Arsenal FC: A Bould Move

After being away from the site for a week, yours is the first I read when I got back online. One of my favourites and a hot contender for SotM for FM14! Absolutely loving the detail in each post!

Just read thru the entire story.

I would love to see the papers and fans go bonkers if a new manager came inn and tore apart a team like this.

I don’t understand why Nicklas Bendtner was not shipped out when you cleaned house anyway.

Some impressive results early in the season by a team with that many new players.

Keep up the great story,

What a great story to read as my first one back on the site! Great work with the Arse and interesting to see the transfers made. Disappointed to see you sell Ox but some good buys, especially Januzaj and Ben Davies IMO. Great writing and defo one story I will keep following!

Walter: Oh Walter you cutie! I feel honoured! I have to say, I feel this has been my best start to a story yet, so would be delighted with SotM, but cant see it happening yet. Thanks for the kind words though

Northwood: Thanks. I agree, it would be epic! Nicklas Bendtner? I couldn't possibly get rid of Bendtner. He's half the reason I chose Arsenal!

k1rups: Thanks, very much appreciated. Selling the Ox was a tough one, and it was a decent price, especially from a club like Soton. I felt like I had to reunite him with his old club too, as I'm such a nice manager.


Sorry for the lack of updates over the last few days. I have been very busy the last few days, and I when I went to write it, with just the league table to upload I closed the tab and couldn't get it back! Nevertheless, regular updates could be found very soon over the weekend!

October is a month which could massively help teams. The Premier League is well underway, the group stages of the Champions League are getting close, and cups are progressing. It's a great chance to pick up the points!

Match Results:

West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal FC

Saturday 5th October 2013 | The Boleyn Ground | Att. 35,016 | B. Madley

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastasic, Bellerin, Garcia, Arteta, Rosicky, Cazorla, Wilshere, Bedtner Subs: Torres, Macek

Goals from Matija Natastic and Jack Wilshere helped the Gunners shoot down the Hammers on a sunny afternoon. Serbian defender Nastasic opened the scoring on 21 minutes, his header finding the back of the net out of the reach of Jaaskelainen.

Just minutes later, captain Kevin Nolan was bought down in the box by Nastasic, who subsequently stepped up to convert the penalty. Nevertheless, Szczesny dived the correct way and parried the ball out to keep his side in front.

Early in the second half, Stewart Downing was also taken down in the box, this time by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Wojciech receieved only a warning, but had to face the wrath of Kevin Nolan again. The penalty was put wide, and the fans became very vocal.

Jack Wilshere then finished off the game with a sublime goal with 20 minutes remaining. Collecting the ball from Roman Macek, Wilshere beat three players on the run, before cutting in and placing home, the ball rebounding off the back post into the net.

Arsenal Goals: Matija Nastasic (21), Jack Wilshere (71)
West Ham Goals: None
Man of the Match: Matija Nastasic (ARS) 8.4

Cardiff City 0-1 Arsenal FC

Saturday 19th October 2013 | The Cardiff City Stadium | Att. 27,500 | N. Swarbrick

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Nastasic, Koscielny, Bellerin, Garcia, Flamini, Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Bendtner Subs: Giroud

Mathieu Flamini salvaged Arsenal FC three points in an embarrasing victory, with Cardiff possibly deserving all three points.

Gary Medel had a goal disallowed correctly for offside after 34 minutes, but was then brought down hastily in the box in injury time of the first half, which was almost certainly a penalty.

The scores were level at half time, and only Mathieu Flamini could change that, grabbing a goal in the 77th minute, a simple tap in from Olivier Giroud's rebounded shot off of the post.

Arsenal Goals: Mathieu Flamini (77)
Cardiff Goals: None
Man of the Match: Laurent Koscielny (ARS) 8.5

Arsenal FC 2-2 Southampton FC

Saturday 26th October 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 59,499 | C. Pawson

Line-up: Szczesny, Gaya, Nastasic, Koscielny, Carvajal, Garcia, Ramsey, Shaw, Cazorla, Whilshere, Pozo Subs: Giroud, Flamini

Luke Shaw was the focus for the media as his new club Arsenal drew his former club Southampton.

Centre-back Maya Yoshida gave Southampton the lead with a close range finish which was timed impeccably in the 15th minute. Wonderkid Luke Shaw then equalised for Arsenal in the 44th minute with a close range finish.

