All posts by h79snht.top

Arsenal fans have warned to be careful for what they wish for in light of the criticism directed towards Arsene Wenger. Sir Alex believes that the Frenchman deserves a huge amount of respect, given the giant strides he has made at the football club during his tenure. Wenger has done his level best to redress the balance with a deadline day splurge, which has gone some way in pacifying some of his critics.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Gunners blogs that include the penny finally drops for Arsenal; Sol worth a gamble? Time for Wenger to utilise his £15m Plan B.

We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week

Caption Competition: And the award for the biggest ego at Arsenal goes to…

Sol worth the gamble at Arsenal?

Can Wenger recreate the Bergkamp and Henry axis within?

Arsenal and Chelsea looking to activate £3m clause

Arsene Wenger should consider his exit strategy

The penny finally drops for Arsene Wenger

How do you ever follow a footballing legend?

A shrewd £10m move by Arsene Wenger?

Time for Wenger to utilise his £15m Plan B?

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Best of WEB

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Wenger being lined up by the FA? Leave Our Man Alone!…… – Highbury House

Some pretty amazing Arsenal Data on injuries… – Le Grove

Arsenal’s Forgotten Man? – Online Gooner

One Of Us Speaks: This Time It’s For Real – A Cultured Left Foot

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Can Arsenal’s new centre-back emulate club legend Tony Adams? – Gunnersphere

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Manchester City and Arsenal have all but agreed a fee regarding the sale of Samir Nasri – an even this is not too far away.

This news will not be welcomed by Adam Johnson who will now seek a move away from Eastlands.

This year is a big one for the former Middlesborough man. If Johnson can perform to his ability, he can establish himself amongst Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott as one of the starters for England on the flanks.

Despite a promising start to both his Manchester City and England career, Johnson has struggled to get into City’s starting line-up, and will certainly play second-fiddle to fellow left-sided midfielder Samir Nasri.

This will have a whole host of Premiership clubs fighting for Johnson’s signature. Reports last month suggested that Johnson was in line for a move on loan to Everton or Sunderland, and the interest from both these sides remains.

However, having sold two wide men this summer, Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is also observing with interest.

Newcastle would also be keen on a move for Johnson to bulk up their depleted and yet more depleting squad. Though it would be tough at first for fans to welcome the signing of a Sunderland-born, former Middlesborough player.

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Kyle Walkers stunning 25-yard strike settled a terrific North London derby as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

The young right back struck with 17 minutes remaining to hand Spurs a well earned victory after Aaron Ramsey had cancelled out Rafael van der Vaarts opener. It was the seventh game without defeat in league and dup for Harry Redknapp’s side and the boss will be relieved his players emerged with all three points this afternoon. The 167th meeting between the two North London clubs was played at a frantic pace and the Gunners will feel they deserved at least a point after working hard to draw level. After three wins on the trot in all competitions Arsene Wenger’s side looked like they had finally shaken off their dreadful early season form only but were unable to cope with the hosts as they controlled the opening exchanges. It took the visitors a good 15 minutes to find their rhythm and they should have taken the lead through Gervinho on the half hour mark. Captain Robert Van Persie did brilliantly to beat Younes Kaboul down the left only to see his teammate shoot tamely wide of Brad Friedel’s goal.

It proved to be costly as Van Der Vaart struck five minutes before half time to give the hosts the lead. Former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor played a key role chipping a delicate pass into the Dutchman who brought the ball under control before firing past Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish keeper had to be at his best to deny Adebayor for getting on the scoresheet after the restart brilliantly turning the Togolese international’s placed strike behind after he broke the offside trap and found himself one on one. That save allowed Arsenal to get themselves back into the game and Ramsey did just that turning in Alex Songs low cross from close range after a bulldozing run down the left. Redknapp identified the need for a combative presence alongside Scott Parker and duly brought Sandro on in place of Van Der Vaart allowing Spurs to establish a foothold on the game. Attention then turned to Bacary Sagna on 70 minutes after the French fullback was stretchered off with a serious looking ankle injury after Benoit Assou Ekotto’s challenge caused him to land awkwardly on the turf.

