Friday, October 28, 2011
With Didier Drogba Set To Miss -I Think We Can Make Something Of Note Happen!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Pardew expects playback not payback tomorrow
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Samir Nasri: Mourinho is good, but Wenger is great
Jose Mourinho did what Wenger failed to do (employing the right tactics to curtail Barca's free flowing style of play), and the Special one is set to lead Internazionale into their first European Cup final in 38 years.
Despite the feat achieved by the Portuguese manager, Nasri is adamant Jose, is just as good as his mentor.
Samir Nasri told Russian newspaper Sport-Express that other coaches have a long way to go in terms of transforming unknown players into household names: "When I arrived I was only 20-years-old," he enthused.
"I grew up in Marseille, had always lived with my family and, of course, adapting to a new country was difficult," he added.
"The situation is easier when the coach of Arsenal is a Frenchman we talked at length, even before I came to the club, and afterwards too. This helped me to survive the homesickness, which of course came when I started to live in London," Nasri continued.
"Wenger is a really big name in France, I trust him very much and I am very glad to be here."
Nasri says his boss (Arsene Wenger) won't consider the idea of coaching France in the future, even if Raymond Domenech steps down, instead he expects Laurent Blanc (Bordeaux's coach) to take charge of France's national side: "I don't think so, he is too fond of football to work only as a coach," he replied.
"When you lead the national team you meet the players once a month, and only constantly work with them just before and during the big tournaments Arsene wants to be immersed in football every day.
"I think for many years he has done a fantastic job.
Arsene takes a group of players who are not so widely known and makes them masters for all the world to see." the midfielder maintained.
On Jose v Wenger: "I don't doubt for a second that he is one of the best coaches in the world. Only Jose Mourinho is at the same level," the youngster said emphatically.
Nasri came to the defense of his national team boss (Raymond Domenech), claiming the Frenchman was being criticised unfairly: "He's a great coach," Nasri said.
"He was the man who gave me a chance, calling me up as a 19-year-old and taking me to the European Championship at 20.
"I have an excellent relationship with Domenech, but some people really don't understand him. It's a pity because he is a great man and doesn't deserve such treatment," Samir Nasri concluded.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Van Persie: "I don't care about him"
Ade returned to the Emirates for the first time since his controversial departure last summer. As expected, the Togolese menace was jeered at by a cross section of Arsenal spectators who have deliberately refused to let bygones be bygones.
The Togo international was fined and banned by the FA, for his antics last year in the reverse fixture which the Citizens won by 4-2.
Although the tackle by Van Persie on Adebayor seemed premeditated, the Gunner denied he was seeking revenge but instead referred to it as a routine tackle: "There was nothing in it," he declared.
"In football you make tackles that was one of them."
Van Persie is relishing the experience of playing again for Arsenal, after missing a large chunk of the season due to an injury: "I'm so pleased to be back. The plan was to play for 60 or 70 minutes but everything felt good so I played on," the 27-year-old concluded.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Match Reactions [Wenger v Mancini]
Arsenal failed to make their dominance count, and City's decision to sit back and contain the wounded Gunners drastically reduced the tempo of the match.
Right from the onset it was clear all City wanted was to frustrate the Gunners by curtailing their activities within Shay Given/Nielsen's penalty area whenever they could. Although, there were a few decent chances - the mere fact that we didn't convert any means our hopes of playing in the Champions League for the umpteenth time might still be hanging in the balance. Even though, the Gunners have the edge over Spurs and City, they can't afford not to win at least one of their remaining two matches.
Arsene Wenger believes City came to North London to draw. The Arsenal manager told Arsenal.com: "It was an afternoon I am not used to because we created very few chances and Man City didn't create anything. They were highly focussed on defending well.
"They didn't give us any space and we could not find the opener. For as long as we couldn't do that it was a locked game basically. There were very few chances. It was two teams who played well defensively, had very good discipline but created very few chances," the Frenchman said.
Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini [Manchester City's coach] has denied that his/City's gameplan was to draw at the Emirates: "We do not play to draw, never, but in the first half Arsenal were better than us and had more possession," he said.
