Merry Christmas and Watch Out for the Shuttle!

Today, my lucky readers, is the super duper, bumper holiday edition of Gen Cam!! I know there has been a lack of postings lately and we can all blame my real job for these inconveniences! Trips to the pearl of the south, Pascagoula Mississippi should take a back seat to inane drivel, but since it keeps wine in my cupboard, I can’t complain too much. Actually, there won’t be too much to this post as I am still a bit fuzzy from the holiday get together last night. I drank a bunch of wine, got sappy with old friends, and broke a bottle of scotch (which I’d just received) so it was a roaring success. On to business.

The Arsenal were supposed to take on the scousers this week but the match was postponed because the fog was growing thicker (and Leon was getting laaaarger!!) in Liverpool last Tuesday. So now the match will be shoved into an already overcrowded fixture list. Yahoo. More potential for injuries and fatigue. Oh well. Tomorrow though the Gunners host Blackburn Rovers and that bastard Robbie Savage (who I’m amazed has never been sent off). It looks as if Czech midfielder Rosicky will be back in the lineup and Flamini is also clear to play after shrugging off a shoulder injury. Also, Lauren is finally making his way back into the team after being sidelined most of the year with a leg injury. He was in the squad for the Liverpool match but he can’t be rushed back too quickly. I’d love to see him get some time and shake off some of the rust. Eboue has been a good replacement but I really like Lauren’s defending capabilities (which Eboue lacks at times) and his level of effort. Plus he tends to scare the crap out of the other team!

Boxing day on Tuesday (when I’m going to be ‘sick’) will see the Gunners travel across town to northwest London to take on Watford. This should be an easy win for the Arsenal, but we all know how well they’ve done with ‘lesser’ clubs this year. As long as we can score first, then I think there shouldn’t be too many problems. Then there is a trip to Sheffield United on Saturday, back home to host Charlton on the 2nd, and two trips to Liverpool on the 6th and the 9th. Hopefully we can win all these matches but I’d be happy with no losses and no injuries. That is my Christmas wish. And getting my membership pack from Arsenal (which was supposed to arrive in October!!) would be nice too. This congestion around Christmas has always been a bit much for the players, especially when other leagues take a winter break. It really hurts the clubs, especially those playing in European competitions. Even our old friend Ian Holloway talks about it in his weekly BBC.com column:

“I'll be spending Christmas trying to win some football matches because we've got a 1pm kick-off away at Cardiff on Boxing Day. What an absolute crock of rubbish

It's madness. Why can't they work it so you play the last Saturday before Christmas and then New Year's Day, with nothing in between? That way you can all have a decent Christmas

I would like nothing more than to be like the rest of my family and chill out over Christmas, have a nice little snooze in the afternoon, eat a little bit too much, drink the odd thing that is a bit 'ooh wait a minute', then on Boxing Day watch a lovely film on the telly - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or something - and have a game of charades.”

Nobody says it better than Holloway!

So the Argyle are obviously playing at Cardiff on Boxing Day but prior to that they’ll be hosting West Brom on Saturday. Argyle players Paul Connolly, Lee Hodges, Nick Chadwick and Paul Wotton will all miss the match due to injuries, but goal scorers Hayles and Djordjic will be available. The Pilgrims could really use a few wins after they got smashed 3-0 by Preston West End last week which pushed them into 12th position.

Today NASA reports that they aren’t sure where the shuttle is going to land as there is bad weather in Florida and California. It is due to come home for Christmas today and I’m sure the astronauts would like to get back on terra firma for the holidays. So keep an eye out, they may just find a nice long stretch of road somewhere in Kansas to set her down!

Also, if you are traveling by air this weekend, make sure you don’t put your baby through the X-ray machine. Amazing.

I think that is about all I can handle today. My office won’t stop spinning and I need to get this up on the net before I leave for lunch!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Adios.

Lets Go Drinking!!!

What a crazy week this has been my friends. Lots of work, travel and little free time. I know many have been waiting with bated breath for the latest installment of Gen Cam, so here you go. Sorry if it is crap.

