Arsene Wenger on Aljazeera Sports Channel Coverage of Euro 2008

I just heard the good news, Arsene Wenger will be one of the analysts in Aljazeera Sports Channel’s Euro 2008 coverage. I heard that some other big names might be there too, but for now this is the biggest name that I heard so far, it will be very interesting in hearing his say on the matches. And yet again Aljazeera Sports keeps surprising us. From now on I will expect anything, the sky is the limit.

Comments June 1st, 2008

Thierry Henry might be back to the English Premier League, but not to Arsenal

News of the World is claiming that Henry is looking forward for the summer to leave Barcelona, its also believed that he prefers to be back to EPL, specifically London. Well we all know that he did struggle this season he only scored 7 goals from his 25 appearances, so the news was not a shock to many people who follow his news.

So its not wether he would leave or not, its where is he heading. Many Arsenal fans are looking forward for him to be back where he left last season, but I really doubt that happening. Actually I see that Arsenal is better without Henry, and don’t look to our status now we did suffer heavily from injuries. I think the players felt more at ease when Henry left and they became more creative, I believe that Arsene Wenger himself wont allow him to be back.

But the excuse he is using to leave Barca is that he is not seeing his daughter “Tea” as much as he wants after he broke up with Claire Merry. So what?! he didn’t know this would happen before signing for Barcelona!! Please….  Anyway its expected that Chelsea will most likely end up getting his signature, other team such as Newcastle and Manchester City are also watching and trying but it would take something so special to lure him.

A while after “News of the World” broke the story the Barca chief dismissed the news and ruled out his move. But I guess this is just playing games.

Comments April 20th, 2008

Arsenal Beats AC Milan 2-0 and Qualifies to the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Champions League 2007/2008

On the 84th minute of the match and after letting us reach to the edge of insanity several times during the match, Fabregas scores a very nice and strange goal from a far distance, and then very few minutes later Wallcott crosses the ball to Adebayor to seal the deal and end the match victorious qualifying to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League 2007/2008. Amazing….

Click “More” to watch both goals….

Here are the goals..

Comments March 5th, 2008

Luke Freeman and Dentinho on their way to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is the ultimate superstar maker, he gets youngsters and within couple of seasons they become wanted by all clubs in the world, and I respect him for that, and I am always happy to hear that new young talented players are joining Arsenal. The only thing I demand from Mr. Arsene Wenger is that I think we need at least one new player who is already a superstar, already a world class and  who is already established talented player, you know those who we usually end up selling, such as Henry!

I really wish to see Wenger splash some cash to get a new FAMOUS player, I know everybody thinks that doing that might disrupt the harmony in the team, but I think it might be useful for the youngsters. Actually Wenger himself have said today that he was happy that Lehmann and Gilberto are staying and that it is good for the young players.

Anyway, lets talk about those two new players who do seem to be on their way to Arsenal during this winter transfer window, the first one is an English youngster, which is kind of strange as Wenger is not used to look for English players, with exception of Theo Walcott ofcourse. Luke Freeman is a very talented 15 years old striker who plays for Gillingham in League One. He made history when he became  the youngest player to play in the FA Cup when he played for his club against Barnet.

Wenger is always criticized that his squad do not have enough English players, now he says that most of the youngsters he have are English and that he is very impressed by Luke Freeman and very interested in making him an Arsenal player very soon. He did admit that normally he would wait until a young player reaches the age of 17 or 18 but nowadays managers from all clubs are on the watch for those youngsters.

Arsene Wenger said: “I met the boy, I like him, his personality, he looks alert, He is a striker and at 15 years of age to play for the first team sometimes is something special.”

The other young talent that also might be on his way to Arsenal is Dentinho who is an 18 years old striker he plays for Corinthians in Brazil. The plan is to get him this month to get him used to the weather and get him ready to play next season. He have featured 4 times for his club bagging a goal in the process. He is one of the most wanted Brazilian youngsters. So Wenger seems to be looking for Strikers, and I still believe that Wenger needs to splash some cash to get a world class talent.

