Arsenal Londra Thread

[beavis]

Wenger's 13 greatest achievements in his 13 years at Arsenal

It's the 13 year anniversary of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. That makes him the club's longest standing manager and arguably their greatest. In fact, scratch that there's no argument about it, sorry Herbert Chapman, he is the greatest and here's his 13 finest Arsenal achievements.

1) Going a season unbeaten
Lehmann, Lauren, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Silva, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Bergkamp, Thierry Henry. In 2003-2004, Wenger's Arsenal became the first side to go through a league season unbeaten since Preston in 1888-1889. Amazingly not one member of that side remains at the club.

2) Making Arsenal settle quickly in their new home
So many clubs struggle in a new home and moving from that compact pitch at Highbury would have been a nightmare for most. It happened in such a dignified and easy manner for Arsenal, and that was down to Wenger.

3) Ditching Arsenal's long ball roots
It's almost hard to even think that even the great pre-Wenger Arsenal sides were known as hoof merchants. 1-0 to the Arsenal? It's more like 3-2 these days.

4) Turning Thierry Henry into the world's greatest striker
Take one mediocre winger from Juventus and turn him into a legend.

5) Winning the double in 1997-1998
When Arsene arrived at Arsenal the Evening Standard printed the headline "Arsene Who?". By the end of 1998 they knew exactly who.

6) Doing it again in 2001-2002
This achievement seems even greater when you realise Ray Parlour was in this side.

7) Winning the Premier League in 2003-2004
The unbeaten year.

8) Getting to the Champions League final
Sol Campbell scored against FC Barcelona in the 2006 final, the night remains the closest Arsenal have ever gone to winning the European Cup.

9) Winning the FA Cup 4 times
1998, 2002, 2003, 2005. And he's been runner up once too.

10) Replacing the irreplaceable back 4
Dixon, Winterburn, Tony Adams and Keown WERE Arsenal. They simply could not be replaced, but they were.

11) Letting Dennis Bergkamp do what he does best
For many Dennis Bergkamp is the greatest ever Premier League player and the space he was gifted to provide his magic was largely down to Arsene's system and tactics.

12) Knowing when to sell
Though the Premier League has suffered by his sales, unquestionable he got the timing of departures like Petit, Anelka and Henry spot on.

13) Buying Francis Jeffers
We joke of course! But Wenger gave at least it proved he was human when he signed "the fox in box" for £8 million.

[TwB-Edmond]

FT Arsenal - Blackburn 6 - 2 ( Vermaelen min.17, Van Persie min.33, Arshavin min.37, Fabregas min.57, Walcott min.75, Bendtner min.89 / N'Zonzi min.4, Dunn min.30 )

Rampant Arsenal hit Rovers for six

Cesc Fabregas produced a virtuoso display as Arsenal saw off the challenge of Blackburn 6-2 at The Emirates on Sunday afternoon.



The Gunners captain had a hand in all but one of the six goals, getting on the scoresheet himself during the second half as the home side recovered from going behind after just four minutes when Steven Nzonzi headed Rovers into a shock lead.

Arsene Wenger's young side once again showed their character to recover and record a third successive Premier League victory, a sixth in all competitions, which moves Arsenal into fourth place with the benefit of a match in hand.

Before kick-off visiting Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was given a warm reception by the Emirates Stadium faithful, the Barcelona forward having admitted he would one day love to return to his old club in some capacity - perhaps even as Wenger's eventual successor.

Rovers, though, had not read the script and took the lead on three minutes.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson sent a long free-kick from deep inside the visitors half into the Arsenal penalty area.

Nzonzi got up above Thomas Vermaelen and flicked the ball goalwards, which looped over Vito Mannone - the first goal conceded in 359 minutes since the Champions League game in Liege.

At least going behind meant Arsenal would need more urgency in their attack.

Andrey Arshavin got away down the right and clipped the ball back to Fabregas, whose header dropped onto the top of the crossbar.

Belgian Vermaelen then more than made up for his error in judgement when firing Arsenal level on 16 minutes.