"We defended very well and were better in the second half, so the draw was a fair result.
"We have three more games, and they will be crucial games, to decide the season," The Italian concluded.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Kolo Toure: Gallas made me quit Arsenal
The ex Arsenal defender spoke his mind on the topic - and to a large extent I believe he has succeeded in dispelling the numerous rumours trailing his £16m summer switch to City.
Kolo said: "I was at Arsenal for seven years and everything was fantastic. But the last two years were difficult.
"I had a few problems with a few people there and wasn't feeling happy, I was looking for somewhere else and a new challenge.
The Ivory Coast international cleverly refused to expantiate on the nature of his feud with the ex Arsenal captain, but judging from his utterances - it is crystal clear that Gallas took his respect for granted: "Gallas and me misunderstood each other at certain times and one of us had to leave. As a player I had great respect for him as he was older than me," The Ivorian said.
"In Africa when someone is older you have respect for them, but I think sometimes he took advantage of that in someways.
"That was it," he continued. "I think Arsene understood that. I didn't want to make any trouble for Arsenal because I'd had a really good time there and they gave me my chance.
Toure said of his relationship with Arsene Wenger and why he refused to communicate with William Gallas: "There was no problem with Arsene and me. I have huge respect for him. But me and Gallas? We didn't talk to each other at all.
"It really came down to me, because I didn't want to leave the team in a difficult position and I was the one who said I wanted to go."
Toure stated in unequivocal terms that he left Arsenal because he was bullied, and for the simple reason that he thought Arsenal has lost the winning mentality associated with them. Toure, added that he joined Manchester City to further his blossoming career: "At the end of the last few seasons we were without any trophies," he said.
"That was difficult for me because I was getting used to winning trophies with players like Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, so after four years without that it became difficult.
"Everytime we got to the end of the season and had key games, we always seemed to have injuries or were unlucky."
Although Gallas and Toure, might not have buried their hatchet yet, the latter still believes in the Arsenal and expects Wenger to turn things around next season: "It's been like that for a few seasons now at Arsenal but Arsene is a really intelligent man and for next season he will change a few things," he concluded.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Injury Update: Arsenal/City, and match referee
The Gunners will be looking to secure their Champions League spot by beating fellow contenders Manchester City at the Emirates stadium tomorrow.
City will miss the services of Martin Johnson, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott. But they are set to unleash former Arsenal stars Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and maybe Sylvinho on their almost defenseless host.
Arsenal's injury situation this season has cost us dearly [virtually everything]. The Gunners have been without a lot of their key players [A. Song, William Gallas, Manuel Almunia, Andrey Arshavin] in recent weeks.
However, Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal Tv Online that only Alexandre Song could be eligible to face the wasteful spenders: "Maybe Song. He has a test on Friday (today) and we will see," Wenger maintained.
"Apart from that nobody is back.
Andrey Arshavin is out.
Everyone else - Gallas, Almunia, Denilson - is still out too," he added.
¤Match Officiator
Mike Dean will officiate tomorrow's Barclays Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates.
The 42-year-old referee has overseen 40 games this season - giving out 139 yellow cards and 7 red cards in the process.
He will be assisted by Peter Kirkup and Rob Lewis.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Arshavin: I've fully recovered and I'm ready to face City
The Russian International was substituted against Barcelona last month in the Champions League after picking up an injury [calf], although the team persevered without him at the Emirates - we failed to capitalise on our early lead at the Camp Nou and Messi punished us severely for our meekness in front of goal.
The Gunner told Arsenal.com that his rehabilitation is going to plan: "I am recovering and I hope to be back for Manchester City," he enthused.
Just like his team mate [Nasri], Arshavin also, blamed our title barreness on injuries and implored his team mates to secure their Champions League spot by winning their last three games: "This season has been tough and tight. Sometimes it was even difficult for myself and the team but in general it was not bad. Hopefully we will win the last three games," he asserted.
Arshavin refused to concede to the generality that the Arsenal has failed in totality, instead he concentrated on the positives of the season: "We have scored a lot of goals at the end of the games and we managed to stage comebacks. We have to use that spirit next season. We can fight again next season.
