break, it was the young attackers who prompted Arsenal’s comeback.
Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner produced excellent finishes to give the visitors the lead by the 65th minute. Then Jack Wilshere boosted his already burgeoning reputation with a crisp strike with 17 minutes to go.
It was another fine work-out and handy win before the competition increases dramatically at the Emirates Cup on Saturday.
This was certainly Arsenal’s most serious warm-up game so far and it was no surprise to see the more experienced players return.
The visitors lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Van Persie supporting Adebayor up front and Eboue alongside Denilson in central midfield. They were flanked by Nasri on the left and Walcott on the right.
Arsenal also debuted their new yellow and blue away kit. It is based on the one the team wore when they won the League title in 1989 and will go on sale at the Emirates Cup on Saturday.
This game was arranged to celebrate the re-naming of Stuttgart’s stadium to the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The 2007 Bundasliga champions had a number of Euro 2008 stars on show — Khalid Boulahrouz, Mario Gomez, Thomas Hiszlsperger and, of course, Jens Lehmann.
Before the game, the entire Stuttgart squad were welcomed on to the pitch one-by-one. For each, the announcer shouted, the crowd cheered and six flares lining their entrance ignited.
Lehmann got the biggest ovation of all and, as he had at Emirates on his final appearance last season, saluted all four corners of the ground. However he was momentarily startled when the flames kicked-in!
The early stages were very ‘pre-season’. Arsenal were the passing crisply but to little effect. Stuttgart’s main weapon was the long ball and it caused few real concerns for the visiting centre backs.
The first chance came in the eighth minute. Adebayor’s angled ball split the Stuttgart defence and found Van Persie onside just on the edge of the area. He had ample time to slip the ball past Lehmann but he attempted an extravagant chip. Perhaps a little inside knowledge helped the new Stuttgart keeper anticipate the move. Lehmann stretched high and held on to the ball by his fingertips.
Shortly afterward, Marica Ciprian wriggled past Gael Clichy and only an astute near-post interception by Emmanuel Eboue prevented Stuttgart going in front.
In the 17th minute, Ciprian’s rasping shot worried Almunia enough for the keeper to fling himself towards the near post. The Spaniard’s touch was sufficient to turn the ball into the sidenetting.
Stuttgart were starting to flex their muscles but it would not last. In the 26th minute, a sweeping Arsenal move ended with Van Persie laying a neat pass into the path of the onrushing Walcott six yards out. The winger’s contact was clean but his shot was too close to Lehmann, who pulled off an excellent one-handed save.
After that the game rather fell into its earlier ‘pre-season’ rut. If football is game of tiny percentages then these players need some maths revision. Both sides were shaking the rust out of their systems.
As usual, Wenger made a flurry of substitutions at the break. However it was a Stuttgart change who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Boulahrouz found Martin Laing and his well-weighted pass allowed Basturk to steady himself before driving the ball low past Lukasz Fabianski.
The lead would last only seven minutes. Bendtner clipped a clever pass forward from the right-hand byline and, while the returning Theo Walcott was offside, Vela, the intended target, was not. The Mexican still had much to do however. He held off Boulahrouz, skipped past Lehmann and fired high into the net from the tightest of angles. It was a high-quality finish from a player who could turn out to be a world class finisher.
Nasri and Eboue were brought off shortly afterwards. Indeed, throughout the second half, Wenger would continue to substitute those who were playing their first games back.
Of course those coming on had more minutes under their belt and that showed for Arsenal’s second goal in the 65 minute. Bendtner collected the ball midway inside the Stuttgart half and clipped a ball to Vela. The Mexican’s return was first-time but high yet Bendtner won the ball in the air, held off Boulahrouz and clipped his shot past Lehmann from close range.
If Stuttgart were a little stunned, they would be seeing stars (or perhaps that should be stars of the future) when the third went in after 73 minutes. Clichy pirouetted past a couple of defenders on the left and sent over a raking cross that Wilshere finished with precision.
