This post has been edited by kimhoong: Mar 17 2009, 12:34 PM

Up Coming Gathering

This post has been edited by kimhoong: Mar 12 2009, 08:44 AM

The Emotional Highbury and The Grand Ashburton Grove

Highbury 1913-2006

For the majority of their time in south-east London, Arsenal played at the Manor Ground in Plumstead, a three-year period at the nearby Invicta Ground between 1890 and 1893 excepted. The Manor Ground was initially just a field, but the club installed stands and terracing in time for their first Football League match in September 1893. They played their home games there for the next twenty years (with two exceptions in 1894�95), until the move to north London in 1913.



Arsenal Stadium, widely referred to as Highbury, was Arsenal's home from September 1913 until May 2006. The original stadium was designed by the renowned football architect Archibald Leitch, and had a design common to many football grounds in the UK at the time, with a single covered stand and three open-air banks of terracing. In the 1930s, the entire stadium was given a massive overhaul, with new Art Deco West and East stands constructed, opening in 1932 and 1936 respectively; in addition, the North Bank terrace had a roof added, which was later bombed during World War II and not restored until 1956.

At its peak, Highbury could hold over 60,000 spectators, and had a capacity of 57,000 until the early 1990s. The Taylor Report and Premier League regulations forced Arsenal to convert Highbury into an all-seater in time for the 1993�94 season, reducing the capacity to 38,419 seated spectators. This capacity had to be reduced further during Champions League matches to accommodate additional advertising hoardings, so much so that for two seasons (1998�99 and 1999�00) Arsenal played Champions League home matches at Wembley, which could house more than 70,000 spectators.

Final moments - the emotions run high in Highbury



Ashburton Grove 2007-present

Expansion of Highbury was restricted because the East Stand had been designated as a Grade II listed building and the other three stands were close to residential properties. These limitations have prevented the club from maximising the revenue that their domestic form could have brought in recent seasons. After considering various options, in 2000 Arsenal proposed building a new 60,000-seater stadium at Ashburton Grove, since renamed the Emirates Stadium, about 500 metres south-west of Highbury. The project was initially delayed by red tape and rising costs, but construction was completed in July 2006, in time for the start of the 2006�07 season. The stadium is named after its sponsors, the airline company Emirates, with whom the club signed the largest sponsorship deal in English football history, worth approximately �100 million; however some fans refer to the ground as Ashburton Grove, or the Grove, as they do not agree with corporate sponsorship of stadium names.The stadium will be officially known as Emirates Stadium until at least 2012, and the airline will be the club's shirt sponsor until the end of the 2013�14 season.

Construction and completion of the Ashburton Grove

The Gunners 2008/2009


Arsenal Kit 2008/2009


Defining Moments of Arsenal FC

From foundation to the first World War

Arsenal Football Club began life when a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory decided to form a football team in late 1886. The Club played under the name of Dial Square. Their first match was a 6-0 victory over Eastern Wanderers, on December 11, 1886. Soon after, the name Royal Arsenal was adopted and the Club continued playing in friendlies and local cup competitions for the next few years.


In 1891 the Club turned professional and changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal, finally joining the Football League in 1893. The Gunners moved to their current home at Highbury in 1913, as a Second Division side. Following the First World War Arsenal were voted into the newly expanded First Division, where they have remained ever since.

Chapman and the glorious thirties

Herbert Chapman took over at Arsenal in 1925, and in 1930 he guided the Gunners to their first ever trophy � beating Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup Final. The following season Arsenal were champions for the first time. Between 1933 and 1935 the Club won a hattrick of league titles (which has only been achieved by four teams in the top flight). Sadly Chapman died in the middle of the run, by which time he had reached legend status.

George Allison took over and the dominance continued for the rest of the decade, winning one more FA Cup (1936) and another title (1938). During this time Arsenal had some of the game�s greatest players on its books: Alex James, Ted Drake, Cliff Bastin, David Jack, Eddie Hapgood and George Male were just some of the names in what was one of the greatest sides ever to play in the Football League.



Post War to the first double

The Second World War stopped Arsenal in their tracks but Tom Whittaker became manager and more success followed. Arsenal were Champions in 1947/48 and 1952/53; FA Cup winners in 1950 and runners-up in 1952. The �60s provided little in the way of silverware at Highbury, with two losing appearances in the League Cup Final in 1968 and 1969 being the closest thing to success. Bertie Mee had taken over in the mid-Sixties and Arsenal lifted their first ever European trophy in 1969/70, beating Anderlecht 4-3 over the two legged Fairs Cup Final.
Better was to follow the following season. An Arsenal side containing the likes of Charlie George, George Armstrong, Ray Kennedy and captain Frank McLintock, won the league and FA Cup �double�. They clinched the title at White Hart Lane, then beat Liverpool after extra time at Wembley to win the Cup. The side returned to Wembley for three consecutive FA Cup Finals under Terry Neill at the end of the decade � winning the second of them, 3-2 against Manchester United. The game became known as the �Five Minute Final�. The Gunners also reached the 1980 Cup Winners� Cup Final, with a team that included Graham Rix, Frank Stapleton, Pat Rice, David O�Leary and Liam Brady, but lost on penalties to Valencia.

