Preview: Neusiedl 1919 v. Arsenal, Friendly

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Sportzentrum Neusiedl, Neusiedl am See

Tuesday, July 27

  18:00 BST, 1:00 p.m. EDT

Who Is SC Neusiedl 1919?

• The side's full name is "Sportclub Neusiedl am See 1919."
• Surprise! They were formed in 1919.
• Currently playing in Austria's third tier of football, the Regional League East.
• They finished in 7th place last year.
• They finished 11 points out of first place (hey, so did Arsenal.)
• NSC 1919 was promoted to Austria's top flight in 1981, narrowly avoid relegation in 1982, and a last place finish (with all of four points) in 1983.
• Due to financial hardship, NSC 1919 voluntarily withdrew from the second tier to drop into the regional level in June of 1984.
• By the late '80s, they dropped as far as the fifth tier.

Arsenal News and Notes

• There has been very little news from external media about Arsenal in recent weeks, with the Gunners training in relative solitude in Austria.
• Perhaps the most interesting point is how many of the defenders, such as Djourou, Koscielny, and now Vermaelen have discussed the importance of physicality and aggression.
• Arsenal continue to be linked with every goalkeeper in the world, now including Akinfeev from CSKA Moscow and Stekelenburg from Ajax.
• Andres Iniesta is the latest Barcelona player to open his big mouth about Fabregas, but mentions that the move probably won't be until next summer. At least he puts it nicer than Xavi's "Arsenal should think of it like they have him on loan" and David Villa's "I will personally kick people's asses to get him here." Of course, those aren't quite direct quotes.
• Still being linked to a few center backs, even with an increased chance that Sol Campbell will stay after Celtic and Sunderland made other moves. These include Everton's Phil Jagielka and Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker.