OleOle - Football News and Opinion

summer of discontent part 2

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:43:07 +0100

I have spent a week looking at blogs,news,gossip the lot.

dont know about you guys but i agree with Harry Hotspur with commoli we didnt get harrods but at least we got news.

im itching like a smack head waiting for my fix (sorry west stand).

rumours and gossip currently suggest bugger all! its like a load of shit floating down the thames estuary!!!

any ITK`s out there whats going on?

i have heard that there is more credence to the YOUNG deal than is currently being accredited but has anyone got anything solid ???

i have also heard about Nani apparently available to spurs on a privilege basis?

Michael owen 120K a week if he plays scores and does psb`s missus!!!

Joe cole 12 million and 120k a week ? apparently Hr has persuaded Mr Levy that wages are the deciding factor for our pampered idols and he is willing to break the current structure!!

the Manc Priviledge basis - from what i have heard after the berba farce utd will not approach spurs for any players for 5 years and will give spurs first shout on available players ?

it is what swayed the deal for berba apparently!!!

what is your shout

Give it large lads!!!

COYS

Timbers Army tifo

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:36:46 +0100

For anyone who couldn't see the match last night. This will probably be remembered as the highlight of the evening. Simply amazing stuff from the Timbers Army, they're the cream of the crop in American sports. I'd honestly put their passion up against any team, from any league, in any sport in the United States.

Superb stuff.

Rossoneri Blog Video Of The Day: Clarence Seedorf

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:29:38 +0100

The Rossoneri midfielder played for Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Recently has been linked with Ajax return which he rejected. But is still a wonderful player, and this video shows it well. Enjoy...

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog

I Like Gazidis (so far) but Salary Cap...no way that will happen

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:48:50 +0100

I think that, on the whole, Gazidis has settled in quite nicely at Arsenal and his interview yesterday about the manner in which Arsenal want to and will strive to operate as a football club sits with me very well. His other comments about a salary cap tell more about his roots than of his real understanding of the "art f the possible" in the modern and more global world of football. American sports have always operated on the basis of trying to ensure there's a level playing field or, at least, an attempt to find one. With salary caps and the draft system favouring the weaker teams from the previous season, their method has some merits.

However, it's engrained in their system and that is so unlike the world of the modern footballer. With players able to move across the globe is it really possible that UEFA or FIFA will see this as a issue that they want to address? Platini himself goes on and on about the Premier League or Real Madrid being obscene but he knows that aside from the clubs themselves deciding it's in their best interests then it ain't gonna happen - even if it's something the EU wouldn't object too since Rugby has used salary caps in both codes.

Nope I'll be quite happy to see us go on the path we are following and we might suffer from a results and success perspective but if it means that Arsenal are still here in 50 years time then that's all right by me. As for Madrid and Man City et al, good luck to them in handling all those egos and wasting huge salaries on individuals who deserve little of it.

Arsenal Caption Competition No.69

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:04:42 +0100

From the reactions of the Chavs in the background I'm gonna guess that it isn't photoshopped, so, for 8 points, WTF?

Real Madrid go Dutch ... then go back

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:55:31 +0100

As some of my more regular readers (nobody) may know, my expertise, football wise, stretches far beyond the great Arsenal Football Club. Indeed, the most viewed post I have written was about jurisdiction in football. In fact, if you were to type 'jurisdiction in football' into Google you would find my post. So I thought I would write less about Arsenal and more about Real Madrid (today only). When a mate was over at my house we decided that Real Madrid were being stupid and buying too many players. So we drew up their best team.

4-4-2 formation

Casillas

Ramos Pepe Heinze Marcelo

Gago

Ronaldo Robben

Kaka

Raul Benzema

Complaints? I didn't think so. So who are we leaving out

Lass Diarra, signed for £20 Million 7 months ago
Gonzalo Higuain, £12 Million 3 1/2 years ago
Daniel Parejo Munoz signed for £18 Million 7 months ago
Guti, vice captain, played over 350 games for Real Madrid
Metzelder, signed on a free, possibly gone to Besiktas, still not sure
Raul Abidol, new man, replaces Heinze? £13 Million this window
Miguel Torres, played 14 games last season
Javi Garcia, 15 games after being signed for £3 Million
Mahamadou Diarra, signed 3 years ago for £22 Million

This is only those who aren't Dutch. You see, in the past few years Real Madrid have gone Dutch. They signed Sneijder £23m, Robben £24m, Drenthe £12m, Huntelaar £23m (this is particularily disappointing for The Sun because whenever he scored they would scream 'PURE KLAAS' I would've loved to read that), van der Vaart £13m, and Ruud van Nistelrooy £15m because Fergie hated him. 6 Dutch players, 8 Spainiards on this team. Arsenal sign Frenchmen, Liverpool sign Spainiards, Real Madrid sign Dutch. They have a bigger Dutch fascination than Australia.

My point? Real Madrid are spending too much, on too many. They pay money for players, who are their assets. But because they have too many assets they will not be able to get the most value out of their assets. So I come to a conclusion, they are buying players for marketting alone. Not much of a shock after Beckham but that is irellevant. I have so far stopped short of saying G*l*c**c*s. But Real Madrid will not do well in the League or Champion's League. Their Midfield has totally changed, save Gago and Robben, Ronaldo comes from a counter attacking side, Kaka comes from a defensive side, Raul has played with Madrid for years, so when two players come in and want the team built around themselves he is going to have to adapt to two players playing different styles, Benzema is going to have to get into a style a long way from the small town of the French Ligue 1.

So, lets put everything together. The Dutch players have been pushed out, great players who deserve playing time, which is difficult because if they played together they could work very well because they have been taught under the same people, they are buying and not selling, thus lowering the return they will get from their assets, and they are buying players that will expect (due to their fee) that the team will be based around them, players who have different styles of play that will eventually confuse and complicate Madrid and unsettle the team.

In other news, the Arsenal are boring boring, the press are too interested with Madrid to worry about Arsenal.

Best, Goon

Bramble transfer rumour dismissed!

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:28:26 +0100

Thank God for that, this morning we were linked with a move, or to be precise a swap deal for Wigan's Titus Bramble, apparently the Latics wanted Barry Bannan, one of our brightest youngsters, while we were interested in Bramble to add some depth to our defence. Now anyone in their right mind would see this as a ridiculous decision, and thankfully the club (via express & star) has come out and dismissed the rumour. Which is a very nice thing to read, as the defenders we have now, (Cuellar, Davies and Knight) are all a lot better than Bramble. Add to this the possibility of losing a very good youngster seems mad. So very happy to have heard that rumour has been dismissed.

To add to this little update, I have just read about Kevin Doyle's recent transfer to Wolves, today apparentley he has come out and said that he rejected offers from Villa and Everton for his services.

Anyhow more to come shortly....

...everyone keep their heads up and hopefully some movement over the next few days or so! Up the Villa!

Sportwetten Vergleichstest

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:21:40 +0100

3 Monate lang haben die Tester von Wettfreunde insgesamt 7 der bekanntesten Anbieter für online Sportwetten auf Herz und Nieren getestet. Fünf der wichtigsten Qualitäts-Bereiche für die Auswahl eines bestimmten Anbieters wurden einer genauen Prüfung unterzogen und danach mit 0-10 Punkten benotet. Theoretisch konnten also insgesamt 50 Punkte erreicht werden, die volle Punktezahl hat aber keiner der Kanditaten erreicht.

Der Idealnote am nähesten kam der internationale Sportwetten Anbieter Interwetten mit 45 Punkten. Damit hat sich Interwetten auf den ersten Platz geschoben und gilt somit als Testsieger dieses Bewerbs. Interwetten zeigte in keinem der getesteten Bereiche wesentliche Schwächen, was zu diesem hervorrangenden Gesamtergebnis und dem hohen Punktestand führte. Besonders zu erwähnen ist die Kategorie Sicherheit und Seriösität - dort konnte Interwetten aufgrund seiner langen Erfahrung mit online Wetten (Interwetten ist bereits seit 1997 in diesem business tätig und zählt damit zu den absoluten Pionieren dieser Branche) die volle Punktezahl 10 erreichen und somit die Konkurrenz abhängen.

Auch in den Bereichen Wettangebot und Kundenservice hielt sich Interwetten hervorragend - mit jeweils 9 Punkten wurde das Punktekonto weiter aufgebaut. Nochmals 9 Punkte für die tadellose Website und die einfache Navigation bzw. Wettabgabe und immerhin 8 Punkte für die Qualität der Wettquoten führten zum Gesamtscore von 45 Punkten und damit auch zu Testsieg.

An zweiter Stelle landete das britische Unternehmen Bet365. Zwei Punkte Rückstand auf Interwetten und insgesamt 43 erreichte Punkte lautete das Endergebniss für die Engländer. Dieser Anbieter zeigte das beste Wettangebot im gesamten Testfeld und konnte in diesem Bereich die vollen 10 Punkte abräumen. Auch bei den Wettquoten war der Wettanbieter unter den besten - hier gab es 9 Punkte, nur Expekt war mit 10 Punkten noch einen Tick besser.

