Arsenal's New Good Looking Number 8

Last minute signing, Mikel Arteta trained with the team yesterday at Colney and finally had his pictures in red and white taken. Needless to say, he looks awesome. =D

There you go, 8 pictures of Arsenal's new number 8, Mikel Arteta. Hmm...... It feels like it has been a long time ago since the number 8 of Arsenal's red and white was followed by this name - Na$ri. Lol!

And by the way, Thomas Vermaelen is injured again. Achilles injury once more and apparently, he even had a surgery in Sweden and will not be sidelined for about a month or 2. Thank God we have Arsenal's new number 4 to step in. Per Mertesacker!!!

The August Five!!!!

So it takes a terribly humiliating defeat at Old Trafford to see Arsene Wenger taking the transfer windows seriously. In the past, he is known for not buying ready made BPL players and also players above the age of, I would say, 20? Lol. But after that 8-2 defeat, even he knows it is time for a change. And indeed came the anticipated change!

After losing the likes of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri who only wanted bigger cheques as well as Cesc Fabregas who was also the other idiot who paid his way to his boyhood club, Barcelona, Arsenal seemed depleted. Although, we managed to qualify for the UEFA's Champions League, our BPL start was the worse I've ever seen. From 3 games, we only managed one point. Laying just one place above the relegation zone at 17th, we have a deficit of negative 8 goals to make up too. Many would say we are the Liverpool of last season now (no ill intention directed).

But this is where I would differ.

While Liverpool did surge back up last season, they never made it into Europe this season. However, they are indeed a force to be reckoned with this season and they till now, remained to be seen as a threat to Arsenal's place in the top four. But with only 3 games into the season, a lot more can happen. And did I mention the change that came to Arsenal recently?

If you missed it, let me say it again.

ARSENAL'S AUGUST FIVE

30th August 2011 - Park Chu Young, South Korean national team's captain, cousin of Manchester United's Park Ji Sung

31st August 2011 - Andre Santos, huge left back from Fenerbache, a typical Brazilian with good footwork and an eye for goal

Per Mertesacker, German's pole standing at 1.98 cm, a defender with really low number of fouls

Yossi Benayoun, captain of the Israel national team, BPL proven, a Samir Nasri replacement

and Mikel Arteta, like for like Fabregas replacement, BPL proven talent

Together, they are the August Five of Arsenal

And believe me that come 21st January, we will be seeing a VERY DIFFERENT side with renew energy and skills taking on Manchester United. The players and fans would have long forgotten the defeat at Old Trafford by then.

2 New Gunners Signed

BUT they are NOT defenders. Not a left-back. Not a right-back. NOT a central-back.

They are WINGERS/FORWARDS.

-Sighs!-

I wonder when Arsene Wenger would buy a defender of any position. But I would prefer a central-back of course. There have been on-going rumours about Arsene signing Phil Jagielka (Everton), Christopher Samba (Blackburn) and Per Metzsacker (I hope I got his name right; from one of the German clubs), but till now it hasn't materialise. -SIGHS!-

Oh well, I hope he knows what he is doing. I really hopes so. Otherwise, I see Arsenal tumbling down, slipping out of the top 4. Even losing to Liverpool! I think. Anyway, whoever we lose to, as long as it is another trophy-less season, it is going to SUCK!!!! So please, God, Arsene, anyone.... HELP!!!!

Anyway, without further ado, here are the new players...

Gervinho. He is a winger/forward from Lille. He was born in Ivory Coast and I heard he is pretty good. Still, not a defender I wished for though. But we've seen him a few times now and he does seem pretty good on the field. Scored on his debut and has since assisted in goals too.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A teenager who is following Theo Walcott's footsteps. Coming from Southampton, being a teenager, plays as a winger. Only I do not know if he is as fast. Lol. Anyway, I heard he is very good for future prospects. Well, I just hope that we won't make him into the world's next superstar, only to lose him when we don't win anything. That has happened way too many times with Arsenal. So as much as future goes, I am focusing on the present for now. 6 seasons without a single trophy sucks. We suck more than teams like Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City and even Birmingham City!!!

Barefooted. Lol. So funny.

ARSENAL!!!!!

As you may have know, I got to watch Arsenal recently and I will update you on the awesome trip with Yen Pin a.s.a.p.! Cheers!

