Arsenal Lobby

Wilshere on signing the contract: (From Soccernet)
"The manager has always been there for me," Wilshere told the club's official magazine. "He showed faith in me when I was 18, and he stuck with me throughout the whole time I was injured.

"He knew the only thing that would get me better is games and he stood by me. I need to thank him for that, and yes, he was a big part of why I signed.

"This is my home, my family are 20 minutes away from the training ground, and my friends are all around here. I was brought up at this club and it was an easy decision to extend my contract. We just needed to get a few things right, which didn't take long and I'm really happy that my future is sorted."

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Anyone else a little worried? I mean, he loves the club no doubt. But he makes it seem like the biggest reason he signed was for Wenger. Wenger probably won't be around for too much longer. So then what happens? I mean, the only reason it concerns me is that i thought we'd see Wilshere in an Arsenal shirt in 10 years time. I mean these quotes don't mean he won't be here in 10 years time, but still...

Am i looking way too much into this?

I felt the same niggling worries when I read it but we need to not take for granted that he just signed a 5 year deal with us. Wenger was always going to be a massive reason he signed, he didn't say he was the biggest or only reason but it's obvious he would be a key part in his decision.

My twin brother got an Arsenal away jersey for Christmas- #19 Santi Cazorla

He doesn't even play or follow football, but he really liked the jersey. Tried talking him out of it but I couldn't, so I conceded and convinced him that if he were to get an Arsenal shirt, might as well have Arteta or Cazorla. He picked Cazorla.

Thought maybe you guys might appreciate or enjoy the pain I'm going through seeing a person I love wear an Arsenal shirt

Get him in here mate

CBarca wrote:My twin brother got an Arsenal away jersey for Christmas- #19 Santi Cazorla

He doesn't even play or follow football, but he really liked the jersey. Tried talking him out of it but I couldn't, so I conceded and convinced him that if he were to get an Arsenal shirt, might as well have Arteta or Cazorla. He picked Cazorla.

Thought maybe you guys might appreciate or enjoy the pain I'm going through seeing a person I love wear an Arsenal shirt

My brother is a die hard Manu fan -.-

Ivory Coast confirm squad for AFCON - Gervinho, Yaya & Kolo, Tiote, Kone & Razak all included from EPL - http://itv.co/10naJq2

Dat Baby

Posted in the multimedia thread bruh

“I was a Gooner, I must be honest. Me and my dad were fanatical Arsenal fans." - Harry Redknapp

“I like the signs that I have seen,” the manager said. “If you look at my statements, I always said that one day he would play through the middle and it grew in his brain.

“He is now 23. I decided to play Thierry Henry at 23 through the middle because you have to learn a lot before. The fact that you play in other positions as well helps your technique.

“On the wing you need a shorter technique against the line. Once you [then] play in the middle you can go on both sides.

“From [the ages of] 19 to 23, Theo has learnt a lot. Now we will sometimes play him on the flanks and sometimes through the middle. I like what I have seen through the middle.”

Wenger is wary of drawing comparisons between Walcott to Henry, as he believes it places an unnecessary pressure on the 23-year-old.

“He has played two games [through the middle] and you have to be open-minded in our job and give people a chance,” he said. “If they take it, it's good. If [not], he will still be a fantastic winger so it puts some more assets in his game.

“He will learn something in his position and I am confident he will do well in that position. It's a bit early to compare him to Thierry Henry.

“Yes [Henry] gives him advice. It's always important. Theo is a very intelligent boy. He understands very quickly when you tell him something and that's why I think he can do very well in this position.”

-Arsenal.com



Encouraging signs, no?

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Pat Rice has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Rice, who left his role as assistant manager at the end of last season after a 44-year association with Arsenal, is to receive an MBE in the New Year as a result of his services to sport.

