Le Boss: "The Real Competition Starts Now..."

AW has warned the lads not to get complacement after we continued our 100% run in the CL against FC Thun last night...

"For us it was important to finish the job and finish top of the group - we cannot do much more than the job," he said afterwards.

"We have won our five games and it guarantees us now to play our second game at home in the last 16 and to play against the second team of another group - but that sometimes is not the easiest one.

"It gives us confidence, but we are not going overboard. The real competition starts now because it is completely different with a direct knockout."

Roy Ke&ne Spotted On His Way To Glasgow

Morning Gooners and Goonettes! Last night's game...well, we weren't exactly on fire - but hey, job done right?!?

I was emailed some funny pics earlier which I thought I'd share with you!!!

Here you go...






Bit cruel on the Best front, but fuck it!

Wenger: "...The Next Three Months Will Be Crucial..."

Le Boss has revealed that he feels the next few months will be crucial in keeping Titi at the club...

"I feel he deeply loves this club and wants us to be successful but the next three months will be crucial as they'll tell us how far we'll go," said AW.

"We know what we want as a club but it takes two to agree a contract."

"I'm not fool enough to say we will win the European Cup while we are still at the group stages but we have already qualified for the next round and I know that in February we will be much better than we are today."

Meanwhile, former Gunner Gio van Bronckhorst has said he would love to have TH14 at Barca...

"Thierry is a phenomenal player," he told The Sun. "I know how good because I used to train with him every day.

"He is very special and I think he can compete with the strikers we have. We have a great squad and if Thierry comes here he will make it even stronger.

"He is definitely a player we could use but it's up to him to decide whether he wants to go or if he wants to stay."

Hleb Does It Again

Story from Reuters UK...

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has been voted Belarus's Player of the Year in a nationwide poll of the country's soccer experts conducted by the sports daily Pressbol.

Hleb received 200 first-place votes out of 303 respondents, the newspaper said on Monday.

It was the third top award for the 24-year-old playmaker, who joined the English premier league club from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for 15 million euros ($18.25 million) in June.

He also won in 2002 and 2003 and finished second behind Dynamo Moscow midfielder Maxim Romashchenko last year.

Krylya Sovietov Samara midfielder Denis Kovba was a distant second with 20 first-place votes while Sampdoria striker Vitaly Kutuzov finished third and Romashchenko fourth.

Starting With a Song

Le Boss has revealed that he intends to start 17 year old Alex Song against FC Thun this week.

Speaking on Arsenal.com the Gaffer had this to say...

“I want to see one or two players but I do not want to play a Carling Cup side, I would like to see Song and, if I can, Eboue, but all the others will be first-team players. It will be one or two, not more.”

On Song, he said...

“He has sound tactical sense, he is good one-on-one and has great body technique, He uses the shoulder well [to shield the ball] and that it something you can’t give to a player.

“He is a very mature analyser of the game. He sees things early and executes them well.”

“Alex was a centre back and I put him in the centre of midfield,” said Le Boss. “He is less aggressive than Patrick and uses his eyes very well. People forget he is only 17."

Le Boss: Thierry Is Slowly Becoming the Leader

AW reckons that TH14 is gradually developing as a skipper and that this is helping the team overall...

“You can see a more responsible, commanding attitude in him on the pitch than in the first game of the season,” said Wenger. “The team is growing unity-wise with Thierry slowly become the leader on the pitch.”

Gael Out For 3-4 Months

Gael has been ruled out for up to four months. Speaking earlier Le Boss said...

"The injury is in the same place where he had a screw put in before, It is terrible for the boy, we feel really bad for him.

"For us it is hard to take as well because we have no left backs who are really comfortable in that position."

NOT GOOD PEOPLE!!!

Rossoneri After Ralph?

Story from Channel4.com/sport...

Milan are reportedly looking at bringing Arsenal defender Lauren to the San Siro next season.

With the Rossoneri rearguard in need of wholesale rejuvenation, Lauren has been identified as a possible replacement for Marcos Cafu - who is approaching his 36th birthday and almost certainly in his last year at the club.

Lauren has a wealth of European and international experience and Milan have been keeping close tabs on the 28-year-old, whose consistency and determination is highly valued by Coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The latter has also been linked with emerging Azzurri stars Massimo Oddo of Lazio and Cristian Zaccardo of Palermo, but is seriously contemplating an approach for the Cameroon ace, whose contract expires in 2007.

The Spanish-born right-back, who can also play in midfield, has been a key figure for Arsenal Coach Arsène Wenger during his five years at the club and has appeared in the Premier League Team of the Year on three occasions.

