Arsenal vs Stoke

The injuries seem to be effecting Arsenal as they did not look impressive vs Stoke. Eduardo pulled out of the line up with a thigh injury, Emmanuel Eboue picked up a muscle injury and defenders Armand Traore and William Gallas have hamstring injuries.

Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar

Arsenal put on a clinic. When they are on, look out.

Shoe Thief?

I haven't gotten involved in the issues surrounding Emmanuel Adebayor the other week. You can come to your own conclusion about the "stomp" of Van Persie's head and the goal celebration... but stealing shoes? Now I have to call him out. You just don't mess with another man's footwear (unless you're the kit manager)!

Apparently, Adebayor has had practice kicking people. Just ask Clarence Seedorf.

Man City vs Arsenal

Manchester United vs Arsenal Highlights

ManU gets lucky with the PK call and own goal. Rooney's touch was going out of bounds when Almunia hits him and Fantasy Football owners everywhere are upset with the Diaby own goal...well, at least I am.

Arsenal vs Celtic Highlights

Arsenal breezes through to the group stage while Celtic drops to the Europa League.

Champions League Qualifier Celtic vs Arsenal

Arsenal had some luck with them... Celtic unlucky.

Arsenal Gun down Toffees

WTF?! I agree with Sterlinho... I didn't see this coming. Poor Timmy got worked, no thanks to his D.

Wow, I didn't see that coming!

In a year where most people were saying that Arsenal would drop out of the big four, Wenger's boys responded with an emphatic win at Goodison Park. The game isn't even over yet and the scoreline is 5-0 (Eduardo scored to make it 6 as I'm writing this). Cesc Fabregas scored two goals in the second half to close the door on any type of come back that David Moyes had planned. Early on I was unimpressed with the play of Jo and surprised by the space that the Everton defense were giving the Gunners. Poor marking on two free kicks led to goals by William Gallas and former Ajax player Thomas Vermaelen. American goalkeeper, Tim Howard couldn't do much to stop the goals in the first half but the second goal by Fabregas went through the legs of the former MetroStar in an embarrassing loss. Here is the complete Gamecast.

Update: Luis Saha scored in added time to get the consolation goal to reward the Everton faithful. Man, that stadium was empty when he scored. Here's my theory on the game: David Moyes decided at halftime to just let Arsenal score at will so that Manchester City would stop their pursuit of Joleon Lescott. That defense looked worse than the 2008 Galaxy defense. Who would want a part of that?

Pre-Season: Valencia vs Arsenal

The 2nd goal is inexcusable. Yes, Fabianski had a calf strain, but the whole Arsenal D fell asleep and Fab looked poor on the near post. Horrible.

Kolo Toure Joins Adebayor at Man City

Manchester City returned to Premier League rivals Arsenal on Wednesday to sign Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure for an undisclosed sum.

Toure, 28, whose team mate Emmanuel Adebayor joined City earlier this month, has signed a four-year deal with Mark Hughes’ side, the club said on their website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

British media estimated the fee at 16 million pounds.

City are in the market for defenders after compiling an impressive forward line in the close season.

“It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player,” said City manager Mark Hughes.

They have also had bids rejected for Everton defender Joleon Lescott and Chelsea and England captain John Terry.

The big-spending club have already signed striking trio Roque Santa Cruz of Paraguay from Blackburn Rovers, Argentina’s Carlos Tevez and Togo international Adebayor.

England midfielder Gareth Barry has also joined from Aston Villa with the club having now spent over 90 million pounds.

Toure joined Arsenal from Ivorian club Asec Mimosas in February 2002 and won the FA Cup at the end of his first season in 2003.

THE INVINCIBLES

Originally a utility player, he quickly emerged as a first choice centre-back alongside Sol Campbell in a 2004 season which saw Arsenal win the Premier League undefeated with a team dubbed ‘the invincibles’.

A second FA Cup the following season was to be Toure’s last winner’s medal for the north London club, although Arsenal came close to success in the Champions League before losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the 2006 final.

Toure, who made 326 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, suffered a dip in form last season playing alongside Frenchman William Gallas and British media reported he had a transfer request rejected which he then later withdrew.

“Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years and I have been an admirer of his for a long time,” added Hughes. “He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room.”

Arsenal have since strengthened their backline with the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax Amsterdam in a deal worth 12 million pounds and Swiss defender Philippe Senderos has returned to the club from a loan spell at AC Milan.

City, considered the richest club in the world, are bankrolled by wealthy Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and are expected to compete for Champions League qualification next season.

Is this getting out of hand or do you think this is good for football? Seems Real and Citeh are the only one's splashing for players. I know Barca made a move, but no to the magnitude of these 2 clubs.

Adebayor in the City

Emmanuel Adebayor is the third striker to join Manchester City in the offseason, leaving Arsenal to boost the Premier League rival’s already extensive attacking options.
The Togo international signed a five-year deal Saturday at the end of a week that began with Argentina forward Carlos Tevez joining from Manchester United. Manager Mark Hughes recruited Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn last month.
“I can’t wait to play for City’s fans and show them what I can do,” said the 2008 African player of the year.
The transfer fee for the 25-year-old Adebayor was reported to be about $41 million.
“Emmanuel has been one of the top forwards in the Premier League since he arrived from France and we are delighted he has agreed to come and join us,” Hughes said