Au Revoir Bobby

Bobby Pires has joined Villarreal on a two year deal.

Speaking earlier he said; "After six wonderful years at Arsenal, full of fantastic moments, I have decided to accept a new challenge at Villarreal for the next two years of my career.

"I am very grateful to Arsène Wenger, the players and all the fans for their amazing support over the years."

I'm quite upset by this. Admittedly Bob is past his best, but still a great player nevertheless.

Le Boss also thinks that he will be missed;

"Robert has had six tremendous years with us and made a huge contribution to the team's success during his time here." said AW

"He is not only a great footballer but a good man, so of course, we are sad to see him go."

Good luck Bobby and thanks for everything.

Ash Nearly There

After missing a huge chunk of last season, Ash finally feels as though he's on his way back to full fitness...

He said; "After the Champions League final, I started to see light at the end of the tunnel. I feel good, but I know I can be sharper."

"I'm not 100 percent back but, but with the game on Thursday and the other friendlies next week, I have a chance to get that.

"The swelling on my ankle took time to go down but now I feel fine."

Rosicky: "I Had Decided To Go To Atletico"

Our new 'Little Mozart', Tomas Rosicky has revealed that he was all set to join Atletico Madrid. He was aware of our interest, but said no attempt was made to secure his services...until now!

"Arsenal were interested for a longer time, but they never came out with a concrete offer," Rosicky explained.

"I had decided to go to Atletico. If the clubs had agreed, I would have gone there.

"But suddenly Arsenal came into it and everything was clear."

"It was very hectic. [My agent] Pavel Paska hinted to me that I should be ready. I had to take one extra bag to Seefeld [training camp in Austria].

"First we had to ask coach Karel Bruckner to release me from the training camp. I would like to thank him for doing so.

"The medical was in the morning, then there was a break and later they examined me once again. At 5pm we drove to Highbury where I signed the contract."

Theo Is An 'Old Head On Young Shoulders'

AC3 believes that Sven's 'gamble' on taking Theo to the World Cup may not be such a gamble after all...

Ash said: "I've seen Theo in training and the pace he has can be used to our advantage.

"He came to Arsenal with a lot of pressure on him and it's increased now because he hasn't yet played for Arsenal and yet is in the England squad.

"But he's a great talent and once you see him in training you realise that. He's always going to be a threat if we use him up front and he is going to terrify some defenders. He has the pace to get in behind them.

"Is he the quickest player at Arsenal? I'd have to say it was once Thierry (Henry) but now it's out of Theo and Thierry. I've had to mark Theo and I know just how fast he is - very, very fast."

Ashley added: "Theo is only 17 but he doesn't play like a 17-year-old. It was like when you first saw Wayne Rooney coming through, playing with an old head on young shoulders. He's playing like an old hand.

"He's young but he's ready. He's also getting used to the way we're playing, the quick one-twos, and he really is one for the future. These sorts of tournaments can make your name. Hopefully, that's going to be the case with Theo and Aaron Lenn*n.

"I'm not surprised Sven has faith in Theo. I think Theo has something special. He caught my eye the first time I saw him at Arsenal. I've played in the reserves with him and he's a great player. He has no fear either.

"He reminds me of Wayne in some ways. It's like he's playing in school without a care in the world. You could say that's a weakness but I think we can use that freshness to our advantage.

"In a way he's nothing to prove because he didn't ask to be picked for the squad. Now he's got a chance to excel and show why Arsenal paid all that money for him."

Ramos: Cesc Is 'Spectacular'

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos has claimed that Cesc would be a huge success if he were to leave Arsenal and head for the Bernabeu....(on your bike Ramos!)

"Cesc is a spectacular football player and also a great youngster," Ramos told AS.

"I know this from the Under-21s, the first groups and the few that we have played together."

"It is incredible that now we both go to the World Cup."

"I am glad that Cesc is with us, he has a great future ahead.

"That would be good" [Fabregas moving to Real].

"Cesc do very well to come to Real Madrid, although that is something for others to decide."

We better get used to this! Cesc is gonna be THE best midfielder in the world over the coming years - big teams are gonna be after him big time!

