» The Gooner World

Okay, so we are in midway, season of glory, as some arsenal fans call it.
Now, I'll get to my point.
The ones who have been arsenal supporters since more than 3 years might have noticed a tremendous change in the arsenal's style of play. Also, the recent viewers of BPL, might notice that what Arsene's team play, is a type of football, which the others do not play. The game has changed into 'short one touch passing'. This is often addressed as 'the beautiful game', and was seen first in Brazil and Argentina, that gave rise to several greats. I have some issues regarding this style of play, and please don't think of me as an anti-arsenal person if i hurt some of your sentiments . I think i have made my disclaimers and i may commence.

I'll begin with the advantages and the problems that I see with each position

1) FORWARD


Advantages - the opposition doesn't really know what move Arsenal's gonna play the next moment. They are always kept guessing, and thus, it breaks their mindset. We see goals such as those created by backheels by either Hleb on the right, Clichy on the left, and Fabregas, almost everywhere! We also saw that goal by Thierry Henry, against Juve, the game that marked Fab as the world's best midfielder being born. Juve were backed into thinking that Fab was going for glory when he took the reverse pass from Henry to an almost impossible angle. But, he passed at the last instance and thus, Henry got an open net. This play is certainly best when it comes to passing between three or more players and leads to breaking down the toughest of defences.

Problems - Too much passing. We have seen in numerous occasions that arsenal's teamwork gets the better of them in some situations. The 'Wengerball' is seen much too often and thus, results in missing out the goal. One such incident that i would like to quote is the Rosicky, open net chance against some team in the champion's league. In that match we missed more chances than we scored, and thus, it ended in a 0-0 draw. contd..



Rosicky had his foot in the position as if he were to pass again. That cost him the goal. Also, over confidence creeps up in the mind of the players when they are playing one-touch superbly.


2) MIDFIELD


Advantages - Perfect one - two - one passing. This is an area of absolute brilliance. And why not? we have the world's BEST midfielders of all time! Cheeky through-balls and back-heels are wonders to watch when arsenal come out in a counter! Don't you all agree? This style revolutionizes the type of football that a nation or a club should REALLY play.

Problems - Sometimes, one touch drags the player into a situation where he is almost to lose the ball, and also, mistime or misplace the pass. The ball control isn't as much as it is..in normal possession style of play where the players keep ball for long time and give back-passes more often (EX- Liverpool).


3) DEFENDING


Advantages - The main advantage here is the main reason for almost all of the Arsenal goals. COUNTER!
The defenders pass together like Forwards and perform beautiful one - two - one passing and move forward alongwith the whole team. This results in more players in the opponent's half and also, more players to collect the loose balls. Defenders like Toure, who have an excellent long range effort are tempted to have a go, and sometimes, score crucial goals

Problems - The problem is the same as that in forwards, over-passing. But the result here being much more dangerous, as if the ball is lost inside the 18 yard box, its almost always a goal, unless you got all Peter Crouches and Ruud Van Nistelrooys.


So, that was my take on it....what's yours?
Do post here and donate your time generously!

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I dont agree with the problems you have put forward. From your post I assume that when you say the beautiful game, you mean a pass and move game instead of players making runs at the opposition with the ball all the time.

You can play a passing game and still have an endproduct if you have decent strikers in the box. Midfielders might overpass , good strikers take their chances. So over passing has nothing to do with the bautiful game. This year we are still playing a nice passing game and I dont think there are many instances where you can blame the team of over passing. How can you raise the point this year?


We pass the ball backwards and to the side a lot too. I dont know why you bring up the point of losing the ball.....I think our possession stats tell a diferent story.

The problem is the same as that in forwards, over-passing. But the result here being much more dangerous, as if the ball is lost inside the 18 yard box, its almost always a goal,
I dont think we overpass the ball in defence. If I remember correctly this year there was just one goal in the Sevilla match where because of a short pass from defence, we were dispossessed and theey scored(that was not over passing either). Normally the ball gets out of defence pretty quickly....


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you cant have 100% posession in each match, and win it by the margin of 7-0 or maybe 8-0..

