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	<title>11Gunners: The Unofficial Arsenal FC Blog and News &#187; The Week That Was</title>
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		<title>The Dane, The Sprinter, &amp; The God!</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-dane-the-sprinter-the-god/3394/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-dane-the-sprinter-the-god/3394/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:46:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tazz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barcelona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lionel messi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niklas Bendtner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[robin van persie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Theo Walcott]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tottenham Hotspurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=3394</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Over the past week &#38; a half, one late goal, one sprinter, &#38; one God-like human, have caught the fancy of Us Gooners like no one else &#38; like never before. Whilst the former two belong to the ‘Red ‘n White’ half of London, the latter hails from the cryptic land of Cataluña. It goes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_3395" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 419px"><img class="size-full wp-image-3395 " src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bendtner.jpg" alt="Will Arsenal leave it late against Tottenham?" width="409" height="240" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Will Arsenal leave it late against Tottenham?</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Over the past week &amp; a half, <em>one late goal</em>, <em>one sprinter</em>, &amp; <em>one God-like human</em>, have caught the fancy of Us Gooners like no one else &amp; like never before. Whilst the former two belong to the ‘<em>Red ‘n White</em>’ half of London, the latter hails from the cryptic land of Cataluña. It goes without saying that the men in question are Niklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott &amp; ‘the’ Lionel Messi. <a title="India's First Blog on Arsenal FC!" href="http://www.11gunners.com/about" target="_blank">11G</a> takes time out to dig deep into their individual cases..<span id="more-3394"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I’ll keep things simple &amp; quickly revise the points table for you all; Chelsea lead with 74 points, United trail by 1 (after their draw with Blackburn hours back!), &amp; Arsenal a point further behind; with just 5 more games to go before another edition of Barclay’s Premier League bids adieu. United now have four more games only. Things would have been very different for the Gunners if one certain Dane had not rescued them, not once, but twice over, with late late winners no less. After a dodgy hat-trick against Porto in the Champion’s League, he gave Arsenal 3 vital points scoring a stoppage-time winner against Hull. Any outside chances of winning the league for the first time since the class of ’04 (read: <em><a title="Meet the 11 Invincibles here!" href="http://11gunners.com/category/11invincibles/" target="_blank">The Invincibles</a></em>) would have been quenched right there.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mathematically the title is still Chelsea’s to lose, but with just 3 points in it, you never know especially given the topsy-turvy nature of the campaign thus far. The Blues await key clashes against Tottenham &amp; Liverpool, both vying for top-4 spots. United on the other hand are yet to face the duo of Tottenham &amp; city rivals ‘City’ (!), again a team very much in the reckoning for the elite Champion’s league birth for next term.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">That said, even we face both Tottenham &amp; City before the season closes, so there are points aplenty to be both, lost &amp; won. If Chelsea slip-up in at least one fixture, &amp; we somehow manage to win them all, the mix will get a hell lot more close than it presently is. I have a funny feeling that the title will be decided on the final day with any of the trio in with a shout.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hopefully I’ll still be around when that happens, but there’s no doubt about the fact that a huge reason behind Arsenal to be even considered as a possible ‘Champion-to-be’, is the super Dane, Niklas Bendtner. He’s had a stop-start season with injuries a many, but boy has he turned the tide or what!? Not only he gives us a different option with his height, he allows our midfielders to parry in the lay-offs he creates for them. With Arshavin up front, the above was non-existent. The guy still has critics after him with his atrocious first-touch &amp; appalling ball-control, but only a fool will discount his presence in rallying this young &amp; fragile team to glory. Hope he does exactly that come May!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If Bendtner’s forte lies in his vertical reach, Walcott’s fright is his horizontal acceleration. Anyone who can do 100 meters in 10 seconds flat, should be on a sprint-relay team &amp; not trying his luck in football, is a popular notion doing rounds. Many have questioned his ability as a footballer, more precisely his footballing brain. But as we all found out over the two legs against Barca, if you have pace, you don’t need much else to succeed. He was the difference maker in the 1’st leg as Arsenal came from behind to earn a draw against the Catalan giants, sending the Gunners faithful in a state of oblivion. Things were the same at Camp Nou as Wenger started Theo, who in turn repaid faith by feeding in Niklas at the 18<sup>th</sup> minute mark to give Arsenal a lead, against the run of play.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Be it Maxwell in the first leg or Abidal in the second, the mere sight of Theo sent shivers down their spine. Not only were Barca forced to keep a deep backline, but it also inhibited the oft-marauding full-backs of Barcelona, to retreat further behind than usual. Of course his impact would have been more telling had Arsenal not withered under one certain ‘El Mesias’ in the away leg, but given what we saw of him, he was unquestionably the difference-maker for Arsenal.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If he can keep fit for the remaining 5 games &amp; come up with similar showings, I’m sure collecting 15 points won’t be much of a trouble.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Like I mentioned a while back, Theo’s sprints were over shadowed by the ‘sprint + skills + supreme abilities’ of Mr. Messi. I had purposely decided to refrain from adding to the already burgeoning praise lavished at the Argentine, by pundits, bloggers, fans across the globe et al, but mind you it takes an inhumane to do that! It is a rather unusual sight to see fellow Arsenal blogs come out in unison &amp; shower praises to a player from the opposition, but such was the aura of little Lionel, that we just had to give in!