"It would be easier for us [if we had not had the injuries]. I can't say we would be Champions but it would have been easier for us," he concluded.
Ex-Gunner advises Adebayor
Ade left the North London outfit for a mouth-watering fee of £25m last summer, although he denied vehemently that he left the London giants because of monetary issues, his actions against his former club speak otherwise.
The Togolese ex-International incurred the wrath of both the FA, and Arsenal faithfuls for racing down the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of his former fans and well wishers. He was also handed a three match suspension by the FA for maliciously stamping on former team mate Robin Van Persie in the same match.
Toure, who deliberately turned his back on Wenger and the club that shot him to limelight at a time they needed his services most, sensationally told Sky Sports News that he has advised his team mate [Adebayor] to respect himself at the Emirates: "I had a word with him, Patrick had a word with him as well," he said.
"The most important thing for him is to play and to give everything for our club Man City.
"I told him just to calm down and focus on the game because that's the most important. If we start to be emotional that's when we can drop some points.
For us the most important thing is to win the game."
Toure, believes he will escape the attention of the Arsenal boo-boys at the Emirates because he had an outstanding relationship with them before leaving alongside Ade: "I have always had a great relationship with the [Arsenal] fans. Now I am in a new family and I think they are all fantastic," he enthused.
"I think it is going to be a great, great day for all of us because we are all looking forward to going back and playing against our old team."
Toure charged his team mates to take advantage of the Gunners precarious injury situation: "I think it's a great time to play against them, because they have a few injured players and maybe we can come back with some points," he concluded.
Nasri: Chamakh won't flop at Arsenal
The 22-year-old Frenchman believes the 26-year-old forward whose club [Bordeaux] went into the winter break eight points ahead of their nearest Ligue 1 rival, but who are now trailing leaders Marseille by nine points coming into week 33 of the French League has what it takes to become an instant hit at Arsenal.
Nasri said: "It would be a great signing for us. He is a player that I really like.
"Chamakh plays for the team, gives everything and works very hard.
"He has a big potential and would fit perfectly in our team," the Gunner asserted.
Nasri, also lashed out at critics who have made it a point of duty to contest whatever decision taken by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. He stated in unequivocal terms, that their contribution to the success of the club is been relegated to the background by a large number of soccer unbelievers who are fed up with Wenger's experimental method: "It is amazing. The work we do is not getting the credit it deserves because we are not winning silverware," he told Arsenal's official magazine.
"It is unfair because I think we have more merit as a club than those who have built their teams with millions of pounds whereas Arsenal have brought in young footballers, who have come here to play a certain kind of football and who have developed."
After last week's charade at the DW Stadium against Wigan Athletic, Arsene Wenger said his crop of young players were not mature enough to handle the rigours associated with the Barclays Premier League, but Nasri thinks otherwise: "This season has proved that we have learnt so much," he declared.
"I am hoping that our squad will stay unchanged because we are really good and with a year more experience, we can achieve some great things next season."
Nasri blamed our misfortune at the injuries that have plagued the team this term and believes it is an achievement to be where we are inspite of the many drawbacks the team has faced: "Injuries happen and it is part of football, but I think if we had not had those injuries, we would be top of the Premier League and still in the Champions League," the Frenchman enthused.
"Apart from Arsenal, I do not know a team playing without five of its key players in the quarter final of the Champions League like we did against Barcelona and to be in such a high position in the League," he concluded.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wigan Coach: Arsenal play uniquely
website that the key to stopping Arsenal will lie in their ability to
frustrate the Gunners free-flowing style of Soccer.
Martinez has already engineered Liverpool and Chelsea's downfall at
the DW Stadium this season, and he's willing to attain a hat-trick of
victories over the elite sides in the Barclays Premier League with a
win against Arsenal tomorrow.
The tactician implored his team to stand out against their opponents
by curtailing their unique style of play, and to put to good use the
little possession the Gunners might afford them: "Arsenal are a team
who like to enjoy a large percentage of possession and that is
something we need to upset," Martinez said.
