Tag Archives: Arsenal

Euro 2012 Draw in Review

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: For me, the two storylines from Friday’s Euro 2012 draw were Groups A and B. Group B is the all-time, nastiest of the nasty, the one Group of Death to rule them all. Group A? Well, my rec league team could win Group A, and our median age is somewhere north of 40.
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Premier League Preview

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Karen Patel

MIKE CUMMINGS: It should be business as usual in the Premier League this season, but “usual” has changed slightly over the past few years. Where there used to be dominance from the Big Four, now it’s the “Sky Six.” Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool should all be near the top of the table, but Spurs and Manchester City have also positioned themselves as perennial contenders. One thing is still for sure, though: Manchester United is the team to beat.

KAREN PATEL: The Community Shield is the appetiser to the new EPL season and it seems, based on the result, that Manchester United have carried on where they left off. Despite some new faces to bed in (notably Ashley Young, and possibly Wesley Sneijder) and some players nearing retirement, United’s will to win is still very much there and unless there is some huge injury crisis, they will be challenging for the title once again this season.

AIDAN KELLY: Team most likely to win … Manchester United, silly. Despite rarely exhibiting the swagger of champions last season, and looking very ordinary on occasion (the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool and 2-1 loss to Wolves in 2011 spring to mind), they still managed to notch up a record 19th league title with nine points to spare, thanks in the main to Arsenal’s springtime self-destruction.
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Champions League Week in Review

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Half of the Round of 16 is complete, and the biggest surprise so far has to be the performance of Tottenham Hotspur. Thanks to Peter Crouch’s first-leg goal in the San Siro, and the whole team’s professional return performance at White Hart Lane, Spurs are among the final eight teams of Europe. One team that won’t be there, and doesn’t deserve a place, is Arsenal. It’s hard to know which fact pleases Spurs fans more. Continue reading →

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Chelsea/Liverpool

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday to pull themselves one point head of … well, Sunderland, for fifth place. With the loss, Chelsea stayed level on points with … well, Tottenham Hotspur, on 44 points, with the Blues taking fourth spot thanks to a better goal differential. Apologies to fans of Sunderland and Tottenham, but that doesn’t really have the same ring as pulling ahead of Arsenal or level with Manchester United, does it?

KAREN PATEL: There was indeed a lot of hype surrounding this fixture, and that is largely due to Fernando Torres. Yet it was Liverpool who shone and displayed the grit and determination that had been missing during Roy Hodgson’s tenure. Continue reading →

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Manchester United vs. Arsenal in Review

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: American sports lend themselves so easily to nicknames. That’s why a few years back, when Robert Horry developed a penchant for hitting game-winning shots in the NBA playoffs, he earned the nickname “Big Shot Bob.” So what we have here is a dilemma. What do you call Ji-Sung Park after his latest clutch performance for Fergie and ManU against Arsenal? Continue reading →

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Chris Hughton Reflections

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Karen Patel

KAREN PATEL: I am amazed that Newcastle sacked their manager, Chris Hughton. It just shows how some owners want quick results and are happy to throw managers on the scrapheap after a couple of defeats. It’s worrying and is an indicator of just how fickle the game has become.

AIDAN KELLY: They say that Christmas is not a good time for England Premier League coaches and the season of the pantomime opened its curtains last week with Newcastle United provided the first entertainment with the sacking of Chris Hughton.

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Champions League Matchday 6

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Play it again, Sam. And, aww, what the heck — while we’re at it, here’s looking at you, Arsenal.

HOWARD MEGDAL: To paraphrase another Casablanca quote, Mike, how extravagant you are, throwing away Spurs like that. Someday, English clubs may become scarce. Continue reading →

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January Transfer Window Expectations

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Karen Patel

KAREN PATEL: I remember last season when Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying that the transfer market is poor, which is why he doesn’t make any more flagship signings. Many interpreted this as simply a lack of funds provided by the owners (they are in an awful lot of debt after all) but, for the first time in my life, I have to agree with Mr Ferguson.

HOWARD MEGDAL: Karen is right: the transfer window does allow for price-gouging, and little else. But for a number of teams within clear striking distance, adding that one extra piece could be the difference. Continue reading →

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Champions League Matchday 4

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Mike Cummings

HOWARD MEGDAL: Some fascinating results, to be sure. But to me, the 3-1 win of Gareth Bale over Inter Milan means we’ll be tracing how long Bale remains at White Hart Lane to a single match: Man City vs. Spurs, last spring, for fourth place.

MIKE CUMMINGS: So now we have verse 37 in Howard’s Ode To Gareth Bale, a paean to emerging greatness that, let’s face it, is destined to reach 50 stanzas by the time Bale bolts for Man City next summer. Fair enough, but the real story of Matchday 4 was the storybook ending for Eduardo way out in the football backwater known as the Ukraine. Continue reading →

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Champions League: Round 2, Day 1

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Mike Cummings

MIKE CUMMINGS: Welcome to the official thread for the inaugural Perpetual Post Champions League liveblog® (patent pending). Let’s pray this works.

HOWARD MEGDAL: I’m looking at primarily Auxerre v. Real Madrid and Basel 1893 vs. Bayern Munich. Curious to see if poor Auxerre can fight their way into the group, and if Bayern is as strong as they looked last time out against Roma. Continue reading →

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