EPL, FA Cup and EUFA CL 05/06

freshie · 08-03-2005, 12:24 PM

Well it seems like only a couple of monthes ago, that Arsenal was raising the FA Cup after being outclassed by Man Utd., but still winning the match.

Wait it was only 2 monthes ago.

The thing that's the best about Football, is that the down season is so short.

So here we are, 5 days away from the Community Shield match, the unofficial kick-off to the English Football season. FA Cup winners, and EPL runners-up Arsenal, takes on Premiership Winners Chelski in the community shield match.

Chelski added to the hoard of expensive players this summer by signing Assier Del Horno, and Sean Wright-Phillips. They will still probably add Michael Essien as well. The Russian blood money continues to serve them well.

Arsenal during the off-season saw the transfer of former captain Patrick Vieira to Juventus, after 9 seasons at Highbury. Arsenal's loan summer transfer so far, has been Stutgart standout Alexander Hleb. We've managed to miss out on two Brazillian standout's Robhino and Julio Baptista, both who were swept up by Real Madrid.

Also rumors continues about Sol Campbell transfer away from Highbury, after an ineffective 04/05 campaign, which after injuries saw him miss alot of games, and saw him in the pecking order after swiss-quality defender Philip Senderos and Kolo Toure.

Le Boss, Arsene Wenger, is clearly playing a different game, than signing the top players he can for 100 million billion rubles. Obviously nobody is going to beat Chelski at that game. Rather it appears Le Boss is going to rely on the youth system that has seen some youngsters appear in the Highbury academy. Arturo Lupoli, Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Quincy Owesubu, Robin Van Persie, Justin Hoyte all look to make some impact on the team.

Will the youngsters be able to compete against the Abrahamovich's Mercenaries, i.e. Chelski. The Sports Pundits are ready to crown last years winners of a single piece of silveware, their first in 50 years, the greatest team of the 21st century.

While they played some ruthlessly efficient defense, it's always very tough to defend as EPL champions.

Arsenal start off the season in a very tough manner. The meaningless Community Shield game against Chelski in Cardiff. They play host to Newcastle to open the season. Then they go to Stamfordov Bridge to play Chelski. Followed by Fulham, then Boro. Then the Champions League matches start up.

I'm somewhat nervous as to the lack of signings this summer. Both Chelski and Man Utd. will be tough this year.

Given that, I predict the Gooners to win the Treble. They'll go 34-4-0 in the EPL, blow away the competition in the FA Cup, and win the Champions League 3-1 win against Juventus. Right.

freshie · 08-11-2005, 08:59 AM

Arsenal lose to Chelsea in the Community Shield. While I hate losing to them, I like the statistic about community shield holders rarely ever go on to win the Premiership.

Newcastle United at home on Sunday then, as we kick off the last season in Highbury.

Milwall and Yeovil Town are off to awful in the CC and League 1 divisions. Bleh.

teppic · 08-11-2005, 10:09 AM

Millwall are just scum anyway so that's probably a good thing.

freshie · 08-11-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teppic

Millwall are just scum anyway so that's probably a good thing.

Millwall FC have made a Hurculean effort to clean up their fan base.

Besides... it'd be too funny to see 19 Premiership matches played at the New Den. But alas, while the Lions seemed on the verge of promotion over the last couple of years, it seems that with Dennis Wise moving on, and a new manager, they will not be contending for promotion this season.

phalanx · 08-14-2005, 12:01 PM

well
all 3 teams win thier games
manchester united 2- 0 evertone
arsenal 2 - 0 newcastle
chelsea 1 - 0 wigan (lucky they scraped that in the last 30 seconds of the match)

freshie · 08-15-2005, 08:08 AM

Newcastle packed the midfield against Arsenal using a 1-5-4. Potential Arsenal target Jermaine Jenas was sent off in the 30th minute, leaving Newcastle with 10 on the field for the next 60 minutes.

There was some controversy with the red card, and referee Steve Bennett recommended to the FA that it be downgraded to a yellow after he watched it on Video.

Arsenal seemed to be the recipient of another gift from the referee when given a penalty kick in the 81st minute. It appeared that the ball had gotten away from Ljungberg, when he was brought down in the box, and the Gunners were awarded a penalty, cooly converted by Thierry Henry.

6 minutes later, the Gunners broke out from a corner kick, with Ljungberg on the ball. He passed off to Lauren, then went on a spectacular sprint, and got the ball back, and crossed at the tightest of angles to Robin Van Persie, who one-timed it past the near side of keeper Shay Given. That was an amazing run by Ljungberg.

New signing Alexander Hleb looked pacey when he came on in the 74th minute. Looks like a Gooner through and through.

Next week, the biggest game of the season as Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge where boss Arsene Wenger has never lost a game.