Rice has a rich history with Arsenal Football Club, having first joined as a youth team player back in 1964. A Northern Ireland international right back, he was a Double winner in 1971 and captained the side to FA Cup glory in 1979. In total, he made 528 appearances for Arsenal across 14 seasons.

After a spell with Watford between 1980 and 1984, Rice returned to Arsenal as a youth team coach, winning two FA Youth Cups in 1988 and 1994. He took up a senior coaching role as assistant manager when Arsène Wenger joined in 1996. In this role, he helped guide the Club to seven major honours, including Doubles in 1998 and 2002, three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Rice said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be receiving an MBE. The news of the award came as a complete surprise and I’m just so flattered to be included in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

“Football and Arsenal have been my life and I have so many fantastic memories during my career. I have been lucky to have played and worked with so many great individuals, and through hard work I have enjoyed some success along the way.

“It has been a privilege to have represented Arsenal Football Club for more than forty years, a great club with great values. I am also proud to have represented my country on many occasions, and also a special mention to Watford Football Club, who I enjoyed a short spell with as well.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career, and importantly, a special thank you to all my family, who have always been there for me and supported me throughout my career.”

On learning of the news of Rice’s MBE, Wenger said: “I am absolutely delighted because if someone deserves it, it's Pat Rice.

"He had 100 per cent genuine commitment to Arsenal every single day and you respect that when you see that from someone. Pat Rice is someone you could go to war with, and you would love to be in the trenches with him. These are very difficult qualities to find in modern society and I am delighted that Pat is being rewarded.

"Pat is an Arsenal legend and a great human being. We’re all so proud and happy for Pat and his family.”

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club congratulates Pat on this special achievement.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/pat-rice-receives-mbe-in-honours-list

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Legend

One Pat Rice

Walcott's situation seems better for now. Hope he scores a couple of goals today and signs the contract before the New Year.

Ps: Pat Rice, what a man.

Best passing accuracy in top 5 European leagues: 1. Xavi 95.3% / 2. Arteta 92.6% / 3. Busquets 91.3% / 4. Y.Toure 89.5% / 5. Carrick 88.6%.

2012/13: Walcott 14 goals in 20 games. Podolski 10 goals in 25 games. Giroud 9 goals in 25 games.

lmao. idk what that was but

RG I died at oui oui oui

QPR's Stéphane Mbia: "In Ligue 1, you can get through some games without breaking a sweat, not in England though." - http://bit.ly/YYx78R

Interested me this article, makes you wonder about the quality of the French League.

Samuelj29060 wrote:Best passing accuracy in top 5 European leagues: 1. Xavi 95.3% / 2. Arteta 92.6% / 3. Busquets 91.3% / 4. Y.Toure 89.5% / 5. Carrick 88.6%.

and that 64 tackles..

Arsenal is 125 years old. Pat has been part of 44 of those incredible years. What else can you say but thank you? An Arsenal legend in every sense.


great page on arsenal.com about Pat...

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/pat-rice-farewell-to-an-arsenal-legend

291 - Etienne Capoue won the most duels in Ligue 1 in 2012. via @optajean

Samuelj29060 wrote:Best passing accuracy in top 5 European leagues: 1. Xavi 95.3% / 2. Arteta 92.6% / 3. Busquets 91.3% / 4. Y.Toure 89.5% / 5. Carrick 88.6%.

Beast.

Samuelj29060 wrote:291 - Etienne Capoue won the most duels in Ligue 1 in 2012. via @optajean

Beast-

Apologies if this already got passed around somewhere in the forum & I missed it, but Gab Marcotti has a good analysis of the Theo contract situation:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323320404578211441936337024.html

AnonymousFC ‏@AnonymousFC0

Emmanuel Frimpong and Benik Afobe have both been sleeping with Arsene Wenger's PA (Personal Assistant).

Chumlum wrote:Apologies if this already got passed around somewhere in the forum & I missed it, but Gab Marcotti has a good analysis of the Theo contract situation:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323320404578211441936337024.html

Great read