Tag: england

Wayne ‘I have never intentionally dived’ Rooney – The Video Evidence

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Video25 Comments

Wayne Rooney has been giving his take on the Eduardo incident and the penalty at Old Trafford:

“I have never intentionally dived. There have been times when I have tried to stay on my feet and tried to get the shot off rather than going down. I don’t think it is fair for players to dive and cheat the other team.”

This video tells a different story, maybe UEFA would like to take retrospective action on some of this evidence?

Yet the media still like to portray English players as hard-working and honest, while the ‘foreign’ clubs like Arsenal bring in these horrible cheating tactics from Europe.

Take John Terry today quoted as saying:

“I can speak about the England lads and I think it is something we don’t do, I think we’re too honest, sometimes even in the Premier League you see the English lads get a bit of contact and stay on their feet and try and score from the chance they have been given.”

Somehow I don’t think that is quite true.

Interviews with Theo Walcott and the Arshavins

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Champions League, FA Cup, Interviews, Transfers1 Comment

There are several interesting interviews in the press at the moment, Theo Walcott talks to both the Mail and the Guardian. In addition both Andrey Arshavin and Yulia Arshavin have been giving their impressions on settling in London, as well as Andrey’s relationship with Guus Hiddink.

In the Walcott interview with Daily Mail they go into a lot of detail. Firstly how Theo took Henry’s number 14 shirt without realising it – Nasri had already taken the number 8, and he wanted a lower number:

“I asked Vic what the options were. And he said I could have 23, 19 or 14. Without thinking I said I’d take the 14, because it was the lowest.”

How much he respected Thierry:

“Thierry was great with me and my family. He’d offer me advice, take an interest, but he’d also speak to my dad a lot as well. He was a real captain in that way, giving his time to the young lads coming through.”

The shoulder problem:

“The problem with my shoulders was something I inherited from my dad,’ he says. ‘The left one would pop out and then pop back in — absolute agony — during almost every game last season, so I had surgery to put it right last summer.”

“But in Berlin Scott Parker gave me a bit of a nudge, I slipped on the wet ground and the right one went. It popped out and popped back in like the left one always did. So I kept going. We were playing Germany the next day and I wanted to be involved.”

“Then, though, I went up for this ball and when I was spinning in the air the shoulder dislocated again. And this time it stayed out. The pain was unbelievable.”

He is now stronger and faster than ever – and his goal against Wigan should bring back some shooting confidence which Theo lacks at times.

Theo also gave an interview to the Guardian, where he comments on what it was like coming to Arsenal and his run at Anfield in the Champions League last year.

Andrey Arshavin was interviewed by the Telegraph. He talked about the upcoming games against Chelsea and his relationship with their manager Guus Hiddink:

“Hiddink gave me a lot in my life, not just in my football life,”

“If he had not taken over the Russian team I would not be here in England. He made us all believe we were strong, he gave us so much. I respect him and I wish him good luck – except in two games, the FA Cup and in the championship.”

This shows the professional side to Arshavin, he respects Hiddink – but when we play Chelsea his only ambition is to win, and I believe him.

On settling in England:

“Now I’m in a hotel. Next week I will move. I have to settle. Everything is difficult. For example, to get an agreement to rent a house. Everybody is speaking and telling me things but afterwards, when I see it on paper, it is not what I heard.

“I think the quality of life, especially for people with money, is better in Russia than here. Here there are lots of rules and laws. In Russia, if you have money, you can break the law.” 

“I’m happy to be here in English football – it is the best league in the world, I am happy with my professional life but I am unhappy in everyday life, it is very difficult for me. I don’t understand why people do things, or say things, it is a little bit strange. I am alone for the first time in my life, I never left St Petersburg before.”

We also hear Yulia Arshavin’s views on settling in England. Including denial of the negative comments she allegdly made about London:

“To get started, I actually did not speak anything bad about London. Moreover I liked the city especially after the Russian-speaking tour guide took us round”

She likes the match-day hospitality at Ashburton Grove and she enjoys the atmosphere:

“When Andrey takes the ball the whole stadium is already buzzing. There is a simultaneous cry and you feel a total emotional wave”

So the Arshavins are happy at Arsenal, although England is obviously a bit strange for them – they have always lived in St. Petersburg. I’m sure that they will be more settled. As long as Arshavin keeps playing the way he is at the moment I’m sure he will stay happy!

Theo takes three, impresses on the international scene

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal2 Comments

Afternoon all,

I’m not the biggest fan of internationals, but I have to say I am delighted that Theo got a hattrick for England in Croatia last night.