Arsenal Back In Training

So the boys are back and training hard for the upcoming Asian tour, followed by some friendlies and then there is the Emirates Cup. Here's some pictures of them training. New kid, Carl Jenkinson took part too and it is believed that Cesc did too although I don't see him in the pictures. Anyway, look for Emmanuel Eboue and his clothing. Lol

Carl Jenkinson, new kid, number 25

Sexy eh? EEK!

Pretty much new too, Ryo Miyaichi

Some more news, Gervinho is in London doing a medical. So I think he will be a Gunner soon. Gael Clichy left and I bid him good luck and thanks for serving Arsenal for the past 8 years. He was also the last of Arsenal's invisible member to leave. Next, Cesc would be sold to the highest foreign bidder according to Arsenal and Nasri could go if City meet the demanded fee of 25 million Euros.

Nole Seals Wimbledon Success

I was disappointed yesterday by Maria Sharapova but today was a different story as Novak Djokovic lifts the Wimbledon trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. He totally tamed the Spaniard too. Well, except the third set. Lol. Anyway, with this win, it is more good news for the Serb as he also became the world number one after booking a place in the finals. What a week for him.

Now in an unrelated news (football), Cesc looks set to leave, Nasri handed in a transfer request apparently and Clichy is to undergo a medical at Man City today. So maybe Arsenal are set to lose all 3 of these players. This is causing a chain of reaction as tabloids are now reporting that van Persie and Walcott want out too now that the team looks bleak.

As for me, I think that the trio might go but RVP and Walcott should be staying. At the same time, I seriously hope that Arsene Wenger gets the replacements he BADLY NEEDS.

Wimbledon Update =(

So Maria did not capture her second Wimbledon title but she'll be back in US Open and there is so many more years ahead of her. So here's to hoping for the best. And to Petra Kvitova, boy you played such a good match and you truly deserve it.

My hope is still alive for tomorrow men's finals. =)

Wimbledon Update

As you can see above, Nole is being one happy person after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 4 sets to book himself a spot in Sunday's final showdown in Wimbledon.

Now that both of my favourites are in the finals, I hope both of them would lift the champions trophy. =)

Wimbledon Update

Shock news - The might Roger Federer was knocked out by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Fed didn't play too well. So lucky Tsonga althoug credits to him for taking chances and playing well by his standards.

Next... the ladies' event is coming to an end. Finals this Saturday and the finalists are my favourite, Maria Sharapova, seeded firth against eighth seed, Petra Kvitova. Can't wait for it. Woohoo!!!

Arsenal's New Away Jersey

It's something different from the ones they have worn since I started supporting them and I LOVE it. I think mainly because it is blue. Haha. Would really love to have these by the time I see them play in KL next month. Anyway, here it is.

Thomas Vermaelen looking so good in the new away strip

Shades of dark and light blue

Love the goalkeeper kit too

Upclose

And specially for Yen Pin, Samir Nasri in the new away strip. Good eh? =)

125th Wimbledon - Ladies' Draw

The 4h round matches are on-going today and earlier I watched my favourite, Maria Sharapova going through in with a straight sets win over China's Shuai Peng (6-4, 6-2). Although she posted a very strong victory, I still doubt her ability to win it all as her serve still seems to be a problem and she herself has admitted that she is still no favourite to win her second Wimbledon title.

However, I think the draw is opening up for her. On her side of the draw, Dominika Cibulkova helped by eliminating world number 1, Caroline Wozniacki. So Maria will next face Cibulkova, whom I think is more than capable of beating her. Another shocker in her draw is Serena Williams crashing out in the hands of Marion Bartoli. So although these players can beat her, they are easier opponents.

Now on the other side of the draw Venus Williams followed in her sister's footsteps. She too crashed out in straight sets in the hands of Tsvetana Pironkova. However, Victoria Azarenka is still in.

Anyway, to recap today is filled with major casualties with champions, Serena and Venus Williams both crashing out in straight sets and world number 1, Wozniacki is made to wait longer for her first major.

Below is the quarterfinals draw.

Cibulkova vs. Sharapova

Lisicki vs. Bartoli

Paszek vs. Azarenka

Kvitova vs. Pironkova

Hopefully Maria can win although it is still anybody's! =)

Woohoo!!!

Arsenal actually defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the UEFA Champions' League! Honestly, I wasn't expecting for one! Woohoo!!!!

All hail RVP and Arshavin btw. And the rest for just such a superb display of spirits and energy.

I just hope we play well in the second tie and go through at the expense of the holders!

