Friday 30 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Statistics compiled by Eurosport's Champions League European Power Ranking have placed Arsenal as the top club in European football, ahead of Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The ranking takes into account both continental and domestic games, and are calculated using co-efficient:

The standings are as follows: 1 (1) Arsenal - 27.69, 2 (2) Manchester United - 25.71, 3 (3) Internazionale - 22.92, 4 (4) Barcelona - 22.88, 5 (5) Real Madrid - 21.15, 6 (6) Porto - 20.55, 7 (7) Chelsea - 20, 8 (8) Roma - 19.17, 9 (9) Milan - 19.08, 10 (10) Liverpool - 18.72



- Arsene Wenger has revealed he fully expects starlet Carlos Vela to be a part of his first-team squad next season.

The 18-year-old frontman, who is yet to feature for the Gunners, signed from Mexican outfit Guadalajara in January and is spending this season on loan at Spanish side Osasuna.

Vela was one of the brightest prospects from the Under-17s World Cup in 2005, and has netted one goal in three La Liga starts so far this term.

But although he is out of sight, the youngster - who hit eight goals for Spanish Second Division Salamanca last season - is hardly out of Wenger's mind.

"We scout him every week when he plays," said Wenger. "He can apply for a passport in March and normally he will start with us next summer.

"He will straight away be with the first-team and after that it is up to him to get a place in the side.

"I sent him to Spain because he comes from a Mexican culture and it is easier to adapt in Europe. He has what we like here at Arsenal. He is a good passer of the ball and a finisher.

"He has that intelligent movement with very good technique and great pace," Wenger told the club's website.



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Manuel Almunia is very close to winning a maiden Spain call-up.

Wenger told Arsenal.com, "I know that. There are always noises coming out of the camp so I know that this is thought about.

"It is a little bit like the Gregory Coupet story in France where he came late to Lyon and then the national team.

"But overall goalkeepers careers can start late. Sometimes it is down to getting the right chance and the right moment.

"I feel as well he was here in an environment with top-class keepers around him in the team like Lehmann who test you and push you. Certainly Gerry Peyton has helped him as goalkeeper coach as well.

"The conjunction of all these qualities has made him a better goalkeeper. But first of all, he has a fantastic attitude and wants always to improve."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Cesc Fabregas will miss at least the next two games with his hamstring strain.

Fabregas is out of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa and Wednesday's game at Newcastle after picking up a hamstring injury in Seville.

Wenger said: "We are pessimistic for him. He has no chance for next week."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is unhappy with his Champions League touchline ban.

The Frenchman was sent to the stands by referee Eric Braamhaar during the 3-1 defeat in Sevilla on Tuesday night, after complaining about what he felt was time-wasting by home captain Daniel Alves.

However, Wenger watched the closing stages of the match from beside the advertising hoardings near the tunnel, which did not go down well with the fourth official, whose behaviour Wenger labelled as "absolutely shocking".

The one-match ban will come into force for the final Group H game against Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium on December 12, although UEFA could, given Wenger's reluctance to leave the tunnel area, increase it when their disciplinary committee sits the following day.

Wenger declared: "I am not saying I am an angel on the touchline, but I have done much worse than what I did on Tuesday night.

"I am like everybody, sometimes there are periods when I am nervous and explode a bit quicker, but overall I try to control it.

"At the end of the day I know what I have done, and I know I have not done a lot.

"It's like if the speed limit is 60mph, sometimes you are not caught when you drive 70mph and sometimes you are caught when you drive 61. I drove 60 and a half.

"I was surprised that I was sent off for what I said.

"I said it was naive to give Alves time to waste that time. I said 'I bet with you he will sprint in two minutes'. It was less than two minutes."

Up The Gunners!

Thursday 29 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists he has not suffered a hamstring injury.

The Times says Cesc said that he will be fit to play against Aston Villa on Saturday. The midfield player was taken off with a hamstring problem in the second half against Seville.

"I felt my hamstring in the first half," he said. "I kept going, but I felt it again in the second half. I just came off to prevent something. It's the first time in my life I have felt this and I didn't want to take a risk. I'd say I'll be fit for Saturday, but the doctors are always trying to be a little bit careful. We will see the reaction.

