Arsenal: Experience It [Dallas Burn (1) - (2) Arsenal]

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Arsenal: Experience It

London's most successful FA Premier League club was formed by workers at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich and was initially known as Dial Square before adopting the name Royal Arsenal in 1886. Renamed Woolwich Arsenal in 1891, they moved to Highbury in 1913 and dropped the prefix. They had to wait until the 1930s for their first period of sustained success when five Division One championships were won under Herbert Chapman and George Allison. Another pair of league trophies were lifted soon after the Second World War before further success arrived with the league and FA Cup Double in 1971. More near misses came before George Graham, a hero of 1971, was named manager in 1986 and the glory days returned. Two league titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup were garnered during his nine-year reign. Frenchman Arsene Wenger was named Gunners boss in 1996 and the roll of honour continued. A first FA Premier League title made up half of the club's second Double in 1998. Their second FA Premier League title in 2002 - when they ended the season on a 28-game domestic unbeaten run - was also coupled with victory in the FA Cup final.

Arsenal are recognised as one of the giants of English football and a consistent challenger for top honours. Arsenal, under the leadership of the enigmatic Wenger, shook off their 'boring' image and began to serve up some of the most attractive football in the league. Thanks largely to the immense influence of Tony Adams and more recently the astute signings of players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, Arsenal have climbed back to the top of the pile. Their rise culminated in a second FA Premier League and FA Cup double in 2002, to add to their 1998 achievement. Three runners-up finishes in the intervening years displays how the North London giants have lived up to their high standards over the last decade. The famous old Arsenal defence has a new look these days, but the replacements, and the recruits to midfield and attack - including talented young Spaniard Jose Reyes - have done enough to assure fans that they can live up to the achievements of their Highbury predecessors. The Gunners added a third Premiership crown of Wenger's reign as their astonishing and unprecedented unbeaten run throughout the entire 2003-04 league season saw them lift the title.

Arsenal have treated us to some truly exhilarating football with Arsene Wenger claiming three Premiership titles as he combines the best of British with the top talent from around the world.

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Jens Lehmann, Goalkeeper
Ashley Cole, Defender
Patrick Vieira, Midfielder
Robert Pires, Midfielder
Fredrik Ljungberg, Midfielder
Jose Reyes, Striker
Dennis Bergkamp, Striker
Robin Van Persie, Striker
Lauren, Defender
Thierry Henry, Striker
Francesc Fabregas, Midfielder
Mathieu Flamini, Midfielder
Edu, Midfielder
Pascal Cygan, Defender
Gilberto, Midfielder
Philippe Senderos, Defender
Gael Clichy, Defender
Sol Campbell, Midfielder
Manuel Almunia, Goalkeeper
Emmanuel Eboue, Defender
Kolo Toure, Defender
Justin Hoyte, Defender

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'Hleb is like a classic playmaker'

By Chris Harris

Aside from fleeting glimpses of him in the Champions League, most Arsenal fans won't have seen Alexander Hleb in action.

The Belarus midfielder completed his move to Highbury on Monday but remains an unknown quantity for many supporters. What are his qualities? What is his best position? What will he bring to Arsène Wenger's side?

Raphael Honingstein, a sports journalist for German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, monitored Hleb during his five-year spell with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. He believes Hleb is a worthy addition to the Arsenal squad.

"Hleb is a classic No 10," Honingstein told Arsenal.com. "He's most happy to be behind the stikers, almost like a classic playmaker. He likes to make things happen.

"Technically he was one of the best players in the Bundesliga. People have talked about him playing wide but he's not really a winger at all. He started there at Stuttgart because, at the time, Krasimir Balakov was in the centre.

"For the last few years he moved into a central role and became the focal point of every attacking move at Stuttgart. Everything went through him. He's very tricky, excellent on the ball and likes to look for the killer pass.

"People have said that he doesn't score enough goals when you consider how gifted he is, but he gets lots of assists. That was his main role at Stuttgart."