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He chose a floating role for himself during the first leg, where although influential, he wasn’t directly involved in the state of play. Plaudits were handed to Clichy to have kept him at bay albeit momentarily. Yes, Clichy is showing signs of returning to his former self off late, but no one, &amp; I mean no one could have possibly silenced what was to come from the ‘Messiah’ at Camp Nou during the return leg.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With no Gallas, no Song, no Campbell, and more importantly, ‘with’ Silvestre in the starting line-up, expecting Arsenal to contain an in-form Messi was a far-stretched thought right from the offset. Giving any player that much time on the ball, would mean chances galore for the opposition. If that player happens to be Lionel, expect him to bury those chances. And that’s precisely what happened as Arsenal just lost focus after Bendtner’s opener. Although I admit, Messi was in a different dimension that night, ‘unstoppable’ if I may. A snap-shot, a neat finish, a chip &amp; a shot through Almunia’s legs meant he ended the night with no less than 4 goals. Otherwise as well, he was very influential, as was Xavi; who keeps threading those slide-rule’s match after match.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">No point riling about our injury crisis, a lot has already been said on the same. I still maintain, ‘United without Rooney’, ‘Liverpool without Torres’ &amp; ‘Chelsea without Drogba’ won’t be the same force as they are with them. Liverpool lost track of the 4th spot as a result, &amp; United realized that earlier today as Berba was an ‘absent’ presence for them.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We have not only been without Robin, but also without Djourou, for some time now. Add long-term injuries to <a title="The ‘Ramsey Effect’: Disguised Blessing!? " href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/the-%E2%80%98ramsey-effect%E2%80%99-disguised-blessing/3270/" target="_blank">Ramsey</a> &amp; Cesc; 2-month lay-offs for Nasri, Rosicky, Theo, Niklas, Clichy &amp; I’m not even done yet. Even Eduardo, Vela, Diaby &amp; lately Gallas and Arshavin have been troubled by slight niggles. Despite all this, we are still in a shout for the league, which I think is huge &amp; is bare testimony to the mental resolve of our present squad.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A short trip down the &#8216;<em>Seven Sister’s Road</em>&#8216; is up next as we renew hostilities with our fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspurs, anything less than a resounding victory is just unacceptable. A chance go to 2<sup>nd</sup> in the table is up for grabs, &amp; reports suggest Robin will be bench side when we take on the pitch. I can see the omen going for us. C’mon you Arsenal, do us proud, again..</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Follow Us on Twitter <a title="11G on Twitter!" href="http://www.twitter.com/11gunnerz" target="_blank">@11gunnerz</a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Follow Me on Twitter <a title="Tazz on Twitter!" href="http://twitter.com/trulytazz" target="_blank">@trulytazz</a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Note:</strong></span><em><strong> </strong>If any of    you want to share your views/opinions on the club  from  N5 (read:    Arsenal!), leave Us a comment at the bottom. We’ll get  back  right away    &amp; be glad to give you a chance. Keep Gunning..</em></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Also Enjoy These</span>:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="Part 1" href="../opinion/the-best-anti-tottenham-jokes-part-1/1974/" target="_blank">The Best Anti-Tottenham Jokes: Part 1!</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="Part 2" href="../opinion/the-best-anti-tottenham-jokes-part-2/1984/" target="_blank">The Best Anti-Tottenham Jokes: Part 2!</a></p>
<p><a title="Part 3" href="../opinion/the-best-anti-tottenham-jokes-part-3/2018/" target="_blank">The Best Anti-Tottenham Jokes: Part 3!</a></p>
<p><a title="Part 4" href="../opinion/the-best-anti-tottenham-jokes-part-4/2028/" target="_blank">The Best Anti-Tottenham Jokes: Part 4!</a></p>
<p><a title="A F*cking Pictorial!" href="http://11gunners.com/just-for-fun/not-so-hot-spurs-a-pictorial-to-confirm-the-same/1993/" target="_blank">&#8220;Not-So-Hot-Spurs&#8221;: A Pictorial To Confirm The Same!</a></p>
<p><a title="A Must Read" href="../opinion/11gunners-exclusive-the-north-london-derby%E2%80%99explained/2048/" target="_blank">11Gunners Exclusive: &#8216;The North London  Derby’(EXPLAINED)</a></p>
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		<title>Arsenal Displace Man Utd@The 2nd Spot..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/arsenal-displace-man-utdthe-2nd-spot/2356/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/arsenal-displace-man-utdthe-2nd-spot/2356/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:19:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AK47</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chelsea]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[liverpool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manchester United]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=2356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week things have changed and they have changed for the better for gunners. We have displaced Man Utd @ the 2nd spot in EPL and we are just 5 points behind leaders Chelsea with 1 match in hand. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_2429" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2429" title="400_F_1362945_3AywkDomaP0gauMTvsUa3MkrJhn2rJ" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/400_F_1362945_3AywkDomaP0gauMTvsUa3MkrJhn2rJ.jpg" alt="Slowly but Steadily..." width="400" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Slowly but Steadily..</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week things have changed and they have changed for the better for Gunners. We have displaced Man Utd@the 2nd spot in EPL and we are just 5 points behind leaders Chelsea with 1 match in hand. Arsenal have come a long way since the beginning of the season when all the football pundits believed that finally teams like Man City could displace us from the &#8216;BIG 4&#8242;. Contrary to all those predictions Arsenal has come out all &#8216;Gunns&#8217; blazing and the title doesn&#8217;t look far, anymore.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">An <a title="11gunners" href="http://11gunners.com" target="_blank">11Gunners</a>&#8216; view on the same..</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-2356"></span><a title="A double??" href="http://11gunners.com/news/both-robin-arsha-feel-a-double-is-in-the-offing/2329/" target="_blank">RVP</a> told the whole world that this week might be decisive for our title challenge as it would give us an opportunity to bridge the gulf between us and teams like <a title="11reds" href="http://11reds.com" target="_blank">Man Utd.</a> &amp; <a title="11blues" href="http://11blues" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> who were ahead of us before this week; as they both were playing against each other. There was no goof up this time and things went according to plan. We are placed in the 2nd position after the clash of Reds and Blues@The Stanford Bridge.