First things first, the Arsenal played at Wigan this last Wednesday and came through with a 1-0 win. I, of course, was traveling that day and had to write stupid X-mas cards when I got home so I haven’t seen the match. From the reports though, there wasn’t too much to tell. Some report it is a bore fest (well all do) but that the Gunners were also horrible and were only lucky because Cesc and other typical starters, who were being rested, came in off the bench and got things stirred up. Others, including Arsene, feel that the match was a gritty, physical one and our young guns held their own well enough to get a goal (by Adebayor). I’m sure there is some truth to both and I’ve seen where the absence of Cesc, especially since Vieira is no longer with us, has limited forward play because the boy wonder isn’t there to deliver the passes and through balls our offense needs. But, the good news is that against a physical side we were able to hold our own. It used to be that the Gunners would cave in and lose the match (Bolton rings a bell). Hopefully this new-found fighting spirit sticks around far beyond Henry’s return to the squad in the new year.

The Arsenal, who are in 3rd again with the win, host Portsmouth who are just behind us in 4th. The Pompey side have had a turn around of fortune this season and are playing quite well. Also, the match sees the return of former Arsenal play Sol Campbell after he left this past summer on a free (which was done so he could go to Europe and play, though he welshed on that and went to another Prem club). It will be hard to catch ManU in the race to the League title, but the club needs to concentrate on getting wins and not worry about what befalls the table. Tomorrow will be a tough match but I think that at home the young Guns can pull out the victory. 2-1 to the Arsenal I say. You heard it here first!

In the Champions League, today was the draw for the Round of 16 to be played starting in February. We drew Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, who have had a good run in the Eredivisie due to a staunch defense. It isn’t an easy draw, but we should be able to pull out the win and move on to the quarters. After last season, anything is possible. The Chavs face Mourinho’s old club Porto, Celtic take on AC Milan and the Mancs have Lille. The big showdown is going to be Liverpool and Barcelona. Eto’o and Messi will likely be back in the squad by then so it will be even more of a battle for Rafa the gaffa and the scousers.

Porto v CHELSEA
CELTIC v AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven v ARSENAL
Lille v MANCHESTER UNITED
Roma v Lyon
Barcelona v LIVERPOOL
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
Inter Milan v Valencia

In important drinking news, the Aussies from down under have actually come up with a nifty invention bigger than Mark Vidukas wasteline! Have you ever been out at a picnic or on the beach and wanted to appear dignified but couldn’t because large wine bottles are such a burden. Well, now there is the Shuttle which has a plastic wine glass incorporated into the package!! So put down that oil can of Fahsters and get a Shuttle! Crikey!!







Also, I saw on the news this morning that Donald Trump and the Miss USA Pageant group are having issues with the behavior of the current Miss USA who hails from the great state of Kentucky. Supposedly Tara Conner has been hitting the clubs and the sauce a bit too much for their liking and are putting her on notice. If she doesn’t shape up, she will be out and Miss California will take her place. I personally don’t see anything wrong with the young lady heading out for a bit of fun, even though she’s only 20 years old. In fact, I see nothing wrong with her at all! Wink wink, nudge nudge!!

Finally, has anyone been watching the matches I proposed the other day? I’ve tried to watch some but have been quite busy. I am free of the wife and kid this weekend so it will be a weekend of football at the Casa de Cam this weekend! Woo-hoo!! I can watch footie and fart in the living room!! Not like I didn’t before, it’s just that there won’t be anyone around to complain when I do!!

Get to the pub, see some friends, and catch some sports. And with that I bid everyone a fond weekend!

Adios.

Way to go Kids!