An dritter Stelle fand sich Expekt wieder - eben hautpsächlich aufgrund des hervorrangenden Wettquoten Niveaus. Aber auch in vielen anderen Bereichen ist dieser Anbieter überaus empfehlenswert. Nur der etwas schwache Kundenservice kostete Expekt ein paar Punkte und damit ein noch besseres Ergebnis.

Neben dem Testsieger Interwetten konnten auch die Anbieter auf den hinteren Plätzen durchaus Stärken aufweisen, sodaß sich ein näherer Blick auf diese Wettanbieter durchaus auch lohnen kann

Todays rumours - Gudjohnson.....etc....

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:45:06 +0100

Today we have again been linked with the likes of Eiduer Gudjohnson and Stewart Downing. Now many of you will know that I think the Gudjohnson one could be a good signing if there is any truth in it, but in the case of Downing I honestly don't feel like this would be a good move for the club, as we already have two good wingers, in Ashley Young and James Milner, and more to the point I just dont think he is as good as them.

Another rumour doing the rounds today is that we are apprentley interested in Lille's Brazilian full-back Micheal Bastos (Express & Star). God knows which rumours are true, its just getting to the point where you just hope we sign someone good and do it very shortly as time is creeping ever closer to our first pre-season game.

The most expensive transfers Premiership style - Part One

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:36:18 +0100

Hi and hello football fans, it's your old pal Roko the Football Guy, whats going down? I hope all is well wherever you are! Me and the minions here in the broom closet at football guy towers are really enjoying the sun and will continue to do so for as long as it last..... We all know it's too good to last...... A bit like Hull City last season......

Anyway, I think we can all agree that there has been some rather large amounts of money thrown around this summer so far - Kaka (£56m) C-Ron (£80m) Football Guys party bill last Friday (£***). Now the first two will probably be worth it in the end but I guess time will tell on the third. They say money can't buy you success, well I say it can take you a long way.

So basically what I'm going to do is run through each Premiership season and grade the most expensive signing of that season. Let's see if - Money = Success.

1992/93 Alan Shearar to Blackburn - £3.3m - Grade = A

Just before the inaugural Premiership season Blackburn managed to outbid United and snag Big Al from Southampton for a British record fee.

I think we can all say it was quite a successful move. He and Chris Sutton formed the famous SAS partnership that brought Blackburn a league title for the first time in 81 years.

Big Al also won both the PFA player of the year award and the Football writers player of the year award during his four year spell at the club.

The most impressive part though was his goal scoring record - 171 games = 130 goals - and in the league it was even better - 138 games = 112 goals.

This would have been an A+ but due to the relatively short time he spent at Ewood and the lack of success in two European campaigns bring it down just a tad.

1993/94 Roy Keane to United - £3.75m - Grade = A+

Basically all I need to say is this -

Premier League (7): 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
FA Cup (4): 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
FA Community Shield (4): 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003
UEFA Champions League: 1999
Intercontinental Cup: 1999

United paid what was a British Record at the time but boy was it worth it. The Premiership still has not replaced him.

1994/95 Andy Cole to United - £6m - Grade = B

It was actually £6m + Keith Gillespie but who cares about Keith.

Whilst Blackburn had SAS, United went on to have Yorke and Cole which was far more successful.

It was the third season in a row the British transfer record (BTR) was broken and by and large it was a good signing.

It only got a B though due to the fact Cole never won the golden boot or scored more than 19 goals in any league campaign which is not that great considering United pad a BTR for him.

1995/96 Stan Collymore to Liverpool - £8.4m - Grade = E

Guess what - BTR broken for a fourth season in a row, this time though it was not such a good idea.

Collymore had the talent, but unfortunately he will be remembered more for his off field activities. He actually cost more that Dennis Bergkamp who was bought that same summer for £7.5m

The only real highlights for me were his goals in that 4-3 thriller against Newcastle, but again they were over shadowed by his sexual deviancy and beating up Ulrika Johnson.

1996/97 Alan Shearer to Newcastle - £15m - Grade = B+

Fifth season in a row that the BTR was broken, only this time it was also the World Record.

He went on to score 206 goals for Newcastle and become the clubs leading all time goal scorer, but the fact they never won anything slips this form a A or A+ to just a B+.

