Battle of Britain: Celtic v Arsenal

If ever there was a list of the most awaited 3rd Qualifying Round of the Champions League clashes, this one surely belongs up there with the best. Celtic is set to host Arsenal for their first ever European meeting. Both teams are in the back of their victory in the opening day of their respective leagues.

Celtic comes into this match with an aggressive flair and their trust on the home crowd who, we all know, can come crucial on such match. While Stephen McManus is definitely out, fellow defender Glenn Loovens is also an injury doubt.
Arsenal however, have a few more injury problems. Rosicky, Nasri, Djourou, Walcott and Fabianski are all still out. However, Fabregas, Denilson, and Sagna are all a doubt for tomorrow and will all face fitness. Howevr, on a more positive note, Diaby will be available.

Arsenal come into this match believing as well that the crowd is key and feel in they can come home with a victory. Kick-off is 19:45 GMT time tomorrow.

Premiership Review: Sunday, August 16 2009

The Champions got to a winning start today with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Birmingham thanks to Wayne Rooney's 99th goal with the Red Devils. It wasn't the most convincing performance by Man Utd, but it was enough to sink the newly-promoted side.

In the other Premier League clash, lackluster Liverpool got of to a losing start at White Hart Lane with a 2-1 reverse. Assou-Ekotto scored at the end of a fantastic first half for Spurs with a scorcher. Liverpool raised their game after the break and equalised through a Steven Gerrard penalty. However, Spurs regained the lead just 3 minutes later thanks to debutant Bassong's goal.

Below are the highlights


Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham


Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

Premiership Review: Saturday, August 15

The Premiership resumed today with a terrific start. Man City got to a perfect start with a 2-0 win at Ewood Park with debutant Adebayor scoring. Didier Drogba scored two superb goals to save Chelsea's blushes in their 2-1 win at home to Hull. A surprise result came from Villa Park, where Wigan stunned Aston Villa faithfuls by winning 2-0, giving new manager Roberto Martinez a perfect start as Wigan manager.

But the match of the day certainly came from Goodison Park. Arsenal performed a sparkling performance and thrashed the home side 6-1. Cesc Fabregas's quality shines through once again, scoring 2 and setting up 2. Vermaelen also got a debut goal, and Arsenal gave a message to the rest of the Premiership that they certainly mean business this term, despite losing Adebayor and Toure to Man City.

Here are the highlights from the Match of the Day

Match of the Day

Euro 2008 Turkey 3 - 2 Czech Republic Highlights 15.06.2008


A classic from Euro 2008

The Last of The Invincibles on the Verge of Leaving...

Kolo Toure is in talks with Man City, who will soon be their 5th signing this summer. Kolo played 326 games for Arsenal, scoring 14 goals. His last goal came last season at the Hawthorns in the 3-1 win over West Brom. He arrived at Arsenal in 2002, initially given a utility man role, he excelled in Centre-Back since the Invincibles season and helped the Gunners winning the Premiership in 2004, the FA Cup in 2005, and setting a Champions League clean sheet record in 2005. He's had a major dip in form since he came back from the 2008 African Cup of Nations, which indicated he might have been burnt out.

Kolo Toure was the last of the regular Invincibles. Only Gael Clichy is the remaining personnel who was a Gunner in the Invincibles season. Cesc Fabregas was in the club at the time, but he never played in the league that season.

The Invincibles

Jens Lehmann (2003-2008)
Lauren (2000-2007)
Kolo Toure (2002-2009)
Sol Campbell (2001-2006)
Ashley Cole (1999-2006)
Gilberto (2002-2008)
Patrick Vieira (1996-2005)
Freddie Ljungberg (1998-2007)
Robert Pires (2000-2006)
Dennis Bergkamp (1995-2006)
Thierry Henry (1999-2007)

Match of the Day

March 8 2006, Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid

The best 0-0 you'll ever see. It was the second leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Chances at both ends and goalkeepers at top form. Both Lehmann and Casillas making superb saves. But on 90 minutes, Arsenal celebrate because they've won the tie by an aggregate score of 1-0, thanks to the virtuoso goal by Thierry Henry at the Barnebau.

Match of the Day

February 22 2003, Man City 1-5 Arsenal

Arsenal went five points clear of Man Utd that day as they showed no mercy to Man City. Bergkamp, Pires, Henry, and Campbell scored in the first 20 minutes. Vieira added another right after the break and Anelka scored a mere consolation afterwards.

Eriksson Becomes Notts County Director of Football

Sven Goran Eriksson, at 61, has become the Division Two club's director of football following his sacking as the Mexico manager three months ago. He has sent out a bold message, saying he can take the club to the Premier League, after signing a five-year deal. After a few unsuccessful managerial spells, he has taken a different role. He will take care of the club's scouting and overseas links, health, fitness and the development of the players.

Eriksson's Managerial Stats

Degerfors 1977-78

IFK Gothenburg 1979-82

Benfica 1982-84

Roma 1984-87

Fiorentina 1987-89

Benfica 1989-92

Sampdoria 1992-97

Lazio 1997-2001

England 2001-06

Manchester City 2007-08

Mexico 2008-09

Pre-Season

Highlights: SC Columbia 1-7 Arsenal

Arsenal started their European tour with a bang. Bendtner, Ramsey and Van Persie each got a brace.

Here are the full highlights

Match of the Day

Arsenal 7-0 Everton

Football Center's featured match of the day is an end of season match when Arsenal thumped Everton at Highbury. Bergkamp turned up with a virtuoso performance as Arsenal ended their season in style.

Man City: Far From A Top Four Club

In this close season, Man City has been the biggest spenders in England. Ever since the club was taken over by Abu Dhabi United Group, they are claimed to be the wealthiest club on earth, and could be a major threat to the elites of England from a mid-table club, just like how Chelsea did it with Roman Abramovic.
Yet, Ferguson, disagrees with the popular view, and perhaps rightly so. They've went to buy Santa Cruz, Barry, Tevez, and now Adebayor, but they aren't short of strikers nor defensive midfielders. Mark Hughes have to go for shrewder signings rather than buy top players from each club.
They want be among the best, but what they've got? NINE strikers, which Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz and perhaps Craig Bellamy are renowned for being world-class. In the middle of the park, only Barry and the inconsistent Wright-Phillips stand out. At the back they're pretty much all average. Of course now they've turned their sights into John Terry, but I think John Terry isn't going anywhere, unless it's money he's looking for.
However, looking at another completely different perspective, maybe Mark Hughes is not the right man for the job. When Chelsea bought their way into the top, they first lured Jose Mourinho, a proven manager who've won titles. He then bought some shrewd players, not necessarily superstars, but certainly capable of changing the flow of the game. Man City might want to take not of this, by first having a top-class manager within their ranks.
Because at the moment, Man City are hardly looking like a side who could qualify for Europe, let alone the top four.

Introduction

Hello football fans,

Welcome to my new blog, created in the thick of summer just as pre-season kicks off. This blog will discuss the latest happenings and news around the world of football, focusing especially in the Premier League. As a Gooner fan, my post will be numerous on Arsenal's latest. Comments will be heartily accepted.