Wallpaper Arsenal Team 2010/
Arsenal & Tottenham have both made offers for £26m Porto striker Radamel Falcao
Arsenal and Tottenham have tabled offers for Porto's £26m-rated forward Radamel Falcao, his agent has claimed.
The Colombian striker has enjoyed his most prolific season in European football, helping the club to the treble, and his agent has confirmed that the 25-year-old's performances have attracted attention from the two north London clubs.
Claudio Mossio of Sivori and Asociados, the company that represents the striker, told goal.com: "Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the two clubs that are keen to sign him, and have already tabled an offer for Falcao."
The striker, who has a buy-out clause of €30m (£26m), has also courted attention from clubs from Serie A, but due to a lack of EU passport, a move to Italy is unlikely to materialise at this stage.
Mossio continued: "He is 25-years-old, but he still has plenty of room for improvement. The problem with a transfer to Italy is that he does not have a EU passport. He has a contract for two more years with Porto and has a buy-out clause of €30m.
"The club that matches that clause has a good chance of signing him. Porto want to open contract talks and offer him a new and improved deal to insert a higher minimum fee release clause."
Mossio added that the chances of a move to Italy would increase if the Italian Football Federation were to allow its clubs to sign an extra player from outside the EU, but conceded that a move to Spain or England is more likely.
He said: "The chances of a move to Italy increase if that would happen. However, the Spanish and English clubs are sitting in pole position. Inter already have [Giampaolo] Pazzini as striker, while Juventus have [Alessandro] Matri. He would be a good addition to Roma."
Falcao struck a record 17 goals in the Europa League in 2010-11 as Porto enjoyed a memorable campaign under the tutelage of coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Since joining the club from River Plate in the summer of 2009, the striker has won the Portuguese league title, two Portuguese cups, two Supercups and the Europa League.
Speaking exclusively to goal.com last year, Falcao's father, Radamel Garcia, confirmed that his son is interested in playing in England and has already started to learn the language.
“All his life he has wanted to play in English football," he said.
“A footballer always wants to go to the best team. It depends on the possibilities. He will listen to the best offer and see what suits him best.
"He also finds the Italian and Spanish leagues attractive. It depends on the club. But he hopes it’s in English football."
He added: "He speaks some English. He’s been learning it for five or six years.
"In Portugal he has English classes every afternoon. He’s preparing for the possibility of going to England.
“He watches English football on TV a lot. He watches all the matches. He likes Wayne Rooney a lot and liked Thierry Henry when he was there."
Velez Sarsfield want to keep Arsenal target Ricky Alvarez but would deal at around £12m
Velez Sarsfield want to keep starlet Ricky Alvarez at the club through the summer but admit that an offer of around £12 million could tempt them into selling their prized asset.
The club's hierarchy met on Tuesday night in order to discuss the player's future amid rumours that Arsenal were seeking a deal for the imposing attacker.
Speculation was rife last week that the 23-year-old had signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsene Wenger's side but those reports remain unsubstantiated.
Alvarez has three years left on his current deal at Velez and only a massive offer would see him move to Europe.
"Velez have no current intention to sell Alvarez," a source close to Velez told goal.com after the board meeting.
"We have a philosophy at this club of not selling players at a young age and letting them reach their potential.
"Velez would require an offer similar to what we received from Al-Sadd for Mauro Zarate."
The Qatar Stars League side paid £12m for the Lazio striker in 2007 and Velez were also able to hold on to 20 per cent of Zarate's contract rights as part of the deal.
An Arsenal representative is understood to have travelled to Buenos Aires on Tuesday and could watch Alvarez in action for Velez in nearby Montevideo during Thursday's Copa Libertadores tie with Penarol.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
It's time to announce the Arsenal.com Player of the Season - as voted for by the fans.
And the winner is... Jack Wilshere.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2010/11, starting the campaign on the fringes of the Arsenal side and ending it as a regular for club and country.
Jack received 41.4 per cent of the votes in our poll. Here, Arsenal.com reporter Chris Harris gives his verdict on the young midfielder.
“The thing that is different about Jack is that he is very consistent. You hardly ever see him have a bad game. We have got lots of players in the Reserves that are very good players, in my opinion even as good as Jack on their day. But they don’t have that day as often and that is where the difference is."
