The OFFICIAL Arsenal News Thread

[Skizz]

Just to save from cluttering the forum with random news tidbits, I felt it would probably be a good idea if we just have one thread for random bits of news that don't fit in anywhere else. A good reference point, if it works it works, if not oh well.

Anyway my first contribution - Theo Walcott talks about how he felt his long-standing shoulder injury would threaten his career. Just to tell you how long he had been under the cosh for, he first suffered the injury playing for Southampton's RESERVE team. Appparently it is also a hereditary problem he inherited from his Dad - the ligaments around his shoulder aren't strong enough causing it to dislocate under minimal pressure.

THEO WALCOTT has revealed how a long-standing shoulder injury caused him to fear for his future.

Arsenal’s young England ace scored his first Champions League goals in midweek, showing he is finally ready to play on football’s biggest stages.


Walcott, 18, admitted there were times when he thought a hereditary shoulder condition could affect his career.


The £5million buy from Southampton has inherited a congenital fault from dad Don in which the shoulder ligaments are too slack.


He first dislocated his shoulder in a Saints reserve match against Portsmouth in December 2005 following a crunching challenge from Linvoy Primus.


He said: “It started to pop out quite frequently in the second half of last season and soon it became an absolute nightmare.


“We had to keep quiet because if the opposition heard about it, the first thing that happens is someone will shoulder-charge you.” Walcott then fell heavily in a game against Everton — the day after his 18th birthday last March — and there was no hiding the seriousness of the injury.


Tests revealed his body had already been put under too much strain and the condition would need an operation to tighten and repair the ligaments.


Surgery was completed within days and Walcott added: “Everyone could see the pain I was in. It had got to the point where even just drying myself with a towel or rolling over in bed, the shoulder would pop out.


“When I woke up after the surgery I was absolutely in bits. My arm was completely floppy after the anaesthetic.


“But it’s all over now. They say I won’t be able to get full extension but it’s 95 per cent. I just work and train hard, that’s all you can do really.”
Recovering from the surgery kept him out until the start of this season. But as his recent displays would suggest, not least his double in the 7-0 thrashing of Slavia Prague on Tuesday, being handled with such care is already paying off.


Walcott is now worthy of consideration not just for Arsenal’s first team but for England — 16 months after Sven Goran Eriksson’s decision to include him in the 2006 World Cup squad proved to be an unnecessary risk.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article393733.ece

[kanonier]

I'm going to start my own, unofficial Arsenal news thread.

:P

[Skizz]

Call it the "Tribal football arsenal news thread" :p

[mpeabody]

Call it the "Tribal football arsenal news thread" :p

Then merge it with the Transfer thread.

[Skizz]

Michel Platini is a douche.

Uefa president Michel Platini has criticised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and other clubs who buy players at a young age.

Wenger is famous for investing in burgeoning talent and developing youngsters into major stars.

But Platini is not a fan of his fellow Frenchman's strategy and said: "I do not like the system of Arsene Wenger.

"In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don't like that."

He added: "If the best clubs buy the best 15 or 16 players that is finished for all the clubs in Europe.

"If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester come in for this player then when will Millwall have a good team?"

Platini is keen for countries to give one of their Champions League qualifying positions to the winners of the domestic cup competition and Uefa will hold a meeting on 12 November to discuss the proposal, among other options.

"The leagues are not so in favour of this proposal but the clubs and the national associations are more in favour of this.

"But I am very open to everybody and what is good for football, not for me and my ideas but for football."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7069360.stm

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Michel Platini is a douche.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7069360.stm
I understand Platini's point and even sympatheise with it, but he could do with being better informed. Wenger nicks from Barcelona as much as he does some little tiny club in France.

[akofman12345]

oh, so we should be forced to wait until the young players become "superstars" and then buy them at INSANE prices.....thats good for the game:rolleyes:

[Guy Fawkes]

Michel Platini is a douche.

Hardly news, Skizz!

There are few people I hate more than Michel Platini on this planet...

[sixfive]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2202099,00.html

Platini hits out at Wenger for teenage buys


Daniel Taylor
Wednesday October 31, 2007
The Guardian

Arsène Wenger's policy of recruiting teenagers at Arsenal has been strongly criticised by Uefa's president, Michel Platini. Wenger has a reputation as one of Europe's foremost talent spotters, with Cesc Fábregas, Theo Walcott and Fran Mérida, a highly rated teenager signed from Barcelona, among the youngsters he has brought to the club, but Platini disapproves of his compatriot's approach in the transfer market.

"I do not like the system of Arsène Wenger," the former France international said. "In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don't like that. If the best clubs buy the best 15 or 16 players, [then it] is finished for all the clubs in Europe. If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester [United] come in for this player, then when will Millwall have a good team?"

Article continues
Wenger's purchases also include Gilles Sunu, signed at 16 from the French club Chateauroux this year, and Carlos Vela, a Mexican forward bought at the same age from Chivas de Guadalajara two years ago and now on loan at Osasuna in Spain. In 1999 Wenger brought a 15-year-old Jermaine Pennant from Notts County.

[antifan]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2202099,00.html

Platini hits out at Wenger for teenage buys


Daniel Taylor
Wednesday October 31, 2007
The Guardian

Arsène Wenger's policy of recruiting teenagers at Arsenal has been strongly criticised by Uefa's president, Michel Platini. Wenger has a reputation as one of Europe's foremost talent spotters, with Cesc Fábregas, Theo Walcott and Fran Mérida, a highly rated teenager signed from Barcelona, among the youngsters he has brought to the club, but Platini disapproves of his compatriot's approach in the transfer market.

"I do not like the system of Arsène Wenger," the former France international said. "In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don't like that. If the best clubs buy the best 15 or 16 players, [then it] is finished for all the clubs in Europe. If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester [United] come in for this player, then when will Millwall have a good team?"

