Welcome to another fantastic addition of the weekly Guest Blog. This week long time Grover, Gunner8 has contributed a piece.
This piece follows on from Pedro’s fabulous politico blog on Friday, thanks for teeing me up!
I am going to try and show in a chronological time line how the rise and fall of Arsenal mirrors the rise and fall of our current government since 1997.
Of course Wenger joined in 1996 and had a pretty good season for the (then) rarest of beasts, a foreign manager. After releasing Dickov, McGoldrick and the prolific (sic) John Jensen, Arsene took over the famous back five and added a young Vieira and a not so young Remi Garde to the mix.
97-98: The real good stuff starts to happen in 1997 though, as Arsenal and New Labour showed that change can be great, both PM and AM (Arsenal Manager) gave us the vision of a brave new world order. The PM showed that we would not be forced into the EMU at the detriment to our economy. Wenger cleared out more dead wood in Hartson, Morrow, Helder, Selley, Linighan and Merson while bringing in the hard tackling Grimandi and Petit, plus the speedy wingers Overmars and Boa Morte, the lethal striker Anelka and the equally young Upson to relieve the tired Arsenal back 4. The result, a famous League and Cup double. The gooner faithful could not believe their luck, who was this man who made Adams, Bould, Dixon and Winterburn look 10 years younger?
98-99: Losing Arsenal Legend Ian Wright (and loudmouth), ex-England Captain David Platt and replacing them with the unknown Freddie Ljungberg and Nelson Vivas was Arsene’s first gamble. After a great start to the season with the Charity Shield and a debut goal for our new no.8 we lost the league by 1 point with little thanks to ex-gooner O’Leary’s LUFC. A cabinet reshuffle and airstrikes against Iraq dented the opinion polls, all in all things were still looking strong.
99-00: Bould, Garde and Boa Morte were no loss, but the transfer of Anelka to Madrid for £23million (22.5mil profit); whilst allowing us to build a training ground to make every team jealous signalled that Arsene-al were ready to sell their stars to the highest bidder.
Did we care though? Did we hell, Wenger’s genius gave us Henry, Kanu, Silvinho, and then a past it Suker, Luznhy and Pennant. We started brightly winning the Shield again while capitulating in the league and losing on penalties in the UEFA cup final. This was the year the Millennium dome cost the country a fortune as did Gordon Brown’s blunder in selling ½ of the nations gold reserves at a 20 year low (it has since trebled in price) costing us £2 billion, Anelka’s value had gone down in the meantime!
00-01: Overmars and Petit to Barca followed by Suker and Winterburn all left. Winterburn was replaced by Lauren, Overmars by Pires and Suker by Wiltord… Arsene’s legendary transfer policies continued to amaze everyone.
As foot and mouth breaks out, we are again runners up in the league and FA cup. Arsenal do announce the new stadium project to keep up with the competition.
01-02: Silvinho leaves after being replaced by the biggest twunt to wear our shirt, as does Vivas. Arsene strengthens his squad by adding Edu, Campbell, Van Bronckhorst and the young Richard Wright to take over from Seaman.
Labour win a second term and the government launch attacks on Afghanistan which were popular due to the Sept. 11th attacks on NYC.
The result, some strong additions to complement the team end up in Wenger’s second double, AKB’s abound, interestingly Labour decided against joining the EMU (just like the last time we won the double).
02-03: 3 Legends left our club Big Tone, Lee Dixon and the Grimster, in came Kolo, Zinedine Cygan, Gilberto and Swiss Tony? The club changed the crest to make it more modern and dropped the famous Victoria Concordia Crescit (Victory Through Harmony). We win the charity shield and the FA Cup, meanwhile Labour is suffering a 1 million people strong march against the aggression in Iraq and the BS about the WMD’s (jeezus we all knew that you are after the black gold!).
03-04: The real divine ponytail leaves and is replaced by a mad German. Luzhny, Upson and Van Bronckhorst all leave, while Clichy, Djourou and Fabregas step in.
