Arsenal FC Thread - Page 226

mikahel · 14-05-2009, 09:05 AM

Xabi Alonso and Yaya Toure is the answer to Arsenals problems. Also bring Senderos back.

Thade2532 · 15-05-2009, 02:29 AM

Rosicky is back in training for the first time in 16 months or so, hope he stays fit for next season because he is a quality player.

AriseForLife · 15-05-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikahel

Xabi Alonso and Yaya Toure is the answer to Arsenals problems. Also bring Senderos back.

We don't need another playmaker so having both Xabi and Yaya would be pointless because one of them would always be on the bench.

Bringing Senderos back isn't going ot solve anything. He wasn't that good before he left and he isn't that good since he's been gone.

N12 Legend · 15-05-2009, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thade2532

Rosicky is back in training for the first time in 16 months or so, hope he stays fit for next season because he is a quality player.

Yeah I know - fingers crossed.

AriseForLife · 15-05-2009, 05:05 AM

So who is this 16 year old goalkeeper we are giving a trial too for a possible £1.3M transfer? I have never heard of Damien Martinez of Independiente.

King-Osgood-1690 · 15-05-2009, 05:06 AM

Arsenal Legend Wright: Wenger Out Of Touch With Gunners Fans

The former striker believes Arsene Wenger needs to address various areas in the transfer market this summer.

Arsenal hero Ian Wright, who scored 185 goals in seven seasons for the Gunners, believes Arsene Wenger is losing touch with the desires and ambitions of the supporters.

Wright feels the north London club are yet to replace the voids left by talismanic striker Thierry Henry, the formidable and imposing Patrick Vieira and the safe-hands of David Seaman guarding goal.

Wright also questioned Wenger's tactical nuance, claiming pacey forward Theo Walcott would be best fielded down the middle as opposed to on the flank.

"The Gunners manager is without doubt one of the best of all time but I am now beginning to wonder whether he is still in tune with the Arsenal fans," Wright told The Sun.

"Why hasn’t he replaced Thierry Henry? Why hasn’t he found someone to fill the huge gap left by Patrick Vieira? Why haven’t Arsenal had a top-quality keeper since David Seaman hung up his gloves?

"And why doesn’t he play Theo Walcott straight down the middle as the natural goal-scorer Arsenal desperately need?

"It all adds up to yet another season of huge disappointment, a fourth consecutive campaign without a trophy — you have to go back to 1982-86 to equal that frightening sequence."

Quote:

Your thoughts?

AriseForLife · 15-05-2009, 05:13 AM

I will agree with everything he has to say except for his opinion on playing Walcott down the middle.

Theo is not ready to be a ST yet. Wright is thinking like too many others that Theo will or can be another Henry. There is one GLARING difference between the two senarios. Titi was converted to a ST when our team was A LOT better than they currently are now.

I have been saying for years that we needed someone to replace Patrick. Flamini definitely wasn't the answer, but he was a decent stand-in, and I have never though Almunia was that good of a keeper. Pure lalalala if you ask me.

wellzsauce · 15-05-2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

I will agree with everything he has to say except for his opinion on playing Walcott down the middle.

completely agree seeing as walcott plays on the right for England doesn't he?

Thade2532 · 15-05-2009, 11:00 AM

now i dont think that putting Walcott down the middle will be a bad thing, everytime ive seen him there he has performed well so i think next season should be about time for him to slowly progress to the middle.

As for next season, personally i think we need to buy a back up CB, a CM who has class and experience, and a Striker regardless if Adebayor leaves. In CB i think we should go for Sahko of PSG, hes young, got great potential and would be a great understudy to Gallas and Toure. in CM i think we should get Toulalan or Matuidi and Up front we should try and get either Vagner Love, Bafetimbi Gomis and maybe just maybe should Adebayor leave then a world class striker like David Villa or Karim Benzema, i can see both of the them leaving this summer, its just whether Wenger would spend £20m+ on a player. plus maybe a new GK Igor Akinfeev would be a decent buy.

MessiFanatic · 15-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Afternoon lads, hadn't realised there was a real football forum on here before! I should step out of the UT section more often...

Next season is pretty simple for me, we need a midfield player who'll put in the work defensively, personally I think the perfect candidate would be Yaya, but more realistically Stephen Appiah, who doesn't even have a club at the moment, but without a doubt is a world class player and can run a midfield easily. There are games for Ghana where he makes Essien look average. He's had a bad knee injury, but give the guy a short term deal, see what he's up to. Bring back the legend that is Phillipe Senderos, sell Silvestre and Adebayor.