"It's hard losing. We want to win, but you will not win all your life. One day you have to lose. We have lost against a good side and that's it. We will try to come back and win on Saturday. We have three important games and the league is the most important thing now for us."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is being handed a Champions League ban after his dismissal during Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Sevilla.

Wenger was sent from the technical area for arguing with Belgian ref Eric Braamhaar. But he ignored the orders of fourth official Reinold Wiedemeijer to go to the stands and watched the final 10 minutes at the entrance to the players' tunnel.

That defiance is certain to land him in further hot water when Braamhaar's official report reaches UEFA HQ.

A spokesman said: "Article 70 of our disciplinary code states any coach who is sent off during a game must immediately remove himself to the stands.

"That is what happened with Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard in Lyon on Tuesday. It is no excuse for a manager to say he could not find a seat."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he isn't concerned about any long-term damage after giving up their unbeaten run at Sevilla this week.

Wenger chose to rest the likes of William Gallas and Manu Adebayor and said: "I don't regret taking the gamble, I wanted to expose some players to the top level and that is what I have done.

"I'm not worried about that because we did not have our usual team out.

"I feel we started the game well and went 1-0 up, and then after we became too easy and lost urgency and we were punished, giving two goals away from a position when we were not in trouble.

"After that Sevilla made it a very physical game and they won the battle in the second half because we dropped physically, and because many players who had not played at that level struggled to live with them physically.

"Congratulations to Sevilla, they deserved to win in the end."

Arsenal's 3-1 loss at Sevilla was not only their first competitive defeat since April, but they were also the first goals the Gunners' defence had leaked in seven European matches this season.

Wenger was not overly concerned with those statistics though, insisting he has greater priorities.

"For me the unbeaten record in the Champions League is not important, what is important is to qualify," he said.

"The Premiership is important for us. We had to make some decisions because we have a very heavy programme and that some players have played all the games like Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), who got injured tonight.

"We have a very important December and I knew that we had to make choices between the competitions. For me, December is based on the championship."



- Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is targeting glory for club and country this season.

Cesc declared: "I want to have a good season with Arsenal, play my best possible to win an important title, because this club deserves it.

"And later to go to the European Championships and win it... I believe that we have a very powerful team for that competition. We are a squad with great desire, very young but with much experience despite of that youth."
Asked also about fresh interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Cesc was adamant:

"I am very calm and with the club where I want to be, playing the football that I like and with incredible teammates.

"This club always has treated me phenomenally well and I am grateful to everyone there."



- Cesc Fabregas has defended Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger over his team selection for Tuesday night's defeat at Sevilla.

Fabregas said: "The only team that can do something as brave as that to develop young players is Arsenal. The manager only deserves praise for it. I have also learned from defeats like that in the past when I was a younger player."

Up The Gunners!

Monday 26 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole admits he was surprised to be booed by Derby fans in Saturday's victory.

But it has not escaped Cole's notice that his return from an ankle injury has left him in the firing line when he visits former club Arsenal a fortnight on Sunday. He said: "I got booed and I didn't even play on Wednesday.

"Compared to what happened to the England guys, I am sure I will get much worse when I go back to Arsenal but I am used to it.

"I'm going there to front up. At Stamford Bridge, Arsenal's supporters threw money at me.

"That was bad but I get it at every game. I love it.

"I'm going there with nothing to prove. They know how good I was when I was with them and what I did for the club.

"It would be nice to go there and shut some people up. It's going to be tough though."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the attitude of midfielder Mathieu Flamini after the Frenchman won his first cap last week.

"He got his first cap and we are all happy for him," Wenger told arsenal.com. "Since the begin of the season you judge Flamini on performances and you cannot fault him on that. He has done a job in every area of his game, defensively, tactically as a team player, and we know as well he can turn up and score a goal.

"I tried to be fair with him, as he considered his future. I could not stop him from leaving but told him if he stays, he knew the rules.

"We can only respect that mental strength and that character and to show on the pitch how good you are. It gives you confidence when you are 23 years old like Mathieu."



