Walcott The Man / Gallas is confident / Flamini Staying

Arsenal’s youth side have kicked off the Champions Cup in Malaysia with a 0-0 draw with Ajax, Arsenal’s match followed AC Milan drawing 1-1 in the same group with Flamengo of Brazil. Ajax’s manager admitted that “We are in the strongest group. It will not be easy”.

Arsenal Ladies team has had some amazing news today, following their quadruple last season, 9 of the squad have been called up to play for England in this years Ladies World Cup.

Robin has been telling arsenal.com that Theo Walcott will hit the ‘big time’ with Arsenal this season. I’d love to see Theo have a massive season this year, obviously I suppose because he can affect Arsenal at the top end, but more because he is a great English hope. People always slate the arsenal because we don’t have a string of England players but Theo has the potential to be the best of them all proving that the good one’s will always make it.

In contrast to Gallas’ first words of the summer, today he has been mr. positive, he said  “What I saw during the tournaments - against Paris St-Germain, Inter, Ajax and Lazio - it was different. (Talking about the immaturities of last season) “The spirit was different. Everybody fought for his team-mate and when you see that you realise. I don’t know why it’s changed but something clearly has. I can’t call them ‘the kids’ - they’re not kids any more”.  Gallas is confident Arsenal will challenge for the title this season and other trophies in our path.

Willy is also quoted in The Times as saying, “I am confident we will finish above Tottenham, but they are not our main concern - we want to win the title.” You’ve got to love a statement like that.

It was great to see some of the old Banners that were hanging from the North Bank at the ‘Training Day’ yesterday. At Ashburton Grove you can imagine Arsenal wanted to jazz it up a bit so the banners will actually appear of the electronic advertising boards around the ground and will appear at every home game next season. Bringing back some of our history to our ultra modern home.

Steve Bruce at Birmingham confirmed on Sky Sports New today that Flamini is going nowhere and simply does not want to leave Arsenal now. He is committed to the cause at The Arsenal. It’s always nice to hear money doesn’t come into it and that Matty is true to his word.

I found one player who I definitely want in my Fantasy League Side, Gooner Nyron Nosworthy (at Sunderland) said, “I’m an Arsenal fan as well so I have double reason for wanting to beat Tottenham.” Would that because they are shit, and their fans are wankers? It would be lovely if the spuds lost to Sunderland on the first day of the season. You’ll see a big smile on my face all weekend if that’s the result.  I wonder how many results like that it will take for them to give Joll the push?

You’ve got to love those lads at tibalfootball, today another Arsenal player is on the wanted list, they say Inter Milan want Tomas Rosicky. I don’t think so lads. They certainly have linked us with a lot of in’s and out’s this summer. They also link Arsenal with Nacional Montevideo goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. A bit random, can’t say I know bugger all about this guy, Wenger knows everyone so I’m sure he’s seen him play somewhere along the line.

Only 3 more days to go. No more gossip, it’s on with the football.

Gallas is our LEADER!

Arsene Wenger today announced that William Gallas is the new Arsenal Captain. When Henry left it was thought Gilberto would take the armband, and second favourite was Toure, both had filled in last season when Henry had been missing. If you would have said pre-season it would have been Gallas I think most Arsenal fans would have laft you out of town. But Gallas is out spoken but maybe when he speaks, he does speak some truth, a just a little bit of crap, now he has sat down with Wenger it seems he has become focused on the Arsenal cause. Wenger told Arsenal.com “[The captain] will be William Gallas,” he said. “There will also be two vice-captains, Kolo Toure and Gilberto. “I feel centre back is always the best position to lead on the pitch and it is Gallas who has more experience at the back. But Gilberto has always been a great captain and Kolo Toure has a stature too.” Arsene also said Jens was in the frame, I think the fact he is absolutely nuts may have affected his chances, you can’t have your captain suspended all the time!!

On the team news front Gilberto is still away and Adebayor is doubtful for the Fulham game. Other than that it seems everyone else is available for the start of the season. Wenger should give a clear sign to his plans for what he sees as his first team, his major choice is whether to play Hleb just off Van Persie or to put Eduardo up to with The Dutch Wonderboy.

