Thursday, September 28, 2006

Dein offers Wenger 'job for life'

Dein offers Wenger 'job for life'Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has promised Arsene Wenger a job for life as he celebrates his 10th anniversary as manager of the Gunners.

Dein said: "We want him for the rest of his career. If he wanted to give up the tracksuit he'd be invaluable in the boardroom in a technical role."

Wenger, 57, insists he has no thoughts of retiring, saying: "We have a young team and want to continue developing.

"Reaching the Champions League final last season gave us belief."

During his time with Arsenal, Wenger has won the Premiership three times and lifted the FA Cup on four occasions - including two Doubles.

He has also seen the club move to their new 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

Wenger added: "I listened to Tony Blair on the television and when he said that '10 years ago we started' I thought for a moment he was talking about me!

"He talked about how the world had changed in that time and our world has changed here too. The stadium is a concrete sign that we are going in the right direction."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Monday, September 25, 2006

Big Match Champions League; Arsenal v FC Porto

Big Match Champions League; Arsenal v FC PortoArsenal Football club have slight doubts over midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (knee) and centre-back Johan Djourou (foot).

However boss Arsene Wenger said he is optimistc that Ljungberg, who missed training training on Monday, and Djourou will both be available.

Captain Thierry Henry is expected to start after playing on Saturday.

But Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Gael Clichy (foot), Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still a few weeks away from a return.

Head to Head

Arsenal and FC Porto have never met before. Arsenal have hosted Portuguese opposition twice, winning once and losing once. Most recently they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Benfica in the 1991-92 Champions Cup.

FC Porto travel to England for the ninth time. They have failed to win in their eight previous trips, drawing once and losing seven. Honours were even in the 2003-04 CL match at Old Trafford, when they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Emirates Stadium in London
Tuesday, 26 September

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Wenger delighted with Arsenal win

Wenger delighted with Arsenal winArsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded that defeat at Manchester United could have been "decisive" as far as their title chances are concerned.

However, the Gunners won 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.

"A loss could have been decisive but this win reinforces the belief that we are a very strong side," said Wenger.

"I would never have thought that our challenge would have been over if we had lost but psychologically it might have been difficult for the players."

The Gunners had a great chance to take the lead earlier in the match but Gilberto had his penalty saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Brazilian slipped as he took the kick, making it easier for the keeper to save the effort.

"I've seen a lot of big football players miss penalties," said Gilberto.

"Afterwards a lot of my team-mates came over and gave me support. It helped me keep calm.

"A lot of reports said that we were out of the title race but those people are completely wrong."

Meanwhile, Manchester United skipper Gary Neville said Arsenal made his side pay for their sloppy play.

"We are disappointed. When you make mistakes in midfield they are as good as anybody in making you pay," he said.

"Our passing wasn't good and we looked tired. We gave the ball away too many times. We would have accepted 0-0.

"We had two or three clear-cut chances, but didn't take them. They had three good chances too."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Fabregas to sign new Arsenal deal

Fabregas to sign new Arsenal dealArsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will sign a new eight-year contract.

Fabregas, 19, recently signed a new contract that was agreed when he penned his initial deal with the football club.

But Wenger said: "The real new contract is now. Nineteen plus eight is 27. There are not many longer contracts.

"But when you are 19-years-old and are already a regular football player in the team, I do not have a problem. It is a wonderful commitment from him."

Spanish side Real Madrid expressed an interest in signing the midfielder during the summer - but Fabregas made it clear he was happy in London.

Fabregas, who played for Spain at the World Cup in the summer, joined Arsenal from the youth ranks at Barcelona in July 2003.

And Wenger added the willingness of Fabregas to sign such a long deal was a reflection of the investment and work they have done with the player.

"It is a reward for us because we brought him over at 16 years of age," said the Gunners boss.

