Monday, August 30, 2010

Hipster Gooner Trivia Night!


Okay. This is not actually a new feature here. I'm sorry to disappoint, that probably would be really cool.

Trivia, however, is a new feature available on each Arsenal player's profile on the team's official Web site. Without further ado, here are some of the stranger things we have found about our favorite boys in red and white.

1. Manuel Almunia met his wife in an Irish pub.
2. Abou Diaby's first name is Vassiriki.
3. Bacary Sagna is the best chess player on the team.
4. Cesc Fabregas can't stand mushrooms.
5. Thomas Vermaelen was good at math in school.
6. Laurent Koscielny might not have filled out the questionnaire yet, since he only has career stuff listed.
7. Tomas Rosicky once sang "Eye of the Tiger" on a bet. The site doesn't say where.
8. Samir Nasri likes going to the ballet.
10. Robin van Persie is a fan of Phil Collins.
11. Carlos Vela first trained with Arsenal in 2005. I don't think he filled this section either.
14. Theo Walcott has a dog named Diesel.
15. Denilson likes bowling.
16. Aaron Ramsey first car was a Ford Fiesta.
17. Alex Song's favorite film is Romeo Must Die.
18. Sebastien Squillaci doesn't have a trivia section on the site yet. But, on Wikipedia, he's wearing a Yankees hat in the picture there. So, yeah, I'm going with that. Yankees fan.
19. Jack Wilshere made his England debut the same night as Kieran Gibbs. Why is that listed? That was like three weeks ago.
20. Johan Djourou is always hurt. Just kidding, it doesn't say that. It does say that he broke his jaw just before joining Arsenal, though.
21. Lukasz Fabianski's boyhood hero was Michael Jackson. Probably not the Michael Jackson that made over 200 appearances for Preston North End in the late '90s and early '00s and retired in January.
22. Gael Clichy heart stopped for 20 seconds during an operation when he was 15.
23. Andrei Arshavin has a degree in fashion design. Also, he's written three books, including 555 Questions and Answers on Women, Money, Politics and Football. I absolutely have to read that book.
24. Vito Mannone favorite music artist is Akon.
27. Emmanuel Eboue once wore a tiger costume to an Arsenal players' party. There's a great anecdote about him scaring the bejesus out of Adebayor in that costume at that party. You should look for it. Actually, that's it.
28. Kieran Gibbs childhood heroes were Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright. Good kid.
29. Marouane Chamakh has spiky hair. You probably knew that already, but it doesn't look like he's been able to fill out the trivia questionnaire either.
30. Armand Traore gave up football at the age of 11 to become a kick-boxer. This clearly worked out for him.
52. Nicklas Bendtner star sign is Capricorn. I'm going to assume that this is actually the first thing he wrote on the questionnaire.
53. Wojciech Szczesny was roommates with Fabianski at Legia Warsaw.

News Roundup 8/30/10 - The Fracas Edition

Since there are very few official details about this incident, how about we just all jump to ridiculous conclusions? Pic via Guardian.
  • Jack Wilshere was arrested in the early morning hours on Sunday for being involved in a "fracas" during which a woman suffered a broken and dislocated elbow. He was released on bail and is "unlikely to face charges." It appears he was attempting to be a peacemaker but remains an important witness. [Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Sky Sports]
  • Arsene Wenger invoked the name Ryan Shawcross in a press conference on Thursday, not in reference to last year's Aaron Ramsey incident, but in reference to Stoke City's tactics of bumping the goalkeeper, saying it was turning the game into rugby... [Arsenal.com]
  • ...and in a preposterous overreaction, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has decided to lodge a formal complaint to the FA, in a statement which for absolutely no reason contains references to World Wars I and II. [Sky Sports]
  • Wait? Let me get this straight... Inter Milan submitted a transfer bid for Cesc Fabregas that was less than the first insulting bid Arsenal turned down from Barcelona? This story doesn't even make sense. Tabloid fodder? [Daily Mail, Daily Mirror]
  • Armand Traore might be loaned to Birmingham or Juventus. [Sky Sports, Daily Mail]
  • Arsenal has drawn Tottenham away in the third round of the Carling Cup, to be played the week of September 20. Arsenal will likely play reserves, as they do in this competition. I expect Tottenham to play their standard line-up. This means Tottenham will probably win, brag about it until the first league meeting in November, and release a special edition DVD of the match the following morning. Poor predictable Spurs. [Guardian]

Arsene Wenger is Very Disappointed in You 8/30/2010


Sunday, August 29, 2010

Arsene Wenger is Very Disappointed in You 8/29/2010


Blackburn Rovers 1 - 2 Arsenal: Net Buster

Theo Walcott destroys some twine. Pic via Daily Mail.

Blackburn Rovers 1: M.B. Diouf 27
Arsenal 2: Walcott 20, Arshavin 51

Arsenal trips to Ewood Park are never very pleasant. Last spring, Arsenal was battered in their own box on set pieces and lost 2-1. Blackburn Rovers play a highly different style of game compared to Arsenal, though I suppose "style" is the last word in the English language I should use to describe their tactics. It looked like it could have been a frustrating affair, and when you stay out all night to make it for a 7:45 a.m. kick-off, frustration is not usually welcome.

Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie returned to the starting line-up for the Gunners, meaning Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh dropped to the bench. Jack Wilshere dropped to the bench as well with Alex Song slipping back into his usually holding midfield role and Laurent Koscielny returning to center back from suspension.

Arsenal nearly struck first early in the match. A Theo Walcott shot was blocked after a Robin van Persie corner, but the rebound came out to Abou Diaby, who from 18 yards fired a shot that deflected off Paul Robinson, Blackburn's keeper, and a defender before being cleared.

Things got a bit nervy from there for Arsenal as Blackburn threatened from set pieces. Play after a long throw from Rovers' Rory Delap-esque Morten Pedersen was headed out for a corner, then Manuel Almunia was involved in a bit of an argument with El-Hadji Diouf, and the goal attempt after the corner was headed off the line by Fabregas.

The Gunners struck first in the 20th with a lovely goal from Theo Walcott which actually snapped the twine of the goal netting. Walcott picked up a through ball from van Persie as he beat the left back and fired a shot into the low corner from just to the right of the penalty spot. It's that trademark Walcott goal.

Seven minutes later, Blackburn were level, not through set pieces, but open play. Bacary Sagna was caught up the pitch and El-Hadji Diouf beat Laurent Koscielny. One Diouf's cross met another on the other end as Mame Biram Diouf, on loan from Manchester United, found a spot between Thomas Vermaelen and Gael Clichy, and M.B. Diouf found the net, with Manuel Almunia out of position after trying to block the cross. The fact that M.B. Diouf was so wide open was the fault of Clichy, who was oblivious to his presence. I'm starting to wonder when Kieran Gibbs might get a start at left back.

At about the half hour mark came an event I hope not to have to write about much this season. On an innocuous challenge, Robin van Persie twisted his ankle and was forced to leave the match, with Chamakh replacing him. From what I've heard, it's a 10-14 day injury, which means the upcoming international break is coming at the perfect time for our made-of-glass striker. Little else to speak of in the opening frame; the match was 1-1 at the half.


