Yabba Dabba Doo!

Morning everyone, An excellent, all round vintage, Arsenal display last night. A resounding victory by no means. Right from the word go it was clear we had moved up a gear from last week. We were playing some vintage football and had the Magpies held back essentially in their own half the first 45 minutes. The first goal came via penalty as Adebayor attempted to put in a cross, which was stopped via a handball through Charles N’Zogbia. The spot kick was then taken by RVP who coolly converted it in the bottom left corner, giving Shay Given absolutely no chance whatsoever.

As the first half wore on Newcastle, as mentioned earlier, struggled to get a hold in the game, Arsenal’s comfortable possession and pace on the wings - particularly on the left with Nasri and Clichy (forming a lethal partnership reminiscent of Pires & Cole) - keeping them at bay. One such move down the right eventually worked the ball to Fabregas. The spaniard played a measured through-ball to van Persie who produced a brilliant cut-back to Adebayor. The stunning build-up warranted more than the frontman’s shot sliding past the far post.

In the 41st minute of the game, Emmanuel Eboue (shocking no?) did some excellent work and squirmed away from three Newcastle players before he passed the ball towards the right to Adebayor who turned on the pace before returning the ball to Eboue. The move looked over until he produced a delightful backheel into the path of the onrushing van Persie who thundered his shot into the roof of the net. Given was left grasping for air.

The third of the night came through some good work. Nasri was instrumental in the build-up, but Adebayor it was who eventually was the put the young Brazilian through. His low shot was deflected past a motionless Given.

Newcastle did have some good chances, but failed to convert and Michael Owen looked good. Joey Barton later come on as a sub and tackled Samir Nasri rather maliciously. Barton ought to have been booked but go away with it. Nasri decided to repay the favor and did some of his own tackling on that cunt (and got booked for his efforts).

Highlights can be viewed here

After the match ended, Gallas & Keegan got into a bit of a spat whereby I personally think Gallas ought to have kicked Keegan in his balls. Keving Keegan though later added:

"Joey has done nothing wrong. I'm concerned about my team, not individual players. "Joey came on, got a good tackle in on Nasri. Then the guy sliced him down. That's what happened and that's what I saw, which is what I was upset about."

Yeah Right.

Moving on, le boss, who was rather ecstatic after the resounding win had the following to say:

On The Match:
"We played the game we love, the game we know how to play and could have scored more. I am pleased that we didn't concede any goals."

On RVP:
"He is having an X-ray and we have to check his ankle. Hopefully nothing is broken but I don't know yet."

On Nasri vs Cunt:
"I don't know why [Kevin] Keegan was angry with Nasri. He had an incident with [Joey] Barton and was booked rightly so."

On Potential Signings:
"We are trying to buy but the problem is availabliltly, as well as the fact we have to find players better or as good as the ones we have."

Its good to hear le boss is actually trying to find a player or two to sign before the transfer deadline. Even though last night was amazing, we still need not forget the weakness we currently have in midfield. Just imagine if Cesc gets injured for a month where we have to play United, Liverpool and bolton away with a midfield comprising of Denilson & Eboue *shudders* Although I have to admit, playing alongside Cesc, they both have looked far more astute than they did playing together.

Patrick Vieira was also present at The Emirates to watch a vintage display of the Gunners (something he helped incorporate) and it did end up raising some rumours (mostly through a friend of mine) that we may even end up signing him.

I have to admit this, it doesn't sound at all likely to happen but if we were indeed to sign him, it wouldn't be a bad deal. We could land him on a free transfer, he willingly takes a pay cut, agrees to play as required and voila! Not only could he provide essential backup but the experience he would be bringing in would be excellent for the youngsters around at Arsenal.

I think I've gone on long enough, I'd better get cracking at my dissertation which is due tommorow.

Come on you gunneerrrssss!!!

Le Boss looking to burn some midnight oil!!

Hello all,

Hope all of you are in a great mood what with kick off looming just around the corner. Its going to be international break after this so its rather vital that we go into that break with some positives (like 3 points and 20 goals) otherwise the next two weeks could turn out to be rather long.