Labour again vote against the EMU and the Invincibles walk the league. Blair becomes the longest serving Labour PM and Saddam is captured.
04-05: Parlour, Kanu, Wiltord, and Volz are replaced by Almunia, Bendtner, Flamini, Reyes and van Persie. After the early promise of winning the Charity Shield again Labour’s policies see them lose 450 seats at local council’s and even though it’s a rough year we they win a third term and we win the FA Cup our last piece of silverware to date.
05-06: We lose Vieira and Edu from our experienced midfielders, also Pennant and Taylor from the youths they are replaced by Eboue, Song and Hleb. Runner’s up in the Charity Shield we do go against all odds to within 20 minutes of winning the Champions League. Labour have been living off the fat of the good times just like Arsenal were living off the fat of the Invincibles oh and Greedybayor joined halfway through the season.
06-07: We move to our soulless concrete arena Ashburton Grove which made Highbury sound like an Iron Maiden concert. Yet while losing the experience of Campbell, twuntley, Bergkamp, Pires, Bentley and er Cygan we sign Rosicknote and Gallas. The dawn of project youth was upon us. Traore, Walcott, Denilson, and Diaby were all purchased.
Brown assumes control of the government and we lose in the league cup final.
07-08: Henry, Ljungberg, Lauren, Reyes and Aliardiere all leave while Diarra, Fabianski, Sagna and Eduardo join. Somehow the team gels without the sulkiness of our leader and we sit atop the league in February as the recession starts to bite Arsenal drop away and end up fourth. Dein quits and Kronke becomes a shareholder. Diarra who couldn’t wait to leave does, bye dolphin’ead.
08-09: While every gooner on the planet could see that all we needed was to keep the team together and get a decent CB, maybe a keeper and a winger, we lose Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto, Lehmann and Hoyte whilst signing Vela (finally), Nasri and Ramsey. We look a shambles and the signing of Arshavin helps us get to two cup semi finals that we subsequently lose. Our dynamic Russian was missing for both, most believed he should have been signed in the summer… I’d agree. The government get’s whacked by the expenses scandal.
Some people still support project youth despite it’s failing, just like some people (miraculously) still support Gordon Brown!
Labour who have always stood for the working class had milked this country dry while helping the rich get richer, Arsenal have milked us fan’s (the working class) dry by charging us a fortune. At the same time, the corporate wankers leave early and ruin the experience. We are told to shut up and sit down whilst forking out for extortionatly priced tickets in the crap, uber-pc world of the Emirates.
Why do you think we all call it Ashburton Grove Arsenal? Labour have also gone down the PC route so that in this country we have no rights but terrorists do?
This is the brave new world order that we live in today!
I am voting BNP (Buy Now Party), you should to!
Gunner8.
P.S. The results are in from the polling station…
- BNP 59%
- Continuity Party 27%
- Uspend 15%
It’s nice to see that despite there being overwhelming support for investing in the team at sensible levels, there is still varying support for other ideologies. I guess that variety is what keeps the debating so spicey in the comments!
Have a great day Grovers!
I just went on FM, and noticed that fiorentina signed Melo from Almeria for 11.75M! he had a good last season in Italy, so you would expect he’d be double that still!
as much as I’d love we signed him up, it is very unlikely i think.
Maq. Well i hope you’re right and that we do sign a good DM, but he also needs to have some creativity, just like Flamini did. A lot of games, we need someone to break through defenses and just don’t have enough creativity. All we need is some confidence and we can do well.
Samir.. 12M + 5M= 17M. I just don’t think they will pay that much for Toure. I can see them paying 10M. And as for the papers. I never believe what they report.
After a successful first season at Almería, Melo agreed to transfer to Italian side Fiorentina in an €8 million transfer for the 2008-09 season.
From WIKI…
I read it was 6.7mil for Melo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgzIpWMkHRY
I think we’ve got loads of creativity Bill.
