Sports Special- Unbelievable Underdogs

Underdogs, people who aren't favourites to win the match or contest. Everyone loves a good underdog and this past week has emerged another to the list. Yesterday,  I watched the US Open semi-final bout between Djokovic and Wawrinka and Stan the Man was playing the tennis of his life, he'd beaten reigning champion Andy Murray in straight sets and now had the task of beating the world number 1! It was one hell of a match, a thrilling 5 setter which you couldn't call right to the end, unfortunately Wawrinka the underdog fell short losing 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 2-6, 3-6. So he was unsuccessful but many have triumphed, here are some of the best across recent sport.......

Liverpool 

UEFA Champions League Final 2005, Istanbul, at half time it's AC Milan 3-0 Liverpool and the game looks all but over, Kaka and co. have ripped Liverpool apart, so what on earth did Rafa Benitez say at half time. Liverpool were real underdogs now, just to draw level against what is a world class Milan XI with Shevchenko, Maldini, Pirlo etc. So when Liverpool came out to the second half, they came out fighting! A John Arne Risse cross, a Steven Gerrard header, it seemed like game on again, 3-1! The pivotal moment was bringing on Didi Hamann, it allowed Gerrard to attack and lead Liverpool, it was him that teed up Vladamir Smicer to fire home another for Liverpool, 3-2! Milan were shell shocked only 15mins into the half and it was 3-2, then came the chance, Milan Baros flicked the ball off to Gerrard, he skipped past Gattuso, but a trip..... PENALTY! Up stepped Xabi Alonso, he missed but in goes the rebound, as I watched I leapt off my seat, amazing, 3-3! The rest is left to fait, heroics from Jerzy Dudek and horrible Milan penalties and from the barrel of defeat, Liverpool were kings of Europe!

Andy Murray

This flying Scotsman has gone from a man the people love to hate, to a cult hero across Britain and the real underdog of Tennis, as shown in 2012 US Open and even the famous 2013 Wimbledon finals. In the US Open he cruised through early rounds but then faced tests of character, going set and breaks down against first Feliciano Lopez then Maran Cilic, prevailing through both. Again the underdog mentality got him through, this time Tomas Berdych in a 4 hour thriller which lead to a meeting with Novak Djokovic. I hadn't really taken to Murray yet, but it seemed after his teary interview after Wimbledon defeat that year to Federer, a sympathetic warming came Murray's away along with Olympic Gold! But in New York he became a man, his first grand slam, a 5 set marathon against Mr Djokovic, who he'd beat the next year in a historic Wimbledon final! Both finals were fancied for Djokovic, but Murray has proved he not only believed he was the underdog but he triumphed as the underdog, a sports personality award is heading his way soon!

Christine Ohuruogu 

This woman is never getting the acclaim her performances show, always in major finals, Olympics, World and European Championships and most of all she always delivers! Always looked over at the start as race favourite, she has this incredible finish to her race which see's her stun the world and reach standards beyond expectations. In 2008 it was gold for Christine, at London 2012 it was bronze, but so close to gold, this year it was the World Championships in Moscow. Christine was racing against highly favourited Montsho from Botswana and with the experienced Sanya Richards-Ross. Ohuruogu had a awful start, seemingly out of it going into the last 150m, lying in 6th, but the last 100m is Christine's territory. Back she came, pushing and pushing and pushing, all of a sudden, 50m to go she was 3rd going 2nd. 10m she was neck and neck with Montsho, it went right to the line and Christine had won it my millimeters, both finishing on 49:41 it was won by a lean from Ohuruogu, she'd done it again, from the seemingly impossible, the underdog triumphed and it was British!

Thank you for reading, let me know what the next 'Sports Special' should be, could be a team, player or athlete even a competiton! Cheers

Bye Bye Bale and Ola Ozil

As an Arsenal fan I have probably experienced the best two days in my time as a supporter. Let's start with Sunday, North London Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, Emirates Stadium and I'm lucky enough to witness it there and then.