Gorayfle · 16-05-2009, 12:08 AM

Arsenal sign a young goalie

Arsenal have signed promising Argentine goalkeeper Damian Martinez (16) from Independiente. He will land in London in a few days.

Nice pick up for you guys. He was great in the U17 Championships.

AriseForLife · 16-05-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

Arsenal sign a young goalie

Arsenal have signed promising Argentine goalkeeper Damian Martinez (16) from Independiente. He will land in London in a few days.

Nice pick up for you guys. He was great in the U17 Championships.

We didn't sign him, he is on a trial at the moment with a possible move to Arsenal for £1.3M if he impresses.

polskaGOLA · 16-05-2009, 01:32 AM

He isn't any competition to Fabianski for some time atleast

If Almunia is going to start next season, give Fabianski a loan to blackburn or something, with the option to recall him any time you want, if for example Almunia get's injured again.

AriseForLife · 16-05-2009, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MessiFanatic

Afternoon lads, hadn't realised there was a real football forum on here before! I should step out of the UT section more often...

Next season is pretty simple for me, we need a midfield player who'll put in the work defensively, personally I think the perfect candidate would be Yaya, but more realistically Stephen Appiah, who doesn't even have a club at the moment, but without a doubt is a world class player and can run a midfield easily. There are games for Ghana where he makes Essien look average. He's had a bad knee injury, but give the guy a short term deal, see what he's up to. Bring back the legend that is Phillipe Senderos, sell Silvestre and Adebayor.

Appiah would be a terrible buy. There is a reason that NO EPL clubs have tried to sign him since he became a free agent and thats because he was wanting £55,000/week despite never playing in the EPL and coming off an injury.

I would rather have Denilson or Song continue rather than sign Appiah to be honest.

I think we should keep Silvestre just for cover which is all he is there for anyways, but also pick up a true CB/LB that has the potential to challenge for a starting spot.

kyro7 · 16-05-2009, 01:48 AM

I don't think Arsenal need anyone in midfield at all

Walcott Fabregas Diaby Arshavin

RVP a new striker

I think Adebayor is a waste of space.

I like that midfield, you need a new striker in my opinion, or get Arshavin up top with Nasri left midfield, I think you need a new centre back, goalkeeper, striker. thats it for me.

Look when you played Chelsea, In my opinion you played better than them, your team are good, just need a few adjustments.

AriseForLife · 16-05-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thade2532

now i dont think that putting Walcott down the middle will be a bad thing, everytime ive seen him there he has performed well so i think next season should be about time for him to slowly progress to the middle.

....but when have you seen Theo play down the middle or as the main ST for an entire game? You haven't because it hasn't happened because Arsene knows he isn't ready. I've always said his true role will be the "trequartista" role a la Totti, Del P, Raul, Zola, etc however right now he isn't ready for it. I think once he can make it a full season on the wing were its less physical then he can gradually be shifted into the middle of attack.

Quote:

As for next season, personally i think we need to buy a back up CB, a CM who has class and experience, and a Striker regardless if Adebayor leaves. In CB i think we should go for Sahko of PSG, hes young, got great potential and would be a great understudy to Gallas and Toure. in CM i think we should get Toulalan or Matuidi and Up front we should try and get either Vagner Love, Bafetimbi Gomis and maybe just maybe should Adebayor leave then a world class striker like David Villa or Karim Benzema, i can see both of the them leaving this summer, its just whether Wenger would spend £20m+ on a player. plus maybe a new GK Igor Akinfeev would be a decent buy.

I wouldn't mind us getting Julien Escude because he can play any of the back four spots, or Anthony Reveillere. I would cry blood if we signed Vagner Love, he is pure garbage in my opinion. I know we were linked with Gomis back earlier in the year, but then again we are always linked with French league players. I would love ot have Mario Gomez, but I still think Klaas-Jan Huntelaar would be the ideal signing for us, but Real won't let him go anytime soon.

Villa will stay in Spain in my opinion and Benzema said he won't be leaving Lyon for the forseeable future so that rules out his purchase also, but he would cost way more than we would be willing to spend.

I do like the player you mentioned a while back, Eden Dzeko, I have been tracking him for a while now and he is definitely a player worth investing in because he has tools.

Thade2532 · 16-05-2009, 08:56 AM

true about Dzeko i forgot about him, this season he has been in great form for Wolfsburg along with Grafite.