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal <a title="Wolves Devoured.." href="http://11gunners.com/matchday-review/4-1-and-we-won-13-games-unbeaten/2311/" target="_blank">defeated Wolves</a> by a margin of 4 goals to one away from home and Arshavin came up with scorcher yet again in his relatively short career@Arsenal. Arsenal were not@their best but that they still managed to score 4 which speaks volumes of their quality in offence. Though, conceding in every match speaks the same but in a different light about our defense. 2 of those goals came in from Wolves&#8217; themselves and it was nothing but early Christmas gifts for us. This match was very important in the larger scheme of things and our boys didn&#8217;t disappoint us at all.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The atmosphere was set at the bridge for a Super Sunday clash between the Blues and Reds and Blues came out victorious winning 1-nil. It was a professional performance by them and the result has made 1 thing clear that the trophy is coming back to London, come the end of the season. Reds have been crying foul after the match and they believe that referee was unfair to them. They didn&#8217;t complain when the same referee allowed them to 2 collect 2 extra points against City@the OT by allowing the game to go beyond the allocated injury time. And in the same match a certain Evans in a red shirt walked over Drogba with his studs on as if he was strolling in a park. United fans never complained when he went scot-free. United fans are not gracious losers and that is not a good sign if they consider themselves to be the best club in the world (although, Arsenal is the best.)</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Elsewhere Liverpool&#8217;s struggle continues as they dropped points yet again. They played a 2-2 draw against Birmingham. This was a match a in which Stevie G returned but this match made news for all the wrong reasons. Ngog scored a fabulous goal to start with but he &#8216;<em><strong>Dived&#8217;</strong></em> later in the match which did not go down well with anyone, including Liverpool supporters. This club has a great name and it does not deserve all this. Liverpool have slipped farther and it will take some doing for them to even finish in top 4 at the end of the season. Meanwhile, City also dropped 2 points. Do we still need to talk about them? Are they still in contention. I beg to differ.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">All in all, a satisfying week for the gunners and the next big  challenge is when we play the Blues at the end of this month. We at 11Gunners have lined up a treat for all you Gunners for that clash, including <em><strong>Live Blogging</strong></em>. So be prepared to have a ball when we play against The Blues..</p>
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		<title>The Title Is Arsenal&#8217;s To Lose..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-title-is-arsenals-to-lose/2103/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-title-is-arsenals-to-lose/2103/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:15:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AK47</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North London Derby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tottenham Hotspurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=2103</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week has not changed a lot as far as title pursuit in EPL is concerned. But nevertheless this week's results have confirmed some notions. First of all is Liverpool's title pursuit is over for all practical purpose after they lost 3 goals to 1 against Fulham. Another confirmation is that deja vu feeling among gunners after we dropped points against West Ham is uncalled for and this season our boys are gonna show that they have become men.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_2104" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2104" title="Premiership Collages" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Collages.jpg" alt="Go Gunners..." width="400" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Go Gunners...</p></div>
<p>This week has not changed a lot as far as title pursuit in EPL is concerned. But nevertheless this week&#8217;s results have confirmed some notions. First of all is Liverpool&#8217;s title pursuit is over for all practical purpose after they lost 3 goals to 1 against Fulham. Another confirmation is that &#8216;<em><strong>Deja Vu</strong></em>&#8216; feeling among Gunners after we dropped points against West Ham, is uncalled for and this season our <em><strong>Boys</strong></em> are gonna show that they have become <em><strong>Men</strong></em> now.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">An <a title="11gunners" href="http://11gunners.com" target="_blank">11Gunners</a> insight into this weekend&#8217;s football..<span id="more-2103"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="Matchday Review" href="http://11gunners.com/matchday-review/north-london-conquered/2094/" target="_blank">Tottenham</a> was taken to cleaners by us yesterday@<a title="The Emirates: A Pictorial" href="http://11gunners.com/11gunners/the-emiratespart-4-in-and-around/1940/" target="_blank">TheEmirates</a> and did we love it?? Hell Yaaaaa. It was reconfirmation of the fact that who is the real boss of <a title="North London Derby: EXPLAINED" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/11gunners-exclusive-the-north-london-derby%E2%80%99explained/2048/" target="_blank">North London</a> (as if a reconfirmation was needed in the first place). <em><strong>Van: &#8216;The Man</strong></em>&#8216; came to party in a big way and <em><strong>Cesc</strong></em> as usual was &#8216;<em><strong>Fab</strong></em>&#8216;. This season, Arsenal is the side to beat. And with this kinda team only 1 team can beat Arsenal and that is Arsenal itself. It was proved in the match against the <a title="11reds" href="http://11reds.com" target="_blank">Red Devils</a> and when we dropped points against <a title="Match Review of West HAm Draw" href="http://11gunners.com/matchday-review/paying-the-price/1931/" target="_blank">West Ham</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Liverpool missed the title by a whisker last season and everyone expected them to go one notch higher to lift the title this season. Sadly for them things are not looking bright. They are out of Carling Cup, thanks to Merida &amp; Co. They are virtually out of Champions League, thanks to Lyon. To make a come back in the Champions League they have to beat Lyon away from home which is a herculean task in itself. But, Scousers have coined a phrase &#8216;<em><strong><a title="Kop's View" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/a-scousers-view-on-the-premiership/1963/" target="_blank">Bouncebackability</a></strong></em>&#8216; which typifies their character and 1 should not be surprised if they manage to get the better of Lyon away from home. And to top it all this EPL season has been a disaster for them.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="11blues" href="http://11blues.com" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> had a good day at the office and they defeated Bolton with the same scoreline that they did in mid week against the same opponents in the League Cup. They were their usual self and this team is a well oiled machine. I call them machine because they play in a very monotonous way. There is nothing refreshing about them. Their style of play is typical. Someone from the defence plays a long ball. Then others join in to win it and as and when they win it they take a shot. There is no exquisite passing or imagination, unlike Arsenal.