The annual trip to Underhill yielded a 2-1 victory to Arsenal. As usual the match could be presented as the future Arsenal with a host of youngsters in the starting line-up for the Gooners.

I believe there are many positives from the match with the performance of Nacer Barazite, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshire, Jay Simpson and others who are hoping to break into the first team soon rather than later. Most of other Arsenal blogs have picked up on this.

The thing for me is that I could not bring myself to love the home kit sported by Arsenal during the match. From photos of the match I just felt like this is not the Arsenal that I know.

It could grow on me as the season goes on but I do not think I would be able to love that shirt at all, the same goes for last season's white away kit.

Arsenal = red body + white sleeves. Period.

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After so long without any major transfer acitivity since the departure ofMatt Flamini to Milan and the arrival of Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff, I woke up to the news that Gilberto and Alex Hleb have left Arsenal.

The former would certainly be missed for his professionalism and humble attitude which should endear him much to the fans of his new club, Panathinaikos. I did not think the departure of Hleb would be missed by much at Arsenal.

The Belarussian should have found the net more frequently with the skills that he has but the return of just ten goals in all the matches he played would not push him into the same mould as Robert Pires, the one who many Gooners would like to the same kind of player to don the red and white (or whatever left of it) colours of Arsenal.

There are a few unknown quantity in the Arsenal side for next season. I am waiting eagerly how Samir Nasri would fit in the Arsenal style of play though he already expressed his eagerness to be working with a coach like Arsene Wenger.

Then, there are the youngsters Ramsey and Carlos Vela of Mexico. I believe Theo Walcott will be given more responsibility during the coming season by Wenger as many Gooners are hoping that he would realise more and more of his potentials that saw him taken to Germany during the last World Cup.

If Abou Diaby could do a Flamini or emulate what Marcos Senna had done for Spain during EURO 2008, that would enable Cesc Fabregas and Nasri to do more damage up-front to the oppositions. Even the Brazilian Denilson is capable of doing the same function.

The only area that really disappointed me is the Adebayor protracted transfer saga. I chose to believe in him last season despite him missing a hatful of scoring chances. Unfortunately, the reward was a demand of a hefty pay rise to be at par with the legendary Thierry Henry. 

Par with Thierry? Are you for real?

Now, I really wish that he would go to Barcelona (which is quite unlikely unless Sam Eto'o makes his move too). Despite not having many opportunity I really hope Niklas Bendtner would be able to step up and relegate the Togonator to the bench.

So much to look forward to and I just cannot wait!

Up the Arse!

The new home kit is simply a turn off.

For me an Arsenal home kit would always have white sleeves and a red body. The new one certainly reminds me of the Charlton kit from a few seasons back and also the one worn by Middlesbrough.

Furthermore, taking away the badge and the sponsor's logo, we could have an ordinary shirt that are sported by many teams all over the world. With the white sleeves, the first thing that most likely will come to a football fan's mind is Arsenal.

In this time of crass commercialisation, the manufacturer simply decided to do away with traditions. What else could explain the white away kit from last season. Promoting it as a commemorative to the great Herbert Chapman, it was something that would make him turn in his grave.

I have bought quite a number of Arsenal kits over the years, since they were made available to us overseas supporters. The first one that I bought was for the 1994-95 season at a cost of RM165. It was the first kit by nike after Arsenal decided to move from Adidas.

The last kit I bought was the home kit preceding the new one at a cost of RM240. It looks like that was the last one for quite sometime, unless the rumoured yellow and dark blue away kit materialises.

Now that one, I would not mind paying for.

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It has been a while.

The EURO2008 has concluded with Spain emerging from their nearly-men tag to become champions for the first time since 1964. If interested, you could go here to find my views in regards of the competition.

It is most unfortunate that the main news these days are about how Manu Adebayor demanded his salary to match what Thierry Henry earned during his time with the Gunners. I am sure many would have agreed with me that Adebayor is no Henry, unless he could emulate his achievement last season and find the net thirty times or more in 2008-09.

But as someone commented on an Arsenal fansite, with the number of chances created by the Arsenal midfield, Adebayor should have kept pace with manures' Cristiano Ronalfoo all the way for the Golden Boot Award.

For me, he is not a finished article that entitles him to demand a hundred thousand plus pounds weekly wages. Thus, if another club like Barcelona or AC Milan would be able to cough up the dough for the Togolese, then by all means; take it.

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Arsenal.com reported that the new home kit is a hit with the fans who flocked to The Armoury to get their hands on it.

There have been many debates about the kit which, in my opinion do not represent Arsenal at all. We have always been proud with the white sleeves which make us a bit distinct from the rest. Now, as someone correctly commented, take away the badge and you would see it as a Middlesbrough or Charlton kit from a few seasons back.