See my list above from 12:04. There’s pace, skill, power, height, left, right…
Maq. I’m not saying we don’t have creativity. I’m just saying, against the likes of Sunderland, when their defence is packed. Sometimes last season it was hard to see where a goal was going to come from. I think that confidence and drive was lacking more than creativity.
I just believe that a DM, has to be able to attack with proficiency too. Like Viera and Flamini could
Also. Verminator seems very confident. I like his attitude
One injury to Arshavin and we lack creativity again. If Rosicky doesn’t play again, we need another creative wide man.
Fair point Bill. In those situation we need the tall lads to step up. Too many times I see Ade on a wing trying to work a cross situation when he should be the man on the end of the cross. I don’t know a team that creates crossing situations so easily but with so little effect. Bents is better at staying in the width of the penalty box.
We also need shooters from distance so the new DM should have that in his locker.
Agree on the Verm. Solid attitude!
Agree there Honest Bill. More of the same please…
I think it’s a good signing in all honesty. Robin Van Persie has stated that moves like this are not done on a whim and he (Vermaelen) would have been watched 30-40 times by Steve Rowley.
Must be the right time where the scouting team and manager feel he will make the step up.
I’m also liking the Senderos + 15m deal for Melo and at 25 and a brazilian international who, to be honest, has looked very classy in the games i’ve seen him looks very good business and was mooted alot last season also.
Also think we can clear out Silvestre, Randall, Simpson, Adebayor, Diaby, Gallas/Toure & Eboue to free up wages and funds to renew contracts and bring in some talented youth aswell, (which Wenger never misses a trick on) I.E Edge, Sakho, Hazard, Saviet I think we will have an exceptionally talented squad.
Plus possible promotions for 1st team action for the likes of wilshire, merida, hoyte, nordviet, conquelin and je thomas…
Hopefully the more concrete transfer targets (Vermaelen, Melo, Sakho, Hazard, Huntelaar) may convince Van Persie to sign a new contract also… Plus Rosicky & Eduardo can come back in and hopefully stay fit.. That’s like 2 brand new signings whichever way you want to look at it.
Looking forward to pre-season if we can wrap up our transfer dealings early..
Squad 08/09:
Almunia/Fabianski
Sagna/Hoyte
Gallas/Sakho
Vermaelen/Djourou/Nordviet
Clichy/Gibbs
Arshavin/Walcott
Cesc/Denilson/Ramsey
Melo/Song
Nasri/Rosicky/Wilshire
Van Persie/Bendtner
Huntelaar/Eduardo/Vela
Looks pretty good to me…
I understand what you are trying to and what u are trying to say but your use of the letters BNP is very offensive and provocative, no matter how you dress it, if you have been a victim of BNP beliefs as a gooner it leaves a bitter taste when an otherwise excellent site stoops to such sensationalism. It is offensive, insenstive and disappointing.
Yeah I agree Maq, most of our players seem afraid to shoot. It really winds me up. Still Arshavin, Nasri, Fabregas Don’t mind a shot from distance.
Armourist, I too have noted that, but let’s not make a big deal out of it.. It wasn’t well thought out, but makes no reference to the fasict politcal faction… Just leave it!
i feel this summer wenger has recieved alot more backing and funds to build up the squad which has not been the case in the past few seasons,despite what hill wood has claimed wenger has fullbacking i dont think that been the case,i feel wenger will get backing to get top midfielder this summer.i feel wenger will bring more defenders but that will depend on who leaves big question markes over gallas/toure silvestor and senderos,there is also a chance that eboue and ade leave
Leon I hope your right.
If we do not get rid of the dead wood and replace it with some quality. E.g.
OUT:
Silvestre
Senderos
Toure
Eboue
Adebayor
Traore
IN:
Richards/Sakho
Affelay
Huntelaar
Melo
If Wenger is not given the financial backing we may be in store for a boring fighting for 4th season….
If we can win the PL and CL this season the money that we spend this season (20-35M)would be replaced with payments from the prize money. Therefore I cannot see why we don’t spend….
Armourist, sorry you feel that way… you can’t please everyone.