I know that's not just down to him, but transfers have to be looked at in regard to what was achieved as well and for Newcastle unfortunately, very little was.

1997/98 Les Ferdinand to Tottenham - £6m - Grade = D

Finally, not BTR!!!!

Ferdinand, or Sir Les to you and I, had six rather injury plagued season at Spurs.

He never managed to score more than 10 league goals in a season but he did help Spurs win the League gup in 1999 and almost again in 2002.

Learned how to fly a chopper whilst at Spurs.

1998/99 Dwight Yorke to United - £12.6m - Grade = B

Technically this was not the biggest transfer in the Premiership that year.

Nicolas Anelka moving from Arsenal to Real Madrid was but since he was leaving well will talk about Yorkey in stead.

It was a club record signing for United and I would have graded it higher if not for the fact he only spent four years there. But boy were they good.

Three Premierships One Champions League One FA Cup.

1999/00 Sehiy Rebrov to Tottenham - £11m - Grade = F

Remember when Shevchenko and Rebrov were terrorizing defenses in the Champions League? Yeah I do!! Well Sheva and Rebrov were like Wham in their heyday and unfortunately for Spurs when "Wham" broke up George Michael (Sheva) went to AC Milan and they got stuck with Andrew Ridgely (Rebrov).

What makes me laugh is the fact Arsenal bought Henry that same summer for less money....... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........hahahaha.

10 league goals in four years sat it all.

To be continued......

Karim Benzema Signs for Real Madrid

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:11:25 +0100

Real Madrid has signed their fourth player this summer with none other than the most promising, Karim Benzema. The deal was announced by the media hours before the official confirmation came from Lyon followed by a confirmation from Real Madrid. I understand some of the unsatisfied voices that wanted David Villa instead but consider this; people always criticized Señor Perez for not signing youth promising players and this deal shows that he has learned from his mistakes (not all of them, he still should sign some defenders :OP)

The deal is set at €39 million which may rise to €41 million after bonuses. Karim Benzema will sign a six year contract.

Player Bio & Statistics:

Born 19 December 1987, Lyon's Karim Benzema, the Fench international is considered by pundits a start of the future. Often compared to ex-Real Madrid player Brazilian Ronaldo, Benzema is known for his killer instincts on goal, off the ball movement and dribbling. Before joining Real Madrid, Benzema was one of the highest paid French players in Ligue 1.

As of 27 May 2009

Club	Season	League			Cup			Europe			Total
Club	Season	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
Olympique Lyonnais	2004-05	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	1
	2005-06	13	1	1	2	2	1	1	1	0	16	4	2
	2006-07	21	5	2	4	1	0	3	2	0	28	8	2
	2007-08	36	20	5	9	7	1	7	4	1	52	31	7
	2008-09	36	17	2	3	1	0	8	5	1	47	23	3
Total		112	43	11	18	11	2	19	12	2	149	66	15
Real Madrid CF	2009-10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total		112	43	11	18	11	2	19	12	2	149	66	15

Written by: Hamdi Al-Haddad (Thedangerzolo)

Hala Madrid!

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Could City replace Arsenal?

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:32:38 +0100

By Michael Sinnerton

As Manchester City eye-up a new set of world-class strikers in a Real Madrid-lite move, should Arsenal fans be worrying about their position in the top four?

If City do line up with Eto'o, Tevez and Robinho next season then their fire power doesn't seem far off Arsenal's, a slightly weaker back-line and attacking midfield is countered by a much stronger goalkeeper and huge strength in depth in defensive midfield - one of Kompany, Barry or De Jong could make a huge difference to the balance of Arsenal's midfield.

Having a look at two feasible line-ups for next season:

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna; Vermaelen; Gallas; Clichy; Nasri; Song; Fabregas; Rosicky; Arshavin; Van Persie

Man City: Given; Zabaleta; Richards; Dunne; Bridge; Ireland; Barry; De Jong; Robinho; Eto'o' Tevez

My combination line up would see: Given; Sagna; Gallas; Dunne; Clichy; Nasri; Barry; Fabregas; Ireland; and then any of the strikers interchangeably. So four City players to five from Arsenal. Of course this does depend on City signing two world-class strikers but the potential strength in depth at City, with Elano, Johnson, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Petrov and Santa Cruz all not making my potential first XI above, is frightening.

As a Liverpool fan I find myself more often than not worrying about dropping out of the top floor than whether we can make a title charge. I hoped this year would be different, and if we can sign one more world-class player without losing anyone I could be right. It seems pretty unlikely that City have what it takes to win the title just yet but their strength in depth given a few more top quality signings is already good enough to match the top four.

