Aston Villa vs Arsenal
November 30, 2007 | 48 Comments
The Form book:
Arsenal are unbeaten in the league and suffered their first loss of the season against Seville this past Tuesday. Villa have won 4 straight league games and are unbeaten for 5 games.
Optimist View:
Villa are surely due for a loss. So Arsenal should win this.
Pessimist View:
Villa are on a roll so why should that stop now? Moreover, Arsenal might find it hard to recover from that first loss.
The Fence View:
It is going to be a hard fought tie, 1-1.
Unfortunately, I can’t break out of a subjective frame of mind to objectively preview the game. While I am stuck cycling through the three views, I am sure others can bring a measured look to tomorrow’s game.
In the meantime, to get myself in the optimist frame of mind, I can dream of that Pires goal from a few years ago. What a lob, that too over Peter Schmichel!!
Hail the Mohawk!
November 30, 2007 | 8 Comments
When Wenger announced that William Gallas would be the new captain for the Gunners this season, it raised more than a few eyebrows. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s whatever decision Wenger makes, he makes for a reason.
With Gilberto’s involvement with the Brazil national team, first during Copa America, then it’s league-format South American World Cup Qualifying, it meant that the anchorman would not be as involved with the squad as the manager would want him to be.
Personality-wise, William Gallas does look to be a more vocal figure in this young Arsenal side than the mild-mannered Brazilian.
Four months into the season, Gallas has looked very much like a REAL leader to Arsenal – the first since Tony Adams. The thing I love most is the Denilson incident during the Wigan match. Unlike Henry or Gilberto of last season, Gallas had no mood to be a peacemaker. He rushed straight from the defense and got in the face of the offender (Marcus Bent), to stand up for his teammate. That’s what you want from your leader. To show that he cares. To show that he won’t allow anyone to mess around with one of our own.
Most significantly, that extra responsibility of being a captain has kept Gallas himself within the boundaries. No more cry-baby act. He’s finally turned himself into the player we expected to see when he first arrived.
Arsenal Makes the Funny Pages
November 29, 2007 | 5 Comments
For those of you who may not have seen this:
Hope that makes the ending of November a little more bearable.
Marc the wombat.
AA Baltimore Branch: Charm City Gooners
November 29, 2007 | 14 Comments
If you love Arsenal, and are in Baltimore, come on down to The Abbey to experience The Charm City Gooners. We meet up every week to see our beloved Arsenal. From pints to pitches, we talk and debate it all.
Gooners in the Baltimore can be found at The Abbey . . . A R S E N A L . . . A R S E N A L . . . if you hear singing and chaning, come on in!
The Abbey Burger Bistro – Home of Arsenal in Baltimore
1041 Marshall Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
443-453-9698
Steve originally hails from Virginia, and has been an avid supporter of Arsenal since the glory days at Highbury. If you are in town and want to meet up, feel free to drop us a line at baltimore@arsenalamerica.com. See you at The Abbey!
Arsenal 1 – Sevilla 3
November 27, 2007 | 98 Comments
We all knew it would happen eventually, and today was that day. Eduardo’s early goal gave Arsenal the lead, Keita and Fabiano answered in the 1st half, and Fredi Kanoute sealed the win with a penalty kick in the 2nd half.
The loss puts Sevilla in the driver’s seat to win the group. Arsenal, of course has already qualified, but needs help to finish top of the group.
Let the predicatable bitching and whining about Senderos and Gilberto begin.
Two quick thoughts from watching on Sopcast:
-the Sevilla crowd was absolutely magnificent, screaming at the top of their lungs. Arsenal fans take note.
-there might not be a less enjoyable announcer to have to listen to than the odious Alan Parry (or was it the odious Ian Darke? I have a hard time distinguishing between the two).
Sevilla Matchday 5 Preview
November 26, 2007 | 56 Comments
So what exactly are Arsenal dealing with on Tuesday night?
Sevilla have won the UEFA Cup twice in the last two years and finished in fifth in La Liga. They also won the 2007 Copa del Rey beating Getafe.
However, that was under Ramos. With him gone, they are having quite a wobble.
They’ve lost 7 out of 12 games in La Liga, and drawn none, suggesting a team with brittle confidence and no fightback. When it goes wrong for them, that’s it. (Arsenal proved as much at the Emirates.)
They’ve let in a hefty 19 goals too and are currently in 10th place. But they are also the fifth highest scorers with Kanoute the main man with 12 goals in all competitions, suggesting that when it goes right, it goes right big time.
But Kanoute is not confirmed for Tuesday, so Arsenal really have a good chance to get a draw, or even nick a win.
There is no way Seville can parco el bus, which should give us a few chances to hit them on the break. The key is whether Wenger goes for the dreaded negative version of 4-5-1, which almost undid us against Villareal, or picks something more aggressive. With Flamini out, he could stick Bert in front of the back four, and let the fullbacks attack on the flanks to avoid all that European midfield congestion.
All things considered, I think a draw is the least we can expect. With some tactical nous, and dynamism, we could score an early goal and knock the stuffing out of them.
Over to you tacticians…
Arsenal 2 – 0 Wigan
November 26, 2007 | 2 Comments
They left it VERY late, but Arsenal continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Wigan at the Emirates on Saturday.