Sol Man To Decide After World Cup

Big Sol has stated that he will consider his Arsenal future after the World Cup. We all know about the Fenerbahce rumours, but Sol himself insists he knows nothing about the Turkish outfit's interest.

Sol said: "What is my future with Arsenal? We will have to see what happens."

"I don't know anything about interest from Fenerbahce."

"I'm not considering anything. I've just got to weigh up the situation."

"Arsenal is there and that's all I've got to say about it at the moment."

"It is about getting the World Cup out of the way and taking things from there."

I have mixed feelings about Sol at the moment. I do feel he is past his best, and that if an offer of £5M plus was to come in we'd be daft not to take it - but he does bring a huge amount of experience to the back line...something which Senderos and Djourou do not have - yet.

What do you think? Should we offload Sol or do our best to keep him?

Rosicky: Wenger Will 'Improve Me'

New boy Tomas Rosicky is convinced he will become an even better player under the guidance of AW...

He said; "There is a lot of work to do with me still, and I think he [Wenger] can improve me, to make me much better than I am now."

"When I joined Dortmund, people said that I was too lightweight for the league, but I have proven that I can play there, and I think I can show it here also."

Rosicky: "This Is The Best Club In Europe..."

New signing Tomas Rosicky has spoken about his move to N5...

"I'm really happy to be here at Arsenal, it is a great day for me." he said

He added: "The team showed their strength recently in the Champions League and have big potential with a lot of young players - I think we can be even better next season.

"This is the best club in Europe and I will give everything."

Thats good to hear Tomas!!!

Rosicky Deal Done

Tomas Rosicky has signed for Arsenal for an undisclosed fee from Borussia Dortmund.

A great signing I believe!

Le Boss has said: "We are delighted to welcome Tomas to our squad. He has great technique, skill on the ball and sharp passing. Tomas has good experience at all levels for club and country, and we look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal after what will hopefully be a successful summer for him at the World Cup."

Good work Arsene!!!

Rosicky To Arsenal?

By the looks of things we are on the verge of signing Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

Yesterday Czech national manager Karel Bruckner said: "I am surprised it did not come to light earlier.

"We have tried to keep our promise to keep quiet but I must now admit that Tomas is undergoing medical tests."

Rosicky will be a good signing in my opinion, he is a quality play-maker and comes from a physical league - so it shouldn't take him too long to adapt to the Premiership.

If you wanna have a little look at what he can do, paste this link into your URL and enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZptQphoLM8&search=Rosicky%20

Let me know what you think!

Theo v Hleb

Sven Goran Erkisson has confirmed Theo will feature in Thursdays England B team friendly against Belarus. Alex Hleb will also be on the pitch...but for Belarus, obviously!

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Sven said...

"You will see him on Thursday. Maybe not from the beginning but you will see him."

Nice!

Jens Talks Balls

Jens has predicted difficulties for goalies at the World Cup due to the choice of ball that is to be used...

"It's a ball for the outfield players and the crowd -- not for the goalkeepers," said Jens.

"When it rains it's not going to be very comfortable for us. It gets very slippery. It also moves a lot in the air."

The World Cup ball is known as the Teamgeist and is made by Adidas. Lehmann compared it to the ball from rival manufacturer Nike.

"The Nike ball feels more like an old fashioned leather ball," he said. "The Adidas one is more plastic.

"When it comes down to it, both of them make the goalkeepers look bad."

Fenerbahce Deny Sol Link

Fenerbahce have just released a mini statement on their official website denying claims that they have signed Sol. The statement reads...

"Rumours that we have agreed all terms with Arsenal FC’s Sol Campbell are untrue.

Claims that the player concerned will be arriving in Turkey to complete the deal do not reflect the truth."

Watch this space...

Thierry Is The Best

Le Boss has stated that TH14 is the best player ever to grace the Premiership - something we all knew anyway!!!

Speaking to Arsenal.com he said;

“I believe he is, yes,” said Wenger. “It is all about opinion but after that you have the numbers.

“With great players you check two things — one, they make their team win, two, the numbers are there to prove what they have achieved. In four years you will look back at the numbers he achieved and find they are really impressive.

“But what I rate much more is the number of assists. Even when you score less he can still contribute to making his team win. That was Dennis Bergkamp's strength - to score and make goals for others. The great players have it."