On our style of play he said: "They've a clear pattern of play and a
style that suits the entire squad, it doesn't matter who plays they all
know what system to work to. We need to stop them from doing that.
"As well as that we need to be effective once we have hold of the
ball. We've shown before that we can handle playing against such
sides, particularly at home, and we are looking forward to it.
"The liverpool and Chelsea wins prove that we are capable of playing
in a manner that can help us get a positive result."
Martinez told his lads that they shouldn't be scared of the Gunners
intimidating profile against weak opposition. Instead they should
employ the experience they've garnered so far to formally put an end
to the Gunners title ambitions: "It is important that we go into the
final four games of the season with the same approach and the same
attitude, making sure that we use the experiences from this season to
get the results we need," he maintained.
The gaffer understands it will take a herculean task to escape the
Gunners unscathed but nevertheless he believes it is possible: "We
have two great home fixtures left against Arsenal and Hull City who
both need points just as much as we do for different reasons," he
revealed.
"I understand completely the frustrations we had after the Portmouth
game, because of the lack of a result. But we have to understand that
we are in a critical point in the season with 12 points still to play
for, and we need to do that as a club.
"The only way of achieving our aims is by doing it together, something
Wigan Athletic has done right throughout our history," the Wigan boss
concluded.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Match Reactions [Wenger v Redknapp]
braced myself for another season without a trophy.
It is difficult to believe that our title credentials were dented by
our hated rival [Tottenham]. I was actually contemplating whether an
headline with the caption 'Depleted Spurs beat lazy Gunners' would
have conveyed the message to those Gooners who weren't priviledged to
watch another unconvincing performance from our beloved team - anyway,
what is there to play for? An automatic Champions League spot is still
open to vie for.
Below are a few utterances made by the managers of both teams after
the match at White Hart Lane.
Arsene Wenger: "We lost a game we couldn't afford to lose in the title
race. That shows that we're not mature enough because you can't afford
to lose this type of game if you want to win the Championship.
"There's too much to do now. We're very unlikely now to win the
Championship. We'll continue to fight but even a point wasn't enough
against Tottenham - we needed three points," Wenger concluded.
Harry Redknapp [Tottenham's coach] was very pleased with his team's
performance, he referred to the win as a product of hardwork and
determination: "It was a real London derby, very competitive and
played in a good spirit," Harry said triumphantly.
"We worked very hard and lifted ourselves after a difficult day on
Sunday. To come out and turn in a performance like that was great.
Arsenal were the perfect game for us to play, the crowd were really
passionate and got behind us.
"We knew the importance of the game and that if we won we still have a
big chance of fourth.
The players responded with a fabolous performance."
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Injury News: [Song, Arshavin, Lennon, Palacios, Krancjar, Jenas and Gallas]
counting their losses ahead of today's make/mar Barclays Premier
League encounter at White Hart Lane.
The hosts were dumped out of the FA Cup in the semi finals of the
competition on Sunday by relegation leaders Portmouth, and also
accumulated their injury woes in the process.
Arsene Wenger during his pre-match press conference confirmed that:
"Song is out. Definately out."
"He looks like he will be out for the whole week and over the weekend
he will not play as well," Wenger added.
The gaffer also shed a little light on the current injury state of
Arshavin and Gallas: "Arshavin is out. (It could be the) Man City
(game) for him, but I don't think he will make it.
"Gallas is not available for the next two or three weeks. I don't know
(If he will play again this season). I hope so, but it will be short
for him," Wenger concluded.
Meanwhile, Wilson Palacios of Tottenham is set to miss the match due
to suspension (he has picked up 10 yellow cards and as a rule must
serve a two match ban).
Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Jenas will not feature in Redknapp's
strategy against Arsenal later today. Both players are currently
nursing a groin injury.
Nico Krancjar has joined the injury list, he damaged his ankle on
Sunday against Portmouth.
Harry Redknapp coach of Tottenham told the club's official website
that he won't lose sleep ahead of today's match due to injuries: "We
have a few injuries and we'll have to wait and see who is available,"
the gaffer maintained.