Balakov, a Bulgarian international who won 75 caps for his country, was clearly an influence on Hleb's career. He took the Belarussian under his wing when Hleb moved to Germany and supported him on and off the pitch.


Hleb

"Hleb came over to Germany at a young age and learned from Balakov," says Honingstein. "They worked closely together, Balakov acted as his translator and they spoke Russian on the pitch to fool defenders.

"Hleb came in when Balakov was at his peak and he eventually stepped into his shoes, taking over Balakov's mantle. Hleb has achieved a lot in a short time and Balakov had a role in that."

Arsenal's new recruit has grown accustomed to a central role in recent seasons but it will be interesting to see how Wenger deploys him. Thierry Henry, Lauren and Emmanuel Petit all adapted successfully to new roles after arriving at Highbury, and pre-season should give us a few clues about how Hleb will fit in.

But whichever position he ends up in, Honingstein is confident Hleb will be a success. "Skillwise and technically he's brilliant," he concludes. "When things go right for him, it is beautiful to watch."

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Aliadiere to spend season at Celtic

Jeremie Aliadiere has today joined Celtic on loan for the 2005/06 season.

The 22-year-old striker will be with the SPL club for the entire campaign in order to gain invaluable experience. But he remains part of Arsène Wenger’s plans and, at the same time as announcing his loan move, signed a new long-term extension to his contract with Arsenal.


Aliadiere

The former French Under-21 international made his first-team debut at just 18 and has made a total of 27 appearances for the Club.

Jeremie joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 1999 after graduating from the Clairefontaine centre of excellence in France. During his time with the Club, he has won a League Championship medal in 2004 and was also part of the FA Youth Cup winning team in 2001, when he equalled the competition record of nine goals in one campaign.

Everyone at Arsenal wishes Jeremie the best of luck next season with Celtic.

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Visit the International Soccer Festival

Youth footballers from across the world are set to play in a tournament supported by Arsenal Football Club.

July 30 sees the start of this year's Arsenal International Soccer Festival at the magnificent setting of Royal Holloway College (University of London) in Egham, Surrey.

Teams from over a dozen English County Football Associations will compete against teams visiting from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, South Africa, Portugal, France, Egypt, Hong Kong, Australia and Wales.

Football United, an Under-16 team from Iraq, are participating in the Festival for the first time. Their entry forms part of the efforts of Iraqi Sport to welcome back the young people of the country into the International arena through sport.

Now in its 15th year, the Festival is firmly established as the South of England’s premier youth football competition and was recently voted the second best youth soccer event in the world. It attracts over 150 teams annually.


Royal Holloway College

The tournament prides itself on placing a great emphasis on a very competitive but sporting environment, which is demonstrated by the awards of Fair Play Trophies in each age group. These special awards are presented to teams best demonstrating the desire to win but with a sporting attitude towards their opponents and the referee.

The Festival begins on Saturday, July 30, and ends with the finals and presentation of winners' trophies on Sunday, August 7.

Boys and Girls from the age of seven to 18 will take part in the Festival which forms part of Arsenal Football Club’s community football programme, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Visitors are welcome to support all the teams. It is hoped that both Gunnersaurus & the FA Cup will also make an appearance during the event.

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SKY Sports announce live fixtures

Confirmed live fixtures on Sky Sports are as follows:



ARSENAL v NEWCASTLE UNITED
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Sunday, August 14
Kick-off: 1.30pm
Live on Sky Sports.



CHELSEA v ARSENAL
Barclays Premiership
Stamford Bridge
Sunday, August 21
Kick-off: 4pm
Live on Sky Sports.



MIDDLESBROUGH v ARSENAL
Barclays Premiership
Riverside Stadum
Saturday, September 10
Kick-off: 5.15pm
Live on Sky Pay Per View.



ARSENAL v EVERTON
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Monday, September 19
Kick-off: 8pm
Live on Sky Sports.