Click for video highlights of goals: One, Two, Three

He needs to score more goals for the Arse, so getting a hattrick for England should boost his confidence. Croatia don’t lose at home so the 4-1 drubbing was a pleasant suprise. He commented on his goals:

“I tend to cross those quite a lot. So I thought I’d be a bit more greedy this time.”

He told the press that he just took his chances, after advice from David Beckham:

“Becks told me to be a bit more greedy in the box, then afterwards he said I was probably too greedy!” Walcott said.

“He has been absolutely brilliant to me and he just gave me so much confidence. He’s given me praise and it’s unbelievable coming from David.”

Theo says he’s not getting carried away though:

“I’m not going to get ahead of myself.”

See video interview here.

Praise came from all quarters, scumbag Rooney said:

“He offers something a bit different. He is probably the quickest player I have seen.

Capello:

“At this moment he is fantastic psychologically and physically.

“It is very dangerous for defenders against Walcott. At this moment, he is difficult to contain.

Wenger on Tf1:

“That’s superb news, he did pretty well for England. But this means I’m going to have to offer him more money (laughs)!”

Great news for Walcott, lets hope he can transfer those goals to the Premiership for Arsenal!

A Cultured Left Foot gives a good roundup of the rest of today’s news.

Ramsey is meeting Wenger, that’s all folks

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers

Hello, I hope you are all enjoying the spectacular Euro 2008. It’s so much more fun when England aren’t in it!!

The news today is that Ramsey has flown out to Switzerland to meet Arsene Wenger.

Ridsdale, the Cardiff chairman:

“I spoke to Aaron on Friday night.

“He told me he’d had a great day at United and was on his way to see Arsene. After that, the final decision is up to the boy.

“Aaron spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson before visiting United. He’s a sensible lad and will listen to what Arsene has to say.”

I still think this guy will go to Man Utd, he seems the sort of player who they would sign, and Man Utd say they will loan him back to Cardiff if he signs, which may sway the player.

It will be interesting to see what his decision really is. A young prospect is never a bad thing to have at your club I suppose!

Hopefully Wenger’s intellectual charms can win the boy over after Alex “Rudolf” Ferguson had his way with him.

Don’t forget, you can read ArseSpeak everyday via RSS, just click here!

England Fail To Enamour

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal1 Comment

England just lost 3-2 against Croatia at Wembley. I don’t care about internationals, but I thought I should mention this from an Arsenal point of view anyway. Hey Modric looked good tonight, maybe we can sign him up, if we are in for him?

I won’t say much, I’m not bothered about England at all. The repercussions will be that McClaren is probably sacked, people will be going crazy about ‘so many foreign players in England’ sounding like the Church vs Darwin… Some people inevitably will be targeting Arsenal and Arsene over this…

The thing is the FA have been more bothered about Wembley than building a national centre of excellence, like Clarefontaine in France, to aid the development of players. I hate the crap that is said about foreign players, I think that people need to look hard at the facts.. They need a shock to realise that England are a load of rubbish and they are bloody lucky.

This should have happened earlier. They are not even comparable to N.Ireland or Scotland, or Ireland.. The media frenzy is going to be ugly and pointless.

Usmanov The Fencer? Theo, Lehmann

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Good morning to you all on this most fine Monday, I have to be off by 8.30 so I shall write fast…

The Guardian has done an excellent profile of Alisher Usmanov, the man who desires to gain a controlling stake in Arsenal with Dein through their Red And White Holdings company.. Here’s the summary

There’s coverage about his alleged crimes during the 1980s in the Soviet Union for which he was imprisoned. Usmanov was convicted of financial crimes, but, according to Russian journalists, rape too. In September Schillings, his legal firm, took action to remove similar allegations from the website of Craig Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan. There are also suggestions of relationships with drug traffickers and questions on his close connections with former KGB. He said:

“You are trying to turn the acquaintance of any Russian with members of the KGB into a crime. This is simply not appropriate.”

Usmanov has investments in a subsidary of Gazprom, owns Metalloinvest and Komersant a newspaper. According to Tom Wise MEP his jail pardon came from heroin trafficker and mafia lord Gafur Rakhimov, apparently his mentor.. Usmanov says he only knew him as he was his parents neighbour!

Then there is the case of the death of the man from the Komersant office building, Ivan Safronov, defence correspondent, which he may be linked to.

He admits he considered buying Spurs, but fell in love with English Football when England won the World Cup 1966!?!

The article suggests that possibly Usmanov is using Arsenal to hedge his bets in case of any sudden decline of fortune in the former Soviet Union countries for him as Putin rounds on oligarchs in Russia.

Also he competed on the Uzbek Fencing team.