Arsenal captain Jack Wilshere then put Arsenal in front after 72 minutes with an effort from range. Southampton's equaliser came through Yossi Benayoun as he seized on Matija Nastasic's mistake to score a well timed close rage finish.

Southampton's Schneiderlin was forced off by injury in the 84th minute.

Arsenal Goals: Luke Shaw (44), Jack Wilshere (72)
Soton Goals: Maya Yoshida (15), Yossi Benayoun (81)
Man of the Match: Maya Yoshida (SOT) 7.7

Arsenal FC 2-1 FC Kobenhavn

Wednesday 2nd October 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 59,335 | C. Cakir

UEFA Champions League Group D Game 2

Line-up: Szczesny, Davies, Gimenez, Koscielny, Carvajal, Flamini, Ramsey, Januzaj, Wilshere, Ozil, Jese Subs: Bendtner, Arteta

Arsenal edged victory at home against Danish side FC Kobenhavn on a very cold Wednesday night. Kovenhavn got off to the dream start, Thomas Kristensen knocking the ball past Szczesny after just 2 minutes.

Arsenal defender Jose Gimenez then found an equaliser, his first goal for the club, with a magnificent strike from 30 yards after 19 minutes, much to the avail of the fans.

Adnan Januzaj secured the victory after 77 minutes, with a lovely finesse into the top corner, beating two defenders and the goalkeeper from a free-kick from 20 yards out.

Arsenal Goals: Jose Gimenez (19), Adnan Januzaj (77)
Kobenhavn Goals: Thomas Kristensen (2)
Man of the Match: Ben Davies (ARS) 9.1

Arsenal FC 1-1 FC Schalke 04

Wednesday 23rd October 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 60,338 | C. Velasco

UEFA Champions League Group D Game 3

Line-up: Viviano, Monreal, Nastasic, Gimenez, Bellerin, Flamini, Ozil, Rosicky, Januzaj, Gnabry, Giroud Subs: Wilshere, Shaw, Arteta

A potentially serious injury suffered by Schalke's Jermaine Jones overshadowed events on what was a mild autumnal evening at Emirates Stadium.

Wonderkid Julian Draxler gave FC Schalke 04 the lead with a powerful close range effort in the 34th minute. It was a superb solo effort and Draxler looked delighted. Arsenal's equaliser came through Adnan Januzaj as he seized on Jermaine Jones' mistake to score a deftly executed finish.

Defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini's red card for persistent fouling on 80 minutes Arsenal's position under question.

Arsenal Goals: Adnan Januzaj (50)
Schalke Goals: Julian Draxler (34)
Man of the Match: Julian Draxler (SCH) 8.4

Tranmere Rovers 1-3 Arsenal FC (aet)

Wednesday 30th October 2013 | Prenton Park | Att. 16,069 | R. East

Capital One Cup Fourth Round

Line-up: Adan, Monreal, Koscielny, Pleguezuelo, Bellerin, Flamini, Zelalem, Gaya, Wilson, Januzaj, Raage Subs: Wilshere, Jese, Ozil

Mesut Ozil played the part of super-sub for Arsenal as The Gunners came from behind to defeat Tranmere on a cold and clear evening at Prenton Park.

Things did not get off to a good start for Arsenal as midfielder Chris Atkinson seized on an error by Laurent Koscielny to score a real poacher's effort from 17 metres. Young striker Jamaal Raage then equalised for Arsenal in the 50th minute, with an accurate finish on his first-team debut.

World class winger Mesut Ozil then put Arsenal in front after 95 minutes with a fierce shot. It was a superb solo effort and Ozil looked delighted. Ozil scored from the penalty spot in the 105th minute after Howard gave away a penalty.

Arsenal Goals: Jamaal Raage (50), Mesut Ozil (95, 105+2)
Tranmere Goals: Chris Atkinson (7)
Man of the Match: Mesut Ozily (ARS) 9.0

Monthly Review:

This was a mixed month for us. We managed to get the majority of the points, with two wins and a draw in the league, a win and a draw in Europe and progression to the next round of the Capital One Cup, although going to extra time didn't help! I wasn't expecting brilliant results week in, week out, as I regularly fielded weaker, less experienced sides to test them out, and some still managed to perform very well. It's not about how you win, as long as you win!

