Arsenal Football Club can confirm
they have agreed to sign striker
Chu Young Park from AS Monaco.
The 26-year-old South Korea
captain scored 25 times in 91
appearances for the French club
during three seasons in Ligue 1.
The one-time Asian Young
Footballer of the Year made his
debut for the South Korea
senior side at just 19, and
played in both the 2006 and
2010 World Cups. He replaced the
retired Ji Sung Park as captain
of the national team earlier this
year.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger
said: “We are delighted to have
signed Chu. He will add true
quality to our attacking forces
and will be a valuable addition to
the squad.”
Chu Young Park said: "I am very
honoured and I feel very happy
to be at Arsenal. It is a dream to
be here and I am really proud to
be an Arsenal player. Now I just
want to show how good I am and
prove myself.
"In my opinion this is a great
club, now I have to show what I
can do on the pitch. I will do my
best, I will never give up, I will
show heart, I will give everything
and I hope [the fans] will support
me."
The deal is subject to the
completion of formal registration
processes.
Chu Young Park will wear the No
9 shirt at Arsenal. The striker
prefers to be known as 'Ju' and
will therefore have J. Y. Park as
his shirt name.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Sunday 28 August 2011
Arsenal set to signM’Vila and increasebid for GaryCahill
Despite the exaggerated public
argument this week between
Arsene Wenger and the Bolton
boss Phil Gartside over Arsenal’s
opening bid for Gary Cahill, it
seems that Wenger still intends
to return with an improved
£12million bid for the big England
defender.
Owen Coyle has already
announced that he would be
happy to see Cahill move to a
bigger club this summer, and
with Liverpool’s acquisition of the
Uruguayan Sebastien Coates, the
way is clear for Wenger to buy
Cahill, according to today’s
Mirror.
They also go on to report that
Arsenal are also close to tieing
up a £10m deal for the Rennes
midfielder Yann M’Vila. The Ligue
1 side are not keen on letting
the 20 year-old star man leave
but the Mirror thinks they won’t
stand in the way of the
ambitious youngster if he gets
the opportunity to move up in
the world.
After the news yestrday that
Arsenal were close to securing
Park Chu-Young as a
replacement for Nicklas
Bendtner, these two signings
should complete Wenger’s
summer business and he can
then concentrate on moving
back up the table.
M’Vila and Cahill would certainly
improve the defensive
capabilities of the Gunners’s
defence so let’s all keep our
fingers crossed that both deals
happen very quickly….
argument this week between
Arsene Wenger and the Bolton
boss Phil Gartside over Arsenal’s
opening bid for Gary Cahill, it
seems that Wenger still intends
to return with an improved
£12million bid for the big England
defender.
Owen Coyle has already
announced that he would be
happy to see Cahill move to a
bigger club this summer, and
with Liverpool’s acquisition of the
Uruguayan Sebastien Coates, the
way is clear for Wenger to buy
Cahill, according to today’s
Mirror.
They also go on to report that
Arsenal are also close to tieing
up a £10m deal for the Rennes
midfielder Yann M’Vila. The Ligue
1 side are not keen on letting
the 20 year-old star man leave
but the Mirror thinks they won’t
stand in the way of the
ambitious youngster if he gets
the opportunity to move up in
the world.
After the news yestrday that
Arsenal were close to securing
Park Chu-Young as a
replacement for Nicklas
Bendtner, these two signings
should complete Wenger’s
summer business and he can
then concentrate on moving
back up the table.
M’Vila and Cahill would certainly
improve the defensive
capabilities of the Gunners’s
defence so let’s all keep our
fingers crossed that both deals
happen very quickly….
Horror as womandelivers monster babyin EkitiIN what appears a fiction, a middle-aged woman (names withheld) hasbeen delivered of a monstrouslooking baby at the General Hospital,Iyin-Ekiti, Ifelodun/Irepodun Localgovernment Area of Ekiti State.
A middle-aged woman (names
withheld) has been delivered of a
baby with a monstrous head at the
General Hospital, Iyin-Ekiti, Ifelodun/
Irepodun Local government Area,
Ekiti State.
The strange creature, which has
bulging, froggy eyes, was born at
around 2.15 p.m. at the weekend
through a caesarean operation.
The monster baby also has an
open hole at the back of its head,
from where something that looked
like mucus could be seen.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Health,
Dr. Wole Olugboji, who confirmed
the strange occurrence to newsmen
yesterday, said the headless baby
died but the mother was alive.
According to him, ‘There was a
woman who gave birth to a baby
without a head at General Hospital,
Iyin. The baby is dead but the
mother is okay.’
Olugboji said the mother of the little
creature, who was still unconscious
due to the sedation before the
Caesarean section, did not see the
baby, which was quickly disposed
of in order to save the parents from
the embarrassment that the strange
baby might have caused them.
The father of the baby, a reliable
source said, was present in when it
was born and he approved of the
quick burial of the strange creature.