Sunday was the big London derby as the Gunners visited the Bridge and came away with a 1-1 draw. The Arsenal were without some of their top players in Toure, Gallas, Rosicky and Henry, but the young kids did what we all knew they were capable of and played tough, gritty football. The workrate of the squad was similar to the recent Scum match with the players hustling, attacking the ball, limiting Chelsea’s space, and providing nice counter-attack opportunities. There were a few shaky moments and a couple of times players were caught out of position, but they made up for it in the end. Flamini got the Arsenal goal about 10 minutes from full time off some nice touch and go play between himself and Hleb and it seemed the Gunners were going to get all 3 points. Chelsea, however, didn’t give up and poured on the attack. Essien got the tying goal not too long after on a fantastic shot from nearly 35 to 40 yards out. Granted, he should never have gotten the ball as Hleb was fouled by Cole in the buildup to the shot, but the call never came and Essien’s shot was a cracker. That’s football, what are you gonna do? Hleb had another sitter he missed soon after, Chelsea hit the post and some lucky saves were made to keep the match level. Here is a better match description.

I was really pleased, as were most Arsenal fans at the way the team played. It was a great match to watch for the neutrals as well as there was plenty of attack and loads of great play. But, to put a sour note on it all, or at least to try to, jackass Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed that the Gunners came out to only play for a draw and didn’t care about winning. Also, he stated that we were in cahoots with Man U (yeah, right) to help them win the title by limiting Chelsea’s points. Then why did Arsenal score first? What a tool. He couldn’t admit that the Arsenal played well, or that maybe we were even lucky. Once again, the loss of points wasn’t his fault. Florida Gator fans must idolize this guy.

While all this was brewing in west London, West Ham, which is in East London (huh?, I know) sacked their manager Alan Pardew after a 4-0 thumping by Bolton over the weekend. New owner Eggert Magnusson (you gotta see this guy, he really does have an egg head) had enough and wants to make sure his club stays in the Prem to get the big bucks. It is rumored that old Hammer player Alan Curbishley is interested in the job after spending the previous 15 years at Charlton. I’m sure the fans would love to have him back at Upton Park, so we’ll see. Adios Pardew. I guess he isn’t doing any more poncy jigs in front of opposing benches now!

Here in the States, former Gunner Steve Morrow was hired as the new coach for Texas team FC Dallas. Morrow started for the Gunners in 1988 at 17 and played for 10 seasons, getting the game winning goal in the 1993 League Cup final. He then went on to play at QPR then went to Dallas in 2002. After retiring in ’03 due to a neck injury he became an assistant coach and knows the squad well. It will be fun to see what Arsenal influence he brings to the Texas team and how they do. All the best to Steve.

Fianlly, all the recent matches in Europe against different leagues have started to show me how little I know about football and the players outside England. There has also been a lot of discussion on the message boards about world class players and I feel I have a limited knowledge in some of these areas. My attention over the years has been so focused on the Premier League that I feel I’ve been missing out on some great football. This can’t last any longer. Therefore, much the dismay of my wife, I will start watching much more football from other leagues, paying attention to other national squads, and following world football news. I feel I owe it to myself and my 2 readers. I encourage all to take up this challenge as it will make us better people and the world a safer place. At least that’s the tag line I’m using. So subscribe to soccertv.com and set your DVR’s to record the following this week:

Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal (Of course!!!!)
Setanta Sports USA
We Dec 13 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT LIVE

Arsenal vs Portsmouth
Setanta Sports USA
Sa Dec 16 9:45am ET/6:45am PT LIVE

Espanyol vs Real Madrid
GolTV (US)
GolTV Canada
Su Dec 17 1pm ET/10am PT LIVE

Recreativo vs Sevilla
GolTV (US)
GolTV Canada
Su Dec 17 Time TBA (kickoff 11am ET/8am PT)

Fiorentina vs AC Milan
RAI International - North America
TLN - Canada
Sa Dec 16 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT LIVE
GolTV (US)
GolTV Canada
Sa Dec 16 6pm ET/3pm PT SDD *** to be confirmed ***

Inter Milan vs Messina
GolTV (US)
GolTV Canada
RAI International - North America
TLN - Canada
Su Dec 17 9am ET/6am PT LIVE

Roma vs Palermo
RAI International - North America
TLN - Canada
Su Dec 17 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT LIVE
GolTV (US)
GolTV Canada
Su Dec 17 3pm ET/12noon PT SDD *** to be confirmed ***

Mainz vs Bayern Munich
GolTV (US - English and Spanish)
GolTV Canada
Sa Dec 16 9:25am ET/6:25am PT LIVE

Energie Cottbus vs VfB Stuttgart
GolTV (US - English and Spanish)
GolTV Canada
Sa Dec 16 11:30am ET/8:30am PT SDD

I'm late for a Pint, So.....