 
Blackburn's tactic of attacking aerially through Paul Robinson's free kicks worked in the first half (top), but was stifled in the second (bottom). Analysis via Guardian Chalkboards.


Arsenal were significantly more composed in the second half, which allowed them to take control of the match. When you don't concede free kicks in the attacking half against Blackburn, you don't allow keeper Paul Robinson to fire long balls in your direction and you don't allow them to control the aerial game. As you can see in the above passing map, Blackburn won three balls in the box in the first half from Paul Robinson free kicks. As a result, Blackburn controlled the tempo of the play for much of the first 45 minutes. They were not given the opportunity to do the same in the second half, leaving three points there for the taking for Arsenal.

The Gunners went up 2-1 just six minutes into the second half. Sagna's cross found Fabregas who fired a one-time shot into the backside of Theo Walcott. The ball pinged, fortunately, to Andrei Arshavin, who coolly finished past a diving Robinson to give Arsenal the lead once more. Fabregas, still not quite 100% as far as I'm concerned, was lifted a bit after the hour mark for Rosicky. I think Arsene Wenger gave him about ten more minutes than he was originally planning.

Arsenal had the better of chances throughout much of the second half as they attempted to extend their lead: Chamakh had a brilliant chance blocked, Walcott fired another over the bar, and Jack Wilshere (on for Arshavin late) had the best opportunity of the half at the death but was off balance and scuffed a shot straight at the keeper. I think Blackburn had, at most, one shot on target in the second half, a David Dunn effort that was straight at Almunia.

In retrospect, a vital three points for the Gunners if they are to seriously challenge for the title this year. The team controlled the second half and did not allow themselves to be undone by Blackburn's tactics as they were last May. Manuel Almunia was calm and collected in goal, a good performance from the Spaniard who may no longer be starting for Arsenal by the end of the international break in two weeks. The back four were solid, with the exception of the errors which led to Blackburn's goal, though I'm a bit frustrated with Clichy's start to the season. I don't like Alex Song's new hairstyle, but he and Diaby were solid in the holding roles, and the forwards continued their excellent form to start the year, even Arshavin, who has looked sluggish and uninterested at times.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Champions League and We're 'avin a Laff

UPDATED: The fixtures do not work the same as they did last year. The following is the order of matchdays: 1) Braga home 2) Partizan away 3) Shakhtar Donetsk home 4) Shakhtar Donetsk away 5) Braga away 6) Partizan home. Days are 1) Wednesday 2) Tuesday 3) Tuesday 4) Wednesday 5) Tuesday 6) Wednesday. Ignore all other fixture information in the body of the post.

I chose not to live blog the drawing because it was just painfully long-winded and boring. In any case, Arsenal has been place in Group H this season, as they were last year, and as they were in 2005-06 when they reached the Final in Paris.

From Pot 2, Arsenal has drawn Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk, notable as the team to which Arsenal sold Eduardo last month. Since I believe the schedule works in the same way every year as to when teams from each pot travels to another, Eduardo will be returning to the Emirates in the last week on September (days before Arsenal plays Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.) Arsenal will be traveling to the Ukraine days before hosting Manchester United, which just sounds dreadful right now.

Shakhtar Donetsk is the only team in the group which Arsenal has played before; they met in group play in the 2000-01 Champions League. Arsenal won 3-2 at Highbury, but lost 3-0 in the Ukraine.

Shakhtar Donetsk won the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) in 2009.

From Pot 3, Arsenal has drawn Sporting Braga from Portugal, a team nicknamed "The Arsenalists" because their jersey is similar in style to the Gunners' strip. Braga qualified by defeating Sevilla from Spain in a thrilling tie, 5-3 on aggregate after a wild 4-3 win in Seville on Tuesday. Braga finished second in Portugal last season, behind champions Benfica. Arsenal will play Braga in mid-October and early November. This is Braga's first trip to the group stage.

Arsenal faced Portuguese competition in last year's Champions League, defeating FC Porto 6-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16, after Fabianski made a disaster of the road leg and Bendtner picked up a hat trick at home.

From Pot 4, Arsenal has drawn Serbian champion Partizan Belgrade. Partizan survived three qualifying rounds to advance to the group stage. In the second qualifying round, they defeated Armenian champion Pyunik 4-1 on aggregate. In the third qualifying round, they defeated Finland's HJK Helsinki 5-1, and in the play-off round for champions, they defeated Belgium's Anderlecht on penalties. Arsenal will open their Champions League campaign in Belgrade in mid-September, then will host Partizan in late November.

Also, let's all laugh at Tottenham... they've drawn Internazionale Milano, Werder Bremen, and the Netherlands' FC Twente in their group.

Preview: Blackburn Rovers v. Arsenal


 Fabianski's positioning here is clearly excellent. Pic via Daily Mail.

Ewood Park, Blackburn
Saturday, August 28
12:45 BST, 7:45 a.m. EDT
  • Referee: Chris Foy
  • This Match, Last Year: Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1 Arsenal
  • All-Time in All Competitions: 56 Arsenal wins, 29 Blackburn wins, 30 draws
  • Arsenal's Recent Form: L-D-L-W | D-W (Last Year | This Year)
  • Blackburn's Recent Form: L-D-W-W | W-L (Last Year | This Year)
Predicted Line-Up
guesses in red

Almunia
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Clichy
Song - Fabregas - Diaby
    Walcott - Chamakh - Van Persie

Subs from: Fabianski, Gibbs, Djourou, Denilson, Rosicky, Arshavin, Eboue
Out: Nasri (knee), Bendtner (groin), Ramsey (broken leg), Frimpong (knee)

Arsenal News and Notes
  • Arsenal have no new injury concerns with which to contend this week. Nasri remains out until the end of September after knee surgery last week and Ramsey's return from his horror leg break remains set for November.
  • It does appear that Nicklas Bendtner will be out for longer than I had originally heard. Earlier this month, Arsene Wenger had mentioned he was four weeks away. In an interview this week, however, Bendtner himself put the time table at six weeks from now. This puts him back in mid-October.
  • Arsenal have completed their signing of Sevilla center back Sebastien Squillaci, though he will not be available for this match. He is, however, not cup-tied in Europe, and will be able to play for Arsenal in the Champions League.
  • Laurent Koscielny returns from his one match suspension this week. This week, against Blackburn Rovers, we'll really see if he's ready for the physical side of the Premier League. Let's all hope and pray he is.
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three competitive fixtures dating back to last season. It's their longest such streak since a nine match run that was snapped by Barcelona at Camp Nou in the Champions League. Including that loss, Arsenal lost four and drew once between this current streak and the last streak. Just 46 more to tie their record!