This post was relevant maybe last year, when we tend to overpass the ball, and not take a slight direct approach towards Goal, like a simple cross by Sagna and Great Header by Bayo, or a Fabregas firecracker in local derby.

But this year things have changed, things like off the ball movement, one touch passing with more agility and success. maybe team have gelled together, or maybe TH14 departed, or maybe wenger said them so, or maybe its just they got aroung 50 games more experienced. To say that one touch football has disadvantages is worthless.

Advantages are clear and in front of you midway through the season. I hope and pray it remains the same come may, with each passing year i think this passing game will become deadlier,

and wenger' smart, oh hes really smart, he wanted to implement this game, so he built a team slowly but smartly, and now we can continue with this kinda game because he purchases kids every year, keep them in academy teach them this kinda game and make them perfect in tw o three years giving them exposure in competetions like Carling Cup.
He has two teams that play the same football, thus he can easily replace a senior, if he retires or decides to leave, or is injured. Now thats shrewdness. Instead of buying some overhyped ogre looking prodigy he chooses them asess them at a very young age, and then buy them at cheap age.

How many a time has it happened that a unknown layer has come to the squad and has made to nationa l team after his performance at Arsenal.

Yes we are some times troubled by oppositions who play physical, but that too seems to be going away with time, those who defend deep and decide to old on to a draw, this season we hae shown that its not just for, its class.

I hope i had made my point clear, Cheers

Gunnersaurus Rex - Who is he?
Full Name
Gunnersaurus Rex

Born
North Bank, Highbury, August 1993

Arsenal Honours
Since Gunner has been at the Club, we have won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994, the Premiership in 1998, 2002 and 2004, the FA Cup in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005 and the Charity/Community Shield in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004.

Individual Honours
Getting to celebrate winning the Premiership title with the team on the pitch at the end of the 2003/04 season.

International Appearances
Gunner has made many Champions League appearances at Highbury and also away at RC Lens in France. He also travelled with the players to Arsenal’s match against Dynamo Kyiv and made a special visit to the Children’s Centre in Chernigov in Ukraine.

Gunner has seen and done many things in his career at Highbury, including making several televison appearances and many visits to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. On several of these events he has met other Club mascots and has remained friends with lots of them.

One of his favourite trips away was when he went along to the Natural History Museum with 50 Junior Gunners, where they researched Gunner’s ancestors. Whilst they were there two very special visitors came to meet them — former Arsenal players David Seaman and Glenn Helder!

Another highlight was the filming of adverts for the FA Cup. Gunner attended these with all the other Club Macsots and he relished the opportunity to score a penalty past Chirpy (Spurs) and Fred the Red (Man United). He still talks about that today!

Gunner is one of the most respected mascots in football, his friendly nature has not only been welcomed from Arsenal supporters but from supporters all over Europe.

One of the most frustrating thing after a loss is not to face the digs of the opposition fans but to hear the moans and groans of your own fans. And I take this chance to highlight a link given in another thread.

4-0 down - that is the time your team needs you, not when they are 4-0 up. How many of you stopped following the match after the 4th goal?

Here is a great write up on Sky sports.

Down by five and on your way out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage, it takes the most loyal of fans to keep on singing.

Only adding to the misery is the fact that you are losing your north London rivals Spurs - for the first time since 1999 - so you can understand why some Arsenal fans were heading for the tube early.

But there was one man left standing and the image of him singing his heart out, wearing his Rocky Rocastle shirt, as Spurs were 4-0 up is one of the most enduring of the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_3072574,00.html

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Very true indeed. The groans and moans in our own community are the most painful things to bear after whatever happened yesterday. The rival fans will try to scratch, but that is part and parcel of this rivalry affair. But losing faith in one's own team and cribbing done by some glory hunters over here are very very hard to digest.

Salute to that ROCKY guy who has been featured in the SkySports article. He is an example for all of us. I even saw someone saying 'SACK Arsene Wenger' in yesterday's Live Match thread. Pathetic. The gloryhunters over here should understand that such awful days are part and parcel of 'fanhood'. Stand by your team, Sing for them always whether it is a win or loss. The Glory will be yours.

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It's a bit easy to support a team when it's topping the competitions and beating every single team it plays against. Anyway, only the biggest and true fans stand along their team even when things aren't going well. So now is time to see who are the glory hunters and the truly passionated fans.