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Man Utd. defeated Blackburn 2 goals to nil. Berba &amp; Rooney scored. Berba has not been as effective for them till now as much they expected that he would. But this player is special for sure. And  if <a title="11reds" href="http://11reds" target="_blank">Devils</a> have to terrorise the oppositions this season then Berba will have to play an important role. At the moment they don&#8217;t look good without Giggs and it is unfair on their part if they expect him to perform week in week out at this stage of his career. Though he can surprise.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">All in all this week was a good week for the Gunners. We just need to keep up the good work and the title will eventually land in our lap. Amen.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_2128" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 478px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2128" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/article-1224286-0707EEF2000005DC-114_468x412.jpg" alt="Van: 'The Man'" width="468" height="412" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Van: &#39;The Man&#39;</p></div>
<div id="attachment_2129" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 478px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2129" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/article-1224286-0707D723000005DC-881_468x313.jpg" alt="Captain Extraordinaire" width="468" height="313" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Captain Extraordinaire</p></div>
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		<title>Inching Closer To The Top..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/inching-closer-to-the-top/1865/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/inching-closer-to-the-top/1865/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:37:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barclays Premier League]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=1865</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A thoroughly satisying weekend of Premier League action for any Gooner, a deserved victory, 3 of our nearest 4 rivals faltering in their quest, squad close to being full strength, the signs are there, the indications are becoming more clearer than ever that this might just be our year. Too optimistic you say, I say [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_1873" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 360px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1873" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/twtw.jpg" alt="The celerations shall continue" width="350" height="230" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The celerations shall continue</p></div>
<p>A thoroughly satisying weekend of Premier League action for any Gooner, a deserved victory, 3 of our nearest 4 rivals faltering in their quest, squad close to being full strength, the signs are there, the indications are becoming more clearer than ever that this might just be our year. Too optimistic you say, I say hope is what we live on!!</p>
<p><a title="11 gunners" href="http://11gunners.com" target="_blank">11 Gunners </a>throws light on a weekend that may prove to be the detrimental in the scheme of things at the top one come next May..<span id="more-1865"></span></p>
<p>We carried our ominous momentum forward with a 3-1 victory over Birmingham. It didn&#8217;t come as comfortably as it seemed 18 minutes into the game when we had earned ourselves an unassailable 2-0 lead. However, Birmingham showed impressive fighting qualities and it wasn&#8217;t before Arshavin netted our 3rd that we breathed a sigh of relief.</p>
<p>If the result at the Emirates wasn&#8217;t a surprise then same cannot be said for what happened a Villa Park. A determined Villa came from behind to beat a high flying Chelsea. The blues have only themselves to blame. Not only their defending from set pieces was appaling, they missed a host of easily convertible chances to end up on the losing side.</p>
<p>Liverpool&#8217;s misery can be summed up in two words- &#8220;Beach Ball&#8221;. A deflection from a beach ball left astray on the ground hoodwinked Pepe Reina, the price the Reds had to pay was heavy, 4 defeats in 9 games doesn&#8217;t make good reading, specially not in the Premier League. Liverpool fans may find it outrageous, i personally found the beach ball incident quite amusing. Liverpool were otherwise ordinary in the game and they should probably set their sights on UCL qualification for next season.</p>
<p>United were fortunate, not for the first time this season, as they came out unscathed against the perenial party spoilers Bolton. United&#8217;s good luck just rolls on, but all good things must come to an end, and that might be sooner than later.</p>
<p>Ten man Manchester City had to struggle for a point against Wigan, their rollercoaster start has been bogged down somewhat, their fighting capabilities still make them a worthy title contender but the question is, how long before the fizz blows out?</p>
<p>Harry Redknapp made a triumphant return to Portsmouth as Spurs beat Pompey 2-1 in an exhiliarating contest at Fratton Park. Both sides were eventually down to 10 men as Defoe was sent off for a stamp and former Spurs man Micheal Brown was sent off for 2 bookings late in the game. Spurs can enjoy this dream run for now, I somehow feel the day&#8217;s not far when a downslide begins.</p>
<p>Elsewhere Stoke edged out West Ham and Blackburn proved too good for Burnley. In the monday night encounter, Fulham saw off Hull with goals from Zamora and Kamara.</p>
<p>A gratifying week of football as we moved a shade closer to the top. More importantly the boys seem to be in impeccable form and enjoying the &#8221; Arsenal&#8221; brand of football. God Bless Them!!</p>
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		<title>A &#8216;Fab&#8217; Show Guns Down The Rest..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/a-fab-show-guns-down-the-rest/1535/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/a-fab-show-guns-down-the-rest/1535/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:19:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AK47</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=1535</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

This week might well turn out  to be the defining one for this season. A lot of things happened this week and it was no less than a typical spicy flick. Villains lost to comedians (read: Man Utd dropped points against Sunderland) and the hero thrashed an inconsequential character to prove his mettle(read: Arsenal had [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1595" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 285px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1595" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cescfabregas20091004rovers_275x155.jpg" alt="Kissing where his heart is..." width="275" height="155" /><p class="wp-caption-text">His Heart Beats For Arsenal...</p></div>
