Tuesday, July 28, 2009

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)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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.

Monday, July 20, 2009

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.