Of all the tributes paid to Jack Wilshere in recent months, perhaps the most telling was that one from Emmanuel Frimpong.
The midfielder is nine days younger than Wilshere, has grown up alongside him at Arsenal, won the Youth Cup with him two years ago and has designs on a first-team place of his own in the not-too-distant future.
But like all of the talent bubbling under at London Colney, Frimpong needs to produce the goods week-in week-out to emulate his friend. Because it's consistency, as much as quality, that has transformed Wilshere from a promising youngster into a mainstay for club and country.
Samir Nasri was Arsenal's stand-out performer before Christmas. Robin van Persie was a class above in the New Year. But Wilshere was exceptional from August to May, a midfield metronome for all seasons.
It's hard to believe how far Wilshere has come in such a short period. This time last year he was, in Arsène Wenger's words, "completing his footballing education" with a loan spell at Bolton. The Reebok was perhaps an unlikely finishing school but it hardened Wilshere and gave him valuable time in the centre of the pitch after starting his Arsenal career on the flank.
Even so, if there had been a betting market for Arsenal's Player of the Season in 2010/11 you could probably have named your price if you were backing Wilshere. He was still only 18, for heaven's sake, and Wenger had a battery of midfield talent at his disposal.
That all changed in pre-season. Wilshere was practically an ever-present and his stock climbed again when Fabio Capello handed him his international debut against Hungary in August - partly due to the teenager's promise, partly a reaction to England's World Cup woes and the demand for a 'new generation' to be given its head.
Wilshere did well in his brief Wembley cameo and his next opportunity was just around the corner: a starting place on the opening weekend of the Premier League season at Liverpool.
Perhaps he would not have featured that day had Cesc Fabregas or Alex Song been fully fit, but Wilshere did not look out of place and gave Steven Gerrard and company a run for their money during the hour he spent on the Anfield pitch.
You might have expected the youngster to take a back seat after that. But Wenger picked him again. And again. And again. And as the weeks and months unfolded, it became increasingly obvious - Wilshere was a bonafide Premier League player and deserved his place in the team.
His position helped his development. Wilshere emerged through the ranks as an advanced, goalscoring midfielder, but for the first team he was deployed in a deeper role alongside Alex Song. It gave Wilshere a chance to see the play in front of him, allowing him to pick his passes and choose his forward runs carefully.
That partly explains why the goals that littered his climb through the youth ranks have dried up. Wilshere did score against Shakhtar Donetsk and Aston Villa but he may need a positional tweak as well as the experience that brings calmness in the penalty area to get back among the goals.
It's hard to pick holes in any other area of Wilshere's game. He is a tenacious tackler, a wonderful passer - remember his assist for Nicklas Bendtner against Ipswich? - and can drift past opponents with a drop of the shoulder. What's more, he's got bottle and lots of it. When the chips are down Wilshere lifts his team - whether he's in the Nou Camp or the local park.
The 19-year-old admitted that he had exceeded his own expectations in 2010/11 and no wonder. He made 49 appearances for Arsenal - more than any team-mate - and was honoured by his peers in April when the PFA made him their Young Player of the Year.
Arsenal's fans have followed suit and you cannot blame them. They love to see a genuine local talent come good and Wilshere's attitude has also won him support. He shows his emotions, he clearly loves the Club and he connects with the supporters more than most players - Wilshere has more than half a million followers on Twitter.
Our Player of the Season was clearly tiring as the Premier League finish line homed into view but his omission from the England Under-21 squad this summer should afford him a long, deserved rest.
That's just as well - Wilshere has been billed as the future of England but, more importantly, he's the future of Arsenal too.
2012 Volkswagen Passat
2012 Volkswagen Passat - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2012 Volkswagen Passat is facing a kind of perfect storm of skepticism from long-time fans of the brand. Volkswagen has wasted no chance to tell the world that the company's newest sedan will be custom-tailored to the American market, with styling and packaging tweaks designed to set the vehicle apart from its European counterpart. If that weren't enough, the new North American Passat will also carry the distinction of being the first VW product to be built at the automaker's brand-new assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
VW fans have always embraced the German flavor of their vehicles, but as the company pushes toward its (massively ambitious) goal of selling 800,000 units per year by 2018, we can expect to see more market-specific products in our neck of the woods. That trend kicked off with the 2011 Jetta – a vehicle that sacrificed interior materials and suspension refinement to meet a lower price point while growing larger to accommodate American tastes.