Referee Peter Walton allowed play to go on despite a foul, and Abou Diaby fed Fabregas on the edge of the Blackburn area.

He laid it back into the path of the centre-back, who took a touch inside before slamming the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot to chalk up a fifth goal of an impressive debut season.

Robinson made a couple more good saves before Rovers went ahead once more.

Franco Di Santo got away down the right, and fed the ball through to David Dunn on the other flank.

The midfielder cut back into the area, and his shot cannoned off William Gallas' leg and wrong footed Mannone.

The lead did not last long though, as in the 33rd minute Van Persie latched onto Fabregas' defence-splitting pass and dispatched a low strike into the far corner.

Arsenal maintained their pressure and completed the turnaround on 36 minutes.

Fabregas was again the provider, this time playing Arshavin into the left side of the penalty area and the Russian drilled in an angled drive.

Blackburn had a strong claim for a penalty at the start of the second half.

Dunn dribbled into the box, but despite looking to have been caught by Vermaelen's outstretched leg, the referee waved play on.

Defender Martin Olsson let fly from 25 yards and Mannone had to dive the full length of the goal to make an acrobatic, one-handed save.

At the other end, Van Persie collected Fabregas' chip into the six-yard box on his chest but Robinson reacted quickly to make the block.

Fabregas finally got his goal following more patient build-up on 57 minutes.

Rosicky hooked a loose ball back along the edge of the Rovers penalty area and it dropped just right for the Arsenal captain, who crashed a half-volley past Robinson.

To their credit, Rovers refused to lie down and another determined run from Dunn tested Mannone, the keeper making a parry to beat away the midfielder's shot from 18 yards.

Theo Walcott, hoping to make an impression on England manager Fabio Capello, was introduced for the final 22 minutes replacing Rosicky.

Rovers hit the woodwork when Vermaelen deflected substitute David Hoilett's shot into the ground onto the post.

Diaby drilled an effort just wide following Fabregas' clever backheel, before Walcott marked his return with a goal on 75 minutes when he side-footed home Fabregas' pass following a quick counter by Arshavin.

Fabregas was given a standing ovation after he was replaced by Bendtner, who should have scored when clean through on 80 minutes, but shot straight at Robinson.

Walcott had another effort scrambled off the line by Gael Givet before Bendtner - fit again after suffering minor injuries in a car crash - smashed in a sixth from 20 yards.

[deangel9]

iar a dat Vermaelen )

[TwB-Edmond]

Pai l-au luat in locul lui Adebayor

[Raddu_AdyY]

iar a dat Vermaelen )

la scorul asta , numai cine n-a vrut n-a dat ))

[beavis]

[beavis]

ARSENAL vs BIRMINGHAM CITY pictures

[beavis]

Walcott down with knee injury

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott injured again following a sturdy tackle by Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell.

The England international was making his first appearance of the season having been sidelined since August with a back injury. He was just beginning to feel his prowess but he picked up another injury following a strong challenge by Blues defender.

After prolonged treatment, the former Southampton ace was forced to limp out of the 3-1 win against Birmingham with a knee injury.

"He has a bruised knee, it is swollen and difficult to assess at the moment. Is it a medial knee ligament that is twisted or just a kick?"

"The fact that he says he felt a little unstable when he was running is not good news."

"We don't know yet how much of his pain is down to the kick and how much is down to the fact he twisted his ligament", admits Arsene Wenger.

He will be scanned, however, the Gunner's boss feels that he probably will not be fit enough for Tuesday match. "It is not a cruciate problem, but it could be more than a week."

[TwB-Edmond]

Wenger stresses need for fair tackles

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger maintains there must always be a place for strong tackles - but only if executed within the spirit of the game.



The Gunners have travelled to Holland for Tuesday's Champions League Group H clash against AZ Alkmaar without England forward Theo Walcott, who could be missing for up to a month after suffering knee ligament damage following a hefty challenge by Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell during Saturday's Premier League win at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners boss has reviewed the tackle again, which at the time was not penalised by referee Lee Probert, and accepts it is difficult to gauge true intent.

