Premier League leaders Chelsea may have only lost once in their last seven visits to the Emirates Stadium, but bookmakers have still not made them firm favourites to beat Arsenal in their north London derby on Sunday. According to the Racing Post, the sports and betting daily paper, both teams can be backed at 7-4, with the stalemate on offer at 12-5.

Gunners fans will need no reminding that Chelsea won this corresponding fixture 4-1 last May – odds of 100-1 are offered about a repeat scoreline, but have subsequently won their next dozen games at the Emirates. It’s a similar success story for Carlo Ancelotti’s team who have gone eight games since a loss, kept eight clean sheets, and only conceded eight goals in the Premier League this season.

The bookies are making a 1-1 scoreline favourite at 6-1, and a similar price about Didier Drogba scoring the first match goal. Florent Malouda, who scored in both Arsenal defeats last season, is 9-2 to score at anytime during the game. For Arsenal punters, the team can be backed at 15-2 to find the back of the net in the opening 10 minutes of the match, and captain Cesc Fabregas, is an 8-1 chance to score a goal from outside the penalty box.

Don’t miss Saturday’s RPSPORT for expert opinion from the paper’s top team of football writers – including former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Tony Cascarino, on who they believe will come out on top in the London derby. There will be comprehensive odds, statistics, and analysis on the game and words of wisdom from soccer boffin Kevin Pullein.

Visit RACINGPOST.com all the latest sports betting news.

Related News:

• Anelka strike helps Blues top group but United slip

Gunners FC have won the Zimbabwean league in only their second season in top flight with one game to spare… From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer shoes. The blog is also related to: division 1 soccer.

The great-grandson of a Nottinghamshire soldier, killed in one of the first tank battles of the Great War, travels to the battlefield where he died…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: mumbai airport. The blog is also related to: travel discounts.

LONDON, Nov 22, 2009 (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to blame the absence of Robin van Persie as his team failed to score for the first time this season in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

But the evidence of a below-par performance suggests the loss of the Dutch striker for up to six weeks because of an ankle injury could be a major handicap to Arsenal’s title prospects.

They are now eight points behind Chelsea and the leaders’ visit to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (November 29) is looking like a contest the Gunners cannot afford to lose.

Wenger howver glossed over the significance of van Persie’s absence, preferring to blame slack defending when Darren Bent scored Sunderland’s 71st-minute winner.

The Frenchman said: “I don’t want to focus on an individual. It’s down to the fact we made a big mistake at a corner. Some of our players were not at their best and we gave a goal away in the only situation where Sunderland were likely to score – from a set piece.

“We can only blame ourselves because we didn’t score. That’s worrying because going forward we lacked sharpness and the desire to get behind defenders. If you want to score goals, you have to get behind them.”

Wenger was less than complimentary about Sunderland, who grew in confidence after surviving an early scare when Marton Fulop saved well from Tomas Rosicky.

Sunderland’s Kieran Richardson (L) vies with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, on November 21, 2009. AFP PHOTO

Arsenal failed to trouble Fulop for the rest of the game as Sunderland’s determined approach finally paid dividends after the interval.

However, Wenger insisted: “We didn’t really feel under threat from Sunderland – just look at what they created. Take emotion away from it and you will be surprised at how little they created. But they took their chance because they had some people who wanted it more than us.

“We had more of the ball and they tried more to destroy. They tried to stop us from playing and were sometimes on the fringes of the rules, but that’s part of the game.”

Bent has now scored this season against the so-called big four of the Premier League following earlier goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

And this performance earned praise from manager Steve Bruce who again urged England manager Fabio Capello to include him the squad he takes to the World Cup finals.

“You’d have to take him to South Africa because he scores goals against big clubs,” said Bruce, who is acutely aware that Bent failed to make an impact in the recent international against Brazil.

“I’m sure he won’t be judged on 55-minute friendly. I don’t think Mr Capello will take any notice of that game. He will pick a team in form and we have an outstanding goalscorer in Darren. His overall workrate and appetite was great after missing a penalty at Tottenham and the England debacle.”

Sunderland win was their first in five games and was immensely satisfying for Bruce. “It’s always nice to beat one of the big four,” he said.

“We played well, but you’ve always got to play well to beat Arsenal. You can’t say this was a lucky win. It is not as if we created chance after chance.

“We matched them in middle of the park where they are so fluid. We had a game plan and got a result that we deserved. We’ve played well recently and got nothing for it, but we got our reward today for sticking at it.”

Bookmark & Share

Hehe =)

Four Arsenal stars dressed up as furry animals in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH).

The club have released a light-hearted film which sees Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin and Bacary Sagna and manager Arsene Wenger join forces with four patients from the hospital as they embark upon the streets of London to fundraise for the charity.

picture and full story on
http://www.premierleague.com

Hope the placenta fluid works.