Does the Passat share a similar fate? When the sedan first debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show, it came packing a host of styling cues lifted directly from the smaller Jetta. That lead many onlookers (ourselves included) to conclude that in creating its new mid-sized sedan, Volkswagen had simply supersized the Jetta.
There's no denying that the 2012 Passat is cut from the same design cloth as the 2011 Jetta. In fact, when the two vehicles are parked next to one another, it takes a keen eye to distinguish between the two. That's thanks in no small part to the fact that Volkswagen has slathered its new familial nose over the fascia, hood and fenders of both vehicles. The look is right at home on the larger Passat, with its slightly aggressive headlights, three-bar grille and scowling hood. Along the sides of the vehicle, a new crease runs from stem to stern just below the window sills.
The rear of the vehicle is adorned with taillamps that do a smart job of integrating both that crease and additional body lines. While the overall aesthetics of the Passat's exterior is conservative compared to offerings like the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, the overall effect is incredibly cohesive. Nothing seems tacked on. Instead, the exterior seems to be the product of a singular vision with a focus on getting the details right. No matter where your eyes rest, they're bound to fall on a line that runs nearly uninterrupted around the entire vehicle. It may not raise anyone's pulse, but in the flesh, the four-door carries itself well.
Base models wear 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, though 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy rollers are also available depending on the trim specification. The options are somewhat smallish by today's standards, but larger sizes look sharp enough rolling down the road.
Indoors, we were happy (relieved?) to find a cabin that has lost very little of its German flavor on its way to the States. While the Jetta swapped most of its softer dash and trim components for well-grained but cheap-feeling plastics, the Passat has held onto higher-quality materials, at least in the places that matter most. The upper portion of the dash is clad in soft-touch goodness, though everything below the copious amounts of faux wood-grain trim is treated to the harder stuff. Still, touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel in higher trims and excellent seating surfaces go a long way toward making the cabin feel like a quality space. Volkswagen said that it specifically wanted to focus on the vehicle's touch points – that is, where your body actually makes contact with the cabin – and that work has paid off.
For 2012, Volkswagen has built almost four additional inches into the Passat, and most of that length has found its way into the rear foot well. Rear passengers are now treated to 39.1 inches of legroom, which is nearly a full inch more than the Toyota Camry and almost two inches more than the Honda Accord. For drivers with kids, that translates into miles of motoring bliss without feeling Junior kicking you in the back from his car seat. It also means that even the jolliest of green giants can fit in the back without feeling cramped.
One of the biggest highlights of the 2012 Passat interior is its sound system. Volkswagen teamed up with Fender to create a nine-speaker audio system that pushes 400 watts of power. We aren't certified audiophiles, but to our ears, the stereo is capable of besting anything else in the segment. While an integrated subwoofer is part of the kit, the bass is never overbearing. Instead, deeper tones are nearly seamlessly integrated into the music. The system is standard on SEL models and optional on both S and SE trims.
Volkswagen has worked to slim its option sheet to just 16 buildable combinations down from 128 possibilities, and as a result, long-time Passat fans will find a few notable omissions. Buyers will no longer be able to enjoy a wagon version of the vehicle. Likewise, 4Motion all-wheel drive is nowhere to be found. Volkswagen admits it deleted those options to make ordering easier on both dealers and buyers and to focus its products where American shoppers spend the most money. Additionally, the 2012 Passat is only available with three engines. Those include a 2.5-liter gasoline five-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque as well as a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 with 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of twist.
The Passat will also be available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder with 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. That means this four-door is the only sedan in the mid-sized segment available with an oil-burning engine under its hood, a move that wins it all sorts of points in our book.
The smaller of the gasoline engine options will be available with either a six-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox, while the larger V6 can only be had with the dual-clutch cog-swapper. We're happy to report that Volkswagen has left some quirkiness in the Passat line by offering the 2.0 TDI engine with both the DSG and a six-speed manual option.
You can probably guess which we'd opt for.