It sucked the final signs of life from a Stuttgart side who had struggled to cope with Arsenal in the second half. Their only chance of a second goal came in injury time when substitute Danijel Ljuboja scuffed a shot at Fabianski following a corner
fgl
Well-known member
http://www.paddypower.com/bet?actio...oc_grp_ids=60222&bir_index=&cid=38&AFF_ID=303
Wenger - My squad is fully stocked with strikers now
VfB Stuttgart 1-3 Arsenal
Friendly
Mercedes-Benz Arena
Wed, Jul 30, 2008, 8.15pm
http://www.arsenal.com/matchmenu.asp?thisNav=The+Match&fxid=338052
By Richard Clarke
The pre-season form of Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela has re-affirmed Arsène Wenger’s belief that he does not need to sign another striker.
Both players scored with classy finishes on Wednesday night in the 3-1 win at Stuttgart. In addition the Dane hit four and the Mexican three against an admittedly weak Burgenland XI two days earlier.
If you add these two players to Wenger’s pool of forwards then suddenly it appears the manager has many options for the start of the campaign — Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Vela and Bendtner. While Eduardo is well on course for a return by November.
“We are not as short of strikers as people thought,” said Wenger after the Stuttgart win.
“We have Vela, who has integrated well into the team, and Bendtner was a force at the end of last season. He will confirm that again this year.
“In all the areas in total we are perhaps one player short. But up front we don’t need anybody
fgl
Well-known member
Huddersfield Town away - Squad announced
Huddersfield v Arsenal
Friendly
The Galpharm Stadium
Wed, Aug 6, 2008, 7pm
The Arsenal squad has now been announced for Wednesday night's away friendly with Huddersfield Town. The 20-man squad is as follows...
Nacer BARAZITE
Kyle BARTLEY
Johan DJOUROU
Jay EMMANUEL-THOMAS
Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK)
Rui FONTE
Emmanuel FRIMPONG
Kieran GIBBS
Gavin HOYTE
Justin HOYTE
Henri LANSBURY
Vito MANNONE (GK)
Havard NORDTVEIT
Aaron RAMSEY
Mark RANDALL
Jay SIMPSON
Theo WALCOTT
Sanchez WATT
Carlos VELA
Jack WILSHERE
Huddersfield v Arsenal
Friendly
The Galpharm Stadium
Wed, Aug 6, 2008, 7pm
The Arsenal squad has now been announced for Wednesday night's away friendly with Huddersfield Town. The 20-man squad is as follows...
Nacer BARAZITE
Kyle BARTLEY
Johan DJOUROU
Jay EMMANUEL-THOMAS
Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK)
Rui FONTE
Emmanuel FRIMPONG
Kieran GIBBS
Gavin HOYTE
Justin HOYTE
Henri LANSBURY
Vito MANNONE (GK)
Havard NORDTVEIT
Aaron RAMSEY
Mark RANDALL
Jay SIMPSON
Theo WALCOTT
Sanchez WATT
Carlos VELA
Jack WILSHERE
LadyInTears
Well-known member
i predict another hattrick for vela..
fgl
Well-known member
Arsenal
Match Report
Friendly
The Galpharm Stadium
Wednesday, August 06, 2008, 7pm
Huddersfield
1
Berrett 75
Arsenal
2
Watt 79, Barazite 87
By Matt Fortune
Arsenal's pre-season preparations continued on Wednesday night as a young Gunners outfit came from behind to beat Huddersfield 2-1 thanks to late goals from Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite.
The evening formed part of the Terriers centenary celebrations and had garnered a lot of interest in the local area with over 16,000 tickets sold prior to kick-off.
So why invite Arsenal? The answer is simple. Herbert Chapman, the visionary manager of the early 20th Century led both these sides to almost unparalleled success in their respective histories. With tonight's hosts, Chapman won two First Division titles and an FA Cup in just four years before swapping Yorkshire for London. At Arsenal he revolutionised the Club, setting up an era of dominance in the 1930s.
For tonight's game Johan Djourou captained the team from centre-half, alongside the Hoyte brothers and Kieran Gibbs. Jack Wilshere, fresh from the news he is to wear the No 19 shirt this season, roamed the left wing, and Theo Walcott was joined upfront by Carlos Vela.
Much like the Arsenal side on show, Town boasted a smattering of Academy talent in their squad, however the starting XI included several names with Premier League experience; Danny Cadamarteri, Chris Luketti and David Unsworth.
The last time Arsenal travelled to Huddersfield, they left with a 5-0 first leg lead in their 1993 League Cup Second Round tie. A similar scoreline tonight and they might be considered party-poopers. And when Randall and Vela went close inside the first four minutes, a repeat certainly didn't seem out of the realms of possibility. But Fabianski soon became the busier of the two stoppers as Luke Beckett and Gary Roberts forced the Pole into emergency action at his near post.