The hospital source said: ‘The baby
did not have brain. His head was
open at the back and you could see
mucus inside the head instead of
brain. It was strange, nobody in the
hospital had seen such baby before.’
Another source added that the
strange baby was very small at
birth. He said the delivery was
abnormal as the fluid that was
drained out of the mother's body
was in excess of normal quantity.
The woman was said to have gone
for a series of scans in some private
hospitals, where she was told that
she was going to deliver a set of
twins. It was gathered that officials
of the General Hospital, Iyin, told the
parents that the woman was
carrying only one foetus and it was
headless.
They believed that the baby must
have been deformed due to the
effects of some drugs or herbs.
‘That is why we always ask
pregnant women not to take any
drugs unless they were prescribed
by doctors. We can't also rule it out
that the deformity might have been
caused by concoctions. It is
possible,’ he said.
Speaking with The Moment on
the occurrence, Dr. Philips Kanemo,
of the University of Benin Teaching
Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo
State, said it could be the result of
congenital malformation or
abnormality, which is a medical
condition where a child is born
without a brain.
According to him, ‘It makes the
entire head appear malformed or
almost invisible, with a very small
skull, and not that there is total
absence of head.’
On the likely causes of such
malformation, Kanemo said the
condition could be idiopathic, that is,
with ‘no known cause.’
‘It could be from toxic drugs taken
by the mother at pregnancy or even
alcohol. Many other substances can
cause it.
‘Because we are in Africa, some
might attach it to witchcraft; but
whatever is not scientifically proven
is not a fact and has no basis,’ he
said.
withheld) has been delivered of a
baby with a monstrous head at the
General Hospital, Iyin-Ekiti, Ifelodun/
Irepodun Local government Area,
Ekiti State.
The strange creature, which has
bulging, froggy eyes, was born at
around 2.15 p.m. at the weekend
through a caesarean operation.
The monster baby also has an
open hole at the back of its head,
from where something that looked
like mucus could be seen.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Health,
Dr. Wole Olugboji, who confirmed
the strange occurrence to newsmen
yesterday, said the headless baby
died but the mother was alive.
According to him, ‘There was a
woman who gave birth to a baby
without a head at General Hospital,
Iyin. The baby is dead but the
mother is okay.’
Olugboji said the mother of the little
creature, who was still unconscious
due to the sedation before the
Caesarean section, did not see the
baby, which was quickly disposed
of in order to save the parents from
the embarrassment that the strange
baby might have caused them.
The father of the baby, a reliable
source said, was present in when it
was born and he approved of the
quick burial of the strange creature.
The hospital source said: ‘The baby
did not have brain. His head was
open at the back and you could see
mucus inside the head instead of
brain. It was strange, nobody in the
hospital had seen such baby before.’
Another source added that the
strange baby was very small at
birth. He said the delivery was
abnormal as the fluid that was
drained out of the mother's body
was in excess of normal quantity.
The woman was said to have gone
for a series of scans in some private
hospitals, where she was told that
she was going to deliver a set of
twins. It was gathered that officials
of the General Hospital, Iyin, told the
parents that the woman was
carrying only one foetus and it was
headless.
They believed that the baby must
have been deformed due to the
effects of some drugs or herbs.
‘That is why we always ask
pregnant women not to take any
drugs unless they were prescribed
by doctors. We can't also rule it out
that the deformity might have been
caused by concoctions. It is
possible,’ he said.
Speaking with The Moment on
the occurrence, Dr. Philips Kanemo,
of the University of Benin Teaching
Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo
State, said it could be the result of
congenital malformation or
abnormality, which is a medical
condition where a child is born
without a brain.
According to him, ‘It makes the
entire head appear malformed or
almost invisible, with a very small
skull, and not that there is total
absence of head.’
On the likely causes of such
malformation, Kanemo said the
condition could be idiopathic, that is,
with ‘no known cause.’
‘It could be from toxic drugs taken
by the mother at pregnancy or even
alcohol. Many other substances can
cause it.
‘Because we are in Africa, some
might attach it to witchcraft; but
whatever is not scientifically proven
is not a fact and has no basis,’ he
said.
Mercy Johnson weds atlast!Controversial Nollywood actress,Mercy Johnson, wedded with herheart-trob, Prince OrdianosenOkojie, Saturday August 27, despitethreats from many quarters todisrupt the ceremony.
Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson,
took her fiancé, Prince Ordianosen
Okojie to the altar on Saturday
August 27, amid pomp and tight
security.
The wedding took place at the
headquarters church of the Christ
Embassy off Kudirat Abiola Way,
Oregun Ikeja. While the reception
took place immediately after at 10
Degree on Billingsway also at
Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The man who staked his reputation
to ensure the wedding took place,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, was not
present at the ceremony. He was
however aided by another senior
pastor of the church, Ton Obiazi,
who joined the couple in a holy
matrimony.
Obiazi was assisted by a pastor
colleague.
