Looking forward to Dein’s return

August 31, 2007 | 58 Comments

There is a suggestion that the reason Wenger has yet to name a Director of Football is because he’s reserving the seat for David Dein.

Personally, I am looking forward to the date Mr. Dein returns.

Every club needs a LEADER. Wenger is the leader of the TEAM. Dein is the leader of the CLUB.

The day when Mr. Dein finally returns, I firmly believe it will be the day Arsenal finally be able to establish themselves among the true elite clubs in Europe.

One thing I love about Dein is : he is a successful man, he is a rich man, but deep inside he is just like everyone of us – with Arsenal at his heart.

Heard that lot of clubs, including Spurs, had approached Dein after he left Arsenal, but he turned them down all.

And if you want a leader for the club, nobody better than a man who’s as hardcore an Arsenal fan as you and me.

Take over or not, David Dein is the man with vision, the man with ambition. He’s the man who appointed George Graham, he’s the man who appointed Arsene Wenger. And if anyone cares to study a bit of Arsenal history, WITHOUT Dein, Arsenal today could have been very different.

Football is in a changing time right now, and changing fast. Just like the beginning years of EPL/SKY/CL, if you missed the “money train”, chance is that you may never be able to catch it back again.

We need a true leader with the club at his heart to take the club forward. It’s amazing how people still been complaining of Wenger’s spending policy. Let’s face it – whether we sign one more player or not is NOT where the main problem is.

I always appreicate the Arsenal board’s sensible approach down the years. But in every sense, they are lucky that they have found a guy named Arsene Wenger to manage the club.

Had they not, given Arsenal’s traditional spending policy, we would be lucky to be qualified for UEFA Cup every year, let alone the Champions League.

But Wenger will not be at the club forever. What happens when he leaves one day? Is there really anyone out there who’s capable of make good use of 20 million pounds transfer budget each season and substain the team’s competitiveness on the pitch?

So far, it seems David Dein is the only man who has come out and said he hoped to lead Arsenal to among the ELITES. And I do believe he’s the one who’s capable of. We shall see how things developed.

Posted by Andez | Filed Under Mailbag 

Every time I think that I’m out, they pull me back in.

August 31, 2007 | 5 Comments

Michael Corleone said it about the mafia, and Arsenal fans are surely thinking it today after news broke late yesterday that David Dein, ex-director of football, has sold his shares in Arsenal Football Club to a Russian firm. Just when we thought that we might just enjoy a bit of football, we have a new media circus in the offing. It seems that this firm, “Red & White Holdings”, will be chaired by Dein, but are co-owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and by a London-based investor named Farhad Moshiri. Usmanov is another of these Abromvich types, and I know how we all feel about him, but I’ll leave the bulk of the editorializing to you lot. I’ve already gotten one submission from Andez on the subject, and I’ll be posting that shortly. There’s not much that I’ve found on Moshiri other than a wikipedia post indicating that he used to work for Deloitte, and is co-owner of Red & White.

According to the press, Arsene Wenger welcomes this move, which seems a bit odd considering his anti-foreign investment stance of a few months ago. Suffice it to say, the plot thickens with every turn, and I for one would just as soon have it settled sooner rather than later, but I don’t think that’s very likely. It’s a damn shame, because the side are playing some good football, and that’s what should be making the news.

Posted by mikek | Filed Under Arsenal News 

Champions League ’07-’08

August 30, 2007 | 45 Comments

Arsenal match up against:

Sevilla/AEK Athens
FC Steaua Bucharesti
Slavia Prague

Yeash, that’s a dog of a group if AEK Athens get through. Overall, the Champs League this year is weak outside the top 10 or so. There really isn’t one great group where I think, “That will be interesting…”.

Time to reduce this thing to 24 teams.

Posted by Rick | Filed Under Arsenal News 

Arsenal 3 – 0 Sparta Prague

August 29, 2007 | 15 Comments

Tomas Rosicky’s goal in the 7th minute of today’s Champions League Qualifier second-leg put paid to any notion that Arsenal wouldn’t be taking place in the UEFA Champions League for the tenth consecutive season.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas added his second Champions League goal of the season in the 82nd minute, and new signing Eduardo da Silva rounded out the scoring to make the score 5-0 on aggregate.