AriseForLife · 16-05-2009, 07:22 PM

I know not to long ago he supposedly said he wouldn't consider a move away from Burg, but I think if a team like Arsenal came with an offer he would leave. I don't think he would be priced out of what Arsene typically spends. I think we could get him in the Rosicky to Eduardo range easily.

MessiFanatic · 17-05-2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyro7

I don't think Arsenal need anyone in midfield at all

Walcott Fabregas Diaby Arshavin

Two problems really: Arshavin and Walcott have both said they want to play down the middle, they both look better playing there and if they aren't happy playing down the wing it isn't a good situation to have. The second is that Diaby has proved nothing this season if not that for all his potential he is currently an extremely average player. Alex Song has improved, but not to a title winning sides standard. If he could recapture his form from the African Cup of Nations then brilliant, he was immense there, but as of yet for Arsenal he hasn't. The other problem is that I highly doubt Nasri is just going to sit on the bench and be happy about it, and he's too good to. He's been one of our best (and under appreciated) this year, he's earnt his spot.

I think we definitely need a holding midfield player, Diaby never looks interested in getting back, nor does Fabregas. Nasri doesn't have the defensive quality, nor the physical stature necessary either. To be honest if we signed 2 top quality centre backs then pushing Kolo forward would be an excellent option. He started out as a DM and he likes to get forward anyway. He's got plenty of pace and is exceptional defensively too. Stephen Appiah, in my humble opinion, is easily worth 55k a week, although it is a bit steep, he's a free agent, and generally speaking they cost alot more, Sol being a prime example, he got payed far more than he was worth. He had trials with Spurs and I hear he played really well and marshalled the midfield in reserve games, and their constant "we want to extend your trial"s were apparently the reason he left before being offered a contract. However I'm not saying it has to be Appiah, I'm just saying we need someone. If Wenger could pry Yaya or Essien off their respective clubs that'd be great, however he won't, and Song, Denilson and Diaby just don't cut it.

AriseForLife · 17-05-2009, 05:30 AM

I have to disagree that he is worth £55,000/week because A) he can't stay healthy, and B) he isn't getting any younger so why pay him that much money to come ot a league he isn't familiar with and isn't a guarantee to fix our problem.

I think Nasri could be another Pirlo because all he needs to be is a deep lying playmaker just like Pirlo and he has all the quality to do so. We don't necessarily need a bully in the middle, we just need a ball winner more than anything. I still think Jeremy Toulalan is our best option and have wanted him since Vieira left. JT is the natural successor to Makalele/Vieira in the French National team so its only natural that he should succeed where Pat left off with Arsenal.

I would agree with your other assessments, except that I don't think Theo and Andrey wanting to play down the middle presents is us with an issue because even playing out wide if given a free role like Andrey had today and has hand many times that he is featured, that would be more than enough. I don't think Theo is ready for the CF role yet.

MessiFanatic · 17-05-2009, 06:45 AM

I'd never say he was a sure fire fix, I'd merely suggest he's a player that has proved in other leagues he has the qualities required to perform here. I agree that his salary is a bit steep, but he had one really bad knee injury and from what I'm hearing seems to have actually recovered from that pretty well. And at 28 he's not geriatric, but he's got that legendary "experience" we here so much about. But I'll leave Appiah there, this isn't a crusade to get Wenger to sign Appiah, it was merely a passing thought of a quality player who is available.

The problem with Nasri doing that is Cesc seems to enjoy playing a bit deeper aswell (he's made statements to that effect too). In all honesty I think we need someone with a physical presence in that role, and whilst Toulalan is a decent enough player, I'd much prefer someone who could hold their own against someone like Drogba for instance, because short of Touré the man just bullies everyone in our squad. I really don't think Toulalan has anywhere near the quality of Vieira or Makelelelelelelele either.

The problem in my eyes with Andrei is that we aren't saying to him "sit in front of the midfield and play make" Wenger is putting him out on the left wing. Now I know Wenger is obsessed with "developing" strikers in this way, but if it's something he is thinking of long term for Arshavin then the free role thing just won't happen. If your on the wing you don't have the freedom to play anywhere, you play on the wing.

On the subject of Theo, I'd argue that the lad has developed alot, and that the main thing in my mind he needs to develop now is his finishing, which is something he'd get alot more chance to do down the centre.