The former Miss Johnson is one of
the reigning young actresses in the
Nigeria home video industry, where
she has found herself enmeshed in
one controversy after the other in
the last few years.
Even her wedding plan was the talk-
of-the town over allegations of
bigamy levelled against her fiancé
by a Canadian-based Nigerian,
Lovelyn Okojie.
Many of her fans were shocked to
receive the news that Mercy’s fiancé
was formerly married to Lovelyn
who has two children by him.
At the wedding venue, the gate was
manned by about 50 policemen and
privatesecurity personnel, who
turned away uninvited guests to
forestall any form of trouble at the
event.
Photographers from different media
houses were also barred from
entering the church auditorium and
many had their camera seized by
security.
Others were compelled to delete
from their cameras photographs of
the couple already taken.
Lights in the church auditorium
were also dimmed to prevent media
menand other guests from taking
photographs of the couple.
Security reasons were also given for
that. More than 2, 000 persons were
present at the wedding ceremony.
The security measures were not
unconnected with the threat of a
civil group on women’s rights to
storm venue of the wedding with
chants of protests, in sympathy
with Lovelyn, who claimed to be
Okojie’s lawful wife.
At the occasion, the centre of
attraction, former Miss Johnson,
wore a cream coloured wedding
dress. She was driven into the
church compound in a white
limousine, accompanied by some of
hercolleagues in the movie
industry.
Okojie was also dressed in a cream
coloured suit.
The decision of the church to go
ahead with the wedding despite the
confusion over Okojie’s marital
status came as a surprise to many
people who queried the morality of
it.
The church itself cleverly refrained
from asking the audience the
conventional question of whether
anyone in the gathering was
opposed to the wedding.
Some of the security men wielded
dangerous armaments including
electric baton, which they used to
disperse unwanted guests.
Some of the guests, who had
invitation cards, were beaten by
security officials.
Expectedly, the wedding ceremony
was graced by many Nollywood
stars, including Patience Ozokwor
(alias Mama G), Genevieve Nnaji,
Mike Ezuruoye, Stephanie Okereke,
Segun Arise and KC Presh.
A Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson
was the maid of honour, while her
bridesmaids were Chika Ike,
Empress Njamah, Pop singer,
Goldie, Waje, and Queen
Nwokonye. Sensational comedians
AY and ‘I go die o’ were the official
Masters of Ceremonies of the day.
took her fiancé, Prince Ordianosen
Okojie to the altar on Saturday
August 27, amid pomp and tight
security.
The wedding took place at the
headquarters church of the Christ
Embassy off Kudirat Abiola Way,
Oregun Ikeja. While the reception
took place immediately after at 10
Degree on Billingsway also at
Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The man who staked his reputation
to ensure the wedding took place,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, was not
present at the ceremony. He was
however aided by another senior
pastor of the church, Ton Obiazi,
who joined the couple in a holy
matrimony.
Obiazi was assisted by a pastor
colleague.
The former Miss Johnson is one of
the reigning young actresses in the
Nigeria home video industry, where
she has found herself enmeshed in
one controversy after the other in
the last few years.
Even her wedding plan was the talk-
of-the town over allegations of
bigamy levelled against her fiancé
by a Canadian-based Nigerian,
Lovelyn Okojie.
Many of her fans were shocked to
receive the news that Mercy’s fiancé
was formerly married to Lovelyn
who has two children by him.
At the wedding venue, the gate was
manned by about 50 policemen and
privatesecurity personnel, who
turned away uninvited guests to
forestall any form of trouble at the
event.
Photographers from different media
houses were also barred from
entering the church auditorium and
many had their camera seized by
security.
Others were compelled to delete
from their cameras photographs of
the couple already taken.
Lights in the church auditorium
were also dimmed to prevent media
menand other guests from taking
photographs of the couple.
Security reasons were also given for
that. More than 2, 000 persons were
present at the wedding ceremony.
The security measures were not
unconnected with the threat of a
civil group on women’s rights to
storm venue of the wedding with
chants of protests, in sympathy
with Lovelyn, who claimed to be
Okojie’s lawful wife.
At the occasion, the centre of
attraction, former Miss Johnson,
wore a cream coloured wedding
dress. She was driven into the
church compound in a white
limousine, accompanied by some of
hercolleagues in the movie
industry.
Okojie was also dressed in a cream
coloured suit.
The decision of the church to go
ahead with the wedding despite the
confusion over Okojie’s marital
status came as a surprise to many
people who queried the morality of
it.
The church itself cleverly refrained
from asking the audience the
conventional question of whether
anyone in the gathering was
opposed to the wedding.
Some of the security men wielded
dangerous armaments including
electric baton, which they used to
disperse unwanted guests.
Some of the guests, who had
invitation cards, were beaten by
security officials.
Expectedly, the wedding ceremony
was graced by many Nollywood
stars, including Patience Ozokwor
(alias Mama G), Genevieve Nnaji,
Mike Ezuruoye, Stephanie Okereke,
Segun Arise and KC Presh.
A Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson
was the maid of honour, while her
bridesmaids were Chika Ike,
Empress Njamah, Pop singer,
Goldie, Waje, and Queen
Nwokonye. Sensational comedians
AY and ‘I go die o’ were the official
Masters of Ceremonies of the day.
Monday 8 August 2011
Is wenger's new signining a door to nanas8 exit?
Arsenal have confirmed the
signing of young Southampton
winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
on what is described as a long
term contract for an undisclosed
fee.
Arsenal have been favourites to
land the 17 year old for
sometime with reports
suggesting it was only a matter
of the transfer fee that was to
be agreed between the clubs
before finalising personal terms.
A statement on the official
Arsenal website read:
“Arsenal Football Club is delighted
to announce that Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain has joined the
Gunners on a long-term contract
for an undisclosed fee.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
also described his delight at his
latest signing.
“He is an exciting young player
who will provide us with
creativity and offensive quality.
Alex is a versatile player who
can play in a number of positions.
He can play as an attacking
centre midfielder, or wide left
and right. Alex is a perceptive
passer of the ball and has a
great understanding of the
game and looks to be a very
good team player.”
Wenger added.
“Alex has done extremely well
during his development with
Southampton and we are looking
forward to him progressing even
further and fulfilling his huge
potential with Arsenal Football
Club.”
signing of young Southampton
winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
on what is described as a long
term contract for an undisclosed
fee.
Arsenal have been favourites to
land the 17 year old for
sometime with reports
suggesting it was only a matter
of the transfer fee that was to
be agreed between the clubs
before finalising personal terms.
A statement on the official
Arsenal website read:
“Arsenal Football Club is delighted
to announce that Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain has joined the
Gunners on a long-term contract
for an undisclosed fee.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
also described his delight at his
latest signing.
“He is an exciting young player
who will provide us with
creativity and offensive quality.
Alex is a versatile player who
can play in a number of positions.
He can play as an attacking
centre midfielder, or wide left
and right. Alex is a perceptive
passer of the ball and has a
great understanding of the
game and looks to be a very
good team player.”
Wenger added.
“Alex has done extremely well
during his development with
Southampton and we are looking
forward to him progressing even
further and fulfilling his huge
potential with Arsenal Football
Club.”
saints winger nearly a gunner
Arsenal are closing in on the
signing of Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain, with the
Southampton winger
undergoing a medical at
Emirates Stadium.
A fee of £12million is reported to
have been agreed for the England
under-21 international.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, contracted at
Southampton until 2013, is regarded
as one of England's most promising
young footballers.
The 17-year-old played a key role in
helping Southampton secure
promotion to the Championship last
season, firing nine goals in 34
appearances.
Known for his pace and ability to
beat defenders, he can operate on
either side of the pitch.
His style has invited comparisons
with Theo Walcott, who also left
Saints for Arsenal, although Oxlade-
Chamberlain is a better defender
who is comfortable in central
midfield as well as out wide.
Manchester United and Liverpool
have also expressed interest in the
Southampton academy product,
but Arsenal appear to have pulled
off something of a transfer coup.
signing of Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain, with the
Southampton winger
undergoing a medical at
Emirates Stadium.
A fee of £12million is reported to
have been agreed for the England
under-21 international.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, contracted at
Southampton until 2013, is regarded
as one of England's most promising
young footballers.
The 17-year-old played a key role in
helping Southampton secure
promotion to the Championship last
season, firing nine goals in 34
appearances.
Known for his pace and ability to
beat defenders, he can operate on
either side of the pitch.
His style has invited comparisons
with Theo Walcott, who also left
Saints for Arsenal, although Oxlade-
Chamberlain is a better defender
who is comfortable in central
midfield as well as out wide.
Manchester United and Liverpool
have also expressed interest in the
Southampton academy product,
but Arsenal appear to have pulled
off something of a transfer coup.
Thursday 4 August 2011
wenger playing handball with cesc
ARSENAL are threatening to stop
Cesc Fabregas playing for
Barcelona in the Champions
League this season.
Fabregas looks Barca-bound
once a fee can finally be agreed.
But boss Arsene Wenger wants
to speed things up and could
pick his skipper for a Champions
League play-off on August 16 or
17.
The Gunners want £40m, but the
European champions are only
willing to go to £35m, with an
extra £5m in bonus add-ons.
Barca have made it clear they
are willing to wait until the end
of the transfer window on
August 31 to wrap up the
return of their former youth-
team player.
But Wenger is fed up by the
delay and plans to flex his
managerial muscle by picking his
skipper to play in Arsenal’s
Champions League play-off.
That would make him ineligible
for the rest of the campaign if
he swapped clubs.
The midfielder has supposedly
been troubled by a hamstring
injury, but is expected to train
today in front of 10,000 fans at
the club’s open day for members
at the Emirates.