We were able to spend time in both a 2.5-liter, automatic-equipped Passat and its 2.0-TDI, DSG counterpart in mixed driving. Though the big German sedan weighs in between 3,300 and 3,400 pounds depending on engine and transmission choices, neither engine has a particularly hard time moving the Passat in any conditions. The five-cylinder gasoline engine offers similar power to four-cylinder options in both the Camry and Accord, and as such, there's enough grunt on hand to keep the vehicle on pace with the rest of traffic. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission offers quick, smooth shifts with excellent logic for choosing the right gear at the right time, though expect to downshift a gear or two for long grades or quick acceleration.
VW says that while the EPA hasn't finished its fuel economy evaluation for the Passat, the company expects the 2.5-liter powered sedan to see 21 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway in manual guise and 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with the autobox of our tester. Those numbers put the base entry around three mpg behind the Hyundai Sonata on the combined scale and 1.5 mpg behind a comparably equipped Honda Accord.
Of course, if fuel economy is your concern, the 2.0-liter TDI is the engine to have. While down on horsepower compared to the larger-displacement gasoline engine, the four-cylinder lump kicks out a walloping 59 more pound-feet of torque. As a result, the TDI-equipped Passat feels and drives like a sedan you want to spend time in. The 2.5-liter plays Justin Bieber to the diesel four-door's Barry White – both are plenty successful, but after a while, you only really want to listen to one of the two.
As in other applications, all that torque comes on at a low 1,750 rpm, which means you're rewarded with an addictive amount of low-end grunt that pulls with a vengeance. As in the Jetta TDI, the 2.0-liter engine is quiet both inside and out, producing marginally more engine noise than its petrol counterparts. If this is beginning to read like a love letter to the little oil-sucker, it's not by mistake. All told, VW expects to see 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway for a total of 37 mpg combined. Remarkably, those are all better numbers than the official ones for the smaller 2011 Jetta TDI, which scores 30/42/34 mpg from the EPA. We encountered just over 40 mpg combined during our time behind the wheel of the Passat TDI.
If there's a downside to going diesel, it lies in the fact that the Passat requires a urea exhaust additive to combat particulate emissions. The automaker says that the special tank only needs to be filled every 10,000 miles, even though the vehicle can theoretically make it 50,000 miles before running dry.
Unlike the Jetta, the Passat still comes with a four-link independent suspension out back, which, while more expensive to manufacture, makes for an incredibly solid-feeling vehicle no matter the condition of the pavement. Volkswagen turned us loose on a lengthy jaunt through Tennessee that covered everything from highway stints to twisting mountain passes and small-town traffic, and the suspension nearly delivered the coveted Goldilocks sweet spot of not-too-harsh, not-too-soft driving. Pavement imperfections were dispatched with just a little more float than we'd like, though understeer and body roll were both kept to a minimum in more athletic circumstances. This is a family sedan, after all.
Volkswagen hasn't announced pricing for the 2012 Passat just yet, but the company says that it's aiming for a price point in the low-$20K range with topped-out models landing in the lower- to mid-$30K range. Those numbers would be in line with the Honda Accord, which starts at $21,180 without destination, though they sit a good bit north of metal like the Toyota Camry at $19,820 and Hyundai Sonata at $19,395. The last Passat carried a base MSRP of $26,995 in 2010, though given the German automaker's recent insistence on being price competitive, we wouldn't be surprised to see the 2012 model land well below that figure.
Exactly where the company plans to price its newest sedan will play heavily on how successful it manages to be in a segment that's fiercely competitive. Thanks to reworked machines from Korean and domestic manufacturers, big players from Nissan, Honda and Toyota have found themselves defending their respective thrones in America. The 2012 Passat underscores the fact that Volkswagen plans to be a legitimate player in this fray for the first time in the nameplate's history – even if not every brand purist chooses to go along for the ride.
autoglass, car of the future, head-up display, heads up display, hud, video, windshield, windshield 2020
Video: Autoglass envisions the windshield of 2020
Autoglass windshield of 2020 - Click above to watch the video after the jump
We don't spend much time thinking about our windshields, yet we spend a good portion of our lives looking right through them. But that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of room for improvement. The folks at Autoglass envision a smart windshield that does away with a nav screen on the center stack in favor of all the necessary information being displayed on your auto's most important piece of glass.