There isn't much to happening today, there still hasn't been a signing made and today le boss also strongly insisted that there is absolutely no interest in Jonathan de Guzman either. I still believe there is a signing looming in the not too distant future (remember the Gallas deal in 2006 and the Diarra deal in 2007?) Anyways, Arsene had the following to say:

"Last year it was at midnight - and we are ready to stay up all night this time if it is needed.We have still a long time to go. For a while they all talk the talk and nothing happens, then in the last four or five days every half-an-hour there is a headline saying someone has signed somewhere. "

"When you have experience of transfer dealings, you know that as long as something is not signed you know it can change very quickly so you can look very silly, so you don't want to come out and announce it."

"We are out to look, if we find the right players we will do it, one or two. However, I believe it's more interesting for us to focus on our strengths and quality rather than looking outside. I know it makes headlines, but it doesn't make you win games."

"I buy the players I feel strengthen the squad, after that I consider the price, I do the job I think it has to be done, considering the resources of the club and considering our ambition, and the players we have. I know the media and supporters sometimes too are happy with big numbers, but for me what is most important is big quality. Sometimes both are linked, but not always."

You have to agree with the boss on that and one also understand swhat he is talking about, but then again Arsene, we have only been asking you to spend 6 odd million to land another pires or a sagna to partner senor Cesc, thats it! Honest! You can do it for us, can't you Arsene? Please? Pretty please with sugar on it?

Anyways, moving on, Arsenal are at last saying openly, "read our financial statement & reports" in the face of endless and rather mindless media commentary about Arsenal having no money whatsoever.

What hasn't been reported is that Manchester United's position is so bad that they are now having to cut costs anywhere & everywhere possible. Apparently the problem with the Berbativ signing lies in the fact that United are not being able to pay match the (over the roof) demands of sp*rs. While only last year they were able to splash out a hefty 30+ million on Tevez. This isn't good news for all United supporting friends of mine (I'm sorry guys) but at the same time you have to develop respect for Arsene Wenger's economic prowess to have guided us to a very strong situation (in monetary terms at the moment).
I had better run now.

Here's hoping all 3 points to the Gunners tonight!
Come on you gunners!!

P.S After seeing Arshavin in last night's game vs United, it just baffles me why a player would want to leave a club on the back of a UEFA Cup win, a Super Cup win & a season in The CL and join sp*rs who have never played in the CL and the last two trophies they won are the Carling Cup (a trophy that le boss doesn't even give a hoot about) and one for making the least number of appearances in a season for any club!!

Nothing on the Horizon!

Hello all,

Another day closer to the transfer deadline and there's still nothing no sign of us signing that essential midfielder that we all have craved for all summer long. Danny Fizsman revealed we had the money to spend if and when required but Arsene simply refuses to do so, Fizsman said:

"If Arsène said he needed £30million for a striker, he would get it, no problem at all."

Fizsman also added that the aim is to still to win trophies but its upto the manager to change our youth poilcy (personally the youth is just fine, but throwing in some experience here and there wouldn't hurt would it?)

"But that does not mean all we are interested in is the artistic achievement award. We are not settling for second-best. We want to win trophies and I think it is time we did, but Arsène also believes in creating teams with a certain style."

Now if theres money to be spent, and when theres such an obvious flaw in the centre of midfield and the existing players that we have thus far failed to pull a flamini, I have to admit it becomes a little more than frustrating.

Moving on, the team news for Arsenal's game this weekend we have no fresh injury worries ahead of the clash with Newcastle at Emirates Stadium. Theo & Gallas have recovered from thelittle knocks that they picked up and Nasri is back as well after recovering from a virus (how does he manage doing this in between games? of well, as long as he's fit!) Btw, Joey Barton could be back in the Newcastle squad!

As for Carlos vela, Le boss has cited International football and intense travelling as the reasons behind Carlos Vela’s continued absence from the team. But he did add:

“But I am confident he will play an important part in the season, but at the moment he is away. He is a top class player.”

I for one am rather excited of the prospect of having Vela play in our squad, the little I saw of him in preseaon, he looked sharp, fast & didn't look afraid to get stuck in.

As for the draw, well we've drawn Porto, Dinamo Kiev and Fenerbache. A tough draw I'd say, but something we should be able to get through what with Wenger's belief in the young squad.

Here's hoping for all three points and a trillion goals tommorow!

Come on you guuuuunnnnnnnerrrsss!!

Back on Track!