17_Gers4Life · 17-05-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MessiFanatic

The problem with Nasri doing that is Cesc seems to enjoy playing a bit deeper aswell (he's made statements to that effect too)..

And Wenger as also said tht Fabregas is better utilized in tht role too

mikahel · 17-05-2009, 10:37 AM

All of you are just naming players that we don't even need. Just because you think David Villa is a good striker doesn't mean he will play well for Arsenal. You're are all just thinking of big players like Toulalon, Villa etc. You need to think about the roles that need filling. IMO I'd say bring back Palaceos or Yaya Toure to fill that Viera position. Someone who can win the ball back and chase after you. I don't really mind Toulalan but just because they are big names doesn't mean they will do well for Arsenal. Also, people are trying to replace Adebayor with the likes of David Vill. When you want to repalce someone like Adebayor, you have to think of someone with the same attributes as him. For example John Carew, he's strong good technical ability, he scores goals(when he's fit) and very good in the air. Someone like Drogba(not saying he will ever come to Arsenal) or Kenwin Jones. As for the defence, I'm not sure who Arsenal can buy because IMO I thought Toure and Gallas are really good together at one point in the season. I don't care if you all disagree with, I'm not here to start an argument, I'm just saying what I think.

17_Gers4Life · 17-05-2009, 12:30 PM

London rivals clash in Academy Final

Local bragging rights are at stake when Tottenham Hotspur take on Arsenal in the Premier Academy League Final.

The North London giants meet at White Hart Lane in Sunday's showdown (kick-off 4pm) to cap an excellent season for both clubs.
With the winners of each of the four academy groups facing each other in the play-off semi-finals, Group B winners Tottenham saw off Sunderland of Group D with a 2-1 triumph and the Gunners overcame Group C side Manchester City with the same score-line.

senal stormed to the Group A title with just two defeats all season and ended up 25 points clear of second-placed Norwich City.
Rivals Tottenham clinched Group B, also tasting just two losses, but were made to work hard for their crown as Leicester City finished only four points behind.
Arsenal Under-18 coach and former defender Steve Bould believes his side has the mental strength to beat fierce rivals Tottenham.

big pressure
"The one thing that has come out of all these big games this season is we've seen that quite a few of these kids do have the character to go on and make good careers," he said.

"They've certainly shown that, as a team, they can handle the big pressure and they've got the character required to become big players hopefully.

"But I just hope we haven't peaked too early. That's the thing I am worrying about. We haven't played well in the last couple of games and we're hoping they can get their minds back on it and start playing like they have for most of the season.

"It will be really tight against Spurs and I know they'll be desperate to beat us. It's another great experience for the kids back down at White Hart Lane and it should be another high-level game."
The Gunners have their eyes on more silverware as they face Liverpool in the two-legged FA Youth Cup Final on 22nd May and 26th May.
Arsenal beat Spurs on their way to that final and with Spurs gunning for revenge, it adds even more excitement to this mouth-watering encounter.

Thade2532 · 17-05-2009, 12:49 PM

i was kinda annoyed seeing Bendtner out wide today, i know im not a manager or ever will be but surely Wenger knows Bendtner isnt a wide player, im sure the whole footballing world knows that yet he was played there, that confuses me. 1 game left vs Stoke at home im hoping for a nice big thrashing to finish the season.

15-05-2009, 02:29 AM	#5627 (permalink)
Thade2532 Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Male Posts: 3,516	Rosicky is back in training for the first time in 16 months or so, hope he stays fit for next season because he is a quality player. __________________

15-05-2009, 05:05 AM	#5630 (permalink)
AriseForLife Elite Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The United States Posts: 8,872	So who is this 16 year old goalkeeper we are giving a trial too for a possible £1.3M transfer? I have never heard of Damien Martinez of Independiente. __________________

15-05-2009, 05:13 AM	#5632 (permalink)
AriseForLife Elite Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The United States Posts: 8,872	I will agree with everything he has to say except for his opinion on playing Walcott down the middle. Theo is not ready to be a ST yet. Wright is thinking like too many others that Theo will or can be another Henry. There is one GLARING difference between the two senarios. Titi was converted to a ST when our team was A LOT better than they currently are now. I have been saying for years that we needed someone to replace Patrick. Flamini definitely wasn't the answer, but he was a decent stand-in, and I have never though Almunia was that good of a keeper. Pure lalalala if you ask me. __________________