Blackburn News and Notes
  • David Dunn (groin) may return to action. Vince Grella (calf) returned midweek as Blackburn defeated Norwich City 3-1 in the second round of the Carling Cup.
  • Pascal Chimbonda (broken nose) played all 90 minutes on Tuesday.
  • Keith Andrews (groin) was pulled from the line-up on Saturday, did not play Tuesday, and has been dropped from Ireland's line-up for their fixture next week.
  • Blackburn have three points from two league fixtures this season: they were gifted a 1-0 win over Everton to open the season, thanks to a Tim Howard error in goal, then were defeated by Birmingham City 2-1 on Saturday after a thrilling second half.
  • Blackburn lost only one of their last nine league fixtures last season, a streak that saw them beat Arsenal and draw Chelsea and Manchester United, all at home. They have lost two of their last twelve competitive fixtures, dating back to last season.

Match Facts
  • Last year, six different Gunners scored as Arsenal beat Blackburn 6-2 at the Emirates early in the season, but set pieces (and Fabianski) were Arsenal's undoing at Ewood Park as they lost 2-1 in early May.
  • This fixture was Arsene Wenger's first as manager of Arsenal in October of 1996. Ian Wright had a brace; Arsenal won 2-0.
  • It might sound surprising now, but aside from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers are the only other team to have won a Premier League title. Recall that before the early '90s, it was called the First Division.
  • In the Premier League era, Arsenal has never lost at Blackburn in two consecutive seasons. They did go winless in three straight there with a loss in August of 1992, a draw in September of 1993, and a loss in March of 1995. Technically, that loss in August '92 was Arsenal's second consecutive league loss at Blackburn, but the first came in January of 1966.

The Referee
  • The referee is Chris Foy.
  • Foy worked four matches for Arsenal last year: the 2-2 draw where Arsenal forgot to play after 70 minutes at West Ham United, the 3-0 Carling Cup loss to Manchester City where their bajillion pound super squad basically beat Arsenal Under-18 side, that 3-1 home embarrassment to Manchester United, and the 3-1 win over Burnley, where Foy was a last minute replacement for an injured Alan Wiley. Many bad memories in that lot.
  • For Blackburn: a 3-2 derby win over Burnley, a 0-0 draw at Hull, a 4-1 loss at City, and a 3-0 win over Bolton.
  • Last week, Foy failed to allow what appeared to be Stoke City's late equalizer against Tottenham.

Around the League
  • Saturday: Blackpool v. Fulham; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
  • Saturday: Chelsea v. Stoke City; Stamford Bridge, London
  • Saturday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Wigan Athletic; White Hart Lane, London
  • Saturday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Newcastle United; Molineux, Wolverhampton
  • Saturday: Manchester United v. West Ham United; Old Trafford, Manchester
  • Sunday: Bolton Wanderers v. Birmingham City; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
  • Sunday: Liverpool v. West Bromwich Albion; Anfield, Liverpool
  • Sunday: Sunderland v. Manchester City; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
  • Sunday: Aston Villa v. Everton; Villa Park, Birmingham

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Arsenal 6 - 0 Blackpool: Welcome to the Premier League!

Theo, please be that awesome every week. Pic via Guardian.

Arsenal 6: Walcott 12, 39, 58, Arshavin 32 (pen), Diaby 49, Chamakh 83
Blackpool 0

Blackpool thoroughly enjoyed their first week of top flight football in thirty years last week, opening their Premier League season with a 4-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic. Yesterday, Arsenal sent the Seasiders crashing back down to reality.

Alex Song returned to the starting XI, playing his first football since the World Cup, and played at center half instead of his usual position in the holding midfield role, deputizing for the suspended Laurent Koscielny. Samir Nasri's injury meant that Tomas Rosicky was plugged into the starting line-up, while Theo Walcott replaced Emmanuel Eboue, who dropped to the bench.

Play was back and forth from the start, but even early on, you could tell this was going to be a special day for Walcott. Blackpool's left back, Stephen Crainey, will be having nightmares for months after getting torched repeatedly yesterday. Crainey was nowhere to be seen when Walcott opened the scoring, wide open on the right wing to put Arsenal up 1-0 on 12 minutes. Blackpool should have equalized about two minutes later as Gael Clichy lost his man on a cross. Gary Taylor-Fletcher got his head on the ball and had an open net, which he missed just wide to the right.

The match was turned on its head when Blackpool's Ian Evatt was sent off for what referee Mike Jones ruled was a last man foul, as he tackled Marouane Chamakh just at the edge of the area. The position was debatable as to whether or not it should have been a penalty; Andrei Arshavin masterfully blasted the ball into the net, past the diving Matthew Gilks who had guessed right, and it was 2-0 Arsenal with the road side on ten men.

Walcott picked up his second goal of the match just seven minutes later to make it 3-0. Walcott picked up a pass from Jack Wilshere in triple coverage with his back to goal about fifteen yards out, was allowed to turn by the defense and slotted a powerful shot under the arm of the diving Gilks. Arsenal was coasting away with the win by halftime.

It's important to note that Arsenal never seemed to take their foot off the accelerator for the first 25 minutes or so of the second half. Abou Diaby made it four after some brilliant maneuvering from Bacary Sagna to set it up. Walcott picked up his first career club hat trick after a pass from Diaby, once again being allowed to fire a shot despite coverage from at least two defenders. Chamakh missed a sitter a few minutes later, classic Nicklas Bendtner against Burnley style; with a wide open net, the ball took an odd bounce at the last second and as Chamakh slid into the ball's path, he sent it high over the bar, in a situation where it seemed harder not to score.

As if it wasn't bad enough for Blackpool at 5-0, this is when Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas came on, though both are clearly still a bit rusty. Chamakh scored his first Arsenal goal in the closing minutes with a header off a van Persie corner and Carlos Vela had a few very nifty moves that could have already been a goal of the season candidate if he only could have gotten the shot off.

At 5:00 p.m. English time last week, Blackpool was sitting on top of the league. One week later, it was Arsenal on top of the table, for two and a half hours, at least.

He's French and He's Injury Prone!

Reports from Sevilla FC's official Web site, which I am apparently incapable of finding, state that Arsenal has agreed to a fee to sign center back Sebastian Squillaci.

Marca reports the deal is worth £5.3 million, which sounds like a good deal to me. He is due in London for a medical tomorrow.

More later as news trickles in, plus, of course, the recap of yesterday's 6-0 win.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Preview: Arsenal v. Blackpool

It's been thirty years since Blackpool was in the top flight. Pic via Arsenal Programmes.

