Football (Soccer)

[admin]

Now that all the big teams, and Liverpool (), are through, which team do you want to get in the next round, and which team do you think you'll end up getting?

I think we'll get Liverpool, although I wish it were a non-Prem team like Burnley, Sunderland or Tranmere (both teams we've played so far have been Premiership teams, although we did beat them both 4-1). I also hope we get Chelsea somewhere along the line, since whenever we've knocked Chelsea out of the cup, we've won it

[Oriphus]

I am really really praying for Liverpool to be honest. I would rather not play Arsenal or Chelsea right now, but i wouldnt mind. Liverpool would be great after our experience in the final of the Worthless, sorry, worthington cup last year. I wouldnt rule out an upset from Burnley Tranmere or Sunderland. All are good teams, especially Sunderland, and could very easily do a giant killing, or in liverpools case, an equality killing lol

On a completely different note, for some reason, known only to my mind, i decided to purchase an authentic samurai Katana sword. Now, i have always had a real interest in Samurai's and actually have a replica one in my room (£30 sword). However, the sword i have just bought is £810, reduced from £1059. I know, im feckin nuts, but its beautiful:

http://www.sword-trader.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_40/products_id/33

Im blaming going to watch the last samurai. Damn those films that make you wanna be things you aren't. I am familiar with the Iaito swords (which is about fast drawing) which are light and I know how to use them (poorly). However, this one was a real beauty. The one in the picture is similar to the one i got, except mine doesnt have the same hand shield and scabbard. Now im just glad my credit card has a limit of £4,000 or i was considering getting this one - which is a beauty:

http://www.sword-trader.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/27_43/products_id/71

But the price is just too much. Anyway, im off to book an appointment with a shrink to help my compulsive buying syndrome. Now i have to sell my £1500 camera lens to pay for this. People always tell me - Chris - think before you do things

[Oriphus]

Looks like we are getting Man City or Spurs

Arsenal getting Chelsea LOL

[admin]

Arsenal getting Chelsea LOL

Just typical ... we will now play them twice in a row in February, more if there's a replay - someone at the FA obviously screwing with the draws, thus the Boro-thon this month. Still, a good omen for winning the FA Cup again.

(Speaking of Boro, our ladies team beat theirs 6-1 on Sunday in the Women's FA Cup. Kind of feel sorry for Boro right now)

And I guess Leeds will be the closest thing we get to playing a non-prem side in this FA Cup campaign, would have loved a home game against a division 3 side.

About the sword though, I hope you don't do anything drastic with it when Arsenal storm to the league title come May

[Oriphus]

The sword is lvoely though lol. Im going to hunt you down if Arsenal do win

Leeds have been given another extended deadline for administration. They have got till 30th January. Im really looking forward to them getting the boot from the Premiership. Typical of an Arsenal supporter, always blaming someone about some sort of conspiracy. The whole world must be against Arsenal. to be honest, i think you will destroy Chelsea without much problems, if Henry is playing. You are still lacking a poacher though, wonder if you'll get one in the transfer window, van persie is looking less likely.

I think Arsenal play Boro twice in 7 days.

[admin]

Typical of an Arsenal supporter, always blaming someone about some sort of conspiracy.

The FA probably heats up some of the balls in the draw, so that they can pick up the "right" ones when needed, or so I hear.

Good to see Bentley's goal being awarded the goal of the week on the BBC website. And also to clarify Bentley support for reds of Manchester (whom his parents support), he did say in the official Arsenal magazine interview that he has changed his allegiance to Arsenal, and to quote him directly has "seen the slight". Smart lad, bad haircut though.

I am looking forward to Man City knocking out Spurs in the cup, not just for the sake of ending Tottenham's season by February, but also to set up another Manchester derby. Regardless of which team you'll play, you'll probably win anyway, and no doubt the FA will heat up the balls again and match Arsenal with United.

[Oriphus]

Heated balls - LMAO - what will it be next?

Yeah, i would like to think that we would be either Man City or Spurs without too much difficulty. But i do remember sayig that when we played wolves, so im not as sure as i could be. Bentleys goal was very good, and i agree on the haircut lol

[admin]

But i do remember sayig that when we played wolves

Damn ... I was hoping you'd curse yourself again by saying you'll win easily

[admin]

And we've signed Reyes, at least according to his official website :

http://www.joseantonioreyes.com

30 Million Euros, or £21m - that's quite a lot for one player, and certainly a lot for Arsenal given the current financial situation. Will only believe it when I see photos of Reyes holding up an Arsenal shirt ...

[Oriphus]

From what i can see the website is saying that he is leaving the best team in spain, which i wasnt aware was sevilla F.C., to go to the best team in england, which i wasnt aware was arsenal. I think its also saying that its the most expensive transfer record in the history of both clubs. What i dont understand is how Arsenal could afford that?? It was also confirmed by Sky Sports - Paid £24 million for him:

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1120941,00.html

Im definitley not predicting anything this tiem round incase i do curse the efforts of the team lol.

[admin]

I think Reyes was being diplomatic with his "best team" comments, since he is a Sevillista through and through. And of course, Arsenal are the best team in England, at least currently going by the league table

The deal, apparently, is 24m Euros upfront (probably half now, and half sometime later), and 10m Euros based on appearances (spread over 4 years, or that's what I hear). Of course, Arsenal never reveals actual transfer figures (Jeffers' transfer was reported to be in the £9m range, but insiders has revealed it was probably less than £4m), so all of this is just speculation (and the selling club usually always exaggerate the figure, to avoid discontent from the fans, which is especially true in the case of Reyes).

Arsene has always had £10m to spend, since he did not spend last summer. Now that the stadium finance has been secured (construction restarted last week), we've taken back from the loan the £45m that the club put into the stadium construction from their own pockets. This and the fact that Jeffers, Wiltord, Kanu, Pennant, van Brockhorst are all probably leaving the club in the summer, and Bergkamp is retiring, it means that £24m can be raised (although it's a lot of money to spend on just one player). I guess with Bentley and Aliadiere coming through, and Bergkamp maybe staying another season, it was a choice between getting 2 or 3 good forward players, or just 1 great player.

[admin]

A lot of reports now say we paid £9m upfront, rising up to £20m depending on appearance, goals, team success (possibly only £20m if we win the quadruple or something). This sounds more reasonable, as Wenger has said:

"If we buy a player, it’s because we can afford him. When we buy young players, we make the price conditional on achievements, success."

[Oriphus]

Skysports news, not the skysports.com, said that you paid £16 million for him altogether, £10 million up front and the rest going by performance. Who really knows lol - he is a good buy - i watched him play quite a bit and was inmpressed with him. reminds meof a younger Alfonso.

[admin]

Yeah, the club got tired of all these numbers floating around, so they did something they never do and released the transfer details. £6.9m now, £3.6m in the future sometime, and another £6.5m max based on performance. No more than £17m altogether, although we'll probably have to win the League and CL before we have to pay this amount.

With both teams getting new strikers at roughly the same price, the clash at Highbury will be an interesting one - no longer just a battle between Henry and RvN.

[Oriphus]

Yeah, although it depends if Sir Alex will play Saha along side RvN or just as a lone striker back-up. It would be interesting to see us back as a 4-4-2, instead of this 4-3-3 or variation of 4-5-1

I would like to see strike partnerships more often, still with Scholes playing of the two strikers. A 4-3-1-2 would be the sort of style of play then. Roy Keane holding the middle of Midfield and dropping back defencively with Scholes being the main attacking midfielder.

I cant wait till the clash at Highbury