WHY DID I PICK ARSENAL? In short, because they are the team that I support, capable of boasting a quality amount of players as well as a large transfer budget. I also wanted a decent challenge - so obviously a team like Barcelona or Real Madrid was out of the question - but Arsenal pose a very interesting choice. I'll be using the football manager handheld version on my Kindle Fire to take the Gunners to glory, with my main aim of this campaign being to enjoy what I'm doing, post consistent updates and make my first career mode be a successful one.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS [13]
2004, 2002, 1998, 1991, 1989, 1971, 1953, 1948, 1938, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1931

FA CUP WINNERS [10]
2005, 2003, 2002, 1998, 1993, 1979, 1971, 1950, 1936, 1930

CHARITY/COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS [11+1 Shared]
2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1991(Shared), 1953, 1948, 1938, 1934, 1933, 1931, 1930

LEAGUE CUP WINNERS [2]
1993, 1987

EUROPEAN FAIRS CUP WINNERS [1]
1970


SEASON 1 (2013/14)

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Arsenal's Pre-Season Off To a Flying Start
Chapter 3: The BPL Begins!
Chapter 4: Transfer Deadline Day
Chapter 5: Bendtner Scores Twice In One Game
Chapter 6: Arsenal vs. Spurs

Good Luck and welcome to FMScout!

Any tips on making images the same size would be great.




We analyse Arsenal’s pre-season success, looking at how Arsenal fared in the Transfer Window and in the pre-season fixtures respectively:


Arsenal brought in two new transfer signings this year, with 25 year old Brazilian Renato Augusto joining the club as a new attacking midfielder from Corinthians. Having recently moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Corinthians for a sum of 3.5m Euros, the £8m does seem like a hefty pricetag for somebody who didn’t even play a game at his new club. However, the Manager, nicknamed “Firefly” by fans and supporters after expressing a love of a TV show on air, claimed that Renato Augusto “would be a great addition to Arsenal. Yes, we already have plenty of depth in that area [with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Podolski, Carzola, Wilshere Walcott and Özil being notable] but Augusto is a quality talent and I’m looking forward to see how he develops on the playing field. Whilst he has not been given the chance to play at Corinthians he has proven himself at Leverkusen, so I am hoping he can bring some extra talent to the squad.”

There are few fans who regret the part exchange deal that caused 27 year old Abou Diaby to leave Arsenal however – with the player himself being so heavily struck by injuries. Recently, a fan – who refused to be named, questioned the previous boss, Arsene Wenger’s structure to keep ahold of the man, claiming - “what’s the point in keeping Diaby if he never plays?” When informed that Paul Pogba joined the club in exchange for Diaby and £13million however the same fan was overjoyed – “Paul Pogba is a great signing for us. He’s young and has plenty of room in him to grow as well as already being a rock solid player for Juventus. I’m sure he’ll become a new fan favourite.” Indeed, the signing of the 20 year old central midfielder from Italian giants Juventus has won the Gunners Manager much praise. Pogba used to play for Manchester United before leaving for Juventus so it will be interesting to see what happens when he returns to play against his former club this season. Pogba racked up a total of 27 league appearances for Juventus during his time there scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to already star-filled line-up of the Gunners even though with the likes of Wilshere, Flamini and Arteta in the team critics are questioning the need of his signing, particularly as it brought Arsenal’s transfer budget down to £13million from its hefty £35.

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ARSENAL DOMINATE HARTLEPOOL AT HOME!
42490 see Arsenal smash Hartlepool!

ARSENAL 2 HARTLEPOOL 0
Mesut Özil 22’
Oliver Giroud 51’

The first pre-season friendly for new manager Firefly saw his new side dominate Hartlepool United FC 2-0 in a very strong with for the Gunners which delighted his home fans. The League Two side, still recovering from their relegation from League One were absolutely crushed by a full-strength Arsenal side which saw the home team dominate with 60% of the possession compared to Hartlepool’s 40%. A first half goal by Mesut Özil got the game underway 22 minutes with an assist from Jack Wilshere – the two midfielders linking up with a masterful display of possession. Shortly after half time Oliver Giroud managed to score in the 51st minute with an assist provide from England youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had been brought on as a substitute. Overall it was a successful and easy win for Arsenal – their wingers were effective with some quality finishing on display. It was also clear that their midfielders supported the attack well and the defence linked up well to keep Hartlepool out. Oliver Giroud was rewarded player of the match.