On the gossip front, Gilberto is being linked with a £4Mil move to Juve (unlikely), and our bid for Diarra appears to have moved from £1-£2Mil up to £5Mil as Pompey have entered the race and The Russian is obviously penny pinching!! Where tribalfootball started (inter bid for Rosicky) Soccerblog follow, they are saying this time it is the European Champions AC Milan that want Super Tom. At this stage of the season it would take some super big bid for Arsene to even consider offloading our only wide-scoring midfielder from last season.

I see Sparta are upping their security for the Arsenal game, does that mean their won’t be some hooky van inside the ground selling Chickens, NO!! Don’t take that away, Gooners will be stuck with Sausage on a plate with a dollop of mayo (or at least I hope it way Mayo)!! At least you can still drink in the stands. On a serious note “Sparta supports the appeal made by UEFA which invites referees to end matches early where there is racial abuse.” 
1 more day of the working week and its football time!!

Eduardo Fitness Test / Pre-Match Plans

The weekend is finally here and the Premiership will Kick off at noon tomorrow hopefully with a win for Sunderland over the spuds. Eduardo is the next player who is doubtful for Sunday. Adebayor was ruled out today and Wenger told arsenal.com that Eduardo will have a fitness test prior to the Fulham game. Wenger also said Gilberto is unlikely to feature until September. If one thing will inspire the Gooners it is Fulham’s inexperienced manager Lawrie Sanchez, he said that due to Arsenals lack of investment we will not challenge Manure or the Chavs this season.

It has been confirmed that Johan Djourou will go on loan to Birmingham until the new year. I think Djourou has enough to offer the Arsenal first team so I recon he’ll sail into the Birmingham team. Old Steve Bruce sure likes our youth team!! This should keep him up to match speed in time for a return when Eboue and Toure go on their ACN holiday.
The Daily Mail say Arsene is committed to Arsenal, Wenger told them “I am highly committed to the club, I have shown that many, many times in my life and I don’t think anybody can question that. “We are talking and usually when we talk, there is always a positive outcome. At the moment nothing is done, but hopefully soon.” This is all very positive ahead of the new season. Wenger was talking at his first pre-match press conference.

Wenger also told the media he does not feel under pressure to sign any news players because he says he feels Arsenal are strong and we do not need any more. Wenger said,” If something comes up we have the funds to do it, but we don’t have a special need.” and he also said, “I don’t go into crazy markets.” Perhaps he is referring to the Scum’s purchase of Bent for £16Mil.

The plans are in full swing for the match on Sunday. The usual watering hole for the Gooners loudest and proudest opens at 11am sharp, the Rocket, is the Met Uni bar on Holloway road. They are providing selected beers at just £2.40 a pint. After the game the Rocket will also be open showing Brum grab a win against the Chavs (or at least give Petr Chech a rough time, Reading next for them!). After the game Arsenal are encouraging people to stay, at Block 31 the bar will the open for an hour after the match. Pints are just £2.50 and some Arsenal ex-pro’s will be in attendance to entertain. Worryingly there is also a Tom Jones tribute act booked to perform!! That will drive everyone away for sure.

Come on you Gunners!

Ecclestone wants Arsenal / Good old Sunderland

Bernie Ecclestone put himself forward as the front runner to take over Arsenal after the ‘lockout’ clause signed by the current Arsenal board ends. Ecclestone has become a good friend of David Dein according to the Media. If he is to make a move to buy the club he is likely to want total control. He told The Times, “If I could buy Arsenal I would”.

The first table of the season looked great.

I think all Gooners enjoyed Chopra’s 93rd minute goal for Sunderland to put the Scum bottom of the league. All those forwards and they could not manage a goal.

The Sun have put Arsenal’s starting line-up as;

LEHMANN

SAGNA     TOURE     GALLAS     CLICHY

EBOUE       FLAMINI   CESC       ROSICKY

VAN PERSIE    EDUARDO

I think Wenger will start with Hleb instead of either Eboue or Eduardo. I would presume he would prefer 2 up front for a home match. One which we are expected to win too.
Most of the news now if focused on the weekends football. So I’ll leave you with my prediction tomorrow. Arsenal 3 - 1 Fulham.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham / Wenger / New Signing Tomorrow

It should have been an easy 3 points but as so often last season Arsenal went behind and had to spend a long period trying to graft a goal against a team who were trying to shut up shop. The encouraging thing is that in this game we pulled it out the bag. As Arsene was keen to point out last season we were still only on 2 points midway through September.