More shitty rumours, or is there any truth in this?

Jose Antonio: "...It's His Decision"

JAR has urged Thierry to commit his long term future to Arsenal. As we all know Titi's contract is up at the end of next season and his refusal to thrash out a new deal is fueling speculation that he might actually leave N5.

"It's not just me - the entire team is encouraging him to sign a new deal with the club," Reyes told The Sun.

"We'd like him to stay. He's a massively-important player for us. But no one can do anything about it - it's his decision."

"I've signed until 2011, six more years," he added. "That's a very, very important commitment for me and for the club.

"Playing alongside a great player was a big factor in my decision to stick with Arsenal."

Le Boss: Title Race Still On

Rightly or wrongly Le Boss believes the title race is still wide open following Chel$ki's defeat to ManUre.

AW believes new hope has been given to teams in the Premier League...

"It's good for the Premier League (Chel$ki's defeat), it makes it open again and more interesting," Le Boss said on Arsenal.com

"Of course, it's not done yet as Chel$ki have still a fair distance on everyone else but it gives us some hope again."

"If we beat Chel$ki next month but lose our games before that, it would have no meaning, Remember we have a difficult game at W!gan.

"Enough games have been played to think that can't be a coincidence. They must have the quality to be there after 10 games and that's why I say it's a big game for us.

"They especially have power and pace up front and that's why they can get away on counter-attacks and score goals."

Kuyt: "...I Am Ready For a Top European Club"

It would appear that if we are trying to secure the services of Dirk Kuyt it will not be possible until next season at least.

The Dutch star has almost completely ruled out a move away from Feyenoord in January's transfer window as he fears it may affect his World Cup place.

Earlier he had this to say...

"Last season I told Feyenoord I am ready for a top European club,"

"However, the chance that I will still leave is almost zero. If it's up to me I will stay at Feyenoord this season. I don't want to lose my chances of playing in the World Cup."

Cesc: "Arsenal Will Always Be a Good Team"

Young Cesc has spoken about his delight at committing his long term future to Arsenal, despite several 'senior' players wanting to play silly buggers.

As we all know, Ashley, Thierry and Bobby have not yet put pen to paper, and as time goes on I'm more convinced that they won't. But young Cesc refuses to let this fact dampen his spirits...

"I don't know what's going to happen to Henry, Pires or Cole or any other player next summer," he stated.

"They are very important players for Arsenal and team-mates who you don't want to see leaving the club.

"They have the final word not me. But I'm not worried. Arsenal will always be a good team.

"I took a huge step forward when I decided to extend my contract last summer until 2011. That was special for me because it means that the club want me to be here.

"It's the same for Jose Antonio Reyes and he also believes that we can achieve great things here."

Left (back) In The Lurch

So, what now? Gael Clichy has a suspected fracture in his foot, and with Ashley already sidelined due to inury it leaves us with a bit of a problem.

On Saturday we make our first trip to the JJB Stadium, where we will face in-form W!gan. Who do we play at left-back?

I would suggest moving Kolo out wide and playing Sol and Phil in the centre...any thoughts?

Torres "There Will Be a Chance to Discuss Things Later..."

Fernando Torres is apparently 'flattered' by the interest we have shown him, but is currently focussing on playing for his country and current club...

"At the moment all I am thinking about is tomorrow," he told a press conference ahead of Saturday's World Cup play-off.

"However, I am always grateful if a club like Arsenal is interested in me, they are a great club with a great coach.

"I have to feel honoured by thier interest but right now we are in the middle of the season.

"There will be a chance to discuss things later though but I am just thinking about playing for Spain tomorrow."

Bobby: "...I Will Think About Italy."

Super Rob has revealed an interest to join Patrick Vieira at Italian giants Juventus at the end of the season.

Speaking to the Corriere dello Sport, he had this to say...

“I will meet Wenger and the club’s management in January and we will talk and decide. If nothing happens I will think about Italy. I like Serie A and Juventus. But I don’t want to offer my services. If they want me, they know where to find me. But first let me talk with Arsenal,”

“This summer I was close to moving to Juve, but I still had a year left on my contract and Wenger didn’t want me to leave. I have a lot of friends at Juve: Thuram, Trezegeut, and Vieira,” he added.

Hoyte Looking to Put Pressure on Ralph

Justin Hoyte had stated that his loan spell to S*nderland is definitely a step forward. However, the only reason for the move is try and improve his game and to eventually force his way into the first team at Arsenal...

