Leeds United 1 Arsenal 3 FA Cup 3rd round replay Wednesday 19th January 2011
38,000 packed in at Elland Road as visitors Arsenal proved too much for Leeds United. Despite Arsenal going 1 up very quickly with a goal from Nasri and then making it two with Sagna in the 35th minute Johnson for Leeds Utd scored a great goal (check it on Youtube) to spark a bit of home team possession to end the first half.
Predictably, Arsenal bossed the second half but Leeds stuck to the task of David Batty like midfielding and Chris Whyte like defending.
Towards the end, Van Persie got a third to get Arsenal through to face Huddersfield Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Transfer latest January 2011
Although updates surrounding David Beckham's training and Man City's considerable spending has dominated this January 2011 transfer window, there's plenty going on now. Here are my favourite top 3 bits of transfer news/gossip:
Keane leaves Tottenham Hotspur to join David Bentley at Birmingham City. Great business Alex Mcleish, £4m is a bargain.
Pienaar snubbed Chelsea in a £3m offer...lucky escape Steven if you're not a fan of warming the bench!
Dutch midfield work horse Mark Van Bommel could be eyeing up the Premier League, with Dutch and Italy clubs also interested.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wales get tough on the Olympics
The Welsh FA have pre-warned the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey ahead of the 2012 Olympics that should they decide to participate they will be banned from appearing again in the Welsh side.
The fact that this is the year for Euro 2012 and that the Olympics will be sandwiched by the Euros and the new Premier League season 2012/2013 will probably make this element of the Olympics a non-event.
The British side would look good with Bale complimenting some of his Premier League colleagues...wouldn't we want to see it in action? Are the Welsh FA being a little bit harsh?
The fact that this is the year for Euro 2012 and that the Olympics will be sandwiched by the Euros and the new Premier League season 2012/2013 will probably make this element of the Olympics a non-event.
The British side would look good with Bale complimenting some of his Premier League colleagues...wouldn't we want to see it in action? Are the Welsh FA being a little bit harsh?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday 13th December Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 Premier League report
13/12/2010 Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 Premiership result
Sky Sports determined the awkward Monday evening fixture of the big clash Manchester United against in form Arsenal. Currently the Premier League is wide open with 5 teams in it - with all of the big boys playing each other in the next few weeks you would imagine that this will be down to 3 once the festive period is completed.
26 of the 33 Chilean miners the survived the recent disaster attended this evening's match with a great chaperone in David Beckham
In typical fashion, the Old Trafford crowd witnessed a game of chess as these two giants tested each other mainly in midfield. Arsenal looked dangerous on the break but possibly lacking striking power agianst Vidic and Ferdinand. Nasri showed good poise on the ball, demonstrating that he is the key man currently form wise.
The goal came in the 41st minute for Man Utd from a long ball which Arsenal failed to clear efficiently. Rooney flicked a header over to Nani who moved inside with admirable disguise and Ji-Sung Park cleverly contorted his neck to get into a position where he could loop a header over Wojciech Szczesny. A blow for Wenger as scoring 2 at OT is not the easiest task even when you are the Arsenal.
The Gunners started brightly in the second half with Nasri playing in a more advanced central position. They played grest one touch football with Wilshere, Nasri and Arshavin all providing classy movement and passing.
However Fergie's midfield remained resilient with good grafting from Fletcher and Anderson. The Red Devils flexed their muscle when they needed to but it was a good honest contest with no stupid challenges. Wenger got to the 1 hour mark and decided to take a bit of a risk with so much at stake. A double subsitution followed, Rosicky came off for Cesc Fabregas and Wilshere came off for Robin Van Persie.
Wayne Rooney battled well as the lone striker, showing some signs of his unstoppable form in the 2009/2010 season. Nani also displayed persistent qualities in the 72nd minute inside the box, leading to a harsh penalty where Clichy was to have judged to handled. Rooney stepped up and surprisingly gave it the Chris Waddle 1990 treatment, skying the ball over the Arsenal cross bar giving Wenger's men a lifeline.
Arsenal still seemed a bit short. In the 76th minute, Arshavin was substituted for Theo Walcott in an attempt to increase the pressure on the Man Utd back four. Fergie's midfield packed the centre of the park, protecting their defence impressively. This frustrated the Gunners and forced them into optimistic long range shots as they moved into the last 10 minutes.