Beyond the jump is a video simulation that shows what that windshield might look like from the driver's seat. Among the displayed information is data for navigation, music, speed and fuel. The futuristic, king-of-all-head-up-displays also warns of pedestrians and an arrow even points to potential destinations.
Apparently, the windshield isn't smart enough to know that the vehicle is driving on the wrong side of the road. And if you're hoping the five-speed auto transmission will be dead and gone by 2020, it'll be alive and well, at least according to this demo. Must be a Honda. Hit the jump to watch the windshield of 2020 in (simulated) action.
hellow arsenal mania
Saya adalah pecinta arsenal dari kecil,tapi hal tersebut tidak mengurangi rasa cinta saya kepada Nabi Muhammad SAW.Alasan saya mencintai club yang berasal dari London ini adalah lambang meriam yang dipasang pada jersey kebesaran klub tersebut.
Pada tahun 1913, klub ini pindah ke wilayah utara, tepatnya di daerah Highbury dan membangun Stadion Highbury, yang menjadi markas baru mereka. Saat pindah lokasi itulah, nama depan klub mereka, yaitu Woolwich dihapus sehingga hanya nama Arsenal yang tersisa.
Arsenal saat ini di Nahkodai oleh seorang darah Perancis yang memiliki karakter tegas dan disiplin,dialah Arsene wenger.
Pelatih yang sudah kurang lebih 20tahun membela arsenal sudah banyak memberikan koleksi Tropy di lemari Highbury diantaranya 13 gelar liga Inggris,10 piala liga dan sisanya adalah piala carling.Tapi sayangnya sampai saat ini Lemari trophy di Emirates stadium (stadion sekarang) belum juga terisi (sabar yah oom wenger!!!).
berikut saa tuliskan sedikit profil dari klub asal London tersebut.
Arsenal didirikan di daerahWoolwich, bagian tenggara kota London pada 1886 dengan nama Dial Square, lalu dengan cepat berganti nama menjadi Royal Arsenal.Tahun 1891 nama mereka diganti menjadi Woolwich Arsenal.Pada tahun 1913, klub ini pindah ke wilayah utara, tepatnya di daerah Highbury dan membangun Stadion Highbury, yang menjadi markas baru mereka. Saat pindah lokasi itulah, nama depan klub mereka, yaitu Woolwich dihapus sehingga hanya nama Arsenal yang tersisa.
Arsenal saat ini di Nahkodai oleh seorang darah Perancis yang memiliki karakter tegas dan disiplin,dialah Arsene wenger.
Pelatih yang sudah kurang lebih 20tahun membela arsenal sudah banyak memberikan koleksi Tropy di lemari Highbury diantaranya 13 gelar liga Inggris,10 piala liga dan sisanya adalah piala carling.Tapi sayangnya sampai saat ini Lemari trophy di Emirates stadium (stadion sekarang) belum juga terisi (sabar yah oom wenger!!!).
Fulham 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Preview
Arsenal will finish the 2010/11 Premier League season in fourth place.
Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.
Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.
Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.
It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.
The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.
Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.
Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.
Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.
It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.
The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.
However the point of a League competition is that it reflects your standard over the longer term - and
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.
But we all hope it will improve next term.
There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.
Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.
Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song(knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out
It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.
Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.
The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.
In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.
Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.
In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.
It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.
Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.
It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.
Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.
Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.
Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.
They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.
Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.
You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.
They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.
However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.
Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.
However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.
It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.
The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.
In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.
To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.
Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.
But we all hope it will improve next term.
There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.
Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.
Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song(knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out
It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.
Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.
The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.
In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.
Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.
In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.
It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.
Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.
It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.
Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.
Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.
Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.
They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.
Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.
You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.
They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.
However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.
Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.
However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.
It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.
The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.
In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.
To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.
Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.
Fulham Vs Arsenal - Match Preview
“I feel there is something to play for because Man City still have a difficult game at Bolton,” said Arsène Wenger ahead of the trip to Fulham on Sunday. “We know that through our own experience up there.
“So that means it is down to us to just try and win our game. If they win, they win. The most important thing is that we are responsible and fight for our future.”
In truth that battle will be waged all summer.
Three months ago, the Arsenal fans were hopeful that the game at Craven Cottage would not be the last first-team appearance this season. There was the possibility of a Champions League Final at Wembley next weekend or perhaps a tour around Islington in an open-topped bus clutching something silver.
