A Smattering of Arsenal News

Arsenal have taken not-oft-played midfielder Lassana Diarra off Chelsea's hand. The Professor calls him a verstaile player that can be a utility fielder for the Gunners.

"Lassana is a multi-functional player, making him a great addition to our squad.
Not only is he hard working, he has a creative edge and is comfortable playing
in the middle of the pitch or at right-back."

Meanwhile, the boss man looks close to signing a new contract. Wenger said that he's bored with the boardroom machinations (between friend David Dein, the rest of the board, and now, the new Red & White group), and is keeping focused on the team and having the latitude to coach the way he wants. 

"What I think when I'm negotiating the deal is whether I have the freedom to
work the way I want to.

"I always had that with David Dein and, since David has gone, I still have
it."

Arsenal have drawn Newcastle in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup...and my homeys at FSN have let me down, not televising Sunday's match with Portsmouth.

Arsenal's In...So Is Celtic

Arsenal advanced to the group stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 drubbing of Sparta Prague at Emirates, totaling a 5-0 advantage on aggragate, while the Bhoys made it vastly more exciting by going to the wire with a 4-3 shootout win.

Arsenal will face steau Bucharest, Slavia Prague and the winner of AEK Athens/Sevilla. Meanwhile, Celtic has drawn a difficult Group with AC Milan, Benfica and Shaktar Donetsk on the table.

The most interesting news, though, as we wenter the weekend is David Dein's sale of his share in the club to Red and White, a group headed by another Russian Zillionaire, and with none other than David Dein at the management end of the table. Dein is apparently set to orchestrate a takeover of the club that brings in the outside capital to compete with the other zillionaire-backed clubs.

"Without new investors, I feel very soon Arsenal might not be able to compete
successfully at the very top level, despite the fantastic work of (manager)
Arsene Wenger," Dein said.

"Red and White believes that in light of the fast-changing landscape for
football, both in the UK and globally, it will be able to assist Arsenal and
ensure that it will be able to thrive in the future and become the leading
football club in the world," the statement said.

It added that keeping Wenger at the club was "vital to the future success of
the club."

Not much to disagree with there. Dein also added that he has been an Arsenal fan since the age of six, and turned down offers with other clubs because his love and passion is only for the Gunners.

"I have always had the best interests of Arsenal at heart," Dein said.

"I firmly believe that the involvement of Red and White with a significant
stake and the long-term commitment of Arsene Wenger are absolutely the best
outcome for the club, fans and shareholders."

"I have not lost my passion for the club; indeed, it is greater than ever. My
ambition remains to play an active role in Arsenal again. My immediate
intention is to work with others to provide the financial resources necessary to
turn the vision of Arsenal as the world's number
one club into reality."

It's great to see David Dein back in the mix for the Gunners. And, the club clearly has to compete financially with the Romanovs and Glazers. Dein understand that. He also understands the value of Wenger to the Arsenal. This'll be interesting to watch this develop.

Lehmann Out?

As Arsenal prepare for the Emirates leg of the clash with Sparta Prague, Wenger may be opening the door for manuel Almunia to take the #1 spot from Jens Lehmann, who as late has been a prominently bobblehanded keeper. The Professor also hails Fabregas' Ass-kickin' in the midfield.

Over At Celtic Park

During the mid-week lull, I should note that Celtic frosted Hearts 5-0 Saturday. Someday, I'd wish they'd televise a Celtic match or two, but the only thing we get are the rare Champions League matches.
Also, Celtic look prepare to lose a player or three. And they signed some Italian 16-year-old whiz kid.

Red Champions Again?

Nick Webster writes that Liverpool may be the strongest squad vying for the EPL crown this year and the champions may once again be wearing red shirts. Certainly, Manchester United does not look up to it, in the early stages. You can't count Chelsea out. My heart says Arsenal, but my brain...well, it takes the Fifth. Going on the early season match, when Liverpool beat Chelsea (but couldn't beat Rob "Flashback" Styles), you have to concede that the Reds look the top of the class. It's still early days....