Captain Fantastic

Henry is staying. No words can express just how pleased I am. Don't really know what to say apart from...

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Here's what Thierry is reported to have said;

"I hope to stay as long as I can keep running. I couldn't leave the fans.

"They're like family.

"I love Barcelona, but on Wednesday Arsenal showed they had heart.

"I hope to finalise details today."

I think this is gonna take a coupla hours to sink in......!!!

The Morning After

For some bizarre reason I'm not too distraught this morning - nothing like I was last night. I think the boys did us proud last night - ESPECIALLY as we were down to ten men after just 18 minutes. I'm not gonna sit here and slate the ref, cos we all know how fucking abysmal he was - and TH14 thought so too.

Here's what our skipper said...

"I don't know if the referee had a Barcelona shirt on because they kicked me all over the place. Some of his calls were strange. Maybe next time I'll learn how to dive. I expect the referee to do his job but I don't think he did. In fact, I'd like to have seen a proper referee out there."

"So many times Puyol should have got a yellow card and so many times Marquez came from behind to take my ankles. I have ended with bruises all over my body. I've also been told that their first goal [by Eto'o] was offside. They are already a good team, so if you help them, it is going to be very difficult to beat them."

Le Boss was equally fuming, here's what he thought...

"That goal is my biggest regret. To play 11 against 10 and be on top of that situation, but then to concede an offside goal is difficult to accept. I thought the whole story of changing the linesman because of the Barcelona shirt was not important. But, when we concede an offside goal, no one says anything."

On a more positive note, there may have been a tiny hint from Thierry that he's not gonna leave. On the way home after the game, he is reported as saying;

"WE must pick ourselves up and make sure WE come back stronger next year,"

Am I clutching at straws here, or does this bode well?

What do you reckon?

D-DAY

FUCK! It's here. In twelve hours time we'll be watching our boys against Barcelona in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL! This IS the stuff dreams are made of!

I had THREE, yes THREE separate dreams last night about this evenings game...

In the first, we won the European Cup, in the second we lost 2-0 and in the third the halfway through game was abandoned and rescheduled for Saturday!

It's probably these antibiotics I'm taking!

Right then. Frank Rijkaard has spoken ahead of this evening and praised DB10 for his contribution to the game, this is what he said...

"Bergkamp is someone special,"

"I know him from the days when we played together, he was very young then."

"In the past few days, there has been a lot of talk about exciting football. But a long time ago, Bergkamp had already started to play an attractive game."

"He was one of those players who made people turn up to stadium just to watch his game."

"In a way he was making art, scoring beautiful goals."

"He has already left a mark in football."

In other news Stevie G has revealed that he will be backing us tonight, mainly because Titi was supporting L!verpool last year...

"Once Arsenal were eliminated, he wanted L!verpool to win it," Gerrard said "He was texting, making phone calls before and after games, wishing us good luck and congratulating us when we won.

"I remember having a text message from him after the final and he was really pleased for us.

"It is vice-versa now, I have been texting and phoning, wishing him well."

"I hope they follow suit and win it."

"I want them to bring this (trophy) back home to England."

Finally Gibba has warned the boys not to become too obsessed with Ronaldinho tonight...

He said: "To stop him we need to stop all of them. If we do our job like we have done in the last couple of games we have a good chance."

He added: "I have never played against Ronaldinho. I have only played with him for the national team. Arsenal have never asked me to mark man for man."


Right then, I'm going back to bed as I still feel like shit...more later!


COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

It's Getting Closer

Typical! The day before the biggest game in our Club's history and I'm laid up in bed with a fucking chest infection! NOT HAPPY!

One plus though - no work!

Anyway, no point moaning. I'm currently watching Sky Sports preview of tomorrow night and I have to be honest...I AM SHITTING IT NOW!!!

Fuck knows how bad it's gonna be tomorrow...but these are the type of games we live for as football fans I guess!

Le Boss has announced tomorrow night's squad...here it is in full;

Jens Lehmann
Manuel Almunia
Mart Poom
Ashley Cole
Philippe Senderos
Sol Campbell
Gael Clichy
Kolo Toure
Emmanuel Eboue
Johan Djourou
Mathieu Flamini
Freddie Ljungberg
Robert Pires
Gilberto
Alexander Hleb
Jose Antonio Reyes
Cesc Fabregas
Alexandre Song
Thierry Henry
Robin van Persie
Dennis Bergkamp

As expected then.

