Exclusive Arsene Wenger Interview
ITV VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal boss Wenger on tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash, on Arsenal, on 2006 final and on Messi.
A look back on Guy Ritchie’s ‘Take it to the Next Level’ Nike advert. Actually my favourite Nike football advert to date. This is the Director’s cut version, enjoy :)
CescSpeculation
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Other clubs interests with Cesc Fabregas seem to be more closer than Messi keeping the ball to his feet! The past few days have seen yet another interest for the young player, although surprisingly it is not from his homeland. Inter Milan are so confident they are getting Cesc in the summer they have stated they have already taken out insurance on him already! At the moment both player and agent are keeping things under wraps saying that the #4 is only concentrating on the Premiership and Champions League. Having come up through the Arsenal ranks, although only 22, has been with the Gunners for nearly 7 years. The player has admitted that he would like to take his future to the next level with another club but never has specified when that would be.
The rumours with Inter is reported to be in the region of €35m with a player swap, sending 19 year old Striker, Mario Balotelli in the opposite direction. Previous interests have been with Real Madrid and Cesc’s former club Barcelona.
Will Fabregas stay for the next season at Arsenal or leave to one of these 3:
- Real Madrid
- Barcelona
- Inter Milan
However I have yet to have seen this news on TV just in print and online, nor anything yet from the Arsenal website. Any further news and comments welcomed.
Who Has Got Your Golden Boot?
The debate is on, place your vote now! Please use the poll on the homepage in the right hand bar www.inthestands.tumblr.com
If you feel another striker should have a more deserving mention then you can post your views here. The above three selection is due to their current popularity in the media.
A walk with Bendtner’s family, looks like the Gunner wages going toward some nifty sunglasses for the fam (& no I didn’t follow them around lol) photo from Kickette
Premiership Adjusters: ex Dutch League Stars
Two ex Dutch league defenders have found themselves playing in the EPL this season and its interesting to see how they both have adjusted to the English game. Both John Heitinga (Everton) and Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) have been thrown into a tense season either for finishing in the top four or for a place in a European competition next season. The Barclay’s Premiership is well known around the world for its fast paced game and roughness.
Both Heitinga and Vermaelen were also team mates when they played for Ajax, where Vermaelen went on to become captain. TV has made the most league appearances and has played every starting game in the EPL for Arsenal, but unfortunately will miss the game against Wolves due to his prior dismissal against Hull. JH has got 26 appearances to his name with no goals. However the Belgium Arsenal defender has made an explosive impact with 7 goals so far and looks set in attempting to at least equal his 8 goal total when at Ajax (03/04 & 05/09). JH spent 7 years (01/08) at Ajax scoring 24 goals before moving onto a season at Athletico Madrid where he scored 3. It may well be that Heitinga has a slight disadvantage coming from Spain where players have a bit more space and time, but it is Vermaelen who has kept his head up and got stuck in straight away. For defenders it is not really about scoring but about doing their job at the backline, but when one comes along to the EPL and adapts by putting 7 in the back of the net, he definitely has been the most effective.
Pompey Allowed To Sell Players From Now
The BBC have reported that Portsmouth Football Club have gained special permission to sell their players outside of the transfer window. With some decent players, it is more than likely that some Premiership clubs will be looking to snap the likes of James, Piquionne,Utaka etc. Arsenal fans have been calling for a more experienced keeper, at least for back up - however I cannot see Wenger making a move for D.James. What possible transfers can take place?
This is the amazing own goal that has happened just this month, so its nice to have something to smile about. It is a pretty good strike from Goran Rubil of Haduk Split, as the midfielder smashes it from the edge of the box. It was supposed to be a clearance that went horribly wrong, giving Lokomotiva the lead. This match had a lot at stake as both teams were fighting for a Europa League spot, and this sort of error is quite amazing for such a game. The match continued with an equalizer 8 mins later for Haduk however the own goal proved fatal as Lokomotiva converted a half-time penalty.
Haduk Split 1 - 2 Lokomotiva
A lot of viral activity on the net are labeling it as the best or the most amazing, and sure it looks good but I am confident I have seen a better one before! But this was a while away, if I manage to come across it I’ll post it up - but I am sure I have seen one which was deliberate!
The Effects of Passing
It is obvious when you watch the Premiership’s top 3 teams playing that they have great control over their passing. Man United top the stats charts with a massive 12,939 successful passes to date, followed by Arsenal with 12,801 and then Chelsea’s 12,478. They are the only teams so far to break the 12,000 barrier and it is most certainly apparent in the way they conduct the play on the field.
However there is one anomaly, a team that has a successful pass rate of 8,126 which is more than 8 teams who all fill the middle of the EPL table. This significant team is Portsmouth. Yes the bottom dwellers are considerably more successful (in some cases by a good few thousands) in their passing than the likes of Aston Villa, Birmingham, Stoke, Blackburn, Sunderland and Bolton. Even if we add on the 9pts deducted from Portsmouth the team would still possibly be below Bolton (14th).
There is most likely other things to look at but at the moment my head is a bit spinning around looking at the stats. But some people will say stats are not everything, which is possibly true, but no one can deny that passing is key.
Your views.
*stats from Opta
In the run up to the World Cup it is nice to see what interesting adverts come out. This one is good lighthearted fun.