Arsenal 1 Man. City 0

I watched the Arsenal-Manchester City game on delay after returning home from a back-to-school shopping trip to the mall with my daughters. Ah, sweet relief to go from the horrors of the mall to some televised Gunner football!

The match started promising enough with Arsenal pressing into a variety of build-ups, but struggling to find a good shot at the end. Manchester City for their part looked very good, and dangerous in the counter. New keeper Kasper Schmiechel had a heck of a game, although he eventually gave up his first Premiership goal and center back Richard Dunne was every bit as good. The two gave the City defense an impenetrable look that belied their true strength.

The match had a good flowing back and forth quality to it, until about the 30th minute, when Arsenal built into a period of posession that can only be faulted for the lack of goals to show. They dominated the ball like a frat boy with the last beer in the fridge. A period of more than ten minutes of this mastery looked to result in the go-aheader when RVP ran onto a pass and sent a cross that beat the defender and keeper to the far side of the goal, which was just waiting to be had. Adebayor, however, had cut off his run leaving the game tied, and RVP somewhat beside himself.

The Togoan had several moments of promise, but looked more rusty than shiny in his 2007 EPL debut. His hard-running work rate from last season was not in evidence and I had to wonder if fitness was to blame. I'm sure Adebayor will get it going once he gets a few more games under him.

The teams broke the half at a 0-0 draw and the 2nd half started up almost where Arsenal left off. But the Gunners soon looked to lose composure as they failed to find a way to unlock the Man City defense. Arsenal's own back four began to shake as an already improvised line (with Gilberto in center back for injured Will Gallas and Senderos) had to contend with losing Bacari Sagna in the first half.

Manchester City had their best chance when Petrov flashed a sharp shot across the far post. Almunia who was excllent when tested (particularly in the 62nd minute when he stuffed an Mpenza shot) was beat, but the accuracy betrayed Petrov and the match remained drawn.

It looked like the Gunners were to have their goal when Hleb flashed a great run in the box and was chopped down by Micah Richards. However, RVP, who I thought otherwise had a strong game, hit an uncharacteristically poor PK shot that Schmeichel saved, though only because RVP shot it into his legs.

Undeterred, the Gunners continued to plug away and work the ball around, finally finding the sweet spot, when Fabregas played a give and get with Hleb, recieving the ball in copious amounts of space and from 8 yards out blasted a rocket over schmeichel's head, that the kid couldn't have had time to stop even if he'd been told it was coming.

All in all, a good win over the once and then table leaders, and a worthy team. I'll have to say that from this impression, I'm wondering whether Svennie G is not the dope I thought he was from the English team's performances. City looks to make some noise this season.

Fabregas was less than brilliant, but still better than most of the players on the pitch. And the game winner was a beaut. Hleb continues to impress. His game in the EPL is still finding its form, and he has got to work out his boundary issues with RVP, but he's showing more attacking instinct, his rubber legged moves with the ball continue to confound defenders (in bunches) and he is developing into a real danger with the quick give and go, particularly with Cesc. Gilberto was solid. What can you say? Old reliable. RVP, I've mentioned. The kid should have a great year. Neither Adebayor, nor Da Silva are making me forget my favorite Barca player (yet). Adebayor will come around. Da Silva is like any other promising foreigner - he's going to take some time before it shows whether he's a bust or not

Almunia. I thought he was good all game long and there when we needed - though to be fair, Manchester City did not rain down shots on him. Given the first 2 games of the season, and the inevitable composure issues, I'm more than comfortable with Manuel being the man.

SAF Applies the Verbal SmackDown

Sir Alex gets the EPL Wordsmith of the Week Award for his verbal bitch-smackin' of Rafa Benitez:

"There was never any chance of Liverpool winning that case, so
Rafa clearly did not read the Premier League rules. It is just churlish."

