Arsenal v Blackburn. Progress

A very important result this weekend. Its not just three points, it represents a significant step forward in our league ambitions. We have now suceeded in closing out a difficult, physical game where we failed last year. If we want to win the title we can't afford to slip up in games like this so while its still early this was a significant win. I left the house with a spring in my step and cheered just a little in the street.
Also Champion's League draw was this week and Arsenal drew Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Partizan Belgrade. Its a decent draw really, we have a good record against Portuguese teams and Partizan don't have great deal of Champion's league experience so despite the distance for a couple of away matches I'm hoping this should be a decent group for us.

Arsenal Preview - Blackburn Rugby Edition

The weekend is almost upon us once more and tomorrow my beloved team are the early kick-off against Blackburn. We lost to Blackburn at the end of last season to some ridiculous goals after some ridiculously over the top physical play. I'm predicting that we're in for more of the same this time as far as the physicality of the game and defensive tactics go. I'm hoping and feeling quietly optimistic that we can reverse the result and come away with a win.

Sports Quote of the Week

This week three for the price of one.
"You should not have it, you have everything." - Andrei Arshavin (referring to England's World Cup bid)
"I looked at my watch after the sending-off, they were 2-0 up and there was all that time left, and I thought, 'Holy mackerel'. Luckily for me, it was only six." - Ian Holloway (referring to the Arsenal game.)
"I nearly forgot it, I can't believe that. One of the ball-boys had it. Everyone has signed it and I don't think there are any swear words on it." - Theo Walcott (referring to the match ball from the Blackpool game)

Transfer News!

Another Arsenal update to report. Over the last few days we have reinforced our backline by signing Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla (that's this cutie above). I'll admit I don't know too much about him but I believe he went to the world cup with the France squad and I know that Sevilla have been pretty decent over the past few seasons. Plus another centre half can only be a good thing given that with recent departures we only had three of them left. So bonne chance to our new frenchie and welcome to london.

Arsenal v Blackpool - sixy football, hit for six, etc

I know my review is a little late but here it goes anyway. Entry three in the Arsenal season log. I didn't get to see the entire match but I did catch the highlights later on Match of the Day and to be honest I could not have been prouder of all the boys. I know Blackpool are one of the teams many people are predicting for relegation and thus shouldn't provide too much of a test but slipping up here would have been all too easy and was a mistake we made many times in previous seasons. So to us perform that well was very very encouraging. That performance truly was the Arsenal I know and love; proper fluid passing, attacking football and gorgeous to watch. Another thing that was great to see was Tomas Rosicky back to his best. He pulled all the strings in midfield and his passing and vision were impeccable. So my early season optimism is well and truly back in place.

Sporting Quote of the week

The inaugural quote of the week comes courtesy of Soccer Saturday's Jeff Stelling (the first of many I sense) with this cracker:
"Ian Holloway once said every dog has its day, well today I want to say WOOF!" (in relation to Blackpool's first Premier league win)

Moto GP - The most beautiful love story

In tribute to the fabulous, passionate, crazy genius that is Valentino Rossi here is his version of the most his most beautiful love story (no not the one with Dani)
"Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004, but especially ‘she', my M1, has changed. At that time she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers. Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the ‘top of the class'.” Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me ‘I love you!'"

(picture via motogp.com)