15-05-2009, 11:00 AM	#5634 (permalink)
Thade2532 Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Male Posts: 3,516	now i dont think that putting Walcott down the middle will be a bad thing, everytime ive seen him there he has performed well so i think next season should be about time for him to slowly progress to the middle. As for next season, personally i think we need to buy a back up CB, a CM who has class and experience, and a Striker regardless if Adebayor leaves. In CB i think we should go for Sahko of PSG, hes young, got great potential and would be a great understudy to Gallas and Toure. in CM i think we should get Toulalan or Matuidi and Up front we should try and get either Vagner Love, Bafetimbi Gomis and maybe just maybe should Adebayor leave then a world class striker like David Villa or Karim Benzema, i can see both of the them leaving this summer, its just whether Wenger would spend £20m+ on a player. plus maybe a new GK Igor Akinfeev would be a decent buy. __________________

16-05-2009, 12:08 AM	#5636 (permalink)
Gorayfle Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NY Gender: Male Posts: 6,929	Arsenal sign a young goalie Arsenal have signed promising Argentine goalkeeper Damian Martinez (16) from Independiente. He will land in London in a few days. Nice pick up for you guys. He was great in the U17 Championships. __________________ "For me beauty comes first, victory is seconday and what really matters is joy." -Socrates Brasileiro

14-05-2009, 09:05 AM	#5626 (permalink)
mikahel Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 927	Xabi Alonso and Yaya Toure is the answer to Arsenals problems. Also bring Senderos back.

15-05-2009, 12:51 PM	#5635 (permalink)
MessiFanatic Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 547	Afternoon lads, hadn't realised there was a real football forum on here before! I should step out of the UT section more often... Next season is pretty simple for me, we need a midfield player who'll put in the work defensively, personally I think the perfect candidate would be Yaya, but more realistically Stephen Appiah, who doesn't even have a club at the moment, but without a doubt is a world class player and can run a midfield easily. There are games for Ghana where he makes Essien look average. He's had a bad knee injury, but give the guy a short term deal, see what he's up to. Bring back the legend that is Phillipe Senderos, sell Silvestre and Adebayor.

16-05-2009, 01:48 AM	#5640 (permalink)
kyro7 Elite Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: England Age: 17 Gender: Male Posts: 7,739	I don't think Arsenal need anyone in midfield at all Walcott Fabregas Diaby Arshavin RVP a new striker I think Adebayor is a waste of space. I like that midfield, you need a new striker in my opinion, or get Arshavin up top with Nasri left midfield, I think you need a new centre back, goalkeeper, striker. thats it for me. Look when you played Chelsea, In my opinion you played better than them, your team are good, just need a few adjustments. __________________

16-05-2009, 08:56 AM	#5642 (permalink)
Thade2532 Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Male Posts: 3,516	true about Dzeko i forgot about him, this season he has been in great form for Wolfsburg along with Grafite. __________________

16-05-2009, 07:22 PM	#5643 (permalink)
AriseForLife Elite Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The United States Posts: 8,872	I know not to long ago he supposedly said he wouldn't consider a move away from Burg, but I think if a team like Arsenal came with an offer he would leave. I don't think he would be priced out of what Arsene typically spends. I think we could get him in the Rosicky to Eduardo range easily. __________________

17-05-2009, 05:30 AM	#5645 (permalink)
AriseForLife Elite Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The United States Posts: 8,872	I have to disagree that he is worth £55,000/week because A) he can't stay healthy, and B) he isn't getting any younger so why pay him that much money to come ot a league he isn't familiar with and isn't a guarantee to fix our problem. I think Nasri could be another Pirlo because all he needs to be is a deep lying playmaker just like Pirlo and he has all the quality to do so. We don't necessarily need a bully in the middle, we just need a ball winner more than anything. I still think Jeremy Toulalan is our best option and have wanted him since Vieira left. JT is the natural successor to Makalele/Vieira in the French National team so its only natural that he should succeed where Pat left off with Arsenal. I would agree with your other assessments, except that I don't think Theo and Andrey wanting to play down the middle presents is us with an issue because even playing out wide if given a free role like Andrey had today and has hand many times that he is featured, that would be more than enough. I don't think Theo is ready for the CF role yet. __________________