Hello all,

Everyone must be doing quite well today following the rather emphatic victory over FC Twente last night which ensures our 11th successive season in Europe’s elite competition . I admit, most cynics would point out its only FC Twente, but I'd like to point out that Twente must have some quality to be in this stage in the first place and secondly, the victory will do our confidence no end of good (remember the 7-0 thumping where everyone was scoring for fun and look how that turned out the rest of the season). So yes, I'm wearing my Arsenal shirt & my Arsenal Cap and as you can see in the picture below, I have a huge smile plastered all over my face.

As for the match, well judging from what I saw and what I read (both on other blogs as well as my friends via text) we played some sublime football and the instant difference with a team with and without cesc fabregas was apparent. I'm sure you all have probably already the match reports elsewhere but for the sake of it, I will now give you a brief of the game as well, here goes:

New boy Nasri (isn't he looking really really good?) settled any lingering nerves with a sparking solo goal in the 26th minute. Gallas scored the second of the night just after half-time. Theo-rry steered in classy third just past the hour mark and finally Bendtner tapped home a fourth towards the end.

Good stuff all around, lets hope we get a reprise of this as often as possible over the course of the season. Anyways, I was on Arsenal.com and I saw this picture of Gallas', If anyone also notices something wrong with it, well then you aren't alone


Heh!

Anyways, moving on, it seems Arsenal are now close to landing the signatures for for 20 year old Jonathan de Guzman. He's a midfielder in the mould of Hargreaves and could even be the next vieira (how many times have we heard this before?) Anyhow he had this to say:

“My dream clubs are Arsenal and Barcelona. If clubs of that stature are interested in you then you cannot say no. I’m certainly open to interest from Arsenal and from what I hear Feyenoord are happy to hear from them as well.”

We all the know the dire need for a midfield signing and no matter how much I stress the importance it still isn't enough. Although if we could also snap up Xabi Alonso somehow *drools*

In other umm news, Gael Clichy does not remember his first kiss. I have no idea how this could be treated as news but according to posts, we the non footballers are the purists and they are womanizing scum. Hmmm, I wonder how fortune, fame and all that would somehow not allow women to be attracted to them.

Okay, Okay, I ought to stop now, The Champions League qualifying draw is less than 2 hours away now. We're seeded 5th in Pot 1.

Newcastle on Saturday!

Come on you Gunnnnneeerrrsssss!!!

Are We Doooooooooooommmmeeedddd??

Hello all,

Well, I was clicking about looking for "Arsenal sign David Villa" type of news and well, we all know what could have happened next. Anyways, the recent comments by le boss that we'd sing one more player has thus far yielded nothing and instead has seen a player go out.

Yesterday Gokhan Inler apparently "snubbed" a move to the Grove and today I found a bit of news floating about that Arsenal have not yet made an approach to Liverpool for Xabi Alonso.

If all the players that have been categorically linked with a move to the grove have now been "unlinked" then does it really actually mean that arsene is happy with the current squad and actually thinks that this squad can realistically challenge for titles this season? Is this the end for Arsenal? Are we doooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeddddd?

Well it all comes down to your personal perspectives on this, do you seel the glass half empty or half full?

For me personally, I know Arsene knows, The squad we had last year was completely written off and instead got off to a flyer and then sort of umm came across a bit of turbulence and then well err made an erratic landing but what we did do is prove everyone completely wrong.

Even if we don't make signings, I know le boss loves the red & white and he knows what he's doing. And yet, I have this sneaky feeling we'd be making that elusive signing just a second before the transfer window closes.

FC Twente tonight.

Come on you gunners!!

Cesc's Back! Hurray!

Hello all,

Well, firstly I'd like to bring you all some good news, Arsene Wenger has revealed that Cesc Fabregas is now fit for the upcoming clash against FC Twente. Arsene Wenger had this to say:

“He is in the squad, whether he starts or not I can not give you an answer now."

I suspect he'd be forced to come on at some point as the rather hapless looking midfield of ours needs some bolstering and if nothing else it will give cesc some playing time ahead of our premier league clash this coming saturday.

Speaking of which, Le boss also stated, “From Saturday, we did not lose anybody [through injury]. But we still have Rosicky and Diaby out.” Which i suppose is good news in some ways (seeing how synonymous injuries and arsenal go) which brings me to Mikael Silvestre, whom the boss revealed that will be out till September 13th.