Emirates Stadium, London
Saturday, August 21
15:00 BST, 10:00 a.m. EDT
  • Referee: Mike Jones
  • This Match, Last Time: Arsenal 1 - 0 Blackpool (March 20, 1971)
  • All-Time in All Competitions: 42 Arsenal wins, 15 Blackpool wins, 24 draws
  • Arsenal's Recent Form: L-L-D-L-W | D (Last Year | This Year)
  • Blackpool's Recent Form: W-D | W-W-W | W (Last Year | Promotion Playoff | This Year)
Predicted Line-Up



Subs from: Fabianski, Gibbs, Eboue, Denilson, Wilshere, Walcott, Arshavin
Suspended: Koscielny (one match, two cautions)
Doubts: Denilson (abdominal), Djourou (hamstring)
Out: Bendtner (groin, to Sept. 11), Nasri (knee, to Sept. 22), Ramsey (broken leg, to Nov.), Frimpong (knee, season)

Arsenal News and Notes
  • Arsenal might have only one natural center back available to play: Thomas Vermaelen. The Gunners only have three on the squad anyway and Laurent Koscielny is serving a one match ban for being sent off at Liverpool on Sunday, but perennially injured Johan Djourou, out with a hamstring injury, has returned to training and could be named in the squad Saturday.
  • There are reports gaining steam that Arsene Wenger is looking to sign Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla. He's French and slightly injury prone, which leads me to believe this deal is almost certainly done! This could also lead to a loan spell for Havard Nordtveit.
  • Samir Nasri picked up an injury to the meniscus in his knee at Liverpool which required minor surgery. He'll be out until late September (i.e. a month) at the earliest. He might be back around the time of Arsenal's entry into the Carling Cup or perhaps West Brom at home on the 25th.
  • Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey remain out with long term injuries. Bendtner will likely not be back until after the next international break, perhaps when Arsenal hosts Bolton on September 11. Ramsey could be back by November.
  • If Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are still not yet ready to start, we could be in for a very strange looking Arsenal starting XI. Already. It's only August. You have got to be kidding me.
  • Oh, you say there's more? What's that? Emmanuel Frimpong has torn cruciate ligaments in his knee and is done for the season? Well then, this just keeps going, doesn't it?
  • Across all competitions, excluding friendlies, Arsenal has won only two of their last ten fixtures (four draws, 4 losses.)
  • Arsenal has not lost a match at the Emirates Stadium since January 31, 3-1 to Manchester United (nine matches: seven wins, two draws.)
Blackpool News and Notes
  • Last week, Marlon Harewood had a brace as the newly promoted Seasiders defeated Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the DW Stadium. The fixture was originally supposed to be at home for Blackpool, but renovations to Bloomfield Road are not yet complete.
  • In terms of injuries, midfielder Keith Southern is out with a knee problem until mid-September, forward Louis Almond is out until October with a shoulder knock, and forward Billy Clarke could be out for the year with an ACL rupture.
  • Wednesday, Blackpool completed a one-year loan deal for Israel international Dekel Keinan from Maccabi Haifa.
  • But, also on Wednesday, club chairman Karl Oyston stepped down from his position, after a tumultuous summer building up to the club's return to the top flight.
  • Blackpool sat at the top of the table on goal difference after their 4-0 win at Wigan last week, at least for two and a half hours before Chelsea completed their 6-0 win over West Brom.
  • This is the first time Blackpool has sat at least second in the top flight after a round of matches since fall of 1964.
  • Blackpool have lost only one of their last 13 competitive fixtures. Then again, 12 of those were in the Championship and the loss was to also promoted Newcastle United.
Match Facts
  • Blackpool have only won twice is North London in league play and once more in the FA Cup. All three of those Blackpool wins were in the 1950's.
  • Blackpool's most recent season in the top flight was Arsenal's first Double winning season of 1970/71. Arsenal beat the Tangerines 1-0 in both fixtures.
  • The two sides have met in four fixtures since them, though technically only two domestic cup ties. The 1976/77 League Cup tie required two replays before Arsenal won. In December of 1999, Arsenal won an FA Cup tie 3-1 at Highbury.
  • Arsenal's last league loss to Blackpool came at Bloomfield Road in 1965, a 5-3 Gunners' loss.
  • Arsenal's last loss to Blackpool overall came in the FA Cup in January of 1970, a 3-2 loss at Bloomfield Road.
Referee
  • The referee is Mike Jones.
  • Mike Jones only worked two Arsenal matches last season, both were 4-0 wins at the Emirates. One was over Wigan in September, the other, the season finale against Fulham in May.
  • He worked one Blackpool match in the Championship last year, a 0-0 draw at Preston North End.
  • He found himself in the media spotlight for the wrong reasons last season for allowing Sunderland's beach ball deflection goal in their 1-0 win against Liverpool.
Around the League
  • Saturday: Birmingham City v. Blackburn Rovers; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
  • Saturday: Everton v. Wolverhampton Wanderers; Goodison Park, Liverpool
  • Saturday: Stoke City v. Tottenham Hotspur; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
  • Saturday: West Bromwich Albion v. Sunderland; The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
  • Saturday: West Ham United v. Bolton Wanderers; Boleyn Ground, London
  • Saturday: Wigan Athletic v. Chelsea; DW Stadium, Wigan
  • Sunday: Newcastle United v. Aston Villa; St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Sunday: Fulham v. Manchester United; Craven Cottage, London
  • Monday: Manchester City v. Liverpool; City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

Monday, August 16, 2010

Haiku Review: Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal

A new feature this year for Hipster Gooner is the post-match haiku review. Never has football writing so incisive or poetic.

Manuel Almunia: 4
He did not drop the/
ball into his own net like/
Pepe Reina (twat.)

Bacary Sagna: 5
A Sagna suspect/
cross. A beauty to behold/
for Daniel Agger.

Laurent Koscielny: 6
Joe Cole nearly broke/
him. Sent him for an early bath/
by Sir Atkinson.

Thomas Vermaelen: 6
Agog at Ngog/
For Liverpool's opener.
Solid otherwise.

Gael Clichy: 5
Should be number three,/
but I did not really see/
him do much at all.

Jack Wilshere: 4
Jack passed the ball to/
the Liverpool attack. Well,/
that was a bit crap.

Abou Diaby: 5
Abou Diaby!/
Just a bit mediocre!/
Abou Diaby!

Emmanuel Eboue: 5
Some only came to/
see his dramatic sidesteps,/
comical fumbles.

Samir Nasri: 6
Some words of advice:/
When you're taking those free kicks,/
hit it over the wall.

Andrei Arshavin: 2
Small like this haiku/
About the same amount of/
quality also.

Marouane Chamakh: 6
Marouane Chamakh
was pretty good in attack.
A goal he did lack.

Substitutes: The three replacements, due to a lack of time on the pitch, only receive a micro-haiku (3,5,3) for their efforts.

Tomas Rosicky: 8
Flowing locks/
gone. Just like the boys/
of summer.

Theo Walcott: 4
Walcott, heed/
my words and take flight./
It's insane.

Robin van Persie: 5
R. V. P./
forget injury./
Smash the ball.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal: Who's Only Got Ten Men?

Oops! Pic via Sky Sports.

Liverpool 1: N'Gog 46
Arsenal 1: Reina 90 (og)

At one point during the latter stages of the match, our own Maxwell Foxman turned to me and said, "John, you've got that facial expression you get when you're mad." I can't say I was mad, exactly... it was more frustration and the feeling of oncoming despair. After the match, our own Jack Palmer sent me a text that said "Welcome back, Arsenal stress!"

Remember that time Pepe Reina had his arm around Cesc Fabregas while our captain was uncomfortably forced to wear a Barcelona shirt at the Spain World Cup celebration?

Karma's a bitch, isn't it?

Fabregas was not available for the Gunners on Merseyside while Robin van Persie and Alex Song were unable to start; this gave Jack Wilshere his first Premier League start for Arsenal and put Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin, and Emmanuel Eboue as the three midfielders behind Marouane Chamakh.