Wenger may also fi eld him in a
friendly with Benfica in Lisbon on
Saturday, again to Barca’s
annoyance.
Arsenal desperately need to
qualify for the Champions League
group stages.
With vice-captain Robin van
Persie and Samir Nasri suspended
for the first leg of the play-off,
Wenger may legitimately feel he
has no option but to call on the
experience of Fabregas.
So although Fabregas, 24, may
get the move he has wanted all
summer, he may have to twiddle
his thumbs every time Barca play
in Europe’s top club event.
Fabregas had hoped the deal
would go through earlier this
week. But Barca president
Sandro Rosell has sent the star
a series of text messages telling
him to stay calm.
Cesc Fabregas playing for
Barcelona in the Champions
League this season.
Fabregas looks Barca-bound
once a fee can finally be agreed.
But boss Arsene Wenger wants
to speed things up and could
pick his skipper for a Champions
League play-off on August 16 or
17.
The Gunners want £40m, but the
European champions are only
willing to go to £35m, with an
extra £5m in bonus add-ons.
Barca have made it clear they
are willing to wait until the end
of the transfer window on
August 31 to wrap up the
return of their former youth-
team player.
But Wenger is fed up by the
delay and plans to flex his
managerial muscle by picking his
skipper to play in Arsenal’s
Champions League play-off.
That would make him ineligible
for the rest of the campaign if
he swapped clubs.
The midfielder has supposedly
been troubled by a hamstring
injury, but is expected to train
today in front of 10,000 fans at
the club’s open day for members
at the Emirates.
Wenger may also fi eld him in a
friendly with Benfica in Lisbon on
Saturday, again to Barca’s
annoyance.
Arsenal desperately need to
qualify for the Champions League
group stages.
With vice-captain Robin van
Persie and Samir Nasri suspended
for the first leg of the play-off,
Wenger may legitimately feel he
has no option but to call on the
experience of Fabregas.
So although Fabregas, 24, may
get the move he has wanted all
summer, he may have to twiddle
his thumbs every time Barca play
in Europe’s top club event.
Fabregas had hoped the deal
would go through earlier this
week. But Barca president
Sandro Rosell has sent the star
a series of text messages telling
him to stay calm.
Two Signings andWenger needs toweigh up buyingBarton
Nigel Winterburn has spoken
bout that little r**t Barton and
from what he say’s, I’m not sure
that he would be too keen to
see him playing in a read and
white shirt:
I think you know that he’s
got that competitive edge
on the pitch and occasionally
it’s going to let him down
and it has done before.
He’s tried to control that,
but from Arsene Wenger’s
point of view he would need
to think that he could
control him off the pitch.
You can’t have anyone
disruptive around the
training ground. It’s OK to
have an opinion as a player
as long as it’s constructive
but not if it’s malicious, so
Arsene Wenger would need
to weigh that up.
In terms of talent and the
fact he’s on a free
transfer, I would have
thought there would be a
host of clubs after him. He’s
the type of player that, on
a free transfer, a lot of
clubs in the Premier League
will be looking at.
You’ve got to weigh up with
Joey Barton whether you
can control his
temperament, more off the
pitch than anything else.
Well, we may need a player like
him in our midfield but do we
really need a git like him
associated to our club – Nah, I
don’t think so….
On to the signings:
Firstly, Kyle Bartley signed a new
deal with the club yesterday
which personally I believe is
great news. This lad may still be
a raw player but he’s big, strong
and he’s going to be good. We all
know by now he excelled last
season at Rangers in a tough
Scottish League where hard
tackling is an every day
occurence. I don’t think we’ll see
him shirking his duties in the
defence.
Ok, he’s still young and
inexperienced in the Premier
League but I’m darn sure most
Arsenal Fans would rather see
him coming off of the bench
rather than Squilli.
Secondly, Tony Roberts, ex Welsh
international goalkeeper has
finally given up playing the game
to take on full-time goalkeeping
coach at the Club, he’ll work
alongside Gerry Peyton.
I didn’t need too much
convincing, it’s Arsenal,
when they ask you to go
full-time you don’t think
about it, it’s something that
you have got to do.
I’ve had a great career and
have been going for 25
years. I was going to sign
another year for Dagenham
but when the opportunity
arose to go full-time, I had
to do it.
It had been coming.
Obviously, I wanted to play
as long as I could but I had
to hang up my gloves one
day and now was a good
time.
At last, someone knew how good
it is to sign for us…
Roberts had previously worked
for Arsenal on a part-time basis
but now that’s all changed. He’s
42 years old today so Happy
Birthday to him.
That’s it for today folks, other
than to remind you all that
Highbury House has its own
Fantasy Football League, thanks
to regular blogger Rocastle who
has set it all up. If you are
interested, which I’m sure you
are just click on the link in the
side bar or at the top of the
page….