- Arsene Wenger intends to give some of his young Gunners another chance to impress in Arsenal's forthcoming Champions League trip to Sevilla.

Tuesday's encounter at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium could well decide who finishes top of Group H, with the Spaniards needing only to avoid defeat to safeguard their own safe passage into the knockout stages.

Sevilla - then under the guidance of new Tottenham manager Juande Ramos - were swept aside 3-0 at Emirates Stadium earlier in the campaign but would leapfrog Arsenal with victory on their own ground.

Wenger maintains the likes of Lassana Diarra, Alex Song, Nicklas Bendtner, Justin Hoyte and Theo Walcott will all again be in contention to show what they can do at the highest level.

"Some players will be rested for Sevilla. I will rotate and it will be maybe a similar side to that against Slavia," the Arsenal manager said.

"It is an exciting match because it gives some players the chance to show how good they are in a very different context because first place is at stake. I think it is an important game to play."

Wenger added: "First place is important but I have to try and combine all the situations I face.

"Some players played two games last week with internationals and then on Saturday and Tuesday again.

"You could gain some more injuries and knowing the amount of games we have in December, we have to make a choice."



- LA Galaxy star David Beckham will train with Arsenal during the MLS offseason.

The Sunday Express says Becks will jet into England in January to keep him in full fitness during LA Galaxy's close season, the former Manchester United star will train with the Gunners for an initial four weeks.

Arsenal's superb training ground in Hertfordshire is just a 45-minute drive away from the family home at Beckingham Palace, so travelling after his long-haul jaunts won't be a problem.

Beckham also had invitations to train with West Ham and Watford but 'joining' Arsene Wenger's footballing academy was too hard to resist.

In fact, he worked out with the Gunners in the build up to England's clash with Croatia before he officially joined up with the full squad.



- Arsene Wenger hailed the resilience of his Arsenal side and "special" captain William Gallas after the Premier League leaders beat Wigan 2-0.

The Gunners extended their advantage at the top of the table after seeing off a determined Wigan with two late goals at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal have now gone 28 matches without defeat, as a side missing six regulars because of injury and suspension showed their determination to mount a sustained title challenge this season.

Gallas struck with a header seven minutes from time, before Tomas Rosicky finished a fine move two minutes later to make sure of a second straight league win which made the most of Manchester United's surprise defeat at Bolton.

Wenger said: "Wigan played well defensively. We needed something special and some patience to find an opening, and Gallas found it.

"He is a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can always turn up with a goal when you need it.

"Once again we found the resources to win the game. It is not the first time, so I do not feel it is a coincidence."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes they can lift the nation by winning the Champions League this season.

He said: "It would certainly help. I have been in England for 11 years and I am proud and happy when England are doing well.

"In football you have not only joy but a lot of suffering and England are going through that at the moment.

"But football is such a big love for the people in this country and I think they will come out of it."

Up The Gunners!

Sunday 25 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Theo Walcott has avoided serious damage after being forced off late on in yesterday's 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

"Theo does not look bad," said the Arsenal manager. "The physio told me he had to come off straight away because he was numb as he had been kicked on the nerve.

"He twisted his ankle and we checked it on the X-ray, and he looks all right."



- Arsene Wenger has played down talk of a move for Lazio attacking midfielder Goran Pandev.

After victory over Wigan Athletic, Wenger said: "Pandev? Yes, I know him. No, we're not looking for anybody at the moment."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the attitude of midfielder Mathieu Flamini after the Frenchman won his first cap last week.

"He got his first cap and we are all happy for him," Wenger told arsenal.com. "Since the begin of the season you judge Flamini on performances and you cannot fault him on that. He has done a job in every area of his game, defensively, tactically as a team player, and we know as well he can turn up and score a goal.

"I tried to be fair with him [when he considered his future]. I could not stop him from leaving but told him if he stays, he knew the rules.

"We can only respect that mental strength and that character and to show on the pitch how good you are. It gives you confidence when you are 23 years old like Mathieu."



- Arsene Wenger is chasing Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio.

The Mirror says Fabio has an Italian passport through his family ties and is catching the eye of European scouts, including the Gunners.