I’m not a fan of the BNP… but at the end of the day, they aren’t an illegal group and they represent in the UK political system.
If I’d stuck up the KKK or Combat 18 party up… then you’d have a case…
We’ve got a hugely diverse group of bloggers and they all saw the funny side… no offense was intended.
Faceman, United wont replace Ronaldo… I think they’ll change their system based around what they have.
If they bring in a really prolific striker and a creative midfielder and I think they’ll be ok.
Rooney is capable of upping it… Berbatov is easily a 30 goal a season striker… and he is incredibly creative.
They’ve got to find 25 goals with £80million in the bank… I’m sure Fergie has been addressing this issue all year… I’m sure he wont disappoint.
Samir. It’s because, spending the money is no guarantee of victory.
But just for the record, I’d keep Ade, Toure and Eboue
Samir, I don’t think I’d put Traore in the dead wood category!
Armourist, that’s how I feel about the Labour party (I am a Tory) but you know what, we live in a democracy where we have a right to vote for whoever stands, while I don’t agree with the BNP or the Communists, I find none of them offensive, that’s why I have my own mind.
I find religious fundimentalists that hate my country far more offensive, perhaps if you did I would agree with you.
Might i suggest that politics be better addressed somewhere else entirely?
After all it has very little to do with football. Though for the record, People ought not to get so offended by a little thing like that. And if all you get is offended today, you can probably consider yourself quite lucky
Well said Bill that really was my point entirely, and it was posted 3 days ago.
http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/06/21/Prem-Diabys-personal-trainer/gnid-57766/
interesting
I have been critical of this guy this season as his performances have not been up to scratch (Although an insistence to play him on the LW has not helped his cause). But fair play, this is the kind of attitude I want to read about, well done Abou
Instead of spending his holiday on the beach, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby is working on his fitness with famous French personal trainer Renaud Longuevre.
The Gunners midfielder has opted against resting this summer, as he wants to gain muscle power and reach the next level, Longuevre has revealed.
As a consequence, the France international, who has been widely compared to Patrick Vieira, will practice with the track and field trainer for four weeks.
“When I feel that a sportsman is ready to give it all in order to reach a stage, it suits me,” Longuevre told Les Dessous du Sport.
“He is motivated and wants to reach the next stage on the physical level.”
He added: “The English league is very demanding; as a consequence his objective is to improve physically in order to be stronger and more resistant.
“He wants to be stronger in challenges. That is why he needs more muscle power.”
Great news from DIABY:
Instead of spending his holiday on the beach, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby is working on his fitness with famous French personal trainer Renaud Longuevre.
The Gunners midfielder has opted against resting this summer, as he wants to gain muscle power and reach the next level, Longuevre has revealed.
As a consequence, the France international, who has been widely compared to Patrick Vieira, will practice with the track and field trainer for four weeks.
“When I feel that a sportsman is ready to give it all in order to reach a stage, it suits me,” Longuevre told Les Dessous du Sport.
“He is motivated and wants to reach the next stage on the physical level.”
He added: “The English league is very demanding; as a consequence his objective is to improve physically in order to be stronger and more resistant.
“He wants to be stronger in challenges. That is why he needs more muscle power.”
Lets hope he starts pre season well. I really think he could be a top player.
Just remember he’s still only 23 and suffered that horrible injury…
geoff – the BNP have an open policy to only recruit white people and made a very public backtracking on sending home those who are not white faced even if they were born here.
anybody who does not realise that this mob appeal to the white van man sun reading chav up the british empire, 3 cans of stella and packet of fags guv, sign on the dole every other week, loser in life…. has issues.
Good attitude.But often during this season his work rate has been really poor.He needs to improve his passing big time if he wants to make it here
Geoff, I find religious fundamentalists equally as offensive however the BNP are also fundamentalists pushing a nationality enevelope they are in effect no different, both camps seek to restore their respective countries to what they believe they should be.