All I hope is that he keeps hands off Arsenal and away from England, it would be a bad day for Arsenal. The board have entered a lockdown on selling shares for the next few years, which is good as this prevents him increasing his 23% stake. The slogan goes – Love Arsenal – Hate Usmanov, I couldn’t agree more…

Moving on! Website ‘The Voice’ has an article about Pele being an Arsenal fan saying

“Arsenal are my favourite team right now and I think they are the best performing team in the Premier League.”

Its always nice to get praise, especially from one of the World’s most famous players of the beautiful game.. You just have to hope thought that:

1. This sort of praise doesn’t go to the teams heads and they keep playing well.

2. That the team doesn’t get too much hype too early on in the season..

SkySports report that Lehmann has received praise for his performance in the Cyprus match.. It seems to me that Low really wants Lehmann to be playing first team football at Arsenal so he can justify playing him for Germany. A lot of the debate surrounding the transfer has involved Lehmann’s international career, which he probably sees ending after Euro 2008, so he is probably desparate to play more, having been stuck behind Oli Kahn for all those years.. In any case, fair play to Lehmann, and he did make some good saves.

Duncan White says that Theo is the future for England and that McClaren should play him against Croatia. McClaren has obviously not agreed with this view because the Scum’s £16million, 40 goal a season, world class hitman, flop, Darren Bent has been called up…… Anyway enough of that, the article still makes interesting reading, and some good points about Walcott.

“Just playing has been giving me more confidence. If I get more games, I’m sure I can improve further.” Theo

This is what we want to hear from him, the more he scores and plays the more confident he looks and I think he has a bright future as long as he keeps his head down.. The guy is bloody quick.. Interestingly one of my mates played against him at schoolboy level a few years ago.. He told me that they just got the fastest guy on the team and the harshest tackler to mark him and he ran the show.. Anyway…

It looks like Steve Bruce will become Wigan manager today, so I guess we will see him in charge for the first time against us on Sat…

Also according to the Guardian Willy and his French chums were sharing a glass of champagne as Scotland’s defeat ensured their Euro 2008 qualification.

That’s all, I’m off for a jaunt, enjoy this most grey of Mondays and the cold weather…

Walcott’s Rage, Lehmann Crazy

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal2 Comments

Firstly a very strange article here about Jens making insulting gestures to fans during Germany’s 4-0 win over Cyprus.. Apparently he claims he was scratching his head. I don’t know why he would have done anything like that.. Jens is a bit mad but that just seems random, unless he was being abused by the fans??? I didn’t watch the game but I’ll have a look on the net later to see if there are any videos of it!

Also Chelsea have been linked with Luka Modric in several papers, some claiming we have also joined the race as we have been interested for a long time.

The Mail here has an article about Theo’s ranting at Milner and Stuart Pierce while claiming his penalty on Friday evening, Psycho says it shows his coming of age!! The Guardian also has coverage here.

Also the Scum have been linked with loads of players all over the place, Villa is apparently coming, as well as the Beast, who Ramos worked with at Sevilla, if he plays like he did for us then I would be happy for them to sign him. Also the People have an article about how David Comolli, our ex-scout, now their Director of Football wants to sign Diaby, Denilson and Traore. I doubt this, although the £7 million price tag on Diaby could be good if he is really desparate to leave.. In any case I can’t see why we would let any of those players go to Spurs….

Not too much else going on, Scotland lost out on the Euro 2008 finals last night through a late Italian goal to make it 2-1, and Israel beat Russia 2-1 to give Engalnd an undeserved chance of qualifying.

Mputu, Bould, Boring Internationals, Come on Scotland!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal1 Comment

Just a quick one today, there isn’t too much news which I haven’t covered yesterday..I have to get off for a 5 hour train journey to Kent in a minute, joy…

So news on another man who wants a bit more playing time, Diarra.
In the article it mentions how ironixc it is that he plays more for France then Arsenal.. In the end it comes down to when the team is getting results and on form there is little point in disturbing a good line up. Diarra knew how congested our midfield was before he came and if he expected to walk straight into the team then he is a bit naive. He will get his chance if things go his way but I wouldn’t expect to see too much of him this season, especially as Gilberto has vowed to stay and fight for his place..

There’s a Q&A with now 45-year old Stevie Bould on the Arsenal Website

Also I haven’t made much comment on Tresor Mputu, the Congo striker who is apparently on a 10 day trial at the Arse.. According to his coach he is the best thing since sliced bread but it sounds like an awful lot of hype… Thirdgen’s Blog has a good bit on him from yesterday here

Finally a little question on Theo, what do you think about his penalty last night? Comment whatever you think, I want to hear.

