ibreak4coffee
29 Apr 2006, 12:45 PM
An arbitrary list of course, but reflecting back on a season with ups and downs, I hope I captured most of the main stories... since I did this pretty fast though, I'm sure I forgot some good stuff. Would love to hear what fellow Gunners think... I ranked them in order of importance to me
Top 10 Arsenal Stories of 2005-2006
1. Champions League Run
This one is really a no-brainer. We dominate our group, beat big clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus, and keep 10 clean sheets in a row with a banged up defense on route to the club’s first ever Champions League final. Even if we lose to Barcelona on May 17, this is still the top story of the year by far.
2. Emergence of Cesc Fabregas
Vieria leaves, and it looks like we will have a monster hole in the midfield. When it becomes apparent that Alexander Hleb will take time to adapt to the premiership, there is even more cause for concern… until Cesc Fabregas confirms all that we already knew and thensome, becoming perhaps the best player in the world under 20 years of age (or just about at Messi's level). Scary what Cesc will be like in three to five years… Spain would be really stupid not to give him a large role at the World Cup.
3. Thierry Henry Transfer Saga
Since this is still up in the air, I didn’t place it second, but should Thierry Henry leave the club (:( shudder), it would probably have to rank as the top story of the year. Simply put Thierry Henry is Arsenal, and I have no doubt that as long as we take care of business May 17, Henry will grace the pitch at Ashburton Grove for years to come.
4. Highbury
Speaking of Ashburton Grove, the final year of football to be played at Highbury has of course been a main theme throughout the season. I had the pleasure of seeing a game there in 2001, and will definitely miss the place. Long live Highbury.
5. Vieria’s Departure
For a few years this looked inevitable, but still when it happened it wasn’t easy to digest. Patrick was a class act with the Gunners, and of course we’d be better off still to have him. But I think if anyone has any regrets right now though, its probably him.
6. Bergkamp’s Retirement
The face of the Gunners for so long, the guy who could score the most amazing goals… the career that finally ends. I hope he keeps a prominent role with the club in the future. My favorite all-time Gunner.
7. The Sol Campbell Saga
Yeah this was unusual to say the least. Its amazing how well we have defended given Sol’s problems and Ashley Cole’s injuries woes. But that weird departure at half time versus West Ham was definitely a weird moment during the season… here’s to hoping it doesn’t happen again (even if Sol probably already cost himself a place at the World Cup).
8. THE Penalty
You know which one I’m talking about… not much to write about here… just watch the tape… probably the low point in the season for me… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5E3wTPhik&search=pires%20penalty
9. Ashley Cole and Chelsea
Again a beginning of the year story, and while Ashley's a great left back we've seen we can survive without him. However, this whole debacle left a sour taste in the mouths of many Gunners, and if he does leave the club at the end of the season for Chelsea or another Prem club, I wouldnt want to be A. Cole at Ashburton Grove next season
10. Cygan’s Two Goal Performance vs Fulham
This may have happened back in August in a meaningless game, but seriously… who ever thought they would hear the words “Cygan” and “two goal performance” in the same sentence? Even weirder… he’s scored two more goals in the Prem this season than Freddie Ljungberg.:eek:
Honorable mention
The Theo Walcott Transfer
The future of the club? The future “English” face of the club? However one looks at it, this was a great move by the Gunners and a Walcott-Fabregas future will be something to really look forward to in the years ahead. And hey… we beat Chelsea at something this season.
Top 10 Arsenal Stories of 2005-2006
1. Champions League Run
This one is really a no-brainer. We dominate our group, beat big clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus, and keep 10 clean sheets in a row with a banged up defense on route to the club’s first ever Champions League final. Even if we lose to Barcelona on May 17, this is still the top story of the year by far.
2. Emergence of Cesc Fabregas
Vieria leaves, and it looks like we will have a monster hole in the midfield. When it becomes apparent that Alexander Hleb will take time to adapt to the premiership, there is even more cause for concern… until Cesc Fabregas confirms all that we already knew and thensome, becoming perhaps the best player in the world under 20 years of age (or just about at Messi's level). Scary what Cesc will be like in three to five years… Spain would be really stupid not to give him a large role at the World Cup.
3. Thierry Henry Transfer Saga
Since this is still up in the air, I didn’t place it second, but should Thierry Henry leave the club (:( shudder), it would probably have to rank as the top story of the year. Simply put Thierry Henry is Arsenal, and I have no doubt that as long as we take care of business May 17, Henry will grace the pitch at Ashburton Grove for years to come.
4. Highbury
Speaking of Ashburton Grove, the final year of football to be played at Highbury has of course been a main theme throughout the season. I had the pleasure of seeing a game there in 2001, and will definitely miss the place. Long live Highbury.
5. Vieria’s Departure
For a few years this looked inevitable, but still when it happened it wasn’t easy to digest. Patrick was a class act with the Gunners, and of course we’d be better off still to have him. But I think if anyone has any regrets right now though, its probably him.
6. Bergkamp’s Retirement
The face of the Gunners for so long, the guy who could score the most amazing goals… the career that finally ends. I hope he keeps a prominent role with the club in the future. My favorite all-time Gunner.
7. The Sol Campbell Saga
Yeah this was unusual to say the least. Its amazing how well we have defended given Sol’s problems and Ashley Cole’s injuries woes. But that weird departure at half time versus West Ham was definitely a weird moment during the season… here’s to hoping it doesn’t happen again (even if Sol probably already cost himself a place at the World Cup).
8. THE Penalty
You know which one I’m talking about… not much to write about here… just watch the tape… probably the low point in the season for me… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5E3wTPhik&search=pires%20penalty
9. Ashley Cole and Chelsea
Again a beginning of the year story, and while Ashley's a great left back we've seen we can survive without him. However, this whole debacle left a sour taste in the mouths of many Gunners, and if he does leave the club at the end of the season for Chelsea or another Prem club, I wouldnt want to be A. Cole at Ashburton Grove next season
10. Cygan’s Two Goal Performance vs Fulham
This may have happened back in August in a meaningless game, but seriously… who ever thought they would hear the words “Cygan” and “two goal performance” in the same sentence? Even weirder… he’s scored two more goals in the Prem this season than Freddie Ljungberg.:eek:
Honorable mention
The Theo Walcott Transfer
The future of the club? The future “English” face of the club? However one looks at it, this was a great move by the Gunners and a Walcott-Fabregas future will be something to really look forward to in the years ahead. And hey… we beat Chelsea at something this season.