94: LU Arsenal Brigade

[Macca_]

We're in good hands

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...-+New+board+agreement+makes+us+'bullet-proof'

Edelman - New board agreement makes us 'bullet-proof'
By Chris Harris

Keith Edelman believes the board's revised 'lock-down agreement' over any potential sale of their shares has made the Club "bulletproof".

The news that Arsenal's directors would only sell their stake to "permitted persons" before April 2009 and had to give fellow board members 'first-option' until October 2012 was greeted with applause by shareholders at the Club's AGM on Thursday.

Afterwards Edelman expanded on the announcement, explaining why this latest agreement should finally end speculation over the future of the Club and ensure stability on and off the pitch.

"It is an important day for the Club because over the last three or four months we've had speculation in the media over what might happen, the ownership has been an issue," he said.

"It's a long time, five years. It's a huge commitment from the major shareholders to the Club and I don't think you can ask more from people. It basically says you hold shares until April 2009 and after that you can only sell them to one of us before you sell them outside.

"The board feel there has been uncertainty and we want to put a line under it, end it now. I think if you get this continuing uncertainty over ownership then it always undermines the staff, the team etc etc. It's a distracting environment.

"But as of today I am not prepared to talk about it because it's irrelevant now. What people are doing on the sides of our shares is pretty irrelevant. This ends all the speculation."

At present the directors' combined shareholding does not exceed 50 per cent. However Edelman is confident that the board has sufficient support from smaller shareholders to maintain control of the Club in the longer term.

"When we look through the shareholder register there are a number of people who we believe will support the board come hell or high water and when we add that to what we have announced as a 'concert party' we are pretty secure. With the way the shareholdings are, we are bulletproof.

"We know them, we have no agreements with them but it is our strong belief that they will support the board. We do not worry about that."

[ Friday, October 19, 2007]

 

[Macca_]

Tough to predict the starting 11 vs Bolton with a couple players back from injury...

I'll go with this -

-------------Almunia------------
--Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy--
-Hleb-Fabregas-Flamini-Diaby-
-----Adebayor----Eduardo-----

Rosicky is available, so could come in for Diaby or perhaps Hleb who had a couple of games for Belarus.

Don't think Gilberto will get in ahead of Flamini after being away for Brazil.

Almunia or Lehmann... Will be an interesting call from Wenger. If he sticks with Blondie, Jens may be off in January. I expect him to stick with Almunia.

 

[Dragooner]

Jens -> City
Green -> Gunners
Hoyte -> Hammers
Gilberto -> ???

Their all almost certainties I beleive...

 

[Stonecutter]

Jens -> City
Green -> Gunners
Hoyte -> Hammers
Gilberto -> ???

Their all almost certainties I beleive...

Green would be good.

Hoyte: Are the rumours loans or transfer?

I have a feeling Gilberto might go to Athletic Madrid. I havn't read anything, it's just a hunch.

 

[Dragooner]

Rumor was 3 million pounds plus Hoyte for Green. I think thats it. Not sure though...

 

[NK Arsenal]

Jens -> City
Green -> Gunners
Hoyte -> Hammers
Gilberto -> ???

Their all almost certainties I beleive...

Senderos -> Yeovil Town :lol:
Gilberto -> Sao Paolo. I have a feeling he will go to them.

 

[CC_Eagle]

I'd like to see Jens start.

I feel he has had enough time on the side, we're forgetting just how good the guy is when he's on.

His form for Germany has been decent.

 

[RedVGooner]

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has revealed Manuel Almunia will keep his place for Saturday’s game with Bolton despite the return of Jens Lehmann to full fitness.

This weekend’s game will be the first time the Arsenal manager has had his top two keepers match-ready since August 19.

Lehmann, who made a couple of high-profile errors early on this season, has been sidelined since the 1-1 draw at Blackburn because of Achilles and elbow injuries. However he did return for his country over the international break.

Almunia has performed admirably in Arsenal’s 10 games since then, including a run of 550 minutes (nine hours 10 minutes) without conceding a goal. That might be why the Spaniard is set to keep his place.

“At the moment I go for stability,” Wenger told TV Online. “Jens has not played for us yet he has played for Germany. He will come back and fight to regain his place. That is the best solution."

lehmann is not goin to be a happy man!!:lol:

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=news&article=483084&cpid=703&title=Exclusive:+Wenger+set+to+stick+with+Almunia

 

[Dragooner]

That's football Jens. You f*ck up, you pay the price. Simple as that.

Also, if Gilberto leaves in Janary then I think we will see him go to somewhere like Atletico, Fiorentina, Sevilla. If he leaves in June he will go back to Brazil.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Can't say I agree, but Arsene knows best.

 

[Kiwishark]

I don't think Gilberto is going anywhere for a while yet.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Looking forward to tonight.

One of my best mates is a massive Liverpool fan, we'll be drunk watching the Derby tonight, then I'll show him how a real team plays at 11:55!.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Jens will not be given another chance until Almunia f**ks up.

 

[NK Arsenal]

I've just been researching, we haven't lost in 15 Premier League games.
Our last loss was a 1-0 against West Ham on 07/08/07, which is to date our only loss at home.

 

[CC_Eagle]

*shudder*

I still remember it clearly.

We had about 60 shots on target, f*cking Green!

 

[Macca_]

GFP please delete that post. It is asking for trouble! :lol:

Not so sure Gilberto will be off. I think I recall reading he wanted to finish his career at Arsenal. Paying time is going to get less though the way some of the lads are playing. One big reason to want him to stay is his relationship with Denilson. He's like an older brother for the young Brazilian. I saw a piece on Denno a few weeks back and he was saying Gilberto has helped him a lot.