Beckett then had the clearest opportunity of the match just after the quarter-hour. The striker raced clear off the right touchline with Gavin Hoyte hot on his heels. The tackle from behind, when it came inside the box, needed to be impeccable. It was and Arsenal's goal remained intact.
The visitors soon found their groove. The wealth of creative talent sitting in behind the pace of Walcott couldn't be shackled all night. Sure enough the Englishman, played through by Mark Randall, went close with a snapshot as the Gunners pressed midway through the half.
In truth, though, Huddersfield remained on top and went close again through Lucketti. The captain was found inexplicably unmarked at the back post and somehow planted a header wide of the opposite upright.
But you cant keep a good side down and Arsenal had the final act of the half. Walcott's pace again made the difference but twice in a matter of seconds he was thwarted superbly by Matt Glennon in the Town goal.
At the interval the visitors made six changes. Huddersfield unleashed an entirely new 11, but the complexion stayed the same with chances at both ends. Justin Hoyte came agonisingly close to connecting with a lofted through ball, while Phil Jevons bent an effort just wide from distance.
Barazite and Jay Simpson were now leading the line for Arsenal. The pair had hauled the Gunners back from the jaws of defeat against Barnet in the pre-season curtain raiser almost a month ago. Both looked dangerous again tonight.
After the hour, and for the first time in the evening the tempo slowed right down. With 25 minutes to go Gibbs did his best to raise it with a powerful surge to the byline, but his cutback was skied by Watt.
Randall's trickery almost opened the door for the Gunners but Town remained resolute. Then in the 75th minute the hosts led. Arsenal's now very young backline failed to deal with a long throw into the box and allowed Luke Berrett to slam home with the aid of a wicked deflection.
But as the old saying goes, you are always at your most vulnerable shortly after you score. So it proved for Huddersfield. Within three minutes Simpson had surged down the right flank, beaten his man with a deft piece of skill, rolled the ball into a crowded box allowing Watt, and the second time of asking to apply the finish.
Now Arsenal seized the initiative. Gibbs flashed wide and Barazite had a goal-bound effort charged down. The Dutchman didn't have to wait long for his big moment though. The 18-year old had scored the winner against Barnet and here with three minutes to go he plundered another one. Spinning his man expertly, he burst into space on the edge of the area, pulled the trigger and although the 'keeper got a hand to it, he could only take out some of the sting rather than the direction.
At the final time whistle fireworks and celebration enveloped The Galpharm Stadium. It was a glorious end to a special night
- Lukasz Fabianski
- Vito Mannone 45
- Justin Hoyte
- Rui Fonte 65
- Johan Djourou
- Kyle Bartley 65
- Gavin Hoyte
- Emmanuel Frimpong 45
- Henri Lansbury
- Havard Nordtveit 65
- Mark Randall
- Aaron Ramsey
- Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 45
- Kieran Gibbs
- Jack Wilshere
- Sanchez Watt 45
- Theo Walcott
- Nacer Barazite 45
- Carlos Vela
- Jay Simpson 45
- Jim Goodwin
- David Mirfin 45
- Simon Eastwood 85
- Danny Cadamateri
- Phil Jevons 45
- Michael Collins
- James Berrett 45
- Matt Glennon
- Alex Smithies 45
- Andy Holdsworth
- Tom Clarke 45
- David Holdsworth
- Nathan Clarke 45
- Chris Lucketti
- Robbie Williams 45
- Gary Roberts
- Jonathan Worthington 45
- Joe Skaz
- Keigan Parker 45
- Andy Butler
- Malvin Kamara 45
- Luke Beckett
- Danny Codman 45
- 19,044
Match Report
Friendly
The Galpharm Stadium
Wednesday, August 06, 2008, 7pm
Huddersfield
1
Berrett 75
Arsenal
2
Watt 79, Barazite 87
By Matt Fortune
Arsenal's pre-season preparations continued on Wednesday night as a young Gunners outfit came from behind to beat Huddersfield 2-1 thanks to late goals from Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite.
The evening formed part of the Terriers centenary celebrations and had garnered a lot of interest in the local area with over 16,000 tickets sold prior to kick-off.