Arsenal Gunner, and all-around nice guy, Robin Van Persie suffered a serious injury during the Netherlands’ international friendly versus Italy in Pescara over the weekend. He was having such a great start to the season. The latest is that he’s been ruled out for 6 weeks.

I hope the Gunners can continue to play well in his absence, so that when Robin does return he’ll be able to aid the team in a push for some silver hardware come season end. Robin is so anxious to get back, he’s reportedly using unconventional healing methods.

XOXO, Robin!

The PSL schedule sets the Gunners-Dynamos game for Sunday, but there are reports it may be pushed back to discourage any attempt at rigging or influencing the outcome… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer videos. The blog is also related to: english football archive.

While the international duties have taken centre stage around the world, quite obvious, there will be no premier league action this weekend. As the world cup is fast approaching the action is getting more and more hot and tense out there with some of better teams struggling to qualify easily. A the crucial world cup play-offs starts this weekend it will Bosnia-Herzegovinav taking on Portugal which will be without their star player Cristiano Ronaldowho is out due to ankle injury and is likely to stay out in the second leg also. Russia will be up against Slovenia in Moscow and agter losing to Germany by one goal they need rectify their mistake and win. The winners of World Cup a 11 years ago France face Ireland in their survival to South Africa. In the Southern part, Uruguay will be up against Costa Rica in their road to the African Safari. Imagine the winners of the first two World Cups have to fight their way and their position is not too great.

As the league action is missing, there will be some big matches to come once it is back. Starting with leadersChelsea the next weekend seems to be easy on paper as they face Wolves but the week after that will be blockbuster for as the blues face Gunners at Emirates Stadium. It will be even more tougher for Arsenal as they face Manchester City after Chelsea. Pretty exciting action coming up.
Going 3rd the previous weekend loss to Chelsea, Manchester United face a tricky fixture at home when they will hostEverton on 21st Nov and then travel to Opton park to face West Ham United. They must win the coming matches so that they don’t go further down and hope the Chelsea-Arsenal result comes to their favour as the circumstances demand. Being 5 points behind the leaders and just 3 points above fourth place Tottenham is something to look.
So for now it is the World Cup play-offs, enjoy the action. Hope the first time cup holders Uruguay wins and qualifies for the finals in South Africa.

Okay, okay. Before I am crucified let me first apologize for the lack of blogging as of late. I’ve been on the only two week holiday I’ve ever had in my life (two weeks straight, that is) and since my job is cricket orientated and I’ve been maxing out on football since the mister got DSTV installed I really couldn’t be bothered to write anything.

I won’t lie, I’m not even sure what’s going on in the cricket world at the moment. I do know that South Africa take on Zimbabwe tomorrow, though, and I am covering the game. Great. No better way to get straight back into work is there?

I know I promised to break the news about Arsenal being linked to a pharmacutical company – here’s the deal. Reportedky the North London club have cut a deal with a blood pressure medication manufacturing company. Apparently they are awarded a precentage of sales thanks to  Nicklas Bendter. I know that this sounds absurd but it’s a very feasible arguement…even  my mother who knows NOTHING about football managed to say: “wow, that guy is terrible”.

In other football news. It seems that the trophy is coming to London. We just don’t know which part of London yet. I know that I should probably have a go at Didier Drogba for his little leg twitch but I really couldn’t be f***ed to care.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more bits and bobs and probably a rant about South Africa’s performance against Zim.

xoxox

Ms Print

Now playing: Placebo – Blind

Carlo Ancelotti throws the ball back during the footbal match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on November 8, 2009. AFP PHOTO

LONDON, Nov 9, 2009 (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti has rubbed salt into Manchester United’s wounds over their controversial defeat at Chelsea by suggesting Arsenal are just as big a threat to his side’s Premier League title ambitions.

Chelsea’s 1-0 win, sealed by John Terry’s late header, allowed Ancelotti’s men to open a five-point lead at the top and left his United counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson, once again aggrieved over his side’s treatment at the hands of a referee.

While Ferguson admitted his side now face a tough task in attempting to close the gap on a Chelsea squad that is becoming as rich in confidence as it is in experience, Ancelotti was quick to underline the unexpected vibrancy of Arsenal’s challenge as a reminder of the dangers of complacency.

“If Arsenal win their game in hand, they will be within two points of us,” he said when asked to speculate on whether the title race was now a two-horse affair.

“I think also Arsenal is doing very well.

“A five-point lead is important, but at the same time, not so important. We have 30 points in 12 matches but we know the season is very long. We have to stay focused.”

Chelsea fans’ optimism that Ancelotti could emulate Jose Mourinho in wresting the Premier League trophy away from Old Trafford will have been encouraged by the fact that, three months into his first season in England, the Italian has now master-minded wins over both United and Liverpool.

“That is important,” Ancelotti said. “But we lost against Wigan and Aston Villa. This means every game is the same. It is always three points and we have to maintain concentration against Manchester United, against all teams.