Right, I'm going back to bed. BIG day tomorrow!!!

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!

Le Boss: "My Career Will Never Be Good Enough..."

AW admits that even if we do win 'old big ears' on Wednesday he still won't be satisfied...

"My career will never be good enough because it is the way I am." said the Gaffer.

"If you think about what we could have won and didn't, that's how I am. That's normal for me.

"I want to win the Championship, the League Cup, the FA Cup and the European Cup - every year!"

"We want to be recognised as a team that can win the biggest trophies.

"We have to win the final. We want to win the trophy and I believe we will do it."

Freddie: "It Has Been A Season Of Transition"

Freddie believes that our underdog status will help us against Barcelona on Wednesday...

He said: "In the past we have been seen as one of the favourites in the competition, maybe this season people have looked at us like underdogs because we had not done so well in the Premiership.

"A lot of teams had tried to stop us playing, and did not play their own football. Perhaps this year they thought 'Ah, we will beat Arsenal and play our own game' - that suited us quite well with the way we pass and play.'

"We are not maybe so happy with the league, because we want to fight for the title - that is how it is to play for Arsenal.

"But the way it has been in the Champions League has been great.

"We have played some really good football.

"In the Premiership where we struggled a bit was when we played really physical teams, maybe in Europe you are not allowed to play as physical in the games, so that has suited us a bit more."

"It has been a season of transition."

'You have to help the young guys who come into the team, with how we want to play our passing game.

'So I tried to help and educate some of the players, which is something I have not had to do in the past, but it has all been good and now we are in the Champions League final."

JAR Happy In London

Jose has dismissed reports that he is considering a move back to Spain next season and insists that he has finally settled in the capital...

"I have to admit at the beginning of my stay in England, I did struggle a little bit and I thought about leaving the team." he said

"Now, with the help of my family and colleagues, I am very happy here and don't want to leave."

"No particular player helped me - we all help each other and I could not single out one person from my family because they all helped as well."

"Privately, they were telling me England is not such a bad place and just because I didn't speak English, it shouldn't be a barrier for my happiness at Arsenal."

"In the winter when it gets dark at 3pm in the afternoon, I get depressed."

"But when it is sunny, I am quite happy. But I am now very happy here."

Eboue Ready For Ron

Shit. Only two days to go....the nerves are building now. Maybe I should adopt Manu Eboue's attitude - 'cos he ain't bothered about facing Ronaldinho! Here's what the young man said yesterday...

"I'm really happy to be playing alongside Kolo because I've known him since we were children and I'm grateful for the way he has helped and encouraged me,"

"I'm not afraid to be playing against Ronaldinho even if he is one of the world's top players."

"I'm going to learn from the experience and use my speed against him."

"It's a dream for me and difficult to believe that, after such a short space of time at Arsenal, I am playing in the Champions League final."

"But I have already achieved a lifetime ambition by playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu."

Friday Humour

Really bored at work today, just got sent these on an email - so I thought I'd share!

Almunia: Lehmann Is A 'Strange Bloke'

Manuel Almunia has attacked Jens, saying he is 'strange'(we all know that!) and that the two have no relationship whatsoever...

"Lehmann is a very strange bloke, we have no kind of relationship," Almunia said.

"Last year we were both playing - sometimes he was starting and sometimes it was me.

"There were a lot of games in which I took his place and he even rang up the German national manager to tell him what was happening, something which is a bit cheeky really."

I personally think that Jens is mustard and Almunia is pony....so there!

Henry: Theo Is 'Special'

TH14 has urged the media and the fans to give Theo time and space to mature...

"I think you know he is a special talent, as you can imagine," Titi told Sky Sports News.

"If he is in the squad he must be pretty special and I can tell you he is special.

"But I think one thing you can help the kid is to leave him alone.

"I know it will be difficult but that is the only way you can do something out there for him.

"The guy has no fear, but once again it's difficult for me to talk or anyone to talk about what he is going to do, it is only him who can show us what he is going to do.