In Scotland, Rangers lost to Aberdeen. That's somewhat suprising Someone other than Celtic or Rangers, is top of the table: Heart of Midlothian. Well that is exciting while it lasts.

phalanx · 08-18-2005, 10:46 AM

ahh the joys of the start of the season
chelsea get outplayed by premiership newbies

and still win
chelsea being outplayed yet scraping a 1-0 sounds like last year all over again

nice to see ruud scoring again

and rooney hasn't stopped scoringm in champions league the premiership and the friendly v denmark he is on scoring form
goin to be a good season

now who is finishing 4th? and who is going down?
sunderland look good for the drop
west ham and wigan look strong they might finish mid- lower table
anyway onto united

i said already our goal scorers have scored already *a good sign i hope*
we got a decent keeper now less should go in too, park looks like a good signing he might grab a few goals this season too

freshie · 08-19-2005, 07:53 AM

Arsenal will resume their rightful spot at the top of the table after they shallack Chelsea 5-1 on Sunday. Look for Thierry to bag 2, Reyes and Hleb will open their account, with Cesc getting the opening goal.

United, and Tottenham also look good for wins this weekend, and they'll be tied with Arsenal on Points, but behind on Goal Difference.

My relegation candidates: Sunderland, Everton and Blackburn.

4th place this year will belong to Tottenham, who've quietly assembled a good team.

Arsenal is going to be crap in the champions league again. I like Chelsea to go for in the champions league, as that's the kind of team they've assembled.

Sunday should be a banger.

phalanx · 08-19-2005, 06:23 PM

5-1?
i hope a 1-1
or an any draw thats not 0-0 no win for either and a goal scored against chelsea altho chelseas defence doesn't look as good as it did last year atm

phalanx · 08-21-2005, 01:43 PM

well
united take a 1-0 win against villa ruud scoring the goal
chelsea beat arsenal lehman could have saved that miscontrol from drogba :/
2 more sendings off on saturday
1 was a clean tackle :/
1 was for a swing of the arm (or nothing as it turned out :/)

freshie · 08-22-2005, 08:14 AM

Utterly painful lose to Chelski yesterday. Didn't see much between the sides, and came down to Drogba miscontrolling a first touch off of a quick free quick which just happened to go in the short side.

After the goal Arsenal couldn't come up with any offense.

Arsenal didn't do enough of kicking the ball towards the Chelski goal yesterday. Especially in the second half. As sometimes Arsenal is prone to overpassing, there were seveal oppurtunities, when Henry or Van Persie should have sent in a shot, but instead tried to thread the needle, only to have the play broken up. Henry also had a pretty quiet day yesterday.

I see up in scotland, Rangers won the old firm match-up, but Hearts still remains top of the table. Intriguing.

Tottenham is top of the table in the Premiership in the EPL.

Arsenal sees Fulham come into Highbury midweek. After that we've got a ten day layoff.

freshie · 08-24-2005, 07:54 AM

Current EPL top 3 table toppers are not any of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. Combine this with the fact that Hearts currently is the tops in Scotland, I'll take this to be either the the second or third sign of the appocalypse.

"First Place Manchester City" just sounds wrong.

Arsenal need to wallop Fulham tonite. I predict and Evertonian-like wallop when we put home 7 goals at Highbury last April. I predict an 11-2 victory.

freshie · 08-24-2005, 03:47 PM

I'm non-plussed.

Useless centre back Pascal Cygan, scored not one, but two goals. Perhaps we've figured out our Striker quandary. Cygan for Striking.

Henry scores two goals, and I believe he only needs one more goal to bypass Ian Wright for all-time leader.

Oh yeah... Arsenal won 4-1. Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0, I think.

phalanx · 08-25-2005, 05:33 AM

:/
united win thier champions league qualifier 3-0 in hungary scoreres were....
heinze 2
and richardson
wtf is goin on here >.<
chelsea go top
arsenal go 4th

freshie · 08-25-2005, 10:13 AM

UEFA Champions League Draw

Group B
Arsenal
Ajax
Sparta Prague
Thun

Group D
Man Utd
Villareal
Lille
Benefica

Group G
Liverpool
Chelsea
Anderlecht
Real Betis

Group H
Inter Milan
Porto
Rangers
Artmedia Bratislava

Arsenal gets a lucky draw with swiss side Thun in the group. Ajax will be tough, as can be Sparta Prague.

Man Utd's group looks pretty tough. Spain's Villareal is a good side, and Benefica and Lille are both capable of upsets.

Chelsea and Liverpool get drawn into the same group. Forthcoming whining from Jose Mourinho coming soon. Anderlecht is another decent side.

Rangers could make it through Group H. I think Group H is one of the weakest groups with both Porto and Inter in that group.