“It was very difficult to beat Manchester, the match was very balanced for 90 minutes and it was difficult for both teams to create chances to score. Sometimes we lost with the set plays, this time we won.”

The set play that decided Sunday’s match was a 76th-minute freekick awarded to Chelsea after referee Martin Atkinson — mistakenly — judged that Darren Fletcher, who had been outstanding for United, had fouled Ashley Cole close to the left touchline.

Frank Lampard’s inswinging delivery was glanced into the net by Terry, although Nicolas Anelka also celebrated as if he had got the final touch.

Either way, Chelsea were fortunate to take all three points after a contest that a depleted United side had controlled for long periods, which only contributed to Ferguson’s frustration over the critical free-kick.

“Clearly, Darren Fletcher’s won the ball, Ashley Cole’s never touched and has jumped up in the air, and then (Didier) Drogba’s pulled Brown to the ground for the goal,” Ferguson said.

“The referee’s position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he can’t see anything. He’s got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn’t even move.

“That goal shoudn’t have been allowed. It was a bad decision, but there’s nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that’s the way the players are talking in there. It was a bad one.”

Ferguson maintained sufficient composure to acknowledge that United could only blame themselves for failing, over the course of the 90 minutes, to turn their domination of possession into better chances.

“We had great opportunities to get to the edge of the box and some really good chances in and around the box, but we should be finishing it off,” the Scot recognised.

“We’ve only ourselves to blame in that respect. But you do need a break – and we never got the break we needed.”

Ferguson also admitted that the setback at Stamford Bridge was far more significant than last month’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

“The fact is Chelsea go five points clear of us,” he said. “The defeat to Liverpool didn’t affect our position in the league, this affects our position in the sense that if we’d have won we’d have gone top.”

Bookmark & Share

4 ncü maçların bitiminde tek temsilcimiz olan Beşiktaş’ ın sadece Avrupa Ligi şansı kaldı. Favoriler bu sefer beklediği puan seviyesinde değiller. Geçen sene Ali Sami Yen stadyumunda oynanan Uefa Avrupa Ligi 3 ncü turu maçında Sabri’ den son dakikada yediği golle elenen Girondins de Bordeaux takımında gözle görülür bir yükseliş var. Grupta 10 puanları var. Genel görünüm Platini’ nin büyük liglerin ikinci, üçüncü ve dördüncülerini değil de şampiyon takımları lige almasının pek yararlı olmadığı yönünde. Zira Unirea Urziceni ve Rubin Kazan hariç başarılı olan da yok bu takımlar arasında. Arsenal, Bordeaux, Lyon, Manchester United ve Chelsea  içeride dışarıda başarılı olanlar.

A GRUBU

Bu sezon Bayern Münih’  te transferlere rağmen sakatlıklar dolayısıyla başarısız bir cl sezonu olarak göze çarpıyor. Ribery, İvica Oliç ve Arjen Robben’ in sakatlıkları takım performansını etkiledi.  Van Gaal’ in sistemi oturamadan alınan kötü sonuçlar geleceğini muhtelemen etkileyecektir. Bordeaux takım oyununu iyi oynuyor. Deplasmanda dahi sistemden vazgeçmeyen Laurent Blanc istikrarlı futbolun ana sebebi. Kendisini Fransa milli futbol takımı forması giyerken Fransa 98′ de 2. turda Paraguay’ a uzatmalarda attığı golle hatırlıyoruz. Bu gol turu getirmişti. Stoper oynardı. Neyse konu sapmasın. Juventus’ un kaderi ise Chaban Delmas’ tan çıkacak puan veya puanlara bağlı. Yoksa bu aralar pek galibiyet alamayan ve Napoli’ ye 2-0 dan 3-2 maçı veren Ciro Ferrera için zor günler başlayacak demektir.Gerçi bir avantajı daha var. Bir sonraki maç ise Juventus-Bayern Münih. Gruptan çıkma konusunda tam bir final. Seyredilesi maç…

B GRUBU

Beşiktaş’ ın bu kadro kalitesiyle bence tek puanını aldığı grup. Devamlı rotasyon ve kadro istikrarsızlığı başarısızlığı da beraberinde getirdi. Mustafa Denizli Çeşme’ den imza için geri getirildiğinde bence sezon orada bitmişti. Bu sonuçlar da kendisinin ikinci sezon sendromu oldu. Gerçi Denizli’ nin kariyer rekoru kırdığını görüyoruz. 1 puan aldı sonuçta. Wolfsburg ise sezon başında Armin Veh’ i takımın başına getirdi. Geçen sezonki gol sayısını yakalayamadılar. Üzerine de defans bloğunun formu düşünce bu hafta itibariyle Bundesliga’ da 21 gol atıp 19 gol yediler. Deplasman başarıları da haliyle düştü. Cl performansları geçen seneyi düşünürsek pek iç açıcı değil. Tabi Beşiktaş’ ı yenmeleri gereken bir maçta 3-0 gibi net bir skorla yendiler. Buna rağmen Cska’ ya karşı dezavantajlılar. Deplasmanda Cska’ ya gidiyorlar ve Manchester United ile oynayacaklar. Cska ise Man. Utd. maçlarını bitirdi ve 1 puan kazandı. Bu puan onları 2 nci tura taşıyabilir. Beşiktaş ise umarız son bir gayretle bu karmaşadan yararlanıp Uefa Avrupa Ligi biletini alır… Umarız !