So why invite Arsenal? The answer is simple. Herbert Chapman, the visionary manager of the early 20th Century led both these sides to almost unparalleled success in their respective histories. With tonight's hosts, Chapman won two First Division titles and an FA Cup in just four years before swapping Yorkshire for London. At Arsenal he revolutionised the Club, setting up an era of dominance in the 1930s.
For tonight's game Johan Djourou captained the team from centre-half, alongside the Hoyte brothers and Kieran Gibbs. Jack Wilshere, fresh from the news he is to wear the No 19 shirt this season, roamed the left wing, and Theo Walcott was joined upfront by Carlos Vela.
Much like the Arsenal side on show, Town boasted a smattering of Academy talent in their squad, however the starting XI included several names with Premier League experience; Danny Cadamarteri, Chris Luketti and David Unsworth.
The last time Arsenal travelled to Huddersfield, they left with a 5-0 first leg lead in their 1993 League Cup Second Round tie. A similar scoreline tonight and they might be considered party-poopers. And when Randall and Vela went close inside the first four minutes, a repeat certainly didn't seem out of the realms of possibility. But Fabianski soon became the busier of the two stoppers as Luke Beckett and Gary Roberts forced the Pole into emergency action at his near post.
Beckett then had the clearest opportunity of the match just after the quarter-hour. The striker raced clear off the right touchline with Gavin Hoyte hot on his heels. The tackle from behind, when it came inside the box, needed to be impeccable. It was and Arsenal's goal remained intact.
The visitors soon found their groove. The wealth of creative talent sitting in behind the pace of Walcott couldn't be shackled all night. Sure enough the Englishman, played through by Mark Randall, went close with a snapshot as the Gunners pressed midway through the half.
In truth, though, Huddersfield remained on top and went close again through Lucketti. The captain was found inexplicably unmarked at the back post and somehow planted a header wide of the opposite upright.
But you cant keep a good side down and Arsenal had the final act of the half. Walcott's pace again made the difference but twice in a matter of seconds he was thwarted superbly by Matt Glennon in the Town goal.
At the interval the visitors made six changes. Huddersfield unleashed an entirely new 11, but the complexion stayed the same with chances at both ends. Justin Hoyte came agonisingly close to connecting with a lofted through ball, while Phil Jevons bent an effort just wide from distance.
Barazite and Jay Simpson were now leading the line for Arsenal. The pair had hauled the Gunners back from the jaws of defeat against Barnet in the pre-season curtain raiser almost a month ago. Both looked dangerous again tonight.
After the hour, and for the first time in the evening the tempo slowed right down. With 25 minutes to go Gibbs did his best to raise it with a powerful surge to the byline, but his cutback was skied by Watt.
Randall's trickery almost opened the door for the Gunners but Town remained resolute. Then in the 75th minute the hosts led. Arsenal's now very young backline failed to deal with a long throw into the box and allowed Luke Berrett to slam home with the aid of a wicked deflection.
But as the old saying goes, you are always at your most vulnerable shortly after you score. So it proved for Huddersfield. Within three minutes Simpson had surged down the right flank, beaten his man with a deft piece of skill, rolled the ball into a crowded box allowing Watt, and the second time of asking to apply the finish.
Now Arsenal seized the initiative. Gibbs flashed wide and Barazite had a goal-bound effort charged down. The Dutchman didn't have to wait long for his big moment though. The 18-year old had scored the winner against Barnet and here with three minutes to go he plundered another one. Spinning his man expertly, he burst into space on the edge of the area, pulled the trigger and although the 'keeper got a hand to it, he could only take out some of the sting rather than the direction.