Arsenal controlled much of the opening half in classic Arsenal style, that is to say, there was a lot of calm and controlled possession with absolutely nothing to show for it. Aside from a Thomas Vermaelen free kick in the early going, there was very little to challenge Pepe Reina.

Liverpool came close to opening the scoring late in the half. In the 44th minute, a Glen Johnson shot forced Manuel Almunia into a brilliant save and after a the corner kick, a shot seemed destined for the low left goal post, but Gael Clichy blocked the shot away on the line. A minute later, an ill-timed but not ill-intentioned scissoring tackle from Joe Cole on Laurent Koscielny saw the former Chelsea man shown a straight red card. Initial reports looked bad; Arsene Wenger was told by the physios that Koscielny might have broken a bone. With Johan Djourou already hurt, Arsenal would be down to one center back with the new signing out.

Koscielny appeared fine to start the second half, but the back four wasn't quite there in every sense of the term after the restart. An Andrei Arshavin pass went astray and eluded both Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri and landed at the feet of Javier Mascherano. His pass fed David N'Gog, Arsenal's defense allowed him all of the time and space in the world, and N'Gog fired a brilliant strike past the arms of Almunia and into the top of the net. Liverpool was on ten men, but after 58 seconds of play in the second half, they were up 1-0.

The goal deflated Arsenal quite a bit and Liverpool stunningly dominated play for the first 20-30 minutes of the second half, a worrying concept considering the Gunners' man advantage during this time. A double substitution just before the hour mark brought on Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott in exchange for Wilshere and Eboue. Arsenal began regaining some possession around this point and after the 70 minute mark began having a few better looks at the goal. Robin van Persie appeared in the 76th for Abou Diaby and he added some spark, despite not looking 100%.

Rosicky had a powerful strike tipped over the bar by Reina, then a scramble around the goal line brought nothing; it appeared Arsenal's goal wasn't coming. Then in the 90th, Rosicky received the ball on the left wing after a throw-in and sent a cross into the box. It appeared Reina would have the cross controlled, but he was beaten in the air by Chamakh, whose header clanged off the bottom of the left post and was headed right back into the arms of the waiting Reina. But Reina could not control the ball and he fumbled it into his own goal. Final minute of normal time and Arsenal was level.

Manuel Almunia was forced into a brilliant save on a Steven Gerrard free kick in the 93rd to keep the match level. It was a well taken strike and would have been a heartbreaking result for the Gunners just minutes after they had been gifted an equalizer. But in bad news, Laurent Koscielny was shown two yellow cards in injury time, the second being a fairly ridiculously ruled intentional handball. The having one center back fear is now back, as Koscielny will now serve a one match ban.

Chamakh and Koscielny generally had strong debuts for Arsenal; Jack Wilshere was solid but doesn't seem ready to start for us on a weekly basis; Manuel Almunia had no major disasters but still doesn't instill any needed confidence in goal; the back four as a whole appeared lost at times, especially Gael Clichy in the second half; Andrei Arshavin was dreadful, but I have the feeling he's playing hurt; and, a difficult fixture is out of the way with a point while missing Fabregas.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

There's only one Arsene Wenger...and we've still got him


Look who's smiling now! Pic via the Telegraph.

Some great news to wake up to this morning -- Arsene Wenger has signed a three-year contract extension and will remain at Arsenal until 2014. (You'll likely hear more on this later from the rest of the team.)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Arsene Wenger is Very Disappointed in You 8/13/2010


Disappointed that the season opener is still 2 days away!

From: http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/39197.html

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Preview: Liverpool v. Arsenal

The Diminutive Russian scored this many at Anfield in April 2009. Pic via Daily Mail.

Anfield, Liverpool
Sunday, August 15
16:00 BST, 11:00 a.m. EDT
  • Referee: Martin Atkinson
  • This Match, Last Year: Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal
  • All-Time in All Competitions: 74 Arsenal wins, 81 Liverpool wins, 53 draws
  • Arsenal's End of 2009/10 Form: W-L-L-D-L-W
  • Liverpool's End of 2009/10 Form: D-D-W-W-L-D
Predicted Line-Up
guesses in red

Almunia
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Clichy
Wilshere - Nasri - Diaby
Walcott - Chamakh - Arshavin

Subs from: Fabianski, Gibbs, Frimpong, Eboué, Denílson, Rosický, Vela
Doubts: Denílson (abdomen), Diaby (calf), Fàbregas (match fitness), Van Persie (match fitness)
Out: Song (calf), Djourou (hamstring), Bendtner (groin), Ramsey (leg)

Arsenal News and Notes
  • Alex Song is 95% expected to be out with a calf problem and may not make the trip to Anfield.
  • Denilson faces a fitness test on Friday or Saturday, as does Abou Diaby, though the latter has returned to full training.
  • Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are yet to return to match fitness after their trip to the World Cup final. Even though Spain thought it was fine to play Cesc for 45 minutes in Mexico on Wednesday. Thanks, Spain. They are not necessarily out.
  • Jack Wilshere made his debut for England on Wednesday, but was limited to ten minutes of playing time, because apparently he was hospitalized on Tuesday with stomach pains. Well, that's a new one... Arsenal players will never cease to pick up weird injuries...
  • Andrei Arshavin has been dealing with an unspecified muscular problem, but should be available.
  • Nicklas Bendtner's remains out with recurrent groin problems and Aaron Ramsey's still out with his broken leg; he could be back by November.
  • After conceding a late equalizer to drop points at Birmingham City in March, Arsenal only won two of their last eight matches last season, across all competitions.
    Liverpool News and Notes
    • A disappointing 7th place finish in the league last year dropped the Reds into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. They defeated FK Rabotnički 4-0 on aggregate and have drawn Turkish side Trabzonspor in the upcoming play-off round.
    • Striker Fernando Torres is a doubt to appear in the side on Sunday with a groin strain which he's suffered from on and off since before Christmas. He has not been ruled out, though the Liverpool physios have stated that it's probably too early for him to return.
    • This is Liverpool's first league match under new manager Roy Hodgson. Arsenal's last league match last year was against Roy Hodgson as well, while he was with Fulham.
    Match Facts
    • In all time league matches between the two in Liverpool, the Reds have won 48 of them while Arsenal have won just 22. 16 were drawn.
    • In this fixture last year, Arsenal trailed 1-0 at halftime after a lackluster 45 minutes, Arsene Wenger screamed at the team in the interim, then the Gunners leveled on a Glen Johnson own goal and won on a beautiful strike from Andrei Arshavin.
    • Arsenal also defeated Liverpool twice at the Emirates last year; 2-1 in the Carling Cup and 1-0 in league play.
    • Liverpool's last win over Arsenal knocked the Gunners out of the 2008 Champions League, with the winning goal coming on a penalty in the 86th minute of the second leg. This came two minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal ahead on away goals.
    Referee
    • The referee is Martin Atkinson.
    • Last year, he was the only referee to show an Arsenal player a red card; that was Thomas Vermaelen, sent off for a last man foul in a 2-0 win against West Ham.
    • Atkinson also worked a 1-0 Arsenal win at Fulham, the FA Cup loss at Stoke City, and the 2-1 loss at Blackburn in May.
    • Liverpool won only one match with Atkinson as the referee last year, while they lost two and drew three.
    Around the League
    • Saturday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Manchester City; White Hart Lane, London
    • Saturday: Aston Villa v. West Ham United; Villa Park, Birmingham
    • Saturday: Blackburn Rovers v. Everton; Ewood Park, Blackburn
    • Saturday: Bolton Wanderers v. Fulham; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
    • Saturday: Sunderland v. Birmingham City; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
    • Saturday: Wigan Athletic v. Blackpool; DW Stadium, Wigan
    • Saturday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Stoke City; Molineux, Wolverhampton
    • Saturday: Chelsea v. West Bromwich Albion; Stamford Bridge, London
    • Monday: Manchester United v. Newcastle United; Old Trafford, Manchester

      Wednesday, August 11, 2010

      International Gunner Recap - France Lost?!

      Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Vela both saw time in Mexico City as Spain and Mexico played to a 1-1 draw. Fabregas played only the first half for the World Champions, while Vela played 58 minutes.

      Theo Walcott started for England in their 2-1 win over Hungary at Wembley. Kieran Gibbs replaced Ashley Cole at halftime. Steven Gerrard had a brace (hopefully he won't duplicate that feat Sunday) and was replaced by Jack Wilshere, making his top level international debut in the 84th minute.

      Andrei Arshavin's sixth minute cross was bobbled by Bulgaria's goalkeeper, setting up the only goal in Russia's 1-0 win. Samir Nasri played 79 minutes as France lost 2-1 in Norway.

      I haven't been able to find information about how the other four first team Gunners involved in international play today fared. Here's a recap of scores, though:

      Thomas Vermaelen and Belgium lost to Finland 1-0.
      Lukasz Fabianski may or may not have played for Poland in their 3-0 loss to Cameroon.
      Tomas Rosicky and the Czech Republic waltzed to a 4-1 win over Latvia.
      Marouane Chamakh and Morocco beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1.

      Tuesday, August 10, 2010

      International Gunner Recap - Eboue Booked, Lansbury Comes Off Bench

      Henri Lansbury came on at the hour mark in Bristol. Pic via Arsenal Youth.

      Henri Lansbury started on the bench for the English U-21 side as they played host to Uzbekistan in Bristol today, then came on in the 61st minute of a 0-0 match, replacing captain Jack Rodwell of Everton. Danny Rose, who you may recall from a certain disastrous game in April, opened the scoring for England in the 64th; they went on to win 2-0.

      Emmanuel Eboue started for Ivory Coast in a 1-0 win over Italy in East London. He was booked in the 35th minute, after a foul that resulted in, from what I could gather from the Associated Press recap, "rolling theatrics" from the Italian player. Kolo Toure scored the lone goal on a header after a free kick in the 55th.

      12 more Gunners play meaningless games tomorrow.

      International Gunner Watch - Useless Friendly Time!

      Damn you FIFA, who cares about this round of friendlies, anyway? Pic via Internet News.

      Well, here we go again. The Premier League campaign starts in just four days for most teams in England (five for Arsenal and Liverpool and six for Manchester United and Newcastle United.) Euro 2012 qualifying doesn't start for another month or so. So, what better time for FIFA to arrange a mess of international matches that don't count!

      Let's assess the damage for Arsenal. 14 Gunners have been selected in this round of pointlessness including 12 first team members. Arsenal does dodge a few bullets in certain circumstances, especially with the much maligned French World Cup team left behind and Robin van Persie and much of the Netherlands World Cup squad omitted as well. Anyway, here are the players you should be praying return to North London in one piece:

      Emmanuel Eboue and the Ivory Coast will get their friendly out of the way pretty much faster than everyone else. Of the 12 first team Gunners involved in this round, only Eboue plays today; the rest play tomorrow. Not only is that fortunate for the team trickster, but their friendly against Italy is also being played in London, at West Ham United's Upton Park.

      Cesc Fabregas and the World Cup winning Spain squad will be getting back together again, where they will all likely attempt to brainwash him into joining Barcelona. They'll be playing against Carlos Vela and Mexico in the 105,000 seat Azteca Stadium. Every time Carlos Vela plays a friendly at home in Mexico, it seems like it takes him two weeks or more to recover from the resulting jet lag. Hopefully Fabregas can handle the time differences a little better, otherwise I fear we won't even see Cesc in red and white for a month.

      England named three Gunners in their squad for their Wembley Stadium friendly against Hungary; all of whom were of course left behind for the World Cup: Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, and Theo Walcott. As much as I'm excited to see these guys outperform all of the Spurs, United, and Chelsea players that crashed out of South Africa, I just hope the notoriously bad Wembley pitch doesn't cause any damage.

      With a trip to Anfield looming around the corner, the team obviously needs Andrei Arshavin ready to terrorize the Reds as he has in the past (to the tune of five goals in two matches. I am not going to stop reminding you all about that.) Arshavin was held out of the Legia Warsaw friendly with a slight muscular problem, so we may need to hope extra hard that Russia's friendly with Bulgaria in St. Petersburg doesn't do any further damage to our Diminutive Ridiculous Facial Expression Maker.

      Samir Nasri was left out of France's World Cup catastrophe but has been recalled for this week's friendly with Norway in Oslo. Every French player that was in South Africa has been left behind for this one, which is honestly great news for Abou Diaby, Bacary Sagna, and Gael Clichy. This is also fairly good news for Nasri, who is keen to rebound after a difficult campaign last year. You can tell the fire to succeed is in him this season, and that's exciting.

      Thomas Vermaelen is the only Arsenal defender recalled by his national team, which makes sense, since he's Belgium's captain. They'll play Finland in Turku, the Official Christmas City of Finland. Speaking of international defenders, Laurent Koscielny has declared his intent to play for France rather than Poland.

      Speaking of Poland, Lukasz Fabianski has been called for their match against Cameroon (who will not feature Alex Song.) Tomas Rosicky is with the Czech team in Latvia and Marouane Chamakh makes his first international appearance as a Gunner as Morocco plays Equatorial Guinea in Rabat.

      Two Gunners will also plays friendlies with their country's respective Under-21 sides: Henri Lansbury with the English U-21's against Uzbekistan in Bristol today and Vito Mannone with the Italian U-21's against Denmark tomorrow.

      Safe travels to all!