Arsenal went behind after about 50 seconds. It was an error by Jens Lehmann, who slipped over, and gifted the ball to David Healy. Nobody could miss that chance. In the interest of remaining positive I am not going to mention anything else about Jens, let’s just say it felt like he’d gone back 3 seasons. When Wenger was asked after the match to rate how relieved Lehmann was out of 10 when we won the match, Wenger said 10 out of 10!! We’ve learnt that you can’t afford to give goals away in the Premier League and there was no way Fulham were going to. Arsenal had chances in the first half, but as last season, we were left feeling frustrated at half time.

Arsenal were revved up late on with the introduction of first Walcott, then Bendtner, the breakthrough came on 83. Kolo Toure showed a will to win and a will to get into the box. As he drove into the box he was hauled down for a penalty. Van Persie stepped up and crashed it against the underside of the crossbar and in for 1-1. In an amazing finish Arsenal won it in the 90th minute. As promised it was Hleb, he has told Gooners he will score more this season, and this is a great start. Cesc set it up with a lofted pass, eventually Hleb bought it under, and tucked it away.

It was a massive relief to kick off with a win as we have a Champions League match in midweek and will probably fall behind the front-runners. To have been 6 points off the top by the end of week one would have been hard to take.

Arsenal’s renewed TOGETHERNESS was shown in this performance and diggin’ in till the end. At full time the players huddled in the centre circle to massive applause from the Arsenal faithful. Arsenal are a dangerous team with this spirit and these type of games will only extend The Arsenal Togetherness.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Sagna, Toure, Gallas (c), Clichy, Rosicky (Bendtner 72), Flamini, Cesc, Eboue (Walcott 63), Hleb, Van Persie (Song 96). Subs Unused: Almunia, Senderos.

Booked: Flamini.

Goals: Van Persie(p) 83, Hleb 90.

In other news, The News of the World, suggest people close to Arsene Wenger are worried about his health. Well Gilles Grimandi anyway. Wenger is said to be under huge strain due to the massive stress he is under at Arsenal trying to fill in a do without a director of football. Grimandi told the paper, “Before, Arsene was snowed under with work. Now it has become frightening,” I hope this is not true and an exaggeration by Gilles we need Arsene on the touch-line that’s for sure. “All of us around Arsene are trying to take the strain off him,” added Grimandi. “But Dein is irreplaceable”. I don’t think this game will have helped Wenger’s heart rate but once things have settled with his own contract I’m sure a director of football will be assigned. Wenger is now expected to sign a deal by the end of August.

News from around the ground today is that Arsenal will announce the signing of a new player tomorrow. Everyone is tight lipped about who that will be so we’ll have to wait and see what the morning brings.

4-5-1 for Prague and Setanta Sport

New signing my arse!! No word at all from the club on a new signing so that was basically a load of shite. So much for my source. Wenger has said that Eduardo is doubtful for the trip to Prague. It seems he is almost certain to miss such a big game if there is even the slightest doubt. Wenger also favoured the 4-5-1 in our CL Final run in 2006. It makes sense to stick with the same line-up as against Fulham for the trip to Prague especially as Hleb is looking comfortable in his attacking role. As with Sunday Bendtner is still there on the bench as another option.

Following Arsenals loss on Friday to Flamengo and then defeat to Milan the youth team were out of the World Championships. It has been a big development for the squad and has given some of the young lads a massive experience. At the end of the tournament Boss Bouldie said. “there’s no doubt we’re on the right track. We’ve played three very good, very strong, older teams and not been outplayed by any of them.”

I just realised today that the game away to Prague is on Setanta Sports, I’m livid, another tenner into the satellite box!! I was determined to not get this 2-bob-bit channel but due to work commitments I am unable to get out to Prague which is awful, but now I’ve had to sign up to some dodgy Paddy Channel!! Annoyed!!