Just because the agenda of the equally fundamentalist BNP is politically legitimised does not make it right, it just means that we live in a free society but for anyone who isnt of their social remit it is an extremely uncomfortable subject.
If you were to ask most people who live in the countries that religious fundamentalists come from, i’m pretty sure they find them equally non offensive as you do the BNP, not because you or they agree with idiom but they arent a threat to them and as such theres no offence just merely a view point, but for me they are a real threat.
Whilst Geoff I appreciate you have your own mind, i’m sure you would agree that there are a few impressionable people who read your blog as it is widely successful.
It is a mantle you may not have chosen to take on but success brings with it expectations and responsibility much like Wenger has brought on himself. I am hoping you can see my point of view as much as I understand yours, as it was extremely uncomfortable for me to read those three letters on you blog.
Pedro, I appreciate your sentiments and understand you cant please every one, but surely there must be a line?
I’m glad to hear that about Diaby. He could just be lounging around and relaxing, but he’s taking the time to try to improve himself. He has also had the presence of mind to isolate a particular area in which is weak, and work on it. Full marks to Diaby
I see where you are coming from Bill but I just had to get it off my chest is all, rather than go bitching about it on other blogs. Hope im not ruining anyone’s sunday dinner reading. I think this is an excellent blog that allows all types of opinions and on this matter im just sayin my piece, I dont want an argument or anything like that at all. Just say my piece on it and thats all.
Not ruining my afternoon Armourist.
But think we should put a line under it now. I dont think it was meant to offend but unfortunately it has. I guess in blog world your audience is that vast and from so many backgrounds that post will always offend someone.
Back to Arsenal Chat me thinks
If Diaby those improve and is stronger maybe he can still attract the two ther players it takes to tackle him but be strong enough to release the ball earlier thus creating space or is that a pipe dream? I like the kid and I really hope its not, someone like TR7 could be good for diaby as a mentor, it would mean however both have to remain fit which seems a tall ask at the minute!
Does anybody agree with me that Vela should be getting more games?
It seems to me, that out of all the young prospects, he is the one who looks most promising, and most ready to play premiership football. But he isn’t getting as many games as he should
Honest Bill where would you fit him in?
Not sure about the Diaby news. Of course it’s good that he’s trying to improve a weakness in his game but I fear with this news that Wenger is about to once again do what he always does at this time of year, which is to get caught up in his dream world, a where Denilson, Diaby and Song are on the verge of becoming superstars.
The longer we go without getting a defensive midfielder, the less chance of it happening IMO.
Armourist and faceman, the BNP obviously have their issues, I don’t agree with them, but a bit of tongue in cheek is what makes us the British unique.
If anyone read Pedro’s post and wanted to join the BNP, then they obviously can’t read, and if they could, would have seen that BNP in this instance meant buy new players.
You need to move on now, you have made your point, I don’t agree, but being the way I am, respect you have issues. As Bill said we’ll talk football, not politics.
So for you I will change it to NPB, new players buy, it doesn’t have the same impact, but it it doesn’t offend you then I have achieved something today.
Armourist;
I had a problem with it too mate, but quietly moved on, being called a cunt obviously didnt offend me in the slightest..
And let’s not spoil the day for Gunner8, it’s his post.
Armourist, He can play as a great left winger, or as a striker. In fact i’d say he’s the only real left winger we have.
Paulinho, I agree with you. this does seem to be a portent for a DM quick fix. I had suspected this would happen though, so it will not come as a shock
ManGoonian you’ve been called worse! And by me probably.
Bill I completely agree with you, he’s the only one we have that I would call a winger, he’s not been given enough playing time in my book.
Geoff;
Too right! Haha!
Paulinho;
Id be hugely surprised, not to mention pissed off if we didnt sign a central midfielder to partner Cesc… Who it’ll be is anyone’s guess tho…
Nah I disagree he is about as left winger as Theo is right winger! I think however he is a great striker waiting to happen…
Thank you Geoff for being all gentlemanly about it all.