At the final time whistle fireworks and celebration enveloped The Galpharm Stadium. It was a glorious end to a special night
fgl
Well-known member
http://www.arsenal.com/matchmenu.asp?thisNav=news&fxid=339137&cpid=703
Arsenal
- Manuel Almunia
- Kolo Toure
- Gael Clichy
- William Gallas
- Bacary Sagna
- Denilson
- Jack Wilshere 84
- Cesc Fabregas
- Aaron Ramsey 84
- Emmanuel Eboue
- Theo Walcott
- Nicklas Bendtner 67
- Emmanuel Adebayor
- Robin Van Persie
- Philippe Senderos 84
Ajax
- Bruno Silva Barone
- Oleguer Presas Renom
- Vurnon Anita
- Gregory Van Der Wiel 69
- Ismaïl Aissati
- Mitchell Donald 72
- Luis Suarez
- Dario Cvitanich
- Miralem Sulejmani 64
- Maarten Stekelenburg
- Gabri
- Rasmus Lindgren
- Robbert Schilder
- Klaas Huntelaar
- Siem De Jong
- Dennis Gentenaar
- Donovan Slijngard
- Javier Martina
Amsterdam Tournament
Amsterdam ArenA
Friday, August 08, 2008, 8.15pm
Ajax
2
Suarez 34, Huntelaar 36
Arsenal
3
Adebayor 66, 83, Bendtner 73
By Richard Clarke at the Amsterdam ArenA
Arsenal produced a stunning 16-minute comeback to beat Ajax in the opening game of the Amsterdam Tournament on Friday night.
With just over an hour gone at the ArenA, Arsène Wenger’s were staring at defeat against a side inspired by spectacular first-half finishes from Luis Suarez and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
However after 67 minutes Emmanuel Adebayor steered home Emmanuel Eboue’s excellent cross. He then set up substitute Nicklas Bendtner for the equaliser eight minutes later. In the 83rd minute the Togolese striker completed the job by slotting home a cut back from Denilson.
Having relinquished their grip on the Emirates Cup last weekend, it appears Arsenal are not intent on letting the Amsterdam Tournament trophy slip from their hands so easily.
At the halfway stage, Wenger’s men have six points - three for the win, one for each goal - Ajax have two while Sevilla and Inter possess one apiece after their goalless draw. Arsenal play the Spaniards on Saturday.
If Austria had been a re-introduction and Emirates Cup a consolidation then this was Wenger’s final preparation work for the new season.
At least for most of the squad anyway. For Kolo Toure and Cesc Fabregas, tonight represented their first game of pre-season. The Ivorian had been laid low with malaria in mid-July while the Spaniard had come back later than the rest of his team-mates because of his country’s success at Euro 2008.
Samir Nasri (knee/thigh) and Abou Diaby (thigh) had both not travelled for the tournament due to injury. But, apart from that, the starting XI this evening could be close to the one Wenger sends out against Twente on Wednesday.
The back four was first-choice while Denilson joined Fabregas in centre midfield with Theo Walcott on the left and Emmanuel Eboue on the right. Adebayor and Robin van Persie were up front.
The strength of the line-up was demonstrated within 90 seconds as Arsenal created a tremendous opportunity.
Fabregas hacked a huge clearance forward and Walcott’s exquisite first touch sent Adebayor racing through the centre. The Togolese targetman outpaced Vurnon Anita and burst into the area with only Maarten Stekelenburg to beat. The keeper read Adebayor’s intentions and pulled off an excellent point-blank save.
Ajax took 15 minutes to reply. Saurez clipped over a cross and Dario Cvitanich diverted a bullet-header inches over the bar. However the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.
Arsenal were the better side after that. Walcott worried the Ajax defence on numerous occasions and it seemed the visitors were in the mood to retain the trophy last year.
On the half hour, Fabregas swung a cheeky corner to Eboue just outside the area. The Ivorian had time to steady himself and then let fly. Stekelenburg saved well but could only parry the ball to the feet of Adebayor six yards out. His toe-poke beat the keeper but hit a startled Anita on the line.
Seconds later Stekelenburg dived full length to save from Fabregas. Arsenal were turning up the heat.
Or so they thought.
Almost immediately Gallas snaffled the ball clear as Cvitanich threatened. Then in the 34th minute Ajax bagged the first of their quick brace.
Rasmus Lindgren clipped the ball forward and an off-balance Toure nodded the ball down invitingly for Suarez to hook home a blistering shot into the net off the underside of the bar.
Arsenal were stunned; they had been the better side. But before they could regain their composure they were 2-0 down. Again it was Lindgren who provided the ball into the area but this time Cvitanich nodded the ball down. It was collected by Huntelaar, who guide a low volley across Almunia and into the far corner of the net. wonderfully composed strike.
The Ajax captain put the ball in the Arsenal net again four minutes before the break but the offside flag had long-since been raised.
Fabregas was in the thick of the action at the start of the second half. Within seconds of the first whistle, Walcott’s pass found him on the edge of the area but his drive was charged down.
Then he appeared the clipped by Anita as he attempted to reach the right-hand byline but referee Kevin Blom waved play on.