However, as it stands, Wenger’s side are not even in the bronze medal position in the Premier League. Manchester City pushed them down into fourth by beating Stoke on Tuesday.
It leaves Arsenal needing to better the result of Roberto Mancini’s men this weekend to take third and go directly into the Champions League group stage.
Finishing fourth will leave them contemplating not only another hurdle but a summer filled with what-might-have-beens.
“For me there is a massive difference,” said Wenger. “Fourth is playing a qualifier for the Champions League. That is not Champions League. Third is guaranteeing to be in the Champions League.
“But if fourth is a reality, we will have to face that. I believe in the last three months we had a mixture of disappointments and bad luck.
“We can only act on what we have an influence – and that means improving our quality. But when you see again the game we played against Aston Villa, it is unbelievable – some decisions are unexplainable to me in that game. For me, we won, 100 per cent. But we have to accept it, deal with it and come back even stronger.
“’[Failure] is a big name,” the Frenchman went on. “Overall I think we have been consistent. So it is more what I would call a big frustration because we were very close in all the competitions and we missed out on very little.
“We cannot say we are happy but as well we cannot say that it is a disaster. Overall I think that's the closest we have been to winning the title in recent years.
“That's why it's even more frustrating because if you look at the way we lost the games in the decisive moments it's clear that we need to add some maturity to our team. For example the way we lost in the Carling Cup Final, against Liverpool and the way we dropped points against Bolton in the last minute.
“So of course I feel the nerves played a part more than the talent in the fact we did not win the title.”
Samir Nasri (hamstring), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) all face late tests ahead of the trip across the capital. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) certainly misses out while Johan Djourou (ankle) is hoping to be back.
If Fulham pip Arsenal and Chelsea beat Everton, then Mark Hughes’ side will finish seventh – equalling their highest ever placing in the top-flight. There is also the possibility of a Europa League place via the Fair Play League.
Fulham’s strength remains their defence – it is the best outside the top four. Meanwhile it is pertinent for Arsenal that 30 per cent of their goals have come from headers – the highest proportion in the top flight.
“They are a good side,” said Wenger. “They have a good technical level and they have a big squad. They lost at home to Liverpool and after that they won at Birmingham having changed players in the squad.
“We will try to win the game, it’s as simple as that. A draw could be good enough if Man City lose at Bolton. I do not want to have any regrets now and so I just want to win the game.”
During his media work, Wenger was asked if he could ‘guarantee’ a trophy next season. It was a strange suggestion given that the experience of the last few months had demonstrated why that word is simply not present in footballing lexicon.
“I promise Arsenal fans that we will give our best to win trophies,” Wenger replied. “Who can guarantee that they will deliver trophies? We will give our best to do it and that is our main target.
“And what is a trophy? Is to finish tenth and win the Carling Cup a trophy? No.
“What I want to achieve is to keep the consistency in our quality, in our table position and deliver what I call trophies - the Premier League and the Champions League. You can say you will give the maximum to do it but you cannot guarantee that. You can only do that if you are crazy.”
Arsenal’s late demise has driven everyone a little mad to be honest. It has been fist-gnawing fare that only a masochist could enjoy.
However Sunday still has a huge significance. Mistakes and misfortune have been costly this term but finishing fourth impacts on the next campaign aswell.
Arsenal have unraveled and the prevailing mood is thunderous. But, whisper it quietly, they just might have been overpunished for their slips. Some final-day fortune may redress the balance somewhat.
Let's be clear, third place is not a trophy. Third place is not what anyone wanted.
But if Arsenal could just squeeze above Manchester City then they might be able to feel a little better about the concluding campaign.
And, of course, next term would be a little easier too.
Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Final
As FC Barcelona and Manchester United ready themselves for the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on 28 May, we take a look at some of the games along the way.
First of all both Man United and Barcelona are fantastic teams, true champions with loads of stars playing for them – its going to be one incredible festival!! Cant wait..
Man Utd seemed to have the easier route to the final, beating the German team Schalke fairly convincingly 6-1 on aggregate. Whilst Barcelona battled against their Spanish rivals, Real Madrid in the semi-finals. The first round was won by Barcelona 2-0, but not without controversy. Real Madrid forced a draw during the second leg, but it was too much for them to come back from 2-0 down on aggregate and win by more than 2 goals away at Barcelona.