08-03-2005, 12:24 PM	#1
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	EPL, FA Cup and EUFA CL 05/06 Well it seems like only a couple of monthes ago, that Arsenal was raising the FA Cup after being outclassed by Man Utd., but still winning the match. Wait it was only 2 monthes ago. The thing that's the best about Football, is that the down season is so short. So here we are, 5 days away from the Community Shield match, the unofficial kick-off to the English Football season. FA Cup winners, and EPL runners-up Arsenal, takes on Premiership Winners Chelski in the community shield match. Chelski added to the hoard of expensive players this summer by signing Assier Del Horno, and Sean Wright-Phillips. They will still probably add Michael Essien as well. The Russian blood money continues to serve them well. Arsenal during the off-season saw the transfer of former captain Patrick Vieira to Juventus, after 9 seasons at Highbury. Arsenal's loan summer transfer so far, has been Stutgart standout Alexander Hleb. We've managed to miss out on two Brazillian standout's Robhino and Julio Baptista, both who were swept up by Real Madrid. Also rumors continues about Sol Campbell transfer away from Highbury, after an ineffective 04/05 campaign, which after injuries saw him miss alot of games, and saw him in the pecking order after swiss-quality defender Philip Senderos and Kolo Toure. Le Boss, Arsene Wenger, is clearly playing a different game, than signing the top players he can for 100 million billion rubles. Obviously nobody is going to beat Chelski at that game. Rather it appears Le Boss is going to rely on the youth system that has seen some youngsters appear in the Highbury academy. Arturo Lupoli, Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Quincy Owesubu, Robin Van Persie, Justin Hoyte all look to make some impact on the team. Will the youngsters be able to compete against the Abrahamovich's Mercenaries, i.e. Chelski. The Sports Pundits are ready to crown last years winners of a single piece of silveware, their first in 50 years, the greatest team of the 21st century. While they played some ruthlessly efficient defense, it's always very tough to defend as EPL champions. Arsenal start off the season in a very tough manner. The meaningless Community Shield game against Chelski in Cardiff. They play host to Newcastle to open the season. Then they go to Stamfordov Bridge to play Chelski. Followed by Fulham, then Boro. Then the Champions League matches start up. I'm somewhat nervous as to the lack of signings this summer. Both Chelski and Man Utd. will be tough this year. Given that, I predict the Gooners to win the Treble. They'll go 34-4-0 in the EPL, blow away the competition in the FA Cup, and win the Champions League 3-1 win against Juventus. Right. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-11-2005, 08:59 AM	#2
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	Arsenal lose to Chelsea in the Community Shield. While I hate losing to them, I like the statistic about community shield holders rarely ever go on to win the Premiership. Newcastle United at home on Sunday then, as we kick off the last season in Highbury. Milwall and Yeovil Town are off to awful in the CC and League 1 divisions. Bleh. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-11-2005, 10:09 AM	#3
teppic Stationary Stationery Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: under a pile of coats Posts: 1,416	Millwall are just scum anyway so that's probably a good thing. __________________ this won't mean a thing come tomorrow, and that's exactly how i'll make it seem.

08-15-2005, 08:08 AM	#6
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	Newcastle packed the midfield against Arsenal using a 1-5-4. Potential Arsenal target Jermaine Jenas was sent off in the 30th minute, leaving Newcastle with 10 on the field for the next 60 minutes. There was some controversy with the red card, and referee Steve Bennett recommended to the FA that it be downgraded to a yellow after he watched it on Video. Arsenal seemed to be the recipient of another gift from the referee when given a penalty kick in the 81st minute. It appeared that the ball had gotten away from Ljungberg, when he was brought down in the box, and the Gunners were awarded a penalty, cooly converted by Thierry Henry. 6 minutes later, the Gunners broke out from a corner kick, with Ljungberg on the ball. He passed off to Lauren, then went on a spectacular sprint, and got the ball back, and crossed at the tightest of angles to Robin Van Persie, who one-timed it past the near side of keeper Shay Given. That was an amazing run by Ljungberg. New signing Alexander Hleb looked pacey when he came on in the 74th minute. Looks like a Gooner through and through. Next week, the biggest game of the season as Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge where boss Arsene Wenger has never lost a game. In Scotland, Rangers lost to Aberdeen. That's somewhat suprising Someone other than Celtic or Rangers, is top of the table: Heart of Midlothian. Well that is exciting while it lasts. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-19-2005, 07:53 AM	#8
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	Arsenal will resume their rightful spot at the top of the table after they shallack Chelsea 5-1 on Sunday. Look for Thierry to bag 2, Reyes and Hleb will open their account, with Cesc getting the opening goal. United, and Tottenham also look good for wins this weekend, and they'll be tied with Arsenal on Points, but behind on Goal Difference. My relegation candidates: Sunderland, Everton and Blackburn. 4th place this year will belong to Tottenham, who've quietly assembled a good team. Arsenal is going to be crap in the champions league again. I like Chelsea to go for in the champions league, as that's the kind of team they've assembled. Sunday should be a banger. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-14-2005, 12:01 PM	#5
phalanx Deadly Nightshade user Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: manchester uk Posts: 2,386 Downloads: 3	well all 3 teams win thier games manchester united 2- 0 evertone arsenal 2 - 0 newcastle chelsea 1 - 0 wigan (lucky they scraped that in the last 30 seconds of the match)