Arsenal were again the superior side territorially but Ajax had their fair share of chances. Huntelaar and Ismail Aissati both went close the hosts.
This was turning out to be a competitive friendly, as a flurry of yellow cards just before the hour served to prove.
As the game went on, Ajax seemed more comfortable in control. After 65 minutes, substitute Miralem Sulejmani even threatened a third but his attempted curler drifted past the far post.
It was kind of ironic then that Arsenal got back into the game seconds later. Eboue curled a raking cross into the area from the right and Adebayor rose to steer his header high into the net past Stekelenburg.
If that goal was the result of hard graft and quality, the equaliser was handed to Arsenal on a plate.
Mitchell Donald tried to pass back to Stekelenburg but had not spotted Adebayor racing through. The striker nipped in, took the ball to the byline (but not beyond as it first appeared) and then cut it back for Bendtner to score.
The comeback was now on. Ajax had lost their swagger while Arsenal buoyant once more. The inevitable goal arrived seven minutes from time when Denilson darted in the area and cut the ball back for Adebayor score from close range
fgl
Well-known member
- Lukasz Fabianski
- Philippe Senderos
- Justin Hoyte
- Johan Djourou
- Denilson 68
- Kieran Gibbs
- Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
- Bacary Sagna 68
- Aaron Ramsey
- Mark Randall
- Jack Wilshere
- Theo Walcott 79
- Carlos Vela
- Nicklas Bendtner
Sevilla
- Aquivaldo Mosquera
- Juan Cala 85
- Pablo Vargas
- David Prieto
- Christian Romaric 45
- Jose Crespo
- Ivica Dragutinovic 71
- Abdoulay Konko
- Jesus Navas
- Renato
- Seydou Keita
- Enzo Maresca
- Sebastien Squillaci 45
- Diego Capel
- Luis Fabiano
- Ernesto Javier Chevanton 45
Amsterdam Tournament
Amsterdam ArenA
Saturday, August 09, 2008, 6pm
Sevilla
1
Chevanton 81
Arsenal
1
Vela 4
By Richard Clarke at the Amsterdam ArenA
Arsenal placed one hand on the Amsterdam Tournament trophy with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla on Saturday night.
Carlos Vela’s fourth-minute strike gave Arsène Wenger’s youthful side an early lead. A more senior Sevilla team responded impressively. They bossed the latter stages of the first half and all of the second. The Spaniards spurned a host of chances before Javier Chevanton finally converted from close range with nine minutes left.
However the late equaliser was unlikely to change the winners of this year’s Amsterdam Tournament. The event awards an extra point for each goal scored. Therefore this result, and Friday’s 3-2 win over Ajax, gave Arsenal a final tally of eight points. They certainly finish ahead of Sevilla (3pts). The hosts (2pts) and Inter (1pt) were due to kick off after this game finished but, barring a goal-fest, Arsenal had retained the crown they won last year.
Victory is always beneficial, especially when youngsters are involved. However Wednesday’s trip 60 miles east of Amsterdam will be much more important.
Arsenal visit Arnhem in midweek to play Twente in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. A repeat result would be good enough.
Having played his ‘big gunners’ against Ajax on Friday night, Wenger understandably rotated for the game the following day. It was an entirely different — and entirely youthful - XI with Aaron Ramsey (17) and Mark Randall (18) in central midfield, Jack Wilshere (16) and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (17) on the flanks. Kieran Gibbs (18) tucked in at left back with Justin Hoyte (23) opposite. They sandwiched the two Swiss centre backs — Philippe Senderos (23) and Johan Djourou (21). Nicklas Bendtner (20) and Vela (19) were up front. Fabianski, another 23-year-old ‘veteran’, was in goal.
Sevilla had shuffled their side too but at least they started with three of the team beaten at Emirates Stadium in the Champions League last September.
And that was three more than Arsenal!
Wenger’s men had nearly gone ahead against Ajax after 90 seconds with a well-crafted move. Ditto this evening. Vela’s raking pass found Wilshere on the right, he tucked a pass into the path of Bendtner whose drive was blocked by Javier Herras at the near post.
However this time the North London side followed that chance by taking the lead a couple of minutes later. Vela won the ball on the left, raced into the area and held off the attentions of Abdoulay Konko before steering a shot into the far corner.