That seemed to unsettle the Gunners and they were made to pay for their drop in concentration as Walker lashed home the winner. Szczesny will feel he could have done better as the ball dipped and swerved all over the place making it difficult to judge. He did redeem himself with seven minutes remaining palming Defoe’s fierce strike away from goal as Arsenal chased their second equaliser of the game. But it was Tottenham who looked the more likely to score and Luka Modric almost did just that in the final minutes only to see his shot find the side netting. It didn’t matter though as Spurs held on to secure a third straight win in this fixture and leave Wenger back at square one.

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Without a shadow of a doubt the famous Champions League music will be ringing out at White Hart Lane next season. The bright lights of Europe’s premier club competition grow ever closer for Tottenham Hotspur as their domestic season draws nearer to its conclusion. Sitting comfortably in the Premier League’s top three with only the FA Cup to concern themselves with their time should be utilized effectively to ensure they can compete in a competition that has changed drastically during their year long absence.

Spurs’ enthralling debut campaign in the Champions League was cruelly terminated at the quarter-final stage by Real Madrid last year. A humbling defeat at the hands of the La Liga giants left supporters realising the squad would need to be strengthened if they were to compete with the best Europe has to offer. Whilst reaching the last eight was an achievement beyond the North Londoners’ wildest dreams its worth noting that emulating their feats of 2010/11 will be incredibly difficult. Big spending Manchester City and neighbours United were both knocked out of this seasons competition at the group stage whilst Arsenal and Chelsea are close to being nudged off the edge without so much as a whimper. With four of English footballs superpowers struggling to survive on the continent what hope to Tottenham have of surviving?

Arguably Spurs are a stronger side than they did 12 months ago. The addition of Emmanuel Adebayor, Brad Friedel and Scott Parker has transformed them into Premier League title contenders this season. The latter pair have been the unsung heroes at White Hart Lane this season with Friedel offering an experienced head behind a sometimes erratic back four. Younes Kaboul has been a shining light at centre half with Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou Ekotto also made of sturdier stuff. Parker has also received plaudits for his commanding displays in the engine room providing a license for Luka Modric to scheme and construct in the final third. Adebayor, should he stay, has provided the muscle they’ve lacked for so long and seems to have found a team capable of playing to his strengths. Along with the new additions a majority of the squad played together in their first Champions League adventure that took them on a wild ride to the quarter-finals.

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Back then they were an unknown quantity with teams unable to fathom how to quell the threats posed by Gareth Bale and Modric. The Croatian is Spurs’ deadliest weapon when in possession and if given time to create he can split a defence in the blink of an eye. Bale is of a similar ilk. Inter Milan didn’t have the first clue how to address his speed and direct running on the night of his unforgettable San Siro hat trick. This time around they won’t have the element of surprise on their side making their task of progressing from the group stages a lot harder. Whilst they still play with the same fluid attacking style teams will have done their homework and will set out their stalls to try and neutralise their attacking threats taking out Tottenham’s principal route to goal and leaving them in need of fresh ideas. Getting the ball out to Bale or Aaron Lennon and asking them to run at the full backs just won’t cut it anymore. Modric will be man marked and choked of space and the lone striker will be nullified.

This is where manager Harry Redknapp is required to impart some tactical wisdom upon his side along with a lashing of his famed man management. Looking at it the 64-year-old will be the Lillywhites’ most potent weapon as they prepare for another assault on Europe. The job he has done at White Hart Lane in just over three years is nothing short of remarkable taking the club from the relegation zone to the brink of a title challenge in such a short space of time.

Redknapp has crafted arguably the best Tottenham squad in 60-years and it’s little wonder he is the front runner to take over the vacant England job. And therein lies the biggest problem that could dash the clubs dream of competing at the highest stage in Europe. Should he be tempted to take the national reigns where would that leave Spurs? Who else could possibly fill his shoes? Quite frankly it’s not even worth thinking about. When he took over  the dressing room was filled with individuals. There was no cohesion, no togetherness and a lack of unity. Redknapp soon sought to that and the turnaround during his time in the dugout has transformed the club in a manner no one thought possible. His fabled ability to get the very best out of his players has ignited Bale’s career turning from an expensive flop into one of the best left sided players in the world. It’s not just the Welshman that has benefitted from the 64-year-0ld’s approach. Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul, Lennon, Modric and Kyle Walker to name a few have all undergone a metamorphoses under Redknapp’s leadership.