George Graham's honours

In 1986 George Graham, a member of the 1971 �double� winning team, took over as manager from Don Howe and more glory days followed. He led Arsenal to their first ever League Cup triumph in 1986/87, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Final. Two years later the Gunners won the League Championship, with a famous last minute goal from Michael Thomas clinching the title with a 2-0 win at Anfield. Another title followed in 1990/91, when the side, including the famous defensive back four, lost just one league game.

More silverware followed. In 1992/93 Arsenal became the first club to win both domestic cups in the same season. Sheffield Wednesday were the beaten side on both occasions. Graham�s era of success was rounded off the following season. A superb run in the European Cup Winners� Cup ended with a memorable 1-0 win over Parma in the Final in Copenhagen, thanks to Alan Smith�s strike. Arsenal failed to retain the trophy the following season, losing in the 1995 final to Real Zaragoza. By this time George Graham had left the Club. He was succeeded by Bruce Rioch, who was in charge for one season, during which time he signed Dennis Bergkamp.

The Arsene Wenger and the Invincibles Era

Early in the 1996/97 season Ars�ne Wenger arrived at Highbury, becoming the Club�s first ever manager from outside the British Isles. In 1997/98, Wenger�s first full season at Highbury, Arsenal achieved the League and FA Cup �double�, for the second time in the Club�s history. Dennis Bergkamp was named Football Writers� Association (FWA) Player of the Year, and PFA Player of the Year. A tremendous season was rounded off perfectly for French Internationals Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira as the Gunners stars played their part in France�s victorious World Cup campaign. The Club also said goodbye to striking legend Ian Wright, who left Arsenal as record goalscorer with 185 goals in all competitions.

In each of the next three seasons Arsenal were runnersup in the Premier League, and had plenty of involvement in cup competitions. In 2000 Arsenal lost in the UEFA Cup Final on penalties to Galatasaray, and the following year lost the first ever FA Cup Final played at the Millennium Stadium, 2-1 to Liverpool. In 2001 the Gunners also reached the Quarter- Final stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time, but lost out on away goals to Valencia. 2001/02 was to prove another momentous, recordbreaking season for the Club. Arsenal completed the first leg of their third �double� by beating Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup Final, and ended the season with a 13-game winning streak. The 12th Championship was made secure with a game to spare courtesy of a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal were unbeaten away from home for the entire league campaign.

The following season Arsenal narrowly missed out on retaining the title but the Gunners became the first English club in more than 20 years to retain the FA Cup with their 1-0 victory over Southampton at Cardiff. Thierry Henry was voted player of the season by the PFA and the Football Writers� Association. Season 2003/2004 saw Arsenal win back the title in unbeatable fashion - managing to go though the entire league season without a single defeat. Finishing 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea, Arsenal smashed several records on the way to their 13th league title win.
Spanish youngster Cesc Fabregas arrived in January and by the end of the season he had broken the records for the youngest Arsenal player and goalscorer. The Club, playing some mesmerising attacking football, were also close to an unprecedented fourth �double� but lost in the FA Cup semi-final. The Champions League campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage.

The unbeaten run continued into the following season, and in August 2004 Arsenal overtook Nottingham Forest�s record for the longest all-time unbeaten sequence in English league football. The tally eventually reached 49 games. The Gunners made it five trophies in four seasons by winning the FA Cup following a penalty shoot-out success over Manchester United. Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira converted the decisive spot-kick, and it proved to be his final kick for the Club, as he left after nine years� service to join Juventus shortly afterwards. The 2005/06 campaign will be Arsenal�s final season at Highbury, the Club�s home since 1913.

The Trophy Cabinet

The LYN Gooners


This post has been edited by kimhoong: Feb 28 2009, 10:33 PM

For signature sharing




























Ex-Gunners:


This post has been edited by kimhoong: Feb 5 2009, 02:51 PM

Don't wanna waste StarGhazzer long post




Gonna pick some posts on Arshavin and put on the first post later

Welcome abroad Arshavin!
Andy? His new nickname?

Here's my opinion on our midfield.abulabu suggested playing Nasri and Fabregas as CM.For that to happen,the back-4 must be steady.Gallas is getting better than he used to be during 1st half of the season and Djourou improving aswell just that he looses concentration at times but lets not forget that the lad is just 21.For now until Fab and Walcott returns,I think this is the best midfield can be formed.