C GRUBU

Real Madrid’ de Alcorcos yenilgisinden beri Pellegrini sallantıda. Hadi Sevilla mağlubiyetinde mazeret vardı ama ya Alcorcos ? C. Ronaldo sakatladığından beri takım performansı giderek düşüyor. Higuain forma giriyor ama takıma zor giriyor. Los Galacticos’ a bu performans yakışmıyor. Milan ise kötü başladığı sezonda ise giderek form düzeyini yükseltiyor. Deplasmanda Real’ i 3 gol atarak yenmeleri performanslarının zirvesiydi. Marsilya’ nın nefesi hemen enselerinde ama Fransızlarla kendi evlerinde oynayacaklar. Real maçlarını de bitirdikleri için daha avantajlı olan Milan demek istiyorum ama sonuçta kendi evlerinde Zürih’ e 1-0 kaybeden bir takımda söz ediyoruz. Temkinli olmak lazım. Zürih bu grupta Milan’ a bir süpriz daha yapmazsa Milan çıkar. Marsilya’ nın Zürih’ i 6-1 yendiği maç 6-5 bitebilirdi. Fransızlar defans bağlamında zayıf.

D GRUBU

Chelsea’ nin ezici üstünlüğü bulunan grup. Atletico Madrid eski günlerini mumla aratıyor. Defans kurguları hemen hemen her maçta çöküyor. La Liga’ da ise dipte sayılırlar. Kun Aguero’ nun performansı ise ancak Chelsea’ den bir puan almaya yetti. Diğer puan Apoel’ den alındı ama Vicente Calderon’ da !  Son 10 senede transferden 350 milyon euro kazanan Porto grubu forse eden diğer takım. Grupta dikkati çeken şey ise Apoel’ i evinde yenmek zor. 2 maçta yenildiler ama Chelsea ve Porto’ dan sadece birer gol yediler. Kıbrıs Rum Kesimi ve Yunanistan takımlarının kendi evindeki maçlarda takım performansı seyirciyle birleşince sonuca böyle yansıyor…

E GRUBU

Puansız Debrecen’ in Liverpool’ dan daha çok gol attığı grup (!) Son iki maça girilirken Liverpool ile Mor Menekşeler arasında 5 puan fark var. Rafa iki maçı alayım ve Mor Menekşeler de iki maç üstüste kaybetsin diye dua etmeli. 24 Kasım Salı Fiorentina  – Olympique Lyon ve 9 Aralık Çarşamba Liverpool  – Fiorentina maçları kritik. Benitez başarı istiyorsa transfer politikasını değiştirmeli. Eğer devre arasında mali kriz içerisindeki Valencia’ dan David Silva ve David Villa Sanchez alınırsa istenen hedeflere yürünebilir. Geçen sezon bu takım premier lig’ de 38 maçta 2 kez yenilirken, bu yıl 11 haftada 5. mağlubiyetini aldı. Transfer olmazsa mağlubiyet serisi artar. Gareth Barry’ e gösterilen ilgi kendisine gösterilmeyince giden Xabi Alonso’ nun boşluğunu Alberto Aquilani ile dolduramadılar. Andriy Voronin, Robbie Keane, Lucas Leiva, Martin Skertel, Daniel Agger, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Albert Riera, David N’gog, Philipp Degen bence Liverpool kadrosuna yakışmıyor. Benitez’ in hakkını yemeyelim. Ryan Babel transferinde iyiydi kendisi ! Mor Menekşeler’ e ise tebrikler. ikinci tur için 1 puan almaları yeterli. Debrecen ise sempatik takım. Gol yiyor. Gol atıyor. Maçları puan alamasa da zevkli geçiyor. Lyon ise her zamanki gibi isabetli transfer ustası. Benzema gider Lisandro gelir. Lyon para kazanır. Değişmeyen ise OL’ nin ikinci tura kalmasıdır. Grubu da muhtemelen lider bitirecekler.