"But what I am saying to you is on the other side he must be relaxed and be left alone if you want him to be at his best."

Titi Does It Again

Thierry has scooped his THIRD Football Writers Player of the Year award - breaking yet ANOTHER record. Here's what he said when accepting his award...

"I am very happy to make history here. My dad was pretty harsh when I was young and he told me never to be satisfied with what I had."

"I am still not satisfied."

"It is difficult for me to explain how I feel tonight. It's amazing for me to come here and win this award for a third time."

"People have a go at me in France because when I mention home I mention London," he said.

"In this country you live and breathe football and that is something that is missing sometimes."

"Some youngsters do not love the game any more."

"They love what is around the game, but not the game itself. But you always have to have respect for the game and the game will give you something back as it has given me back something today."

He added: "I really hope that you can have another 1966 happen to you. I see the passion you have here for your national team and how much you want them to win."

"You are a nation who loves sport and football and I hope you win the World Cup again because you deserve it."

"People like you deserve to win it."

Priceless

I know you've all probably seen this but I can't help myself!

Wrighty: "I Do Not Feel He That Will Leave"

Ian Wright Wright Wright believes that the emergence of our Young Guns and the lure of Ashburton Grove could be enough to keep TH14 at Arsenal...

Wrighty said: "What Arsenal have to pin their hopes on is that Thierry wants to bring in the new era of the club at the new stadium.

"If he is in love with that concept, then he could stay.

"But if he does win the Champions League, and wants, for his own benefit, to go and play in a Barcelona side, who I am sure would welcome him with open arms, who could begrudge him?

"Either way, it will work out for him and it all depends on what Thierry wants to do.

"Personally, I do not feel that he will leave, but I could not blame him if he did."

Cesc: Get Torres

Young Cesc has urged Le Boss to sign Fernando Torres...

"We would love it if he came because he is a complete player with a great physique and I am a big fan of his," said Cesc.

"Torres is a good player, a great goalscorer and we would be delighted if he was to sign for us."

To be honest I haven't seen a HUGE amount of Fernando Torres - what I have seen, I like.

How do you guys think he would fit in at Arsenal?

Gerrard: "Walcott Could Be The Ace..."

Stevie Gerrard has insisted that Sven is not mad by picking Theo for England...

Gerrard said: "I don't think the gaffer is crazy, Walcott could be the ace in the pack. Nobody knows anything about him, but we all know he is a fantastic player with tremendous speed.

"If he gets thrown in at the deep end during the World Cup he may just surprise a few people and come up with a couple of winning goals, you never know."

But Gerrard added: "I am not going to say I was not surprised at some of the names in the squad, because we have not seen much of them.

"But they are very exciting players, and if we can get Wayne (Rooney) fit and Michael (Owen) fit it is a very exciting squad.

"But if you look at the squad as a whole then the 23 are really strong.

"Being England's manager you are paid to take risks and have a gamble now and again, he has accepted it is a gamble but hopefully it pays off."

Just Heard A Rumour...

....that Henry has put his house up for sale.

Does ANYONE know anything more?

Theo: Wenger Is A Genius

Theo has no doubt that the 'genius' of Le Boss will turn him into a world class superstar...

"Arsene Wenger was watching me when I was 14, so that shows the faith he has in me." said young Theo

"Arsene Wenger rested Cesc Fabregas earlier this season, and look what he has done now, so you can tell what a genius Arsene Wenger is."

"Hopefully he will do that for me, but I have to work hard in every training session.
Training with world-class players every day, I am only going to improve. Watching someone like Thierry Henry, his finishing, is unbelievable."

Theo is also relishing his chance to play in the World Cup...

"It is a dream come true. I did not expect any of this."

"I just want to go training with these players and see how they prepare, to be around those sorts of players to find out what people like Beckham do before games. It is going to be special."

"It will be good for the future to do this early, most players do not get to go to a World Cup. I am the lucky one."

The 'What Will You Do With Yours' Fiasco

It has just been brought to my attention by an anonymous poster that Arsenal are now unable to supply the Highbury seats that were sold to their season ticket holders.

Here is a copy of the email that has been sent out...