Fabio said: "I've a deal signed with Cruzeiro until the end of this year but after that I would like to move to Europe and if that happens in January then that is up to the clubs involved.

"I've heard of the interest from Wenger but it is too soon to think or talk about it too much.

"But I'm prepared to make the big jump to European football as that's a great challenge for any player."



- Manchester City are ready to pounce for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

The Mirror says City are set to move for the 38 year-old Germany international as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger plans to bring in a new keeper when the market reopens in January.


- Arsene Wenger has been impressed with Tresor Mputu during his trial at Arsenal.

The 20-year-old striker has a growing reputation in Africa. He was the top scorer in the Continent's Champions League as his club, TP Mazembe, reached the last 16.

Mputu hit two hat-tricks and amassed an incredible nine goals in his first four games. He also has five goals in 10 appearances for DR Congo.

No decision has been made on Mputu but, when he spoke to Arsenal.com, the Arsenal manager seemed suitably interested.

"He is on trial and I have to go down to test him today," said Wenger. "He is a creative player and wants a chance in Europe. He has impressed so far."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vowed he is "happy to help" if the Football Association want to consult him for advice about the vacant England manager's job but emphasised he is not interested in succeeding the sacked Steve McClaren.

The Football Association will now begin their search for a successor and the soul-searching continues for answers to the abject failure of some of the Barclays Premier League's top stars who again failed to deliver for their country.

Wenger, though, reflected on the experiences of France, who failed to reach the 1994 World Cup in the United States, but then won it four years later as hosts.

The Frenchman, often criticised for a lack of home-grown talent in his own squad, said: "I don't think it is a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment.

"It is up to England to see how they respond to the situation now.

"Immediately, in the present, it is a massive handicap. On the future for the World Cup 2010 it can be an advantage if the right measures are taken now."

Wenger was himself once approached for the England job by the FA, but has always maintained his interest lies only in club football.

"I am always happy to help if I can," Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"I am not sure I am really gifted for that, but if they want to know my opinion - and it is a confidential one - then I am always happy."

Wenger, who recently agreed a new deal to keep him at Emirates Stadium until 2011, still believes an Englishman would be best suited to the job of national team boss.

"If I was English then of course I'd be interested," the Frenchman, 58, said.

"But I am not so it is a 'no'. That is in line with what I have always said.

"In my opinion, the England manager should be English."



- Arsenal captain William Gallas has revealed he's enjoying working with the club's coaching staff in this season's new role.

"Being captain at Arsenal, I am directly involved in talks with the coach and officials," said Gallas.

"I like those new responsibilities, I really have fun with the talks I have with Arsene (Wenger)."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Eduardo da Silva can take his Croatia form into today's match against Wigan Athletic.

Wenger said: "We have had to be patient with him but I know things will come good for Eduardo.

"Alex Hleb has been with us for more than two years, yet it is only this season that people have seen how good he really is.

"Eduardo has a good attitude and works hard but has had to adapt. And because he is a quiet person perhaps it takes him longer."

Eduardo is due to partner Emmanuel Adebayor at home to struggling Wigan today.

And Wenger rules out any danger of a backlash from the crowd for the hitman's contribution to England's Euro 2008 exit.

He said: "The people in England will understand. He was just doing his job. But Eduardo's success for Croatia will help his confidence.

"He knows he will go to Euro 2008 as a player who counts in Europe at a big club. I am looking for him to come strong in the second half of the season."



- Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka admits he regrets quitting Arsenal for Real Madrid earlier in his career.

Anelka, 28, admitted: "If you look now at the situation Arsenal are in and look at where I am, then you could say maybe I should have stayed.

"Of course, I would like to play in that team. Which striker wouldn't like to be part of a team that plays such amazing football?

"But the way they are playing, who's to say I'd even get in that team?"


Up The Gunners!

Arsenal v Wigan ~ 24-11-07



Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with the determination of his players after late goals secure a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Skipper William Gallas struck with a header seven minutes from time, before Tomas Rosicky finished a fine move two minutes later to make sure of a second straight league win which made the most of Manchester United's surprise defeat at Bolton.