Article continues
Wenger's purchases also include Gilles Sunu, signed at 16 from the French club Chateauroux this year, and Carlos Vela, a Mexican forward bought at the same age from Chivas de Guadalajara two years ago and now on loan at Osasuna in Spain. In 1999 Wenger brought a 15-year-old Jermaine Pennant from Notts County.
Platini is just jealous, he wasn't able to abandon the club that groomed him until he was 18.

[mpeabody]

Hardly news, Skizz!

There are few people I hate more than Michel Platini on this planet...

My problem is that I loved him so much as a player. I guess he got kicked in the head one too many times or something.

[Skizz]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13111715#post13111715

Late

EDIT: Good job :)

[Skizz]

Ade's done a big two page interview in The Sun today. He talks about Cesc as being the best in the world, we want it more so we will win tomorrow, but the main shocker was this:

When I got that approach from United, I was like 'OK, it's a good team, one of the biggest teams in the world - why not?

It was very flattering for me and gave me confidence that I am a good footballer because, if a team like Manchester want to get me, it proves I'm doing things right.

But don't forget I am already at a massive club and we have a fantastic team. I had a good discussion with Arsene Wenger, we finally sorted everything out and I was very happy. The boss gave me confidence and the guarantee I will play.

I don't know if what prompted United's interest in me was my winner at Old Trafford. But I hope to do that again on Saturday.

I did the right thing in signing a new contract with Arsenal - a four year contract. I am just like a baby boy who was born in this club. It's a family team, everyone loves me - and the fans, the players, the boss...we are all like brothers.

[Skizz]

The rest of the interview.

ON CESC…

At the moment Cesc is the best in the world. It’s between him and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. He’s a great player too but for me, at the moment, it’s Cesc Fabregas.

It’s not just because he’s a team-mate but the way he plays…absolutely fantastic. He’s our new leader, like Thierry was. We know with one pass, one shot, one corner he can change the game.

He’s scoring and he has gained in confidence as well. At any time he can win us a game”

ON MAN U…

They are the champions. But a lot of people saw us last Sunday at Liverpool. We stamped our authority and, although we only got a point, people said we should have won.

We know we can win the title. But to show people we can do that we have to beat United. If we do that people will say “these boys can do it”.

This is a game full of big players. But we beat them twice last year because we wanted to win more than them.

ON OTHER TEAMS…

I don’t know if there are other teams like us, with that special bond between all the players. Before the game we’re all together, after the game too. It’s because we’re all young and of the same age. We have the same mentality.

Many players from other teams tell me “I wish I played for Arsenal”. They love how the team players, how we are friends with each other. After games you come across other players who say “the way you play is unbelievable”.

In three or four years we can win three or four titles. The team is young and full of talent, we have so many of the best players at the moment.

ON STAYING AT ARSENAL…

To win trophies you have to be in a big team – like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester United.

We all have good contracts, ever player in those teams does. So we need the titles – then life can’t get better. This comes from my heart – if Real Madrid offered me a lot more I would stay at Arsenal. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love this team. There’s nothing more important than glory. I can have that here. People love me. If I go to Madrid for £10million a year, am I going to be happy? I don’t know.

I see myself finishing my career here. Arsenal is a great team – a team for the fans.

ON SATURDAY’S MATCH…

I think United were better last season. Last year, their first game was a 5-0 win and from that day, people were saying they were going to win the title – and they did.

But this year they struggled at the start. Hopefully, that will come back again on Saturday.

The team who wants it more on Saturday will win it. And I know for sure it will be Arsenal.

[kanonier]

Manchester United: A team made up of other Premiership team's elite players.

[Skizz]

Arsenal Women's Premier League match against Watford had to be abandoned after a number of personal possessions were stolen from their dressing-room.

Cash, credit cards, passports and car keys were stolen and with the start of the second-half badly delayed the game was called off with the score at 0-0.

Their Borehamwood ground floodlights have to be turned off at 2145 BST.

"We called in the police and have notified the Football Association," said a Gunners spokeswoman.

"Watford were very understanding though, and hopefully we'll be able to re-schedule the match as soon as possible."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7065152.stm

[KirbyNYC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7065152.stm

Aaron, would you stop trying to smear your record as to not be nominated as the next Ticket Officer?! Give those women their things back. :D

[Skizz]

I did what had to be done. I wanted to nick their football boots as well but the fact they were wearing them was a constraint. :p

[antifan]

Ade's done a big two page interview in The Sun today. He talks about Cesc as being the best in the world, we want it more so we will win tomorrow, but the main shocker was this:
Adebayor isn't the only one feeling the love in the Arsenal hugfest.

"It helps that they are such good friends off the pitch as well as on it," said William Gallas. "When you're friends off the pitch you get to understand each other well and that can help you play together. It's the same with [Tomas] Rosicky and Robin van Persie as well. Those combinations allow us to play as a very good team."

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2203922,00.html

[antifan]

From the Financial Times:


"Premier League leader Arsenal FC on Tuesday announcing an initiative aimed at giving it a foothold in India.

Arsenal said it planned to set up a football tournament and coaching programme that will be the first of its kind for an English team in India in partnership with Tata Tea, the beverage unit of the Tata group – one of India’s largest conglomerates. It is also considering establishing a football academy in the country."

"Under their partnership, Tata Tea and Arsenal will hold a football competition that will culminate in a national tournament.

A selection panel will choose 30 boys from this tournament for two weeks of coaching by Arsenal in Calcutta before a final 15 are sent to the UK for the “Arsenal International Soccer Festival” in August."



http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aec99ebc-adf0-11dc-97aa-0000779fd2ac.html