"There might be an opportunity for one of the younger lads, that's in
my mind at the moment. But we will be okay, whoever plays."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Owen Coyle: Bolton can shock Chelsea
what it takes to deliver a killer-punch to the blues title ambition.
The gaffer implored his team to take heart from Portmouth's FA Cup
semi-final win over Tottenham on Sunday by giving a whole-hearted
performance today at Stamford Bridge: "Nobody gave Portmouth a chance
yesterday after what they had been through, but that is always an
opportunity to go and produce a result and that is what we will look
to do," the former Burnley boss declared.
"We need to work our socks off for each other and show quality on the
ball when we get it.
There is no doubt that this is the toughest game that you can pick.
Chelsea are in great form and are the Champions elect in many people's
eyes and with Manchester United drawing yesterday (Sunday) that has
handed them another incentive."
Blackburn warriors, hopefully Coyle's team will hand us another life-line by
derailing Chelsea's progress today.
The Bolton boss believes it is an advantage to be labelled an underdog
and charged his lads to be spurred by that fact: "But the nature of
football is that when you are at your best you can win any given game,
and that is how we will treat it. We recognise that we are playing
against a top quality team with world-class players but these are the
type of games you want to enter into.
"People forget that seven games we were in the bottom three but we
played very well and won games and by doing that we took ourselves
away from that dangerous position."
Coyle concluded by saying: "Our short term aim is to make sure that we
stay in the Premier League and that is what we intend to do.
We've got five games to go and we will do everything we can to get the
points that make us safe because it is in our hands."
Monday, April 12, 2010
Transfer tidbits [Sagna's agent speaks]
media as the possible replacement for Inter Milan's Maicon [i.e if the
club decides to sell him].
in unequivocal terms that his client was happy at the North London
outfit. However, he maintained that just like every footballer the
27-year-old Frenchman is open to new opportunities and challenges:
"Inter officials have not made any official offer for Sagna, but we
spoke," the agent said.
"It was an informal meeting . . . I personally think that Sagna could
be a realistic option for Inter if Maicon leaves at the end of the
season. I could speak with Inter again then, who knows. Anyway, I
would like to stress on the fact that Sagna is happy in London and
enjoys playing for Arsenal.
"Obviously that does not mean he is staying for sure because football
is business in the end, " he concluded.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Transfer Tidbits [Alves, Neuer, Carceres, Balotelli, Maicon]
Read below a few possible transfer targets, maybe we can cash-in on
one before it's too late.
We've being at the recieving end a lot this season, and just like
every gooner out there I think we have to throw caution to the wind
and embark on a little shopping trip to bring in the much needed
reinforcements.
¤Goalkeepers: According to reports Arsenal has turned their attention
to Almeria's Diego Alves. The 24-year-old Brazilian could be snapped
by the Gunners after recent reports in the British tabloids that
Arsenal won't be gunning for Schalke 04's goalie Manuel Neuer.
their coveted right-back Maicon. Corriere dello Sport has reported
that the Italian giants want Sagna as a replacement for Maicon.
Luckily for us, the 27-year-old French right-back's current contract
with Arsenal runs till 2014 and its assessment is more than £10m.
Arsenal are still in the race for Barcelona's Martin Carceres. The
23-year-old defender is currently at Juventus on loan from the Catalan
giants until the end of the season.
¤Attack: Chamakh will undoubtedly be on his way to North London at the
end of the current Ligue1 season. The Gunners might add to his capture
by bringing in Balotelli who is available.
The truce between him and Mourinho won't last long, at least both
parties are aware of that, but they will keep their problems on the
down low till the end of the season.
Super Mario is available but the Gunners must fight Barcelona for the
youngster's signature.
Campbell: bring on Spurs! I aint scared of 'em
Hart Lane next week.
The seasoned defender has being subjected to various types of
disgusting abuse in the past, whenever he faced his former club
[Tottenham], who incidentally fired him to limelight. Campbell is
fully aware of the situation on ground and is eager to prove Arsene
Wenger's critics who expressed dismay at his re-signing three months
ago wrong.
problem for me. Whenever he needs me, I am there. I aint got time for
that sentimental stuff. There are five games to go, and you have just
got to be ruthless."