F GRUBU

Kaotik ortam. Kurban Berdiyev ve tespihinin Barça’ dan 4 puan aldığı grup. Bu işin şakası ama Rubin iyi takım oyunu ve biraz da şansın yardımı ile Nou Camp’ dan galibiyet ile döndü. Gökdeniz galibiyet golünü atarak sevinç yaşattı. Rus futbolunun Zenith ve Cska Moskova ile başlayan yükselişi Rubin Kazan ile devam ediyor. Oligarkların harcayacak parası çok sanırım. Konuya dönelim. Berdiyev’ in bu maçta geçen sene Guus Hiddink’ in Chelsea ile cl yarı finalinde aynı stadyumdan beraberlik çıkarttığı taktiği uyguladığını düşünüyorum. Kendi evlerindeki maçta ise  Bukharov ve Alejandro Domingues biraz dikkatli olsaydı Pep sadece soğuktan değil gerçekten donabilirdi. Aklıma gelmişken Domingues’ in bir senesi daha var Rusya liginde. Sonra üç büyük ligin yolunu tutar. Maç sırasında bir ara kendi başına Barça’ ya kafa tutan bu yeteneği birileri görmüştür herhalde…

Karışıklıktan faydalanan İnter ise son 5 dakikada son sıradan birinciliğe tırmandı. Dinamo Kiev ise son iki maçta İnter’ e karşı sergilediği defansif performansını sorgulamalı. Jose ise Pellegrini umarım gitmez diyeceğine kendi maçlarına bakmalı. Moratti bu harcamalar sonucunda daha iyi bir grup performansı isterdi herhalde. Barça’ nın cl deplasman performansı ise endişe verici. Bu beraberlikler başa iş açabilir 1 nci ile 4 ncünün arasında 2 puan fark olduğu grupta. Bundan sonra gruptaki her maç kritik !

G GRUBU 

Unirea Urziceni’ nin peri masalı devam ediyor. Onofraş Rangers karşısında sadece 1 puanı getiren golü değil 2 nci tur umudunu devam ettiren golü de attı. Ancak son iki maçı Sevilla ve Stuttgart deplasmanlarında. Maksimum dezavantaj. Yine de Rangers’ ı deplasmanda 4-1 yenerek sükse yaptılar. Gol attılar veya yediler fark etmez ama futbol oynadılar. Tebrik etmek lazım. Stuttgart ise zeki ama çalışmayan öğrenci. Soruların gelmesini bekliyor herhalde. Evlerindeki Unirea maçı son şans. Sevilla ise bildiğimiz gibi. Bu grupta onların ortalama performansı 2 nci turu yakalardı zaten. yakaladı da. Rangers ise ikide bir ” bana ne ben  premier lige gidicem ” edebiyatından vazgeçip transfere bakmalı. Grup maçlarındaki başarısızlıkları alışkanlık olmak üzere.

H GRUBU

Gunners büyüleyici. Ertem Şener’ in dediği gibi çoluk çocuk dünyaya kafa tutuyorlar. Olimpiyakos ve Standart Liege ile ikinci bilet yarışı kızışmış durumda. Liege - Olimpiyakos maçında aralarındaki fark Sinan Bolat idi. Zico bu maçı alırsak 2 nci turdayız demişti. Şimdi dengeler değişti. Arsenal ile maçları biten AZ 67 dahil üç takımın da şansı var. Tabii Arsenal’ in de grubu son maça kadar bırakmaması lazım. Sempati duyduğum Zico’ ya başarılar…

ARSENAL v AZ ALKMAAR

Champions League Group H

The Emirates. Wednesday, November 4^th.

Kickoff 19.45.

After Arsenal trounced Spurs on Saturday , the visit of Alkmaar cannot be too worrying for Wenger and his band of merry men.

The clean sheet from the Spurs game will please Wenger, as will the manner in which Arsenal scored their three goals, even if Spurs’ defence was slightly dodgy at times.

Fabregas deserves all the plaudits he gets for his goal and will be a vital cog in Wenger’s wheel against Alkmaar, if he plays. The fact that the Gunners are cruising towards qualification might mean that Wenger gives his star player a well-earned rest – he can afford to do so.

Arsenal are hot favourites to win this tie and deservedly so. Their home form is terrific, and Alkmaar’s away form is poor, particularly in England.

TEAM NEWS

Gael Clichy will be out for about a month after suffering a stress fracture in his back. This paves the way for young Kieran Gibbs to enjoy an extended run in the side. Rosicky is back in the squad but long-term injuries keep Bendtner, Fabianski, Walcott  and Denilson on the sidelines.

VERDICT

This game is expected to be all one-way traffic. Arsenal’s price of about 1.20 reflects this. Unless you’re investing very large sums of money (and if you are, you shouldn’t really be reading this), you won’t be punting on Arsenal to win. Even the Arsenal winning at half-time and full-time (around 1.80) doesn’t ooze inspiration. Perhaps the value is to found in the number of goals to be scored. Arsenal are no strangers to hitting the back of the net, and Alkmaar are no strangers to picking it out of the back of their own net. In fact, if Arsenal were to lose concentration for a minute, Alkmaar may end up scoring a goal of their own.