Walcott had some nice touches, linking up with Fabregas but the home team seemed to work harder and display more physical strength in the central areas of the pitch. As Manchester United successfully killed off the last few remaining minutes, Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs came on in the 84th minute.
Rooney had a good chance towards the end, trying to chip Szczesny who got a palm to the ball. Rooney did look incredibly sharp and linked up with Ryan Giggs a couple of times showing that he is very much still a huge part of the Manchester United future.
With 4 minutes of added time, Arsenal struggled to find any space in the final third as they desperately attempted to put pressure on the home team. Walcott had one half chance in the 93rd minute but volleyed over the bar allowing Van der Sar to run down some more seconds. The ref blew up to see the home team grab 3 huge points to make a big move for the Premier League, putting Manchester United top with 34 points.
Sky Sports determined the awkward Monday evening fixture of the big clash Manchester United against in form Arsenal. Currently the Premier League is wide open with 5 teams in it - with all of the big boys playing each other in the next few weeks you would imagine that this will be down to 3 once the festive period is completed.
26 of the 33 Chilean miners the survived the recent disaster attended this evening's match with a great chaperone in David Beckham
In typical fashion, the Old Trafford crowd witnessed a game of chess as these two giants tested each other mainly in midfield. Arsenal looked dangerous on the break but possibly lacking striking power agianst Vidic and Ferdinand. Nasri showed good poise on the ball, demonstrating that he is the key man currently form wise.
The goal came in the 41st minute for Man Utd from a long ball which Arsenal failed to clear efficiently. Rooney flicked a header over to Nani who moved inside with admirable disguise and Ji-Sung Park cleverly contorted his neck to get into a position where he could loop a header over Wojciech Szczesny. A blow for Wenger as scoring 2 at OT is not the easiest task even when you are the Arsenal.
The Gunners started brightly in the second half with Nasri playing in a more advanced central position. They played grest one touch football with Wilshere, Nasri and Arshavin all providing classy movement and passing.
However Fergie's midfield remained resilient with good grafting from Fletcher and Anderson. The Red Devils flexed their muscle when they needed to but it was a good honest contest with no stupid challenges. Wenger got to the 1 hour mark and decided to take a bit of a risk with so much at stake. A double subsitution followed, Rosicky came off for Cesc Fabregas and Wilshere came off for Robin Van Persie.
Wayne Rooney battled well as the lone striker, showing some signs of his unstoppable form in the 2009/2010 season. Nani also displayed persistent qualities in the 72nd minute inside the box, leading to a harsh penalty where Clichy was to have judged to handled. Rooney stepped up and surprisingly gave it the Chris Waddle 1990 treatment, skying the ball over the Arsenal cross bar giving Wenger's men a lifeline.
Arsenal still seemed a bit short. In the 76th minute, Arshavin was substituted for Theo Walcott in an attempt to increase the pressure on the Man Utd back four. Fergie's midfield packed the centre of the park, protecting their defence impressively. This frustrated the Gunners and forced them into optimistic long range shots as they moved into the last 10 minutes.
Walcott had some nice touches, linking up with Fabregas but the home team seemed to work harder and display more physical strength in the central areas of the pitch. As Manchester United successfully killed off the last few remaining minutes, Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs came on in the 84th minute.
Rooney had a good chance towards the end, trying to chip Szczesny who got a palm to the ball. Rooney did look incredibly sharp and linked up with Ryan Giggs a couple of times showing that he is very much still a huge part of the Manchester United future.
With 4 minutes of added time, Arsenal struggled to find any space in the final third as they desperately attempted to put pressure on the home team. Walcott had one half chance in the 93rd minute but volleyed over the bar allowing Van der Sar to run down some more seconds. The ref blew up to see the home team grab 3 huge points to make a big move for the Premier League, putting Manchester United top with 34 points.
Monday, December 6, 2010
How to not run a football club
>> No.1. Sack a manager with a firm pedigree in achieving top half finishes.
>> No.2. Appoint a flakey manager with a history of walking out if things get tough.
>> No.3 Piss off said flakey manger by appointing Dennis Wise above his head, or by just appointing Dennis Wise full stop.