<p>This week might well turn out  to be the defining one for this season. A lot of things happened this week and it was no less than a typical spicy flick. Villains lost to comedians (read: Man Utd dropped points against Sunderland) and the hero thrashed an inconsequential character to prove his mettle(read: Arsenal had a tennis score line in their favour against Blackburn). Elsewhere Blues played their regular physical brand of football to outmuscle the Scousers. And high flying City met a roadblock yet again. <a title="11Gunners" href="http://11gunners.com/" target="_blank">11Gunners</a> analyses evrything that happened this weekend..</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-1535"></span></p>
<div id="attachment_1587" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1587" title="Ben Foster" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ben-manu.jpg" alt="Down but out???" width="594" height="229" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Down but out???</p></div>
<p>This week has changed the points table in a substantial way for now. Table toppers Man Utd lost the pole position to boring &amp; muscular Chelsea. Man Utd played like a ship sailing without a rudder. Giggs being the rudder in this case. SAF decided to leave out his most potent weapon believing that he had enough in the tank to slay the Black Cats. Sadly for them he was proved wrong. And they got lucky yet again when they managed to salvage a point when they should have got none. They have managed to get 3 points out of extra time. 2 against City and 1 against Sunderland. Lady luck is still with them but Lady Luck has different ways of life. She ditches people when they need her the most. And Man U is due for the &#8216;DITCH&#8217;.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1590" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1590" title="livche" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/livche1.jpg" alt="@ the opposite end of 'BIG 4' spectrum" width="594" height="488" /><p class="wp-caption-text">@ the opposite end of &#39;BIG 4&#39; spectrum</p></div>
<p>Chelsea outmuscled the Scousers and pushed them farther away from a viable title challenge. Football was playing but it was not &#8216;The Beautiful Game&#8217; by any means whatsoever. May football RIP. Nonetheless there was a lot of passion on display and they played as if their life depended on this match. They had to play out of their skin to win the tie and sure they did. The best thing about them is they manage to squeeze out a favourable result for themselves week in and week out. Kudos to them for this quality and Arsenal have something to learn on that front.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1591" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 480px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1591" title="bellamy adebayor" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bellamy-ade.jpg" alt="Big mouth Manu eats 'Humble Pie'" width="470" height="594" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Big mouth Manu eats &#39;Humble Pie&#39;</p></div>
<p>The EPL sojourn of this week had a befitting end with 2 very ambitious teams taking on each other on Monday. They both want to break into the &#8216;BIG 4&#8242; and may be will do so if any of the 4 holy cows do get slayed big time this season. Villa took on &#8216;high flyers&#8217; City and it was Villa who made a statement of their own. May be the &#8216;PROJECT&#8217; @ Manchester City has met some rough weather. Before the tie Adebayor claimed that had he played against United in their last match, things could have been very different @ OT. Well , he did play against Villa but did he make a difference. I don&#8217;t think so because the final score line suggest that they dropped 2 points. In other words they snatched a point, didn&#8217;t they? He will never get the kind of service that he used to get in Arsenal unless he moves to Barcelona. And rest assure, they are not fools to take someone like him.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">After everything that happened this weekend we are 4 points behind the defending champions with a game in hand. It is safe to say that we are just 1 point behind them and 4 points behind Chelsea who are leading the charge at the moment. Liverpool  have a lot to do to catch up and do i need to even mention City when we are talking about &#8216;Serious Title Challange&#8217;. It has been a good week for us. We not only grabbed 3 points but we did so in style by sending 6 past Blackburn Rovers. The signs are ominous. Lets do it this time for once and all.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1586" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 406px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1586" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/henry.jpg" alt="Welcome Back 'The King'.." width="396" height="594" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Welcome Back &#39;The King&#39;..</p></div>
<p><strong>Image Credit</strong>: Getty Images</p>
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		<title>Musings of a Myriad Weekend..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/musings-of-a-myriad-weekend/1422/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/musings-of-a-myriad-weekend/1422/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:05:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=1422</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Another weekend of some engrossing Premier league action, it never tires of enthralling its fans, does it? A few surprises, a few whitewashes and few test of character, it had it all. The Gunners proved themselves to be a versatile side when they soaked all the pressure from a spirited Fulham to dispatch them narrowly [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_1423" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 260px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1423" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/van-persie.jpg" alt="Van is our man!!" width="250" height="203" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Van is our man!!</p></div>
<p>Another weekend of some engrossing Premier league action, it never tires of enthralling its fans, does it? A few surprises, a few whitewashes and few test of character, it had it all. The Gunners proved themselves to be a versatile side when they soaked all the pressure from a spirited Fulham to dispatch them narrowly at Craven Cottage.</p>
<p><a title="11 Gunners" href="http://11gunners.com" target="_blank">11 Gunners</a> gives you a glimpse of this and all the other weekend encounters:-</p>
<p><span id="more-1422"></span>Fulham were all geared up for this London derby and i only have words of admiration for the West London club, form like this can catapult them into one of the European competitions next season.  However the Gunners showed a dimension that has been accused of lacking in the past.  We could have easily ended up on the wrong side, but we got the job done and as AW rightly said in the post match interview, victories like these are a compulsion considering we aim to reach the zenith of the Premier League.</p>