That's why I'm going to the Emirates on Saturday. Now it's the time our players are really needing support and confidence, and I'm sure we're going to sing our hearts out at the Emirates as well as the guy in the picture so our team can see we're always behind them no matter what happens.

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You always feel proud of such fans. Even last season against Liverpool when we were losing 4-1 our fans were singing their hearts out showing their support for The Arsenal.
Such results will come along the way, but we have to accept it and give our full support for the team, its not as if they did not try last nite, just that nothing was going right for them while everything was going right for the spurs. Don't Derby have fans? Ofcourse they do and give their full support every time even though their team loses by a big margin.

I am damn sure that Arsenal are going to regroup and take this defeat as a lesson learned and destroy whoever comes in their way. Starting with Newcastle.

Come on you Gunners !

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Yea I saw the Rocastle man singing his heart off and I really really admire him.

But, I don't hate any of the traveling Gooners for leaving. They've apparently paid good money for tickets and they're entitled to a decent performance atleast. We were complete and utter shit yesterday.
I don't know if any of you read articles on the vital network, but one guy, Little Dutch had been to the match.

we really didn't want to be on the end of a consolatory fist or coin on the way out, so we made haste for the exit to increase our chances of escaping the Lane alive. It is the first time I have ever left a game early, and I don't feel at all guilty about it.

Even I had half a mind to switch of the Tele!!

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Thats the reason for this thread. There are fans and then there are fans everyone admires. And its upto each one to decide what kind of a fan they want to be.

If someone keeps talking negatively ofcourse everyone will tell him to shut up.
If someone keeps does not like it and quietly curses noone is gonna blame you.
If someone keeps singing till the last second, you will be admired.

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I admire the Gooner with Rocastle shirt. I really do. But I for once, I'm not angry with Gooners leaving early. I usually despise them but not today. Considering WHL is a high risk (apparently) for Gooners coupled by the fact we were as pathetic as Derby on their worst day (Ok, exaggeration but you know...), I have no reason to be angry with the fans.

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Next match gonna be the title decider not from the points perspective but mental strength and "resilience" point of view. It wont be easy.. newcastle is no pushover team they play physical and breakdown the plays... if we win the game it will be a biiiiig boooost for us coz it shows how much we r focused on the league and put the past behind...

With team kind of disgruntled because of the Ade and Nick incident there will be added pressure n might affect performance... but i fear if this game goes out of our hand then it will be very tough to catch up Manu....

Touch wood for Gunner Victory...

* Group turnover and operating profit at record levels:

- Turnover increased by 46% to £200.8 million (2006 - £137.2 million)

- Group operating profits* increased by 274% to £51.2 million (2006 - £13.7 million)
* Match day revenues from the Club’s first season at Emirates Stadium were £90.6 million, representing £3.1 million per game and being more than double the £44.1 million achieved in the previous year at Highbury.
* £260 million of bonds with long-dated maturities and a weighted average fixed interest rate of 5.3% were issued in the year to refinance all of the Group’s stadium related debt providing a significant reduction in annual debt service costs for the long term.
* The Group’s cash balances rose to £73.9 million (2006 - £35.6 million).91% of the units at “The Stadium - Highbury Square” are already pre-sold. The final completion sales value for all units is expected to comfortably exceed £300 million
* Arsène Wenger has extended his contract as Arsenal manager through to 2011 and will become the longest serving manager in the Club’s history.

Commenting on the results for the year, Peter Hill-Wood, non-executive chairman, said:

“The best way that Arsenal can continue to deliver success is by maintaining a business that pays its own way. This philosophy helped establish our objectives for the Club’s move away from Highbury and Emirates Stadium now provides Arsenal with the increased income, profitability, cash generation and firm financial foundations from which we will continue to build trophy winning Arsenal teams for many years to come.”


the financial results in its entirety is given in this pdf file!
http://www.arsenal.com/userincludes/docs/results24092007.pdf


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True reflection of how well the club is run and why we dont need any foreign investment !!

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3.1 million per game....wow......thats like financing 2 transfers per game

this is awesome news for us.......i guess the loan for the stadium runs out till 2020......we might beat that by a couple of years considering these figures.