ANOTHER PRE-SEASON VICTORY FOR ARSENAL!
38893 fans had to wait until after half time to watch Arsenal smash three goals past Reading!

ARSENAL 3 READING 0
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 54’
Lukas Podolski 58’, 68’

New manager Firefly proved to be a great success in his second win on the trot, watching his new side smash three goals past Reading with the clever use of substitutions – with Oxlade Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski both replacing Jack Wilshere and Renato Augusto at half time. This proved to be a great success as full backs Monreal and Sagna provided Podolski with both of his two goals, with Oxlade-Chamberlain managing to tackle the ball of his opponent before scoring. Once again the Manager used a full strength squad and it proved to work well – with some clinical finishing displayed in front of goal. Whilst the midfield retained possession well and the Gunners covered well defensively – critics claimed that Arsenal were closed down too easily by the opposition. Despite Podolski’s two goals Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced an efficient display to claim Man of the Match, as Arsenal prepare to go into the season against Aston Villa.

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During the build up to the season, Arsenal suffered two injuries – one more serious than the other. With new loanee, 28-year old Emiliano Viviano from Fiorentina injured for an unknown number of weeks the real blow was England and Arsenal talisman Jack Wilshere – the twenty-one year old being out for several months. Now with an already injury hit squad it has become clear why Augusto and Pogba were needed, and after some impressive pre-season displays from both players they are already fitting into the team quite well.

ARSENAL CLAIM THEIR FIRST THREE POINTS
Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park to win on the opening day of the season.


ASTON VILLA 1 ARSENAL 3
Jordan Bowery 81’ Oliver Giroud 14’ 31’
Mesut Özil 76
Laurent Koscielny
Mathieu Flamini
Santi Carzola

Aston Villa suffered an injury to star striker Benteke allowing Arsenal to capitalise on their weakness and smashed three goals past them on the opening day of the season. Both Paul Pogba and Santi Carzola linked up well providing assists for both of Oliver Giroud’s goals respectively whilst Giroud himself provided an assist for Mesut Özil’s goal, also going on to claim man of the match. However, Koscielny, Flamini and Carzola all received yellow cards during the game as Arsenal themselves demonstrated some clinical finishing, with very effective wingers and midfielders themselves supporting the attack well

ARSENAL DOMINATE FIRST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING LEG
60309 watch Arsenal smash P. Ferreira at the Emirates


ARSENAL 3 P. FERRIRA 0
Theo Walcott 11’ 35’
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 62’
Ramsey

Arsenal scored another three goals as they look strong favourites to reach the Champions’ League Group Stage following their 3-0 domination over the Portuguese team who were outclassed by another full strength Arsenal side. English striker Theo Walcott was rewarded Man of the Match after thumping two goals past the visitors – with fellow Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a substitute – coming on to score a goal in minute 62. Welshman Aaron Ramsey was the only player to receive a yellow card in a game where Arsenal dominated possession, with some clinical finishing supported by midfielders and effective wingers. The Gunners themselves also covered well defensively, providing some great creativity when going forward delivering a solid and workmanlike performance.

ARSENAL DRAW AT HOME TO WEST HAM
57258 fans turn up to watch Arsenal held by the Hammers at home.


ARSENAL 0 WEST HAM 0
Vermaelen Noble
Koscielny Carroll
Giroud

One of Arsene Wenger’s last transfer signings, returning from AC Milan on a free transfer, Mathieu Flamini, claimed man of the match in an otherwise dull game that saw Arsenal held to a draw despite claiming 60% of possession. The Gunners benefited from a midfield that retained possession well and a strong coverage with their defence but they lacked the ability to find incisive passes and their lone striker Theo Walcott was unable to find space up front, and was injured during the game – forcing Arsenal to bring on Oliver Giroud who failed to make an impact.


Theo Walcott was ruled out for three weeks after suffering an injury in the goalless draw at West Ham with Joel Campbell suffering a two week long injury in training. Arsenal suffered a blow as new signing Paul Pogba was ruled out through injury - but it has not yet been confirmed how long he will be out for.

Great start and welcome to the site

A GOALLESS DRAW SEES ARSENAL THROUGH TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
Laurent Koscielny claims man of the match in a game largely made up of Arsenal’s reserve team.