Friday is finally here and I am hoping to get out of here soon! Therefore, this will be a quick post. The big London derby happens this Sunday as the Gunners jump on the Piccadilly Line south, transfer at Earl’s Court, take the District Line (Wimbledon bound) to Fulham Broadway, and hoof it up to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. Playing the Chavs lately has been a difficult matter due to the influx of Roman Abromovich’s billions and buying all top rated players, but it will be even more of a task this weekend as the Arsenal are not going in with their A-team. Henry is out injured as is Rosicky and former Blue William Gallas. Also, the rock of the back line Kolo Toure is out through suspension. Wenger will have no choice but to field a young team and pray the kids can hold out or at least score a goal.



On the Arsenal message boards this week there has been tons of discussion on who should play, where they should play, and in what formation. Many are calling for the 4-5-1 to provide a tighter midfield that can hope to protect the very young back line. However, it is my opinion that the back line is going to get burned at least once and conceded a goal. Drogba has been at the height of his game and is great on the long ball, which is bad news for the Gunner central backs. The long ball will lessen the effectiveness of the stacked Arsenal midfield, thus putting all the pressure on Senderos and fellow Swiss international Djourou. Big Phil has had his troubles with Drogba over the years and this will work to the Chelsea player’s advantage as Phil is just getting over a long injury and hasn’t been playing much lately. Therefore, considering these items, I think the Gunners should stick to a 4-4-2 with van Persie up front on the right where he performs best. This will give us better attacking options and help keep Chelsea honest. Of course, I may be wrong. It has happened before. No matter what, lets hope that Arsenal beautiful football shines through and shows that class can’t be bought.

And finally (I said it would be quick) here is a great blog about why Darren Clarke should win this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for his performance in this summers Ryder Cup. I agree with it full heartedly and hope he takes the honors. I’ve always admired the Irishman not only for his game but he seems to be a genuinely good chap. He loves the pints and cigars too which makes him top notch in my book.

Glad all the Gooners made it back from Porto safe and sound, though some needed some help walking from what I hear! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Adios.

Killing me Softly

Last night was a bit exciting around the old homestead as paramedics were called out to try and revive me from a coma caused by watching the replay of the Arsenal-Porto match. What I predicted to be a snooze fest went above and beyond that. The first half was a complete joke with neither side doing anything. And I mean that literally. Both teams barely ran and neither side produced a shot (that I can recall) on goal. Adebayor could have read Crime and Punishment last night as he had so much time by himself up front. In the second half Porto got in to it a bit more and had two shots bounce off the post, but that was about it. Cesc had a free kick on goal that my mother could have stopped. Anyway, they got the draw, which means that Arsenal go through top of the table and Porto goes through in second place.

As many knew, both teams in essence played for the draw. There have been loads of comments, articles, etc. claiming this is dirty football or even match fixing. I don’t really like to see matches played this way, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call it dirty or match fixing. Getting to the next round of the CL is a big deal, both for the players and the club (because of the revenue it generates). Therefore, as a coach, would you want to play defensive football to try and secure the draw, or take a risk by attacking and open yourself up to a loss and elimination? If they did attack and somehow lose the game, all the supporters would be asking what in the world Arsene was up to! Therefore, I can understand Wenger’s tactics, but wish the team would have put in a bit more effort. Finally, if CSKA feels hard done by, they have only themselves to blame. They didn’t beat Hamburg like they needed to. Also, in previous matches they didn’t get the results needed to put them in a place to win it without relying on other results. Needing to win and another team to lose on the final match day is not the situation you want and you can’t be sore at others for not giving you the result you desired.

