From 8-2 to 5-3!!!!!!!!

From Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leaving the club to a humiliating 8-2 loss against Man United to the owner Stan appreciaitng the Glazers Arsenal F.C has become a "controversy kid". People had lost faith and all hopes of this club even close to breaking into the top 4 had been lost. They disapproved of the policies of the manager. With the headlines as

"The continuing inability of Arsène Wenger's side to turn possession into goals against Udinese underlines the shallowness of their resources" - The Guardian


"Arsenal's dramatic decline"- The Sun

            all hopes were certainly lost and rightly so. But who would have thought that come October this declining club would start their ascent to the top??!!!!
             With Man City having such a solid team, the ambitions of AFC would be to come into the top 4 and that truly has been agreed by the Arsenal Manager


"We are not aiming for the title"- Arsene Wenger.

              But by splashing the cash on the transfer deadline day Arsene has bought in experience and quality, thus, adding solidarity to the defence as well as the midfield. With likes of Arteta, Per,Santos ,Gervinho and Benayoun Arsenal look altogether a different side.

               9 wins out of the last 11 and remaining unbeaten Arsenal have surely turned a corner. Their talismatic captain Robin "Vantstic" has propelled Arsenal to the 7th spot from a dismal relegation place. Their passing exhibition in the last game against West Brom has got even Van Der Vaat quoting that if Arsenal continue their present form Tottenham's  dreams of breaking into the top 4 will be shattered.

          With Man United feeling the pinch after losing 6-1 to their rivals, Chelsea losing back to back derbies and Liverpool in declining form, now is the perfect time for Arsene to start his ascent.

            But we really need to wait till December end before making any judgements. Surprise package Newcastle have joined at the top. They surely are looking to ruin everyones day. But surely that wont continue for long. City will have a dip in form and string together some poor run of games and the top 7 games will decide who will emerge victorious. But one thing for sure from the 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford to a 5-3 carnage at Stamford Arsenal have surely resurrected their season.

The table at the end of May 2012 as i see it


1. United
2. City/Arsenal
3.Arsenal/City
4.Chelsea 
5.Liverpool
6.Tottenham
7. Newcastle




Rishabh Ghai

An Arsenal fans' frustration

The much predicted transfer saga has finally come to an end. As an Arsenal fan i was tired of reading the news about the star midfielder who joined the Arsenal ranks at an age of 16 from Barcelona and now wanting to go back to his boyhood club. It was a question of when rather than how in this case. And after spending 8 years at the training  grounds at the Highbury and Emirates combined he left us when we needed him the most. Well Done Mr. Cesc!!!! We wish you all the luck and hope you will retire warming the Nou Camp bench with your Spanish team mates who all always want to "stick together".

Another such person who wants to show disloyalty to this club is Samir Nasri. Right from the start of his Arsenal career he wanted money!! And with his so called "best mate" gone ,he too has made plans of leaving. And like a big mouth, Mancini ,with all his financial strength, wants to lure him away from us. Mr. Mancini answer me one simple question. Where do you want to fit in all the players you are buying in one single team?? The last time i remember only 11 players are allowed on the pitch unless you plan to play Tevez as a defender alongside Milner, Barry and Silva!!!!!!!! And the funniest part is Mancini says that his transfer business is not yet over....hahahaha!!!!!

Well coming back to the gunners. This is to all the disloyal players Arsenal have, "leave the club now rather than waiting for 8 years and then ditching us!!!!!!!!!"

As for "The Professor" i have full faith in him and his ego. " We will buy players of quality"....."oh really??!!!"...First buy and then talk. And which quality are you talking about?? Quality of Bendtner and squillachi??!!!! Oh please!!! we are better off without them. Look inside your purse and you will find 35million due to the sale of Fabregas!!!! We do not want any scarves or flags for free when we come to Emirates. We would rather be happy if you buy us players who can end our trophy drought!!! And what do you think???!!!! We are stupid not to realise  what is good for our club??!!!! And you are the only smart guy??!!!!!

Well my only advice for you would be to BUY!!!!!!!!!!! And give me one answer!!! why is not anyone even remotely interested in joining arsenal??!!! Juan Mata said that he is not interested in moving form Valencia when you approached him but now when Chelsea goes to him he like a dog follows them!!!! And there read the headlines of the Mirror or Daily Mail. Juan Mata moves to Chelsea!!! why are you afraid to give them money??!!! Are they not quality to you??!!! If not then who is???!!!!!