It is with great regret that the Club announces that we are unable to sell any Highbury seats to you. We have been informed that all of the Highbury seats, apart from the Directors' Box, the dug outs and the Executive Box seats, contain very small amounts of the toxic metal cadmium. The seats are completely safe and are not a risk to health when located within a stadium, but it is understood that if the seats are stored inside and used regularly over a long period of time, there is a slight risk that very small amounts of cadmium could be released.

Although being a very small risk, the Club is not prepared to put any of our supporters in this situation, and having also received a directive from the European Commission, unfortunately we cannot sell any Highbury seats for individual domestic use.

It is very frustrating for us to be told that we cannot offer you your seat at this stage as we have all worked very hard, well into this week, to try to make it happen, but the fact that there is a very small risk is enough reason to stop us from releasing them to individual supporters. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

All supporters who have committed to purchasing a Highbury Seat will be fully reimbursed within the next five days. The Club will, as planned, make a donation to the David Rocastle Trust on behalf of all purchasers and would also like to remind supporters that the sale of the Highbury pitch and the Highbury Auction will go ahead as scheduled. Further information on these can be found via www.highburyauction.com


Your views?



(Many thanks to the anonymous poster for making me aware of this!)

Graham Taylor: "...Wenger's Picking The Squad"

Graham Taylor believes Le Boss is pulling strings behind the scenes with regards to the England squad and this is why Theo has been picked...

"Sven must have listened very closely to what Arsene Wenger had to say about Theo, so even though the FA didn't give him the job, it looks like Wenger's picking the squad.

"The boy Walcott hasn't even played for Arsenal yet so Sven must have spoken to Arsene Wenger, who looks like he's persuaded Sven the lad's worth taking.

"But I'm sure Sven will play Theo in the friendly against Belarus later this month, even though it's billed as a B international.

"Either that or in the friendlies against Hungary or Jamaica because it would be amazing if Theo didn't play in one of those games."

DB10: Young Guns Must Go For It

Dennis has urged our young guns to grab our chance in the Champions League final next week by the balls - as it could be the only time in their career that they get there!

Here's what the Dutch Master said...

"As a more experienced player, you realise how important it is."

"I have told a few of the guys over the past weeks that this could be the only Champions League final they ever play in - there are no guarantee."

"I know how hard the club have worked for this, I have been there throughout those seasons."

"We had played probably the best football in Europe at some stage and got knocked out in the quarter-finals."

"I am sure all the players will realise that this could be a one-time in your career."

"So you have to focus - first of all enjoy it but as well you have to try to give everything to win it."

Dennis added: "There is some pressure on Barcelona because they have to show they are a great team, which they can do."

"But we have caused a few upsets this season and so have got the confidence as well."

Theo: "I Can Handle It..."

Theo Walcott insists he can handle the pressure that comes with playing for England. As we know, just six months ago he was playing in the Championship for Southampton but the 17 year old is bang up for the challenge of representing his country...

"I've played in front of big crowds before and it's going to be different but I think I can handle it," he said. "I'm just going to give it my best."

Apparently at the time the squad was announced young Theo was taking his driving test!!!

"I was taking my driving test in Southgate," he said. "I switched off my phone and put it in my locker.

"I turned it back on at 3pm, phoned my dad and could not believe it was true really.

"He said to me 'you're in the England squad' and I thought he was having me on. I was shocked and surprised as everyone was."

He added: "My first thoughts were that I can't believe this is true. First the move to Arsenal and then this, it is unbelievable."

Theo didn't speak to Eriksson on Monday but confirmed he called him on Tuesday morning...

"He spoke to me to wish me all the best and said he is looking forward to watching me train in Portugal.

"Most players don't get to go to a World Cup - I'm the lucky one.

"Becoming England's youngest player would be something special, the likes of Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were put in at young ages and if I do something like they've done in their careers it would be special."

The question on everyone's lips though; DID THEO PASS HIS DRIVING TEST?

Titi: "Thats The Way It Is"

TH14 had admitted that he couldn't give a toss about T*ttenham's so-called food poisoning outbreak...and is glad they missed out on the last Champions League spot;

"People are going to say Tottenham had people with food poisoning and whatever. But did anyone bother when we had nine players out? No.

"They were just saying, 'Arsenal are not the team they used to be, they are missing this, that and the other'.