As soon as I exited Arsenal station, you could taste Derby Day literally, the Hot Dog's were really nice! I entered the Emirates, music booming, 45 minutes till kick-off and soaking up the build up to what was to be one of the most looked forward to, important North London Derbies of recent memory. Spurs had smashed their transfer record 3 times going into the game with signings of Paulinho, Soldado and Lamela. Arsenal, meanwhile, hadn't spent a penny with the two free transfers of Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini, so criticism was a plenty for Arsene Wenger, i'll admit from me. I can safely say, all I asked for was a marquee signing, just one at least and i'll put my trust back in Arsene, we'll see if he has met these demands.

So match time  4pm, atmosphere is buzzing and the red army is out in full force to cheer on the Gunners against their noisy neighbours. Arsenal made 2 changes to the starting side that beat Fenerbache the previous Tuesday, an injury to Lukas Podolski hurt the squad depth of Arsenal further, so Santi Cazorla shifted out to the left wing with Jack Wilshere slotting back into the middle of midfield alongisde Tomas Rosicky and the inform Aaron Ramsey. Laurent Koscielny returned from his suspension after a dismal Emirates Stadium opener for him, he returned alongside captain Per Mertersacker, coming in for Bacary Sagna who reverted to the bench with a cold as Carl Jenkinson made his first North London Derby start. The opponents Spurs had an unchanged back 5 with no goals conceded in all competitions so far this season. Etienne Capoue, making his derby debut was the only change as he came in for Gylfi Sigudarsson, slotting in alongside Moussa Dembele and Paulinho. New men Soldado and Chadli were other derby debutantes  Soldado had scored 4 in 4 for Spurs so far this season, despite 2 of them being spot kicks. Necer Chadli from FC Twente started his 3rd game in a row in the league and looked impressive, strong, powerful and quick, is he the answer too the near departed Gareth Bale?

Away we go! It was a passive start, but dominated by Arsenal, passing the ball beautifully, testing this Spurs back line and looking like a good outfit. They were the first to have a effort at goal, with Santi Cazorla putting Hugo Lloris at full stretch with a near wonderful free kick, thank goodness Walcott has stopped taking them! But, Walcott had his moment, beautifully sent away by Cazorla, he was clean through on goal, only for Hugo Lloris to come out and perform an inch perfect slide tackle to deny Theo surely a chance for the opener. Spurs though were getting into the game and started having long spells of possession with a lot of ventures forward, mainly through corners, although nothing troublesome for Szczesny. Then the moment which made my summer holidays, Arsenal broke away quickly down the left, Ramsey stroked it cross field to Rosicky, who turned and found Walcott in behind down the right, fed the near post cross in where Giroud connected! GOLAZO! Outside of the foot finish, beating Lloris at the near as Giroud converted his 4th goal in 5 Arsenal games, 3 in 3 in the league to make the score, "1-0 TO THE ARSENAL"!

Arsenal were forced to a change as Jack Wilshere was substituted due to illness for the return of Mathieu Flamini to the North London Derby stage, he didn't waste time introducing himself, clattering into a tackle to Paulinho, welcome back Monsieur Flamini. The second half was a lot more wide open, but again Arsenal dominated the chance creation, Giroud put Lloris' reflexes to the test as he was at his very best to deny a deflected effort by the Frenchman. Although Woijiech Szczesny was eqaul to Lloris' heroics, Arsenal failed to clear a Spurs' free kick as sub Jermain Defoe fired goal-bound, deflecting off Laurent Koscielny, meaning Szczesny had to readjust to superbly tip away the effort, with Giroud blocking another goal-bound effort from Roberto Soldado. Etienne Capoue unfortunately was stretchered off, he impressed me that day, good solid display, but a twisted ankle in an encounter with Cazorla ended his derby, enter £30 million man Erik Lamela! But, it was Arsenal who had the last real chance of the game, Giroud who tirelessly worked the whole game skinned Dawson and Rose, laid off Walcott who was once again foiled by Lloris as Naxo Monreal couldn't find the telling first touch for the second goal. Nervous times were ahead as the last 10 minutes was all Spurs, back's against wall time for Arsenal, thankfully due to a outstanding team performance! We moved above Manchester United and Spurs into 4th and with 4 wins in 5, back on track!