Wenger was very positive about the Arsenal result yesterday and said, “This is the kind of the result that can change the season for a team”. It was a massive 3 points especially as we are missing a game this week because of our European commitments. A good win in Europe will leave the Arsenal squad in very healthy mood for the tough trip to Blackburn at the weekend.

I think it is safe to say Eidur Gudjohnsen has priced himself out of a move to The Arsenal. According to the Daily Mirror he wants £100K a week to move back to the Premiership, I’m not sure he has proved himself to be worth more than any other player in the clubs history.

According to The Times we are still following Yoan Gouffran, apparently Arsenal reps have watched him in his last two matches, Yoan is likely to cost between £1-£2Mil, and is likely to be loaned out for this season.

That’s it for today folks.

No Eduardo for Prague / Pederson is No. 1 target

First of all it is nice to point out that Fulham chump, sorry manager Lawrie Sanchez, has said on Sky Sports News, “I’ve got to hold my hands up and say I was wrong”. Yes you were. Fulham hauled down Hleb in the first half but no penalty was given, and then Toure was taken out in the second half to set up Van Persie for a penalty, it was clear Fulham were desperate not to concede and that desperation lead to numerous fouls.

Wenger has announced his squad for Prague Away, Eduardo has not made it, the Arsenal squad is, Lehmann, Almunia, Sagna, Eboue, Hoyte, Clichy, Traore, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Song, Flamini, Cesc, Hleb, Rosicky, Walcott, Van Persie, and Bendtner. It is extremely likely the starting line-up will be the same as Sunday with Denilson and Diaby still not making the squad with apparent ankle injuries.

Another central midfielder who is not present because of the Copa America is Gilberto, now back at Arsenal in training he has told the Daily Star, “Of course I was surprised because I was captain all last season when Henry didn’t play, and after his move to Barcelona I naturally thought I would be this time,” and he said he heard about it on arsenal.com. He and most Gooners were shocked at the fact Gallas was captain, it does seem though Willy has risen to the challenge (for want of a better term), and it’s also a little shocking that Wenger didn’t speak to Gilberto personally about it. We know how good a man-manager Arsene is, but Gilberto is totally for the Arsenal cause, he went onto say “I will give the same commitment to the club that I always have. This is an important season.” Still it’s all a bit puzzling maybe this is a little of what Grimandi  was talking about over the weekend. Wenger perhaps simply doesn’t have the time to do it all on his own.

Tomas Rosicky has been expressing his feelings about his return to Prague this week on Arsenal.com. Initially Tomas was worried about his return as he didn’t know how  the fans would feel about him. He has a massive history with Prague and joined them at 7 or 8 years old. Tomas said, “My brother played for Sparta Prague and my father played for Sparta Prague so it is a bit emotional. It will be strange for me because I have feelings for the club”. Let’s just hope he doesn’t take the rest of the squad to Darlings pre-match. Arsenal.com also spoke to a Sparta fan and he said,”Rosicky is still very popular among the Sparta Prague fans and I think he can expect a really warm welcome. ” The script is written for Tomas to steel the show.

Following gossip Arsenal were going to make an announcement yesterday regarding a transfer, news started to filter through last night it was Blackburn player Morten Gamst-Pederson  who could be arriving at Ashburton Grove. The People believe Arsenal will buy Pederson for £7Mil. I have constantly said he is the perfect player for Arsenal, in the right position, and at that price, at good value. The Mirror also link Pederson with a move to Arsenal but say Rovers will want Flamini plus cash. I think this will be a great move, Pederson has the ability to score match-winning goals. Something we could do with from an attacking wide position. Watch this space.

One last thing, COME ON YOU TOFFEE’S.

Sparta Praha 0 - 2 Arsenal

Arsenal took a brilliant lead away from this tough away Champions League Qualifier. It was clear from the first minute that it was going to be a physically tough night and Sparta were diving in with dodgy tackles from the outset.

Two Czech midfielders went into the book within the opening minutes, and how Repka (former West Ham) didn’t I don’t know. It totally upset the balance of play and Arsenal could not find a rhythm. It was Sparta who came up with the first chance and hit the post on nine minutes. Still more tackles flew in but the referee started to book Arsenal player for soft challenges. Flamini and Cesc were first into the book and Van Persie followed. The tackle Cesc was booked for was a 50/50 with Repka, who royally pissed me off, I am not sure who he thinks he is, Repka came off the worst in the tackle and had to be taken off minutes later. As he went off Repka threatened Cesc, I’m sure he was quaking in his boots, the old man has lost it!!