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Just a few thoughts:

1. These numbers are turnover, does not make it the 'richest club'
2. The 200M turnover includes 23M of property development which is a one off item and wont continue in the future. But the 177M turnover from football is still good, and represents a healthy increase from last year.
3. The profits are only 5M after tax (which is after an exceptional item of 21M which will not recur). The increase is 26M after this, which is still good.
4. The net cash inflow is 38M is good. Again, this includes some loans taken, but the point is that the business is generating net inflow, and financing the debt does not seem to be a problem.


Btw the 70M number is hogwash. It represents the entire cash reserves of Arsenal FC, and the Board are not that irresponsible to give the whole thing to Wenger. Its just rubbish journalism, coz Edelman said A PART of the cash reserves of 70M will be given as tranfer fund and the media has interpreted that as a 70M 'war chest'.

Pls read the fine print, i.e. Edelman's comments, dont just believe everything that the media says.

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The figures are "before player trading and depreciation", and as such do not take into account the £16million sale of Thierry Henry then profit is more than that
aroun 60m

This transaction will only figure in next year's accounts, coz this is till May 2007. Hery was sold in June 2007. Btw that 'figure' is also before tax, and finance items. The net profit after tax is only 5M !!

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I couldnt help but smile as i read this.. its great..2nd most turnover after real n this year with the new tv deal and arsenal's own channel coming up it might be much more.. and hopefully with a trophy as well

way to stick it to dean and usmanov and all the doubters..

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I dont know how they account for it in england but when you sell property, its generally extraordinary income and not from continuing operations unless the club is involved in such a business which it is not.

In such a case it is offset and used as capital gains and you generally factor inflation and other sundry expenses in.

I dont have a clue what the board is going to do with Highbury but they sure are not putting it up for sale which leaves the tax exemption window open which can be claimed against the interest payout on the loan.

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We have a sound business model and which is giving us regular cash flow. Wenger has 75 million to his name if he wants to visit the transfer market and he is not the guy who is gonna go splurge.. He is a sound business man and an asset to the club and a canny investor and manager.

We dont have to be like the rest of the big boys if you wanna call em big.. to be ahead of the game you gotta spend loads of money... Well Wenger is an investor.. in youth and talent. Period!!

So listen up Chelsea, Man U and Pool.. A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED!!! Does it ring a bell...

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In fact, the property development business is accounting for this as turnover (23M out of the 200M is from this). So, it is being considered part of continuing operations. This business IS developing Highbury (and 2-3 other sites), where 91% of the units have already been pre-sold. This will result in a 100M profit, and it will be received in 2009. Now, a part of this has already been used (I dont know what for), but the residual is still a lot.

Just to clarify, Arsenal is developing 3-4 sites for property development. Its all there in the release, so it is definitely involved in such a business (for now, ateast).

Jess - Making profits is not that big a deal. In fact, the football club declared a small profit last year as well, when the club had not moved to the Grove yet. Just that the profits are a lot higher now.

Its obvious that nobody reads my posts (what the hell did I expect eh ), but ARSENAL IS NOT THE 2ND RICHEST CLUB. 2nd biggest in terms of revenue, yes, but that does make it the 2nd richest club. There is a difference, people.

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Another match with the scums, another chance to extend the unbeaten run and another chance to chant "you will never defeat the Arsenal" .

Squad news is that Gallas is in the squad "travelling" to WHL because Toure and Song are in Africa, Dhourou is injured, Senderos broke his nose at Craven Cottage. Gilberto will feature in defense.

This is what Wenger said, “I will rotate the squad which means those that didn’t play on Saturday will play at Tottenham and after that I will complete it with first-team players. I will use William Gallas because I have no choice but Fabianski will play, Hoyte will play and the players that didn’t play against Fulham will all play. Walcott will feature as well.”

Responses


Wenger was great when he choose not to use the players on the bench last Saturday night. As we're going to have two matches this week, I think he thought the second-team players should rest a little bit more before playing Tottenham tomorrow and then Newcastle on Saturday, as both of them are crucial for our season, because a loss would definitely affect the atmosphere at the Emirates.

