Strikers Sign

Well, I'm afraid it's no new players but two of Arsenal's young strikers have signed new deals at the club. The latest players to put pen to paper are Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner, who has recently returned from a successful loan spell at Birmingham. They join a list of players who have commited themselves to The Gunners over the last year, including Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Johan Djourou and Emmanuel Eboue. Due to Adebayor signing this new contract, the speculated interest of Manchester United and Juventus has been washed away. And the promise Bendtner has shown over the past year, has caused excitement from Arsenal fans about next season.

Roll on 07/08

After a disappointing season by Arsenal's standards, The Gunners will be looking to start fresh next season. But there is nothing to worry about. We have an extremely talented squad and I genuinely feel we will be strongly challenging for honours next season. Don't believe me? Well let me explain...

Ok, let's start with the business in the transfer window. We have sold Fabrice Muamba and brought in Polish goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski. It is highly likely that Jose Reyes and Julio Baptista's Arsenal futures are over as well as Mathieu Flamini who is also likely to go this summer. There is also the inevitable sale of Jeremie Aliadiere, who would have departed in January had it not been for injuries to Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie.Then we could have seen Freddie Ljungberg's last season at Arsenal. Like every gooner, I love Freddie but I think it is time to move on. He has lost that pace and is a completely different player to that of 2 or 3 years ago. So with all due respect, I think we should say goodbye to the Swede, while we can still get some money for him. Plus there are rumours going round about the possible sale of Phillipe Senderos, who has had limited chances this season. But when the Swiss international has played he has failed to impress and could also be on his way out of Ashburton Grove. Now, we also need to bring some players in. We have already captured Fabianski but I think we need that little bit extra to complete the squad. I have said all season that we need an out and out winger, but someone that can score 10+ goals as well as create them. The three main candidates for this position at Emirates Stadium are: Robinho, Ryan Babel and Franck Ribery. Now Robinho would be top of my list as he has all the qualities to make it at Arsenal. Quick, skillful, good finisher and a good creator. But the price would be a problem and I think Real Madrid would be reluctant to let him go. Perhaps use Reyes as a makeweight? But I can't see the Brazilian coming. Next up, Ryan Babel. Comparisons have been made between the young Dutchman and current Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry. Babel would be ideal but he has recently signed a new deal at Ajax, meaning that the chances of him coming are very slim. But Franck Ribery is a different story. The Frenchman is fairly likely to come to The Emirates, if Marseille don't qualify for the Champions League. He said that if his current employers don't meet his expectations, he will move on. And Arsenal seems to be the likely destination. He is good friends with Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry and would fit in well with the rest of the lads. So I think he will be a gooner by the end of August. Now, another possible target is young Manchester City defender, Micah Richards. The Englishman is a fascinating prospect and has also stated a love for the North London club. I would love to see Richards in the famous red and white but I think the price tag will scare us off.

So, now let's look at our potential squad in detail. Mad Jens Lehmann is still a top notch keeper but his temper can get the better of him and I wouldn't be surprised if he is replaced by Fabianski later in the season. Almunia and Poom, if they stay, will get limited opportunities. I still believe our best back four is: Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy. They will have a full preseason together to know eachother better and to keep out the big guns next season. Then we have Hoyte, Djourou, Connolly, Traore, Senderos if he stays and possibly even Richards. All of these are capable of filling in, so I don't think the defence is a problem.

Then we move onto the midfield. Ok, I think we need to try a new formation. We need Gilberto as the holding midfielder as he was, in my opinion, our player of the season. So important to us these days. Then ahead of him Fabregas and Rosicky. Both similar players who can do magical stuff with a ball. I feel they will score lots of goals next season, to make up for a below par total from last year. This formation I am planning will se Alex Hleb drop to the bench, but I think that is when he makes a big impact. I admire Hleb but he can be annoying when he makes the wrong decision and with no disrespect I think it is fair to say that Fabregas and Rosicky are both better players than the Belarussian. Also we have Diaby, Denilson and Song who are great prospects and will easily fit in.

And finally, the strikers. With everyone fit, we will have surely the meanest bunch of forwards in the country. Don't believe me? Well check out this list: Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott. A lot better than that of Chelsea or United's. And I can see these five players racking up over 50 goals between them. Henry leading the line with Van Persie on the wing opposite Ribery perhaps. Then the backup of Adebayor, who will just get better and better, teenager, Nicklas Bendtner, who has a bright future and of course, Theo Walcott, dubbed "the new Henry". Well, I can't wait for next season! Come on you Gunners!