2-1 to the Arsenal. 2-1 to the Arsenal. 2-1 to the Arsenal. 2-1 to the Arsenal!!

Uruguay 2 Germany 3 in Pictures

Uruguayan players with striker, Luis Suarez back in the side poses for pre-match photos.

The German huddle. Their camp was hit by flu virus which cost them Misrolav Klose (I hope he has another World Cup outing to score 2 more goals and top the goal scorer's record), Lukas Podolski, Manuel Neuer and captain, Philipp Lahm. Even coach, Joaquim Loew was hit by the virus.

And who but not Germany's super 20 year old, Thomas Mueller to open the score sheet. 1-0 to Germany.

But Uruguay's Cavani would hit one pass Hans-Jorg Butt to equalise.

And in the second half, a brilliant play by the men in blue ended up with the ball in German's net once again with a superb volley by veteran striker, Diego Forlan.

The advantage only lasted for 5 minutes though with a header by Marcell Jansen putting the Germans back in the game.

A corner in the 82nd minute for the Germans produced the match winning goal, coming from the head of Sami Khadira.

And in the dying minutes, Uruguay was awarded a free kick. With Forlan stepping up to take the kick, German's fans hard to cross their fingers that the match did not go into extra time. Alas! Forlan hit the ball against the bar and the referee ended the match. It is 3-2 to Germany.

The Germans celebrating after the final whistle. They have retained their third spot and have been in the top four spot in their last three World Cup outings (they finished second to Brazil in Japan/Korea 2002).

The third place victors.

A very bright side. One would bet that the Germans can only get better from here.

Khadira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Cacao posed with their bronze medals.

Loew can be very proud with his youthful team.

Match winner, Khadira.

The Germans making their round of honour to thank their fans.

It has been a bumpy ride for the Germans this time around. They started brightly by thrashing Australia 4-1 and then losing to minnows, Serbia 1-0 in their second match. They came up with the goods in their final group match though, defeating Ghana 1-0. In their last 16 match, controversy dominated as they thrashed England 4-1 and set up a meeting with Argentina, a mouth watering tie. In the quarters, they would play their cool and brilliant football, thrashing the men in blue 4-0. However, when it was most needed for the Germans to deliver, they bowed out to Spain's Carlos Puyol's goal in the semi-finals, setting them up with Uruguay in the third placing playoff match. And in an exciting game, Germany ended their 2010 campaign on high by defeating Uruguay 3-2. And what a way to do it. Klose taking his World Cup goals tally to 14, only one shy of all time leader, Ronaldo. Schweinsteiger having yet another good outing. And of course, Mueller, the wonder kid. Only 20 years old and already having 5 World Cup goals, including a brace against England. I for one look to a brighter future in the Germans and with Joaquim Loew staying, not many would bet against them doing so. =)

New Centreback

As the title who suggests, Arsenal has signed a new centreback who is set to replace the likes of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell who are all tipped to leave. So here are so pictures and facts on the Gunner's latest signing.

Name: Laurent Koscielny (pronounced as 'cos-she'll-knee)

Date of birth: 10 September 1985

Place of birth: Tulle, France (he also has Polish ancestry)

Height: 1.87cm (6'1.5")

Koscielny began his youth career with French side, Guingamp at which he managed to impressed his coach and was given a senior contract. He stayed on until 2007, making 40 appearances.

He then transferred to another Ligue 2 side, Tours and played in their colours for two years. During those times, he scored 6 goals in 67 appearances.

He then moved to Ligue 1 side, Lorient in which he played a vital role in securing the side's final seventh position in the league. In his one year stint there, he made 35 appearances and found the back of the net on 3 occasions.

And on the 7th of July, the Frenchman sealed his move to The Emirates in a transfer that cost the Gunners 8.5 million pound.

The latest Gunner will be wearing the number 6 which was previously won by Phillipe Senderos who had just left The Emirates for Craven Cottage (Fulham).

And just an interesting fact here. Koscielny enjoys chess a lot and is looking into challenging Arsene Wenger frequently to hone his skills. =)

Well, I don't know about you, but I hope his arrival will strengthen Arsenal's defense. And of course, if they are to truly do that, they'll need to look for a new keeper and probably more centrebacks. Anyway, I am looking forward to a good Thomas Vermaelen-Laurent Koscielny partnership in the upcoming season. Koscielny and the partnership will certainly be tested with Arsenal's first game being against Liverpool on the 14th of August. That's TWO days before my 22nd birthday!!