Yet while the Arsenal manager may have lambasted travelling Blues fans as "stupid" for chanting "there is only one Martin Taylor", in reference to the foul which left striker Eduardo with an horrific leg injury in February 2008, Wenger concedes such a physical approach, if applied correctly is an integral part of football.

"It is difficult to see any bad intention there, but still he went well through," said the Arsenal manager.

"I think in the Premier League, you let more go and it is important to let more go than anywhere else in Europe because it makes the games more attractive.

"But you need to keep it going so that everybody plays with the right intention and you do not feel that there is any malice there.

"To get a committed game everybody has to play fair."

Wenger, who recently became Arsenal's longest serving manager, added: "I like the commitment of the English game. I think the superiority of the English game is down to that.

"Players have the feeling they improve in England because there is more commitment and you do not want to take that out of the game."

Walcott was making his first start of the campaign against the Blues, having been sidelined by a back problem since August.

Wenger, though, feels the World Cup hopeful - troubled during last season by a shoulder injury which needed surgery - should soon be back to full strength.

"It will be three to four weeks, but we are hoping it could be shorter," said Wenger.

"A Grade One medial knee ligament injury is usually that long, but if it goes very well, it could be two weeks."

Wenger added: "Theo is a young boy.

"Sometimes you go through a period like that when you are at that age, where you are injured more.

"Your body settles and adapts. When you get over that, usually you have no problem anymore."

Czech winger Thomas Rosicky has also stayed in London nursing a minor knee problem, but full-back Gael Clichy has shaken off the ankle knock which saw him sit out the Birmingham game.

Arsenal are the leading scorers in the English top flight, netting a record 27 goals from the first eight matches.

Wenger, though, feels it is also his team's hard work when not in possession which has helped their progress.

"If we score goals, it is because we have the ball. To have the ball, you need to defend," he said.

"That is why I believe we have a good team ethic, a good working attitude together.

"We all play on the same wavelength, which is why everybody scores."

With two wins already in Group H, the first coming after trailing 2-0 at Standard Liege inside the opening five minutes, Arsenal - who have chalked up seven successive victories - could all but secure a place in the knockout stages tomorrow night.

AZ, now coached by Dutch legend Ronald Koeman, may have struggled for the consistency which secured last season's Eredivisie title, but they will defend a fine record of just one home defeat from 34 European ties.

Wenger, however, believes this young side can come of age in 2010, four years after he guided Thierry Henry's experienced Gunners to the Champions League final against Barcelona.

"I believe this team has a big future," declared the Arsenal manager, who celebrates his 60th birthday later this week.

"We have improved the belief and results.

"However, we know we have not won anything yet, it is all in front of us and that is what we want to show this season."

[beavis]

match pictures

[beavis]

REZUMAT

[deangel9]

@beavis - editeaza si tu numele topicului gen: "Arsenal Londra Thread" no "ARSENAL ..etc".

[beavis]

@beavis - editeaza si tu numele topicului gen: "Arsenal Londra Thread" no "ARSENAL ..etc".

done

1-0 NASRI

2-0 DENILSON a zguduit paianjenu`

[deangel9]

2-0 DENILSON[/b] a zguduit paianjenu`

) ce paianjen ba) ca a fost pe mijloc? dadusi cu muci-n fasole

[deangel9]

Bendtner out till New Year

The Denmark international underwent minor surgery on November 10 after picking up a groin problem in the 3-0 victory over Tottenham.

It was thought he might be out of action for around four weeks and was close to a return.

But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the player is now out until the New Year.

Wenger told the club's official website: "Let's say the New Year.

"It is quite disappointing because he looked quite sharp and he was short from coming back into the squad."

Meanwhile, the Gunners will be without Emmanuel Eboue for Sunday's clash at Liverpool.

Eboue is out after picking up a hamstring problem in the recent 2-0 victory against Stoke, as is Tomas Rosicky.

But Wenger confirmed that William Gallas, Armand Traore, Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin are expected to recover in time, despite picking up knocks and bruises last weekend.