08-18-2005, 10:46 AM	#7
phalanx Deadly Nightshade user Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: manchester uk Posts: 2,386 Downloads: 3	ahh the joys of the start of the season chelsea get outplayed by premiership newbies and still win chelsea being outplayed yet scraping a 1-0 sounds like last year all over again nice to see ruud scoring again and rooney hasn't stopped scoringm in champions league the premiership and the friendly v denmark he is on scoring form goin to be a good season now who is finishing 4th? and who is going down? sunderland look good for the drop west ham and wigan look strong they might finish mid- lower table anyway onto united i said already our goal scorers have scored already a good sign i hope we got a decent keeper now less should go in too, park looks like a good signing he might grab a few goals this season too

08-19-2005, 06:23 PM	#9
phalanx Deadly Nightshade user Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: manchester uk Posts: 2,386 Downloads: 3	5-1? i hope a 1-1 or an any draw thats not 0-0 no win for either and a goal scored against chelsea altho chelseas defence doesn't look as good as it did last year atm

08-21-2005, 01:43 PM	#10
phalanx Deadly Nightshade user Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: manchester uk Posts: 2,386 Downloads: 3	well united take a 1-0 win against villa ruud scoring the goal chelsea beat arsenal lehman could have saved that miscontrol from drogba :/ 2 more sendings off on saturday 1 was a clean tackle :/ 1 was for a swing of the arm (or nothing as it turned out :/)

08-22-2005, 08:14 AM	#11
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	Utterly painful lose to Chelski yesterday. Didn't see much between the sides, and came down to Drogba miscontrolling a first touch off of a quick free quick which just happened to go in the short side. After the goal Arsenal couldn't come up with any offense. Arsenal didn't do enough of kicking the ball towards the Chelski goal yesterday. Especially in the second half. As sometimes Arsenal is prone to overpassing, there were seveal oppurtunities, when Henry or Van Persie should have sent in a shot, but instead tried to thread the needle, only to have the play broken up. Henry also had a pretty quiet day yesterday. I see up in scotland, Rangers won the old firm match-up, but Hearts still remains top of the table. Intriguing. Tottenham is top of the table in the Premiership in the EPL. Arsenal sees Fulham come into Highbury midweek. After that we've got a ten day layoff. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-24-2005, 07:54 AM	#12
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	Current EPL top 3 table toppers are not any of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. Combine this with the fact that Hearts currently is the tops in Scotland, I'll take this to be either the the second or third sign of the appocalypse. "First Place Manchester City" just sounds wrong. Arsenal need to wallop Fulham tonite. I predict and Evertonian-like wallop when we put home 7 goals at Highbury last April. I predict an 11-2 victory. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-24-2005, 03:47 PM	#13
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	I'm non-plussed. Useless centre back Pascal Cygan, scored not one, but two goals. Perhaps we've figured out our Striker quandary. Cygan for Striking. Henry scores two goals, and I believe he only needs one more goal to bypass Ian Wright for all-time leader. Oh yeah... Arsenal won 4-1. Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0, I think. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

08-25-2005, 05:33 AM	#14
phalanx Deadly Nightshade user Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: manchester uk Posts: 2,386 Downloads: 3	:/ united win thier champions league qualifier 3-0 in hungary scoreres were.... heinze 2 and richardson wtf is goin on here >.< chelsea go top arsenal go 4th

08-25-2005, 10:13 AM	#15
freshie highly fabregas Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,919	UEFA Champions League Draw Group B Arsenal Ajax Sparta Prague Thun Group D Man Utd Villareal Lille Benefica Group G Liverpool Chelsea Anderlecht Real Betis Group H Inter Milan Porto Rangers Artmedia Bratislava Arsenal gets a lucky draw with swiss side Thun in the group. Ajax will be tough, as can be Sparta Prague. Man Utd's group looks pretty tough. Spain's Villareal is a good side, and Benefica and Lille are both capable of upsets. Chelsea and Liverpool get drawn into the same group. Forthcoming whining from Jose Mourinho coming soon. Anderlecht is another decent side. Rangers could make it through Group H. I think Group H is one of the weakest groups with both Porto and Inter in that group. __________________ Mentos: The Freshmaker

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