Some may question Barcelona’s tactics during their semi against Real Madrid, but they wont care they are in the final of one of football’s biggest events – the UEFA Champions League 2011 and they wont mind what people say about them.
Perhaps it was because Barcelona have Unicef on their shirts and are seen as the do-gooders, whilst Real Madrid have sponsorship from bwin, a gambling and betting company... Who knows?? Conspiracy theorists if you really want to look into it further then make the most of it and get some great casino bonuses whilst you are there at some of the best online casinos.
Might even fancy a few shillings on the final myself...
There were accusations of racism, UEFA dished out fines and suspensions to both teams and Madrid’s coach José Mourinho, who was dismissed from the bench, made inappropriate (according to UEFA that is...) statements at the post match interview.
In short, the semi-final was not the best advertisement for sportsmanship. UEFA have disciplined, European football will continue and onwards to the UEFA Champions League Final 2011, Wembley, London – May 28.
Wenger - I'll fight very hard to keep Cesc
Arsène Wenger will do everything he can to ensure Cesc Fabregas is an Arsenal player next season.
The World Cup winner was strongly linked with a move back to his former club Barcelona last summer and rumours are already circulating that he will leave Emirates Stadium in the forthcoming transfer window.
Wenger was no doubt expecting to be quizzed on Fabregas when he sat down to face the press on Thursday and he reiterated his position as firmly as ever.
"That's a question I've heard already a few times in a press conference and I expect him to be here [next season]," said the manager.
"I will fight very hard to keep him here. You have always to fight when you have a player of that quality, you must always fight to keep your players, of course."
It was put to Wenger that Fabregas would want to leave north London after a season that promised much delivered so little.
"What guarantees you that if you go somewhere else you will win trophies?" responded the Frenchman.
"The biggest pride for a captain is to be committed to his club and deliver trophies with his team. A player who changes his club every time he is frustrated or when he doesn’t win a trophy, goes nowhere. I believe the quality of sports life is to be committed to your club and not just to move out when it does not go as well as you expected.
"Cesc Fabregas played 22 games this season out of 38 and we expect him to play between 30 and 38. That will make a huge difference to our efficiency [next season] as well."
Fabregas is not the only Arsenal player to be linked with a move with speculation also mounting overAndrey Arshavin's future. As far as Wenger is concerned, the Russian is going nowhere.
"Yes, I expect him to be at Arsenal next season," he said.
Miyaichi to join Arsenal for pre-season
Arsène Wenger has revealed that Ryo Miyaichi will link up with Arsenal in pre-season so the manager can assess whether he is ready for the first team.
The Japanese forward signed a long-term contract with the Club in January and immediately joined Dutch giants Feyenoord on loan in order to help his adjustment to European football while awaiting the work permit he requires to play in England.
Miyaichi was an instant hit in the Eredivisie, going straight into Mario Beem’s side and impressing during his five-month stay, prompting Wenger to take a closer look at the 18-year-old’s progress.
“I have only [heard] positive reports about him,” said Wenger. “He will be with us in pre-season.
“I think he is good enough but if he is ready enough to have a place in our team, we will ask for a work permit and try to get him in.
“What I like about Ryo is that he has good timing with his runs and understands when to go and where to go. That is something very important. He knows how to use his pace and he is an intelligent player.
“He is a boy who went straight from school football to professional football and straight away was the best player in Feyenoord.”
Miyaichi’s application for a work permit could be aided by a call-up to the Japanese Under-23 squad aiming to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
“That is a good help,” said Wenger. “An even better help is putting him straight in the [Japanese] first team, then we do not need a work permit any more.
“He looks a very promising boy and everybody who went to watch him has been hugely impressed by him. He is a character and a great football player.”
Jens Lehmann hints at extended stay with Arsenal
Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has hinted that he could yet stay on for another season at the club.
The 41-year-old came out of retirement after he was drafted into the team in March as an injury crisis left only Manuel Almunia available for Arsene Wenger with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski sidelined.
Lehmann ended up playing one match in his second spell at the club but has hinted that it might not be the last time he appears.
"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort - actually more of a hobby," he told German newspaper Bild.
"I took three weeks to get really fit - and then I had to play against Blackpool.
