7-1, Pre-season, Schwarzlackenau Stadium, Austria, 21/7 -09
Bendtner 36, 44,
Ramsey 39, 83,
Van Persie 56 (pen), 73,
Gallas 77
Arsenal really took things to the next level after a pretty calm half hour, they were dominating the entire game, but they were unlucky when Almunias first touch from a back pass was a bit heavy, and as Lehner slid in, the attempted clearance bounced back from Lehner into goal.
But that was just the wake up call Arsenal needed, cause then things started to change, a minute after the back goal, Bendtner got his first when Diaby found him and the Dane fired up in the top of the net.
And after just three minutes Ramsey got his first when he evaded a challenge on the edge of the box, and shot Arsenal forward in the bottom corner.
Four minutes later the Dane broke loose, running from the deep, he passed the ball to Ramsey who gave it back to him just in time for Bendtner to get pass the Columbian 'keeper and roll the ball into 3-1.
And after halftime, Arsenal showed no signs to slow down, with eight changes in the team, including van Persie in, things was just getting started.
Armand Traore, back from loan spell at Portsmouth, delivered a cross into the box, which led to van Persie's first penalty for the season (;
The Dutchman nearly set up Denilson for a fifth, but the Columbian keeper did well, running out to block Denilsons low shot.
Wilshere and Ramsey returned with 20 minutes to go, which meant that Arshavin and Eboue was given a well deserved breather.
Sagna delivered a cross in for van Persie to head home and Gallas did likewise with fourteen minutes to go, lastly Ramsey rounded tings up with a remarkable shot that went from the post and in.
But it wasn't all good with this game either, sad news where received during build-up, Samir Nasri will be out for three months with a fracture on his right fibula.
At least Rosicky is back to fill up his place, but it is still a hard blow for the team to lose Nasri for three entire months.
First Half Highlights;
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Barnet vs. Arsenal
2-2, Pre-Season, Underhill Stadium, 18/7 -09
Arshavin 43, Barazite 51
Today Arsenal played their first pre-season game, not so many players from the first team featured in the game because the game is quite early on, but it was a nice chance for the youngsters and of course Vermaelen to play(he was really good), but highlight this Tomas Rosicky played his first game in like 18 months in front of 5065 fans, there where a lot of cheering i can tell ya !
The starting eleven included Almunia, Djourou, Gallas(finally back), Vermaelen, Silvestre, Wilshere, Randall, Frimpong, Rosicky, Arshavin & Watt.
The Barnet goalkeeper had a busy first half, with lots of Arsenal chances which were created by Rosicky, it just proves what an assess he will be this season.
In the 43rd minute Sanchez Watt set up Arshavin by the far corner and the russian finished high on close range, 1-0 to the gunners.
But just before half-time Barnet got a free-kick that unfortunately Yakubu climbed highest on, and could head home 1-1 to Barnet.
As expected there were lots of changes in half-time, in fact, the only Arsenal player left on pitch was Vermaelen, who played the entire 90 minutes.
So the changes was as follows; Vito Mannone, Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling, Thomas Cruise, Conor Henderson, Francis Coquelin, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson.
Arsenal regained the lead after just 4 minutes, and they did it in style, or should I say Nacer Barazite did it in style for the third time in a row in just these pre-seasons against Barnet.
He was forced out of the penalty area, but found little air and took a shot from 20 yards, up in the top corner of the target.
After that Arsenal seemed to be in control, but unfortunately with 8 minutes of original time to go, when Charles popped up in the box and found the bottom corner of Mannones goal.
'But that was not the story of today. Welcome back, Tomas Rosicky!'
Unfortunately it wasn't all good news for today, this evening Ade signed for Man City, so i guess we won't be seeing him around on Tuesday when the team heads to Austria for training camp.
But he hasn't been all that commited to the club, and I think that I'm not the only one to say that, the boss has been looking over Chamakh from Bordeaux, but says that he is not close to signing anyone yet since we got a quite big squad, but he will assess the situation in the next couple of games.