League Table:

We have dropped down to third, but we are still very close to those in first and second, and can certainly get to the top if we play well next month. I'm very shocked to see Norwich City all the way down in 20th, yet to win a single game. We have scored the most goals in the league, joint with Chelsea and Manchester City, but have conceded more, so need to improve that.

UEFA Champions League Draw:

This is too close to call! We've now hit the halfway mark of the group stage, so from now on competition will be fiercer than ever! All sitting on 5 points, it seems the table has been done on alphabetical order rather than goal difference, meaning we are first rather than second or third. I can't wait for the next games, as it looks Kobenhavn have lost all hope now.

Player of the Month:

There wasn't particularly one player that stood out this month, but captain Jack Wilshere was very consistent. A rating of 8.8 against Kobenhavn, a goal against West Ham, a solid display against Cardiff, and another goal against Southampton was enough for Jack to deserve recognition. Two goals as a midfielder in a season is always good, especially for a player who has been key all season.

Barclays Premier League Awards:

No winners this month, but our Player of the Month finished third in the Young Player of the Month award, beaten by Tottenham's Erik Lamela and Villa's Jores Okore.

Elsewhere This Month:

What other big news has been around these last few weeks, and was shocked the footballing world?

• Both Atletico Madrid and Celtic sit in third and fourth of the UCL Group D.
• Real Sociedad sit in the relegation zone in 19th place in the Liga BBVA.
• Robert Lewandowski scores 4, with 3 within 5 minutes, as Dortmund beat Ludogorets 7-0.
• Ipswich knock Newcastle out of the Capital One Cup after extra time.
• Barcelona win the first El Clasico of the season 1-0, which included Arbeloa seeing red.

Under-18 Transfer News:

Arsenal FC Under-18 manager Steve Gatting has now announced a further two signings. 16-year-old right midfielder Harry Wilson has signed from Liverpool FC, and managed to feature in the recent cup fixture against Tranmere Rovers. Meanwhile, 17-year-old left midfielder Matija Miketic has signed after leaving previous club Verona.

I just can't get over the detail that you go into Kane! Is it disappointing to only come away with a draw against Southampton?!? I would expect your side to walk over them but it didn't seem to happen

Like James said, the detail in this is absolutely phenomenal and is going to inspire many people on the site.

Jamesg237: Anything for my loyal readers.. It was disappointing, but with the likes of Pozo, Gaya, and even Shaw in midfield, I was expecting a draw to be honest.

Walter: Thanks! I hope so, would be great.

For Steve Bould, nerves will be at an all time high. The recently appointed Arsenal manager will soon experience his first North London derby as a manager, the home fixture to Tottenham Hotspur opening the November calendar.

Bould experienced many as an assistant, but told BT Sport: "When you are the assistant, you purely get the joy. You feel the odd nerves here and there, but for the players and the result. Now, there is so much pressure, so much can depend on this. I hope to thrive off of the opportunity though."

Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has handed the Englishman some new that may ease the nerves. It is unknown whether Ivan planned to hand the news to Bould before the Tottenham game in an attempt to trick him phycuologically, but either way, Bould won't mind too much.

With the current transfer budget estimated to be about £20 million, Ivan handed Bould and Arsenal fans the wonderful news that the budget would be extended, to roughly £50 million.

Arsenal have already invested this season in new youth and training facilities, but have still found the extra income to be able to improve the current transfer budget. The exact reasoning to why the extra income is available is unknown, but this may dramatically help the manager's chances of capturing his main target in January: Thiabut Courtois. Bould has already stated his aims to sign Courtois, but due to recent form in Madrid, Chelsea may want a large sum.

Bould will now go into the North London derby knowing he can begin to think about new signings, but may want to be more focused on the game itself first.

Oh yes! Those extra funds should be vital in you trying to acheive your goals this season!

Absolutely amazing story. Nice to see Janu scoring

With me probably being the biggest Arsenal fan on the whole site, I must say this story is incredible!

At least Tranmere scored!

#SuperWhiteArmy

As a massive Arsenal fan loving this! Despite selling a few big players (Theo,Ox,Podolski)you have recruited well and the results are showing! Keep up the good work and In Bould We Trust!

50 million?!D: I can't scrape 5 million out of the PSG board:O

Spend it wisely;)