Emirates Cup 2011 Thread

[Samuelj29060]

Saturday:
New York Redbulls v PSG (2pm)
Arsenal v Boca Juniors (4.20pm)

Sunday:
Boca Juniors v PSG (2pm)
Arsenal v New York Redbulls (4.20pm)



Arsenal legend Thierry Henry returns to the Emirates this weekend

The return of the King

Arguably the greatest ever player in both Arsenal and Premier League history returns to the club this weekend. Thierry Henry spent eight years at Arsenal, scoring 226 goals in 369 appearances. The Frenchman won 2 Premier League titles and 3 FA Cups in his time at Highbury after arriving in 1999 for £11m. Henry was simply an incredible footballer during his time in England. After an unsuccessful period in Italy with Juventus, he linked up with Arsene Wenger for the second time in his career - he worked with 'le professor' at Monaco where he won the Ligue 1 title in 1997.

It's all well known now. Henry arrived at Arsenal as a left-winger with great pace but little end product. Wenger converted him into a centre-forward and the rest is history. Henry replaced the departing Nicolas Anelka in 1999 and after an indifferent start, he ended the season with 26 goals. This was just the springboard and in the 2001-2002 season, Henry helped Arsenal to the double scoring 32 goals. Two years later, he was Arsenal's main man when the gunners went through an entire season unbeaten winning their 3rd league title in 7 years, with Henry scoring 39 goals. That was the season which truly introduced Henry as the finest striker on the planet at that time. By 2006, he was the captain and he was inspirational in helping Arsenal reach the champions league final for the first time, when the striker put in the hardest working of displays memorable, setting up the goal for Sol Campbell, but Arsenal still lost 2-1. Henry left Arsenal in 2007 after a difficult last season which saw injuries ruin his season, he joined Barcelona for £16.5m that year.

Henry remains the most avid of Arsenal fans and watches the team every week from the states, and has already received a wonderful reception when he returned with Barca in 2010. He is sure to receive an even greater reaction this time round.

Arsenal looking to retain cup

This weekend's Emirates Cup will be the 5th version of the pre-season tournament. The first Emirates Cup took place in 2007, when Arsenal beat Inter Milan to lift the trophy. Arsenal have lifted the cup on 3 of the 4 occasions it has taken place. The only year Arsenal didn't win the trophy was in 2008 when Hamburg ran out winners. Last summer saw Arsenal beat Celtic 3-2 and draw 1-1 with AC Milan.

The Opposition

New York Redbulls

Formed: 1995
Manager: Hans Backe
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Postion last season: 3rd
Notable players: Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez, Frank Rost, Teemu Tainio, Juan Agudelo, John Rooney

Paris Saint-Germain

Formed: 1970
Manager: Antoine Kombouaré
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Postion last season: 4th
Notable players: Jeremy Menez, Momo Sissoko, Mamadou Sakho, Blaise Matuidi, Kévin Gameiro

Boca Juniors

Formed: 1905
Manager: Julio César Falcioni
Stadium: La Bombonera
Postion last season: 7th
Notable players: Juan Román Riquelme, Rolando Schiavi, Clemente Rodríguez, Darío Cvitanich, Sebastián Battaglia

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal will be without Cesc Fabregas who is being given time off to sort out his "situation". Ryo Miyaichi can not play any part this weekend as he is yet to receive a work permit, whilst Theo Walcott, Conor Henderson and Abou Diaby are injured.

[GoonerJay29]

Good preview, Sam.

Previews definitely look better on these forums. Might be because we're not perpetually writing in bold and it doesn't look so cramped.

Really looking forward to this. The opposition might not be as good as previous years but it'll still be interesting to see teams from North and South America in action and, of course, the oil-rich PSG. It'll be an ideal opportunity for some scouting, too.

Hopefully I'll be tweeting regularly tomorrow. Depends on my phone battery, which completely disappears after a few minutes on the internet.

[RealGunner]

great preview man


As usuall we will play with 2 teams on each days. Afobe might get a full match or atleast 60+ mins. Hoping to see Gervinho play a full match.

Too bad traore is injured. wonder if vermaelen/Koscielny play at left back at some point ?

[Samuelj29060]

Looking forward to seeing all the players, is Traore still injured RG?

[Kiwigunner]

good preview man, its on tv here which is great.

[Legend]

really wanted to see Miyaichi against a good team.....

[RealGunner]

nasri was so shit

[srigooner]

I want to listen to what Jay has to say.. He was at the Emirates right?

[djoe26]

One thing is for sure that Johan D shouldnt be in starting line up and lets not talk about Squillaci.

[Ali"The Superman"8775]

how much did the game finish ?

[srigooner]

1-0 to us at half time. 2-0 46' to us. 2-2 in another 20 minutes, and at final whistle.

[srigooner]

Wenger: “We can be extremely dangerous on counter-attacks. When we win the ball, we are very quick going forward. Gervinho adds to that.”

[srigooner]

Wenger: “What is important is to find collective rhythm. At the training camp, we had heavy work, I knew the second half would be hard”

[gunnerlistick]

some shocking defending To blow that two goal lead.

[Legend]

One thing is for sure that Johan D shouldnt be in starting line up and lets not talk about Squillaci.

Djourou is good when he is not with Squid.... he was solid all last season with Kos....

[El_Gunner]

Well well well... Same old Arsenal, same old!

Going up with a decent deficit, don't finish off the opposition, and then some horrible defensive mistakes and then the opposition is back on level terms.

But imma take an exception in the fact that this match was a a pre-season game in a some what friendly tournament.

[srigooner]

One thing is for sure that Johan D shouldnt be in starting line up and lets not talk about Squillaci.

Djourou is good when he is not with Squid.... he was solid all last season with Kos....

Agree

[srigooner]

Wenger: You never want to concede goals, but overall I do not give too much importance to that. What is important for us it to find a collective rhythm.

NOW YOU KNOW WHERE THE BAD DEFENDING STEMS FROM.