The Mexican showed commendable strength and tenacity to complete a cool finish, something that bodes well as the 19-year-old tries to adapt to the physicality of the English game this season.
However Arsenal’s youngsters were never going to steamroller Sevilla this evening. Jose Crespo escaped down the left and cut the ball back for Luis Fabiano to stab a shot over the bar. Shortly afterwards Fabianski came out confidently to catch a cross from Jesus Navas with Spanish strikers waiting in the area.
On the quarter-hour, Senderos diverted Fabiano’s shot past the post. Sevilla continued to pressure but Arsenal continued to have chances. Wilshere and Ramsey both saw their drives blocked by bodies in the area.
As half time approached Sevilla started to flex their muscles and created a host of chances. Navas sliced over the bar from a narrow angle, Arouna Kone saw his drive blocked by the body of Fabianski and Fabiano was dispossessed by Djourou at the vital moment.
But perhaps the clearest opportunity of all came three minutes before the break. Diego Capel reached the left-hand byline and clipped the ball back for Fabiano in space on the edge of the area. He paddled a header wide when he should have scored.
Djourou blocked Capel’s shot in the dying seconds as Sevilla piled on the pressure and in injury time Fabiano nodded wide from Enzo Maresca’s far-post corner.
The pattern continued after the break. Navas set up Fabiano who tricked himself some space before firing over. In the 53rd minute Kone bolted clear but a heavy touch allowed Fabianski to slid out and smother the ball.
Mounting pressure form Sevilla saw Randall’s divert a cross narrowly over his own bar then Fabianski tipped over a thunderbolt of a shot from Javier Chevanton.
It was turning into one-way traffic now. Sevilla was throwing countless balls into the area. What Djourou and Senderos did not clear, Fabianski blocked.
With 22 minutes left, Wenger added some experience in the form of Denilson and Bacary Sagna. Djourou and Emmanuel-Thomas went off.
As the half wore on, you began the get the impression Sevilla would never score. Aquivaldo Mosquera nodded over on 70 minutes, Chevanton headed wide on 72.
Then on 74 minutes, a corner was only half-cleared and Sebastien Squillaci found the ball at his feet five yards out. He managed to get his shot off but again Fabianski smothered.
Eventually the pressure told. Nine minutes from time, Navas had acres of space on the left flank and this time his low cross found Chevanton on the edge of the six-yard area. He swept home in style
Sevilla kicked on for the winner. With three minutes left Navas nodded against the outside of the post from the acutest of angles. But Arsenal held on
fgl
Well-known member
FC Twente v Arsenal
UEFA Champions League
Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 19:45
Arsène Wenger: 'We have a big squad at home'
Arsène Wenger has explained the major absences in his squad for the trip to FC Twente on Wednesday.
Arsenal are missing five major names and the long-term sidelined Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo.
It leaves the Frenchman relying on youngsters like Aaron Ramsey and Denilson to inspire his squad to a crucial victory in Holland.
"We have a big squad at home" said Wenger.
"Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are out.
"Kolo has a hip muscle problem. Cesc has a hamstring problem, he will be out for the next two games.
"Abou Diaby (thigh) will be out for a while, we knew that. Philippe Senderos has a scan on his hamstring. He did that today whereas Fabregas did his hamstring yesterday.
"Samir Nasri (knee/thigh) should be OK for Saturday and so should Kolo Toure".
When asked who was likely to come in as a replacement the manager replied "Aaron Ramsey has a good chance to start".
Arsenal squad
Manuel ALMUNIA
Lukasz FABIANSKI
Bacary SAGNA
William GALLAS
Gael CLICHY
Justin HOYTE
Johan DJOUROU
Aaron RAMSEY
Jack WILSHERE
Kieran GIBBS
DENILSON
Theo WALCOTT
Emmanuel EBOUE
Mark RANDALL
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
Robin VAN PERSIE
Nicklas BENDTNER
Carlos VELA
UEFA Champions League
Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 19:45
Arsène Wenger: 'We have a big squad at home'
Arsène Wenger has explained the major absences in his squad for the trip to FC Twente on Wednesday.
Arsenal are missing five major names and the long-term sidelined Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo.
It leaves the Frenchman relying on youngsters like Aaron Ramsey and Denilson to inspire his squad to a crucial victory in Holland.
"We have a big squad at home" said Wenger.
"Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are out.