So as we say Welcome back Tomas Rosicky, we also say Goodbye to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Arshavin 43, Barazite 51
Today Arsenal played their first pre-season game, not so many players from the first team featured in the game because the game is quite early on, but it was a nice chance for the youngsters and of course Vermaelen to play(he was really good), but highlight this Tomas Rosicky played his first game in like 18 months in front of 5065 fans, there where a lot of cheering i can tell ya !
The starting eleven included Almunia, Djourou, Gallas(finally back), Vermaelen, Silvestre, Wilshere, Randall, Frimpong, Rosicky, Arshavin & Watt.
The Barnet goalkeeper had a busy first half, with lots of Arsenal chances which were created by Rosicky, it just proves what an assess he will be this season.
In the 43rd minute Sanchez Watt set up Arshavin by the far corner and the russian finished high on close range, 1-0 to the gunners.
But just before half-time Barnet got a free-kick that unfortunately Yakubu climbed highest on, and could head home 1-1 to Barnet.
As expected there were lots of changes in half-time, in fact, the only Arsenal player left on pitch was Vermaelen, who played the entire 90 minutes.
So the changes was as follows; Vito Mannone, Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling, Thomas Cruise, Conor Henderson, Francis Coquelin, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson.
Arsenal regained the lead after just 4 minutes, and they did it in style, or should I say Nacer Barazite did it in style for the third time in a row in just these pre-seasons against Barnet.
He was forced out of the penalty area, but found little air and took a shot from 20 yards, up in the top corner of the target.
After that Arsenal seemed to be in control, but unfortunately with 8 minutes of original time to go, when Charles popped up in the box and found the bottom corner of Mannones goal.
'But that was not the story of today. Welcome back, Tomas Rosicky!'
Unfortunately it wasn't all good news for today, this evening Ade signed for Man City, so i guess we won't be seeing him around on Tuesday when the team heads to Austria for training camp.
But he hasn't been all that commited to the club, and I think that I'm not the only one to say that, the boss has been looking over Chamakh from Bordeaux, but says that he is not close to signing anyone yet since we got a quite big squad, but he will assess the situation in the next couple of games.
So as we say Welcome back Tomas Rosicky, we also say Goodbye to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Summer Update
It's been a while since i wrote something, so I thought that a little update in the middle of the summer could be good (;
Silly Season;
Arsenal signed Thomas Vermaelen in the beginning of summer, he is a belgian defender from Ajax, where he was team captain.
Right now they are trying to sign Felipe Melo from Fiorentina, he is a brasilian who has been working a lot with Gilberto Silva in the national team, it looks like it will be some money and a swap with Eboue..
There has been some rumors about Adebayor, some saying that Milan will offer lots of money and Flamini for the togolese striker.
Some Players have extended their contracts;
Robin van Persie, he turned down Inter, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester City before extending the contract (;
Kieran Gibbs
Jack Wilshere
Lukasz Fabianski
Aaron Ramsey
Theo Walcott
That's pretty much it for the time being, some signings that doesn't really but are quite interesting still, is that Real Madrid has signed Kaka, Ronaldo and Benzema, so far!
United signed Michael Owen! As a replacement for Ronaldo perhaps.. But then signing an old has-been isn't really what i'd have in mind, but well shall see and judge from that instead.
Arsenal have so far 10 pre-season games, and is as always hosting Emirates Cup, which this year will make room for Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers and Atletico Madrid.
I have not gone through my summer non-footballing way, so I can take the chance now;
In the beginning of summer I went to Ylva's place in the country, and was there for a week, we had a really good time, here's a picture of the house and some freaky frogs that her cousins brought with them;;
After that I was home a couple of days before I went to Rome!
We saw Colosseum, The Vatican State, Pantheon, 'Forum Romano' and much more, we were there for three days, Annas friend Elin joined us for this one.
Here is a picture of Colosseum;;
Silly Season;
Arsenal signed Thomas Vermaelen in the beginning of summer, he is a belgian defender from Ajax, where he was team captain.
Right now they are trying to sign Felipe Melo from Fiorentina, he is a brasilian who has been working a lot with Gilberto Silva in the national team, it looks like it will be some money and a swap with Eboue..
There has been some rumors about Adebayor, some saying that Milan will offer lots of money and Flamini for the togolese striker.
