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Ian Grant Editor Thanks to: Myles Palmer-FeaturesGary Jacob -News researcherBob Bateman -DesignAdrian Barker -Perl and CGI programming...and to everyone else who sent/sends things in
NEWS REVIEWS
FEATURES THE ARSENAL AGM 1999 - FULL WRITE UP FIVE REASONS: ARSENAL COULD WIN IN BARCELONA CARLTON AND ITV UPSET US AGAIN JEKYLL AND HYDE PLAY THE NOU CAMP BUBBLE BURSTS - WEST HAM REVIEW ARSENAL OPEN £10M TRAINING FACILITY
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ANR has a weekly column with the Ham & High Group which funds this site
SERVING ARSENAL FANS WITH INTERNET NEWS SINCE 1895
News Review 03 December Arsenal 13th richest Arsenal are the 13th richest club in the world according to the Deloitte Touche annual survey. They rose 7 places with £40.4m turnover, up on £27.2m last year. Manchester United (£87.9m), Newcastle £49.2m, Chelsea (£47.5m) and Liverpool (£45.5m) were above them in the turnover league. Tottenham were 18th on £27.9m. The usual suspects - Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Lazio all came above Arsenal. As some papers point out, Spanish TV and other Euro TV revenues will shoot some clubs way ahead of English ones next year. For more information on these clubs' finances, see another site, we run Kanu Kanu (46 points) won the African Footballer of the Year Award for the second year running (1996). He beat Ghanaian Samuel Osei Kuffour who plays for Bayern, by two points. George Weah was fourth, after Bakayoko on 40. Shame then there's a sour "I'll quit" story in the Mail, "if I don't get more money." Don't know the veracity of this, although he does have reported 'entourage', although previous I quit stories have been denied. Injury crisis Ray Parlour, who was stretchered off at the Riverside, will be out for a reported three to four weeks, depending on the paper you read. The Mirror makes a meal of it, adding Luzhny, Seaman, and possibly Petit, to go with the supended Vieira and Ljungberg. Incidentally Steve Morrow has dislocated his shoulder once again, at QPR. Rodriguez bid Arsenal have offered, according to Reuters and some other papers, £2m for an 18-year-old Spanish second division striker, Vicente Rodriguez who plays for Levante. The club president says he can go for £3.8m. He came to Arsenal's attention playing in an u-18 tournament six weeks ago. He's nicknamed 'the jewel'. [Shows that Arsenal are scouring Europe for the best young talent.] Pennant youngest by two days Not much to celebrate by being knocked out of the Worthington by Middlesbrough, except that Thierry Henry showed he can keep on scoring; and Jermaine Pennant broke the youngest Arsenal player record by two days. He's 16 and 319 days old, beating Gerry Ward in the fifties who was 16 years and 321 days, when he played in the first team. Incidentally, Arsene Wenger, has praised the performances of Tommy Black, Rhys Weston and Ashley Cole. As it transpires, Don Howe is coaching Pennant, and telling him when to cross, when to dribble, and when to occupy what space. Pennant says he is a better natural dribbler than crosser, but his crosses are improving. Fixture change Mon 24 Jan: Manchester Utd v Arsenal has moved from from 22 Jan. 'Arsenal' poet recognised George Bruce, was honoured, at 90 for great poetry with the Saltire Scottish Book of the Year, sponsored by The Scotsman, for His collection of poetry, Pursuits: Poems 1986-1998. He almost became a professional footballer. He was spotted by a talent scout for Arsenal, and only the intervention of his father caused his career to follow a more literary path.
News Review 30 November Thierry Henry tells the press that his success against Derby was in part down to studying the runs of Ian Wright. Martin Keown told him to watch Wrighty's runs in Lee Dixon's testimonial. Henry, quite sensibly, wants to emulate Ian, rather than be likened to Nicolas Anelka. Good marketing sense, there. Particularly as NA has caught the ire of Madrid with full length cartoons, and mocking headlines, following his latest alleged injury, and distance from the other players. Dennis Bergkamp has said Euro 2000 may be his last international tournament. PFA chirman Gordon Taylor says that Arsene Wenger's pronouncements against Keane breaking the Man U wage ceiling, are wrong. Somewhat surprisingly the PFA chief says that player wage spirals are inevitable, and that Arsenal will have to pay increased wages to keep up. Loads of players out or rested tonight against Middlesbrough. Seaman, Bergkamp (out for a week according to some papers), Vieira, Adams (rested), Silvinho (injured). Pennant is in the squad. Maltz and Henry should get games. Hughes, say some papers is Cup tied.