"That's the way it is. No one had any sympathy for us when Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, and a long list of people were missing. We had to deal with it. No one cared then. I know there will be a lot of talk about who deserved it most but the table does not lie in the end.

"You have to give us credit for the way we turned it around. At one point we were eighth or something - not even close to the top. There have been so many games when we have come back and got a crucial result.

"So many times people were saying, 'Oh what a shame if they win the Champions League, maybe Tottenham can appeal'.

"But I always said to myself that the league was not finished.

"They were talking about changing the rules but I said, 'They don't have to change anything yet because they're not there'. I said to the lads that you you only sing at the end. And we were singing on Sunday."

Even Bobby Zam*ra reckons the Scum were trying to pull a fast one...

"I didn't notice any of them were ill. If they had been ill, they would have changed their team." he said

"To be fair, we were surprised by the team that was put out. I certainly didn't notice any of them being slower into the challenge.

"Jermain Def*e looked sharp - they all looked sharp."

Sven: Theo Is A 'Gamble'

Sven has admitted that picking Theo for the England squad is a 'gamble'. In fact the sex mad swede only decided this morning that Theo was in...

"I thought a lot about it during the last month and today." said Sven

"It is a gamble, of course, it's a gamble I can't deny. It's a nice one. I think he's a great talent.

"The pace he has is incredible, so why not take one gamble?"

Wouldn't you just love it if Walcott did an 'Owen' and set the fuckin' world alight?!?!

Good on ya lad!

Theo In England Squad

Theo Walcott has been named as part of England's 2006 World Cup Squad. Sol and Ash are also included.

GOOD FUCKIN' LAD!!!

No sign of Jermain Def*e or SWP though!!!

The full squad is as follows;

Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich); Gary Neville (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea); David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham); Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Lest We Forget

Yesterday we all said goodbye to Highbury forever, we also said goodbye to one of Highbury's and Arsenal's most faithful servants - Dennis Bergkamp.

What can I say about the Iceman that hasn't already been said?

Here's what Dennis himself had to say...(taken from Arsenal.com)

"It was emotional personally because it was the end of my career, but saying goodbye to Highbury was a big thing as well," said DB10.

"It's good to play football, especially here. It's an honour to play for Arsenal, to come on the pitch and show what I can do. I think when you're on the bench you're always hoping, if you're losing or if you're winning, you always want to get on.

"My team-mates know what I've done at Highbury and for Arsenal in general. They really respect that, they appreciate that and it shows what kind of players these are. They respect each other."

It's nearly 11 years since Arsenal fans awoke to back-page pictures of Bergkamp holding aloft a scarf at Highbury after completing his move from Inter Milan. It was a major coup which has paid rich dividends for club and player alike.

So was there ever a time when Bergkamp thought the grass might be greener away from the lush Highbury turf?

"Not really. I think there was one moment after my first year here when Bruce Rioch got sacked, I think that's the moment when I thought 'well, what's going on?' I never really thought of leaving but there were some doubts in my mind about my future at the time.

"Overall it has been tremendous. We've developed through the years, we've become a better team each year and it's a joy to work."

Of course, there is one more competitive game in Bergkamp's diary, the small matter of a Champions League Final against Barcelona in Paris. After that, the Dutchman will get ready for a new phase in his life.

"The Champions League Final is a big one, it's a major honour to be there of course [but] after that I don't know," he said.

"I'm just going to do the things I would normally do if I was on holiday, for example, but this time there's no coming back after the holidays.

"There are so many other things outside of football that you can enjoy, for example my family. I have a lovely family and I'd like to spend some time with them on the weekends, that's something I've never done before."

New Sperz Kit?

I just can't help myself today!

Where Was Wenger On Saturday Night?

The Mariot Hotel perhaps?!?

What A Day!

What a truly magical day yesterday was. 7th May 2006 - a day I'll NEVER forget as long as I live. The day we left Highbury - with a BANG!

The day started in a slightly peculiar way, with the Scum wanting their game postponed after no less than ten of their first team were struck down with apparent food poisoning. As we all know now, the game did go ahead and after all that fuss they actually had twelve men on the pitch. (Even though Sher!ngham was in claret and blue!)