Go on, you know you want to,
it’s FREE
bout that little r**t Barton and
from what he say’s, I’m not sure
that he would be too keen to
see him playing in a read and
white shirt:
I think you know that he’s
got that competitive edge
on the pitch and occasionally
it’s going to let him down
and it has done before.
He’s tried to control that,
but from Arsene Wenger’s
point of view he would need
to think that he could
control him off the pitch.
You can’t have anyone
disruptive around the
training ground. It’s OK to
have an opinion as a player
as long as it’s constructive
but not if it’s malicious, so
Arsene Wenger would need
to weigh that up.
In terms of talent and the
fact he’s on a free
transfer, I would have
thought there would be a
host of clubs after him. He’s
the type of player that, on
a free transfer, a lot of
clubs in the Premier League
will be looking at.
You’ve got to weigh up with
Joey Barton whether you
can control his
temperament, more off the
pitch than anything else.
Well, we may need a player like
him in our midfield but do we
really need a git like him
associated to our club – Nah, I
don’t think so….
On to the signings:
Firstly, Kyle Bartley signed a new
deal with the club yesterday
which personally I believe is
great news. This lad may still be
a raw player but he’s big, strong
and he’s going to be good. We all
know by now he excelled last
season at Rangers in a tough
Scottish League where hard
tackling is an every day
occurence. I don’t think we’ll see
him shirking his duties in the
defence.
Ok, he’s still young and
inexperienced in the Premier
League but I’m darn sure most
Arsenal Fans would rather see
him coming off of the bench
rather than Squilli.
Secondly, Tony Roberts, ex Welsh
international goalkeeper has
finally given up playing the game
to take on full-time goalkeeping
coach at the Club, he’ll work
alongside Gerry Peyton.
I didn’t need too much
convincing, it’s Arsenal,
when they ask you to go
full-time you don’t think
about it, it’s something that
you have got to do.
I’ve had a great career and
have been going for 25
years. I was going to sign
another year for Dagenham
but when the opportunity
arose to go full-time, I had
to do it.
It had been coming.
Obviously, I wanted to play
as long as I could but I had
to hang up my gloves one
day and now was a good
time.
At last, someone knew how good
it is to sign for us…
Roberts had previously worked
for Arsenal on a part-time basis
but now that’s all changed. He’s
42 years old today so Happy
Birthday to him.
That’s it for today folks, other
than to remind you all that
Highbury House has its own
Fantasy Football League, thanks
to regular blogger Rocastle who
has set it all up. If you are
interested, which I’m sure you
are just click on the link in the
side bar or at the top of the
page….
Go on, you know you want to,
it’s FREE
Arsenal short of players
Former Arsenal left-back believes
the Gunners could be knocked
out of the so-called Top Four if
they don’t bring new players
during the summer transfer
window.
Speaking to talkSport’s
Hawksbee and Jacobs, the
Englishman honestly admitted
that the Gunners haven’t
impressed through pre-season
and that the reason might not
necessarily be that players are
tired after working hard in
training to regain their
sharpness and ideal fitness level.
The 47-year old added that a
good start to the season would
see people ending all the criticism
but if they fail in the first month
in which they will face Liverpool
and Manchester United, then
they will have to face a lot of
criticism.
On whether the Gunners need to
sign new players, Winterburn
concluded by saying that if they
do then they will probably fight
for a Top Four finish and
challenge for the league but if
their transfer activity is already
over then it will be incredibly
difficult for the Gunners to stay
in England’s Top Four.
On Friday, Winterburn said:
[Top Four?] I think the only thing
I’ll say is to hope they are in the
top four but I think this is the
first time for a long, long time
that I’ve looked through the
pre-season – as I’ve been
commentating all their games
through pre-season – and this is
the first time that I’m genuinely,
really worried with what I’ve
seen so far.
[But] you have to be a little bit
careful when you talk about
pre-season because certain
players take longer to get fit,
you can feel sluggish because of
all the work you’ve done during
the week and then you come to
the game and people will say,
‘Oh, he doesn’t look as if he’s
trying”.
But that’s sometimes because
the work you’ve put in a week
but in the games that I’ve seen
Arsenal play so far this pre-
season, they do look short of
players and with the continuous
speculation of [Samir] Nasri and
[Cesc] Fabregas, there’s a lot of
uncertainty around the football
Club.
Arsene Wenger has to be really
strong to obviously and try and
get some players in but the
players that he wants there,
he’s got to motivate them for
the start of the season.
They have a massive first month
where people could stop talking
about everything if they start
really well but if they start
poorly then I think Arsenal are
going to come under fierce
criticism.
[But yes], I think they will be in
the Top Four because I think
Arsenal will bring in some players
in the next three weeks. If they
don’t, then they will struggle, it
will be a mountain to climb for
fourth place.
My heart wants them to finish in
the Top Four and challenge for
the league. With my head, in the
games I’ve seen in pre-season I
think they could struggle if they
don’t bring players in but I’d
rather judge at the end of
August
the Gunners could be knocked
out of the so-called Top Four if
they don’t bring new players
during the summer transfer
window.