News Review 29 November Arsene Wenger said yesterday, Stefan Maltz will play at the Riverside. He paid tribute to the German's profesional attitude, and said that he'd developed physically in his short time at Highbury. He also said that Luzhny played his best game for Arsenal. Dennis Bergkamp came off with a groin strain. For details of Wenger on Thierry Henry, see the Derby match report.
News Review 28 November The big question is who in midfield,with Ljungberg, Vieira, Silvinho and possibly Petit all out? Parlour to occupy the centre, with Thierry Henry on the right, seems one solution. A lot depends on Emmanuel Petit's fitness. He was manifestly unfit on Thursday, the time he was on the pitch. Maltz and Hughes could come in - and Grimandi from centre back, with Upson taking his place. Or could Vernazza could get an outing? And will Derby play news boys Kinkladze and Nimni? The other question is Bergkamp's contract. Both Sun, Mirror and others, say he's been offered a two year extension, at an increased rate to keep him at Highbury for three and a half years. He already has 18 months to run on his current one. A pretty crucial question - as Bergkamp is the key to the way Arsenal play. The Sun has a van Nistelrooy spin on the story, as a replacement. ANR thinks the chances are that he'll stay. Pat Rice, meanwhile has turned down the N.Ireland job, saying it he has a great position at Arsenal - and he is a vital conduit between players and management.
Arsenal 3 Nantes 0 Highbury wasn't immune from Arsenal's seeming Euro-jinx, as in a stuttering UEFA Cup display, the result was better than the performance. The French side, full of young talent, and playing to a strict system - five at the back, and pressing midfield, frustrated the Londoners for long periods. Even when they had defender Canalet sent off for two bookable offences with a third of the match to go, they held the line well for a long time. And they could easily have got an away goal, with Hassan Ahamada breaking clear and shooting past a post. And then failing to find the target with an instinctive flash shot. Luckily Arsenal got a break early on when Kanu was felled in the area from an intelligent through ball from Petit. Marc Overmars' spot kick was parried into the net by young goalkeeper, and captain Landreau. But Arsenal failed to raise the tempo, and conscientious defending, combined with incisive passing and movement from the French side, typified by the excellent Sibierski, gave them plenty to think about. Dennis Bergkamp was playing more a centre forward role. And just before half-time, he ran and opened up the Nantes defence, just curling his shot wide. One goal was never going to be enough to take back to France. With around 20 minutes left, Arsene Wenger threw on Henry and Suker, for Ljungberg and Kanu. Parlour had already come on for Petit, who hurt his knee stretching - but will be alright for Sunday. Suker was put through by a delightful chip by Bergkamp, but his dink over Landreau, was cleared off the line, by a defender running back. Henry gave a cameo of his Arsenal career to date - plenty of potential, but a failure to deliver. He went on a mazy run and shot just wide of the post. He was put through one on one by Bergkamp, but with Landreau to beat, he lobbed over. And a high through ball saw him clear of the defence, but with plenty of time and space he handled to get the ball under control. So it was left to Nutty Winterburn to bring a rare one out of the locker. Patrick Vieira found him on the left, and he set himself up for a piledriver into the top left corner - similar to his Stamford Bridge goal - only faster and straighter. It was the turning point of the tie. Dennis Bergkamp put the icing on the cake soon after, jiggling his way free in the area, opening his foot wide to bend it round Landreau, for number three.
News Review - 24 November Roughly a week away a third of the way through the season offers a good opportunity to step back and look at happenings from a distance. Not that you get much Arsenal news in the deserts of the Middle East. The vibes about the potential move to Ashburton Grove, the waste transfer station, 80% owned by Islington Council, are good. Those I have talked to close to the club say it is the best potential site so far. Arsenal have virtually come out and said that it is now between Kings Cross, Ashburton Grove and one other - which some speculators say is either Finsbury Park, Hertfordshire/M25 or Greenwich. Danny Fiszman said Arsenal had looked at 15 sites. But having studied planning and environmental issues on and off for around 17 years, there's a long road ahead, not least with planning policy changing quite regularly. The FA came out and said it was OK for Davor Suker to own Manchester United shares - so long as he didn't own 10% of the club. Strange one this. The tabloids were speculating over a swap deal between Xavi, the 19 year old Barcelona midfielder, and Marc Overmars. Arsene Wenger poured cold water on that one. Missed the Middlesbrough match, although it was good to see some of the press saying it could be a turning point of a somewhat disappointing season so far. This site said a while back that Arsenal's season will start to click when Marc Overmars starts to click. So a hat-trick may have done the trick. The zestful style of play was also encouraging. Arsene told the press that there was a frank team meeting about the season so far - similar to the one against Blackburn two years ago, which was a turning point. Wenger added that stories that he'd been called into the directors about Arsenal's disciplinary record were not true. The England Scotland matches may have seen Dave Seaman with two crucial saves, shake off some of the doubters. He now has Peter Shilton's target of clean sheets in his sights. Martin Keown emerged with an enhanced reputation, too. Arsene Wenger continues to warn about Nantes, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup match. He said they have had some good results and have some talented players. Arsenal have been installed as favourites for the FA Cup - 9/4 with some bookies, coming in after drawing Blackpool. Some bookies have them second favourites for the title after Manchester United at 9/2, ahead of Chelsea and Leeds. So things are not so bad, after all. Arsenal are still in four competitions, still in Europe, still in touch with the Premiership leaders, have a possibility of moving very near to their spiritual home - and have had a good break to get the first third of the season out of their systems.
Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 1 Twenty two thousand four hundred and eighty six people paid homage to a great Arsenal stalwart, in Lee Dixon's testimonial match last night. Lee Dixon is a rarity these days - staying at one club for eleven years. He is Arsenal through and through - even his football heritage, being rejected by several clubs in the lower divisions, before getting a break with Stoke, which lead on to greater things. He has achieved what he has with great determination. Interestingly his break came because canny George Graham realised that local newspaper journalists talked sense, and they could spot good up and coming players. So Lee probably has the Stoke Sentinel to thank for his break with Arsenal. The game was just what the doctor ordered after the unpalatable scenes of Sunday. There was a welcome free-flowing element to the game. Arsenal have now played most of the great European sides throughout the nineties in various capacities - AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona, Lazio, Parma, Dynamo Kiev - and now Real - probably the club with the greatest European pedigree of the lot. Vieira and Bergkamp put away low crosses (if only it was Fiorentina a couple of weeks ago). Maltz got his head to an Overmars cross. That will be good for his confidence. Stephen Hughes got a rehabilitatory run out. He still looks and feels like a Gooner - and may well be needed soon. Ian Wright, who threw the Arsenal team shirts out of the window into Avenell Road, delaying, the kick off, came on with around 20 minutes left, and tried hard for a goal. He came close on a couple of occasions. Karembeau jigged past the Arsenal defence with a couple of lucky bounces, and dummied Lukic, before firing into a corner. Lee did an emotional lap of honour, the tears welling up in his eyes. But who can blame him. Well done that man! Long may it continue. IG
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POSTSCRIPT week ending 03 December The week in view Malcolm Allison, the flambouyant sixties coach, now 72, was spotted at York v Plymouth at the weekend. Why is that significant? Allison, now 72, scouts for Arsenal, and he'd just been to an u-19 match at Scarborough. Just because the Beckhams have bought a big house in Hertfortshire, the tabloids say David B is Highbury bound come the summer. Seem to remember the same speculation when Robbie Fowler bought a house close to the Arsenal training ground, last year. And what did Real Madrid's doctor Dr Alfonso del Corral say about Nicolas Anelka's alleged knee injury:"what Anelka needed was 'work and not rest'. "It's possible to state that he has not got an injury of importance.." The Spanish press and Real fanzines are having a field day. One called him ET. The attacking performance of Thierry Henry and Marc Overmars got them in some papers' team of the week. Thierry Henry says some of his success [v Derby] is down the studying the runs of Ian Wright. Henry said that Martin Keown told him to watch how Ian made runs during Lee Dixon's testimonial, and said it helped enormously. Nigel Winterburn was used as an example to demonstrate the new interactive TV technology in an exhibition at Brighton. "If they saw that Nigel Winterburn goal for Arsenal on Thursday, for example, and wanted to buy a replica of the player's shirt, they could click a button and be taken either to an internet page or a television channel to look at the options and make a purchase," said Oracle's Phil Wood, part of a consortium marketing the new system. The Belfast Newsletter, somewhat ridiculously says one of the reasons Pat Rice turned down the N.Ireland managers job, was sour grapes that Billy Bingham didn't pick him for his 50th cap, and that he remained on 49. Honestly. Arsenal knocked in six against Bangor to gain a semi-final place in the AXA Women's Premier League Cup. Angela Banks, scored two, and Rachel Yankey, Marieanne Spacey, Kelley Few and Clare Wheatley each netted for Arsenal. With Manchester United mania sweeping Japan, in the wake of the Toyota Cup match, the Independent notes that Arsenal too have their fans there. Omer Riza, mentioned last week, is doing well on trial at West Ham, and could be offered a contract by Harry Redknapp, said one paper. Arsenal, this week are linked with West Brom's flying left-winger Kevin Kilbane. Euro 2000 could be Dennis Bergkamp's swansong:"The way I feel at the moment, I believe Euro 2000 will be my last international tournament," he said. Arsene Wenger denied at the weekend that he paid £10m for Thierry Henry. "It was less than that" he said. Wenger's stance over wage ceilings and the Roy Keane wage increase has drawn comment from an unexpected quarter. PFA chairman Gordon Taylor says that the football wage spiral is inevitable, and that other clubs will have to follow suit to keep up. One paper said Simon Hughes was back at Highbury and in contention for a midfield place. Wrong sport; wrong person. The Indy on Sunday highlighted Petit and Vieira's significane to the Arsenal side. Of the 11 matches which Petit has missed, Arsenal won just three. As for Vieira, he was their top passer (with 83 per cent of passes completed), their top tackler (with 70 per cent of winning challenges). Hunter Davies points out that cups of tea ar £1 at Spurs, but only 60p at Arsenal. So what do you get extra for that 40p? Following their exertions at Highbury, Nantes were held to a scoreless draw by Sedan on Sunday.