17-05-2009, 06:45 AM	#5646 (permalink)
MessiFanatic Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 547	I'd never say he was a sure fire fix, I'd merely suggest he's a player that has proved in other leagues he has the qualities required to perform here. I agree that his salary is a bit steep, but he had one really bad knee injury and from what I'm hearing seems to have actually recovered from that pretty well. And at 28 he's not geriatric, but he's got that legendary "experience" we here so much about. But I'll leave Appiah there, this isn't a crusade to get Wenger to sign Appiah, it was merely a passing thought of a quality player who is available. The problem with Nasri doing that is Cesc seems to enjoy playing a bit deeper aswell (he's made statements to that effect too). In all honesty I think we need someone with a physical presence in that role, and whilst Toulalan is a decent enough player, I'd much prefer someone who could hold their own against someone like Drogba for instance, because short of Touré the man just bullies everyone in our squad. I really don't think Toulalan has anywhere near the quality of Vieira or Makelelelelelelele either. The problem in my eyes with Andrei is that we aren't saying to him "sit in front of the midfield and play make" Wenger is putting him out on the left wing. Now I know Wenger is obsessed with "developing" strikers in this way, but if it's something he is thinking of long term for Arshavin then the free role thing just won't happen. If your on the wing you don't have the freedom to play anywhere, you play on the wing. On the subject of Theo, I'd argue that the lad has developed alot, and that the main thing in my mind he needs to develop now is his finishing, which is something he'd get alot more chance to do down the centre.

17-05-2009, 10:37 AM	#5648 (permalink)
mikahel Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 927	All of you are just naming players that we don't even need. Just because you think David Villa is a good striker doesn't mean he will play well for Arsenal. You're are all just thinking of big players like Toulalon, Villa etc. You need to think about the roles that need filling. IMO I'd say bring back Palaceos or Yaya Toure to fill that Viera position. Someone who can win the ball back and chase after you. I don't really mind Toulalan but just because they are big names doesn't mean they will do well for Arsenal. Also, people are trying to replace Adebayor with the likes of David Vill. When you want to repalce someone like Adebayor, you have to think of someone with the same attributes as him. For example John Carew, he's strong good technical ability, he scores goals(when he's fit) and very good in the air. Someone like Drogba(not saying he will ever come to Arsenal) or Kenwin Jones. As for the defence, I'm not sure who Arsenal can buy because IMO I thought Toure and Gallas are really good together at one point in the season. I don't care if you all disagree with, I'm not here to start an argument, I'm just saying what I think.

17-05-2009, 12:30 PM	#5649 (permalink)
17_Gers4Life Forum Junkie Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Down in clown town Age: 16 Gender: Male Posts: 3,077 Blog Entries: 1	London rivals clash in Academy Final Local bragging rights are at stake when Tottenham Hotspur take on Arsenal in the Premier Academy League Final. The North London giants meet at White Hart Lane in Sunday's showdown (kick-off 4pm) to cap an excellent season for both clubs. With the winners of each of the four academy groups facing each other in the play-off semi-finals, Group B winners Tottenham saw off Sunderland of Group D with a 2-1 triumph and the Gunners overcame Group C side Manchester City with the same score-line. senal stormed to the Group A title with just two defeats all season and ended up 25 points clear of second-placed Norwich City. Rivals Tottenham clinched Group B, also tasting just two losses, but were made to work hard for their crown as Leicester City finished only four points behind. Arsenal Under-18 coach and former defender Steve Bould believes his side has the mental strength to beat fierce rivals Tottenham. big pressure "The one thing that has come out of all these big games this season is we've seen that quite a few of these kids do have the character to go on and make good careers," he said. "They've certainly shown that, as a team, they can handle the big pressure and they've got the character required to become big players hopefully. "But I just hope we haven't peaked too early. That's the thing I am worrying about. We haven't played well in the last couple of games and we're hoping they can get their minds back on it and start playing like they have for most of the season. "It will be really tight against Spurs and I know they'll be desperate to beat us. It's another great experience for the kids back down at White Hart Lane and it should be another high-level game." The Gunners have their eyes on more silverware as they face Liverpool in the two-legged FA Youth Cup Final on 22nd May and 26th May. Arsenal beat Spurs on their way to that final and with Spurs gunning for revenge, it adds even more excitement to this mouth-watering encounter. __________________ 8 )not loving you is harder than you know ( 8 )

17-05-2009, 12:49 PM	#5650 (permalink)
Thade2532 Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Male Posts: 3,516	i was kinda annoyed seeing Bendtner out wide today, i know im not a manager or ever will be but surely Wenger knows Bendtner isnt a wide player, im sure the whole footballing world knows that yet he was played there, that confuses me. 1 game left vs Stoke at home im hoping for a nice big thrashing to finish the season. __________________