Transfer Deadline Day

So the highlights of this amazing day were:

• Liverpool were at the triple, swooping in for Mamadou Sakho, Tiago Illori and loaning Chelsea's Victor Moses.
• Manchester City completed the signing of Martin Demichelis from Athletico Madrid
• Everton were busy on Deadline Day, buying and selling, swooping for Wigan's James McCarthy and loaning in Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry.
• West Brom also bought swiftly signing Stephane Sessegnon for £6m
• Manchester United failed in there attempts for Ander Herrera but settled for Everton's Marouane Fellaini, for the cost of £27.5m, well could of got him for £23.5 a month earlier....
• And, Arsenal mad the most expensive signing, smashing there transfer record, with the acquisition of Mesut Ozil for £42.4m, the second highest transfer in British history

 

Back in the swing of things!

It's the end of Gameweek 2 of the Barclays Premier League, it seems like it's never been anyway, fantasy football teams are racking up points and fans are flocking to see there beloved idols. So how have our teams started?

Early Pacesetters

It seems to be clear that the 'Mourinho Effect' has taken shape at Chelsea. Attractive football, controversial moments and controversial tactical decisions, but because of the Super Cup, they've already played 3, 2 wins and a draw against Moyes' United, Chelsea are setting the pace in the Premier League. It seems I may have to change my prediction, I said it'd be close between Chelsea and Manchester City, I think Chelsea now have the edge, especially with the additions of Willian and Samuel Eto'o, there attacking prowess is superb when added to Oscar, Hazard, Mata and Torres. Two sides start with 100% records, Spurs and Liverpool. Spurs have been surrounded with the Gareth Bale 'saga', there football has almost been forgotten about, two wins with two penalties for Roberto Soldado, not convincing but still 6 points out of 6, but the test of Arsenal on Sunday in the Derby will show there credentials this season. Liverpool also have started with two 1-0 victories, with winners from new htiman Daniel Sturridge. After years of promise not shown and chances not given, his move to Liverpool was perfect for him as his partnership with Countinho could prove to be one of the best in the league, added to Gerrard and the master of mischief Luis Suarez, this could be a good season for Liverpool.

Early Strugglers

Crystal Palace are favorites for relegation and they've not started well, outdone by Spurs and then there poor defence was exposed at Stoke with defeat there. If they don't strengthen in there defence then they'll struggle a lot this season, despite having Ian Holloway. Despite Hull amazingly holding out for nearly an hour with 10 men to beat Norwich, I still think they'll struggle, there team isn't strong in a lot of areas and I think will end up down scrapping for safety. Sunderland, Norwich, Stoke, West Brom and Newcastle have not started brilliantly either and may end up down that area of the table too.

Round-Up of results

Matchday 1

Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa

Chelsea 2-0 Hull

Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke 

Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle

Norwich 2-2 Everton

Sunderland 0-1 Fulham

Swansea 1-4 Manchester United

West Brom 0-1 Southampton

West Ham 2-0 Cardiff

Matchday 2

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool

Cardiff 3-2 Man City

Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa

Fulham 1-3 Arsenal

Everton 0-0 West Brom

Hull 1-0 Norwich

Newcastle 0-0 West Ham

Southampton 1-1 Sunderland

Spurs 1-0 Swansea

Stoke 2-1 Crystal Palace

Then there's Arsenal, sure a win at Fulham is good to forget about that Villa result, but the main thing is signings! We're supposed to have a wad of cash, yet we've made two signings, both for free and both French. While Spurs break there transfer record more times than Arsenal signings, the Bale saga is stopping Arsenal making any move for Di Maria/Ozil. Wenger's in his last year and I believe that any signings may verge on panic-buys now, I think we need a new era at Arsenal, fresh ideas and knowledge, Klopp/Laudrup/Bergkhamp for me, it'll be a very interesting week let alone season for Arsenal and us gooners

 

#COYG

Its gonna be a Special One- Part 2

Sorry this wasn't earlier, I was on holiday, this has no involvement with opening week results....

So I've made my predictions on what the final top 8 positions will look like, now it's the middle and lower pack of the Barclays Premier League, like last season I can see two teams cut adrift at the bottom with the rest from about 13th downwards being a close scrap.