Where they lack at the moment is go-to-guys, the players who seem to win your club most of their points. Liverpool, of course, have Torres and Gerrard; Chelsea have Lampard and Drogba, and Arsenal Fabregas. With Manchester United selling their main go-to-man the title race is wider open than it has been in the few seasons. At the moment City do not have that player, Robinho has shone in patches but mainly when they have dominated while the same could probably said of Stephen Ireland (who probably comes closest to filling this role).

Without this kind of player City may find themselves struggling to crack the top four but if someone at the club steps up, or one of their world-class potential singings really comes off then the Champions League elite could see a newcomer making waves quicker than we think.

The Gallas dilemma - Gazidis talks + tittle tattle

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:14:31 +0100

Morning all, how typical the first morning I have to be up and about early I sleep it in. I blame the huge thunderstorm we had last night. That was loud. I also blame the thunderstorm for me, several hours previously, setting the alarm on my phone for entirely the wrong time.

A quick run through what's happening then. A lot of talk about William Gallas. He spoke about his future yesterday, saying:

I am at Arsenal, my contract is still valid for a year, so I am an Arsenal player. We have not talked about renewing the contract, but I am relaxed and looking forward to next season with Arsenal.

The Mirror reports that he will not extend his contract which is no great surprise. The expectation around the club for quite some time is that Gallas would leave this summer. But with Kolo Toure linked continuously with Man City and Sylvester with Bordeaux (hurrah!) the odds on his departure are shortened.

Obviously it leaves the manager with something to think about. We could see Gallas play out of his skin as he puts himself in the shop window for one last move next summer. The other thing we have to take into account though is the fact Wenger is not that keen on playing players whose contracts are expiring. We saw Wiltord essentially frozen out in his last campaign, a convenient injury preventing him from playing, and even Edu, to an extent suffered the same way.

Can he be sure that Gallas, having signed for another club in January perhaps, will give 100% for Arsenal? Will he risk injury in a 50-50?

There are rumours about signing another defender, yesterday Naldo from Werder Bremen was linked with their coach saying:

We expect to move him for somewhere in the region of €10 million, and English side Arsenal is as of now the most likely destination.

Interesting but at the moment it's down to the manager. If he feels he can get one good season out of Gallas, and it'd be about time if he did, then he'll probably keep him, but all the same I wouldn't be surprised to see him go. I'm not sure about Inter though, didn't Gallas have a rather public falling out with the Portucunt? Anyway, we'll see. And either way I'd take another defender.

Hertha Berlin are the latest team to show interest in Philippe Senderos. He's got plenty of clubs after him, some in Germany, Villa in the Premier League and Fiorentina in Italy. There's also the prospect of him staying at Arsenal.

Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal CEO, has spoken about a possible salary cap in football, saying:

I think it is worth our while to investigate whether there are elements of the salary cap system, which they have in US NFL and baseball, which would benefit football. Clubs have a duty to provide more stability in our business models and some form of wage restraint is one element worth looking at. There are many different ways in which it could work.

As wages and transfer fees sky-rocket in direct opposition to everything else in the world, every other kind of business, it's going to get to a stage where something like this could help level the playing field. If a club could only spend a certain percentage of their income on wages then it wouldn't matter how much cash your sugar daddy had. Of course they'd find a way around it but it's getting to the point where something has to be considered, I think.

And speaking about the rights issue proposed by Fat & Orange, Gazidis said:

I am open-minded and we have commissioned Rothschild to advise the board. We have to be sure it can make a real and lasting contribution to the club.

But you have to think the rights issue is something the board, given its long term strategy and the fact it's come from Usmanov, will not be taking up. He goes on to say:

I am sure that our fans do not believe Arsenal is better served by abandoning its self-sustaining model and putting itself in the hands of owners upon whom it is dependent. They want success, and our challenge is to provide it in a model that preserves the traditions and values of Arsenal football club.

There may well be some fans who think we should take whatever money we can get and spunk it on players and massive salaries but for the most part I think fans are mindful of the dangers of the kind of ownership which sees clubs become a rich man's play-thing. He's right about success though, the self-sustaining model must be good enough to marry finances with success on the pitch and trophies in our cabinet.

Aaron Ramsey has signed a new long-term deal at the club, which is good news. However, I don't think it'd be a surprise if this announcement was followed by one which saw him go out on loan for the season ahead.