"Kolo has a hip muscle problem. Cesc has a hamstring problem, he will be out for the next two games.
"Abou Diaby (thigh) will be out for a while, we knew that. Philippe Senderos has a scan on his hamstring. He did that today whereas Fabregas did his hamstring yesterday.
"Samir Nasri (knee/thigh) should be OK for Saturday and so should Kolo Toure".
When asked who was likely to come in as a replacement the manager replied "Aaron Ramsey has a good chance to start".
Arsenal squad
Manuel ALMUNIA
Lukasz FABIANSKI
Bacary SAGNA
William GALLAS
Gael CLICHY
Justin HOYTE
Johan DJOUROU
Aaron RAMSEY
Jack WILSHERE
Kieran GIBBS
DENILSON
Theo WALCOTT
Emmanuel EBOUE
Mark RANDALL
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
Robin VAN PERSIE
Nicklas BENDTNER
Carlos VELA
fgl
Well-known member
Arsenal's current home shirt
Kit Design
In 1895, two years before the Club became professional, a small group of Nottingham Forest players, Fred Beardsley, Bill Parr and Charlie Bates, joined Dial Square FC, (the Club’s first name) and brought their old red kit along with them. Working to a tight budget, the Club decided the most inexpensive way of acquiring a strip was to kit out the team in the same colour as the ex-Forest players.
This original kit was a dark red, with long sleeves, a collar and three buttons down the front. The shirt was worn with white knee length shorts and heavy woollen socks with blue and white hoops. The goalkeeper wore the same attire apart from the shirt - which was a hand knitted cream woollen polo neck jumper. It was this dark red kit that the team wore during their first season at Highbury in 1913/14.
Beardsley, Parr and Bates’ generosity in providing shirts and inspiring the Club to play in red encouraged several other teams to follow Arsenal’s lead. One of the most famous examples is Sparta Prague whose president, Dr Petric, visited London in 1906. He returned home to Czechoslovakia after having watched Woolwich Arsenal and was so inspired by the kit that he demanded his team play in the same colours. Today, Sparta Prague continue to play in the same dark red kit, not dissimilar to Arsenal’s 2005/06 redcurrant. It was the arrival of manager Herbert Chapman in 1925 that launched the Arsenal kit as we know it today.
Depending on which source you believe, Chapman either noticed someone at the ground wearing a red sleeveless sweater over a white shirt or played golf with famous cartoonist of the day Tom Webster who wore something similar. Either way the ‘look’ inspired the manager to create a new strip combining a red shirt with white collar and sleeves. It also incorporated the Club badge, which was positioned on the left-hand side of the shirt.
In the 1950s a second kit was developed to combat a clash of colours with opposing home teams with similar kits. And in 1960, the Club moved away from the woven rugby shirt style to a new knitted cotton jersey in around 1960.
The Club’s famous canon graphic appeared on the shirt for the first time in the early 1970s. It was this shirt that Arsenal won their first famous ‘double’, both the League Championship and the FA Cup in the 1970/71 season.
In the late 1970s, the shirt featured a kit manufacturer’s logo for the first time, in this case ‘Umbro’. And in 1982 ‘JVC’ became the Club’s first shirt sponsor, which in turn made way for ‘SEGA’ in 1999. Three years later and ‘O2’ replaced the games company before themselves making way for, from the start of the 2006/07 season, ‘Fly Emirates’. This particular deal will last eight years.
Interestingly, for Arsenal’s Champions League away fixture against Hamburg on Wednesday, September 13 the team wore shirts with the insignia ‘Dubai’ on. This was because the opposition that night were also sponsored by Emirates and UEFA rules decree that no two teams, in opposition, can wear the same sponsor on their shirts.
To commemorate the Club's final campaign at Highbury, the home of Arsenal since 1913, the Gunners wore a special redcurrant shirt.
Designed to honour the colour of the Club's set of shirts for the first season at Highbury, they were adorned with gold lettering and accompanied by white shorts and redcurrant socks.
For season 2006/07, the first at Emirates Stadium, a welcome return to the famous red and white of Arsenal was made.
For season 2007/08 Arsenal will wear a new away kit with a design that celebrates the pioneering spirit of legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman. The new kit embraces design features that highlight Chapman’s influence over the game to this day, and sees a return to the white away shirts worn throughout the Club’s history.
Similar threads