Now this is what I mean, If Wenger had given Vela and Ramsey as much time as he has Song, Denilson, Diaby and Eboue in the middle and on the wing, we might have two class acts in the team right now.
I know Eboue has mostly been out wide right and Vela out wide left, but in my opinion both Vela and Ramsey are twice as good as the above.
I do however like what Diaby is doing, good for him, he warrants another chance.
Armourist, nice doing business with you, you are a gentleman!
Geoff, Ramsey isnt anywhere near strong enough to play yet neither is Vela and to a degree maybe Denilson but at least he bulked up last season and is better equipped to play, AW only lets them bulk from 22 to 23 yrs and upwards, its rare that he has let both Denilson and Theo start bulking so early.
I just think that both are better than Denilson and Song and had he given them the same time, they may be so much better than we currently have, he gave Cesc plenty of games at that age.
I agree. And Vela may be lightweight, but he has amazing pace, and a decent cross on him. Besides, physical strength is not quite so important on the wing as it is in the centre.
He could have been gaining much more valuable experience than he has. Besides, every time he’s come on, he’s looked threatening
I think Denilson is very good personally, not because of stats but because for a player in his first season at the roughest, toughest league he has done very well, I honestly think he is miles better than Ramsey at the moment, however Ramsey given the same chances as Denilson would also have a steep learning curve and be better for it, so it then comes down to physicallity and thats where Denilson trumps Ramsey I think.
Vela is awesome, but the way we play he’d have no one to cross to! Plus, I think he is wasted if he isnt playing at no 9.
good post, armourist
concur totally re:denilson
Fantastic post Gunner8! Thanks
Ferguson has absolutely no choice on who bids for tevez. He doesn’t belong to the mancs. I was gutted to see Ray Parlour say Ronaldo was more important than Henry this morning on shitanta.
Parlour actually said that? How incredibly lame. Not to mention patently untrue
Hey what’s up Doc?
Slow day today huh.
Happy fathers day to any fathers on here. Im only a son so i got mine a lotto ticket. I know what you’re thinking…”how thoughtful” right?
Anyway….any news on arsenal floating around. Vermaelens number or anything?
Bill, what did Parlour say?
He certainly did bill. I was quite angry to put it midly. livid wouldn’t be too strong a word.
Stu
This morning on shitanta Parlour said ronaldo the tranny was a more important player than th14.
Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo has admitted he is flattered by reports of interest in his services.
A number of clubs are said to be considering offers for the Brazil international, with Premier League side Arsenal one of the teams mooted as suitors.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the hunt for a defensive midfielder and could see Melo as an ideal acquisition.
The 25-year-old Melo is pleased to hear of the rumoured interest but remains focused on giving his all to the Viola.
“Obviously it is a good thing that great clubs are interested, as it shows that I worked well,” Melo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But as I said, I have a good relationship with Fiorentina, with the directors and the fans.”
it’s good to see that diaby’s training over his fitness during his holiday
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2473451/Ronaldo-defends-himself-after-being-criticised-for-wearing-pink-hat-and-flower.html
Sure you’re not gay lol
He makes julian clary look like fucking rambo.
camp as frilly knickers.
You have got to be fucking kidding!
Ronaldo is a fucking diving bitch, baby player who cries when things dont go his way. He goes missing in most games and is a cunt.
Henry is a legend worldwide, not only in the sport but also what he did for kids etc.
Ronaldo is a cunt who does fuck all except shoot anywhere near goal and does fuck all except increase the size of the hole in the ozone layer.
Parlour must have been off his fucking rocker or had a gin to his head!
Only in the world of Premier League football could CRISTIANO RONALDO think his fashion sense is acceptable.
It should read
Only in the world of battymaticians etc
Last night The Sun asked gay comic ALAN CARR for his verdict on Ron’s wardrobe.
He said: “Come on Ronaldo, you wear stuff even ELTON JOHN would say ‘That’s too much’ to!