Churlish! Good Man, SAF!
Meanwhile, Error Apparent, Jens Lehmann, is out for two weeks, aggravating his Achilles tendon in the England-Germany friendly. In comes, back-up Manuel Almunia who starts the year with the horrible blonde dye job that seems to afflict keepers from time to time. Wenger says he has full confidence in the Spaniard, and he still has full confidence in Butterfingers, who has great artistic ability.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal-Manchester City match is on TV Saturday, and I am a happy man.

Lehmann...Lemon?

Today, I sit pondering the wonder that is Jens Lehmann. Two games. Two goals given on two horrendous mistakes. Is this a keeper that a top 4 club can afford to have? Arsenal are lucky enough to have only dropped 2 points on Lehmann's bobble-headed play. If it continues, there'll be more points down the drain.

Arsenal played well enough in the first half of yesterday's game. After RVP's first goal, they looked like they were on verge of unleashing a fusillade of scores. Alas, they didn't. And in the 2nd half, they were entirely outplayed and outworked by the Rovers. Disappointing, since this was the type of backstreet brawl match that Arsenal needed to prove themselves in. They sorely needed to put Blackburn away and show the Rovers, other thugball teams, and themselves that Arsenal 2007 is too tough to be pushed around the pitch.

Thanks to Jens Lehmann, they showed that there is still reward in knocking the Gunners around.

Of course, The Professor slammed the parolees from Blackburn for their "over-violence" - he's got to do that for his team. but he's got to know that teams will continue to do this until Arsenal give 'em a headache for the troubles. As long as it works, why stop?

Newbie Da Silva had a few moments, including some work to create the opening for RVP's goal. But for much of the match, he looked terribly at sea, shooting from distances and angles where players can only dream of goals, wasting balls forward to the big American keeper. It's early. We need to give him more time. I'd say another 3-4 games. I expect more.

On top of that, the Gunnerinos lost William Gallass to a groin yoink. This is a tough one. I think it's big having Bill in the center back for us. He adds skilll and steel where we need it. Senderos played well in his fill, but I've still got my doubts about Philly. Particularly, when I see Chelsea on the sked.

Yikes. What's up with Man U? 0-1 to SGE's Man City? 0-2-1 to start the show? even two games in, it's weird to see the Red Devils in the drop zone.

And Finally...Getting All Political
The difference between this Congress and last? The 105th Congress didn't read/understand/care about the impact of its legislation because of corruption and laziness. The 106th Congress doesn't read/understand/care about the impact of its legislation because of fear and laziness.

Gunners Off to Positive Start

Arsenal got the Champions League campaign off to a positive start with an important 2-0 win away at Sparta Prague. For some d$&m reason, ESPN isn't televising Champions League qualifiers, so I haven't got any film to watch. From the reports, however, it was a smashing game with lots of action at both ends and plenty of pressure from the hosts on the Gunner goal sticks. Goals from Cesc in the 72nd and Alexander Hleb (who apparently woke up last week thinking he was Thierry Henry - 2 goals in 2 games!) in injury time.

I'm starting to think the post-Thierry days may be OK, anyways. Yes, I know its early days, yet, but nothing wrong with being an optimist, is there?

Over at the defending champions club, though, things are looking anything but bright, with a two-draw start to the season and a veritable Greek chorus of injured goal scorers. Drawn again at Portsmouth as both sides play tensies.

Keano Blasts The Waggers

This is why I love Roy Keane. It's going to be great having him back in the Premiership.

Gunners Open 2007 With More Drama

Yes, I'd like to see Arsenal putting away the likes of Fulham with ease, but a win is a win. Arsenal took Fulham 2-1 with a shocking last of regulation winner from Alexand Hleb. I saw the game on replay and while they should've never been down to Fulham, they did well to get the win.

They were in the position of coming from behind thanks to the idiotics of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

The veteran had earlier made a complete hash of an attempted return pass to the defence, striking the ball against his left leg and gifting possession to Healy, who slotted into an empty net for a first top flight goal.

Wenger said: "First of all, I was surprised he had made the mistake.

"He's an experienced keeper and you want to deal with your first ball.