ARSENAL v BIRMINGHAM CITY
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Sunday, October 2
Kick-off: 1.30pm
Live on Sky Sports.



NEWCASTLE UNITED v ARSENAL
Barclays Premiership
St James' Park
Saturday, December 10
Kick-off: 5.15pm
Live on Sky Pay Per View.



ARSENAL v CHELSEA
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Sunday, December 18
Kick-off: 4pm
Live on Sky Sports.



CHARLTON ATHLETIC v ARSENAL
Barclays Premiership
The Valley
Monday, December 26
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Live on Sky Sports.



ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL
Barclays Premiership
Villa Park
Saturday, December 31
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Live on Sky Sports.



ARSENAL v MANCHESTER UTD
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Tuesday, January 3
Kick-off: 8pm
Live on Sky Sports.

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Graham Stack agrees to join Reading on loan

Goalkeeper Graham Stack has today agreed to join Championship side Reading on loan until January, with a view to a permanent move.

Stack, 23, who has made five first team appearances, spent last season on loan at Millwall, making a total of 30 appearances for the south London club.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who also spent the 2002/03 season on loan at Belgian club Beveren, played in all of Arsenal's matches in the 2003/04 Carling Cup, helping the Club reach the Semi-Finals.


Royal Holloway College

Stack joined Arsenal as a trainee in 1998 and was an ever-present in the Club's FA Youth Cup-winning campaign in 2000.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish Graham the best of luck during his time at Reading.

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Arsenal Announces Friendly Matches

Today, the Arsenal organization announced that team will play 5 offseason matches against other football teams.

• Arsenal - Dallas Burn (MLS, United States)
• Chelsea - Arsenal (Premier League, England)
• Arsenal - Barcelona F. C. (La Liga, Spain)
• Monaco - Arsenal (Ligue #1, France)
• Arsenal - Juventus (Calcio, Italy)

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Nice idea... I really am a Tottenham fan myself, but what the hell...

And I'm an avid supporter of River Plate in your country... Boca Juniors burrnnnn

[Jackal]

My, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Other than that, nice stuff.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

My, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Other than that, nice stuff.

Oh, c'mon we European need our football fix every now and then... Either that, or it's back to playing CM/FM...

[COOLmac©]

i haven't seen bergkamp in lot of scoring action in a while now...i hope he does well here:

YAY GO HOLLAND

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My, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Trust in me man... I was really (but completely, totally) bored, now that my Live cd got broken and I don't find a way to fix it and continue with my Fahrenheit... but oh well... I have time as I also play some PES4 and NFSU 1 & 2...

i haven't seen bergkamp in lot of scoring action in a while now...i hope he does well here:

Well... an hour ago I played the first preseason game and let me say, Bergkamp was very active in offense, I shot 3 times with him, and all were posts (except 1 ).

[BOSS]

Nice idea, i was gonna make one myself with Real Madrid but i would probably end it cause i got lazzy

[Drex]

Dweaver, River fan? Fuck River...those chickens

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Fuck River...those chickens

Exactly... now I'm not even from a Argentina club... I'm of Arsenal now, no other team

By the way first game will come tomorrow fellas

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Dweaver, River fan? Fuck River...those chickens

Hey, great talent production... Aimar, Saviola, Cavenaghi, Salas, Mascerano, Placente... and more...

[Joycean Summons]

Nice to see a dynasty of another game, I'll be following this

[Drex]

I know, Salas is from Chile, so I heard about River everyday a couple years ago. So I got tired of them, and I've always like Boca a lot more. Riquelme, Tevez, Schelotto, Palermo, Delgado, and don't get me started on Maradona

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Dallas Burn 1 - 2 Arsenal


Arsenal Starting Lineup: Almunia; Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole;
Vieira, Ljungberg, Pires, Fabregas; Bergkamp, Henry
Arsenal Subs: Cygan, Clichy, Flamini, Van Persie, Reyes

A Dallas Burn were pegged back by a late goal as Arsenal, on Tuesday night, dominated their friendly against the Major League Soccer outfit.