P. FERREIRA 0 ARSENAL 0
Koscielny

Ryo Miyaichi, who spent last season on loan to Everton, was injured for a month in a game that neither side failed to win. Home side P. Ferreira had already gone in at a disadvantage, having been three goals down in the first leg, but failed to capitalise on their home advantage against a weaker Arsenal team which lacked the likes of Mesut Özil and Oliver Giroud. However, almost-permanent feature in the Arsenal starting line-up Laurent Koscielny claimed Man of the Match, despite seeing a yellow card in an otherwise dull and boring fixture that saw Arsenal progress to the Group Stage of the Champions League. The Gunners held possession well in midfield but very few incisive passes were made and the lone striker failed to hold onto the ball. However, a draw was all Arsenal needed and they will be content with their result.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP E DRAW
Arsenal
Celtic
Olympiakos
Schalke 04

Arsenal find themselves drawn a relatively easy group despite the fact that Schalke 04 and Celtic will still provide tough challenges and Olympiakos should not be underestimated. Manager Firefly claimed “we were extremely lucky [in the draw]. We could have ended up against a team like Barcelona or Juventus but instead we were fortunate to avoid them. However I shall not underestimate Celtic, Olympiakos and Schalke – they are all very good teams and have done well to get this far.”

WELLINGTON SILVA’S ATTIDUTE QUESTIONED!


The Media have questioned Wellington Silva's attitude.

Youngster Wellington Silva’s attitude was heavily scrutinised by the press in the past few weeks. The 20 year old Brazilian youngster has not been applying his full effort in training – at least according to multiple newspapers who cite a source inside the Arsenal training ground. Manager Firefly was taking no chances with Wellington Silva’s lax approach – claiming that “If [Silva] he doesn’t apply himself to the task at hand then his future at the club will be in the balance.”




Real Madrid Youngster Alvaro Morata was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal this Summer but the Deal Fell Through

Despite numerous transfer deadline day bids including an audacious £14million pound bid for young 21 year old Real Madrid striker Álvaro Morata, Arsenal were unable to make any last minute transfers. However, Firefly stated in a press conference that Arsenal are happy with the signings that they need. “[Yassine] Benzia has proved to be an exceptional loan striker so far and despite his injury [Paul] Pogba has fit into the team nicely and we are awaiting his return. [Renato] Augusto has already shown himself to be a quality signing and we do not – at least for the moment need any more strengthening of our squad with plenty of depth particularly to our midfield. Overall I view this window as a success – especially when you consider that Wenger has already brought in players like Mesut Özil and Mathieu Flamini earlier this season.”

Just read every update and I must say this story is looking really good, keep it up!

10 MEN ARSENAL LUCKY TO BEAT NEWCASTLE UNITED
Santi Carzola was sent off as Arsenal beat Newcastle to gain three points at home.


Yassine Benzia, the French striker on loan from Lyon, secured the three points for Arsenal after replacing Oliver Giroud.

NEWCASTLE 1 ARSENAL 2
Loic Remy 31’ (Pen) Olivier Giroud 23’
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa* Yassine Benzia 68’
Mathieu Flamini
Santi Carzola 31’

In a game where Newcastle held 51% of the possession and benefited from putting the Gunners down to ten men they failed to gain three points with their only goal being a Loic Remy penalty following Carzola’s sending off. Giroud opened the scoring however in the 23rd minute and making his debut for the club as Giroud’s replacement – loanee Yassine Benzia slotted one past Rob Elliot in the 68th minute. Arsenal put in a disappointing performance as whilst some quality finishing was on display their wingers were largely ineffective, Arsenal failed to retain possession and the Carzola Red Card showed poor discipline. However – three points is three points, and Arsenal will be glad that that they picked up the points from that game.

CHELSEA DEFEATED BY RIVALS ARSENAL!
Podolski and Giroud put one goal each past long standing Arsenal rivals.