[Source from; news,bbc.co.uk]

Monday, September 11, 2006

Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough

Arsenal Football Club were forced to come from behind again at their new Emirates Stadium to rescue a point against Middlesbrough Football Club.

James Morrison curled in on 21 minutes after a one-two with Jason Euell - and keeper Mark Schwarzer kept Boro ahead with a number of fine saves.

But Boro had skipper George Boateng sent off on 64 minutes for two cautions and then Thierry Henry scored from the spot after Emanuel Eboue was fouled.

Arsenal Club poured forward after that but Boro withstood the intense pressure.

William Gallas made his Arsenal debut and was employed at left-back - a position he was supposedly reluctant to play at with former club Chelsea.

And he was caught napping for Boro's goal, admittedly along with the rest of the Arsenal defence, when Boro took an unexpected lead.

Schwarzer was easily equal to efforts from Henry and Robin van Persie - and made one outstanding reflex save to tip over a fierce shot from Alexander Hleb.

Boro's doggedness in defence was typified by Jonathan Woodgate, making his debut following his loan move from Real Madrid.

Tough in the tackle and bossing his team-mates with authority, Woodgate led Boro's backline with a genuinely classy performance.

And in midfield, Boateng performed similarly, until he got himself sent off.

His first yellow card was unnecessary as he argued with the referee following a quick free-kick taken by Henry, which clipped the outside of the post.

Moments later Boateng clipped Freddie Ljungberg, appeared to hurt himself in the process and his misery was compounded when he was booked again.

And then it got even worse for Boro, as they conceded a penalty after Stewart Downing was judged to have tripped Eboue.

Henry converted with ease to bring his side level - and immediately Arsenal made three changes to their line-up.

Among those to come on was new signing Julio Baptista, the muscled Brazilian seemingly introduced to add steel to Arsenal's silk.

But he could not help Arsenal find a way through, and their usually measured approach play became increasingly frantic.

Boro will be delighted to have come away with a point, while Arsenal continue to misfire and the concerns must be growing in north London with the side fourth bottom of the Premiership table.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Julio Baptista is New Player of Arsenal Football Club

Julio Baptista is New Player of Arsenal Football ClubBorn; October 01, 1981
São Paulo, Brazil
Position; Attacking Midfielder
Squad Number; 9
Joined Arsenal; August 31, 2006
Previous Club(s); Real Madrid

Baptista (24) can play in midfield or as a forward and has been a target of the Club for some time, attracting attention with performances in Spain with Sevilla where he scored an impressive 38 goals from 63 appearances in two seasons, including five goals in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup campaign.

Nicknamed ‘the Beast’, Julio joined Real Madrid last season and scored nine goals in 45 appearances which include the Champions League fixtures against Arsenal.

The 24 year old has also made 18 international appearances for his country scoring three goals, and while not called up for the 2006 World Cup was a member of Brazil’s winning squads at both the 2004 Copa America and also last year’s Confederations Cup.

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Friday, September 01, 2006

Arsenal Swap Reyes for Baptista

Arsenal Swap Reyes for BaptistaArsenal Football Club and Real Madrid Football Club have agreed a deal to swap midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes for forward Julio Baptista.

The terms agreed are for a season-long loan deal but the switch could become permanent at a later date.

Reyes, 22, had long campaigned for a move back home and Real and Atletico Madrid had both been linked with swoops for the forward.

Arsenal Club had hoped to sign Brazil's Baptista a year ago, but he chose Real where he has failed to settle down.

Baptista did not train with Madrid on Thursday, with reports suggesting he was in London taking a medical and processing a work permit.

Reyes joined Arsenal Team from Sevilla in January 2004 and last year extended his contract to 2011.

Last month, the midfielder told the Spanish player press he was keen to leave Arsenal for Madrid, saying he had not adapted to life in England.

Reyes has not played for Arsenal so far this season with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believed to have not used him in the Champions League in order not to cup-tie the midfielder and reduce his value.

[source from;news.bbc.co.uk]