 The draw for the group stages takes place tomorrow, and Arsenal are seeded, so they’ll avoid the other big guns of Europe.    Next up on the pitch is Pompey at home.  Kickoff is 8:30 AM ET and will be shown here in the US on Setanta USA.

Posted by mikek | Filed Under Match Report 

Arsenal – Sparta Prague

August 28, 2007 | 87 Comments

Sadly I have not been able to catch any of the games live due to a lack of TV coverage :( . Anyway things are going along fairly well for us so far with a lot of late goals.

Late goals are risky though, they take a lot out of you since you cannot mentally relax and have to keep going till the last minute. However there’s an old cliche which goes something like .. “When you’re winning you don’t feel tired” .. so hopefully RVP and Hleb especially must be feeling fit and fine.

On to Sparta now , that second goal by Hleb was so so crucial there, a two goal cushion is always welcome. When you’re playing at home in the return leg it matters even more because then you can try and control the game at your own pace. Anyway I hope Sagna and Sendy are fit so we have a fit and steady back four instead of having to fill in with the Flamster and Bert. I’m guessing AW will still go with the same 11 and change it around at about 60″ or so. Mozart needs to fire, maybe this is the game to do it..against his old club.

When Cesc/Hleb/Mozart are all on form we are unplayable at times no matter how physical the opposition is. RVP should be looking to atone for his penalty miss against City and will be looking to score against Sparta. I think Ade will still start and play the whole 90″ and Edu will come on for RVP at some stage. If we screw up and let in two somehow I’ll go mad though. Don’t think it’ll happen though as even the bench looks reasonably strong these days. Love to see Abou get a few minutes..he’s got so much to offer.

Thats about it though..nothing new to say.
Arsenal 2 – Sparta 0

Posted by live_dont_exist | Filed Under Game Preview 

Southern Gooners?

August 27, 2007 | 18 Comments

Got a couple of posts from folks looking to meet up with fellow Gooners:

First, Gooner Joe writes:

“Looking for fellow Gooners in Nashville. I feel alone in a sea of Man U and Liverpool w*ankers. Please email joewolverton AT gmail DOT com.”

NC Gooner writes:

“Any Triangle area (Raleigh/Durham/ Chapel Hill) Gooners out there? I have been in Raleigh for almost a year now, and usually try to watch the matches at the Hibernian in Cary. Haven’t seen many Arsenal supporters……are you out there? Please email christopherskelly AT gmail DOT com.”

Anyone in either of those two areas please feel free to contact either of the two gentleman above. Oh, and when you do, why not start an official Branch. Let us know, and we’ll add you to our Branch Officers listing!

Posted by mikek | Filed Under Mailbag 

Arsenal 1 – 0 Man City

August 25, 2007 | 89 Comments

Sorry this is somewhat late.  I went down the pub to watch the match this morning, and only just got home a bit ago.   Anyway, it was tough going for a very long time.  Man City are a very organized team under Sven, and after the missed penalty by Robin van Persie, it was looking a bit dire.

Cue Cesc Fabregas, the super Spaniard.  His fantastic rising shot across the face of goal into the far corner  was a bit of magic, and proved all the Gunners needed to earn the points.

Posted by mikek | Filed Under Match Report 

Lehmann’s Out!!

August 23, 2007 | 63 Comments

Looks like our error prone keeper is out anyway.

Please read:

Sky Sports

Apparently he aggravated an injury during the Germany friendly against England.

Is this a chance for the other two to step up? What if one of the others performs well the next two games? Should Jens be worried?

Posted by ChVint22 | Filed Under Mailbag 

Arsenal vs. Manchester City

August 23, 2007 | 35 Comments

Can Sven Turn City’s Blue Moon Into Gold?

Blue moon / you saw me standing alone / without a dream in my heart / without a love of my own.

Blue moon / you knew just what I was there for / you heard me saying a prayer for / someone I really could care for.

