Nyssie's Gooner Blog: March 2006

Le Boss Staying Put

AW has revealed his desire to stay at Arsenal for the forseeable. Speaking earlier today the great man had this to say...

"If I left I would feel a deserter - like the guy who walks away from the army once there is a war. I am highly committed to this club.

"I love what I do here and love the spirit of the team. I feel committed to the players and the club."

I don't consider for a second that I'll change my mind,"

"I've started to build a new team again and want to see the job through."

ARSENE WENGERS MAGIC, HE WEARS A MAGIC HAT...!!!

Henry Will Decide Before World Cup

Latest on the TH14 saga - here's what he said;

"At the end of the season we are going to have to take a decision. It will be done before the World Cup, that's for sure,"

So, we're no closer to knowing his real intentions. I know all this Barca stuff IS just speculation by the media but if he is going to stay, why not just sign the contract and get it over with. I know there's the whole CL thing to consider etc. but come on Titi, do the right thing!

What do you honestly think people - will he stay or will he go?

Manny: "...I Certainly Do Not Have Any Fear..."

Manny Eboue is up for the second leg against Juve in Turin - but he insists the side will not sit back and rely on our two-goal lead...

"We won't just go to defend in Turin," said Emanuel.

"It would be sporting suicide because Arsenal never do that kind of thing, and I certainly do not have any fear going into the game.

"Juventus will be very difficult in their own stadium because they will have to attack from the first whistle trying to get goals.

"But I am convinced we can score a goal and that will be enough because we won't concede four."

Cesc: "You Have To Believe In Yourself..."

Young Cesc is certainly not short of self belief. Speaking after his magnificent performance against Juve on Tuesday night our young matador believes that he will eventually be better than Chel$ki midfielder Frank L*mpard...and why not?!?

Cesc admitted: “L*mpard is the complete midfielder because he defends, attacks and scores a lot of goals. I’m still not as good as him but I believe I can do it and be just as good — or even better. You have to believe in yourself — that’s the most important thing.”

TH14: "I Think The Team Now Is Right Back On Track."

The Skipper believes we are on our way to finding the form which saw us go unbeaten in the league for an entire season. THE RETURN OF THE INVINCIBLES!!!

Here's what he said; "I think the team now is right back on track.

"When sometimes things are easy, you go out onto the pitch, it comes easy and you just know that you will not lose.

"When everyone is willing to pass the ball, you will do it without even thinking. That's just how it is. It's like breathing - you don't even notice you're doing it.

"That win at Real Madrid did give us a lot of belief and now everyone is confident."

Another Award!

Always a good thing...racists have NO place in football - or anywhere else for that matter!

Story 'borrowed' straight from Arsenal.com. All copyrights acknowleged, blah, blah, blah....!!!

Arsenal's work to tackle racism and promoting equality was given prominence at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match against Juventus at Highbury on Tuesday 28th March.

Arsenal Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, was presented with the preliminary level of the Racial Equality Standard for Professional Clubs at half time of the match by Kick It Out Chairman, Lord Herman Ouseley.

Also at the presentation were UEFA Director of Communications, William Gaillard and Mike Lee, who is a member of the awarding panel.

The Racial Equality Standard, which has been developed by Kick It Out, sets out a series of measures for professional clubs. The measures see clubs working to a range of objectives that ensure equalities policies are implemented in all areas of their operation, from stewarding to the recruitment of young players.

Kick It Out believe the Standard will help to tackle difficult issues such as representation from ethnic minorities within administration positions at clubs.

Lord Herman Ouseley said: “Arsenal is to be commended on the strides they have made to tackle racism and ensure that equality is at the heart of what they do.

“In achieving the Preliminary level of the Racial Equality Standard the club are signalling their commitment to working towards a game free of any form of discrimination or exclusion.”

Arsenal Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, said: “We are delighted to have achieved the Preliminary level of this Standard and are proud of the achievements we have made in tackling racism and welcoming all communities to Arsenal Football Club.

“The exercise has been a very useful one and we now now look forward to achieving the intermediate level.”

Is This Our Year?

As you know this season has been a bit different. Instead of dominating domestically and doing relatively poorly in Europe, we have done pretty much the opposite. Struggled in the Premiership, been knocked out of both the FA and Carling Cups, but appear to be cruising in the Champions League – and no-one can say we haven’t played quality sides.

Admittedly the group stage wasn’t the toughest, but since then we’ve outplayed both Real Madrid and Juventus – who are the current champions of Italy and look to be well on their way to winning Serie A this season aswell . What I really want to know is, IS THIS OUR YEAR?

Chances are that if (when!) we qualify for the semis we will face Inter – and to be honest I’m quietly confident we can beat them.

The big question is…IF we were to come up against Barcelona, would we stand a chance?

Your views would be much appreciated…

Titi: "...You Cannot Fail to Mention Cesc."

Thierry has stated that Cesc could go on to be as good as Ronaldinho! Speaking after the win against Juve, here's what the skipper said...

"The whole team played well but you cannot fail to mention Cesc. The way he is playing at the moment is amazing.

"You have players like Wayne R*oney, Patrick Vieira or Ronaldinho who were just like that when they were young. But there are not a lot of them.