Speaking to talkSport’s
Hawksbee and Jacobs, the
Englishman honestly admitted
that the Gunners haven’t
impressed through pre-season
and that the reason might not
necessarily be that players are
tired after working hard in
training to regain their
sharpness and ideal fitness level.
The 47-year old added that a
good start to the season would
see people ending all the criticism
but if they fail in the first month
in which they will face Liverpool
and Manchester United, then
they will have to face a lot of
criticism.
On whether the Gunners need to
sign new players, Winterburn
concluded by saying that if they
do then they will probably fight
for a Top Four finish and
challenge for the league but if
their transfer activity is already
over then it will be incredibly
difficult for the Gunners to stay
in England’s Top Four.
On Friday, Winterburn said:
[Top Four?] I think the only thing
I’ll say is to hope they are in the
top four but I think this is the
first time for a long, long time
that I’ve looked through the
pre-season – as I’ve been
commentating all their games
through pre-season – and this is
the first time that I’m genuinely,
really worried with what I’ve
seen so far.
[But] you have to be a little bit
careful when you talk about
pre-season because certain
players take longer to get fit,
you can feel sluggish because of
all the work you’ve done during
the week and then you come to
the game and people will say,
‘Oh, he doesn’t look as if he’s
trying”.
But that’s sometimes because
the work you’ve put in a week
but in the games that I’ve seen
Arsenal play so far this pre-
season, they do look short of
players and with the continuous
speculation of [Samir] Nasri and
[Cesc] Fabregas, there’s a lot of
uncertainty around the football
Club.
Arsene Wenger has to be really
strong to obviously and try and
get some players in but the
players that he wants there,
he’s got to motivate them for
the start of the season.
They have a massive first month
where people could stop talking
about everything if they start
really well but if they start
poorly then I think Arsenal are
going to come under fierce
criticism.
[But yes], I think they will be in
the Top Four because I think
Arsenal will bring in some players
in the next three weeks. If they
don’t, then they will struggle, it
will be a mountain to climb for
fourth place.
My heart wants them to finish in
the Top Four and challenge for
the league. With my head, in the
games I’ve seen in pre-season I
think they could struggle if they
don’t bring players in but I’d
rather judge at the end of
August
Wednesday 3 August 2011
cesc set for medical at barca tomorrow
Sensational news are out and it
has been reported that Arsenal
skipper Cesc Fabregas is
expected in Barcelona
TOMORROW.
Catalan radio Cadena Ser
reported that the Spanish
international will fly to Barcelona
on Thursday morning for a
medical.
For the moment, Arsenal are
tightlipped on the claims.
It could become a flashpoint, with
reports this morning in London
stating Cesc is expected to
attend Arsenal’s official team
photo tomorrow.
has been reported that Arsenal
skipper Cesc Fabregas is
expected in Barcelona
TOMORROW.
Catalan radio Cadena Ser
reported that the Spanish
international will fly to Barcelona
on Thursday morning for a
medical.
For the moment, Arsenal are
tightlipped on the claims.
It could become a flashpoint, with
reports this morning in London
stating Cesc is expected to
attend Arsenal’s official team
photo tomorrow.
why we need phill
“If Arsenal bought Chris Samba/
Gary Cahill they would win the
league”
This is a belief that has
resonated through football
blogs, TV studios, podcasts, and
just about everywhere else over
the last 6 months or so. The
push from fans (both with an
Arsenal affinity and frustrated
neutrals) for Arsene Wenger to
buy a huge, powerful stopper
has become so much of a
movement that
#ArsenalshouldbuyGaryCahill could
probably trend on Twitter,
maybe it even has.
So, rather than dive in and sign
one of these two brutes, why
has Arsene Wenger decided to
bid for six-foot-nothing Phil
Jagielka? Is Wenger set on doing
exactly the opposite to what
the majority of Arsenal fans
want just to spite them? Does
he hold some secret vendetta
against any defender taller than
himself? The answer, as usual,
lies in his policy around the way
his side plays *pauses for
groans*, and in that respect,
neither Cahill nor Samba would
fit in as well as Jagielka.
There is no doubt Arsenal could
do with a more aerially dominant
defence – it almost goes without
saying when you consider
Arsenal conceded more than half
their league goals last season
from set-pieces – however,
bringing in a lummox such as
Samba or Cahill would weaken
Arsenal’s play from the back,
both play for sides who play a
more direct style. Arsenal’s game
also involves a lot of pressing,
and subsequently a high
defensive line, so the entire back
four would need to be quick and
intelligent. Bringing in Cahill or
Samba would certainly plug the
set-pieces hole in Arsenal’s ship,
but it would open a range of
others, which may be more
difficult to deal with.
Flash version 9.0.28 or above
required
Another question to be raised
about both Samba and Cahill (the
latter in particular) is, are they
actually good enough defenders
for Arsenal? Neither Blackburn,
nor Bolton had particularly
impressive defensive records last
season, with Bolton in particular
only keeping 5 clean sheets, the
second lowest in the division.