Comments January 12th, 2008

Jens Lehmann is staying with Arsenal after Borussia Dortmund deal collapses

Borussia Dortmund announced today that the deal to sign Jens Lehmann this winter collapsed after the player decided he rather stay with Arsenal. Lehmann’s contract with Arsenal expires in the summer, and Wenger have said earlier that he wont stand in the goalkeeper’s way to return to Germany, but it seems Lehmann believe he can regain his position and the trust of Arsene Wenger.

This is what he had to say today: “Although it would have been a very attractive challenge to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga once again, I have decided against taking this step due to personal reasons, I am sorry, particularly to disappoint the people responsible at Borussia Dortmund, who have tried very professionally to convince me to move and gave me sufficient time for consideration.”

Ofcourse the Germany coach Joachim Low and team manager Oliver Bierhoff backed Lehmann’s choice. Even Wenger stated today that he is happy Lehmann is staying and that he will be included in the next match against Birmingham. He said: “Lehmann will be on the bench, the indication I can give is that I am happy if he stays because he is an important player in the squad, like Gilberto also. We have such a young squad that these players have a big weight in the dressing room and a big input in the team. I am happy if they stay.”

Although am happy he is staying, but I find his decision a bit odd, he knows Almunia is number one now and it would take more than a couple of bad performances by Almunia to make Lehmann first choice again, what is he depending on, that Almunia is injured?? On the second hand, his national team manager already informed him only players who play regularly with their clubs will be considered to represent Germany in Euro 2008!

Comments January 12th, 2008

EPL: Arsenal 1 – 0 Chelsea …. It feels GOOD

A lot was at stake today, it is the grand slam Sunday, Manchester against Liverpool, Arsenal against Chelsea. Manchester won 1-0 by Tevez’s goal, so Arsenal had to win to stay top of the table, and they WON.

A very vital win against rivals Chelsea. Arsenal simply deserved to win today by far more than just a 1-0 scoreline, two goals were canceled, and tons of amazing shots on target. Amazing game, great goal by Gallas in the last seconds of the first half, huge team effort.

Read more and watch the video highlights after the jump…

Today Gallas gave Arsenal the first win against Chelsea since 11 matches in all games, the last time Arsenal beat Chelsea was in a Premier League match on Feb. 2004 that ended 2-1 in the Stamford Bridge. Gallas have also saved Arsenal last month when he gave them the equalizer against Manchester United which ended 2-2.

Arsene Wenger seemed satisfied, he said: “It was a tough game, locked in the first half, open in the second and one where we should have scored a second goal, our defense was outstanding today. Not only did they keep a clean sheet but they scored the goal as well. Overall I felt it was a great football game.”

Terry was injured in the 40th minute of the first half, but it is still not clear if it is a serious injury. 5 players from both sides were given yellow cards. The match heated up in the last 15 minutes of the second half, Van Persie and Adebayor both scored, but the goals were disallowed, one was an offside and the other was a foul.

Video Highlights:

Players Entering the Field

Players Fighting (Minute 29)

Fight between Fabregas and Ashley Cole (Minute 95)

Gallas Goal (47th Minute – First Half)

Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 85)

Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 89)

Comments December 17th, 2007

EPL: Arsenal stumbles and ends unbeaten streak

What Arsenal fans were afraid of happened, Arsenal unbeaten streak comes to an end. Arsenal still top of table with one point more than Manchester United. Today Arsenal lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough ofcourse the absence of Fabregas, Hleb,  Van Persie, and other players was a main reason for this defeat.

Although Arsenal was not beaten in earlier matches while those same players were absent, but even then they were still effected and were lucky to draw with Newcastle.

I really get frustrated from watching Adebayor, its like a gamble every match. He reminds me of Recoba in Inter Milan, he has this same illness were he will be unbelievably fantastic one match but then he will stay unproductive for the next 5 to 10 matches. Am not saying Adebayor did not save us in some matches, but why the risk?!?!