"It was a forward step for me to take at the time and I still regard it as a forward step now," Hoyte said.

"When I joined S*nderland I was not going there expecting anything in particular. I went to a club that had a good manager, good facilities and a good reputation. It's just been unfortunate that we have not picked up the wins we feel we deserve. I want to play as many games a I possibly can for S*nderland to get the experience of regular Premiership football behind me. S*nderland have given me the opportunity to play regularly and I look forward to going back a better player.

"My main goal is to make it with Arsenal. I'm enjoying it at Sunderland and I will play out the rest of the season and see what happens from there."

What are your views on Justin? I've seen him play a number of times and to be fair he looks pretty decent. But does he have what it takes to force his way into the starting line-up at Arsenal?

Whaddya reckon?

JAR: "...We Could Have the Best Forward Line in the World."

Jose Antonio hopes that we will make a move for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres. The pair are apparently good friends, and Jose really wants his mate to join him in N5.

Here's what he had to say...

"Right now only Thierry Henry is better than him,"

"He is the best forward in Europe and has a great deal of experience while Torres is only 21.

"Torres is a great player, but still has time to progress.

"With him and Henry we could have the best forward line in the world.

"They would be lethal with me giving them assistance."

To-rres Or Not To-rres

Fernando Torres' agent has insisted we have made no contact with him regarding the player, despite sending Steve Rowley out to watch Atletico Madrid last weekend.

"There has been no contact," agent Jose Antonio Martin told Marca.

"The last time I spoke with Arsenal was a year and a half ago."

So that fucks the ever-reliable Sun's story out of the water then, eh?

Big Sol Up For the Cup

Sol Man believes his injury worries are now firmly in the past, giving him a chance to push his way back into Englands World Cup side next year.

Here's what the big man had to say...

"If I had another season like last season, where I was in and out, I would be struggling for the World Cup, but I'm not going to have that,"

"I'm back playing, my football is getting better and better and I'm getting stronger. You don't know what's going to happen but you have to believe.

"Last season was bizarre for me. I was either injured or getting over an injury or whatever. But now the dust has settled and I'm a lot more settled in other things as well.

"You have to believe, it's World Cup year and that pushes you when you're playing in your club football. We've got a group of players who can do something special.

"Of course, you've got to have young players to come in and do fantastic things but in big games, you need experience and we've got enough players who have played in one, two or three tournaments."

Is Kuyt Gonna Be a Gunner?

Dirk Kuyt of Feyenoord has claimed that we are interested in making a bid for his services...

Le Boss was in the stands at the De Kuip stadium at the weekend as Feyenoord played against Vitesse Arnhem, and Kuyt claims the Gaffer was there to watch him...

"I don't get confused by this but I do find it special that a top coach like Wenger takes the trouble of coming from England to Rotterdam to look at me," said Kuyt.

"Mark Wotte (Feyenoord technical director) told me before the match that important people were in the stadium to watch me play.

"I did not know then that it was Wenger. I now wait and see what happens. Arsenal are of course a great club to be connected to. But I am not the type of person that goes crazy."

TH14: "Robin has Everything..."

Titi has praised RVP for his recent run of fantastic form, but will not compare him to Dennis.

Here's what the skipper had to say...

"I don't know if there will ever be another Dennis Bergkamp. Dennis is Dennis. I won't even go there.

"Robin can go his own way. He likes more to dribble and do stuff more by himself, while Dennis will kill a defence with his passing.

"Without going too far, Robin has everything that a player would dream of having. He can play anywhere he wants. It's just up to him. I am not joking about that. It's down to him and his desire."


On another note, we can all go back to hating ManUre today. I am over the moon that Chek$ki will not be breaking our undefeated record any time soon!

So Chel$ki ARE beatable in the league!

"IF IT BLEEDS, WE CAN KILL IT!" (best Arnie accent please)

;o)

Dennis: It's Gonna Get Tougher

After cruising through the group stages the Iceman has warned the team not to get carried away with our current Champions League success.

Speaking on Arsenal.com DB10 said...

“I think we shouldn’t close our eyes to the fact that these are not the biggest teams that we have beaten,”

“There are still big teams in other groups that we will meet and we can only see then if we are a really good team. But at the moment it’s great for our confidence and we have to keep playing like this.

“The competition is kind of special because I haven’t won it yet so it would be nice but you have to be honest that there are a lot of good teams in Europe and we’re doing well but I wouldn’t say we are up there with the top teams yet.”

Wouldn't you just love Dennis to win the Champions League in his last year at Arsenal?