>> No.4 Act all surprised when said Flakey manager flounces off.
>> No.5. Appoint a manager with a history of heart problems.
>> No.6 Act all surprised when said manager has heart problems.
>> No.7 Appoint a former player who has taken charge of 0 games.
>> No.8 Act all surprised when you get relegated.
>> No.9 Under no circumstances entrust the team to the highly regarded no.2.
>> No.10 Wait until the highly regarded no.2 has got the team into the top half of the table and has the team settled, playing well and liked for the first time in years and sack him.
>> No.11 Act all surprised when you get relegated.
>> No.2. Appoint a flakey manager with a history of walking out if things get tough.
>> No.3 Piss off said flakey manger by appointing Dennis Wise above his head, or by just appointing Dennis Wise full stop.
>> No.4 Act all surprised when said Flakey manager flounces off.
>> No.5. Appoint a manager with a history of heart problems.
>> No.6 Act all surprised when said manager has heart problems.
>> No.7 Appoint a former player who has taken charge of 0 games.
>> No.8 Act all surprised when you get relegated.
>> No.9 Under no circumstances entrust the team to the highly regarded no.2.
>> No.10 Wait until the highly regarded no.2 has got the team into the top half of the table and has the team settled, playing well and liked for the first time in years and sack him.
>> No.11 Act all surprised when you get relegated.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Arsenal v Spurs Saturday 20th November 2010 Premiership preview
Premier League preview: Arsenal versus Tottenham H Emirates 12.45pm 20/11/2010
This is a London derby not to miss, as ex-gooner captain William Gallas travels to the Emirates stadium with his new club Tottenham Hotspur.
The clash will remind football fans of Sol Campbell making his first trip back to White Hart Lane as an Arsenal player, where the abuse and missiles were relentless as the Spurs fans demonstrated the fierce rivalry between these two North London clubs.
To spice up the atmosphere with Gallas even further, French forward Samir Nasri has stated that he will blank Gallas pre-match and not shake his hand. There are rumours that suggest that Nasri has abone to pick with Gallas since the release of his autobiography had references to Euro 2008 and Nasri's supposed negative influence.
The big question for the travelling team will be whether missed forward Jermaine Defoe starts, who is back after an ankle injury. Harry Redknapp has dearly missed Defoe, who yesterday reinforced this fact that missing the England striker for 6-7 games will always mean that you run the risk of dropping points - which has been the case for the lily whites. It is more than likely that Crouch will start and Redknapp will use Defoe as an impact player. Dutch hit Van der Vaart will play a supporting striker role, giving the Spurs team a real added dimension.
Tottenham's staccato league form however is mainly down to their UEFA Champions League debut. Through injury and midweek fatigue, Redknapp has been frustrated by mediocre peformances and forced into regular squad rotation leading to missed opportunities in the form of points.
After recent losses at home against West Brom and Newcastle, Wenger will be keen to show Chelsea and Manchester United that they are a serious Premier League contender in this 2010/2011 campaign - their record in these North London derbies is good when playing at home - most tip the Gunners for a win. Popping into second regularly has given the Arsenal faithful hope - but 3 points today would put them momentarily into 1st - giving their players added belief that this could well be the season to get some silverware.
Jack Wilshere is expected to start, recovering from a back problem which kept him out of the midweek friendly against France.
Predicted first 11 line-ups
Gunners: Fabianski (GK), Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Chamakh.
Spurs: Gomes (GK), Hutton, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Palacios, Jenas, Bale, Van der Vaart, Crouch.
Should a a great Premier League derby!
This is a London derby not to miss, as ex-gooner captain William Gallas travels to the Emirates stadium with his new club Tottenham Hotspur.
The clash will remind football fans of Sol Campbell making his first trip back to White Hart Lane as an Arsenal player, where the abuse and missiles were relentless as the Spurs fans demonstrated the fierce rivalry between these two North London clubs.
To spice up the atmosphere with Gallas even further, French forward Samir Nasri has stated that he will blank Gallas pre-match and not shake his hand. There are rumours that suggest that Nasri has abone to pick with Gallas since the release of his autobiography had references to Euro 2008 and Nasri's supposed negative influence.