Enough on it all. The Arsenal are through and now will face a second place team (other than Porto) in the next round. The draw will be next Friday, the 15th and we could face Barcelona, Lille, Celtic, Inter Milan, Roma, PSV, or Real Madrid. I would like to see us draw either Celtic or Lille as these would be easier matches, but after last season, the Gunners shouldn’t be afraid of any of these clubs. Below are the rest of the results from yesterday. I was hoping Benfica would knock ManU out again this year, but alas, no such luck.

Matchday 6 - 06 December 2006
Group Home Away
E Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Real Madrid
E Lyon 1-1 Steaua
F Man. United 3-1 Benfica
F København 3-1 Celtic
G Porto 0-0 Arsenal
G Hamburg 3-2 CSKA Moskva
H Anderlecht 2-2 AEK
H Milan 0-2 Lille

Due to my weeks of travel and the excitement around recent Arsenal clashes, I’ve been neglecting Colaship side Plymouth Argyle. Today that trend is reversed! Well, somewhat. Anyway, since I can’t be bothered to go back and see where I left off, I’ll just take a stab and comment on some result plus upcoming fixtures. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Argyle hosted dirty Leeds and were defeated 2-1 by goals from Blake (3) and Lewis (61). Djordjic, who has been netting some good goals recently got one in for Plymouth in the 40th minute. The following Tuesday, Argyle had another match at Home Park against Luton , and once again Djordjic provided a goal in the 60th minute, which proved to be the winner. Then, this last Saturday, the boys in green traveled to center of Engerland to play recently relegated Birmingham, only to lose 3-0, thus dropping them into 11th place. Former Arsenal player Matthew Upson and on-loan Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner helped the Blues take 3 points from Argyle. At least the Blues are at the top of the table and it wasn’t a loss to a bottom dweller. This Saturday, the Argyle return home and take on Hull City, who are currently languishing in 23rd. The boys should be able to get the win as Hull have been in very poor form of late and just sacked their manager. However, sometimes these changes bring about a new energy to clubs and they go out and win one for the new manager in hopes that he keeps them around. But, I think the troubles for the Tigers is a bit much and Argyle should be able to capitalize on it.

Argyle boss Ian Holloway has also had plenty to day in his column on bbc.com. I particularly like his take on David James’ new hairstyle!

“Different, isn't it? All he needs is a Hercule Poirot moustache and he's there. He looked like something out of a Bond film, although I don't wanna say too much - he lives just up the road from me so he might come down and knock me out.

Someone said he looked like the keyboard player from Sparks, but us baldies are jealous of him because we'd love to have the chance to have a choice of style.

I think he looked suave and sophisticated. If he had a big tweed jacket on, he'd really look the part. He looked a bit swish. In fact, debonair is the word.

One of the papers said he might get it shaved off because of all the mickey-taking. Don't do it, David! Leave it as it is - I think it looks great. Everybody needs a change now and again.”

In international news, Norway has taken a break from whaling long enough to pass a ruling that Value Added Tax (VAT) shouldn’t be charged to patrons at “gentleman’s clubs.” The ruling sited that the service the strippers provided was art, and therefore exempt from the 25% tax. Foreign travels rejoiced at the news as they now don’t have to request a VAT refund for hanky panky!



Lastly, today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Veterans of this attack have been gathering at the site every 5 years since 1941, and this may be one of the last official ceremonies. The survivors are getting well along in years and it is doubtful that that many will be around for the 70th anniversary. As one historian pointed out, this event signifies the end of a generation and the passing of an era. It is interesting to think back to how the country banded together and fought in WWII as compared to the world climate today. Of course, today there are different problems and threats along with a dramatic shift in world politics, but I still see the thread of our nations past achievements in todays society and hope that we along with our country’s leaders remember those times and what we stand for.

Adios.

Oi, Big Nose! NO!