RECOMMENDED

Over 3.5 goals    2.36 BETFAIR

Arsenal -2.5 goals             2.48 BETFAIR

Arshavin to score at anytime      2.38 BETFAIR

Fabregas to score at anytime      3.40 BETFAIR

***Please bet responsibly. Only bet with money that you can afford to lose — not your food kitty or rent/mortgage***

Manchester United boleh menguasai Premiership dalam dua dekade terakhir, tapi sejak dunia blog merambah sepak bola, Arsenal adalah juaranya. Gooners sangat aktif, kreatif, unik, tidak asal copy paste, dan diselingi konten menarik mulai analisa, kritikan, dan opini tentang perjalanan skuad Arsene Wenger di dunia blog. Whoallthepies menulis Why do Arsenal have the best bloggers?

The quality and depth of Arsenal blogs shames those of all other clubs, including the rest of the so-called ‘big four’. Indeed, if you added up all the decent Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd blogs, I doubt even then they could match the might of the Gunners’ online output.

So, how did this happen? Why do Arsenal have so many good, dedicated bloggers? Is it because they’re more self-righteous, more educated, more passionate, more contrary, more pompous, more intelligent?

I have no idea – maybe a combination of the above.

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts on this topic, and especially the thoughts of Arsenal bloggers…

Berikut beberapa blog Arsenal (beberapa di antaranya berbahasa Prancis!)
Young Guns
A Cultured Left Foot
Arseblog
Arsenal Academy
Arsenal Column
Arsenal Highlights
Arsenal Insider
Arsenal Shorts
Arsenal Vision
ASCFR
Goodplaya
Gooner Talk
Gunner Central
Le-Grove
Son Of A Gun
The ArseNole
Watch Arsenal

Dan salah satu blog Arsenal favoritku adalah Young Guns.

Untuk artikel dan editorial sepak bola lainnya, baca di Catatan Bola

Tottenham fans may be full of confidence ahead of their game against north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but bookmakers have already poured cold water on their chances. According to the Racing Post, the sports and betting daily paper, bookies are offering odds of 5-1 about Spurs winning at Arsenal for the first time in 19 matches.

Tottenham supporters have to go back to 1993 – Bill Clinton was succeeding George Bush Senior as the 42nd President of the United States and Jurassic Park was breaking box-office records – for their last success at Highbury. Bookmakers are offering odds of 80-1 about them repeating the 3-1 match scoreline, and 300-1 about the dramatic
4-4 draw of last season occurring again

The Gunners- 8-13 to win for the ninth successive time at home this season, are only 7-5 to win by two or more goals and 8-15 to score the first match goal. Spurs striker Peter Crouch is 9-1 to score a headed goal, and 28-1 to score and then remove his shirt in celebration!

Don’t miss Saturday’s Racing Post Sport for expert opinion on all the weekend action from the paper’s top team of football writers – including former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Tony Cascarino. There will be comprehensive odds, statistics and analysis on the game, and words of wisdom from soccer boffin Kevin Pullein.

Visit the Racing Post for all the latest sports betting news.

Related News:

• Spurs humbled by three goal Gunners

It is 3-0 to the Gunners!!!

For all the big talk dished out by Robbie Keane, his team just showed the opposite. They lacked in depth as they did really miss their most creative players in Luka Modric, Lennon and Defoe playing against their london rivals, who also missed a trio of creative players in Rosicky, Nasri and Walcott…it is a different matter whether they would have still made the team if they were fit.

Arsenal’s formation seems to be a rock solid one with Diaby and Song playing ahead of the defence and Song in particular looking like an ace when it comes to breaking the opposition moves and stoppinng play. Diaby seriously needs to improve and this is where I feel a Nasri(like he did in the Carling Cup) or a Rosicky can make a positive difference to this team.

Van Persie seems to be hitting a purple patch and Arshavin and Bendtner along with our new goal-scoring midfielder captain Cesc Fabregas seems to be combinign well. Sagna is looking more attack-minded and Clichy seriously needs to get his crosses right. It is amazing that this team seems to be having so much to improve and still doing good. I wonder how it would be once they all combine well and play to their potential. Vermaelen and Gallas are strong behind and the way Vermaelen headed out all the balls to Crouch I am not worried anymore about any tall forward troubling us at the back. I just want to see how Vermaelen will play against Drogba the physically strong forward whom we have not encountered so far.

One last word about Fabregas’ goal. He was absolutely fantastic and I am sure with this one he has become more adorable to the fans…you rock Cesc!

cuore Hammer

Gianfranco Zola ha elogiato la squadra dopo l’incredibile recupero di domenica contro l’Arsenal

Gianfranco Zola ha lodato lo spirito indomito dei giocatori del suo West Ham United dopo che hanno strappato in rimonta all’Arsenal un pareggio per 2-2, in un incontro valido per la Barclays Premier League.