To all who are reading this my words may seem harsh but i would be the first person to cry if Wenger goes away from his "child". But he needs to realise our frustration. He should also start thinking about the present rather than the future because sadly all the players he is preparing for the future are leaving him when they grow up!!!! Its like the child saying good bye to his parent after he attains an age of an adult!!! I do feel pity for him but we all need to get back up!! We are a big club and will always be-with or without Cesc and Samir.

The club ran before them and will continue to run without them!!! I as a gunner vow to support Arsenal until the end!!! But as a true football fan i must also realise that if the present happenings become a daily affair this club may will be heading towards its doomsday!!!!

Rishabh Ghai

P.S- No offence meant to any Barcelona or Man city supporters reading this. Your teams are great. We wish u all the luck!!!

THE COMMUNITY SHIELD 2011!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking place between the two "COMMUNITIES" of club football was the "Curtain Raiser" or more popularly known as the COMMUNITY SHIELD- The big money spenders Manchester City and the reigning champions Manchester United. To add spice to it, it was considered as one of the most anticipated derbies as City, after a very long time, were predicted to match United in all departments. As Sir Alex Ferguson is on his way to rebuild his team to match the spanish giants Barcelona, this match would be his opportunity to show the world that united are no ordinary team!!!!!

This match was being held in a neutral venue- New Wembly stadium and the stadium was jam packed before the match had even begun!!!! one area was a sea (city supporters) and the other looked as if it was occupied by the followers of  HEPHAISTOS- the Greek God of fire (united supporters)!!!!

United had not spent much money during the transfer market; atleast not as much as City. And it was to be seen whether City would play their new signing Aguero against the red devils. But when the team was announced much to everyone's surprise he was not named in the subs also!!!!! Maybe because he had not got adjusted to his new club. 

On the other hand united had cleverly and phil jones on the bench and they started with David De Gea and Ashley Young meaning that all their new signings would take part in this game!!!

The Premier League trophy was kept outside for everyone to see!!! It said to all the 20 teams, "whoever plays with courage and will shall have me". 

And then the whistle BLEW!!!!!!!!!!!!

And like tigers let out from the cage the players lept out towards the ball!!!! The game began with an extremely great tempo with man city picking up the holes in the manchester united  defense with ease!!!! David silva and his crosses were exquisitely timed!!!! Edin Dzeko looked bright!!!! within 10 minutes the audience knew that this was not a pre season preparatory match for the league but it was a cup match and that too between the two bitter rivals!!!!

When Man united had the ball they looked threatening with Anderson, Rooney , Nani and Young exchanging the ball brilliantly!!! There was a new look to the red devils!! They looked fresh and hungry for more!!!

The game flowed smoothly but there was nothing to cheer for for either supporters for the first 37 minutes!!!

And there came a response from Roberto Mancini's team- 37th minute free kick, taken by silva and who better to head the ball home than the former everton defender Lescott!!!! 1-0 to city!!! and the crowd shell shocked!!!!

How can this happen??!!!! Man United who posses a great strength in defence were broken so easily??!!! The young goalkeeper should have charged towards the lofted ball but did not and he paid the price!!!!
Can lightening strike twice??!!!! But indeed it did!!!!
45th minute into the game when players were looking out for the half time whistle Edin Dzeko dashed his way through the united midfield and slammed the ball to the bottom left corner of the goal- A 30 yard screamer!!!!!!!

2-0 to city!!!

Again a mistake from De Gea!!!! the goalkeeper should have done better!!! although it swerved in the air but he should have atleast got a hand to it!!!

The United team must have got a "Hair drier" treatment from Sir Alex and they, in the 2nd half showed why they are the true champions!!!!

Where many teams would have accepted defeat, United held their head held high and concentrated on playing football. And soon enough they got their fruit from a free kick taken by Ashley Young in the 51st minute. Smalling getting his right boot in the way of the ball and Joe Hart and putting it in the net.

2-1 to united!!!!!!!

With come back looking imminent ( by the way united were playing) the city players did little to stop it.
And finally the comeback was complete!!! And with style!!!

The path goes like as follows:
Cleverly to Anderson who sides foot it to rooney who gives it nani who lays it up for rooney who back heels to cleverly who in turn gives the honor to nani to equalise and nani takes the ball past the defender and flicks over Joe Hart's head into the net!!!!!!!!

2-2 united!!!!!!!!!!!
A typical Barcelona like goal to united and now they were well back and truly up and running.