<p>Chelsea finally came unstuck against Wigan of all teams as Carlo Ancelotti&#8217;s pride was earthed by the Latics as they crushed the Londoners 3-1. Was this an aberration or a sign of things to come, well only time will tell..</p>
<p>Manchester United wasted no time in captialising on Chelsea&#8217;s unexpected slip up as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stoke City. Ryan Giggs took the responsibility yet again, boy i must keep a count of number of times i say that, United turned their dominance into goals in the second half, goals coming from O&#8217;Shea and Berbatov. United are now at the top of the table and from past experience they generally don&#8217;t relinquish that spot easily.</p>
<p>Liverpool turned on the heat against Hull as they crushed them 6-1 at Anfield. I won&#8217;t be mistaken to call Torres the most dangerous striker in the world at the moment. A hat-trick from the Spaniard was the highlight of the game at Anfield. In his not so long stint at the merseyside, this was his 4th hat-trick for them, i have feeling there are more to come from the Golden boy.</p>
<p>Spurs played some Arsenal like football to dispatch Burnley by 5 goals. Skipper Robbie Keane alone put 4 past a helpless Burnley, who are turning out to be the quintessential whipping boys of the Premier League, but look at the brighter side, its any day better than life in the Coca Cola Championship.</p>
<p>Sunderland can very well be this season&#8217;s dark horses. This after they routed Wolves 5-2 at the Stadium of Light. Nice weekend for goalscoring, this has turned out to be!!</p>
<p>Carlos Tevez did some serious damage to his former employers West Ham United as City continued their rampaging start to the season. In other results Everton picked up all 3 points against Portsmouth, who would you believe have lost all their games. Those guys need a miracle for sure.</p>
<p>In other results, Bolton came up with a handy away victory over Birmingham and Blackburn dispatched Villa 2-1 at home.</p>
<p>The premier league has definitely been set into motion and contrary to what people amy believe, i have only feeling of optimism for Arsenal. all other big guns have lost atleast one game now, we have lost 2 and we have already played 2 of the big teams (now i&#8217;m counting City as a big team, atleast for now). We are definitely in the hunt and those who are thinking otherwise are just kidding themselves.</p>
<div id="attachment_1424" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 620px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1424" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/torres1.jpg" alt="Difficult to stop this fella!!" width="610" height="424" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Difficult to stop this fella!!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1425" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 440px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1425" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ryan-giggs.jpg" alt="The Guiding Light-yet again!!" width="430" height="500" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Guiding Light-yet again!!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1426" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 270px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1426" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/carlo.jpg" alt="Feet back on Ground, eh?" width="260" height="195" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Feet back on Ground, eh?</p></div>
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		<title>The 4-most Team Is Back..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-4-most-team-is-back/1309/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/the-4-most-team-is-back/1309/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:24:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>GuestGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gunnerose]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=1309</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Arsenal got back on track after a niggling few games with a comfortable 4-0 win over Wigan on Saturday. Thomas Vermaelen, voted as Arsenal’s Player of the Month, continued to display his potentials as a polymath defender of a resurgent Arsenal Team. An 11Gunners look into &#8216;The Week That Was&#8216;..
Vermaelen started the proceedings on 25 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1321" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1321" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90970219.jpg" alt="The Croazillian Is Back And How!" width="594" height="438" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Croazillian Is Back And How!</p></div>
<p>Arsenal got back on track after a niggling few games with a comfortable 4-0 win over Wigan on Saturday. Thomas Vermaelen, voted as Arsenal’s Player of the Month, continued to display his potentials as a polymath defender of a resurgent Arsenal Team. An <a title="11Gunners" href="http://11gunners.com/" target="_blank">11Gunners</a> look into &#8216;<a title="The Week That Was" href="http://11gunners.com/tag/the-week-that-was/" target="_blank">The Week That Was</a>&#8216;..<span id="more-1309"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Vermaelen started the proceedings on 25 minutes as he rose the highest to net  home a Van Persie corner. Four minutes after the restart, the Belgian again, after exchanging passes with Eboue, hit a sublime shot into the top corner leaving Chris Kirkland no chance. Just before the hour-mark, Eduardo put a daylight between the two teams as he  hit the rebound to his own volley which found Eboue for a slight deflection crediting the goal in his name. Fabregas finished the game with a beautiful flick to make the scoreline deserving of a good day’s play by the apparently dominant  home team. Kudos!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Old Trafford witnessed an exhilarating display of oscillating football as <a title="11Reds" href="http://11reds.com/" target="_blank">United</a> defeated <a title="Man City" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/the-city-of-dreams/435/" target="_blank">City</a> 4-3 in a game of high-pitched emotions as both teams seemed intent to overhaul its derby opposition. Rooney opened the scoring on 2 minutes but Barry equalised soon afterward resulting from a determined vignette by former United player Carlos Tevez. United again took the lead through Fletcher but quickly lost it as Bellamy equalised yet again for City. Bellamy was again called to action late in the game as he scored in stoppage time to even out things after Fletcher had helped United score its third. But more was in store – Owen scored in the sixth minute of injury time which left Mark Hughes reeling on the sidelines as the board had showed only four minutes. Too much gratitude shown to Sir Alex!