While these defensive records
can’t be completely laid at the
doors of either player, it does
make you think twice. To extend
the clean sheet stat-attack,
Gary Cahill has averaged just 3
clean sheets a season over the
last two years.
Some history: Arsenal’s
“Invincibles” side of 2003/04
comprised of a back four of
whom all started their careers in
more forward positions. Both Sol
Campbell and Ashley Cole were
forwards at youth level, before
breaking through as defenders,
while Lauren and Kolo Toure
were box-to-box midfielders
before Wenger signed them and
moved them back into defence.
Even in the current, Laurent
Koscielny and Keiran Gibbs have
had spells in midfield in the past.
Looking at it this way, Phil
Jagielka seems right up Wenger’s
street, as a player who spent a
large part of his career as a
midfielder for Sheffield United.
This all fits in with Wenger’s
mantra. Jagielka is used to
playing in a position where he
would have as much, if not more,
constructive ball-playing duties
and destructive ones. While
Cahill or Samba would have to
learn to curb their instincts to
hoof the ball forward in search
of a target man, Jagielka would
be more comfortable looking to
give the ball off to Wilshere or
Fabregas (if he is still at the
club).
Wenger bid for Jagielka last
summer, and again this, so he is
clearly aware his side could use
another defender. In Phil
Jagielka, Wenger sees a
compromise; a sturdy dependable
centre back with strength, and
good aerial ability, yet more guile
and intelligence than the more
extreme suggestions thrown
around the blogosphere.
Gary Cahill they would win the
league”
This is a belief that has
resonated through football
blogs, TV studios, podcasts, and
just about everywhere else over
the last 6 months or so. The
push from fans (both with an
Arsenal affinity and frustrated
neutrals) for Arsene Wenger to
buy a huge, powerful stopper
has become so much of a
movement that
#ArsenalshouldbuyGaryCahill could
probably trend on Twitter,
maybe it even has.
So, rather than dive in and sign
one of these two brutes, why
has Arsene Wenger decided to
bid for six-foot-nothing Phil
Jagielka? Is Wenger set on doing
exactly the opposite to what
the majority of Arsenal fans
want just to spite them? Does
he hold some secret vendetta
against any defender taller than
himself? The answer, as usual,
lies in his policy around the way
his side plays *pauses for
groans*, and in that respect,
neither Cahill nor Samba would
fit in as well as Jagielka.
There is no doubt Arsenal could
do with a more aerially dominant
defence – it almost goes without
saying when you consider
Arsenal conceded more than half
their league goals last season
from set-pieces – however,
bringing in a lummox such as
Samba or Cahill would weaken
Arsenal’s play from the back,
both play for sides who play a
more direct style. Arsenal’s game
also involves a lot of pressing,
and subsequently a high
defensive line, so the entire back
four would need to be quick and
intelligent. Bringing in Cahill or
Samba would certainly plug the
set-pieces hole in Arsenal’s ship,
but it would open a range of
others, which may be more
difficult to deal with.
Flash version 9.0.28 or above
required
Another question to be raised
about both Samba and Cahill (the
latter in particular) is, are they
actually good enough defenders
for Arsenal? Neither Blackburn,
nor Bolton had particularly
impressive defensive records last
season, with Bolton in particular
only keeping 5 clean sheets, the
second lowest in the division.
While these defensive records
can’t be completely laid at the
doors of either player, it does
make you think twice. To extend
the clean sheet stat-attack,
Gary Cahill has averaged just 3
clean sheets a season over the
last two years.
Some history: Arsenal’s
“Invincibles” side of 2003/04
comprised of a back four of
whom all started their careers in
more forward positions. Both Sol
Campbell and Ashley Cole were
forwards at youth level, before
breaking through as defenders,
while Lauren and Kolo Toure
were box-to-box midfielders
before Wenger signed them and
moved them back into defence.
Even in the current, Laurent
Koscielny and Keiran Gibbs have
had spells in midfield in the past.
Looking at it this way, Phil
Jagielka seems right up Wenger’s
street, as a player who spent a
large part of his career as a
midfielder for Sheffield United.
This all fits in with Wenger’s
mantra. Jagielka is used to
playing in a position where he
would have as much, if not more,
constructive ball-playing duties
and destructive ones. While
Cahill or Samba would have to
learn to curb their instincts to
hoof the ball forward in search
of a target man, Jagielka would
be more comfortable looking to
give the ball off to Wilshere or
Fabregas (if he is still at the
club).
Wenger bid for Jagielka last
summer, and again this, so he is
clearly aware his side could use
another defender. In Phil
Jagielka, Wenger sees a
compromise; a sturdy dependable
centre back with strength, and
good aerial ability, yet more guile
and intelligence than the more
extreme suggestions thrown
around the blogosphere.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)