Wenger said: "Wigan played well defensively. We needed something special and some patience to find an opening, and Gallas found it.

"He is a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can always turn up with a goal when you need it.

"Once again we found the resources to win the game. It is not the first time, so I do not feel it is a coincidence."

Wenger added: "The three point gap is good for us because it strengthens our belief that we can compete at the top and we need that.

"We have a strong December and every point we can be ahead at the moment can be very good for us."

Up The Gunners!

Tuesday 20 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Arsenal major shareholder Alisher Usmanov admits he dropped interest in Manchester United and turned to the Gunners over the football Arsene Wenger's team plays.

The Uzbek billionaire told the Guardian: It is well documented that I am a lifelong football fan. My love of the British game started with the 1966 World Cup. I started watching Arsenal about eight years ago, principally because of Arsene Wenger and the football played under him. I consider him to be a genius and way ahead of any manager in his views on the sport.

"I have seen Arsenal in action many times and particularly enjoyed the teams that combined the steel of Viera with the delightful attacking talents of Henry, Bergkamp and Pires. We look at many things in life, but my heart was always for Arsenal and that is where I wanted to invest when the opportunity arose."



- Arsenal won't stand aside and allow Chelsea to sign Dinamo Zagreb ace Luka Modric without a fight.

The Sun says Chelsea and Arsenal are locked in a £30million scrap for Modric - after the Croatian superstar revealed he wants to move to England in January.

The Dinamo Zagreb midfielder said: "I'd love to play in the Premiership. I'd like things to happen soon and it's possible maybe even this winter.

"It would be a great challenge for me. It's for sure one of the best leagues in the world."

Modric, 22, who plays against England at Wembley tomorrow, added: "I don't have a preference for a club. There are a few big clubs in England where I would love to play."



- Arsenal wing wizard Theo Walcott sees his long-term position as striker and admits ambitions to succeeding Michael Owen in England's attack.

Walcott told the Sunday Mirror: "Hopefully I can take over from Michael in the future - you never know. I haven't thought about it a lot really but I'm feeling as strong now as I've ever felt and the fact that I'm playing more games is giving me confidence. I'm getting my touch back now after a period when I didn't really play for a long time.

"I feel absolutely fantastic at the moment but I am working on becoming more aggressive. I don't mean kicking players. I mean showing that aggression to run at players.

I want them to see the back of my shirt. I have been doing a lot of work in the gym and I am using my shoulder, which was injured, to hold off players.

"I want to start more for Arsenal, keep my place in the team and then see what happens at England level. I'm still 18 and I need to keep learning my trade."



- Arsenal ace Cesc Fabregas says he loved playing for Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu in Saturday's victory over Sweden, but insists it won't tempt him to join Real Madrid.

After the 3-0 win, Cesc said: "The atmosphere was magnificent, I noticed the fans were happy and it is a field that we like because we always produce good results there.

"But I know nothing else will happen, for that reason I'll repeat what I've said before - I'm very happy at Arsenal, very grateful to the club and (Arsene) Wenger. They're the most important thing for me now and I want the rumours about Real Madrid or Barcelona to end."



- Arsenal's Justin Hoyte admits he is going through a tough time at present, but is fully prepared to 'knuckle down' to earn a place in The Gunners' starting XI.

Hoyte has voiced his determination to stick with the North Londoners, and he is ready to take his chance should one present itself.

"Of course I want to stay at the club and fight," he told the club's official website.

"I want to be an Arsenal player. You never know what can happen in football but I know I am going to knuckle down, train hard, work hard and perform when I get my chance.

"It is tough at the moment because the team is doing so well and a few players are not getting into the team. It's up to us to take our chance if there is an injury.

"It is frustrating but I am a professional and need to behave that way and focus on the job in hand."

Up The Gunners!

Man U are Crap!! (literally...)

I was sent this link by a friend, and it was so funny I just had to share it!

~Click Me~

Sunday 18 November 2007

Arsenal Team and Transfer News



- Arsenal have invited TP Mazembe striker Tresor Mputu for a ten day trial with a view to purchasing the DR Congo player.