Lukas Podolski scored the opening penalty in a fierce game between rivals Arsenal and Chelsea

ARSENAL 2 CHELSEA 0
Lukas Podolski 75’ (Pen) Ashley Cole
Oliver Giroud 77’ Branislav Ivanovic
Mikel Arteta Frank Lampard
Ramires

Arsenal had to wait until a Lukas Podolski penalty in order to open the scoring against rivals Chelsea in what proved to be a tightly packed game that saw several of Chelsea’s key players pick up Yellow Cards. Oliver Giroud claimed man of the match as Arsenal’s wingers proved to be very effective and the result proved that there was not only some quality finishing on display, but the team covered well defensively to allow a good, solid performance that will leave Manager Firefly pleased with his team.

BENDTNER ON FORM!
Arsenal put four goals past Schalke at home in the Champions’ League Group Stage with Nicklas Bendtner providing two after being brought on from the bench.


Nicklas Bendtner impresses for Arsenal as they dominate Schalke 04

ARSENAL 4 SCHALKE 04 0
Oliver Giroud 25’
Per Mertesacker 48’
Nicklas Bentdner 54’ , 81’

In what proved to be a rare game for Nicklas Bendter, the forgotten Arsenal man proved why he should be given a chance as in replacing Giroud at half time – he slotted two goals past Timo Hildebrand in order to hand Arsenal the three points against one of their main rivals for qualifying in Group E. Mikel Arteta was awarded man of the match with a 10/10 rating as Arsenal showed a display of pure class with some moments of good creativity, clinical finishing and boasted from some very effective wingers. A strong performance from the defence handed a successful start to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign as Schalke were humiliated in front of an Emirates crowd.

Good match !First match luky win ! Good luck man !

LONDON STAYS RED
Arsenal’s good form continues with a 4-1 thumping over Tottenham Hotspur at the White Hart Lane.


Oliver Giroud was the key figure in the game against Rivals Spurs

TOTTENHAM 1 ARSENAL 4
Roberto Soldado 55’ Olivier Giroud 11’ 22’
Nacer Chadli Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 44’
Paulinho Mesut Özil 72’
Etinne Capoue Bacary Sagna
Per Mertesacker

Arsenal humiliated rivals Tottenham Hotspur, defeating them by a mammoth 3 goal margin at the White Hart Lane. The £100million that Spurs spent on new signings was not enough to beat Arsenal, with Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Özil awarding the Gunners another three points as they overwhelmed the home side. Olivier Giroud claimed man of the match as the Gunners delivered an impressive display – utilising effective wingers displaying some clinical finishing to get the job done. Firefly was overjoyed at his team’s success, stating that “Whilst it may be early season this was a moral boosting victory for the team and I look forward to continuing this success.”

CAPITAL ONE CUP BEGINS
Arsenal kicked off their Capital One Cup game with a group stage match against Newcastle United


Mikel Arteta sealed Arsenal's Victory in the 61st Minute

ARSENAL 2 NEWCASTLE 0
Lukas Podolski 45’ Martin Caceres
Mikel Arteta 61’ Jonas Gutierrez
Carl Jenkinson Moussa Sissoko

Arsenal met Newcastle United for the second time already this season on September 25 when the Gunners were victorious over the away side again, leaving Newcastle knocked out of the Capital One Cup in the 3rd Round thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski and Mikel Arteta. Arsenal dominated the midfield with some effective displays from their wingers, and some quality finishing in place. However, Oliver Giroud was unable to find space for the whole game, eventually being replaced by Theo Walcott whilst Aaron Ramsey and Santi Carzola were brought on for Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

ARSENAL HELD BY FULHAM
A Tomas Rosicky goal was disallowed leaving Arsenal held to a goalless draw at the Emirates.


Maarten Stekelenburg was the only person preventing Arsenal from gaining three points.

ARSENAL 0 FULHAM 0
Bacary Sagna Fernando Amorebieta
Scott Parker

In a game where Arsenal dominated with more than 60% of the possession, they were left frustrated thanks to a superb display by Maarten Stekelenburg, who received a 10 out of 10 rating as he kept Fulham in the game who were unable to find chances of their own. Arsenal used up all three of their subs, and whilst starting the likes of Rosicky and Yassine Benzia over Özil, Carzola & Giroud might not have been the best idea it allowed the players to get a much needed rest. Whilst the midfield did retain possession well very few incisive passes were made with the lone striker not being able to find space and even when the ball was passed to both Benzia and Giroud, they were unable to keep hold of the ball for very long.

I think its a Arsenal thing smashing Totenham as I also do this lol. I like it your writing style is brilliant.