And then there suddenly appeared before me / the only one my arms will ever hold / I heard somebody whisper “Please adore me” / and when I looked / the moon had turned to gold.

Blue moon / now I’m no longer alone / without a dream in my heart / without a love of my own.

Well, at least they can laugh at themselves – any club with a fight song like this must truly have a sense of humor. Or, maybe it’s just a loser’s complex. At least it is not bitter.

True to the song, Manchester City’s silverware has come only once in a blue moon. The last trophy was 1976, and that was the League Cup. They last won the FA Cup in 1969 (there also were finalists in 1981). The last league championship (old first division) was 1968.

Is Sven-Goran Erikkson the “only one” in the song? The whisperer? The savior to turn City’s blue moon into gold? Time will only tell. He’s done it at other clubs, the new owner has given him the cash to do it for the Citizens of Manchester, and he has brought in a lot of new faces with talent. Maybe the next blue moon is in the spring of 2008.

Whatever the future holds, the present situation shows that the Blues are off to a flying start, and the headline-splashers are ready to swagger into North London for what surely appears to be a very tasty fixture.

I saw their first match at West Ham – they played effective and attractive football.

Significant to their squad on Saturday is the loss of 21-year old Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov – injured in the early moments of last week’s game against Man U. Sven will not have a replacement signed and ready to go for Saturday (you can bet the house on Sven spending money before August 31). So, he is admittedly a bit weak up front.

Micah Richards, the 19-year old defender, is arguably the player that will attract the most attention, being English (just played Wednesday night against Germany and had a quite nice assist to Lampard’s goal) and the real star against Man United last week. An interesting sidelight at City will be how long they will be able to keep Micah from moving on to a Big 4 side.

Also, 20-year old Kasper Schmeichel with three opening clean sheets under his belt, and of some noteworthy pedigree, will also get notice. Here’s to keeping young Kasper busy all afternoon long!

On a sunny late-August Saturday afternoon, with a perfect, wide pitch, this match has the chance of winning the title of “most pleasing match to the eye for the season.”

I look forward to it with great anticipation. Come On Arsenal!

Arsenal 2–0 Manchester City

Posted by thompson gunner | Filed Under Game Preview 

Will the real #1 please stand up!

August 22, 2007 | 46 Comments

Mad Jens has conceded two goals and people are calling for his head. We have to keep in mind that these two goals were mistakes. We’ve not seen Lehmann do these mistakes before. To drop Lehmann would be sad as I think it might be the end for him at Arsenal. That would be a shame because despite his mistakes he’s still a better keeper than Almunia.

I remember before the World Cup last year I was comparing Friedel to Keller. They’re both good shot stoppers but the difference is Friedel, and even Tim Howard, regularly makes saves they’re not really supposed to make whereas Keller rarely does.

That too is the difference between Lehmann and Almunia. Lehmann has the ability to make that unbelievable save that Almunia and most other keepers simply can’t. We’ve never seen Lehmann let a ball go through his hands like he did against Blackburn and we probably never will again. Unfortunately for Lehmann is it’s two mistakes in 2 consecutive league matches.

Fortunately for us Wenger won’t make a decision based on media hype, ignorant pundits, or impatient fans screaming for Jens to be dropped. It will come down to who’s the best keeper. All players make mistakes so it comes down to who’s more likely to make a mistake and is Jens becoming “mistake prone”.

The biggest difference between Lehmann and Almunia is Almunia repeatedly makes the same error; he consistently concedes goals at the near post. All keepers know that this a major no-go. We’ve seen players like Ashley Cole and Kolo Toure save beaten keepers by clearing a back post goal-bound effort off the line but no one can help the keeper at the near post. In the Barcelona game, Eto’o equalized near post. When Manuel was in the team, he got beat by Bolton near post. All of Almunia’s goals in pre-season were down to him getting beaten near post.

To make a mistake in judgment is one thing but to continually make the same mistake match after match, and season after season with no improvement makes him potentially a bad professional and a poor goal keeper. But I don’t pay his salary so that’s not for me to decide.

Posted by joshuad | Filed Under Mailbag 

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