Gli Hammers erano dati per spacciati e non ci si aspettava altro che perdessero dopo che erano tornati negli spogliatoi del Boleyn Ground sotto di due reti, all’intervallo.

Poco più di un’ora più tardi, però, gli sguardi corrucciati si sono trasformati in sorrisi dopo che i gol di un grande Carlton Cole e di Alessandro Diamanti, entrato dalla panchina, hanno ridato vita alla squadra contro i potenti Gunners di Arsène Wenger.

Zola, che aveva preferito accostarsi a un guerriero piuttosto che farsi prendere dalla preoccupazione alla vigilia dell’incontro di sabato, ha voluto esaltare lo spirito combattivo dimostrato dai suoi giocatori.

“L’atteggiamento della squadra è stata la cosa più bella della partita odierna, insieme al coinvolgimento e all’appoggio che ci hanno dato i tifosi. Sono stati la cosa migliore che ho visto oggi. Non abbiamo vinto, ma è come se l’avessimo fatto.”

“E’ quel che cercavo perché in ogni caso lo spirito combattivo dev’esserci, sempre. E’ qualcosa di cui non possiamo fare a meno, quindi sono contento.”

“Lo ripeto, settimana scorsa avevo notato qualcosa di diverso ed è molto importante. Oggi ho visto qualcosa di più ed è incoraggiante, onestamente.”

“Credetemi, la situazione era davvero complicata. Loro ce l’hanno messa tutta fino alla fine e sono veramente orgoglioso di loro.”

(…)

Due giocatori che potrebbero essere titolari allo Stadium of Light (per il prossimo impegno, NdT) sono Diamanti e l’attaccante dell’Under 21 Zavon Hines, il cui impatto sulla partita è stato devastante da quando sono entrati, nella ripresa.

“Diamanti ha fatto una grande differenza, e anche Zavon ha fatto benissimo quando è entrato. Ci sono stati molto utili e ne sono contento perché Alessandro è un giocatore che può darci qualcosa in più.”

“Non dimenticatevi che lui e anche [Luis] Jimenez sono giocatori di peso. Vengono da un campionato [la Serie A] che è diverso e più facile di questo, quindi hanno bisogno di tempo per adattarsi, ma hanno grandi qualità, che risulteranno importanti per il West Ham.”

(…)

da un servizio del sito ufficiale del West Ham United

http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1837051,00.html

Vieira, 11 titoli a Highbury

Arsène Wenger ha descritto l’ex capitano dell’Arsenal Patrick Vieira come un giocatore incredibile ma è convinto che la sua partenza nel 2005 non sia alla base della recente mancanza di vittorie di titoli dei Gunners.

Vieira era stato il primo grande acquisto di Wenger nelle vesti di manager dell’Arsenal e il forte centrocampista ha poi trascorso nove anni con il Club, vincendo 11 trofei e guidando da capitano la squadra alla conquista del campionato 2003/04 senza alcuna sconfitta.

L’ultimo calcio dato da Vieria nella sua carriera all’Arsenal era valso la vittoria della FA Cup del 2005, decisa ai rigori contro il Manchester United, ma i Gunners non hanno alzato più una coppa da quando il francese se n’è andato, prima destinazione la Juventus.

Si potrebbe dire che c’è una correlazione fra l’assenza di Vieira e il digiuno di vittorie dell’Arsenal, ma Wenger non è di questo parere.

“Patrick è stato un giocatore incredibile, fantastico,” ha affermato Wenger durante un’intervista di settimana scorsa. “Ma credo che siamo andati ugualmente vicini a vincere [dei trofei] dopo [che se n’è andato].”

“Ma chiaramente se non vinci la gente dirà ‘non hai vinto’. Però ci si dimentica che nel 2006 abbiamo giocato una finale di Champions League in 10 uomini e per poco non l’abbiamo vinta.”

“Lui [Vieira] si adatta perfettamente a qualsiasi [stile di] calcio,” ha aggiunto Wenger. “Ma non giocherà per sempre e credo che noi abbiamo creato un gruppo giovane e vincere con un gruppo giovane è molto difficile.”

“Adesso la gente vuole che vinciamo qualcosa, lo sappiamo bene.”

servizio di Nick Teale per il sito ufficiale dell’Arsenal

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-lack-of-trophies-not-linked-to-vieira-sale-

Etre joueur de foot peut rendre très nerveux, voire dingue. Alors que font 5 joueurs de football (d’Arsenal) pour passer leur nerf? Ils s’amusent comme des gosses de 10 ans.

Une petite bataille comme durant leur enfance, y a rien de mieux pour se détendre un peu avant les différentes échéances footballistiques.

Luxembourg [0 - 3] Switzerland
6′ Senderos
8′ Senderos

I like him.

I repeat – I like him. Good, he is still at Arsenal. Keep it up Boy!