Ohh, today’s father’s day! here its the second week of may.
wow ronaldo’s soooo ‘sexy’
Alan Carr is Frank Carr’s son (ex Forest manager) If you didn’t know.
stu, got the parlour link?
it was on shitanta this morning cartman
No its OK cartman, i’d rather not read it.
was asking u if U have the link!
Vermaelen interview link on arsenal action.
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/sports/watch/v18650392TFxmfKFp#
Yeah i got that afterwards. No i dont have a link tho.
So……………….
Noone around so im just gonna start talking about anything…….
Numbers for next season (using the players we currenty have and not including new signings):
1 Almunia
2 sagna
3 clichy
4 fabregas
5 kolo
6 vermaelen
7 rosicky
8 nasri
9 eduardo
10 arshavin
11 vp
12 vela
13 gallas
14 walcott
15 denilson
16 ramsey
17 song
18 gibbs
19 wilshere
oops, i hit submit be accident
*20 djourou
21 fabianski
22 traore
23 silvestre
24 mannone
25 ade
26 bendtner
27 eboue
28 senderos
thats in order and the reserves coming up can just take the numbers after it. I dnt see the point of players having numbers all over the place. 58, 71 etc etc
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, i defeated a pro
Whats that now Cartman? Whos the pro?
23 for fish head, r u mad??? that’s my birthday date!
So what? Give him 22 so.
a chess pro and considering that i’ve started to learn only last week, HELL I’M GOOD 8)!
yeah if u want!
hey, where’s the irish lady?
How should i know.
thought u were friends
Not really. Never met.
hey stu, che-che or death?
Dont know what the first one is so i feel i shouldnt answer.
its a french clip, if i post it, i dont think u’d understand
yeah, i doubt i would seeing as i dont know french. oh well.
ohh, i think i’ll have some sleep then! see ya stu!
laters cartman.
Anyone around to talk about anything?
Vermalene said he likes the physical side of the game. Im now hoping that he flies into a few tackles in the prem. Show all those who think arsenal are soft that we have a new hardman in the team and we arent to be messes with. Vermaelen will be cracking heads and putting the boltons, stokes and blackburns in their places.
Speaking of soft:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b3tmNX192c
What else? Hmmmmmmmm……… i was watchint the lions lose yesterday. I was naturally disappointed that they lost but it was still a great match and i admired the control and discipline showed by the players.
When a decision was made, be it right of wrong, the players on either side just accepted that the ref mind wasnt going to be changed and they moved on.
It was a nice change from seeing the chavs, mancs etc etc etc crowding around the ref when he gives something against them.
IMO chelski are the worst of the lot. Not just because of the CL debacle but anytime a decision doesnt go their way you can rest assure that Ballack, Terry and fat lamps will create a barrier of lard around the ref and try to convince him he was wrong.
It bever works so i dont see the point of doing it. Well….when i say what i mean it never works for arsenal.
But if ye will recall Hull vs Villa near the end of the season. There was a header that hit the crossbar and went over, Ashley Young raised his hand, didnt touch the ball, but th ref awarded a PK. The linesman didnt say anything against the decision but the whol villa team surrounded the ref and low and behold he change his mind and reversed his decision and played on.
Absloute cock face, spineless bastard of a ref!
In summary: we should sack all the football refs and get in the rugby refs. They take no bullshit andthe rugby players resect them. Its surely the refs own faut, as well as the FAs that noone respects them. Especially with all the crazy decisions they make on a regular basis.
Bacary Sagna and Robin Van Persie are both members of the Le Grove Facebook Group,
Is that for real or are they Identity Thieves?
No takers huh….i’ll keep going so because i have little else to do anyways.
Teams for next season without anymore ins/outs. But hopefully we will get melo and juhasz?
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Song
Fabregas Rosicky
Van Persie Eduardo Arshavin….Nice!
Fabianski
Eboue Toure Djourou Gibbs
Denilson
Ramsey Nasri
Vela Bendtner Theo
Subs for either: Mannone, Silvestre (hopefully not tho), Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Wilshere, Adebayor, Simpson and the reserve kids.