Several players were missing from the side due to injuries, or in the case of Cesc Fabregas, suspension. Until the 84th minute, it seemed that missing those players was going to cost the Gunners a victory. However, William Gallas’s ghosting run into the box met Bacary Sagna’s perfect cross, and the captain headed the ball past Michael Pollit to earn the victory. Having forced Wigan to respond, the game opened up for the Gunners, and a few moments later, Tomas Rosicky smashed in a second to seal the points.
Coupled with Man United’s loss to Bolton, Arsenal now sit clear at the top of the table on 33 points after 13 games played. They’ll look to keep it going next Saturday away to Villa, but before that, a trip to Seville is in order as the Gunners will attempt to lock up top seed in Group H of the Champions League. That match will be shown live here in the US on Setanta USA at 2:45 PM ET tomorrow (Tuesday).
AA Austin Branch: The Arsenal Aesthetic
November 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Deep in the heart of Texas, as the song goes, lies the cultural and political oasis that is Austin. Known as a hotbed of live music, art, and film, Austin also boasts a fervent group of Arsenal supporters, and at their core is Derron Podd.
Originally from Connecticut, Derron came to Austin in 2004, to attend the University of Texas. The Austin Branch Manager honors were bestowed upon him, during a visit to Chelsea Piers in New York City for Arsenal America’s Dennis Bergkamp testimonial match.
He credits his brother Sean, and his friend Sebastian, .“..for nurturing my dedication/obsession/love for all things Arsenal, while still in its infancy, but says, as a person both blessed and cursed with an astounding standard for aesthetics, there was no choice other than the Arsenal.”
Derron numbers amongst his favorite Arsenal memories, “stepping onto the Highbury pitch with my fellow Arsenal Americans just weeks before the demolition began, as well as, having a pint and a laugh with famed Gooner Johnny Rotten”, during his visit to Austin.
In one of those moments that speaks of an Arsenal supporter’s heart, Derron recounts traveling to Paris for the 2006 Champions League Final, “After multiple failed attempts to enter the Stade de France less than legally, I was able to negotiate in broken French to buy an unused ticket at half for 100 Euros (10x less than what the TWO scalpers outside that stadium were demanding before the match). Seeing my beloved Arsenal on the pitch for the first time as I ran to my seat was one of the greatest experiences anyone could ask for. Strangely, I don’t have the foggiest what happened after the 76th minute. Weird.”
When asked about Gooners in the Austin area, he proclaims, “The Austin Gooners are a proud family and want all to know. We now best the local Chelsea, United, and Liverpool fans in number, voice, and heart. Despite our large fan-base, we have not been maligned with the “casual fan syndrome” that seems to affect our esteemed rivals. We are there for every match – FSC or Setanta, Premiership, Champions League or Carling Cup.”
For anyone wondering where “there” might be, Derron says, “After the formation of an exploratory committee charged with reporting back on the potential benefits of a location switch, Austin Gooners have decided to stay put at the current home of football in Austin, Fadó Irish Pub. RECENTLY MOVED TO:
Cuatros
1004 24th St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 243-6361
(Cuatros is located in the West Campus area at the corner of 24th and San Gabriel)
Gooners in and around Austin are encourage to contact Derron about match meet-ups. Of the local supporters, Derron is effusive in his praise, saying, “I’d really like to applaud all the Austin Gooners for their dedication. Check out our ramblings at www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/austingooners.”
In a city known for its appreciation of culture, individuality, and artistic expression, it is fitting that there is such a committed group of people that appreciate the beauty of the Gunners. As Derron puts it, “football is sport, Arsenal is Art.”
Derron Podd
Austin Branch Manager
austin@arsenalamerica.com
Arsenal – Wigan Preview
November 23, 2007 | 104 Comments
Been really busy at work last few days. Thought I’d just snatch a bit of time to put up a short preview in case someone doesnt beat me to it. [Editor's note - nope, you're the first, thanks as always for the preview.]
Anyway, in short the internationals have been unkind to us and Hleb and the Flamster go out and with Cesc suspended as well which means that Diarra and Denilson get a chance to show what they are made up of, though I won’t be surprised to see Theo get a go either. RVP is still out so the squad is going to be:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Theo Diarra Denilson Rosicky
Ade Eduardo
I cant imagine he will play Rosicky in the hole though and Gilberto in the centre…that will be horrible and send out all the wrong signals to Eduardo. Lastly it looks like its the end for Gilberto with Juve sniffing around as well…sad but it probably was on the cards.
Anyway, I’m struggling to see where the goals are going to come from unless Rosicky plays a blinder and Denilson manages to create at least 60 percent of what Cesc does…
Still I’ll go with a Arsenal 2 – Wigan 0…coz Wigan are in absolute shambles right now…and we should have too much for them even with the injuries.
Thankful to be a Gooner!
November 22, 2007 | 8 Comments
As it is the time of year where people tend to reflect on the many reasons they have to be thankful, here’s a few things (in no particular order), Arsenal supporters can count their blessings for:
Being top of the table
The best manager in all the world, Arsene Wenger
Cesc Fabregas
Arsenal America, the single most valuable resource for American Arsenal supporters
Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb, Robin van Persie, and the rest of the Arsenal players, coaches, and staff.
For me personally, I’d add to that list; the many Gooners all over the world that I’ve met, the great Bay Area Arsenal supporters who show up for match viewings, and of course, being married to an equally fervent Arsenal supporter.
I’m sure you lot can expound on this list!
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