I'm quite sure the team that's going to play both matches will be really similar, excpet for the fact that Fabiansky might play the Carling Cup Semi-Final on Tuesday and Lehmann, the F. A. Cup 4th round on Saturday.

I guess our squad for the match against Tottenham's already decided: Fabiansky; Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Gilberto & Traore; Diaby, Denilson, Fabregas/Flamini & Randall (should we really put such pressure over his shoulders? I'd say Hleb would be better, as I don't think Rosicky should play once again after getting the flu last week); Walcott & Bendtner. I don't think Wenger should be concerned about using some of your first team stars specially because it's a derby and the moral of the team will be affected, positively or negatively, by the result of the match. He does know about it.

The starting line-up for the F. A. Cup match against Newcastle next Saturday depends on the perfomance of this team I posted above against Tottenham tomorrow.

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It is gonna be a tired TOTs facing us for sure... But I am not underestimating the chance of the kids running panic if Keane or Berbatov gets an early goal in...

I would want Gilberto for sure, as he can slow down the opposition for a period.. Bendtner and Walcott upfront is gonna get the defence busy.. That way Flamini/Denilson can hold up the midfield...Diaby also be at the wings to provide extra support on the left....as Phillepe said..Rosiscky, Eduardo, Randall, Lehmann, Sagna on bench..

On second thoughts Tots would be stretching the midfield a little upfront with Jenas and Lennon, make sense for Diaby and Bendtner to scare the defenders and sneak one on the counter.. but Diaby and Bendtner never could find each other really...

I bet on this one not for the delicate hearted....with no 4th place in sight, this is the best TOTS can give, and they would love doing it to Arsenal what they have not done in 8 years.. Its MANDATORY for Arsenal to score once..and i'd say twice if we need to clear out old debts with Chelsea... Mikel would be back for final...


2-2 for me... an away goal win..with scary last 10 mins...

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It is the best chance for the Spuds to finally get that win. And I'm sure that would be a great relief for them and fans would try to spin that, but in the end, it's the Carling Cup. This would be as much a development game for the youth who do play as the final last year. It's going to be a tough tough game. Not over optimistic about it either. No prediction, just give 'em hell boys.

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i expect a strong Arsenal squad. Arsene knows the Arsenal faithful wont take a loss to the spuds, irrespective of which competition it is , lightly.

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It's a strong squad. Wenger has made his intentions clear by selecting Cesc, Hleb and Bayo. Expect a fast paced game and a win (again) in WHL.


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I guess they'll need it. Berbatov has come out and said it's Tottenham's "Match of the Year". Wow. Talk about boiling your season down to a CC semi final! They aren't even out of the FA or UEFA cups yet and the season is already hinging on this game.

Confidence boy, confidence.

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If they manage anything against us I fully expect them to come out with special edition DVD's of the greatest achievement of the millennium.....and expect their fans to gobble it up like crazy.

The team selection by Arsene is excellent tactical stuff. Including Adebayor who loves to score and against them and Cesc who scored at WHL will surely be a little morale damaging for them.

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If Arsenal wins today I'll take a picture wearing Arsenal's jersey and scarf in Tottenham Court Road Station tomorrow.

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Two nil down, not looking good.

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Nope, havent created a lot of chances either. Havent seen Gilberto do much and Hoyte is looking shaky under pressure. DIaby is holding the ball for too damn long. He seems to studying some wrong winger's tapes.

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4-0 up. Worst day of my life, the CL final was better. Ya ya, it is just a CC match, but the scoreline is embarrassing to say the least.

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And against the Scum..makes it even worse.

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4-1 is there a comeback? X

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Are you feeling
Are you feeling
Are you feeling
PROUD......
Are you feeling proud.

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For the first time in my life I'm speechless. I really don't know what we have done to be beaten - and what's even worse, by five-one.

I have to admit we played like children tonight. Of course I know that, in fact, our players are young, but I really don't think you need to be an adult to play like one. Despite of the age, every single footballer who joins such a big club like Arsenal is supposed to play with responsability, commitment and, most importantly, love for the club he plays for. Why am I saying such a thing? Quite simple. The players must remember that they are playing for millions and millions of people all around the world. I'm not saying that we lack committed players, not at all. This is just a small list that I do think it's necessary for a player, because I do want them to know that their perfomance today made lots of fans feel really bad. This match wasn't a Champions League final neither a Premier League crucial match, but this match was against Tottenham Hotspurs, our biggest rival. No matter what is the trophie we are playing for, we just can't stand being defeated by Spurs.