The Sun reports Birmingham want Armand Traore on loan. Makes sense. It's hard to see where he fits in at the moment. Clichy is the first choice left back and after the strides he made last season Kieran Gibbs is next in line.

Emmanuel Adebayor's agent is a bit tetchy this weather, is seems. He says:

You will have to ask Mr Wenger if there has been an offer from Milan, or any other clubs, to Arsenal because I have heard nothing about any contact or any offer that has been made, so I don't know what the situation is. Speak to Mr Wenger.

I'm sure Mr Wenger will tell you what's going on when he's good and ready, Mr Courbis.

Finally for today: Bryn James, you're too young to be reading this filth. And Ronaldo never loved you back. NEVER!

Right, gotta run. Till tomorrow.

Female Intuition Let's Me Down...Again

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:25:06 +0100

So I made a grand statement in my comeback blog yesterday that I had a funny feeling about Benzema and the rumours surrounding our alleged interest in him. Turns out it was a strange feeling, but it was indigestion rather than any sort of psychic ability. Pop a Rennie and Benzema heads to Real Madrid for €far more than we would have paid.

The best rumour I heard yesterday was that Bordeaux want Butternut. This time there is no intuition/indigestion influencing my decision to believe in this one, it is a simple case of wanting it to be true so much that I am willing to put my faith in it. Isn't that what being an Arsenal fan has become anyway recently? The willingness to believe even when we should know better? Ack, that's just the heat talking, we chose to believe because Wenger is God. And even God gets it wrong sometimes, just look at the 25!

Speaking of which, it seems that his transfer to AC Milan is creeping closer. The bookies have taken enough money off me over the years that I know not to argue with them.

Today we are linked once again with Cana, a player with the experience we need for that midfield role (though I still think playing Kolo there is an option if Man City don't offer him £200,000 pw plus and £kazillion sign-on fee). He wants to join us (so says his agent) and I wouldn't have any objections to his arrival but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Will we be raiding Marseille for the second time in under a year? Knowing Wenger he'll sign somebody nobody has heard off and he'll blow us away. Faith people, faith.

William Gallas is playing down any possible move to Inter which is only good news if Butternut leaves. I will not tolerate both of them staying, and only someone with a butternut for a brain would want butternut to stay. Nepotism and all that. If Gallas does stay I can't see us renewing his contract at the end of next season, and by that stage hopefully Djourou will have moved forward enough in his development that he will be a natural replacement with another youngster coming through to fulfil Johan's role as back-up. See how it is all starting to come together?

Away from players not coming nor going, ultimately perhaps, to the most important 'transfer' at Arsenal, and Wenger is giving hints that he could be extending his contract at the Grove. What is the 'ultimate end' that Wenger wishes to stay and see? I really hope its us winning the quad, could you imagine, the first team winning the league, champions league and FA Cup, while the kids thrash all that come before them in the Spuds Cup? I'm smiling just thinking about it. Could very well wet myself should it happen, and do you know what, I wouldn't care!

There is more concrete great news in that Aaron Ramsey has signed a 'long-term' extension to the contract he only originally signed last year. I guess everyone is liking what they're seeing, except the fans, cause we don't get to see much of him which is a shame. There are rumours around that he could be heading of the Birmingham on a season-long loan, and this deal could just be a way of saying to him 'off course we want you, we just want you to have more experience', you know how fragile players can be. Alternatively, it could be because he is a fantastic player and we want to tie him down for as long as we can. Who can tell! Take a hint RVP, sign your name too!

I forgot to say something yesterday about our new third kit so I'll give my thoughts a brief mention just by saying blurrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It shows how bad it is when the away kit actually starts to look decent beside it. Seriously, who picks these things? And who isn't slapping them hard when they do? And if Nike can't grasp what an Arsenal kit is, then fuck 'em, there's plenty of other options out there. I. STILL. WANT. MY. WHITE. SLEEVES. BACK. BTW in case anyone had foolishly thought I'd moved on.

I think I need to lie down.

That's your lot...til tomorrow....

US Open Cup Third Round - Day 2

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:12:00 +0100

Austin Aztex 0 : 2 Houston Dynamo. Not many got to see this match because of internet issues at Nelson Field in Austin. I thought Austinites were supposed to be handy with technology? The result isn't much of a surprise, the Dynamo are one of the top clubs in the United States and the Aztex are in their first professional season. Houston will face Charleston in their quarterfinal, Charleston and Houston have a history in the Open Cup and Charleston have gotten the better of the Texas side both times they've met.