Salomon Idi Kalonda, Mazembe boss, remarked, "We have agreed that Mputu will leave the country later this week for trials with Arsenal.

"We have several offers for him from clubs in Europe particularly Belgium and France.

"But Arsenal offers him the best opportunity of becoming a world-class player."

Kalonda believes that the hype surrounding 'the new Samuel Eto'o' is well justified.

"He is one of the most talented players to come out of Africa in the past two years. Indeed, Mputu was the top scorer in the continent-wide Champions League competition this season, netting nine goals in just six matches as the Lubumbashi-based club failed to make the group stages.



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Eduardo da Silva will come good at Emirates stadium.

Eduardo has taken time to settle after his summer move from Dinamo Zagreb. But he has been a consistent performer for his adopted country Croatia during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and he is likely to face England on Wednesday.

Wenger said: "He is getting sharper now, and we will see the real Eduardo after January."



- Arsenal forward Theo Walcott says he is a far more aggressive player this season, having recovered fully from a shoulder injury.

"I am working on being more aggressive," said the 18 year old. "Not aggression as in kicking players, but having the confidence and aggression to run at players.

"My shoulder is fine now and that has helped because I feel more confident holding off players. I know I can run at players now without having to worry about it popping out.

"I'm also playing more for Arsenal now and I think that is starting to show in my confidence on the pitch.

"I'm getting my touch back now after a period where I didn't play for a very long time. When you're in and out of the side all the time it's very difficult, but I'm more settled now.

"I'm still only 18, which people sometimes forget, and the future will look after itself."



- Carlos Vela is happy at Arsenal as he continues to learn his trade away from London on-loan at Osasuna.

"I signed for Arsenal because they are not only one of the best clubs in the world but also a club that dares to give opportunities to young players, and with great success, as we all know," Vela told the Official Arsenal Magazine.

"Arsene Wenger is also enough to make you want to join the Club. The atmosphere is very nice and supportive and so are the players. They make you feel they are counting on you.

"When you watch Arsenal on TV it looks so smooth and easy, but there is hard work behind it! I just hope I get the chance and hope that I will be able adapt to the team's playing style quickly and that it doesn't take me long to be successful."



- Aston Villa are determined to hang onto striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Daily Mail says Villa's determination to crack the upper echelons of the Premier League will make it easier for them to resist a £15m bid from Arsenal for striker Agbonlahor.



- Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has revealed how necessity forced him between the posts as a kid growing up in Spain.

He revealed: "Running quickly would give me asthma attacks back then. It gave me a lot of problems and so my dad used to take me to the park and take a few shots at me.

"It was the only position I could play."

Almunia added in the Daily Express: "I know I'm in a privileged position. Sometimes, when we score goals and our defenders come back to their positions, I say to Kolo Toure: 'How on earth did we do that?'"



- Arsenal have often being criticised for a lack of English talent in their ranks, with Theo Walcott and Justin Hoyte the only regulars in Arsene Wenger's first-team squad.

However, the Gunners have a strong home-grown contingent in their youth set-up, and hopes are high for the likes of Henri Lansbury, who has featured in the Carling Cup.

Arsenal Academy coach Steve Bould told the club's website arsenal.com -

"What's important is that we are getting a lot of good kids in and it is a big bonus that lots of them are English and I have to say that they are very, very good players.

"We certainly don't know how far they are going to get - but we have a lot of good English players.

"That is great for the club and the fans want to see English lads in there, and they also want to see good players and we have plenty of those from home and abroad."



Up The Gunners!

Thursday 8 November 2007

Slavia Prague VS Arsenal FC ~ Champions League



A goalless draw in Prague last night ensured Arsenal's place in the last sixteen of the Champions League with two group games to spare.






After a humiliating 7-0 thrashing at the Emirates a fortnight ago, Slavia were determined not to concede.

Minor injuries kept Kolo Toure and Tomas Rosicky out, but Cesc Fabregas and Alex Hleb were omitted out of choice.


Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Eboue were on the bench, with the idea being not to use them unless absolutely necessary.


Personally I would have preferred a win, but an away draw in Europe is not to be sniffed at! We still came away with one point and a clean sheet.


Up The Gunners!