Today is hump day in the work lexicon, and D-Day for the Arsenal as far as the Champions League is concerned. In fact, this match could play a major role in the rest of the Gunners season. As it stands, Arsenal and Porto are level on 10 points, with the Gunners on top due to our having spanked them earlier this season. However, CSKA Moscow is looming just below them in the table at 8 points and are playing Hamburg, who are yet to win in the CL this season. A draw for Arsenal means that most likely, they and Porto go through to the knock-out stages. If the Gunners lose and CSKA wins, then the Arsenal are out.

Seeing as how only a draw is needed to go through, many are predicting that this match will be a snoozer and both teams will be happy to take it easy and keep their players healthy. But, as expected, both Wenger and Jesualdo Ferreira of Porto claim they are telling their teams to go out and win. I surely hope this is the case, at least for the Arsenal, as I don’t care to experience again the horror, nervousness, and anxiety I had to live through in the second leg of the Villareal match last season. A quick goal and staunch defending would be a good plan to me. Let’s hope they can do it.

To get the win they’ll need the help of the youngsters as Henry, Gallas and Rosicky are out. I would imagine that Robin van Persie and Ade will get the nod up front with Hleb on the left, Walcott on the right, Cesc and Gilberto in the middle, and a back line of Clichy, Senderos, Toure and Eboue. Hopefully Baptista can get some time in as well. Elimination from the next round of the CL will mean a huge loss in revenue for the club who are paying off the new stadium. But more importantly, it will mean that we have only the League Cup and FA Cup as far as silverware this season, and those competitions can be a crap shoot. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!

Also, I didn’t get to this earlier due to my excitement about the win over Sperz, but to my buddy Mikey’s dismay, the might Dallas Cowboys beat the New Jersey Giants to go top of the NFC East with a record of 8-4!!! These Giant’s fans can say all they want about how if Strahan was in they’d have won, that we were lucky, that the planets were out of alignment, etc., but the fact remains that Dallas won. Period. Don’t be like Gator fans and come up with a million reasons why they should have won. As a wise friend once told a Gator fan, there’s a reason they keep score: it’s to see who wins! Sometimes luck is on your side, sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes you have key players out, other times you don’t. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out, and other times it does. Thems the breaks and that’s football. HAH!!

Down in the latin heat of south Florida, reports are buzzing around that Bernie Kozar is interested in coaching the University of Miami after they fired Coker for a 6-6 season. Kosar played for UM in the early 80’s and led the Canes to a national championship. He was a fan favorite and I’m sure that many would like to see him back, but I don’t know if there is enough room for his nose in Miami now. There has been a lot of development since the 80’s and space is at a premium.

Finally, as I was writing this post, I got a mass email from corporate (it’s my lunch hour dammit, I can post then!!) that discusses, in essence, how to be a better person. This month’s topic was to cleanse your soul and forget/forgive. This seems like sage advice, but if I were to just forget and forgive, plus wipe out my anger, I think I’d be a shell of a man. Granted, I do need to curb some of my instant anger, rash jumping to conclusions, and long held grudges, but some of this is such a part of me that I’d feel naked without it. Plus, what would be the fodder for my biting wit? Anyway, in total disregard for the announcement, I wanted to rant and rave over my need to stop ranting and raving.

And I’m spent.

Adios.

Mashed Spuds and Dubai or not Dubai, That is the Question

After a weekend that was a bit blurry, a ton of work meetings, and a fire alarm, I am finally able to sit down and pour out my soul to you chums. Well, I’ll tell you about some stuff, how about that.