The second match of the evening was a renewal of one of the most historic rivalries in American soccer as Portland and Seattle met at PGE Park. Before the match Portland displayed a brilliant tifo featuring a lumberjack and the space needle as well as a sign reading "a league below, a class above", we need to see more stuff like that here.

However, any energy Portland had from that display was pulled right out of them as Seattle scored after just 40 seconds of play. A Roger Levesque diving header found it's way passed Cronin who had a miserable night in goal. Seattle would go two goals up later on with a blast from Stephen King in the 26th minute. Despite this Portland tried to fight back and even clawed back a goal through Keita Mandjou just before half-time.

The second half featured close chances for both teams but neither could find the net again as the match ended 2-1 to Seattle. The Sounders will now face Kansas City at Starfire Stadium in the quarterfinals.

Lucky Numbers

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

With 16 days to go to our first pre season friendly and the boss stating a while back that he wanted to complete his transfer dealings before pre season commenced we can hopefully expect a lot of action very soon. We are linked with Naldo of Werder Bremen who is a 6' 6" Brazilian centre back who I don't know too much about but at least he has the stature we require at the back. Aaron Ramsey has signed a new long term contract and Gallas claims has pledged his allegiance to the club. On the other hand it appears that Silvestre may be on the way out with a couple of clubs sniffing around. Another player who doesn't seem to have a future at the club is Senderos and again there are a few clubs interested in him. I fully expect both players to be on the way out very soon to make way for some more signings. One player who won't be signing for us is Benzema as he signed for Real Madrid last night but at least he didn't join Manure. Madrid are putting an awful lot of attacking players together but I wonder who will do all the donkey work for them.

As I said yesterday there has been some talk of Arsenal playing a 4-3-3 formation in the way Barcelona do. If you look at the players we have you would have to say it is a distinct possibility for some games next season. Ideally we would have Sagna & Clichy as attacking full backs with Vermaelen and a big stopper beside him in the centre and Almunia in nets of course. I would like to see our holding player as someone in the mould of Yaya Toure but as he has extended his contract at Barcelona I think we need a new signing in that position. Song would make a very able deputy in that position and he should get quite a few games too. In front of him we would have Cesc and maybe Nasri as the players to fill the roles of Xavi and Iniesta. I also think that Arshavin, Rosicky, Ramsey & Wilshere could play in these positions. My first choice in the centre would be Eduardo as I think this system would really suit him and we then would have Theo on the right with Arshavin or Rosicky on the left. Where would RVP fit into this team you may well ask and I suppose the wide left position would kind of suit him and he has played there for his country.

In this system the wide players are not really wingers and they can all interchange very easily. The full backs get forward when the wide players come inside and the anchorman needs to cover a huge amount of ground. It is also based on the team having a large majority of possession in games as it is set up to attack teams. The pace of our defenders would be crucial as we would be vulnerable on the break and the big stopper we need at the back is also crucial to defend set pieces. It would leave players who are not so technically gifted with a bit of a problem getting into the team and I think that Eboue, Denilson, Bendtner & the 25 would struggle as they are all prone to losing the ball too easily and they don't make up their minds quickly enough when in possession. I'm sure the manager has contemplated what his best formation is with the players he has available and I wouldn't be surprised to see us try to play with this formation on occasions in pre season. That's it for today.

Here's a clip of allof Theo's goals for Arsenal to date.

LINK

And to finish today's title track from the totally insane Lene Lovich. I wonder will 4-3-3 be the lucky numbers for us?

LINK

See You Tomorrow.

Barcelona 2009/10 squad will begin training for the new season at Bisham Abbey For Wembley Cup

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:59:22 +0100

Barcelona will start preparing for their pre-season tour when they visit England for Wembley Cup in which tottenham, Al-Ahly and Celtic will be playing. The Barça 2009/10 squad will begin training for the new season at Bisham Abbey, one of the leading sports complexes in England which stands some 10 minutes away from the team’s hotel. Barça will start training for the new season at Bisham Abbey during their preseason camp in England from 21 to 26 July. The sports complex is to be the venue for the first physical tests and practice matches after the players’ holidays. Similar to Wembley Bisham Abbey has been England’s training centre for many years, and to make the players feel at home the pitch is the same size as the one at Wembley where England play their home games. The facility has been expanded and now features three pitches side by side. Base for Portsmouth Portsmouth used the facility in the build-up to the FA Cup Final in 2008 when they lifted the trophy for the first time since 1939 by beating Cardiff City 1-0. As a result they qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Wembley Cup for preseason www.fcbarcelona.cat Barça will start the 2009/10 season with a tournament at the legendary stadium where the Catalans won their first European Cup. Tottenham, Al Ahly from Egypt and Glasgow Celtic will be the other teams. The first challenge for treble-winners Barça next season will be the Wembley Cup. The squad will be in London for pre-season training from 21 to 26 July and during that time they will play two friendlies at the legendary stadium where the club won its first European Cup. The games Celtic v Al Ahly kicks off the competition on Friday the 24th at 6.15 pm. Barça make their debut right afterwards at 9 pm against Spurs. The other games will be on the 26th, with Barcelona taking on Al Ahly at 2.15 pm and Tottenham going head-to-head with Celtic at 5 pm.