The Castaways

Despite the newly promoted sides coming up and showing fresh ideas, open attacking football and a nothing to lose mindset, in recent seasons, it's seemed to backfire. Burnley, Blackpool and Reading are the most recent examples of this, starting promisingly and pulling off great results, Burnley beating United at home, Blackpool winning at Anfield and with Reading's new year run seeing them beat Newcastle away. However, despite there attacking flair, there defenses were simply not up to the standard, with all 3 going straight back down with a total goals against tally, a colossal 233 goals in the back of there nets! This season I'm predicting Palace and Hull to be the victim's of this. Even worse for them, there attacks need vast improvement, as Palace start without talisman Zaha and Hull must rely on new man Yannick Sagbo, it could be a lack of goals being there problem.

The other newly promoted side Cardiff shows some hope for the new boys. With foreign owners prepared to spend, in come highly rated Andreas Cornelius from Denmark and Spurs' Stephen Caulker, alongside experienced captain Craig Bellamy, they have young talents mixed with proven class, it could be a good year for the Welsh again as it's the return of the South Wales derby!

The Middle Pack

For some it'll be season of mid-table obscurity hopping between near relegation battles and a decent cup or Europa League push. Newcastle are thankfully without Europe this season which will ease the burden on a tight looking squad, which was fully stretched last season after dealing with long-term absences Krul, Collochini, Ryan Taylor, Cabaye, Ben Arfa and the loss of Demba Ba, resulting in a french revolution, the squad will settle and I think have a easier ride this season, with the addition of Loic Remy, it should lighten the burden on Papiss Cisse, however, there's always something wrong at Newcastle with the strange appointment of Joe Kinnear as Chief Executive, maybe Alan Pardew's job isn't safe.... Meanwhile, great summer signings mean I believe Fulham, West Ham and Norwich will be safe as there squads look more than equipped for the season. Fulham have added considerably with Adel Taarabt, Maarten Stekelengburg and giant Derek Boateng added to class acts of Hangeland, Ruiz and Berbatov, this average side could turn into a once feared force. Norwich and West Ham seem not likely to suffer second-season-syndrome adding highly rated Nathan Redmond and loan success Andy Carroll respectively.

Two more are Southampton and Aston Villa, with both adjusting to new managers, they look settled and improving outfits both with highly-rated talented youngsters. The Saints, under Pocchetino now look a very good side, as shown with scalp's over Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool. He's also proven he's a shrude transfer tactician adding Arsenal target Victor Wanyama, Dejan Lovren of Lyon put with born and bred finishers Lambert and Rodriguez, they're a real threat again. A young Villa last season were certainties for the drop and conceded 15 goals in 3 games over the festive period, a turn around was needed, in came Christian Benteke. The big Belgian lead Lambert to safety and put his name on many's hopping list before signing a 4yr deal! Alongside up and coming talents Weimann, Westwood and Lowton with experienced Agbonlahor, Vlaar and Guzan, they should feel a lot more stress free this season.

The Relegation Dog-fighters

For me now there will be 3 who'll slowly but surely be the last ones fighting for survival, these are Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom. Stoke have changed from cult hero Tony Pulis to veteran Mark Hughes, opting to abide by the fan's wishes and no longer be rugby's football team. Hughes has already acquired some strength at full back with Muniesa and Eric Pieters from Barcelona and PSV respectively. Still with superhuman keeper Asmir Begovic, I believe they will also struggle to get goals, last season only QPR scored fewer than there measly 34 goals, a total nearly doubled by Robin Van Persie and Luis Suarez! Sunderland survived by the skin of there teeth last season, helped by a Tyne-Wear Derby win at St. James Park, however a hammering at Villa was a reality check for them. They've strengthend well with Juve's Giacherinni and big man Jozy Altidore, but they just never look convincing that they'll do wella and always end up struggling, Di Canio's spirit may drive them home, then again his passion and temper could see a breakdown and sacking! Finally, I think West Brom may have there own second-season syndrome and struggle with expectations this year after an amazing season last year, they may be hit with a taste of harsh reality and be back down the bottom end, with all the controversy over Odemwingie's transfer (or not) and the return to home club of Romelu Lukaku, who'll provide that spark this season. They've signed experience in Diego Lugano, despite his injury record, and strikers Matej Vydra and veteran Nicolas Anelka, i'm not convinced they'll deliver like Lukaku and Odemwingie did and used to. One thing is for certain it's going to go to the wire.