POSTSCRIPT 26 November Kiatisak Senamuang, the Thai player who came to the notice of English coaches, playing and scoring against Arsenal in the Summer, has joined Huddersfield Town. Arsenal are down to win the FA Cup at 9-2 with Stanley. Tottenham are 14/1 with the Tote. Hills put them at 9/4 for the title, with Man Utd evens, Chelsea at 9/2 with Leeds at 13/2. Charlton are using the Jermaine Pennant fee, and case, in pursuing compensation from West Ham for gaining the services of England Under-16 striker Jermaine Defoe who came through the Charlton youth Academy. Asignificant tactical change noticed on Saturday was the way Bergkamp is now getting behind defenders to run at goal, rather than always coming off them to link the play - as he was encouraged to do when partnering Nicolas Anelka. As for the Barca speculation over Marc Overmars, Arsene Wenger said:"There is always destabilisation around players in modern football, we have no special problem with Overmars." Which puts the mockers on the story that Barca's 19 year old midfielder Xavi is coming to Highbury in a swap deal. In the wake of Scotland's failure to qualify for Euro 2000, one paper looked at eleven Scotland's major youth hopefuls in 1989 - including three with Arsenal connections: Scott Marshall, now with Brentford, Paul Dickov - with Man City, and Jim Will, released by Arsenal to Dunfirmline, now playing in the Highlands. Lee Dixon only needs one more appearance to mark the 400 league appearances for Arsenal. After Saturday, Arsenal have now beaten Middlesbrough 50 times in all competitions. The Sunday Telegraph said it was time to bring back Don Howe into the England set up. According to the People, Arsenal's scouts have been checking on Real Mallorca's £4m left back, Soler. Arsene Wenger issued a warning about Nantes earlier in the week saying they are dangerous opposition, with some good recent results and a talented youth set up. Arsenal youth striker, Omer Riza has gone to West Ham for a trial period. What have the Birmingham Botanical Gardens got to do with Arsenal? Ex-Prime Minister Ted Heath is talking there early December on amongst other things about his love of Arsenal. Arsene Wenger had a boost for Stephen Hughes when he said that he should be in the England set up and is at least as good as Steve Froggatt and Steve Guppy. Hughes is set to remain at Arsenal at least until the New Year, and see what evolves. This week in 1951, the white football, introduced by Arsenal great Herbert Chapman was officially approved by the Football Association. Arsene Wenger said this week that he will see his current contract out with Arsenal. It expires in 2002. The comments came in the light of speculation about the vacant Real Madrid post. Anthony Green & Spencer, the agents who located a brownfield site where Arsenal could potentially move, are long time Arsenal supporters who want to see Arsenal stay as close to their spiritual home as possible. In fact, one of the Green's grandfather's used to play for Arsenal Reserves. Arsenal and the historic FA Cup replay features large in the Sheffield United report to shareholders. David Seaman has kept 28 clean sheets in his 55 internationals, closing in on Gordon Banks' record of 34 in 73 games. It was intimated this week that he'd like to carry on until he's 40. Much of the press is blaming John Toshack's purchase of Nicolas Anelka for his sacking. The club President says it was the fans turning against Anelka which tipped the balance against Toshack. Anelka incensed local passions by saying if he was loaned out he wouldn't return. According to the the Mirror, FIFA are investigating the Anelka tapes. The FA pronounced that it was OK for players to hold shares of rival clubs - so long as it wasn't over 10% of the club. The comments were in the light of the news Davor Suker bought £20,000 worth of Manchester United shares.
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