It is NOT something that I will fork out RM260+ for.

There is this nagging feeling that the kit designer is a sp*ds fan in disguise, hence the white away jersey last season. Despite being promoted as a commemorative to the great Herbert Chapman, I just could not bring myself to wear a white Arsenal jersey.

My preference would be the third kit which rarely made an appearance. Even the green and dark combination from the early eighties looked a much better option than to wear white.

The best away jersey for me was the 1988-89 season, when we defied all odds to win 2-0 at Anfield, securing our first League title since the double in 1970-71 season. There have been a number sites which featured the photos of the supposedly new away kit.

The resemblance to the the 1989 kit is welcomed and hopefully that if it true then I really hope that we would be able to emulate what Messrs. Lukic, Adams, Rocastle, Thomas, Merson, Smith had done that evening in May; and more.

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Well done to Cesc Fabregas for becoming the EURO2008 winner with his nation, Spain.

Now what I would like to see is him helping Arsenal to a few silverwares this season, something we have threatened to do every season but in the end finished them empty handed.

It is not like I am going to switch my allegiance to another team if they failed (God forbids) to win anything but it would make it much, much sweeter to see major cups flocking to the Emirates for the first time and making it their home for a long, long time.

The close season is something that can make your head go spinning around with all the transfer rumours circling around.

Truthfully, I am quite pissed off with the one about Manu Adebayor. If it is true that he is demanding the sort of money just after a season of excellence, then I would really glad to see him gone. The Togolese should have kept pace with manure's Ronalfoo on the goal count had he has more finesse in front of goal.

Most Gooners stood by him despite seeing him missing chances again and again. And he did not take that into consideration, than it is better for him to say good-bye to us all.

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The champions of Europe are going to be determined in a few hours time with traditional favourite Germany playing pereenial big time choker Spain.

The Germans were not entirely convincing during their match against Turkey. However, the usual phrase of being mentally strong came to the fore by snatching the winner in the dying moments with the score tied at 2-2.

Spain on the other hand continued their impressive form with a comprehensive 3-0 win over a resurgent Russian side. Despite becoming a late favourite with many football fans, especially after eliminating the Dutch in the previous round, Russia were never really in the match.

Both teams were rocked by injury news coming into the final with Spain has to play without David Villa and talismatic captain Michael Ballack is a doubtful starter for the Germans. However, both coaches are expected to come up with their own game-plan to overcome those setbacks.

I really would like to see Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas taking the centre-stage again irrespective of him being in the first eleven or as it was in the semi-final match against Russia, coming from the bench and making an impact to the match.

Being a sentimentalist, my heart also goes to Jen Lehmann, who despite leaving Arsenal for Stuttgart in July, still remain one of my favourite Arsenal player.

With the EURO2008 being touted as the best edition for quite sometime, fans could look forward to an exciting finale to the second largest football event in the world.

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The mental strength of Cesc Fabregas was evident this morning when he successfully converted the fifth Spanish penalty to take his country to the last four of EURO2008. It is not a small feat considering he was facing the towering figure of Gianluigi Buffon, one of the world's best goalkeeper.

Now Spain are going to face Russia, who overcame the odds by beating Robin Van Persie's Netherland yesterday. Despite having won their group encounter 4-1, nobody in the Spanish camp would dare to think they are going to have an easy ride this time around.

I for one would like to see Arsenal number four shine again in that match to book Spain's place against Jens Lehmann's Germany in the final.

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As a football fan perhaps I should have written something earlier about the on-going EURO2008 but I did not.

My policy in supporting any nation at any competition is the nation must have at least an Arsenal player, regardless of being the first choice or otherwise. Thus, from there you could see that my support has been thrown behind Switzerland (Senderos), Germany (Lehmann), Poland (Fabianski), Netherlands (Van Persie), France (Gallas) and Spain (Fabregas). The Czech Republic and Croatia would have my support too if Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo were fit to be selected.

The first quarter-final saw Germany eliminated Portugal which was a welcomed result especially the 3-2 win would see the end of the mugs from manure being broadcasted, polluting the airwaves with their smug faces.

I would be a neutral fan in the Croatia and Turkey match though I really would like to see the Turks making it to the last four. But missing several key players would make the Balkans as favourites, especially after winning all their three matches in their group to emerge ahead of Germany.

Later People!

Lukasz Fabianski is more likely to be given the starting position in Arsenal remaining matches in order to give him the necessary exposure of playing in the Premier League. This is according to the UK's Daily Mail.

If it is true then for me it is a good move by Arsene Wenger. Even though the Pole has performed well during the Carling Cup and reserve matches it is nothing better than to gain exposure by playing in the first team.

Hopefully, this piece of news will be true and I would be able to watch him keeping goal during our visit to Derby County on Monday.

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