The big question for the travelling team will be whether missed forward Jermaine Defoe starts, who is back after an ankle injury. Harry Redknapp has dearly missed Defoe, who yesterday reinforced this fact that missing the England striker for 6-7 games will always mean that you run the risk of dropping points - which has been the case for the lily whites. It is more than likely that Crouch will start and Redknapp will use Defoe as an impact player. Dutch hit Van der Vaart will play a supporting striker role, giving the Spurs team a real added dimension.
Tottenham's staccato league form however is mainly down to their UEFA Champions League debut. Through injury and midweek fatigue, Redknapp has been frustrated by mediocre peformances and forced into regular squad rotation leading to missed opportunities in the form of points.
After recent losses at home against West Brom and Newcastle, Wenger will be keen to show Chelsea and Manchester United that they are a serious Premier League contender in this 2010/2011 campaign - their record in these North London derbies is good when playing at home - most tip the Gunners for a win. Popping into second regularly has given the Arsenal faithful hope - but 3 points today would put them momentarily into 1st - giving their players added belief that this could well be the season to get some silverware.
Jack Wilshere is expected to start, recovering from a back problem which kept him out of the midweek friendly against France.
Predicted first 11 line-ups
Gunners: Fabianski (GK), Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Chamakh.
Spurs: Gomes (GK), Hutton, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Palacios, Jenas, Bale, Van der Vaart, Crouch.
Should a a great Premier League derby!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Chris Houghton gets the sack?!?!
A formal statement came out from St James Park tonight regarding Chris Houghton's future at Newcastle United. Newcastle confirmed that Chris Houghton will remain in place as manager of the magpies until the end of the season and that his contract would be re-negotiated at this point.
But then...
Ashley sacks Houghton ?!?! This has to be the worst board decision in the history of the premier league...see my latest article
Chris Houghton - you will be rewarded by a good club with a clever chairman, hopefully with a club that will help send your old club down!
Carling Cup 4th round Newcastle 0 Arsenal 4 27th October 2010
A glamour tie for the Geordies this evening as Arsenal made the trek to St James Park in the Carling Cup fourth round.
Wenger selected a decent team - one that you could see in the Premier League which I found refreshing. Why not - it's a day at Wembley for the fans...it potentially silverware that the Arsenal trophy cabinet could do with!
Arsenal assumed their normal fresh, one touch passing system in the first half as the home team managed to maintain rigidity in midfield and defence. Arsenal piled on quite a bit of pressure prior to the half time break and managed to put a corner in resulting in a goalkeeping blunder from rookie Tim Krul, who spilt a catch into his own net. Cruel, it could be said in the 45th minute but this seemed a fair reflection in the 1st half.
In the second half, Arsenal started brightly and managed to double their lead when Theo Walcott found himself in lots of space behind the back four with Nickolas Bendtner scampering out of the way from an offside position. Bendtner collided with one of the Newcastle central defenders and Walcott coolly slotted home past Krul for his 5th goal of the season. Fabio - get this lad back in our England 1st eleven!
Newcastle then brought on Andy Carroll and Enrique and this resulted in a decent spell of pressure lasting 10-15 minutes for the home side. They plugged away but Arsenal defended very well.
Fabregas came on towards the conclusion of this tie for run out but this proved completely academic. Bendtner too advantage of a Guthrie error and went on to smash a third in - great finish...worth a look on the highlights or Youtube. In the 85th minute, Ryan Taylor hit a great free kick stretching Szczesny to his absolute limit.
Walcott grabbed a second goal to make it 0-4 - flattering given the mid game spell that Newcastle United had but the Gunners took their chances well, with great on the break style away tactics.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Champions League Fixtures 20th October 2010: Inter vs Spurs
Champions League October 20th: Inter Milan vs Tottenham
The last time I was at the San Siro in a Spurs top it was during the dark days of Juande Ramos' reign and I was heckled by some fellow British tourists for languishing in the relegation zone. This evening it is a very different story as we take on Inter equal on points in the Champions League table. All the Lilywhites who have made the journey to this great stadium can wear their strips with pride as we are riding high in the Premiership and have shown great spirit and form in recent fixtures, particularly in our outing to Craven Cottage last weekend when we came from behind to claim all three points.