Possible Team Next Season:
----------------------------------Lehmann------------------------------------
Eboue-------------------Toure----------------Gallas--------------------Clichy
-----------------------------------Gilberto------------------------------------
------------------------Fabregas--------------Rosicky------------------------
V. Persie----------------------------------------------------------------Ribery
------------------------------------Henry-------------------------------------

SUBS: Fabianski, Djourou, Diaby, Hleb, Adebayor

Fab New Keeper coming to Arsenal

Arsenal are close to completing the signing of young Legia Warsaw keeper, Lukasz Fabianski. The deal seems to have been done, with the transfer fee believed to be £2 million and the Polish international will join up with the squad soon.

When asked about his new signing, Arsene Wenger said: "That will be done. He will be our new goalkeeper. He will join us next year, be in the squad and compete for a position.
“He is one for the future. We have identified him as having all the qualities to challenge here and be one of the future great goalkeepers for Arsenal Football Club.” Fabianski, 22, is likely to feature in this summer's Emirates Cup as well as the other pre-season friendlies. And judging by this video, it looks like Mr Wenger has done it again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEIdZORCJ9c

Birmingham Sign Muamba

Birmingham City have completed the permanent transfer of teenage midfielder, Fabrice Muamba. The England youth international is highly rated by Blues boss Steve Bruce: "This is a great signing for us and I'm absolutely delighted that Fabrice has agreed to join us. When he first arrived here I said he would be a big, big player for us and a crowd favourite, and as the season went on that was exactly what he proved to be." Muamba has signed for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £2 million. Arsene Wenger felt that it was the best for him: "He is a highly-rated player but he has a lot of competition and he is in a position that if he comes back straight away it will be very hard for him to play." I am sad to see him go, but Mr Wenger has a point. So Best Wishes to Fabrice in what should be a brilliant career at St Andrews.

Match Review: Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea

So the title race is over. As much as I hate to say this: Congratulations to Manchester United and I think it's fair to say the best team won.

The game started with literally no chances whatsoever, leaving many fans on the verge of falling asleep. But The Emirates woke up after a delightful Arsenal move. Some brilliant, one touch passing found Adebayor on the edge of the box, but the Togo striker's shot was poor and was saved by the legs of Petr Cech. Then two minutes before the break, Julio Baptista outmuscled Boulahrouz, before being hacked down by the Dutch defender. The referee pointed to the spot, and Arsenal had a penalty! Then Alan Wiley called Boulahrouz over, and sent him off! Probably because he was the last man and was preventing a goalscoring opportunity. Gilberto confidently stepped up and you could sense there would only be one outcome. The Brazilian sent Cech the wrong way and Arsenal were in front. The half time whistle blew and The Gunners walked in happily. Chelsea, down to 10 men, were anything but happy.

In the second half, Arsenal started brightly and Chelsea were on the backfoot. Denilson floated in a freekick that fell kindly to Adebayor. He took it down well before firing it across the face of goal. A touch from Gallas at the back post, and Arsenal would have been 2-0 up. Then a few minutes later, a crunching, late, bad tackle from Ferreira left Denilson injured and the Brazilian had to be stretchered off. Sympathetic applause from the Arsenal faithful showed the pain around the stadium. Alex Hleb replaced him. Cesc Fabregas received a standing ovation as he jogged over to take a corner. The Spaniard whipped it in and Gallas was unmarked but headed over. The ball dipped perfectly for him, so he didn't need to jump. But from then on, Chelsea started to up the tempo. A corner was comfortably headed away by Gilberto, but it found Frank Lampard, 25 yards out. He sprayed the ball wide to Shaun Wright-Phillips, who skipped past Clichy before sending in a super cross, which was met by a brilliant diving, glancing header from Essien. Chelsea were back in it. As it stood, United would still win the title but you just felt Chelsea had the ability to go on and win. And they turned the game around and were dominating. A good move found Joe Cole on the edge of the box, and he fired a sublime shot into the top corner. But the celebrations were dismissed as the goal was ruled offside. And replays show the officials got it spot on. The fourth official held up 4 minutes. Then, Arsenal had a decent chance. Substitute, Alex Hleb found himself free on the left but fired his shot straight at Petr Cech. Subsitute Scott Sinclair was away on the left, but cut the ball back for Salomon Kalou. The Ivorian hit a sweet strike first time that was destined for the net. However, Jens Lehmann produced a wonderful save, to show why Arsene Wenger was desperate to keep him for another year. It was a golden opportunity for Chelsea. Then in he dying seconds, Emmanuel Eboue beat Bridge and blasted a tremendous strike onto the bar. Cech was beaten. But it wasn't the winner. And with that, the referee blew the whistle, to end a magical second half.