The Rest
9) Southampton
10) West Ham United
11) Aston Villa 
12) Fulham
13) Norwich City
14) Newcastle United
15) Cardiff City
16) Sunderland
17) Stoke City
18) West Brom
19) Hull City
20) Crystal Palace

It's going to be a Special One

So the start of 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season is nearly upon us, after a whole month and a week of transfer speculation there have been some high profile saga's, managerial merry-go-rounds and done deals which have kept us busy, so with the real action nearly here, it's time to get predicting! This blog focuses on my top 8 for next season

The Big 3 are a different 3!

It's the first time in Premier League history, well that Manchester United have had a new manager, but mainly that the top 3 finishing teams from last season have all chopped and changed the men at the hot seat. For the defending champions, an end of an era, the greatest club manager of all time Sir Alex Ferguson retired from duty, resulting in tears of joy from all in London and down the road in Manchester! However, no matter who's at the helm, United is United and they will always be up there, but how can you follow Sir Alex? David Moyes is very inexperienced at a 'big club', no offence Everton, but big names are associated with United and it seems no one wants to know anymore, Lewandowski, Thiago, Fabregas have all rejected Moyes rather than United in my opinion. However, the recent emergence of a 'Ronaldo Return' could put that to bed....! 

There typically noisy neighbors have been busy again, appointing veteran Manuel Pellegrini as replacement for title winner Mancini, but like Roberto, is spending the pounds at the Etihad. £88m is the magic number with the chosen men Jesus Navas and his buddy Negredo from Sevilla, Fernandinho from Spartack Moscow for the highest fee, £33m and Stefan Jovetic (apparently was signing for Arsenal hmmm) from Fiorentina for £24m. With the additions added to the spine of Hart, Kompany, Toure and Aguero is there really anyone who could stop the boys in blue? Enter the 'Special One', Mr Mourinho is back in the English Premier League and he's back for good. Despite signing a 4 year deal, he's happily up for an extension and to finish his career with Chelsea. There have been no real big signings at Stamford Bridge though yet, they've brought in Andre Schurrle from Leverkusen and young Dutch midfielder Marco Van Ginkel, but the main noise has been about Wayne Rooney. It's been known he wants to leave, however two bids have been rejected by United, this saga will continue to the end, watch out I sense Mourinho will get his way!

The Chasing Pack

As a gooner, let's start with the Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is into his last year on his contract and hopefully he bows out with a trophy, well I think he'll leave by the time we reach May. It's been well known we have the money to buy and afford most players on the planet so when the date is August 7th, we've sold at least half of the first team squad, including Gervinho and Mannone, and our only signing is Yaya Sanogo, it's fairly worrying. However, developments have ensued in the possible transfer of Luis Suarez. A famous £40,000,001 was rejected, but Suarez wants and was apparently promised out, so it looks like he'll be out of Anfield for sure and hopefully to Arsenal. We by no way have a title winning team let alone sqaud, but with 3/4 good additions we'll contest for another trophy this season I'm sure, watch this space. Spurs have been punished for another poor run-in with the shock request from Gareth Bale to leave for Real Madrid, no real shock actually then. A world record £95m is rumored (OVER-PRICED) surely that'll will make tough Levy budge. They've been busy acquiring Chadli, Soldado and now in talks for Ethienne Capoue, so with the added Bale money, they'll be tussling with Arsenal again for 4th.

The outsiders for the top 4 are Liverpool, Swansea and Everton. Liverpool, possibly minus Suarez, will have no chance of competing, but with a replacement they can trouble, with the Rodgers influence they will look good with Countinho, Sturridge, Gerrard and co. Swansea, in the Europa League are real dark horses, I said after there stunning campaign last year, they'll be moving up and up and with Bony, Michu and even Shelvey, they look a very good outfit, a hard start for Moyes' men. Then Martinez's Everton, he's got pressure to carry on Moyes' high results. His attractive football got Wigan Wembley glory last year and taking 3 Wigan men with him, added to the hopeful retention of Fellaini and Baines, they will once again tussle with the big boys.