      Monday, August 9, 2010

      News Roundup 8/9/10 - The Idiots Keep Talking Edition

      Twitchy, one of his forwards, and some a-hole from Barça all have things to say today. Pic via The Sun.
      • We'll start with news though: A Daily Mirror exclusive links the Gunners with a possible loan move for Manchester City's Shay Given, since the Irishman is about to lose the #1 job at Eastlands to Joe Hart. While amazing if it happens, and slightly more plausible than the Pepe Reina rumor on Saturday, I honestly don't think City is stupid enough to give a rival one of their two talented keepers. But who knows, they could be... [Daily Mirror]
      • Jermain Defoe honestly thinks Tottenham Hotspur can do better than Arsenal in European competition. Look, I don't want to get into the whole UEFA coefficient thing in detail, but Spurs are pretty much guaranteed to have a more difficult path to get out of the group stage than Arsenal will. [ESPN Soccernet]
      • Harry Redknapp is totally flabbergasted that Fabio Capello called up three Arsenal players for England's friendly with Hungary on Wednesday who were not originally chosen for South Africa. He jokes that since Jack Wilshere was called up without a Premier League start in his career, Arsenal must be better than the English team. Despite his intentions, he's right. [Daily Mail]
      • Did you think that the Cesc Fabregas saga was over? You're wrong! Because the media is still talking to Xavi! Today's gem: "Maybe he'll come in January when Arsenal are out of the Premier League title race. Their team is just not competitive." Hilarious delusion: appearing daily out of the Nou Camp. [The Sun]
      • Blond-braided right back Bacary Sagna likes the idea of signing Emir Spahic for cover at center back. At least someone does. [Daily Mail]
      • Reports are that Hull City has won the race to sign "excess to requirements" forward Jay Simpson. I'll never forget that brace he had against Barnet last month. [Daily Mirror]
      • Did you like all of those goals on Saturday? Well, the Arsenal Ladies won their friendly yesterday 14-0. No mercy! [Arsenal.com]
      • An idiotic round of useless international friendlies which is sure to set back Arsenal's training about three weeks or so begins tomorrow.
      • Programming notes: We'll talk about those friendlies a bit tomorrow, have a last look back at last season on Wednesday, a look forward to this season as a whole on Thursday, and our preview of the first match at Liverpool on Friday.

      Arsene Wenger is Very Disappointed in You 8/8/2010


      Saturday, August 7, 2010

      Friendly: Legia Warsaw 5 - 6 Arsenal: Back Four on Holiday

      Classic Fabianski. Pic via The Sun.

      Legia Warsaw 5: Cabral 17, Koscielny 33 (og), Jedrzejczyk 36, 75, Iwanski 90+2
      Arsenal 6: Chamakh 38, Eboue 52, 60, Gibbs 63, Emmanuel-Thomas 81, Nasri 84

      Arsenal's World Cup finalists returned to training in London on Thursday but did not make the trip to Poland for the Gunners' final pre-season friendly against Legia Warsaw. Apparently, Arsenal's entire defense didn't make the trip either.

      The match was a dull affair for the first 15 minutes or so, with a few wide-of-the-mark free kicks being the only events of note. Then, in the 17th, Arsenal's midfielders and defenders pretty much decided they were not going to defend against Alejandro Ariel Cabral, who fired a brilliant 20 yard left footed strike past a helpless Lukasz Fabianski.

      The hosts doubled their lead in the 33rd minute following a corner kick as Fabianski stumbled over a teammate while Arsenal failed to clear and the ball careened off newcomer Laurent Koscielny and into the goal. Artur Jedrzejczyk banged in a close range shot just three minutes later and suddenly the match was becoming an embarrassment for the boys in red and white.

      Marouane Chamakh pinged a goal back for the Gunners just two minutes after falling behind 3-0, winning a header in the box ahead of Legia's keeper. It was the kind of goal we'll hope to see very often from the Moroccan international this season. It was a crucial goal, giving Arsenal at least one positive note in what was otherwise a dreadful 45 minutes of football. Arsenal's back four to start will likely be their starting four on the back line next Sunday at Anfield: Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, and Clichy. Their performance at times today was disconcerting to say the least.

      Arsenal switched keepers at the halftime mark, bringing in Wojciech Szczesny, who made his mark almost immediately with a brilliant double save. It was a crucial moment in the match and nearly 4-1 Legia. Instead, Emmanuel Eboue brought Arsenal within one in the 52nd with a header following a corner kick, then six minutes later picked up the brace and brought Arsenal level after a good amount of fancy footwork. Three minutes later, a thumping drive from Kieran Gibbs put Arsenal ahead.

      Ah, but the defense wasn't done disappearing and the insanity was far from over as Legia pulled level in the 75th and Jedrzejczyk picked up a brace of his own. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas put Arsenal ahead again six minutes after that, then Samir Nasri just three minutes later banged in a free kick after his prior effort was handled by the Legia wall. Legia added another goal in injury time to finally close out the scoring at 11 total goals and a 6-5 Gunners win.

      Next time, the game counts. Hopefully the defense shows up to Anfield next week.

      Hipster Gooner Playlist: Los Campesinos


      They've really got to change their colors if they want to join the Hipster Neon Five-a-Side League. Pic via loscampesinos.com.

      If there's one thing the world of the Hipster Gooner is missing, it is quality football-themed indie songs. Sure, you can make like Max and pretend that Vampire Weekend's Walcott is about everyone's fave Englishman, but songs that truly combine the skinny jeans lifestyle with the love for the beautiful game are few and far between.

      Enter Los Campesinos!, one of our* favorite bands who also happen to be led by a rabid football fan. Gareth Campesinos! has described their most recent album as being about death, sex, and football. Tragically he, along with the rest of the lads, mainly supports Manchester United (though he does also support his local team, Welton Rovers FC) -- would it be too much to dream that we aren't the only Hipster Gooners out there? -- but his lyrics are vague enough to apply to any football fan who wishes Pitchfork ratings took into consideration the number of references to crossbars and pitches.

      So without any further ado, these are the lyrics we'd be posting on our personal blogs or featuring on "First Match of the Season 2010" mixtapes.

      FROM WE ARE BEAUTIFUL, WE ARE DOOMED (2008):
      Miserabilia
      I've cried on ashen floors of working men's clubs -- 96, 98, 2000, 2002, 2004 -- Oh my God, will it end?

      We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
      Charlotte says, "It's more constructive than the one in Canada,
      When you got drunk, ate loads of crisps and threw up by a football pitch"
      I know it is, and really that's what worries me, I feel like I should hurt.

      All Your Keyfabe Friends
      You asked if I'd be anyone from history, fact or fiction, dead or alive:
      I said "I'd be Tony Cascarino, circa 1995".

      FROM ROMANCE IS BORING (2010):
      We've Got Your Back (Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #2)
      Every girl I ever kissed I was thinking of a pro-footballer
      (THOUGHT. YOU. SHOULD. KNOW)

      Plan A
      I'm called up to the Maltese national team,
      My vision is impeccable, my first touch is obscene.
      A World Cup qualifier finds me fifty, forty, thirty yards
      From goal, a late sub on in an off the striker role

      Was it wind? Did it take a bad deflection?
      A decade spent nursing a fear that you might never make it?
      The crowd draws breath at once it swerves to the top corner
      The Sunday tabloid press declares me the new king of Malta.

      With my name on shirts, your face on the cash
      That every week just piles inside our bank account,
      We'd rule the roost and we could start a family
      I think we'd make about a hundred million bucks.

      Straight In at 101
      Some people give themselves to religion
      Some people give themselves to a cause
      Some people give themselves to a lover
      I have to give myself to goals!