Match Ratings:
Lehmann: Super save that really denied Chelsea the title (7)
Eboue: Unlucky not to score and dangerous going forward (7)
Toure: Surprisingly easy game for the Ivorian (6)
Gallas: Dealt with the Chelsea attacks well but was fairly quiet (6)
Clichy: Quiet but looked an attacking threat when he was running with the ball (6)
Fabregas: Didn't realy get involved. But can't blame him. The kid must be knackered (5)
Denilson: Solid and creative in the middle until stretchered off (6)
Gilberto: An absoloute star. Kept Lampard at bay and held a young midfield together. No better than the Brazilian (8)
Diaby: The same as last week. Anonymous. You can't play him on the left (5)
Baptista: Quiet but finally showed us some physical strength when he won the penalty (6)
Adebayor: Poor performance. His touch was bad and seemed to waste the ball (5)

Hleb: For god's sake! Why does he never bloody shoot! Such a good player but so annoying (6)
Hoyte: Didn't make an impact (5)

MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Essien

Match Preview: Arsenal v Chelsea

So, Arsenal have the power to decide where the title goes. Following another victory for Manchester United, Chelsea come to The Emirates needing a win to keep their slim title hopes alive. Arsenal will be looking to take advantage of Liverpool's defeat to Fulham and jump into 3rd.

The return of Ashley Cole will be an intersting affair, but the greedy little so and so has "an ankle problem" so is unlikely to play. Chelsea are also missing Michael Ballack while Andriy Shevchenko and Ricardo Carvalho are major doubts. Arsenal are without Henry, Van Persie, Walcott and Ljungberg, with Tomas Rosicky being rated as 50-50. If the Czech International is available, he is likely to start on the bench.

It should be a good game, remembering that these two are fierce local rivals. And if you don't believe me; look at the Carling Cup Final. We could see another bust-up, especially if Gallas and Cole are playing. Both sides have little to fight for but will still be out to win. I can see a thrilling match on the horizon.

Form Guide:
Arsenal: WDWWD
Chelsea: LDWDW

Last Encounter:
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (Drogba 2, Walcott)

Team Prediction:
-------------------------------Lehmann---------------------------------
Eboue-----------------Toure-------------Gallas-------------------Clichy
Hleb-----------------Fabregas----------Gilberto------------------Diaby
---------------------Adebayor----------Baptista------------------------

Score Prediction:
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (Adebayor, Gallas, Drogba) [Late Gallas winner to really wind them up!]

September 17: Ade's Lifeline

It really is amazing. How you give a player 12 months and he is transformed from zero to hero. And Emmanuel Adebayor is the perfect example. He started brightly with a debut goal but throughout the whole of last season, Ade looked clumsy, weak, slow and a rubbish finisher. He was almost hated by the fans and they simply wanted him out. But on Sunday September 17 2006, he wrote his name in the record books; by scoring a late winner at Old Trafford against fierce rivals, Manchester United. And since then, Emmanuel has never looked back.

He then started to find his shooting boots and won over the Arsenal faithful with his tremendous workrate. When Ade came to England, he was dubbed 'The New Kanu'. But the Togo Striker has proved he is already much better than his idol, Kanu, by giving us some outstanding displays. Recently we have seen Ade have so many attributes that are bound to make him a hit in the next few years. Comparisons have been made with Chelsea's Didier Drogba and they are quite accurate. Ade has now shown us that he has great physical strength, decent pace and add to that his unbelievable workrate and his ability in the air and you've got one hell of a player. If he can score a few more goals, then he will be huge and he will be; his finishing has improved massively over the last 6 months. So a message to all Premiership clubs:

Watch out! Ade's About! And we are coming to win the title next year - UP THE GUNNERS!