He for one deserves it.

....WALKIN' ALONG, SINGIN' A SONG....!

;o)

Bob's Talks Still On Hold

Bobby has revealed that talks on a new deal are still far from concluded. He wants a two year deal, but as we all know Le Boss will only offer players of 30 or over a rolling one year extension.

Here's what super Rob had to say...

"August and September were difficult for me physically and mentally,"

"I wanted to sign another contract with Arsenal, but they didn't so for me it was a hard situation to manage.

"But October has been a lot better for me from a fitness point of view and last Saturday's match against T*ttenham was my best so far.

"Nothing has changed, the club and Arsene Wenger said we will meet in January to discuss what I hope will be a new contract.

"I wanted to sign for two years but Arsenal said no and we will talk about it in the future.

"I'm not thinking about that now, I am thinking about playing and winning for Arsenal."

What do you guys think about all of this...should we be offering super Rob a two year deal? Or do you agree with the Gaffer?

Super Rob Blown Out Again

It looks as though super Rob's international career may be all but over after he was once again left out of the France team by Raymond Domenech.

It is a well known fact that the two have never really seen eye to eye and it seems unlikely that Pires will change Domenech's mind.

The French coach had this to say...

"For those who don't seem concerned by the World Cup, it is finished."

"The World Cup is six months away and players have to prove to me that they want to go."

"We have to prepare well and that is why we have arranged the two matches. It is important for the squad to be well prepared for the finals in Germany."

Sol: "You just want to play football."

Big Sol has spoken out about the abuse he receives anually at Shite Hart Lane...

"You can't get used to it. People think you do, but you don't, of course not," he said.

"You just want to play football.

"You can deal with people shouting or whatever when it's at the whole team, but when the spotlight is on one person, all you can do is be better prepared for it."

After the game one Sperz fan hailed a torrent of abuse at Sol as he was leaving the pitch. Campbell now hopes that it will be dealt with internally by T*ttenham...

"It was the usual stuff, people just shouting, talking rubbish, swearing, you know. just looked at him and laughed really.

"Now hopefully they will take it, deal with it and they've promised me they will ban him for life."

AW: "We Are Going to Focus on the Championship..."

Four games, four wins....in EUROPE! A good performance on the whole last night I feel. We played the ball and moved well - even though it PISSED down at times. Thierry's goal was magnificent and we had a whole heap of shots on target.

So with qualification to the next round wrapped up, Le Boss has stated that it's time to start doing the do domestically.

Speaking after last night's victory he had this to say...

"We are going to focus on the championship now and hopefully we will see that on Saturday against S*nderland. First of all, we want consistency in the Premier League and to come back."

Le Boss was also quick to play down any comments stating that we had finally cracked the whole 'Europe' thing...

"It's early stages. We go now into a direct knockout situation and then it becomes a cup formula. We have to adapt to that mentally,"

"In the knockout stage, the first game is vital and we have to prepare for that game well. But it is in February so we have plenty of time. What is most important for us is to come back in the championship."

TH Fit For CL Clash

Thierry will start tonight according to Le Boss. Speaking earlier AW confirmed...

"We tested Thierry quite severely in training on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the response is okay. If there was the slightest risk, I wouldn't take it but I feel that I will start him."

Lovely old job!

T*ttenham's Trophy Cabinet

Jack went onto Google and typed in 'T*ottenham Trophy Cabinet' and this is what came up.

Clever this internet lark isn't it?!!??!

Wenger the 'Voyeur'

Pic courtesy of Mr. WestSideGooner! FUCKIN' BRILLIANT!!! ;o)

Le Boss: "We Will Try to Finish the Job..."

With three wins out of three so far in the Champions League the Gaffer has urged the boys to go out tonight and ensure qualification to the next round...

AW said: "We will try to finish the job by qualifying. Of course, we want to finish top of the group but once that is done, we can reflect on what we do in the next two games. If needed, one or two players could be rested,"

Le Boss Strikes Back

AW has hit back at Jose Moaninho after the Chel$ki manager launched a verbal attack on Le Boss...

Moaninho said: "There are some guys, who, when they are at home, have this big telescope to see what happens in other families. He must be one of them. Being a voyeur is a sickness."

THE ARROGANT PRICK!

Anyway, Wenger has responded by saying that JM's comments were "out of order, disconnected with reality and disrespectful".

He followed: "I will see whether I take any action about that. I don't know yet, but I leave that door open"

Moaninho DEFINITELY needs to be brought down a peg or two...