Anyhow, moving on, former Arsenal man Lee Dixon has had quite a pop at William Gallas, Lee said:

"It was the worst performance I’ve seen from an Arsenal team in a long time."
“Tony Adams was sitting just behind me and I said to him, ‘Where’s the leadership?’
“I blame the captain for that. I reckon Gallas is to blame. He’s not leading that team.”

Now some people would obviously state that he's being too harsh on Gallas & that we should have faith in Arsene blah blah but I have to say, I have the utmost of faith in le boss, I have an utter lack of repspect for william gallas. Enough said I guess.

Anyways, moving on, It has now come to light that Gokhan Inler has snubbed a move to Arsenal, claiming it is too early for a move to the emirates. If you don't want to come, dont. Rot at Udinese then. If you're lucky you may get to play in the Intertoto cup somewhere along the line.

Lets hope we bounce back well come tommorow night. I know its still early going and a lot of us are being all panicky & fidgety, but have faith in Arsene and have faith in the Arsenal. Things'll come together fine.

Come on you Gunners!

Senderos gone, Djourou to follow?

Arsene has lost his marbles, I'm now very assured of this fact. We already had frailities within our squad & now le boss has gone and done this. I know, I know, we all didn't rate Senderos too high but I personally thought he did rather well last year when kolo got injured and this year I though he'd only improve. Now here goes le boss giving him away as well.

In addition to this, young JD (who again was very impressive in pre-season & against W.B.A -spare the one error which he made up for) has also been linked away with a loan move out of the grove.

What does this mean? Lack of depth would mean Adebayor covering in as CB for an injured kolo and Le boss' sperm sample covering up as striker. it also mean, that the sad git who wears the number 10 at our club will now be fully assured that no ONE can take his spot and he can be as big a tart as he so pleases.

Whats gone wrong? Where did it start going wrong? Are we actually bankrupt?

Are you actually enjoying this arsene? First you break apart the invincible team and now you go and start breaking up the team that came so close last season and the only way next would have up?

Arsene says we're no closer to making signings

Morning all,

Well the boss has revealed that, "We are not close to signing anybody." It has to be said, that know Arsene, he could be playing his cards close to his chest, but if this stands true, then we really are in for a long summer.

Arsene Wenger has so far let Flamini, Gilberto, Hleb & Diarra leave and has thus far not addressed the problem and for some odd reason seems to be content with Eboue playes a CDM! I mean for fuck's sake! How is it that he aims to achieve anything with a squad that Emannuel Eboue as a CDM?

Arsene really has a LOT of decisions to make, the first of those being the captaincy issue. when Gallas was made captain, I was as surprised as anyone as I had my money on the table for Gilberto (and what a season HE had) but instead this cunt from chelsea was made captain. I thought, okay, lets not be too bashful, afterall Arsene knows! 2 years laters, I ask myself, does Arsene really know or has he lost his marbles a little bit? For me there is only one man who has is suited for this role & thats Cesc Fabregas. he has the spirit, the raging fire, the determination within him to lead this squad as well as set an example and I think le boss must address this issue at once.

Secondly, I think we don't need just the one signing, if at all we do make one, we need at least two in mid-field (Inler & Xabi) in addition to a quality centre back so that that arse can be dropped and someone with a bit more zeal can come in. Personally, I think the time has come for Arsene to stop procrastinating and get on with the job. We're really frustrated Arsene! where are the pires' & henry's gone? surely, there have to be more gems in the world unlike eboue & gallas?

In other news, Gervinho has stated;

"I have dreamed about that club. To play for Arsenal will be the best day of my life and I will do anything to play for that team. But it will depend on my good work for Le Mans. I need to keep working and Arsenal will open the door for me."

Now this is what you want to hear a lot more, players wanting to be a part of Arsenal, wanting to help Arsenal, Cesc said, Traore said it, its time we begin to hear some words of determination from the rest of our squad.

Come on you gunners!

Inler on his way in?

Gokhan Inler could be on his was to the club. According to reports, the 24-year-old has agreed a 4-year deal with the club after his agent, Dino Lamberti, revealed talks went well with Arsene Wenger and Arsenal officials in north London just a fortnight ago.

Udinese general director Pietro Leonardi rejected reports linking the hardman with a transfer to Arsenal last month by dismissing the reports as ‘absurd’, these latest updates suggest different.

Inler joined Udinese from Swiss side FC Zurich in 2007, and made 32 appearances for them last season, and has 15 caps for Switzerland.