Arsenal's Future: May 2006

Friday, May 26, 2006

Why Reyes is best coming in from the right

Some more cracking goals like this one against Chelsea would be nice, especially against Chelsea!!

Jeffers' Downward Spiral Continues

Poor old Frannie Jeffers, since leaving Arsenal things haven't gotten any better for him. Now he's been let go by Charlton. Surely he needs to drop down a division and try to get back on scoring form. He's got talent but there's little on display these days. At least his last contribution at Arsenal was to kick the hapless Phil Neville in front of the ref, an unforgetable moment!

ESPNsoccernet - England - Jeffers and Bartlett shown the door at The Valley

Crouch Sets His Goal

I still think he's rubbish, lets hope he proves me wrong!

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Walcott uncovered

There is NO WAY Van Persie is leaving this summer!

This is my reasoning:

He is young, skillful, hungry and Dutch!

Arsenal's attacking options look very good for next season:

Henry, Reyes, Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott

Robert Pires joins Villarreal after six-year stay at Arsenal

So after months of speculation the rumours about Pires moving to Villarreal have been proved true. I'm sure all Arsenal fans will wish him the best. We certainly saw the best of him here at Arsenal.

Newsvine - Robert Pires joins Villarreal after six-year stay at Arsenal

A little tribute:

Losing Pires and Bergkamp means that Arsenal have lost two of the game's great technicians. Let's hope that Rosicky and Walcott can come in and do the business.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Czech playmaker Rosicky signs for Arsenal

Czech playmaker Rosicky signs for Arsenal

A little preview of what Rosicky brings to Arsenal:

There's even his goal against Arsenal in amongst this lot!

Here are some pics of the away leg when Arsenal played Sparta back in 2001.

Arsenal Prospects - Kerrea Gilbert

When a young player gets his chance in the first team at Arsenal it's key that he impresses and that's exactly what Kerrea Gilbert has done this season! Arsenal have a number of rightbacks but when injury knocked out Lauren and Eboue was away with the Ivory Coast Gilbert got his chance to shine. During his time in the team he certainly made a good impression. Of course there were some errors in his play but he showed a superb turn of pace, good strength and he also setup a goal for Thierry Henry with a lovely cross. Sadly injury brought his run to an end shortly before Eboue returned to the team, a new man. Question is will Gilbert get another run in the side? It seems likely that he will be loaned out next year getting a chance to show his ability week in week out.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Tomas Rosicky set to replace Bergkamp / Pires?

After signing uo Henry for another 4 years it appears that Arsenal will add the signing of Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmand. Rosicky is a live wire playmaker who creates goals rather than scoring them. Surely he's being brought in to add some flair to an already rather creative midfield. Although Dennis Bergkamp was a fringe player this season his retirement cannot be ignored, also surely this signing will confirm Robert Pires' exit. So how could Tomas Rosicky fit into Arsenal's squad?

Quite easily! He's a bit different to the players that Arsenal already have. Less of a forward than Van Persie, more attacking than Alexander Hleb. Somewhat like Reyes although I'm sure they could operate together. I've always fancied Reyes on the right cutting in and scoring with his left foot. Maybe Rosicky could play down the left? Either way I assume Wenger will be looking to create a few more goal scoring chances for players other than Henry. Nobody got even close to Henry's goal tally this season and that's something that must be addressed. Van Persie, Adebayor, Reyes, Walcott, one or two of these needs to reach double figures and take some of the pressure off of Thierry. Maybe if Rosicky can carry some of the creative responsibilities then the 4 mentioned above can concentrate on scoring goals. We'll have to wait and see. Also of course Rosicky's signing will mean another player for Arsenal fans to follow at this years World Cup.

Newsvine - Tomas Rosicky set to be a Gunner?

The moment that Arsenal lost the Champions League Final

If only Ashley Cole had played more than 20 games this season! Then he might have stepped up and played Eto'o offside. Oh well at least by losing we get to keep Henry. A very nice silver lining indeed!

14 Arsenal Players Going to the World Cup

A total of 14 gunners are on their way to the World Cup, 3 of which are teenagers. Interestingly the best represented team is England (hey I thought Arsenal didn't support England!). Also three gunners will be taking part in other international games this summer.

Funnily enough all that talk about Middlesbrough being a team that supports England opposed to Arsenal and hay ho! How many 'boro players in the England squad? ONE! Arsenal players? THREE.

Arsenal Players on International Duty

Arsenal Prospects - Johan Djourou

Djourou is a big strong young defender who at only 18 years old is a regular in the Switzerland nation team alongside Phillipe Senderos. Djourou has made amazing progress this season. Wenger has mainly used Djourou as a centre-back but he's also played some games this season at right-back.