"Jens changed his mind, but wasn't quick enough to respond to his brain. He lost his co-ordination."

Wenger added: "Every goalkeeper can make a mistake. He made one. If you are an outfield player you are not punished, but you are in goal."

The Professor is being careful because Lehman is his guy for the season and he's a tempermental sort, but he's got to know that the standards for keepers are different. If Jens were a Red Devil, he'd be done with this sort of muck-up.

Alexander Hleb. Wow. He looked like someone spiked his oatmeal. He played with real pepper and looked to get some shots. His game-winner was outstanding; a real effort to receive the ball and then turn and fire in space. Cesc was great as usual. He really missed having Gilberto, who I hear we won't see until September!

We didn't get enough of RVP, but Jesus, that PK was hit with a bit of pace. Wouldn't have been surprised to see it go through the back of the net. I believe flames were coming off the ball, it was hit so hard. And yes, the PK was rightly called. Arsenal should've had one other, and maybe a third, but that's the way it goes.

I liked Nicholas Bendtner. Didn't kill me with flash and flair, but the boy looks like he knows where the goal is. All in all, a good start. Theo showed a little, in the few minutes he was in. I love his pace. But he's still clearly maturing. If he'd cut inside the defender on his run, he would've had only the keep to shoot on.

Alright, the season's on. The Gunners got the right start. I'm excited to see more Arsenal matches.

Sounders, Racist Sounds, and Gunners. (Oh My)

Good news for the local USL Sounders who piled 5 goals on the MSL Colorado Rapids en route to a 5-0 quarterfinal victory in the US Open Cup. Well done, Sounders. Well done. They've now beaten two MSL squads and a Championship side in Preston North End.

Over in the SPL, our Bhoys are getting warned to stay away from the racist and sectarian chants. The SPL is instituting a new rule that will result in points being deducted if a squad's fans are engaging in verboten chanting. Good on 'em, I say. There's just no room for racism or Catholics V. Protestants in football. Insult a player's talent, his work rate, his need for a boatload of Viagra. That sort of abuse is more of a loving tribute. But don't be a dork. Stay away from the real hate.

Mr. McMahon chimes in with Part 3 of his prognostications. Manchester United second? Who will he pick for tops?

And, finally, a Gunners moment; With the preseason player predictions and musings streaming forth, Arsenal back William Gallass opines that the Gunners are ready to shed their effete Gentlemen's Passing Club image and brawl for the ball. Well said, Will. I hope that you are right. There's nothing worse than watching your superior talented team get beat up on like a punk by some inferior club full of knuckle-draggers. Sometimes you have to kick a little ass - sort things out that way - before you kick the ball.

Wenger tips RVP

Arsene Wenger is tipping Robin Van Persie to have a breakout season and help replace the goal scoring prowess of departed thierry Henry. This strikes me as one where the boss could've taken the day off and allowed me to make the observation for him. Duh! The last two seasons, the Dutchman has been coming on, showing signs of great skill and growing knowledge, and yes, growing patience. With Henry gone, he is the natural player to fill the void.

With the first match of the season Sunday against Fulham, I can think of no better time to get started on a goal-scoring binge. Too bad, FSN does not have this televised.

While I'm not happy with the schedulers over at FSN, I'm always interested in what Bobby MacMahon has to say or write about football. Today, he's got part 2 of his EPL predictions and prognostications. Bobby likes Liverpool as the bottom clinger of the Big Four, which makes sense to me. I like Fernando Torres and thought Liverpool's buy of him was a brilliant move. However, don't think it's enough to leapfrog the Gunners, Chelsea and the Red Devils.

Bobby also picks newly-promoted Sunderland to stay up, just barely. I like that. I don't know enough about Sunderland under Roy Keane - haven't watched many Championship matches - but they're my sentimental favorite. I always like Keano as a player, even though I detested him for playing for Manchester United and always being a thorn in Arsenal's side. I was waiting for him to move on so that I could out and out cheer for him.