The game followed the same tempo as of the first half till the 94th minute with the city fans backing up their players and united fans singing their famous "glory glory man united".
Penalties were looming large!!
But suddenly city had a chance in the last minute to win the game!!! Free kick at the edge of the area!!! And it was well taken by silva and Dzeko rose well but could not meet the ball properly which fell to rooney who aimlessly kicked the ball away towards the centre line where Richards was chasing it unaware that Nani was following it like a leopard!!! Kompany saw it and ran towards the ball but Nani was too quick for both of them and he flicked the ball away from Kompany and ran straight towards the goal!!!!

1 on 1 with the goalkeeper Nani rounded Joe Hart brilliantly and finished the game with a beautiful finish to end the game once in for all!!!!!
2-3 to United!!!!!

The United fans were ecstatic!!! And so were the players who pulled out a rabbit out of their hat. Sir Alex must have felt like a magician after the comeback. He was proud of his squad.

With this win United have warned the rest of the league contenders that they are a very difficult team to beat and they will do all they can to retain the silver trophy with them for a record 20th time!!!!! This time the league has 6 contenders!!!! 6 teams to fight for one cup!!! only one will win it!!! Who will it be??!!!!! All the answers will be revealed on the 13th of august when the premier league kicks off.


Rishabh Ghai
(Dedicated to all the Manchester United fans)

IND 2-2 UAE

Well I could catch only the last 40 minutes of the action but it was enough for me to make a fair assessment of what all happened during the match.
About three days ago i had a huge argument with my friend about whether i should cover Indian Football or not. He was stubborn that i should do it. Well, i like many people in our country thought that it was worthless to cover Indian football. I thought why not watch a match??!!! Its afteral our country!! Then i realised!!!!Well how wrong can i be!!!!

India starting after a 3-0 defeat had surely made an exit from the qualifiers. Now it was all about salvaging some pride. A higher ranked team is supposed to steam roll over the opposition and with their main stopper Subrato Paul out, after being given a much debated red carded, India were definitely lacking quality in defence.

When i switched on my television set UAE were leading 1 goal to nothing!!! As i saw the scoreline i thought that this would be a routine game for UAE with no trouble at all!!!!

All of a sudden i was bemused!!!!! Not by the way our players were playing but looking at the pitch condition!!! The four letter word did come out of my mouth!!!! These players were playing in a literal "swimming pool"!!!! If Jawaharlal Nehru would have been alive he would have certainly ordered the stadium to be named after someone else!!!! The pitch did not look to have a proper slope!!!! no sand at all below the grass for drainage!!! nothing at all!!!! there was water everywhere!!! If anyone tried to run past defenders they would slip!! If they tried to cross the ball the ball would stop drop dead then and there!!! Even the refree could not make out if their was a fair tackle or not!!! And still our players were finding each other!!! i wont say with ease but they were much better than the UAE team!!! The men in white did not look comfortable (no team would)!!! The game was being played more in the UAE half!!!
 Then against the run of play UAE somehow managed to find their right winger who smashed the ball in the net beating the stand in keeper Karanjit!!! I thought now that the Indias would give up!!!! Who will not after going behind 5-0 on aggregate!!!
But again the Indians played amazing football!!! the football was similar to that of the beach football but they played it with ease. The crosses which stopped dead would have been pin point if it would have been an Emirates or Old Trafford!!! The players gathered great courage and soon they found Je Je who headed in the first goal for India in this two legged tie!!!! Well i dont know why but i felt good!!!! must have been the love for my country!!!Then to my great horror my tata sky gave way!!! RAINS!!!
But the last minute information i got that India gasped an eqaulizer in the last minutes the game!!! I was extrmely happy!!! The game ended 2-2 and 5-2 to UAE on agg.

Well in the end it was a sad ending for the Indian football once again but this time they can go out with their held high!!!! They played good football on a pitch which wasnt offering them anything!!! yes there were the minuses like chettri missing chances!!! but i wouldnt blame him!!! even if cristiano ronaldo would have been playing he too would have missed them!!!

The management should be ashamed of themselves for even keeping a match on such a pitch!! i know we are not the best team in the world but we have shown we have got quality!!! We demand respect for the players!! Not only for football but also other sports!! Cricket is definitely a passion for all of us but that does not mean that we ignore the other sports!!!! Atleast prepare a decent enough stadium for them to prepare!! If this team can beat qatar, a draw against UAE after going 2-0 down and beat other higher ranked teams by practicing on such a surface imagine what it could do if they had a world class pitch to practice on!!!

I still agree that we are not even close to being the best team in the world but that does not mean that we CANT BE!!!!!!!!



Rishabh Ghai
(Dedicated to Kashyap Swaroop)