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 12-26-2007, 05:28 PM | #36 (permalink) |
| Soccer Forums All Star Offline Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,002 vCash: 500 Rep Points: 45 | Adebayor Volley After an Amazing Fàbregas Pass (Min 54) Click Here for Video Kranjcar Amazing Skills Click Here for Video |
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| 12-26-2007, 07:22 PM | #42 (permalink) | ||||||
| Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916 | Arsenal´s Wenger starts title countdown Written by: AFP
Wenger's side lead Manchester United by one point going and the Gunners boss knows that the last four teams to be in pole position on Christmas Day went onto win the title. He would happily end the season now if he could but the Frenchman, whose side travel to Portsmouth on Wednesday, believes Arsenal have the staying power to hold off United regardless. "It's important to be top and I hope the statistic proves right," Wenger said. "If it does then let's just go straight to the end of the season now! "But really I feel it's too early to say. In the last two seasons at this stage there was only one team involved - Chelsea or Manchester United. This year there are more teams in it so it's impossible to say how things will happen. Being top now is no insurance. "However, this is one of the few years we have beaten Tottenham home and away. It's a good sign and it should increase the belief of the team. It shows we can get three points without being at our best." Arsenal's gritty home wins against Chelsea and Tottenham proved they have the character to fight for their first title since 2004, and the return of Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb has given a renewed verve to their midfield. Even so Wenger would love a present from an old enemy over Christmas. Sunderland manager Roy Keane was a constant thorn in Wenger's side during his time at Manchester United. But now he can help the Gunners by inflicting defeat on United at the Stadium of Light. Keane has been experiencing the downside of managerial life recently as a series of controversial decisions have sent his side spinning into the relegation zone. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been impressed by Keane since he moved into the dug-out but admitted he warned his former star he should stick to the easy life when he retired. "I never told him to be a manager," Ferguson said. "It doesn't matter whether you are a top player or not. It is a hard profession to go into, harder than it has ever been. "We have foreign ownership and a different type of media. The demands are far higher than when I first started." Chelsea remain in the title hunt after Sunday's win at Blackburn and will hope to close the gap on the top two by gaining revenge over Aston Villa, who beat them earlier this season. Blues manager Avram Grant is surprised that the big four are all still in with a chance of winning the league at the midway point of the campaign. "I think it's unusual to have four teams fighting for the title in December," Grant said. "All four teams won their first game of the Christmas programme, so for you and us it will be an exciting title race this season. "For us, six points is a gap we can make up." Liverpool's convincing win over Portsmouth last weekend settled a few nerves at Anfield after successive league defeats. But Rafa Benitez's side have no room for error as they try to catch up with Arsenal. Reds striker Dirk Kuyt believes they have to win all three Christmas matches, starting at Derby, "We have to win our next three now at Derby, Manchester City and at home to Wigan and if we can get nine points from those games I think we will get closer to the other teams," Kuyt said. "We want to go on a run and win a lot of games. Every defeat in the league is big one for us because you just want to win and compete with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea so we can't afford to lose many more." | ||||||
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| 12-26-2007, 07:22 PM | #43 (permalink) | ||||||
| Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916 | Gritty Pompey end Arsenal scoring streak Written by: AFP
The Gunners never really broke into their normally extravagant stride against a Pompey defence perfectly marshalled by Gunners old boy Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin. It was the first time Arsene Wenger's side have failed to score in 19 Premier League games this season and William Gallas' late miss apart there was largely little to suggest they would break that deadlock during the 90 minutes. Arsenal remained unchanged from the victory over Tottenham at the weekend with Wenger reluctant to throw fit-again Robin Van Persie into the fray. Portsmouth early approach was evident by coach Harry Redknapp's teamsheet as he handed only a second league start of the season to Richard Hughes, himself a product of the Arsenal academy, in a clear bid to collapse play in the middle of the park. There was also a recall to the starting line-up for Kanu after his death of his father just two weeks ago and the Nigerian was one of three former Arsenal favourite lining up for the home side. Emmanuel Eboue had Fratton Park temperatures running high early on as he outstripped Hermann Hreidarsson before exchanging passes with Emmanuel Adebayor and shooting aggressively over. Portsmouth's confidence grew as the half wore on. Benjani should have done better when released by Kanu but the Zimbabwean failed to pick out any of his teammates after being left to go alone down the byline. Niko Kranjcar was unlucky to see his fine drive drift just wide after the Croatian had accepted a pass from Sulley Muntari to turn Bakary Sagna and set-up the shooting opportunity. Arsenal though always present a goal threat and Portsmouth's failure to convert their period of dominance almost cost them as Tomas Rosicky turned back onto his right-foot on 37 minutes and sent David James sprawling across his goal. The second half began in similar fashion as Aleksander Hleb drove down the left but ignored the call of Fabregas and Adebayor to cross and instead selfishly elected to shoot high and wide into the stands. Portsmouth then fashioned their best two chances as Kranjcar turned Sagna once more before forcing Almunia into a diving save. Benjani then spurned the best chance of the match as he raced onto Kanu's through ball, rounded the Arsenal keeper but lost his footing. That scare awoke the Londoners and Wenger's men moved forward hoping to steal the win. Rosicky went close, crosses were cleared and then Gallas ballooned over from just six yards when it would have been easier to score. | ||||||
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| 12-26-2007, 07:28 PM | #44 (permalink) | ||||||
| Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916 | Pompey´s forgotten man Lauren plans to derail Arsenal Written by: AFP
The former Arsenal full-back, 30, has started just four games for Pompey this season after a loss of form and question marks over his fitness. The ex-Cameroon international enjoyed seven fruitful years at Arsenal winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups but has endured an injury plagued year since moving to Pompey. Glen Johnson's knee injury sustained against Liverpool has given him a rare chance to shine but Real Mallorca are believed to be waiting in the wings, should Redknapp sell him in the New Year. Pompey entertain the Premier League leaders after two straight defeats and a run of five games in league and cup without a home win. Lauren said: "Arsenal are outstanding at the moment but we will do our best to win the game. "We need a win because we have not won at Fratton Park for a while now. It was disappointing to lose at Liverpool and we did not help ourselves by conceding some sloppy goals. "But we have to look forward now. We need to remain positive ahead of what is going to be a very difficult game. "It has been a long time since I played my last game and I found it a little but difficult to adjust to the pace. "I need to play more regularly and hopefully I will get the chance to play more games but I feel sorry for Glen because it is never nice to see your teammates pick up injuries. "We have got a lot of quality in the squad and when someone goes out of the team there is someone ready to take his place." Another former Arsenal favourite has warned his Portsmouth teammates not let the comprehensive 4-1 loss to Liverpool on the weekend affect their promising season. Sol Campbell was at the heart of the defence as Fernando Torres ran riot to inflict their heaviest defeat of the campaign. Campbell added: "It was not a fantastic performance by us, our shape has got to be a lot better - we have got to concentrate on that. "These results brings you back down to earth. We have got to pick ourselves up and get good performances out of the whole team. "We have done well so far this season and cannot let it slip. We are in the middle of the some tough fixtures but we have really got to pick up some point sing the Christmas and New Year period so that we do not drop down the table. "We need to start fighting, to dig in and get some results. "We are playing well away but for some reason just cannot score at home at the moment - I do not know why. "It is like a reverse situation. I cannot put my finger on it but hopefully it can change starting against Arsenal." Apart from Johnson's absence and Linvoy Primus unlikely to play this season, Portsmouth manager Redknapp has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from. | ||||||
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