Armenia [1 - 2] Spain
33′ Fabregas

In Germany-Russia match, Bollocks Ballack acted out of control after he was denied penalty. He lost control and fell after colliding with Arsahvin In return to his vain attempt to push down Arshavin, he was smacked by the Russian. Loved it!

God is a Gooner. Cheers!

Follow God is a Gooner on Twitter
Follow God is a Gooner on Facebook

]]> http://courantseven.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/3/ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:06:19 +0000 diaryofarecoveringstudent http://courantseven.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/3/

By Abi Mowbray & Kate Ross

Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea

 

 

Arsenal Reserves’ Craig Eastmond kept their 100 percent win record alive last night. The rising talent netted his second goal of the season in the 22^nd minute of a tightly fought clash against rivals Chelsea at Underhill Stadium.

Mother, Amanda Eastmond, said: ‘He played all through the youth at right-back but centre-mid’ was always his position and he’s just proved it with that goal.”

Chelsea fans cheered on England star Joe Cole, who used the game as transition back into the top squad following a knee injury.

But even his presence wasn’t enough to stop another promising London youngster, Sanchez Watt, 17, from capitalising on an interception in the 66^th minute to power home Arsenal’s second goal of the night.

Chelsea were unable to cash in on their own chances and Arsenal’s clean sheet brings them to top of the table. Their fourth consecutive win puts them in joint first with Aston Villa.

Joe Cole wasn’t the only first team player on the pitch. Arsenal defender Armand Traore, 19, said: “We played well. I’m hoping to play more and more first team football. The reserve games are a different standard but they help me keep my fitness up.”

Neil Banfield, coach, said: “We’ve played well. We’re doing alright and the boys did well.” Of Cole he said: “Joe played with a good attitude.”

The success of the Reserves stands the future of the club in good stead. With the first team looking to push for a title bid this season, they have a wealth of talent to draw from, a luxury that Chelsea, banned from transfers until January 2011 do not enjoy.

Bill Sellers, Gunners enthusiastic since 1948, said: “This team are playing exceptionally well. You can tell with the first team it’s built with these youngsters. The days of just buying players are over and teams know they need to develop the youth.”

]]> http://footballheadlines.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/zimbabwes-gunners-to-take-on-shooting-stars-in-premiership-match-wednesday/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:47:17 +0000 w7075news http://footballheadlines.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/zimbabwes-gunners-to-take-on-shooting-stars-in-premiership-match-wednesday/

Thirteen teams will participate in the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations event starting on Oct. 17… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: dutch soccer. For a different topic see cake recipe. The blog is also related to: soccer uniform.

]]> http://singlarity.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/yes-ayn-this-is-sports/ Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:12:05 +0000 singlarity http://singlarity.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/yes-ayn-this-is-sports/

VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT

Note: Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man-U, City and Villa etc. fans, don’t come here with hateful comments. I am not here to rag on any other team but to bask in the glow of my Gunner-love. So, respectfully bugger off. That being said …

So I love Arsenal. No, scratch that. I am in love with Arsenal. My relationship with Arsenal is the longest I have ever had with the male species. Doesn’t hurt that we are talking about a group of men (the members of which are subject to change from time to time), lead by the most paternalistic of men – Arsene Wenger. Even when they leave me (and Arsenal) behind, I still have a lot of love for them. Thierry Henry, I am looking at you. Emmanuel Adebayor being one exception.

Fabulous Fabregas

This season has been particularly fun, despite the roller coaster start. Watching Cesc Fabregas become a bona fide badass is the best part. Yeah, I love me some Cesc. It seems unfair to single out one player in particular, since Arsenal’s success has always been a group effort, but Cesc’s leadership in the middle is such a huge part of the beautiful style of football that the Gunners play.

Finding and falling in love with Arsenal took me out of a dark period of my life when I didn’t have a Premiership team to cheer for. None of the other sides seemed to fit, plus I couldn’t cheer for Manchester United because of my brother’s long-standing love for that team. In my family, you’re not allowed to be on the same team as another sibling. My other brother is a Liverpool fan. Nobody’s perfect, I guess. So for a time, I had unfulfilling non-exclusive relationships with Everton and Manchester City. Chelsea was never an option, despite Mourinho’s tenure. I just couldn’t care that deeply about the style of football I was seeing before my eyes. The Gunners saved me from literally giving up on Premiership football and football in general.

So what if they don’t have a break-out star who will score 20+ goals for them per season? I like the idea of shared wealth and responsibility. So what if they’ve got mostly foreign players? As an immigrant, I have no problem with that. So what if Arsene Wenger likes to take players from their adolescence and bring them up through the ranks? I try not to think about that too hard. Plus, there must be some benefits to having his brand of discipline imposed on someone at an early age.

So, thank you Arsenal, for stopping me from placing the metaphorical loaded revolver in my mouth and saying goodbye to the EPL and footy in general. Thank you for saving my footy-fan life.