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="11Blues" href="http://11blues.com/" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> didn’t allow <a title="Tottenham" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/will-tottenham-totter-again/409/" target="_blank">Tottenham</a> to put a blemish on its unbeaten start to the season by dispatching its London rivals 3-0. <a title="Ashley Cole" href="http://11gunners.com/11invincibles/11invincibles-ashley-coleleft-back/625/" target="_blank">Cashley Cole</a> got his name on the scoresheet foremost as he unfastened Spurs’ defence, while Ballack and Drogba bagged one goal apiece in the second half giving them an untarnished beginning to the season. Torres helped <a title="Liverpool" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/they-never-walk-alone/488/" target="_blank">Liverpool </a>subdue Hammers at Upton Park as a thrilling game of football ensued between the two teams. Bolton managed to steal a point late in the game as Potters gifted Trotters a penalty late in the game after Kitson had given Stoke the lead early in the second half. Portsmouth’s terrible campaign continued as <a title="Aston Villa" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/the-lions-are-out-of-their-den/331/" target="_blank">Villa</a> beat them 2-0 at Villa Park while Birmigham City overcame Hull 1-0 away from home. Black Cats were ran after and hunted by new-boys Burnley as Sunderland succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">David Moyes couldn’t resist himself hailing Saha’s performance after the game as the Frenchman scored twice to help his team to a much needed 3-0 win as Blackburn Rovers were made good meal of at <a title="Everton" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/the-blue-half-of-mersey/364/" target="_blank">Goodison</a>. Wolverhampton too defeated Cottagers in a tight fixture despite Fulham getting a penalty late in the game as they managed to protect their one-goal lead. Scoreline read 2-1 at the end of the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A captivating week of Premier League football. Arsene Wenger prudence in the market for new players was proved again at the <a title="The Emirates" href="http://11gunners.com/11gunners/the-emiratespart-2-quotable-quotes/1176/" target="_blank">Emirates</a>, while United, Chelsea and Liverpool all won their respective fixtures too. A sterling week of swift football thus developed. See ya next week. Cheerio!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<div id="attachment_1317" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 546px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1317 " src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90981735.jpg" alt="On 96'th Moon!!" width="536" height="594" /><p class="wp-caption-text">On 96&#39;th Moon!</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_1318" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1318" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90983101.jpg" alt="Private Emotions!" width="594" height="461" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Private Emotions!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1319" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1319" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90971273.jpg" alt="Red Or White, He Always Scores!" width="594" height="414" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Red Or White, He Always Scores!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1320" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 456px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1320" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90981622.jpg" alt="CT32: Luck And Colour, Both Have Changed!" width="446" height="594" /><p class="wp-caption-text">CT32: Luck And Colour, Both Have Changed!</p></div>
<p>Image Credit: Getty Images</p>
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		<title>We Shall Overcome..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/we-shall-overcome/1152/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/we-shall-overcome/1152/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:21:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[english premier league]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=1152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Its quite possible you all had your heads in your hands after our weekend debacle at Manchester City. It was a result extremely difficult to come to terms with, the disbelief and frustration has mounted after the two visits to Manchester, but its a time we need to gather behind them as they need us. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_1167" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 478px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1167" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/article-0-0668A29C000005DC-69_468x2961.jpg" alt="The Leg Of Whore(Read: Mad-e-Bye-Whore)" width="468" height="296" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Leg Of Whore(Read: Mad-e-Bye-Whore)</p></div>
<p>Its quite possible you all had your heads in your hands after our weekend debacle at Manchester City. It was a result extremely difficult to come to terms with, the disbelief and frustration has mounted after the two visits to Manchester, but its a time we need to gather behind them as they need us. <a title="11Gunners" href="http://11gunners.com/" target="_blank">11Gunners</a> looks back at the weekend,an Arsenal side of things and the developments in the rest of the league..<span id="more-1152"></span></p>
<p>We played a competitive game,nothing much separated the two sides but we were undone defensively that too by <a title="Mad-eBye-Whore" href="http://11gunners.com/opinion/mad-e-bye-whore/1130/" target="_blank">Emmanuel Adebayor</a>, again Football always exhibits its romanticism,not always in the way we can appreciate though. People have started ruling Arsenal out of the title race already, which is unbelievable as we have played some good football thus far and we have faced a difficult fixture period early so in all probability  there is plenty of scope to bounce back.</p>
<p>Elsehwere <a title="11Blues" href="http://11blues.com/" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> continue to deliver results after a trademark stoppage time victory over Stoke. Malouda&#8217;s strike turning out to be the killer blow for the Potters. Liverpool vented out some of their frustration on newboys Burnley as they walloped them 4-0 with Benayoun scoring a magnificent hat-trick. <a title="11Reds" href="http://11reds.com/" target="_blank">Man United</a> showed champions like character to bounce back from a goal down and a man down to end Spurs perfect start at White hart lane. It finished 3-1 in favour of the Red Devils. Giggs, Rooney and Anderson got into the act after Defoe has put Spurs ahead in the opening minute.</p>
<p>Sunderland made a statement by hammering Hull City 4-1. Darren Bent scored twice to put Sunderland in 7th place whereas the Tigers were left hanging close to the relegation zone.</p>
<p>The bottom two,Portsmouth and Bolton, locked horns at Fratton Park and the home team slumped to yet another defeat as Bolton snatched a victory in the 88th minute. This must be really getting on to the nerves of the Pompey fans but that is a part and parcel of life in the Premiership.</p>
<p>Villa emerged victorious against their staunch city rivals Birmingham. It was a scrappy Birmingham derby but Villa fans would gleefully accept the 3 points that keeps them close to the top four.</p>