If Djourou can get some games at this summer's World Cup it certainly won't hurt his chances of making it as a regular fixture in the Arsenal team.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Henry set for new deal after committing future to Arsenal

It's officially official:
Henry set for new deal after committing future to Arsenal

Henry finally pledges his future to Arsenal

Thierry stays and the building work begins. Arsenal are on the verge of being a truely great team.

Newsvine - Henry finally pledges his future to Arsenal

Meanwhile Manchester United are losing Van the Man and Chelsea's Drogba wants to move.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

'Arsenal - The Highbury Years', tonight on ITV

'Arsenal - The Highbury Years', tonight on ITV

Be sure to check it out!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

10 vs. 11 - Asking too much of Arsene's men

All I can think to say is I am GUTTED. Sure when Lehmann was sent off with just under 20 minutes gone in the game I thought Arsenal were beaten but Campbell's goal gave us all hope. During half-time Mark made a comment that Arsenal would need an early 2nd goal in order to see off Barca. He was right and oh how close Arsenal came to making it 2-0! Sadly though it seems that Henry's legs were just a touch too heavy to score the goal required, despite 3 very good chances. When the goal didn't come it was more a case of hope than anythingelse. With 76 minutes gone Eto'o got inside of Eboue and one on one with Almunia, 1-1. That was the killer blow. Arsenal were a 6s and 7s from then on. There was really no way back. The introduction of Belletti was the knock out punch as he raided down the right and where Oleguer had posed no threat Belletti was quite different. A surging run past Cole and Flamini and a shot through Almunia won the game for the Spaniards. Then it was 10 minutes of hell as Wenger brought on Reyes, far too late, and Barca played keep ball. Toure, who was outstanding, tried to liven things up with some tackles but the ref was having none of it. Talking of which, the ref was useless! How many bad challenges was Marquez allowed to make on Henry!? Too many. Then when Henry makes a strong but fair challenge, yellow card! Nice one ref! He was a Homer no doubt there.

So there we are... so near but yet so far.

Goodbye Pires & Bergkamp...

Goodbye Henry, Cole & Campbell? Maybe

----Positives----

Toure was outstanding.

This was a good lesson for the younger lads. Fabregas, Eboue, Flamini, Diabi, Van Persie, Senderos, Hleb. They'll want it more than ever now.

Theo Walcott is in the pipe-line.

Kolo Talks Ahead of the Final

Arsenal vs. Barcelona - Bergkamp's Finest Hour?

Whatever the score in tonight's Champions League final, this game will be Dennis Bergkamp's last professional match. What a way to finish! Let's hope he gets a game and can help Arsenal win the biggest prize of all.

Regardless of the result however, Bergkamp has been Arsenal's most important player for the last 10 years. His arrival began the modern Arsenal revolution. He's partnered the great Ian Wright, the moody Nicolas Anelka and the masterful Thierry Henry all 3 benefitted from Bergkamp's vision and style. He's been a favourite for all Arsenal fans too. We've been "walking along singing a song, walking in a Bergkamp wonderland" for 10 years. What a wonderful player. Dennis always respects the football, he uses such a wonderful technique to guide the ball to its target. A truely unique player.

How ironic that Bergkamp's final game will almost certainly also be Robert Pires' last match too. Both players have similar styles and will be missed but although Pires is a great player Bergkamp is an Arsenal legend.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Corinthians 1 - 3 Sao Paulo

Corinthians proved this weekend just how duff their defence is with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of rivals Sao Paulo. The manner in which this Corinthians team leaks goals is simply sickening!

The last time I watched Arsenal face Barcelona

A 4-2 drubbing. I remember that the passing of Figo and Rivaldo that night was a joy to watch. Let's hope Ronaldinho and Deco don't do the same on Wednesday!

Arsenal.com have an interesting article about the players who've played for both Arsenal and Barcelona. Of course ex-Gunners Van Bronckhorst and Silvinho (Sylvinho) are current Barcelona players and ex-Barcelona youth team protege Cesc Fabregas is a key man for Arsenal. Let's hope Henry doesn't join that list, I don't think he will but football is a funny old game.

Also it's interesting to note that Arsenal's stats for Silvinho are wrong. They state that Silvinho hasn't scored for Barcelona but that's not true he has scored at least one goal for them.

One of the greatest goals Highbury ever saw

It wasn't a winning goal but it was a goal that meant so much. Adam's devotion to the club, his personal battle with drink, the double win and an assist from Bould. What a goal!

The goal that sealed Arsenal's last European trophy 12 years ago!

"1-0 to the Arsenal! 1-0 to the Arsenal!"