Top 8 finish
1) Manchester City
2) Chelsea
3) Manchester United
4) Arsenal
5) Spurs
6) Swansea
7) Liverpool
8) Everton

GroundDrog Day at the Emirates

Well, even when we make our own trophy, we can't win it! Didier Drogba returned to remind Arsenal fans of his Chelsea days as haunted the Emirates again leading Galatasaray to the Emirates Cup. It was a great day of football after the opening day left a lot of empty expectations but there was plenty of attacking, free-flowing football throughout the 180mins of football, just not much from Arsenal.

FC Porto 3-1 Napoli FC

With a rested starting XI for Rafa, it was Goran Pandev who was the spike of the Italian's counter attack and he was quickly in behind as captain Dezmali slotted the ball through to the Hungarian who was one on one with keeper Helton but became cocky in front of goal, dallied and was superbly tackled by Nicholas Otamendi on the cover for Porto as they survived the scare. It wasn't a quiet tempered contest as tackles were flying in from both sides, unfortunately for Porto, Mangala made one too many. I was rooting for Porto as a win for Napoli would make Arsenal's task of winning a lot more difficult, so it's safe to say I was fairly annoyed when Mangala lunged in on youngster Calaio on the edge of the 6 yard box and conceded the spot kick. Hoping for a 4th penalty save in two days of cup action, Pandev stepped up and stroked the ball in to the opposite corner of the diving Helton and opened the scoring for the day of the Emirates Cup and got his second goal of the tournament. Porto tried to fight back but couldn't deliver the right service as Napoli held strong at the back for the 1-0 lead.

As seen on Saturday, Napoli new boy Gonzalo Higuain received a cold reception at the Emirates after months of speculation of joining the Gooners. As an Arsenal fan I found the booing very petty and desperate. A player who we should've tied up but for Real Madrid raising the price of the Argentinian after Edinson Cavani's big money move to Paris from Napoli gave the Italians a lot in the bank. Real seized the chance for more money and cashed in on a £33m deal for Higuain. Seemingly jealous of the signing a lot of fans were giving the cold shoulder to Gonzalo, trying to find someone to blame, while my corner of the Arsenal fans gave Higuain a warm reception as respect to a man who had done nothing wrong.

Second half was all Porto, as they showed there true class dominating and giving me and the rest of the crowd some entertaining, superb pieces of football. With goals from Kamel Ghilas, a Fernandez own goal and a blunder capitalized by substitute Lica to end it 3-1 winners.

Arsenal 1-2 Galatasaray

A eagerly, anticipating sold out crowd saw Arsenal fall short of another Emirates Cup. It wasn't a great performance from Arsenal as slack defending and possible lack of fatigue was to blame for a mauling of a second half. Arsenal though started with high energy and a real attacking threat as an attack lead by only new man Yaya Sanogo had a chance in the first 2 minutes but his shot was saved by Muslera. I still am awaiting the first Yaya chant, although just copying Manchester City's for Toure wouldn't be a bad idea. After spurned chances from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, Walcott delivered a delicious free-kick which went all the way in for the lead on half time. Ironically, the man next to us who'd been slating Walcott all day, left early for a beer, missed the goal and well never came back out, maybe a good decision after all!

At half-time, as I predicted Galatasaray brought on the big guns, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, two legends in there own right, with Drogba receiving a raucous of boo's from the Arsenal fan's for his ex-Chelsea links, however I applauded, maybe one not of many but I do respect Drogba as a footballer and man, he showed why. It was all Galatasaray in the second half, with chance after chance, Sneijder testing the reflexes of Szczesny. But on 76 minutes the game changer, a so called 'push' from Ignasi Miquel, duly made the most out of by Drogba was awarded with a penalty, cooly dispatched, 1-1 with 14 minutes to go, as Porto are currently winning the cup. But with 4 minutes to go the two substitutes combined in incredible style, Arsenal's young substitutes poorly lost the ball, Sneijder pinged a 40 yard pass, superbly taken by Drogba past the despairing Mertersacker was fired impudently home as he skidded down in front of the corner where I was sitting, to my annoyance I sat and applauded regretfully as Arsenal had once again shown there current squad is easily taken apart by a quality player/team, today it was two as Sneijder and Drogba won the cup for the Turks.