"I just hope he has the same career. I had faith in Cesc but, at the beginning of the season, he wasn't playing that well and people were having a go at him.

"He has to cope with this now but he can take it. That's why he is where he is. Some players just drop if you have a go at them but Cesc can handle it.

"He is doing extremely well but, for now, let the guy grow."

Kolo: ""Sol Passes On Advice and Helps..."

Super Kolo has revealed that the Sol man DID actually play a role in Juve's whipping the other night...

"Although he's not in the team, Sol talks to us and helps the young players like me to improve the way we play.

"Philippe is doing really well. Team spirit is good and he's playing every game at the moment, so that has to be good for him.

"We work as a team and we defend together. We have Thierry Henry up front with others and they help make our life easier. That's why we are doing so well at the moment.

"Our success doesn't surprise us. We deserve it be cause we have worked hard with the boss in training. The most important thing is that we keep going."

Nedved: "...It Will Be Extremely Hard."

Pavel Nedved has voiced his concerns ahead of the second leg of the quarter final against Juventus.

Speaking to a Czech TV station the midfield maestro had this to say...

“If we were at full strength for the return game then we might have a chance, but now it will be extremely hard,”

“To be honest, I am not looking forward to the match given the fact that we will have so many players missing.

“It will be very difficult to make something of it, in fact, maybe it is already over for us this year.”

“We played quite well at the beginning, but everything went wrong after we conceded the first goal,” added the former Golden Ball winner.

“We showed nothing, we were harmless in almost every attack. The result is a very heavy one for us.”

Merson Tips Cesc to Shine

Former Gooner Paul Merson has praised Cesc following his magnificent performance last night.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Paul had this to say...

"I thought he was outstanding, absolutely outstanding,"

"You look at him and, if he can get in the Spain team, as he should be, he could be the main player in the World Cup this year.

"He's that good.

"He can be a dark horse and maybe take Spain a little bit further than where they've been every other time in the World Cup."

Cesc: "You Can Always Improve..."

Speaking after last nights win, our little matador insists that the job is not done yet...

"I always try to do my best, not just because I was playing against Patrick.

“You can always improve playing against these kinds of players. Not only Patrick but there was Emerson too. He is going to play at the World Cup for Brazil.

“For me, Patrick had a fantastic game and so did Juventus. The only difference is that we scored two goals and did not concede.”

“This was a terrific night. If you are an Arsenal fan and you watch this kind of game you have to enjoy it. I did personally.

“But we have to respect the game and respect Juventus for who they are. If you go there and think you are in the Semi-Finals then you are wrong.

“Pavel Nedved is going to come back and I don’t know who else. These teams have big players on the bench and in the squad. They will be ready to play the game again.

“That is why we have to be focused for 90 minutes but we have another game on Saturday [against Ast*n Vi!la] and we have to be focused for that one too.

“We scored twice this evening and it was very important not to concede a goal against a team like Juventus. Now we will see what happens in Turin.”

Cesc Fabulous

Following last night's 2-0 victory against Juve, Kolo has spoken out about the qualities his young team mate, Cesc...

"I think Fabregas is a great, great player,” said Kolo after Arsenal's 2-0 first-leg victory. "He can pass the ball and he can defend.

"When he was at Arsenal, Patrick helped him a lot. Now Cesc has played against him and he did well.

"He’s only 18, he’s done fantastically and I hope that he will keep going."

So do we Kolo...!!!

Capello: "Arsenal Were Very Lucky Tonight..."

Are you sure mate?!?!? Was he not watching the same game as the rest of us? Let's have it right...we took the game by the scruff of the neck and DOMINATED - in all areas of the park. By the end of the game Juve didn't know their arse from their elbow!

Here's what the bitter, twisted man had to say...!

"Arsenal were very alive tonight, but I am disappointed because I feel both goals could have been avoided," he told the Italian press after the match. "In the first half we played as well as Arsenal and until we conceded the game was played well by both teams."

"I have to say Arsenal were very lucky tonight, especially coming from nine days without a match. It's not a justification but it's clear."

"I think the tie is still alive," he said. "We can make another big match in the second leg in Turin.

BRING IT ON CAPELLO!!!

WHOventus?!?!

What a night! What a game! We actually BATTERED Juventus! I know the job is only half done, but I am quietly confident that we are well on our way to the semi final for the first time.

I don't really know where to start...! I thought young Cesc and Eboue were absolutely outstanding, come to think of it pretty much everyone on the pitch was outstanding - well, everyone in a redcurrant shirt anyway!

See, Arsene DOES know!

Here's what Le Boss had to say after the match...

"My only regret was that I felt there was one more goal in this game for us.

"I believe we will finish the job in Juventus but there's still a lot to come.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground and continue to play the game we want to play, keep our football as simple as we can and play in a positive mood.

"That's what the boys do and they can do better. They are not inhibited. There is quality in this team and they are good to watch.

"For a long time we needed to adjust to the Premiership to find confidence. The win against Real Madrid may have helped us.

"Football is fragile. You have to be cautious. One unexpected defeat and you are back again."

It's a GREAT day to be a Gooner!