Football Hero: Marco Van Basten

The shot of Fabian Capello crying at the sight of Van Basten waving goodbye to the Milan fans after retiring due to injury sums it all up. The guy was a legend but was cut down by injury.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Reaction to the final game at Highbury from Brazil

Blog do Juca : O país do futebol

Translation to English:

"We like to say that we are the football country.

The inventors of sport, never the less, prefer to say that we practice the 'beautiful game'.

A recognition and a praise at the same time.

But, also, it's a way of maintaining the idea that, from it's birth, the country of football is England.

Historically this is without a doubt true.

What you saw yesterday at the farewell of Arsenal to historical stadium of Highbury is one of those things that would fill you with jealousy.

All of the fans, including those of the opposition, received t-shirts with the name of highbury and the proud words "I was there".

Red and white t-shirts for Arsenal and blue for the Wigan fans.

To culminate the day Arsenal who were losing 2-1 turned the game around with 3 goals from the genius Frenchman Thierry Henry. He even went as far as to kiss the Highbury turf to commemorate the final goal at this great old ground.

And so the time said goodbye their old home, of 93 years, guaranteed of a place in the Champions League, no matter what happens in the game against Barcelona, May 17th, in Paris.

Because Tottenham, who were in front of them, lost against West Ham.

Arsenal's championship was deceptive however. They finished in 4th place, 24 points behind the back to back champions Chelsea, 16 behind Manchester United and 15 behind Liverpool.

But everything was forgotten on this unforgetable afternoon yesterday, respectful, impressive, dignified.

The new stadium (Emirates) is just a few blocks from the old stadium, which will be demolished. But will never be erased from the memory of anyone who was there on the afternoon of May 7th 2006."

- Juca Kfouri

Champions League Final - I CANNOT Wait!

Oh man!

Of course Arsenal also have Theo Walcott as a secret weapon! ;-)

Theo Walcott - His Career So Far

Well I can't say I agree with Sven's selection of Walcott but at least it might get him some extra match practice before next season!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Walcott gets my vote for World Cup duty - Arsene Wenger

Now this would be nice to see!
Theo Walcott in the full England squad. The only problem I can see is that he's not played a top level game since joining Arsenal.

Wenger - Walcott gets my vote for World Cup duty

---update---
Walcott has been selected in England's provisional World Cup squad. Also included are the injured Rooney, the not quite so injured Owen and the been injured most of the season Ashley Cole.

Brazilian championship results and standings

Corinthians lose 3-1 to Sao Paulo in Rio Preto. The slide continues for the MSI controlled team.

Newsvine - Brazilian championship results and standings

Corinthians have got a totally pathet defence and need to sell Tevez to fund a defensive rebuilding program!

Arsenal say goodbye to Highbury in style

So after months of nail biting tension Arsenal have managed the 'impossible' and have overtaken Spurs and clinched the 4th spot on the last day of the season. In typical Arsenal style too! A Henry hat-trick and a wonderful post match last hurrah for Highbury. Another thing that became quite obvious is that neither Ashley Cole or Thierry Henry expect to leave this summer.

Roll on Paris and our date with Barcelona!

Statistics for England Strikers

So who will Sven be taking to the World Cup in the place of Rooney and Owen? These statistics don't make very happy reading. On Match of the Day they joked that Fowler should be in the squad but why not!? Hell Sven will probably bottle it and take two injured players in Owen and Rooney.

Minutes per goal this season by English strikers in the premiership:

Owen 126 (injured)

Fowler 150

D. Bent 173

Friday, May 05, 2006

Micah Richards should be Wenger's number 1 target this summer

I was sure of it before but after reading this article, Youngster Richards wants improvement at City, I'm even more sure that Arsene Wenger should be looking to sign this lad! Richards is a slick ball playing defender who at 17 is already catching the eye of pundits. Add to that he's a Gooner! Come on Wenger sort out a move for him.

More about Micah Richards.

Arsenal.com Rock legend to pay tribute to Highbury

Who legend Roger Daltrey will perform at the closing ceremony for Highbury this Sunday. He'll play a famous Who hit as well as a song he's writted especially for the wonderful old stadium 'Highbury Highs'.

Arsenal.com: Rock legend to pay tribute to Highbury

Steve McClaren's England will draw with anybody

So Arsenal got the result they needed with a 3-1 win over City taking the fight for 4th to the final day. I'm certain that Spurs will beat West Ham in which case Arsenal cannot finish better than 4th and will need to win the Champions League to be in it next season (fine by me!).

The other news of the day was the appointment of 1st choice (tehehe) Steve McClaren to the post of England manager. I am really really worried by this appointment since 'Boro are such a dull team. They took a 7-0 drubbing off of Arsenal a few months ago and does reaching the UEFA Cup final really count as success at the 'highest' level?

Myles Palmer seems to agree with me: Steve McClaren's England will draw with anybody.

Arsenal's Future