"I thought: 'you can do it still. It is not forgotten'.
"From my performance I would be able to continue playing. My team-mates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season."
Even if the veteran does decide to hang up his gloves for a second time, he could still remain in England as he aims to continue his coaching career.
"I can very well imagine a job in football. First, I'll probably end my trainer course," he added.
"When you have such personalities as Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, this [England] is the ideal solution."
The 41-year-old came out of retirement after he was drafted into the team in March as an injury crisis left only Manuel Almunia available for Arsene Wenger with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski sidelined.
Lehmann ended up playing one match in his second spell at the club but has hinted that it might not be the last time he appears.
"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort - actually more of a hobby," he told German newspaper Bild.
"I took three weeks to get really fit - and then I had to play against Blackpool.
"I thought: 'you can do it still. It is not forgotten'.
"From my performance I would be able to continue playing. My team-mates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season."
Even if the veteran does decide to hang up his gloves for a second time, he could still remain in England as he aims to continue his coaching career.
"I can very well imagine a job in football. First, I'll probably end my trainer course," he added.
"When you have such personalities as Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, this [England] is the ideal solution."
The Magic Fairy
Once upon a time, there was a woman that really wanted to get married. There was one problem: she was too poor. Then, a few days later, a magic fairy appeared and said to the woman "I will grant you one wish". The woman wished that she had enough money for the wedding and the reception.
"Absolutley!" said the fairy.
That December, she had a lovely wedding.
The End.
By Ben C.At The Desert's Edge
This week we have been learning about the Presentation Brothers in Ghana. We watched a DVD Called ‘At Desert’s Edge’. It shows the educational system in Ghana. We learned that the children of Ghana have to walk 8 miles to get to school.
It takes them two and a half hours to get to school and it only takes us 5 minutes to get to school. They wear uniforms like us. They were uniforms because they have no proper clothes. We were uniforms so we don’t go missing or feel left out.
They get fed three times a week. We bring in our own lunch. They do all the same subjects we do. They do English, History, Religion and Maths.
By Cian J.
At The Desert's Edge
Dear Diary,
Today I woke up at half five because I had to walk 8 miles.I had to step over stones.Our teacher's name is Br. Bernard.When I got home I had to do chores and plant seeds.The next day we learned how to spell hello in French.
After school we got rice and stew.I can't wait for next year because I will have new friends a new football and a new yard. All of my village is poor but we work together to get more money and more clothes. My friend, Joe, lives down the road. He goes to a different school and he lives a tough life because he gets bullied. By Kian McD
keRja lalalala keRja~~~!
Aduss,,, nape la cuti 4 bulan 4 Degree student... da mcm Kne extend 2 bulan 4 the final seM... tekanan betol ah... so ak kne la cari keje utk isikan 4 bulan 2...
LATELY ad plak lg 1 mslah... bile da cuti 4 bulan.. ktorg kne la plak smabg kontrak sewa umah... mmbr ak gtau if smbg kontrak baru,,, tuan umah nk nekkan harga sewa umah... DUGAAN~~
So ak ngn mmbr2 decide nk cari umah len... n at the same time ak dpt kerja kt PUNCAK ALAM tercinta jgk.. so kne la menumpang kt umah bdk len memandangkan ktorg da batal kontrak umah sewa ktorg,,, adoi~ msalah bangat ni~~ (*_*)
LATELY ad plak lg 1 mslah... bile da cuti 4 bulan.. ktorg kne la plak smabg kontrak sewa umah... mmbr ak gtau if smbg kontrak baru,,, tuan umah nk nekkan harga sewa umah... DUGAAN~~
So ak ngn mmbr2 decide nk cari umah len... n at the same time ak dpt kerja kt PUNCAK ALAM tercinta jgk.. so kne la menumpang kt umah bdk len memandangkan ktorg da batal kontrak umah sewa ktorg,,, adoi~ msalah bangat ni~~ (*_*)
Royal Wedding
The day that the Royal Wedding was on, Prince William and Kate Middleton were getting married. It was October and my favourite movie was on so I grabbed the remote and tuned in to my favourite movie. My ma said "Hey! I wanted to watch that!".
I said, "There will be plenty of replays". So I kicked back and enjoyed some delicious ice-cream. By Jonathan D