Moving to Celtic was a dream move in that regard, but alas, his days were already over. So, it is as a coach, that I'll root for Keane. You have to like what he's done so far - taking the Black Cats from supposed-to-drops to promotion Surprise. I'm looking forward to catching some of their televised matches this season.

Community Shield

I got the time to watch the remainder of the Community Shield last night. Good to see Manchester United beat RMA (that's Roman's Mercenary Army) for the title. Beyond that, not much of a game. Chelsea looked rather drab and boring. They missed Drogba big time. Michael Essien was on the field, but I'm not sure where he was playing. He usually stands out, but he was a member of the woodwork yesterday.

Speaking of going missing, when I finally saw Frank Lampard take the ball into the Manchester half, I nearly choked, "That's the boy on the milk carton!" But then he passed the ball and went missing again.

Watching the match, I didn't get much confidence that Chelsea would be able to push for the title. Sure, they've got enough talent, but they often don't do much with it. Of course, the Community Shield was developed exactly so that players like Pizarro and Wright-Phillips can see a real pitch in match conditions. And, by the way, the announcers repeated it so often I was beginning to think that Shaun Wright-Phillips real name is No End Product. I doubt the lad will see another game for Chelsea this year. Very disappointing. And at times, he just looked flustered and confused.

Nick Webster with his usual incisive analysis of the match. He's spot on again. And yes, Malouda's goal was sensational, but blame it on Rio, Ferdinand's defending was lackadaisical. Webser doesn't go to it, but those were the three worst consecutive PKs I've seen at that level. Pizarro tipped his shot with an early lean and none of them were beyond Van Der Saar's wingspan, even if he'd stood still. Of course, he didn't. He parsed out each shot correctly. The Red Devils, on the other hand, shot for the posts.

But, speaking of  challenging for the title, Bobby MacMahon begins his annual (and 4-part) dissertation of who will and who won't over at FoxSoccer.com. Arsenal at 3rd. I think that's a compliment given the presumed 1 and 2, and the changes at Emirates. Let's hope the Gunners challenge for first.

And, finally, Celtic. 0-0 with Kilmarnock? Wazz up, Bhoys? First points for Killie at Celtic Park in 52 years. Rangers are going to jump all over a slow start.

Ajax were brutes, according to Arsene Wenger, Arsenal won the Amsterdam Tournament anyhow, beating the kitchen cleanser 1-0. RVN was stretchered off, under a rude challenge, but apparently OK.

"I think some players were a little bit overboard, but we kept our nerve," said the coach.

...he went on to say, of course, it was almost like playing Bolton...

Meanwhile, RVN, eager to try his new, hoped-for role of wise, Yoda-like statesman of the club had a few things to say about former teammate Freddie Ljungberg, calling him weak, and a sissy who lieks to play with dolls. No. I'm just kidding about that. He actually was quite responsible and said Freddie should have some nice things to say about Arsenal after 9 years with the club. Well said, RVN.

I glanced over 10 minutes of the first half of the Community Shield match pitting Reds v. Blues. I'm recording it for later, but curiosity overtook me. Clearly, it's still preseason for both these teams but I do have to say Peter Cech is the man. Hands down best keeper in the world. I'm glad I got to see him play a few years back when Chelsea were in town - it's too bad I had no idea of who he was at the time.

And, I took a run through the DVR to program some EPL matches to record and I didn't see a single Arsenal match televised for the first 2 weeks. Come on, Fox! You must do me better than that.

CL Draws and PreSeason Wins

Arsenal are triumphant against Lazio last night in Amserdam with Newboys Eduardo Da Silva and Nicholas Bendtner netting in the 2-1 win.

The Champions League draw for the 3rd Round puts Arsenal v. Sparta Prague with matches August 14th and 28th. The Gunners have beat Sparta P something like 5-0 in their last CL tilt-up, so if that's any indication, the draw seems favorable.

Celtic is drawn against Spartak Moscow. Don't know much about them, other than they're in the midst of their domestic season, so that has to be an edge for the Russians.