Some Players have extended their contracts;
Robin van Persie, he turned down Inter, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester City before extending the contract (;
Kieran Gibbs
Jack Wilshere
Lukasz Fabianski
Aaron Ramsey
Theo Walcott
That's pretty much it for the time being, some signings that doesn't really but are quite interesting still, is that Real Madrid has signed Kaka, Ronaldo and Benzema, so far!
United signed Michael Owen! As a replacement for Ronaldo perhaps.. But then signing an old has-been isn't really what i'd have in mind, but well shall see and judge from that instead.
Arsenal have so far 10 pre-season games, and is as always hosting Emirates Cup, which this year will make room for Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers and Atletico Madrid.
I have not gone through my summer non-footballing way, so I can take the chance now;
In the beginning of summer I went to Ylva's place in the country, and was there for a week, we had a really good time, here's a picture of the house and some freaky frogs that her cousins brought with them;;
After that I was home a couple of days before I went to Rome!
We saw Colosseum, The Vatican State, Pantheon, 'Forum Romano' and much more, we were there for three days, Annas friend Elin joined us for this one.
Here is a picture of Colosseum;;
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
England vs. Germany
0-4, U21 EM, Final, Sweden, 30/6 -09
I can bitterly say that it wasn't Englands night, but i'd like to praise Kieran Gibbs, who only let in 2 balls during the entire game from his side, and of course he didn't let in any goals from his left side, and he was definitely Englands man of the match.
And then I will go on to poor Theo, he didn't get many balls during the game, and perhaps 75% of the balls that he got was aerial balls, which isn't really his strenght.
And I don't think I have to mention have disappointed I was that Germany should win the tournament, especially against England, but Walcott never really got inte the game except the one good ball he got when he could do the really good run some matches ago.
That is because of the difference in passing from Arsenal to the England U21, if you ask me, and that is my opinon.
But really, hat's up for Gibbs, who really could be the tournaments best player (;
I can bitterly say that it wasn't Englands night, but i'd like to praise Kieran Gibbs, who only let in 2 balls during the entire game from his side, and of course he didn't let in any goals from his left side, and he was definitely Englands man of the match.
And then I will go on to poor Theo, he didn't get many balls during the game, and perhaps 75% of the balls that he got was aerial balls, which isn't really his strenght.
And I don't think I have to mention have disappointed I was that Germany should win the tournament, especially against England, but Walcott never really got inte the game except the one good ball he got when he could do the really good run some matches ago.
That is because of the difference in passing from Arsenal to the England U21, if you ask me, and that is my opinon.
But really, hat's up for Gibbs, who really could be the tournaments best player (;
Spain vs. South Africa
2-2, Confederations Cup, Bronze Match, South Africa, 29/6 -09
3-2 after addition time.
From now on, i'm gonna write in my blog on english, so this will be the first of those 'new' blogs that i will publish (;
I will also broadcast this game live from the tv, since i have been in Rome this game is a little late, but what difference does it make? Here goes then;
Cesc starts the game on the bench, it isn't many of the original spainiards who will start this game, they will go for a little more youthful side or something.
We can expect quite many goals, if you would listen to previous records that is to say, and with that, South Africa kicks off the game.
It is quite funny how everyone at the arena shouts 'booth' as soon as he get's the ball, it sounds like they are booing him.
The first couple of minutes where a lot up and down, but in the fourth minute Villa takes on a good shot which the African goalkeeper is forced to box out to a corner.
Many times over in the African corners the spainiards have skipped the marking of Booth, which sooner or later is gonna cost them, since he already has been free in the box two times from corners or free kicks.
Cazorla has been making a lot of wrong passes already in the game, so it would be a possible place for Fabregas to enter, since it is his usual place in the squad.
South Africa has been having a lot of good counter attack possibilities, but they just haven't been clinical enough, while Spain is getting closer and closer to a break through, when Torres get's a good chance on goal, but didn't get his foot right on that one in the 22nd minute.
And after another corner in the 31st minute, an African shoots, Casillas gives return on the ball, and an unmarked Booth shoots just outside one of Casillas posts.
In the 35th minute Spain get's a fast counter-attack which Riera shoots wide across the African goal.
Busquets makes an unnecessary tackling and get's the first booking of the match, another possible place for Fabregas to take on, which I definitely hope for.