The prodigal son made it clear that their best alone won't be good
enough next week against Tottenham. He implored his team mates to put
aside the 4-1 drubbing they suffered at the hands of Catalan giants
Barcelona at the Camp Nou five days ago, and instead concentrate their
limited resources on the task at hand: "There is a lot of hard work to
be done and we have to get Barca out of our system," the veteran
defensive enforcer declared.
"You have got to recover and learn that this the level you have to get
to. This is a big time for us - We've got to regroup and re-think.
It'll be a great game at Spurs and I think it'll do us the world of
good.
Sol wants the Gunners to grow up [mentally and aggresively] if they
want us to believe they stand a chance of restoring parity in the League and
possibly putting an end to our barren trophy run in the process:
"Everyone has to learn and be honest about it," he added.
"Ask: "Where do I want my career going? You have to be honest with
yourself and say: "I must work harder, understand the game more and
realise it's a big world out there."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Allardyce: 'Man U's 2nd leading goalscorer is OG'
least this time I think he's got it right, and who knows he might
succeed in halting Manchester United's trophy ambitions tomorrow at
Ewood Park.
flop in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. Allardyce told
Rovers official website: "We hope there is perhaps some fatigue left
in their team. We don't know what sort of team Sir Alex will put out.
He has some choices and changes he could make if necessary, so we
can't quite second guess the side.
"Some players who played on Wednesday night I'm sure will be playing
on Sunday. So there will be some fatigue both physically and mentally
in those players compared to ours. We've done nothing this week except
to prepare for this game. That gives us, I hope an advantage in that
area that we can try and take advantage of as the game progresses."
The red devils will be travelling to Ewood Park without their
influential hit-man [Wayne Rooney], the striker aggravated an injury
he suffered on his ankle during their Champions League match with
their German counterparts [Bayern Munich] and Allardyce is certain
they can take advantage of the £70m rated star's absence: "It does
help, because when you look at Manchester United's stats this season,
Wayne has scored the vast majority of goals," He added.
To further buttress his point Big Sam concluded by saying: "Their
second leading goalscorer is called OG! They've had 11 own goals this
season.
So there's a big gap lost by Wayne not playing and hopefully that can
be a help for us to try and get a result."
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wenger uses the 'f' word
Wenger who like every gooner realised the extent of damage the equaliser might have dealt to the Gunners title ambition refused to be jovial with the journalists. Instead he gave them exactly what they deserved, albeit it might have been what they hoped for - either way, Le boss didn't shy away from the fact that we have to do it again and as usual, the HARDWAY. Just like I expected, he was quick to chastise Craig Gardner who inflicted a knee-injury on Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger was asked by the eager reporters if he thought that they were similar fouls to that of Fabregas during the 1-1 draw? And he replied just like I would have: "How is Fabregas I don't know? We will have to assess him tomorrow," the gaffer said. "But it was a bad tackle, one more.
"He got tackled at the knee, kicked just under the knee. We tried to take him off but he said he was all right.
"Am I suggesting there were a lot of bad tackles? Leave me alone with that, for f*¤*s sake.
"You are always looking for controversy, you do not need me to tell you what happened in the pitch. I can give you my opinion about our game but you always create controversy."
Wenger refused to release information pertaining the extent of the midfielder's injury and he maintained that he doesn't know yet if Fabregas will be playing against his old club next week: "I don't know we have to assess him tomorrow."
Our manager also felt that we were cheated at St. Andrews, he claimed the equaliser was an 'offside' goal, but he also admitted that we were the architects of our own failure - we should have ended the party when we had the opportunity to do so.
Wenger said: "It's dissapointing and a big blow to our title hopes because, in our position, we had to win all our games.
"The pitch was difficult to play on but in the second half we were on top but then got caught at the end.
"Their goal was offside but in football you are never finished when two teams fight to the end and we had enough chances to have scored a second goal."