Le Boss said: "What happened at T*ttenham I don't know, and I feel sorry for that. I felt that it was not in our hands anymore, but they had to play B*lton and West H*m, I knew that they could drop points against both - and they could have dropped points against B*lton, frankly. Even if they had a draw today we still would have gone through - they needed to win today. Sport is like that sometimes, to lose it in the last game is difficult. "

We all now how yesterday's game panned out - so I'm not gonna sit here typing a match report...we ALL saw it!!!

Here's AW's views...

"I felt that Wigan gave us a hard time, but we had to deal with nerves as well. We went into the last week knowing that two away games, and one home game against Wigan, and less than nine points we have no chance. I feel that we did it in a fantastic manner because we scored 10 goals, and we had three cup games because all three teams gave us a very hard time. I'm very proud for my team because they did it in an exceptional way with a lot of character."

I couldn't sign off without mentioning the Skipper - it seemed fitting that he should score a hat-trick yesterday. Is Thierry the best striker in the world? You bet your arse he is!

Mr Wenger thinks so too...

"Certainly for me, he is the best striker in the world." said Le Boss

"It looks being captain this year has given him another dimension in that he has grown in stature as a player and has matured a lot with a sensible attitude on the pitch."

NEXT STOP: PARIS!

Arsenal To Sue?

Reports coming out this afternoon suggest that Arsenal are considering legal proceedings against Sunderland hatchet-man Dan Smith after his horrific challenge on Abou Diaby.

As you all know by now, Diaby has suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle which has fucked the rest of his season good and proper!

Some reports suggest that he could be out for as much as six months.

AW: "I Want To Finish The Job..."

Le Boss is convinced that if we beat Barcelona in the Champions League final on May 17th it will be the dawn of a new era at the club.

Here's what he said...

"I have said before that the only thing we have missed since I started here was to do well in the Champions League.

"At the moment as long as we don't do it you feel that people will always question why we didn't.

"I'm very happy that we've got to the Final and I want to finish the job on May 17 in a great way.

"But I don't think it will be the end of anything at all. I think it's start of a new era because this is a very young team.

"Players like Cesc Fabregas, Philippe Senderos, Mathieu Flamini, Emmanuel Eboue, Robin van Persie and José Antonio Reyes - they have started with the Champions League Final at their age.

"It's just the [beginning] for them."

Kolo On 'That' Tackle

Kolo has expressed his disgust at the disgraceful tackle on Abou Diaby yesterday...

"It wasn't an accident. He just came in to try to hurt the player, which is really, really bad. I definitely think he went for the player and not for the ball.

"They made bad tackles all the way through the second half. I said that someone would be injured if it continued and two minutes later it happened.

"They wanted to show desire because they were 3-0 down at half-time, but to show desire is not to kick or to hurt the player."

Le Boss On Yesterday's Events

AW was left fuming (like most of us!)after the horror tackle on Abou Diaby yesterday. If reports are to be believed, he will be out for up to six months.

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

“The only bad point is that Diaby looks to have a very serious injury. In my opinion that is a shame because it was a bad kick and an unneeded one. It has not been diagnosed yet, all we know is that it is a very serious ankle injury. We will take him to hospital tonight up here.”

“It is a big blow to lose a player like that. It is one thing to lose a player but the spirit of the way he has been kicked, and Fabregas a few times, is just not acceptable. That is the most difficult thing to take. I feel sorry for him because he worked very hard to come back.

“An accident can happen, we all accept that. The way that this happened was not acceptable. It is part of the respect of the game. If two players go for the ball with the right spirit [then OK]. What happened there was just not acceptable. The referee and the press cannot accept that.”

“He had injury problems before but he worked very hard to come back. I am a little bit down for him because he has to fight injuries and had surgery on his ankle before.”

On a more positive note, AW was pleased with the overall performance and the return of AC3...

"We played well and overall we controlled the game. We were 3-0 up at half time and in the second half we eased off a little bit without losing our shape and our seriousness. I think this is a deserved victory.”

“(Ashley Cole) did well when he came on. He played in midfield and looks physically sharp. We play on Thursday and on Sunday he will certainly play one of the two games. He is getting better and better. He is ready for 90 minutes. He played two games in the Reserves and came through well so it should not be a problem.”