And with that the referee finish the first half of the game, and I can sum up the first half as a very even game, and no team has had a really good chance to score, and I hope for some changes in the Spain team to the next half.
When the players are coming in for the second half, Cesc is sitting alone on the bench with a shirt in his lap, hopefully, he will now join the game!
But it seems like he is gonna have to wait a while more, but I belive he will come in soon, rather than later, and with that Spain kicks the second half to life.
And when Spain's Xabi Alonso is taking a freekick, Steven Pienaar from Everton is running forward too early to cover the shot, and get's the games second booking.
And then comes the action, Alonso puts the freekick to Villa this time, and Villas shot got really nice pressure in it, so when the african goalkeeper is giving a return on the ball, three spainiards is right in front of it and Sergio Busquets scores, unfortunate for Spain, the referee is blowing for offside, which was very right judged.
But when Spain makes two changes in the team in the 57th minute, it is both Villa and Torres, who goes out and it is Silva and Guiza that enters the field! And after this change, I seriously doubts that Cesc will enter the field today.. But now it is just to wait and see..
Directly when the two new guys has entered, they feature in a nice cooperation, Silva passes the ball towards Guiza, who isn't fast enough this time.
And in the 62nd minute Guiza passes the ball very nice to Riera who is running perfectly but doesn't really get the ball right, and now Spain takes over the game.
And the offside guy Mphela, who stood at the wrong sida at least five times during his nine minutes playing time gets a perfect ball and can just slowly poke in 1-0 for South Africa, now the pressure is laying on Spain, will they go for 1-1 now?
Minutes after the goal Gerard Pique talks himself to a booking, the third of the game, and I start to wonder wether Del Bosque should make his last change soon.
And in minute 80, Llorente the Villareal forward comes in instead of Busquets, and now it isn't much time left for Spain, but it could be expected when Spain chose not to play with so many of their greatest stars.
And as Spain starts to get pressed by time, Raúl Albiol makes a hard tackle and recieves another Spain booking.
But Daniel Guiza, another substitute, gets a perfect ball by Cazorla, and shoots for goal!! That happened in the 88th minute, and just a minute after that, Guiza gets a ball on the end of the box, and lobs it into the goal, legend!
So Spain turned the game around in less than 2 minutes! That really proves that you shall never give up in football, and clearly, Spain never did.
But then again, South Africa never gave up either, Mphela shoots a freekick from very far away, and it goes straight in the net! And that happened in the 93rd minute.
That means that we got another half hour to look forward to.
And so, South Africa kicks the addition time to life (;
Spain starts with a great chance, but Llorentes shot is blocked by at least five africans, who is determined now that they got the late addition goal.
After 7 minutes South Africa gets an excellent freekick spot, but they couldn't make it good enough, so Spain could easily get it away.
Mphela got another free position, but Casillas made an excellent save, so the chance died away, and then it was time for Spain to get som chances.
And that pretty much sums up the first half of addition time.
Then Spain can kick forward another 15 minutes in this highly exciting bronze match, and as soon as Spain gets a very good position for a freekick, Xabi Alonso manages to curve it perfectly which means, 3-2 Spain.
Llorente earned himself a booking as well with 5 minutes to go, but South Africa didn't manage to bounce back this time.
And that's how Spain managed to win the bronze match without their numer 10, who they would definitely have needed.
And the winners of Confederations Cup were Brazil, and second place did go to USA.
3-2 after addition time.
From now on, i'm gonna write in my blog on english, so this will be the first of those 'new' blogs that i will publish (;
I will also broadcast this game live from the tv, since i have been in Rome this game is a little late, but what difference does it make? Here goes then;
Cesc starts the game on the bench, it isn't many of the original spainiards who will start this game, they will go for a little more youthful side or something.
We can expect quite many goals, if you would listen to previous records that is to say, and with that, South Africa kicks off the game.
It is quite funny how everyone at the arena shouts 'booth' as soon as he get's the ball, it sounds like they are booing him.
The first couple of minutes where a lot up and down, but in the fourth minute Villa takes on a good shot which the African goalkeeper is forced to box out to a corner.