Now sign someone Wenger, our current squad is well below standard!

 

Arsene Who? End of a Era

It all started so well....

On the 30th September 1996, Arsenal fans had learnt that an unknown Frenchman had taken charge of the club, after the dismissal of Bruce Rioch. Arsene Wenger was relatively unknown in England and was greeted by the headline 'Arsene Who', when he joined Arsenal. His arrival was an immediate revolution to the club as he signed future legend and captain Patrick Viera, but Wenger suggested changing Pat Rice's position, this never materialized, thank goodness!

Wenger's second season was a stunning triumph as he won the league and cup double. Wenger was to become known as a shrude tactician and artist of transfers with the signings of Overmars, Petit and Anelka the forefront of his success in the 97/98 season. Whilst a established wall of Adams, Bould, Winterburn and Dixon from George Graham's era along with 'catalyst' Dennis Bergkamp, meant Wenger had world class players in the armory. 

Wenger was to win another double in the 2001/02 season thanks to more masterful signings in future icons Campbell, Ljungberg, Pires and record goal scorer Thierry Henry. Furthermore, after losing the 2000 UEFA Cup final on penalties, winning the title at bitter rivals Manchester United's backgarden was a sweet moment for all connected to Arsenal as Sylvain Wiltord clinched the league at Old Trafford.

The season of 2003/04 though was to be the birth of possibly the greatest ever XI in which Arsenal were to become the first team for 115yrs to go a season undefeated, unbowed and unbeaten. The season defining moment came when at Old Trafford, at 0-0, Ruud Van Nistelrooy crashed a penalty against the crossbar, sparking scenes of pure emotion from Arsenal players. As this was at the starting part of the season, it was to set Arsenal on to greatness, as Arsenal continued to set a record of 49 games unbeaten. Even though this was to be the only trophy of the season, going a Premier League season unbeaten is virtually impossible and will be a very long time till it's done again. This team will go down in Arsenal history as their greatest ever XI:

                                                                           J.Lehmann

Lauren                                            S.Campbell                 K.Toure                                 A.Cole

F.Ljunberg                                     P.Viera                        G.Silva                                 R.Pires

                                                         T.Henry                    D.Bergkamp

Not forgetting other contributors in Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord and Edu, this was to be followed by FA Cup triumph in 2005 against Manchester United on penalties, Arsenal's last trophy...............

9yrs later and no more trophies.....

That Invincibles team of 2004 is now long gone and is nearing 10yrs after Arsenal went a season unbeaten, watching Arsenal in recent weeks never mind months, a lot has changed at Arsenal except one ever present figure, Arsene Wenger! Year after year has gone by with dissapointment after meltdown after high-profile departure, with the whole first team squad of the 2003/04 season gone from the current Arsenal squad, it shows how the previously great gunners have declined, namingly Wenger himself.

Never before has Arsene Wenger let loose at the media despite the tough and stressful questions and reports over the years, he's been cool, calm and collected yet before the season saving game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League he had lost dignity and all forms of calmness in this press conference

Any true Arsenal fan out there has season review DVD's of past season's, I've been watching some as recent of 2009/10, with Nasri, Fabregas, Vermaelan and Arshavin the stars of our campaign. Arsenal were top of the league after August?!? We were going toe to toe with Barcelona and had good youngsters coming through. Untill we typically collapsed in April and didn't win anything finsihing 3rd and losing 4-1 to Barca at the Nou Camp. I'm afraid that people are starting to feel sorry Wenger as he's losing any reputation he built up with departures like Van Persie's to our old rivals Man.Utd, which has looked to put them on course to a staggering treble. Even though we have players like Wilshere, Sagna and Walcott with good signings in Cazorla, Podolski and Monreal, they're not at the class of Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy even Adebayor. Yet our so called 'replacement' for Van Persie, Olivier Giroud, was on the bench for our biggest game of the season, our last chance for a trophy. Wenger resting our big players for the Blackburn game prove costly as that was our best chance of a trophy and don't start about Bradford! 

He's a hero, idol and legend in Arsenal history but everything has to end and unfortunately Arsene Wenger's era is coming to a undignified, ungracious halt.