Not a bad squad by any means as long as we keep them all fit and fighting. We could still stengthen in some places but if everyone is fit (which is unlikely) thenwe will more than cope.
PTG, im not on fb but i’ll assume they are fakers. And everyone should too until proven otherwise.
I would rather play bartley or nordtveit than silvestre
The talented Russian is revered at the Ukrainian giants after his nine-year spell there, between 2000 and 2009, which coincided with the capture of the Russian Premier League, Russian Cup and Uefa Cup.
Apparently sky believe that Zenit are ukranian. And even managed to contradict themselves in the very same paragraph. Nice!
Good read, Gunner8
i think wenger is hoping to keep toure/gallas and gradualy bring our new defender and just use dj and silvestor for carling games unless he can sell silvestor on a free,senderos is gone i think. i am not sure what he is going to with noviet the defender from norway he is still only 19 but should at least play in the carling cup games
any1 watching brazil vs italy.Going forward melo is impressive.Good distribution
Lwon, 19 for any defender is very young. Especially a CB. Starting in the CC is too much for Nordveit imo.
IN the CC it should be JD/Song and either Toure or whoever the 3rd choice CB is for the first team.
Nish, i’ve got it on. Not really watching tho…music instead.
how many chances does fabiano need
He is brazils Ade.
hahah… evening stu
Good evening Choy……….
anyone else watching Brazil v Italy at the confed?
when are the finals for the confed cup?
Well, this is the last game before the semis. So it cant be that far away.
evening confident… yup am watching…
sagna type crossing going on.
stu
i just think its time to this kid noviet at least runout in cc see how does,i have never sen him play is he any
doesn’t he look like a japanese samurai?
Leon, as i said. He, as a defender, is too young imo. We played Senderos from a young age and look what happened with him.
I would prefer to wait a little longer with Nordveit. Unless a player is special..like Cesc, then i dont think they should be exposed to early. Ramsey was exposed at an early stage and remember what happened to him against cardiff.
Nordveit should get no firther than the bench for now imo. Then assess how he does.
lol
is chiellini playing?
Apparently he is playing Choy. Wouldnt know it tho. Wasnt he supposed to be a good defender. Brazil are having so many chances on goal.
I think I’m sold on melo.I’d be delighted if we got him. The Eboue-Sakho swap seems fairly reasonable as well…but then we don’t have a back-up for Sagna
well brazil are running rings around the entire team
Silky skills on Lucio!
oooh.. almost
look like arsenal… don’t they… missing soo many chances!!
whats up pat.
Its about time.
good finish
Nothin much Choy. Just came back from my match and checking news in the ARsenal world.
ok pat… hope you won
he scores again
Tied the 1st place team. mexicans. Dirty bunch. 0-0 while we were playing 10 men from the 40th minute. Thanks though.
wow, Italy is getting destroyed
spotted any future dm’s for le arse?
Italy have gone to shit. They have been using more of less the same players for the last 5 ot 6 years.
Just like the top Italian teams.
Exactly Pat.
meant to say “playing WITH 10 men”
Italy look very average albeit Brasil can control with the quick, quick, slow sexy soccer which can take any team apart even the Spanish would struggle! Melo looks very robust… but I don’t think we’ve even approached him yet so I can’t see anything happening atm!
Hi folks. El i disagree…. the spanish are the best passing team in this tournament and in the world
If its a Spain v Bazil final Spain will win unless they are really unlucky
I’m so lookin forward to Brasil vs Spain then.. could prove to be a classic encounter!
Chiellini is the worst CB ive ever seen
heheh
brazil are gonna rape them on the counter.
LOL Did ye see the weird child rubbing ice cream all over his face! It cant be THAT hot.
Evening all!
Italy bore the pants off me! How did they win the WC last time out?
BREAKING NEWS:
Michael Schumacher is The Stig!
Prove it Samir.
Samir, I saw that but I can’t believe it. How would he have had time? Although he has the personality to be the Stig, i.e. none!