Biggest news of the weekend (to me anyway) had nothing to do with Britney’s breakup with K-Fed or her new buddy Paris Hilton, rather it was the 3-0 drubbing that Arsenal gave to their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs (Sperz, Spurz, Scum, Spuds, etc). This fixture is one of the biggest in Arsenal’s season and was even more important this year as it was the first derby in the new stadium, the Gunners had been struggling lately thus needing a win, and well, we all hate the Spurs! As previously detailed in an earlier post, the Gunners have been lacking some leadership, drive, and physical presence. Well, they came into the match Saturday with some fixes to these issues. First, even though Henry was benched because of injury and had been reported to have had a bust up with Wenger (which turned out, again, to be media hype bullhockey), he showed true leadership by being in the tunnel with the team to give last minute pointers and encouragement. He also sat with the team to lend his support and was the first to congratulate Ade on his goal. In regards to physical presence, it is tad hard to grow and bulk up over a week, but the Gunners addressed what they could control and put in tons more hustle and closed down Spurs players, thus giving them little room to work. Plus, they got stuck in and took the tackles. Freddie Ljungberg hasn’t had the best few seasons and has been plagued by injuries, but on Saturday he ran all over the pitch, got stuck in, and took the fouls on him in stride. Freddie had been crowing that the younger players weren’t giving their all, but he finally stepped up to the plate and got stuck in himself to lead by example. It was good to see an active Freddie again.



As to the match itself, it seems that the recent bad luck and poor calls against the Gunners finally were evened out a bit. The first goal was a great one by Adebayor who was put through on a long ball by Toure. The flag stayed down and Ade went 1 v 1 with the keeper, stayed cool, and slotted it home on the right side of the net. A review of the play showed Ade just level with two Spurs defenders. Now, if it had been Henry, I imagine it would have been an offside call. This was a situation where the linesman could have gone either way and mostly the flag goes up, but a bit of change in our mojo kept the flag down. Lovely for us and 1-0 to the Arsenal. The second and third goals were penalties which Gilberto put away with power and precision. The Spuds may have been a bit hard done by on the first one as Chimbonda appeared to get a toe on the ball when he took Rosicky down, but a tackle from behind in the box on a player who is driving for goal is likely to earn a penalty. The second penalty was also a tad soft, but van Persie was being kicked and pushed for about 15 yards when he was finally tripped up inside the box. Either way, the luck finally turned for the Gunners and we got a well deserved win. Even without the calls, the Spurs looked awful and showed little sign of leveling. After the match, manager Martin “Tony Soprano” Jol felt the same way:

“The decisions didn’t help but I can’t complain about them because that would be stupid after the way we played.”

The Gunners will take this win and newfound belief in themselves to Porto where on Wednesday they play the final Champions League group fixture. The Arsenal are on 10 points along with Porto, and CSKA Moscow are on 8. A draw or a win will see us through to the knockout stages. A loss could still see us through, but CSKA would have to lose to Hamburg, and that isn’t likely. Porto are a tricky side and won’t be as timid as they were on their trip to Ashburton Grove. I’m hoping they play for the draw and we can sneak in a late goal to clench it and go top of the table.

Another big story making the rounds on the English backpages is the potential buyout of Liverpool by foreign investment group Dubai International Capital for about £450million. Liverpool Chairman David Moores and Chief Exec Rick Parry have rejected several previous offers from a couple of Americans, the Thai Prime Minister, and what I find interesting, a local Liverpudian who already has a small stake in the club. So, instead of keeping the club in English hands, the powers that be at Anfield want to hand it over to a foreign group. I have nothing personally against DIC, especially as they are owned by the Dubai government, which owns Emirates Airline (the new Arsenal sponsor) but I wonder what all of this foreign ownership will do to the League and the sport. We’ve all seen what Roman Abromovich’s influence with Chelsea has been, though that may be a somewhat one off. But this influx of foreign investment may start to create even more disparity between the clubs which will bring down the overall quality of the league, at least in my opinion. We’ll see what happens, and hopefully (but most likely) the Arsenal will remain in English hands and not be sold out to the highest bidder.


And as a final bit before my hands cramp up in carpal tunnel, it appears that Jürgen Klinsmann will be named head coach of the U.S. men's national team within two weeks. There has been no official announcement yet, but this is the word on the street. Of course, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise as immediately after the World Cup rumors were flying that the German would take over. He is a perfect fit for the club as he’s won the Cup as a player and took Germany to the semifinals last summer (though I felt the should have been in the finals). Also, he already lives in southern California and is engrossed in American life and sports training. Hopefully he gets the job and can reverse the unravelings of Arena. He has a lot of work to do, that’s for sure.

Adios.