Wenger should allow Gilberto to transfer or retire, to give chance to Diarra. And am still in my opinion that Eduardo is not first team standard. Wenger relies on Fabregas and Hleb and Van Persie too much. 

I wish wenger does buy new players during the winter transfer window. This is not panic buy or anything, I have been saying this from the start, we need between two and four new players, one of them should be a new goalkeeper.

We at least need a midfielder and a striker. I know how wenger thinks, and although I trust his judgment,  But I don’t think he is going to make a big purchase. If he does buy a player it wont be somebody famous, maybe it would be a good player, but not famous, so he wont disrupt the harmony in the squad.

Bottom line, we need new quality players to continue the season in the right way.

Comments December 9th, 2007

EPL: Arsenal 2 – 0 Wigan (Full Time)

I was very busy today, I was not able to watch the match. But i was told it wasnt as easy at the scoreline might seem. Both goals from Gallas and Rosicky came in the last few minutes.

Thanks to Bolton, Arsenal is top of the table with 33 Points and a game in hand.

Here are the Goals:

Gallas’s Goal

Rosicky’s Goal

Comments November 24th, 2007

Gilberto wants Juve, as expected…

All Arsenal fans already know the story, Flamini takes Gilberto place, Gilberto looks for an out, Gilberto finds destination. The guy wants to go to Juventus, so if he said it so clearly like that, then it is already done. Juventus were expected also to sign a top class midfielder. I like Gilberto’s style but Wenger has my full trust as usual, in addition the player is 31 years of age. So I guess this move will give Diarra the chance he always wanted.

Here what Gilberto had to say today to “La Gazzetta dello Sport” about a move to Turin:

“I would willingly go to Turin, Juve are a prestigious club and they have already overcome their problems following their demotion to Serie B.

I would adapt myself well to the Italian league, however Juve should know that I have no intention of starting a war with Arsenal.”

Gilberto added: “Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world and it is true that he is a symbol of Juve. Del Piero is a player with large prestige on the international stage. As for me, well I do not have the feet of a Ronaldinho, but I do know how to organise a team”.

Comments November 23rd, 2007

Wenger: Ivory Coast ‘Stubborn’

Arsene Wenger had a bad experience with Ivory Cosat last time in the African Cup. He asked the permission to play 2 players in an FA Cup match which would delay their international release for like a day or so, and although they were not going to start any fitness tests only after 2 days, they still refused and Wenger had to pull Manu and Kolo out of the squad. So now he says he wont even bother asking them anything and that he would just stop using the players from the 5th of Jan 2008.

Here is his full rant, eh, interview.. (After the jump)“They are so stubborn that there is no point in even speaking to them, They will go at the beginning of January.  They have to be available for their country 15 days before the start of the tournament.

Before the last tournament we tried to negotiate a later release date with the Ivory Coast, but we had no success so we won’t try this time.  We will give them the players when they are due, and won’t even speak to the Ivorian federation about it.

We were so disappointed with their attitude last time. We had to pull Manu and Kolo out of the 2006 FA Cup game against Cardiff an hour before kick-off because the Ivory Coast were adamant they had to join up, even though they were only going to be sitting in a hotel room in Paris doing nothing.

Eboué had not played many games back then, so it would have been good for him to play in the FA Cup tie.  But they wanted to meet up on a Saturday night, and even though our game was early that day they refused to give us permission to play them.

This was not even to go to Africa, but to go to Paris, where they would not even start fitness tests until the Monday.  They just sat in the hotel that weekend, and I said to them ‘let’s be a little bit logical here’ – but it was impossible.

It is not the players’ fault at all, but the Ivory Coast management were very stubborn, and unnecessarily so because it would have been better for their preparation.  So this time I will count them out of action from about January 5th until approximately the middle of February.”

Comments November 21st, 2007