Lehmann Staying At Arsenal

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Lehmann says here that he will stay with the Arse after all.

In the article it mentions that he has recieved offers from other clubs but turned them down

“I want to stay with Arsenal until the end of the season… I cannot just leave like that before the season ends”

He has been moaning all season but here he seems a littke more reserved although still jibing at Almunia.

“There are situations where you find yourself behind a goalkeeper who is world-class and you have to accept that…But I am not in this situation.”

Now obviously he is angry and wants to regain his place, after being number 1 since he joined the club and raley missing a game it must be a nasty shock to find himself on the bench, but to be fair Almunia is looking solid and the team is getting results. Even if Almunia isn’t seen as the long term option Lehmann at 38 certainly isn’t either. He has played a big part in successes in recent years, it’s sad to see some of the comments he’s made this year, but at least he is a little more reasonable here. Hopefully we can offload him at the end of the season, thank him for his service and get away from his moaning..What is it about these German keepers!

A link here on Arsenal’s website about how well Vela is playing in Spain.

Justin Hoyte talks to Arsenal.com about the racist abuse he recived from fans and players playing against Serbia in the Euro U-21 Championships in Holland. This is really awful and the fact that the officials did nothing is shocking. Racsism has no place in football and it is saddening when these young players like Hoyte have to be exposed to abuse in that way. the poor guy felt very hurt. Racism shouldn’t be happening, especially not in an international competition. There is a greater problem with it in Eastern Europe than here, but wherever it happens is wrong and there’s no excuse.. There should have been some action taken by officials in the match.

Some rumours, most likely complete fabrication by the Italian press that Wenger is going to make a loan swoop for striker Adriano, with Gilberto going the other way to Inter, I don’t belive this really..

Another odd rumour about Arsene bringing a striker in, this time in the Telegraph they say that Wenger is going to try and bring Agbonlahor in from Villa in January for £15 million..This seems a very high price for a striker who isn’t world class. We shall see but I think that there is no way Arsenal would splash so much cash on such an average player. All Wenger has said is that he will be looking to strengthen the team in January, but with no relation to Agbonlahor.

Wenger has told Arsenal TV Online on Eduardo: “He is getting sharper now, and we will see the real Eduardo after January.” Interesting, I really hope Eduardo can do well for us and break the curse of the number 9!!

Finally A very happy birthday to Steve Bould, 45 today, ArsenalPies has the story here!

StumbleStumble it!

David Beckham at Arsenal? Ade gets the 1,000th

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers

ArseSpeak, my first blog launches today with this first post!

So, a quick overview of the news from the 14th of November before I go to bed..

There are reports that David Beckham may train with Arsenal for the Christmas period to keep his fitness up as the MLS season has now finished. Arsenal are one of a number of clubs rumoured to be allowing Beckham to train with them, we shall see what happens.

After Monday night’s 3-1 win at Reading we are sitting nicely at the top of the table going into the international break. I didn’t see the whole game, due to annoying problems with my computer while I was streaming it. It looked like we were playing good football, Adebayor’s disallowed goal definitely was not offside. in any case he scored our 1, 000th Premiership goal, his first for 8 games which he admits was starting to worry him. Wenger says on http://www.arsenal.com the victory showed we had the patience to keep going while Reading shut up shop. A little disappointing to concede the goal at the end but top of the league with a game in hand; I’m not complaining!

Stupid comments by Coppell about limiting foreign players playing in the Premiership. These just keep on coming.. Mourinho has also targeted Arsenal about this with some totally unfounded claims about Wenger’s transfer policy. Platini has also been sticking his nose in recently (nice to see his proposal for more cup winners in the CL getting kicked off the park by UEFA the other day). These people need to understand that limiting foreign players won’t make English players play better it will only lower the standard of the league. Wenger points out that between 1966 and 1996 there weren’t many foreigners and our national team performed worse than it has done since 1996.

On the upside Kitson speaks nicely about Arsenal, saying that we play excellent football and deserve a reward for it. Its nice to hear some praise for a team playing brilliant football instead of all the crap about foreigners.

The Ferguson abuse saga continues..Wenger has spoken out, saying that he could make some dossier on the crap that he gets at Old Trafford. Really this is one of the most stupid cases I have heard of. There is abuse at every football match directed at players/ staff, and I’m sure that Man City give just as much to Fergie and Man Yoo as he got at Arsenal.

So probably a quiet few days till Wigan at home, on the 24th. Hopefully this pesky international break won’t disrupt the side too much and I will be praying for no more injuries like Van Persie’s.

That’s all people, thanks for reading, see you tomorrow

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