Cesc and Van Persie were the only two Gooners to have shots at goal in the first half, and they were weak, the second half was better from Arsenal.

A bit more patience in attack carved out chances, Rosicky put a lovely ball in to Van Persie, who swivelled but nobody could get on the end of his shot. As with Arsenal’s match on Sunday it was a defender who turned the game. Clichy this time picked the ball up and ran at the defence, he skipped around two Sparta players on 72 minutes, and slid the ball to Cesc who coolly chipped it into the net past the keeper. It was a deserved lead.

Again Arsenal scored in the 90th minute with a goal from Hleb. It was Sagna who sprinted up the wing and cut in, he had ran so fast, and was so tired, he could barely lift his leg to pass, but he did, into the path of Hleb who finished. 2-nil was a great result on the night and Sparta gave no signals that they could challenge the Arsenal, but this is the Champions League, and anything could happen.

Arsenal are just doing enough to win matches. That will do for now, confidence will build with results like this, the performances can wait. The positive is out midfielders are scoring goals.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Flamini, Cesc, Rosicky (Song 80), Hleb, Van Persie. Subs not used: Almunia, Senderos, Traore, Hoyte, Walcott, Bendtner.

GOALS: Cesc 72, Hleb 90

Yellow Cards: Cesc, Flamini, Van Persie

ATT: 19,586

Join us in BLOCK 25 for Prague at Home

After a great win last night against Sparta Prague in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Champions League Wenger was happy with the way Arsenal played in a physical game. Wenger went onto say “At one stage we were lucky as well because they hit the post but we needed to play with more purpose going forward and in the second half we did that a little more. That is why we were more dangerous going forward.”

I am really pleased that we took our chances last night, although it was not the best performance, but last season we had some great performances and did not convert our chances. Both of the goals came from Midfield which is also very encouraging.

Tomas Rosicky was keen to point out that we have not won the tie yet, Tomas told arsenal.com, “It was a great result for us but it is not done still There is a second game and Sparta will fight.”

For the second leg Block19 has been moved due to the number of season ticket holders now sitting there. We will be generating our atmosphere from BLOCK25. We welcome any Gooner who wants to contribute to the atmosphere to get in contact with us and help make the atmosphere at Ashburton Grove the best in the Country. Drop us an email to info@block19.com and join us for a great night.

The build up for Blackburn is beginning and Eduardo is inline for his first start according to arsenal.com Wenger told the website that Denilson will also be back but Eboue is struggling.

Before the match last night in an interview with Setanta Sport Wenger hinted he could sign his contract within days. I honestly think he will wait until we need a lift, if we lost a game, maybe that would be the best time to do it. It all seems positive from Wenger, he is the one person who must stay at Arsenal, nobody is bigger than the club but Wenger has re-designed the club and strengthened every part of the club. Changing the boss now would damage the current squad in a way that it would not recover, the team would have to be totally re-built for the new manager.

Blackburn were the first to deny reports that Arsenal were going to sign Morten Gamst Pederson and Arsene did the same yesterday, he said to arsenal.com,  “No [I have not bid for him],” However Pederson’s agent has said Blackburn have turned down offers for him but the agent seems to be eyeing this as a chance to get a bit of cash, Morten himself said, “I don’t go around thinking about money. It means a lot in this world, but not everything.” (Lancashire Telegraph)

Eduardo has been called up for the Croatia squad and Backary Sagna, Abou Diaby, and William Gallas have been called up to the France squad. If Walcott can get playing time under his belt this weekend surely he will make the England squad for the friendly against Germany. Theo is the perfect answer for England as he can play in two positions and has the speed to unlock the German defence. I’d love to see him get a run out at Wembley but is McLaren brave enough to call him up?