Arshavin---Nasri---Denilson---Eboue

Theo will be back in 4 weeks time and he can replace Eboue on RW and our midfield should have more pace and penetration from our flanks.

As for Fab and Rosicky,once they are fit,Fab can play the advance role as CAM while Rosicky can play as deep CM like how he used to play in Czech NT.We can expect some rocket going forward from him. Once all our players are fit(I mean those stars),I would like to see the midfield looks like this:

Nasri/Arshavin---Cesc---Tommy---Walcott/Eboue

This midfield I guess will only be available when the season close to an end.

Ade should step-up his game and try to convert half-chances into goal like he used to last season.As for Robin,we can just pray he'll stay fit and without any injuries niggling.Dudu should be in action in 2weeks time for 1st team and by then we can rotate the Forwards department.Bendtner would be better to come-in as impact sub as it's proven as he can win some game when he comes in with 30 minute or 20 minutes left and he can be very frustrating if he starts,maybe that's because of the ankle injury he had that his touches were not good.

This post has been edited by ncool15: Feb 4 2009, 10:25 AM

i'm really glad that arshavin is now an arsenal player....we needed at least 1 addition to the engine room and his arrival is great on the offensive and creative side...

but now that the deal is concluded, i think it would be a good time to put in a reminder i posted earlier....

Btw, i feel we could deploy 5-man midfield if everyone is fit.

---------------Almunia--------------
--Sagna--Gallas--Toure--Clichy--
----------Denilson/Song-------------
--------Fabregas----Nasri-----------
--Walcott/Eboue--Arshavin/Rosicky
------Van Persie/Adebayor------

Arsene could deploy Andrei on the right wing and V. Persie could drop into left wing role.

Btw, I feel we need a DM in our team so Rosicky and Cesc in CM in 4-4-2 lineup is very risky. Playing Rosicky deep in the middle is acceptable, but there's a risk of defenders being exposed.

Either we trust Denilson and Song or Arsene hunt for another DM in the summer. As for Abou Diaby, he's develop more into an attacking minded player, so DM position is not an option for him.

A midfield of Cesc-Nasri or Cesc-Rosicky WILL never work. No matter how good your defenders are, they will not enjoy having to deal with an the opposition breaking in from midfield with no one to track back.

Remember when we had Vieira and Platt in 1996/97, the super back 4 requested for more protection and the next year we brought in Petit. We have always played with two DMs in the past, and then one DM since Cesc came on board. I doubt we, or any other team for that matter can cope with having no DMs at all.

correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think diaby ever set out to be a defensive player. he's always fancied himself to be an attacking midfielder.. and even wenger said so in one of his interviews.. (i'm too lazy to look it up though)

Well,im not sure if you are aware of this.Giggs and Fletcher played as CM when they trash Chelsea 3-0(FYI Giggs is a LW and Fletcher is just an average CM about the class of Denilson).That's because their back-4 were so good and that is why Chelsea never had a clear chance nor they drive into final-2rd of MAN UTD in many occasion.Our squad is well known for having greater possesion without end-product so we won't need a ball-winner kinda midfieder.We just need someone who can unlock opposition by using passes or runs.If you watched Rosicky play,that lad never stops tracking back and giving cover for Clichy when he was deployed in LW.Neway,I never stress that it would work.That was just my suggestion based on my view on other team.

sometimes Offence can be the best defense!

This post has been edited by ncool15: Feb 4 2009, 11:00 AM

woot~new thread,new player!

i was wondering who's andy.then figured it out it was arshavin's first name.

Arshavin said: "I moved because I like the Arsenal style, Wenger as a coach and I like SOME of their player."

lol

i thought this new chant wrighty7 created for arshavin is absolutely solid and fun!

The New Arshavin Chant?

First Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zT3NepPi3c



This post has been edited by amalost: Feb 4 2009, 11:46 AM

He played in CM/DM role when he first came. Arsene touted him as the next Vieira, so everyone was thinking him more of a CM?DM role. He did play in that position, partnering Gilberto in one game. Didn't do well, though. The next thing u know, Arsene played him in left wing for a couple of games. He was doing well then until suffered a horrific injury. :

Now he's definitely not a Vieira in making. I have high hopes for him when he first came, now his inconsistency isn't helping all. As for the midfield, i agree with zan81, we need a solid DM. Flamini was doing it with flying colors last season, so that is why we only lost 3 games then.

If Denilson's could increase his work rate, he might be the answer. But he had some disappointing games where he did not track back and most of them lead to us conceding goals. Eg. Bentley's goal... I'll be fair, give him time to develop. His passing sometimes could be Cesc-like but smtimes crap-like. He need to be much more consistent.

Anyway, it's Le Boss decision to make.

Viva La Gunners ~~

finally get arshavin..