I just couldn't understand why Ramos did affirm tonight match would be their most important game of the season. But now that the match is already finished I can say that I just shouldn't have expected anything better from a small team. Anyway, congratulations, then, Spurs! You've just won your season! Congratulations, Juande Ramos, for such achievement. Now you can celebrate Spurs' happiest moment in the decade - but where's your trophie, anyway? Your most important game of the season has just ended so now I think you're done. This is how a small and loser team thinks. They're just not able to fight for bigger titles, big achievements, so that's why they're all so happy. There's nothing more exciting for a Tottenham fan than beating Arsenal, because they do now it's the best they can do. So I'm afraid a ten-year-old Spur is happy for the first time in his life, finally.

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Now it's time to face our problems. Diaby and Gilberto were, once again, poor. Being crucial players I don't think they should have perfomanced that way. But I'm afraid I won't blame anyone today as even our captain didn't have a great time tonight. I prefer to say in the plural, direct to the whole team. A night to forget. Despite of the presence of Fabregas, Hleb and Adebayor we couldn't get the ideal pace. And what makes me really, really upset is that after our poor match against Birmingham, Wenger did affirm we would not lose our focus again. And unfortunately, I must admit we were everything but focused tonight. And that's the point. I spent the whole week saying that today's match would be crucial for the season, for our squad and for the fans. Now our self-confidence is really damaged and I really don't know what Wenger will do on Saturday. The boys who were beaten by five-one today are supposed to play Newcastle in only four days. Can you imagine what would happen to the atmosphere at the Emirates if we were beaten once again?

Now we are going to see how focused our team really is. Only great players can forget the past and be exclusively focused on the next match, and this is what a team that's fighting for the Premier League trophie should do.

I would rather feel humiliated if I were celebrating the first victory over my biggest rival in ten years than by being beaten only for the third time in the season.

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Crap display.

We have ridiculed Scums for a long long long time now and a defeat against them in CC is nothing significant but the manner which we lost was bad. There was never a day my wife and I would have cursed the TV sooo much.

I am planning to skip reading some articles for a little team because the press would be delighted. After all Scum beating us to 4th place was a fantastic creation and they would take any opportunity to vindicate their stand. I hope Wenger keeps the team insulated from the press as well.

Fabianski is quality but his positioning was hugely suspect. Some goals could have been easily avoided. Don't want to criticize Bendtner coz he got us all 3 in the prem but he'll find 1st team chances reduced till he gets his head straight.

End of it all we are in three competition - the FA, Prem and CL and the Scums could enjoy the stay in the lower half. I think Diaby looked most disappointed after the game, probably he was kicking himself a chance to kick Terry's head again.


P.S: My big concern: Theo - 5 goals in 2 1/2 years and another crappy display and Diaby - can't play on the left (Made Gilberto look ok relatively).

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It was coming and we could see that... This is Spurs moment of the season... I would say it was a different spuds than what we saw last 3 years... They took the lead as usual and decided we will just not sit and hang to it..but double it.
To make matters worse we had a defence which had no clue which is the zone to mark and who will do it... Hoyte never made a clearence or an interception.. I guess Gilberto would have been better there, with Flamini and Denilson ahead.. Gilberto was never his attacking self or defensive self..showing that he was missing the action for longer than he can remember...

Bendtner should try hard to forget the day... Somebody send Walcott back to school so that he can grow up.. he has pace and control coming together with a lag of 10 seconds... As they say it was like plucking the candy from a kid..