Clichy who didn’t make the France squad has been pointing out that Arsenal’s squad this season is tougher. Prague tried to roughen up Arsenal much the same way Bolton have tried in recent season, Clichy told Sky Sports, “Maybe they think this is the way to play against Arsenal. We have to show that we are not the same team as before and are ready for the challenge. “Everything is about mentality and we believe we have the quality in our football. “Every weekend, we play against a side like this in England. This season, we believe we have the football quality and the physical quality.” Arsenal did not wilter in the face of Sparta’s tough tackling and as Clichy said the quality football won through in the end. As Gallas has been saying in recent weeks, the spirit that has developed over pre-season has strengthened the Arsenal squad, this Arsenal appears stronger and ready for the fight.

Goal.com are linking Inter Milan with a move for Nicklas Bendtner next summer but this is likely to happen only if he makes regular appearances for Arsenal this season. If Bendtner does break into the team it is unlikely Wenger would let him go. Nicklas certainly gives Arsenal another option, very different from what was on offer last season, his height and pace has the possibility to change games.

Arsenal missed out of the midweek Premiership fixtures but Manure missed out too and only managed a draw, Chavski got another win from behind. As you all know The Scum are bottom of the league!!

Rosicky Injured / We are Tough / Gallas is 30

Arsenal have been dealt a blow for the match against Blackburn, Tomas Rosicky has been ruled out by Arsene Wenger. Tomas has a knock to his knee and joins Eboue on the sidelines. It’s a blow for Arsenal to lose both wide midfielders at the same time. Walcott is almost surely guaranteed a start from wide right and now Eduardo is likely to join Van Persie up front and Hleb will drop back to left midfield. It’s not an injury crisis but it is starting to highlight the thin nature of our squad. Eduardo may still not make the starting line-up but Bendtner will be ready to step in and give Arsenal a different option up front. These fresh injuries stem from the Sparta match and I hope the players are not out for too long following Sparta’s bullying tactics.

In Wengers pre-match conference today he said,

“Yes I believe we are mature enough to be title winners,”

Arsene is aware, as everyone is, that the season is not decided over 2 matches but in the current climate of football you need to keep winning matches all season to be up there so these first few matches are as important as any. Wenger also said,

“It will be a committed battle at Blackburn but you expect that,”

I am sure Blackburn will not get away with what Sparta did but I suppose it depends on what ref we get. The confidence that is spreading through the squad will be improved still with a win at Rovers a place where we went of the FA Cup last season, we also lost there in the Premier League the season before last.

I go along with Arsene but all this excitement about Arsenal’s first too games could be setting us up for a big fall. Although that is my pessimistic side and we should enjoy every win we get, it has been nice going into a season with a little less-pressure than usual, we have been nowhere near favourites for the title but after one game people are talking about us as contenders again. The guy at wtf even thinks we have a chance!! Football becomes stranger in that way every season, the Times even talks about Man City’s title hope today, are you sure? At the moment it’s one game at a time and we must get these injured players back in the squad ASAP.

I love The Mirrors headline today ‘The Fab Enforcer’ you’ve got to love that. The article leads on The Repka/Fabregas bust up. You could see from an early stage Repka was trying to intmidate some of the Arsenal players. The challenge that injured him with Cesc was totally his fault in my opinion his lunge was more over the top than Cesc’ and they met in the middle. Cesc said,

 “Sometimes you cannot play because they are going in very strong and you have to go for a physical game as well. You want to win for your team.”

The Arsenal players are clearly trying to point out that you can’t bully us any more. Over recent seasons Blackburn and Bolton have exposed this but Arsenal seem to have put this right. Clichy also said,

“Everybody thinks being physical is the way to play against Arsenal, but this year we are ready to show we are not the same side as before.”

Reports all over the media have again linked Juventus with a move for Gilberto, again this has been turned down by Arsenal, Gilberto’s recent comments to the press may have lead Juve to think he may be available. Wenger made it clear the other day that there is no problem with Gilberto, and the player himself said that he is totally committed to Arsenal.

On the players in front, Arsenal are being strongly linked again with Luka Modric, it is now thought Arsenal want the player before the 31st August when the transfer window closes. Luka is thought to be worth around £8Mil and has scored 3 international goals in 16 appearances, he has also proved to be a goal scoring midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb too.

It’s Gallas’ birthday today so let’s hope he can get the best 30th birthday present and lead the team off on Sunday with 3 points.