Alves adds to honours at Barcelona

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:55:13 +0100

Daniel Alves The Confederations Cup is Dani Alves’s 11th title between clubs and national teams. Only Henry, Eto'o and Márquez in the Barça squad have more. He’s only 26, but Dani Alves has already picked up an enviable amount of silverware. The Confederations Cup won on Sunday with Brazil comes in addition to the Spanish Cup and League and the Champions League he helped Barça to win in May. More titles with Seville, Brazil and SC Bahía In addition to the competitions won in 2009 Alves also won two UEFA Cups, a European Super Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup with Seville. Playing for Brazil he won the Copa América in 2007. Finally he won the Brazilian Interestatal title in 2002 with his first team Sporte Clube Bahía. That means he’s racked up eleven team titles with clubs and his national side. Most honours The Barça players who have won most titles are Thierry Henry (15) and Samuel Eto'o (14). They are closely followed by Rafa Márquez on 13. Behind Alves comes Xavi Hernández (10) and then Leo Messi, Carles Puyol and Andrés Iniesta, who have 9 each. Well according to Juan Laporta, he is the best right-back in the world. he has not scored a lot of goals this season. but has produced some great form with Barca in their defense which is still a problem with Barcelona.

Barcelona awaiting Eto’o response to new contract offer

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:48:44 +0100

Well Eto had been a success at Barcelona over these years, no one can deny that, but suddenly what turned his clock against it. well news had been all over that he is not playing for Barcelona any more. well the more chances are that he would leave for Man city. FC Barcelona are awaiting a response from Samuel Eto’o to their offer of a two-year contract extension. The contract would give the Cameroon striker two more years at the club, whilst maintaining the same salary. The club made the offer yesterday evening once the player’s agent had made clear Eto’o’s desire to stay at the Nou Camp. If he accepts the new deal, Eto’o’s contract will run until June 30th 2012. In a press conference held earlier today, Eto’o’s agent Josep Maria Mesalles explained that Eto’o “wants to stay and play out the year he still has left on his contract. He feels he can be useful at the club, but if the club or the manager doesn’t want him, he would be prepared to leave”. Mesalles went on to confirm that Eto’o had been informed of the club’s new offer by phone, but that he wished to consult with him in person before giving a public response. well we all await his fate.

Eto'o Prepared To Join Manchester City - Agent

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:45:18 +0100

Barcelona do not want Samuel Eto'o to stay despite a new contract offer, his agent believes... Samuel Eto'o could be set to join Manchester City despite Barcelona's offer of a new contract because he has become disillusioned with the Catalan club, according to his agent. The Cameroonian striker has stated that his first option would be to stay at Camp Nou, but Josep Maria Mesalles thinks that the Blaugrana are looking to edge him out after being told he is not wanted That belief is growing despite the offer of a two-year extension to his contract, and a move to Manchester City could be on the cards if all the criterior are met. "If we find out for sure that they don't want him, then we will do our best to find him another club and Manchester City would be a good option," Mesallaes told reporters in Barcelona. "There are only about six or seven clubs out there who could afford Samuel, but Manchester City is one and they are a serious club. "In theory he wants to play in the Champions League, but if Manchester City have an offer accepted, we would be delighted to go there," he said. Barcelona have made it clear that they do not see the striker who netted 29 league goals last term as part of their plans, despite the public declarations that they want him to stay. "We have had two meetings with the club and they have told us both times that Samuel is not in their plans for next season," Mesalles continued. "I don't know if they made the offer because they want him to stay or because they want to make money. "They want 30 to 35 million euros from his sale and that is unrealistic - he has one year left on his contract and they are asking for too much, especially in a year when he would play the African Cup of Nations and then the World Cup in the summer. "Samuel is very disappointed with Barcelona." Lucas Brown, Goal.com