Many times over in the African corners the spainiards have skipped the marking of Booth, which sooner or later is gonna cost them, since he already has been free in the box two times from corners or free kicks.
Cazorla has been making a lot of wrong passes already in the game, so it would be a possible place for Fabregas to enter, since it is his usual place in the squad.
South Africa has been having a lot of good counter attack possibilities, but they just haven't been clinical enough, while Spain is getting closer and closer to a break through, when Torres get's a good chance on goal, but didn't get his foot right on that one in the 22nd minute.
And after another corner in the 31st minute, an African shoots, Casillas gives return on the ball, and an unmarked Booth shoots just outside one of Casillas posts.
In the 35th minute Spain get's a fast counter-attack which Riera shoots wide across the African goal.
Busquets makes an unnecessary tackling and get's the first booking of the match, another possible place for Fabregas to take on, which I definitely hope for.
And with that the referee finish the first half of the game, and I can sum up the first half as a very even game, and no team has had a really good chance to score, and I hope for some changes in the Spain team to the next half.
When the players are coming in for the second half, Cesc is sitting alone on the bench with a shirt in his lap, hopefully, he will now join the game!
But it seems like he is gonna have to wait a while more, but I belive he will come in soon, rather than later, and with that Spain kicks the second half to life.
And when Spain's Xabi Alonso is taking a freekick, Steven Pienaar from Everton is running forward too early to cover the shot, and get's the games second booking.
And then comes the action, Alonso puts the freekick to Villa this time, and Villas shot got really nice pressure in it, so when the african goalkeeper is giving a return on the ball, three spainiards is right in front of it and Sergio Busquets scores, unfortunate for Spain, the referee is blowing for offside, which was very right judged.
But when Spain makes two changes in the team in the 57th minute, it is both Villa and Torres, who goes out and it is Silva and Guiza that enters the field! And after this change, I seriously doubts that Cesc will enter the field today.. But now it is just to wait and see..
Directly when the two new guys has entered, they feature in a nice cooperation, Silva passes the ball towards Guiza, who isn't fast enough this time.
And in the 62nd minute Guiza passes the ball very nice to Riera who is running perfectly but doesn't really get the ball right, and now Spain takes over the game.
And the offside guy Mphela, who stood at the wrong sida at least five times during his nine minutes playing time gets a perfect ball and can just slowly poke in 1-0 for South Africa, now the pressure is laying on Spain, will they go for 1-1 now?
Minutes after the goal Gerard Pique talks himself to a booking, the third of the game, and I start to wonder wether Del Bosque should make his last change soon.
And in minute 80, Llorente the Villareal forward comes in instead of Busquets, and now it isn't much time left for Spain, but it could be expected when Spain chose not to play with so many of their greatest stars.
And as Spain starts to get pressed by time, Raúl Albiol makes a hard tackle and recieves another Spain booking.
But Daniel Guiza, another substitute, gets a perfect ball by Cazorla, and shoots for goal!! That happened in the 88th minute, and just a minute after that, Guiza gets a ball on the end of the box, and lobs it into the goal, legend!
So Spain turned the game around in less than 2 minutes! That really proves that you shall never give up in football, and clearly, Spain never did.
But then again, South Africa never gave up either, Mphela shoots a freekick from very far away, and it goes straight in the net! And that happened in the 93rd minute.
That means that we got another half hour to look forward to.
And so, South Africa kicks the addition time to life (;
Spain starts with a great chance, but Llorentes shot is blocked by at least five africans, who is determined now that they got the late addition goal.
After 7 minutes South Africa gets an excellent freekick spot, but they couldn't make it good enough, so Spain could easily get it away.
Mphela got another free position, but Casillas made an excellent save, so the chance died away, and then it was time for Spain to get som chances.
And that pretty much sums up the first half of addition time.
Then Spain can kick forward another 15 minutes in this highly exciting bronze match, and as soon as Spain gets a very good position for a freekick, Xabi Alonso manages to curve it perfectly which means, 3-2 Spain.
Llorente earned himself a booking as well with 5 minutes to go, but South Africa didn't manage to bounce back this time.
And that's how Spain managed to win the bronze match without their numer 10, who they would definitely have needed.
And the winners of Confederations Cup were Brazil, and second place did go to USA.
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