The King Returns Home: Goodbye and Hello

2013-06-01 10:25#107458 k1rups : Again interesting signing :p nothing more than a player to improve the depth of the squad I guess

I just needed a bit more experience in the squad

This year for our pre season we went to both Asia and America to play various teams. Pre season gives the players a chance to boost their fitness levels, to get use to playing with each other, it also helps the manager choose who will be in his plans for the upcoming season. Many youngsters get a chance to show what they're worth during pre season and it normally decides if they go out on loan or be part of the first team. It also gives us a chance to boost our merchandise in various places around the world.

Despite it being the season all the lads seemed fired up, everybody wanted to fight for their place in the first team squad and even the bench. There were some wonderful performances from certain players and I have a rough idea of who will be featuring in the upcoming season.

Players such as Cesc, Lamela, Mascherano, Oxlade Chamberlain and Robin Van Persie have settled in very quickly and are starting to play the Arsenal way. In this pre season we emphasized on tactics. It is very important for all the players to understand how we want them to play at the club. We want beautiful football, one-two passing, creativity but at the end of it there must be a clinical finish.

Here are the results from our pre season fixtures:

Arsenal boss Thierry Henry has urged his side to remain focused at all times as Arsenal's season begins with a match vs Swansea City. Last year, Arsenal were guilty of being careless as they only managed to win one trophy.

With the experience Henry has brought in with the likes of Mascherano, Van Persie and Fabregas being at his disposal, Arsenal will help last season will not repeat itself. It is very clear that this season Henry wants to mix youth and experience together to produce something meaningful. Hopefully it will work for Arsenal as they aim to win some trophies this season.

Football fans all over the world will be keen to see how Van Persie and Fabregas play during their second spell at the club, especially Van Persie. It will be interesting to see if he can cope with the pressure he may be the main striker and Lewandowski his back up. Arsenal wouldn't want to change a formation that has given them so much success. The last time Arsenal played with 2 strikers was when Henry played for them and that was almost 10 years ago.

There will certainly be a lot of competition for places in the starting lineup but it seems Henry is willing to give everyone a chance to prove themselves. Those who don't make it are expected to go out on loan to cut down the clubs wage budget and some may even be sold.

That's a healthy looking 9-0 victory....

Pre Season was rather relaxing

Tokengine: Very healthy indeed

KingPadster: Very relaxing!

Ahead of Arsenal's season opener vs Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, Robin Van Persie has publicly apologized to all Arsenal fans for leaving the club the way he did in an interview with the BBC.

Here are his exact words:

I know the Arsenal fans were and some may still be very unhappy about the way I left, and that I left to a rival club, United. I want to apologize to all Arsenal fans. If I could go back in time I would and I wish I had stayed at the club because as soon as I left, Mr Henry came in and the club started winning trophies. We, the players, staff and fans must remain positive and optimistic now as the season is about to begin. We would like to start the season with a win and I hope all the fans can bury their grudges and support myself and the team this season.

A very smart move from Robin Van Persie there as he tries to get the fans back on his side. If you're wondering what's going on here is the deal with Van Persie and the Arsenal fans...

Before now Robin Van Persie was an Arsenal player for 8 years. In those 8 years he had various injury problems and many insisted he should be released, that didn't happen. Arsenal helped him through some personal problems he was having and his physical problems. In those 8 years he didn't play one full season, till his last. In his last season Robin Van Persie was simply unstoppable, he was scoring goals for fun and managed to pick up 30 goals in one season and was one off breaking Alan Shearer's record. He helped Arsenal from 17th to 4th, and for the 17th year Arsenal finished above Tottenham. Then it happened. Van Persie only had one year left on his contract and refused to accept Arsenal's offers. Man United became alert and made a bid around 30 m for the striker. Arsenal had no other choice, it was get 30 million or possibly let him walk out for free. Van Persie became a United a player, much to the disgust of Arsenal fans. From that point on-wards he has been hated by Arsenal fans. Arsenal will hope this will change and hatred will become love.

In your header, it's *Arsenal. Sorry, just being a Grammar Nazi.

Great update. Dying to write that, weren't you, Mr. Henry?

2013-06-04 11:06#108757 Glenn T : In your header, it's *Arsenal. Sorry, just being a Grammar Nazi.

Great update. Dying to write that, weren't you, Mr. Henry?

Haha thanks for correcting me, I didn't notice it. Was very happy writing that!

Wilfred Zaha's time seem's to be up at the Emirates stadium as he was spotted outside Staplewood, Southampton's training ground. Reports say he was there for his medical as Arsenal accepted a 19.5 million bid for the English born Ivorian. Wilfried Zaha, played a big part in Arsenal's squad last season but with Moura, Chamberlain, Lamela and Walcott all ahead of him in the pecking order, Henry was prepared to let him go.

An insider has told us that Zaha isn't just leaving because he is surplus to requirements. We have been told that recently Zaha and Henry have had a few bust ups due to Henry disliking Zaha's attitude towards training.



The insider told us:

He kept turning up to training late and here at the club we would expect an apology and a fine would have to be paid. Zaha would just ignore everyone and would refuse to pay the fine. Then in training he would always be lazy and thought he was a clown. Henry wanted to release him but decided he'll cash in on him while he can.

Zaha seems to be at fault for his departure from the Emirates stadium and has really stooped down a few levels from moving from Arsenal down to Southmapton. It will be interesting to see how he does at St. Mary's and if Southampton can tolerate his behavior.

19.5 million? Damn.

2013-06-04 12:03#108778 Glenn T : 19.5 million? Damn.

good deal?

The Uefa Champions League, known to be the most prestigious tournament in the whole of Europe. If you win this tournament you don't only gain bragging rights, but you gain the title "Champions of Europe". It doesn't end there. For once you win the champions league you go onto the World Club Championship, that's the ultimate prize. If you win the tournament you will be crowned "The best team in the world".

32 teams qualify each year to play in this tournament, each of them wanting to be crowned champions of Europe, but slowly 32 reduces to 16, which reduces to 8, which reduces to 4 which reduces to only 2. These 2 teams then battle it out but only one will go home with the prize, only one will be victorious, only one will be left devastated and only one be will be titled "Champions of Europe".

Arsenal FC have won this competition twice in the last 5 years winning it in back to back seasons, 2012-2013 season and then the 2013-2014 season. In 2016 they fell just short from winning it a third time but they were stopped by Man United, at this time Henry had left the club. Last year Arsenal were knocked out by Napoli in the quarter final were they suffered a 4-0 thrashing, but this is not the same Arsenal. This Arsenal seems more powerful, Henry has mixed youth and experience. The likes of Van Persie, Lewandowski, Fabregas and Mascherano will be working with the likes of Will Hughes, Umtiti, Butland and Lamela.

Arsenal have been given a fairly easy group in this year's champions league. They were drawn in group C along side, Lyon, CSKA Moscow and CFR Cluj. Arsenal will definitely want to win this tournament and will want to finish top of the group, in order to get an easier round of 16 fixture.

Good draw for you Good luck and good decision on Zaha! Keep it up

Wonder if RVP will be apologetic in may save. Absolutely flying at the moment. Nice deal on Zaha and a comfortable draw. Nice stuff