He added: "We have problems with many players. If you look at the players who started the game against Stoke certainly Eboue and Rosicky will miss this game. Everybody else should make it.

"There are little knocks and bruises here and there. Who could come back? Eduardo and (Abou) Diaby maybe could make the squad. That is the news we have at the moment.

"Gallas, Traore are still doubts but I think they will make it. Fabregas has a back problem and Arshavin has got a bruised foot too but I think they will make it too."

[deangel9]

Vermaelen: Call me the Verminator

The Belgium international joined the Gunners from Dutch giants, Ajax Amsterdam in the summer and has slotted into the first team with ease.

His defensive partnership with William Gallas has been one of the main reasons for Arsenal's strong showing this season but Vermaelen reckons its Wenger who makes the real difference.

Speaking to the club's official website, Vermaelen said: "I don't mind if people call me The Verminator, because if they think I can help toughen the team up when needed, good. I think I can do that,

"The main reason I like playing for Arsenal is the vision of the boss, the way he wants us to play.

"I believe we can win trophies playing this way. What is the vision? The vision is basically for a young team who all share the same philosophy to play good football, to grow and eventually win a big trophy.

"I know there are many critics who say that playing a certain way then good things can't happen but maybe they should just think for a while and look at how a team like Barcelona has grown and how they play. Look around at their side. They don't have many strong players but they have been winning big trophies."

cat imi place asta

[beavis]

Nasri faces 3-match ban for Richard Garcia stamp

Samir Nasri could be dealt a 3-game suspension for his part in the ugly scenes that marred Arsenal's victory over Hull City at the weekend, according to The Mirror.

The Frenchman was shown a yellow card for his part in the brawl that sprung up just before half-time as a result of his undetected stamp on Richard Garcia.

However, it is reported that the Football Association has called in referee Steve Bennett to review the incident, with Alexandre Song also under the microscope for his tangle with Stephen Hunt.

If Nasri is charged with violent conduct, he could be rubbed out for the Gunners' holiday fixtures against Aston Villa, Portsmouth and West Ham.

That would only heap more strain on a squad that is already missing Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky and Gael Clichy through injury, with captain Cesc Fabregas battling hamstring trouble.

[beavis]

REZUMAT

[b3bytzu]

Fabregas poate rata tot sezonul

Fabregas se teme ca nu va mai putea evolua in acest sezon, din cauza accidentarii suferite in meciul cu Barcelona din sferturile Ligii, scor 2-2.

"Nu sunt bine. Sper sa mai pot juca pentru Arsenal in acest sezon, dar ma tem de ce e mai rau, ceea ce ar fi o fractura", a declarat Fabregas.

Fabregas s-a accidentat in ultimele minute ale partidei de miercuri, la o interventie a fotbalistului Carles Puyol de la FC Barcelona, fault in urma caruia arbitrul a acordat penalti pentru Arsenal.

"Nu cred ca voi primi vesti bune (n.r. - joi), chiar daca sper. Cand am executat penaltiul, ma simteam bine, dar apoi, cand am vrut sa preiau mingea, nu mai puteam sa merg", a mentionat fotbalistul, care a adaugat ca zona afectata a piciorului este tibia.

In cazul in care suspiciunile lui Fabregas vor fi confirmate, aceasta fractura survine cu aproximativ doua luni inainte de Cupa Mondiala din Africa de Sud, competitie la care Spania se numara printre favorite.

[beavis]

Vermaelen blow for Arsenal

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out for 2 to 3 weeks after suffering a calf injury in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

The Belgium international lasted just 19 minutes of the 2-1 defeat at White Hare Lane before he had to be replaced.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told club's website: "Certainly it is a calf strain. He will be out for 2 to 3 weeks".

Wenger admitted after the Tottenham game that his side were now out of the title race.

"We lost a game we couldn't afford to lose in the title race", he said.

"That shows that we're not mature enough because you can't afford to lose this type of game if you want to win the championship. There's too much to do now. We're very unlikely now to win the championship. We'll continue to fight but even a point wasn't enough - we needed 3 points."