 

[Macca_]

My names not Arsene btw

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...=Wenger+-+I'm+ready+to+use+Walcott+as+striker

Wenger - I'm ready to use Walcott as striker
By Richard Clarke

Although Arsène Wenger indicated that Eduardo would cover the absent Robin van Persie against Bolton on Saturday, in future games he may turn to Theo Walcott.

Ever since he signed from Southampton in January 2006, the Arsenal manager has haboured the ambition of turning the winger into a striker. A little like he did with a certain Thierry Henry in 1999.

Wenger admitted that Eduardo needed to strengthen himself — mentally as much as physically — to fill the void left by the in-form Dutchman. But he suggested the England Under-21 international had already made sufficient progress to step in if required.

“At the start of the season Eduardo was very good,” he said at Friday’s press conference. “Then, later, he was injured a little bit and struggled to find his rhythm back. Now he looks sharp to me again.

“Of course when you arrive from the Croatian League and you come to the English Premier League it’s quite a shock. It’s like driving on the motorway when you’ve been walking. But I feel he adapts well and with the right commitment he will get through that easy.

“He is certainly intelligent enough to fit into the side, Walcott will too. Walcott will get a chance in this position because I feel now he is ready to play through the middle.

“We are in October and Theo has already played a part. He made a big impact last time he came on and you know things change quickly. In football you have always to be ready, and it’s a good opportunity for him as well, not only for Eduardo. If he is strong, he will play.

“Bendtner will [play] as well, but he is more in Adebayor’s position than someone to play with Adebayor.”

[ Friday, October 19, 2007]

 

[Macca_]

Well done

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...Title=Wenger+and+Fabregas+take+monthly+awards

Wenger and Fabregas take monthly awards
Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas have become the first Arsenal pairing to pick up the Barclays Manager of the Month and Barclays Player of the Month Awards since August 2004, after the Gunners soared to the top of the Barclays Premier League with four wins out of four during September.

Fabregas collects his second Barclays Player of the Month Award of 2007, having won the prize in January, following a series of inspirational performances at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield. The Spaniard scored in the three consecutive victories against Portsmouth (3-1), Tottenham (3-1) and Derby County (5-0) before guiding the team to another three points at West Ham (1-0).

This is the ninth time that Wenger has collected the Barclays Manager of the Month Award, and marks an impressive start to the 2007/8 Barclays Premier League campaign, which has seen the team remain unbeaten and push forward their challenge as early title contenders.

The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football’s governing bodies, the media and fans.

[ Friday, October 19, 2007]

 

[Macca_]

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...tle=Wenger+in+two+minds+over+Adebayor+Cup+woe

Wenger in two minds over Adebayor Cup woe
By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger was caught in two minds when Togo were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations last week.

The Frenchman was preparing to cope without Emmanuel Adebayor for up to six weeks in the New Year while the Arsenal striker represented his country at the Finals in Ghana. Togo's defeat against Mali in their final qualifying game scuppered Adebayor's hopes and left Wenger feeling both sympathy and relief.

"It's an exaggeration [to say I celebrated when Togo lost] but I didn't cry as well," said the Arsenal manager.

"You are a little bit caught in two, you know it will be a disappointment for the player but as well you don't cry because you know at least you have your main striker.

"But you never know, Adebayor may be injured during all of that period. But if you ask, of course the preference is that he stays at home."

Wenger will still be without Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue after the Ivory Coast booked their place in the Finals. As far as Arsenal's title rivals are concerned, some will be affected more than others.

"When you look at who is going to be out, Chelsea are going to lose four to five players but Manchester United aren't going to lose anyone," said Wenger.

The African Cup of Nations will take place from January 20 to February 10. Toure and Eboue could miss as many as 10 Arsenal fixtures, depending on how early they join up with their national squad, how far Ivory Coast advance in Ghana and how well the Gunners fare in domestic cup competitions.

[ Friday, October 19, 2007]

 

[Macca_]

I'll back Eddy in to score tonight

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...=Wenger+-+It+could+be+Eduardo's+time+to+shine

Wenger - It could be Eduardo's time to shine
By Richard Clarke

The absence of Robin van Persie means Eduardo will have the opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the Arsenal line-up — starting on Saturday against Bolton.

The Croatian has been relatively quiet since signing from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer. He has two goals in seven appearances but has been struck down with a niggling groin injury in recent weeks.

It is ironic therefore that Van Persie’s knee problem — which is now expected to keep him out for four to six weeks - could open the door for the 24-year-old.

“Eduardo, it could be time for him,” said Wenger at Friday’s press conference. “He has started very well.”

In other team news for the weekend, William Gallas will start for the first time since August 19. Gilberto will be among the substitutes after the long trip back from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Columbia. The fit-again Tomas Rosicky may join him there.

“Gilberto travelled last night so he will be on the bench,” said Wenger. “Tomas could be back on the bench too but I will decide that tomorrow.

“Gallas will start because he started with his national team. Senderos is out with a back injury.

“I feel Robin van Persie will be out for four to six weeks. I count six so hopefully I will not be disappointed.”

As revealed by Arsenal.com on Thursday, Manuel Almunia will retain his place. The fit-again Jens Lehmann will not be involved at all.

“He can go on the bench,” said the manager. “But for tomorrow I have decided to leave him out completely.”

[ Friday, October 19, 2007]