The worst player of yday imho was Diaby. He was extremely slow, never fought back for the ball...and wouldnt pass with urgency.. 2-0 down at HT and there were good chances to bring back the game to life.. but this man wouldnt keep pace with time.. Oh Fabianski was at the wrong end this this time... I dont think he could have done better to put out any..but could have been slightly more enthusiastic in organising the defence during freekicks and corners..

its CC... i would be even more pained if Chelsea were to go through tonite

Why do I miss Rosiscky in the matches we lose points????? Hleb was tired, So was Faby.... I hope we'd be focussed to put this result behind and get ahead with the Fk.All cup... Keegan would want a good result for himself like

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As I was out of my mind yesterday night, let me correct myself today. More specifically the last phrase of my post. Here's the right one I should've posted:

''Humiliation for me would be celebrate my first victory over my biggest rival in a decade, and not being defeated only for the third time in the season.''

Sorry for the mistake.

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An unflattering score line and we see the doomsday pundits blabbering away to glory everywhere...

Principally, the reason why I chose to unjoin the main Arsenal community.

Not that I blame them. I realize that yesterday's performance by Spurs was indeed worthy of the scoreline and a much awaited win for them.

I am sure that the players and most of all, Wenger must have been disappointed. A loss against Spurs after such a long unbeaten run is something that needs to be mourned, that is for sure.

Today, I was speaking to a Man Utd. fan and he made a very valid point which I wold like to share with detractors of Arsene's youth policy [not that I feel that there are any in this particular community. Its just that I want to voice my feelings]

(quote)... people forget that we played Ronaldo for 2 x 38 matches although he was not playing well and not scoring ... (unquote)

That ought to silence critics of Walcott. We all agree that the quality is there, but the confidence is lacking. In the case of Bendtner, I believe he can do with a bit of talking to by his seniors. Again, attitude not quality is the problem. For me, Adebayor is the ideal these youngsters should look up to. I profess to have disliked Adebayor at the start of his career. But he has shown tremendous improvement and has earned my respect. So much so, that I am glad Togo did not qualify for the African Nations cup.

There is a lot to look forward to, including the BPL, CL and FA. One poor performance should not raise concerns as I hope the team is capable enough to bounce back with a vengeance. Hopefully, Newcastle will bear the brunt of the wounded Gunners.

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Nine years. 21 games. Had to happen sometime. In a way, it's good that the pressure of maintaining the unbeaten record against the scum has ended. We'll play freely against them next time, no worries.

We'll bounce back, hopefully soon. "King" Kev had better watch out.

This famous song by Elvis Presley has been chosen as the new Arsenal anthem at the Emirates. There was no fan poll or fan contribution for this one (at least I didn't find any such mention online), like the previous one. I loved the Highbury anthem, but this one, I don't like it that much.

Although the song is inspirational in some lines, I don't think it will have the same effect as YNWA in spurring the team to perform. I have always liked chants and fan-songs to be sung on stadiums rather than anthems.

"The Wonder of You" is played before kick off at every home game, and now, we can hear some chorus from the fans, although, everyone still don't sing it.

When no-one else can understand me
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation
You give me strength to carry on

And you're always there to lend a hand
In everything I do
Thats the wonder
The wonder of you

And when you smile the world is brighter
You touch my hand and I'm a king
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune
Your love for me is everything

Ill guess Ill never know the reason why
You love me like you do
Thats the wonder

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eUHS0_EbZTA

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As I have already affirmed, I am in love with this song. The fact that it is an old song makes it even better - specially because it is sung by the king himself, Elvis Presley.

What I can say is that it is priceless to sing this song with more than 60,000 fans while your scarf is wide opened. It seems the crowd is together and all behind Arsenal. The song prepares us to the battle, making us even prouder of being an Arsenal fan, definitely.

For those who has not watched it yet, here is the link for a video recorded at Emirates while the song was being played: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtReArPX9_U&eurl=http://www.orkut.com/FavoriteVideos.aspx?uid=10173084392369499538

And here you have links for some of Arsenal greatest moments so far with 'The Wonder Of You' in the background:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBipauZcOV0&eurl=http://www.orkut.com/FavoriteVideos.aspx?uid=10173084392369499538

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtTOI8kLNxQ&eurl=http://www.orkut.com/FavoriteVideos.aspx?uid=10173084392369499538

Simply beautiful.

Match is at 3 pm BST..

After a disappointin weekend wit manu on top hope we bounce bak strongly...wanna see us back on top...hope manu drop points against reading...n want arsenal 2 thrash fulham 5-0 or 6-0...goal difference is gonna matter at the end i feel...