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To say Tottenham are well equipped to compete in the Champions League next season would be jumping the gun. Yes, they have a squad capable of standing toe-to-toe with the very best but Redknapp is the cement that holds the structure together. His future at the club will determine how well they do when battle commences with Europe’s finest.

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Cesc Fabregas is set to official become a Barcelona player at 1pm after beginning the first of two medicals ahead his dream move back to the Nou Camp BBC Sport understands.

The Spanish champions declared that Fabregas would be unveiled to the media today after agreeing a deal ‘in principle’ on Sunday to re-sign him.

He still needs to agree personal terms and pass the medicals although both parties aren’t expecting any roadblocks that will hold up the transfer.

If all goes to plan it will bring the 24-year-old back to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.

His eight years at the Gunners wielded 303 appearances and 57 goals and manager Arsene Wenger thanked his former captain for his service over the years.

“We understand Cesc’s desire to move to his home-town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona.” said Wenger

“We have been clear that we didn’t want Cesc to leave and that remains the case.

“We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success.” 

News of the deal filtered through at half time during the Spanish Super Cup game against Real Madrid last night.

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It will put to bed a saga that has dragged on for the entire summer with Barca boss Pep Guardiola finally landing his man.

The question now on everyone’s lips is who will Wenger bring in to replace his former captain especially with Samir Nasri also heading for the exit.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has stated that he is glad to have ended his time at Tottenham by signing for Lokomotiv Moscow, but does not regret moving to White Hart Lane.

The Russia international failed to hold down a regular first-team place with the north London outfit, and this season was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart commanded the starting berths in attack.

Pavlyuchenko is looking forward to starting to play again in his homeland, instead of being a fringe figure in England.

“I think all the decisions I have made during my career have been right,” Mirror Football report the eastern European marksman to have said.

“My decision to sign for Lokomotiv is not an exception. I could have stayed at Tottenham and dealt with meaningless things.

“My desire is to play. I decided, together with my family, that this is the best way.

“I was playing in a strong league, I enjoyed the game and I scored some important goals.

“During the time I spent [in England], I developed as a footballer and I became more professional.

“Lokomotiv are a top team and I want to help to reach the serious goals. This season it’s a reality to win the Russian title,” he admitted.

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Tottenham have signed Louis Saha as Pavlyuchenko’s replacement, who made his debut from the bench against Liverpool on Monday night.

By Gareth McKnight

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Tottenham are currently the best team in the Premier League at present and represent the biggest threat in taking the title away from one of the Manchester clubs. The United boss believes it is simply a three-horse title race, with both Chelsea and Arsenal deemed also-rans for this season.

Elsewhere in the news Balotelli is urged to quit smoking; Liverpool look to gazump Chelsea to Cahill, while Dalglish is excited by Gerrard’s new start.

Ferguson fires title warning at City – Guardian

Dalglish excited by Gerrard’s new start – Independent

Balotelli urged to quit smoking – Daily Telegraph

Wenger confirms Henry’s return – Guardian

Capello: foreigners ruining England – Daily Telegraph

Gower’s day of destiny with Spurs arrives – Independent

Liverpool ready to gazump Chelsea’s Cahill bid – Mirror

QPR set to sign Man United striker Macheda on loan until end of season – Daily Mail

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You can forget about signing Mi, Spurs – Sun

Chelsea still interested in Rodwell…but not for £20 million – Mirror

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Arsenal and Tottenham have been put on red alert after prime striking target Moussa Sow admitted he is unsure of his future at Lille after contract negotiations came to a standstill talkSPORT understands.

The 25-year-old was linked with a number of leading European clubs during the summer transfer window after a superb season in Ligue 1 saw him top the scoring charts with 25 goals.

Despite strong interest from the Premier League duo the French club managed to hold onto the Senegalese international but now his future is up in the air after admitting he doesn’t know whether he will be at the Stade Lille-Metropole beyond the current campaign.

He said: “Now in my head I do not know what will happen at the end of the season.