      This Is a Flag. There Is No Wind.
      In an analogy that makes sense to most, this opportunity it found me unmarked at the far post, but I blazed it right against the crossbar of the pub that you had worked in since you moved here from Bath Spa. We agreed we couldn't trust the guy that didn't like a single sport.

      *Disclaimer: "our" may just mean "my."

      Thursday, August 5, 2010

      Preview: Legia Warsaw v. Arsenal, Friendly

      Wait a minute...
      Yes, that's Legia's logo...
      Well... Saturday might be confusing.
      Pic via Flickr.

      Polish Army Stadium, Warsaw
      Saturday, August 7
      15:00 BST, 10:00 a.m. EDT

      Who Is Legia Warsaw?
      • Founded in 1916 by soldiers from the Polish Legions of World War I; nicknamed the "Military" or "Legionnaires"
      • Their first match, in 1917 against city rivals Polonia Warsaw, was a 1-1 draw.
      • Their first league match was in 1927, a 6-1 away win at LKS Lodz.
      • Legia was relegated to the second division in 1936, where they remained until after World War II.
      • The 1970's, considered the golden era of Polish football, started with a bang for Legia, reaching the semi-finals of the 1969/70 European Cup, where they lost 2-0 to Feyenoord.
      • The following year, they lost in the quarter-finals to Atletico Madrid.
      • The club struggled to win league titles in the '80s, but remained in European competition thanks to four Polish Cup titles.
      • In 1991, they were defeated in the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup by Manchester United.
      • Legia advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League again in 1996 (advancing out of group play over Blackburn Rovers and Norway's Rosenborg) before losing to Panathinaikos 3-0 on aggregate.
      • From 2005 to 2007, Legia had the player voted to be the best goalkeeper in the Polish top flight, a keeper they then sold to an English Premier League team for an undisclosed fee. Can you guess who?
      • In 2007, fan rioting during a pitch invasion at an away match in the now defunct Intertoto Cup resulted in a five year ban from European competition, later reduced to five years probation.
      • They finished 4th in Poland's top flight last season, which technically put them one point shy of Europa League qualification.
      • In their history, Legia have won 9 Polish league titles and a record 13 Polish Cups.
      Arsenal News and Notes
      • The Gunners will still be without Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie for this, the final pre-season friendly, as they are not yet match fit after their post-World Cup Final vacations.
      • Alex Song also remains out with an undisclosed injury. Abou Diaby is a doubtful to return to the line-up, while Denilson might finally be fit.
      • Other than that, the squad is exactly as it was for last weekend's Emirates Cup.

      We've Got Cesc Fabregas

      Pictures from today's first training session via Daily Mail.

      Fabregas leads the pack on a jog. Jack Wilshere, thanks to perspective, looks four feet tall behind Rosicky.
      There is nothing like showing him all smiles to give a good "Screw you" to Barcelona. I wonder what Xavi has to say about this.
      The fans haven't turned on him, clearly. Also, if you have, I'm going to kindly ask you now to support some other team.
      Actually, the best part of this picture is Aaron Ramsey standing on the far right.
      Dear Premier League. These three men are coming to rip you all apart. Love, Arsenal.

      Sunday, August 1, 2010

      Emirates Cup: Arsenal 3 - 2 Celtic: Too Close for Comfort

      Carlos Vela (right) celebrates his goal with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Pic via Sky Sports.

      Arsenal 3: Vela 3, Sagna 45, Nasri 51
      Celtic 2: Murphy 72, Sung-Yueng 83

      Arsenal once again dominated the first 70 minutes of a match at the Emirates Stadium in their home tournament, but once again crumbled in the final minutes. This time, however, their lead was large enough to hold up, and the  Gunners retained hold of the Emirates Cup with a 3-2 win over Celtic.

      The Gunners controlled the entirety of the first half, opening the scoring early as the efforts of Jack Wilshere set up a Theo Walcott cross to a sliding Carlos Vela to put Arsenal up 1-0 on three minutes. Despite numerous opportunities, Arsenal could not get a second until shortly before the stroke of halftime, when, after a corner kick, it was Bacary Sagna, of all people, who struck an absolutely brilliant drive off his non-favored foot from 20 yards out. Sagna had only scored once before in an Arsenal shirt, a header at Stamford Bridge in 2008.

      Arsene Wenger made two positive substitutions at halftime, bringing on Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh, both of whom had brilliant games on Saturday. It worked pretty quickly; Nasri added to the scoresheet just six minutes into the second half.

      From there, Arsenal took the engines off high gear and it nearly cost them. Sagna and Gael Clichy were pulled on 62 minutes and Thomas Vermaelen was pulled on 73. The back four from this point on looked shaky at best.

      Celtic had the chance to ping a goal back from the spot on 68 minutes after a cynical American football-style tackle from Jack Wilshere on Marc-Antoine Fortune in the penalty area. Georgios Samaras lined up from the spot, but missed dreadfully high and wide. It looked like a goal would never come for Celtic...

      ...until the 72nd, when Daryl Murphy took advantage of a rebound from 10 yards out shortly after a corner. From there, Manuel Almunia kept Arsenal up two after a string of good saves, until the 83rd, when Ki Sung-Yueng was found open in the box after another defensive breakdown. Suddenly, a game which was firmly in control was now a one goal affair with seven minutes to play. Arsenal, however, were able to run out the clock, thanks to no stoppage time being played in the tournament, and were able to retain the trophy for the second consecutive year and for the third time in its four year history.

      The Gunners play one more friendly, next Saturday in Warsaw, before opening the Premier League campaign at Liverpool on August 15.

      Emirates Cup: Arsenal 1 - 1 Milan: Missed Chances

      Arsenal newcomer tackles a jerkface former Gunner. Pic via Guardian.

      Arsenal 1: Chamakh 36
      Milan 1: Pato 76

      It's late and I'm exhausted after helping a friend move, so you get bullet points instead of paragraphs. Deal with it.
      • Both new signings, Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny, looked great in their Emirates Stadium debuts. Chamakh had the Arsenal goal with a nifty little touch finish in the box nine minutes from halftime.
      • Among the youngsters, both Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong looked comfortable on the pitch.
      • Lukasz Fabianski was not abysmal and he had no chance on Milan's goal, off a free kick which I didn't think was a foul on Sagna to begin with. But, while he had no chance, Arsenal's organization in defending the free kick was poor in the first place, and that organization is generally the keeper's job.
      • Speaking of Sagna, I thought he was a step off the pace a bit, but I'm not positive if this was his first match of the pre-season or not.
      • Arsenal had a golden chance to regain the lead shortly after Milan leveled the score, but Mark Randall was stifled twice in the box. Those shots have to go in. It was practically gift wrapped.
      • Fabianski was bailed out by the woodwork on at least two occasions.
      • I thought Samir Nasri was absolutely brilliant today.
      • Overall, it was a thrilling match for a pre-season friendly and plenty of players had good showings. Both sides missed a number of chances to win this one.
      Arsenal will play Celtic, who scored twice in the final ten minutes to draw Lyon 2-2 in the Emirates Cup opening match, tomorrow. Celtic are down 3-0 in their Champions League qualifier with a second leg at home coming up this week, so I don't expect them to field their strongest side.