Team star Thierry Henry fired the Gunners ahead nine minutes into the game and further goals could and should have followed. Instead, Arsenal paid for their profligacy when Jason Kreis headed an equaliser six minutes later. But Dennis Bergkamp made a head goal with eleven minutes from time to give the victory to the England team.

Ashley Cole's pace and trickery was also a constant thorn in Dallas' side. The veteran carved out the first decent chance but shot wide after five minutes following a penetrating run.

Eddie Johnson almost broke the deadlock in some style as he met a corner with a well-executed volley but his effort flew wide.

Patrick Vieira also went close after a jinking run down the left and, in a period of intense pressure from the Gunners, Lauren squandered two chances to open the scoring.

Clever play from Gilberto set up another chance for Vieira just after the half-hour, but Burn's goalkeeper Garlick tipped his shot wide. As the interval approached, Robert Pires missed the clearest opening of the half from close range.

Dallas had barely registered a worthwhile attack, but they did threaten 10 minutes before the break. Moore met a corner with a firm header but Lauren saved comfortably.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of the action was at the other end and Henry eventually claimed the goal he richly deserved nine minutes after the start.

Cole, showing plenty of pace and oozing class, shot straight at the Burn goalkeeper after a marauding run. He was unlucky again after 55 minutes when Garlick denied him.

Six minutes later, at the 15', Jason Kreis got a pass from Steve Jolley and Kreis shot a hard and strong shot to the net and Arsenal' goalkeeper Manuel Almunia couldn't stop it.

Arsenal piled on the pressure and, by this point, should have had the game won. From the resulting corner, Fredrik Ljungberg headed wide. Sol Campbell also squandered another chance as the half-time whistle approached.

In the 79', Lauren shot to the net but Garlick denied him; Bergkamp got the rebound and made a clean but powerful header to seal the game.



Match Pictures


Steve Jolley almost gets a yellow card after a really strong fault against Patrick Vieira


Behncke got a yellow card about a strong fault over Ashley Cole

Match Goals


Henry shoots the first goal of the match ...


... as Garlick can't stop the shot


Kreis gets the equalizer against Almunia


Bergkamp converts the winning goal

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

You playing a flat 4-4-2? this is TOO realistic a dynasty...

[c0nr4d]

awesome stuff Thierry good idea to do a FIFA dynasty...

[Fresh8]

Nice work with the win man! Arsenal for the treble!

[cklitsie]

I seriously had this dea before too, I was a bit bored with NBA Live. The only problem was I didn't have a soccer game for PC. It's nice what you've done so far, even though I rather had seen you pick an average team and build them to a powerhouse but anyway, it's cool.

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Nice idea, i was gonna make one myself with Real Madrid but i would probably end it cause i got lazzy

Well man... you can do one with another team... we can ask Andrew to make a "Other Sports Dynasty Stories" forum

Nice to see a dynasty of another game, I'll be following this

Thanks man

You playing a flat 4-4-2? this is TOO realistic a dynasty...

Hey... classic formation... I'm thinking of using a 4-2-1-3 for the next matches

awesome stuff Thierry good idea to do a FIFA dynasty...

Glad you liked it bro

Nice work with the win man! Arsenal for the treble!

The hardest tests are coming man... Chelsea, Barcelona, Monaco, Juventus...

I seriously had this dea before too, I was a bit bored with NBA Live. The only problem was I didn't have a soccer game for PC. It's nice what you've done so far, even though I rather had seen you pick an average team and build them to a powerhouse but anyway, it's cool.

I'm never bored with Live As I said to Jackal my cd got broken (I always play Live first of all, then other games) so I chose this... if you are thinking in buy a soccer game, I seriously suggest you Pro Evolution Soccer 4... much better than FIFA series... I also got it but Konami didn't got the license to put the real names of players and teams of some leagues into the game...