It is a shame that van der Vaart is suspended as he has proved to be a great signing for us and unfortunately Ledley King is injured and joins Defoe, Dawson, O'Hara and Woodgate in the sickbay. Hopefully Gallas and Kaboul will be available however. Additionally to give the game some extra spice both Crouchy and former Inter player Keano are both available to start and both have some personal demons to fight in the shape of demonstrating to Benitez how he hunder-rated them during their spells under him at Liverpool, which should play in Spurs' favour. Inter are also missing one of their strongest players - striker Diego Milito - but unfortunately for the away fans Samual Eto'o is likely to start and having already put 16 in the back of the net this season, he is at the top of his form and is to be feared.
Spurs fans are quick to point out that they were victorious in their last away encounter with a Benitez-managed team (2:1 last season at Anfield) but Inter fans would be just as eager to argue that Inter are just too strong at home for Spurs to pose a serious threat. Their last home defeat in this competition came in November 2008.
Contrary to popular belief Spurs have played in the San Siro before though, although we've never played against Inter. We managed a draw against AC Milan in the 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final, which got us through to the final against Wolves due to having won the home leg with 2 Steve Perryman goals. Carlo Cudicini's father actually played in goal for A.C!
Personally just as in 1972 I'd settle for an away draw and then we'll thrash them at White Hart fortress.
It's an amazing stadium, it's an amazing fixture ... COYS ... COYS
The last time I was at the San Siro in a Spurs top it was during the dark days of Juande Ramos' reign and I was heckled by some fellow British tourists for languishing in the relegation zone. This evening it is a very different story as we take on Inter equal on points in the Champions League table. All the Lilywhites who have made the journey to this great stadium can wear their strips with pride as we are riding high in the Premiership and have shown great spirit and form in recent fixtures, particularly in our outing to Craven Cottage last weekend when we came from behind to claim all three points.
It is a shame that van der Vaart is suspended as he has proved to be a great signing for us and unfortunately Ledley King is injured and joins Defoe, Dawson, O'Hara and Woodgate in the sickbay. Hopefully Gallas and Kaboul will be available however. Additionally to give the game some extra spice both Crouchy and former Inter player Keano are both available to start and both have some personal demons to fight in the shape of demonstrating to Benitez how he hunder-rated them during their spells under him at Liverpool, which should play in Spurs' favour. Inter are also missing one of their strongest players - striker Diego Milito - but unfortunately for the away fans Samual Eto'o is likely to start and having already put 16 in the back of the net this season, he is at the top of his form and is to be feared.
Spurs fans are quick to point out that they were victorious in their last away encounter with a Benitez-managed team (2:1 last season at Anfield) but Inter fans would be just as eager to argue that Inter are just too strong at home for Spurs to pose a serious threat. Their last home defeat in this competition came in November 2008.
Contrary to popular belief Spurs have played in the San Siro before though, although we've never played against Inter. We managed a draw against AC Milan in the 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final, which got us through to the final against Wolves due to having won the home leg with 2 Steve Perryman goals. Carlo Cudicini's father actually played in goal for A.C!
Personally just as in 1972 I'd settle for an away draw and then we'll thrash them at White Hart fortress.
It's an amazing stadium, it's an amazing fixture ... COYS ... COYS
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Champions League 19th October round up
Chelsea are unstoppable and showed flexed their champions league muscle in Moscow tonight with a 2 nil win. Anelka bagged his 50th Chelsea goal and Carlo Ancelotti's side were not put off by the artificial surface. John Terry also got a chance to put the past in it's place as the last time they visited Moscow they were beaten by Manchster United in the final. Chelsea now top their group with 9 points.
Arsenal beat Shaktar Donetsk 5-1 at the Emirates stadium. Wenger will have been delighted that they could go in at half time 2-0 up with Song and Nasri on the goal sheet. Fabregas, Welshere and Chamakh all scored for the Gunners in the 2nd half with ex-Arsenal player Da Silva getting the consolation goal.
Arsenal beat Shaktar Donetsk 5-1 at the Emirates stadium. Wenger will have been delighted that they could go in at half time 2-0 up with Song and Nasri on the goal sheet. Fabregas, Welshere and Chamakh all scored for the Gunners in the 2nd half with ex-Arsenal player Da Silva getting the consolation goal.
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