“I honestly can not tell if I am going to go or stay. “[On contract negotiations] this worries me. As things stand I am the type of player who wants to talk on the pitch.”

Lille boss Rudi Garcia keen to tie him down to a new deal with his current contract ending in 2013 but Sow is mulling over a move elsewhere and switch to England looks increasingly possible.

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It’s unknown whether Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger are considering up January bids or are prepared to wait until the summer is but news of the strikers uncertainty over his future is positive as both are desperate to add a consistent goalscorer to their ranks.

As Stewart Downing put pen to paper over the summer, there wasn’t a great deal of fanfare made about his signing, nor was there any real fuss in the media. It was an widely-known secret and probably the only signing of the summer that pretty much everybody inside and out of Anfield knew was going to happen.

Personally, I found the signing of Downing rather interesting and felt that he could bring a lot to the side; he could provide the genuine width that we haven’t had for many years (only some good performances from Riera breaking the left-sided curse short-term) and would undoubtedly offer us extra options and a different type of attacking style.

In the main, his performances have been very impressive – for the most part – he’s tricky, quick, with a relatively decent turn of pace and his crosses left-footed usually hit the spot every time, which make the following stats in all competitions all the more strange. Downing has had 23 shots, with 7 on target and has not scored a single goal. He has had second most shots only to Suarez and has not scored in 23 attempts. For a winger, you could normally forgive them not having a hugely prolific goal-scoring record but when a wide-player has managed not one assist from 9 starts and 1 substitute appearance it is worrying.

A quick glance across the whole squad shows that our top-scorer, Luis Suarez , also tops our assists tables with 3, whilst both Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique have both set-up 2 apiece. Perhaps of greater contrast to Downing though is that both Maxi and Raul Meireles have managed 1 assist each this season. In fact, Maxi has managed 1 goal and 1 assist and has only played in 2 games all season which raises the question of why in-form players aren’t being selected (but I’ll have more to say on that in future). As for Meireles, he only had 2 substitute appearances for the Reds before leaving for Chelsea but still managed to set-up Luis Suarez against Arsenal before departing.

However, despite the negative light these stats could put on Downing I feel there is a much better explanation for his season statistics so far – it is more-than-likely that the very large 0’s next to Downing’s name are symptomatic of Liverpool’s impotency in front of goal. Because while it came as a great surprise to me that he had notched up zero assists, I have seen him set up dozens of chances for his team-mates but they won’t ever count and will be consigned to history, no matter how impressive his build-up play; it is only the end-product that is remembered.

If they had scored just 5% more of those 154 opportunities we’ve created Downing’s assist column would look far healthier. So while he drastically needs to improve his chances-into-goals ratio (much like the entire rest of the team, as I’ve pointed out twice recently) his assists statistics will start to improve naturally, once his team-mates starts putting away some of the excellent chances he has been creating for them week-on-week.

It is just a shame for Downing that his position sees him judged on goals created and – to a lesser extent – goals scored, as if it wasn’t for the whole squad’s profligacy in front of goal, his promising start to the season would have instead become an excellent start to his Liverpool career.

Article courtesy of David Tryer from Live4Liverpool

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Arsene Wenger has taken a swipe at Roberto Mancini saying he has broken the basic rules of football, with his open courting of Samir Nasri. Unfortunately it has become the sign of the times in football and until the authorities and penalise those responsible then it will continue to happen.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Chelsea looking beyond Modric; Alan Pardew condemns Newcastle fans, while Wesley Sneijder remains United’s priority.

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Blues look beyond Modric – Sky Sports

Wenger: Mancini broke ‘basic rules of football’ – Guardian

Sneijder United’s priority – Daily Telegraph

Premier League trio withdraw England starlets from U20s World Cup squad – Daily Mail

Clichy: I got sick of Arsenal blowing it – Mirror

Pardew condemns fans – Daily Telegraph

West Brom set for talks with United crock Hargreaves after Old Trafford exit – Daily Mail

City will let unhappy Tevez leave for less than £50m – Guardian

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Liverpool plot £10m swoop for Sunderland midfielder – Mirror

Spurs close to Scott Parker loan deal – Metro

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