IN ARSENE WE TRUST

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2-1 Arsenal.Hard Fought Battle.Won't be an easy outing.Will have to better than that against Birmingham.

You Will Really Miss Toure!Big Month For Arsenal.
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Excuse me... Sendy played very well yesterday.. He was not at fault for birmingham's goal in any way.

Only thing is that v miss eboue's penetrating runs on the right. Walcott isnt up for it against big defenders

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Half time: Fulham 0 - 2 Arsenal



It's been pretty comfortable. Was a bit alarmed at the team's opening 10 minutes. Didn't seem too settled or calm. They had a bit too much urgency I felt, a desperation even. Passes were off and rushed. Thankful to see the first goal because a frustrating half wouldn't have been good.

After that, the game seemed academic. Still, a few more in the second half will do wonders for the GD.

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An excellent half, after the first goal. Surprised to see Fulham defending at home, when they are trying to get out of the relegation zone. Crosses from the wings headed in, not quite the way we usually play, but this is a message to those who think they can defend against us, and get a point. This is our plan B, if passing doesn't work.


Adebayor's reach is amazing. The 2nd goal was an excellent header, maybe 10 feet in the air .


The away crowd has been fantastic. Outsinging the Cottagers. Senderos' broken nose looked bad, it should have been a sending off for Dempsey for a elbow straight in Sendi's face, if only the referee had seen it.

Reading are playing well against United. Still goalless there. If it stays like this, back on top. Come on Reading.

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I think the elbow might have been a harsh red. He was up in the air and arm out but really didn't swing it, that I saw anyway. A yellow could have been justified. Not the end of the world, Sendy is ok and Arsenal don't need to be a man up.

By the way, where can I get a set of Clichy's wheels. Man he's fast!

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Considering what Arteta got, this one was definitely worse. These days, an elbow gets a straight red. Aynway, true we don't need to be a man up, but this is a good opportunity to close the gap on Man Utd's GD.

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United score. Rooney finishes it off.

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Excellent goal by Rosicky, what commitment to get to the end of that ball and put it in. Commanding performance. Still second, but more of these, and it would be just a matter of time before we get back on top. Everyone had a good game. The commentator's quote "They must be feeling they are back at Highbury" summed it up.

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Ha. I was more entertained by "this is the football equivalent of a leisurely stroll by the Thames for Arsenal". I love English commentators.


Good point to note... Arsenal have played 7 London derbies and have won them all. That's dominance in the good ol' capital.

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This is the way we must play. What a good perfomance.

I have to say I was a bit afraid of the match today morning. Despite of the fact that it would be a boost if we win, we would definitely waste our entire season if we had one more poor perfomance.

This week brought lots of confidents headlines in Arsenal.com. Wenger shouldered the responsability for the disappointing result and then affirmed we would really do better against Fulham. To sum up, the Frenchman spent the whole week saying today's match would really show what his squad is able to do. And that is what I was fearing about the match. Not only the boos but the entire world were putting lots of pressure on the squad, and I really thought that losing today would be a disaster. Luckily, the thing I was fearing about did not happen.

The match had just began and Gael Clichy crossed superbly well right to Emmanuel Adebayor's head. One-nil to The Arsenal. An early lead would give the confidence we needed to keep the pace and just keep playing. And what made me really happy was the fact that we did not lose the focus after taking the lead - just like we did against Birmingham a week ago. And then, Adebayor passed to Mathieu Flamini at the wing, the Frenchman almost lost the possesion of the ball but his commitment to the match - I must say - helped him to complete the pass to Alexander Hleb, who crossed the ball that found Adebayor's head, once again. Two-nil Arsenal. Almost in the end, Cesc Fabregas passed a through ball to Eduardo (and what a pass), the croatian then assisted Tomas Rosicky who scored our last goal and did put Arsenal back on business.

A point I would like to highlight is that our team celebrated together the three goals. They hugged themselves enthusiastically, and that is what we want to see. We want them to stay together, united as a real team. And after watching Flamini's perfomance and commitment while watching the match, I can say I really doubt he is going to leave us.

Keep playing this way and we can beat anyone.