<p>9th place after a month of EPL action is probably not what we hoped for Arsenal, but if our football is anything to go by, way up seems to be the only way forward..</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<div id="attachment_1169" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 459px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1169  " src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/benayoun-celebrates-after-scoring-his-hat-trick-against-besiktas_7333.jpg" alt="Yossi Scores Three For Liverpool" width="449" height="322" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Yossi Scores Three For Liverpool</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1170" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 595px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1170" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Rooney_585x350_613232a.jpg" alt="Rooney To The Rescue" width="585" height="350" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Rooney To The Rescue</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1171" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 522px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1171" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ALeqM5idk9xSgjlqhXs6zRIcvhCp4UvPjw.jpg" alt="Malouda Keeps Chelsea On Top" width="512" height="312" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Malouda Keeps Chelsea On Top</p></div>
<div id="attachment_1172" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-1172" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/90000301.jpg" alt="25 Million Abuses Are Less For This Piece Of Shitty Whore(Read: Mad-e-Bye-Whore)" width="594" height="396" /><p class="wp-caption-text">25 Million Abuses Are Less For This Piece Of Shitty Whore(Read: Mad-e-Bye-Whore)</p></div>
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		<title>Anything But Football..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/862/862/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/862/862/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:48:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=862</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
A big weekend it was, a weekend that saw a lot of action and left us asking for more. A weekend that also gave us numerous talking points, mostly from the encounter of the weekend at Old Trafford. The Gunners were defeated for the first time in the Season, only it seems less like defeat [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_864" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 609px"><img class="size-full wp-image-864" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/364040665.jpg" alt="So Near Yet So Far.." width="599" height="395" /><p class="wp-caption-text">So Near Yet So Far..</p></div>
<p>A big weekend it was, a weekend that saw a lot of action and left us asking for more. A weekend that also gave us numerous talking points, mostly from the encounter of the weekend at Old Trafford. The Gunners were defeated for the first time in the Season, only it seems less like defeat and more like someone pointing a gun at your skull and saying &#8220;Give me 3 points else I shoot you!!&#8221; Yes we were robbed! <a title="11Gunners" href="http://11gunners.com/" target="_blank">11Gunners</a> looks back at the week that was..</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-862"></span>Old Trafford was where all eyes were affixed at the start of the weekend, and it didn&#8217;t disappoint, it gave us enough talking points apart from the on field exploits. Its remarkable how we end up on the wrong end every time, it sure as hell wasn&#8217;t the first time when we were outdone by an external agent. You notice how we always end up the unfortunate guys and still when we enjoy tiny bit of luck (Eduardo incident during midweek), people waste no time in pouncing on us,calling us liars and taking us to the butcher shop. Funny I tell you!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However their was other live action too during the weekend, lets not fogret. Chelsea gave a warning message to everyone with a thumping 3-0 win over Burnley. I am telling you, with a weakened ManU, an unpredictable Liverpool and a still maturing Arsenal, Chelsea might be smelling the trophy, all be it from a distance. Spurs continued their perfect start by edging out new arrivals Birmingham 2-1, dont know how long that dream will continue , not longer than till they are destined to meet their nemesis at the other side of North London, till then make &#8220;Hay while the Sun Shines&#8221;!!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Citizens edged out Pompey keeping their presence near the top. Adebayor their marked man yet again, would you believe it!</p>
<blockquote style="text-align: justify;">
<p style="text-align: justify;">Lesson of the day &#8211; Change in T-Shirt Colour can do Miracles!</p>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Villa bounced back from their midweek disappointment of exiting Europe to beat Fulham 2-0, they will need to keep up to satisfy their high flying fans. They need to deliver what they initially promised. Liverpool played out an exciting game with Bolton with Stevie-G to the rescue, how many times have we said that!! Bolton on the other hand still have to excruciatingly wait to open their dismal accounts, that goes for Pompey too, these are eearly days but something needs to be done before the damage turns irreparable!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Everton gave their fans something to cheer about snatcghing victory at the last minute to collect their inaugural points.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Another classic weekend goes by as we take a break for International duties. For the Gunners it was a defeat, Yes, but was it a setback, No, not by any stretch of imagination! This team is out their to prove a point and they will! Go Gooners..</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_865" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-865" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90173614.jpg" alt="Russian Czar: Super Strike" width="594" height="456" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Russian Czar: Super Strike</p></div>
<div id="attachment_866" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-866" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90174123.jpg" alt="When Ruiney: Super Cheat" width="594" height="221" /><p class="wp-caption-text">When Ruiney: Super Cheat</p></div>
<div id="attachment_868" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-868" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90174444.jpg" alt="Old Trooers: Super Disgraceful" width="594" height="351" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Old Trooers: Super Disgraceful</p></div>
<div id="attachment_869" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-869" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90173964.jpg" alt="Feeling The Blues.." width="594" height="425" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Feeling The Blues..</p></div>
<div id="attachment_870" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 520px"><img class="size-full wp-image-870" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90173255.jpg" alt="Stevie G: At It Again!" width="510" height="594" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Stevie G: At It Again!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_871" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 604px"><img class="size-full wp-image-871" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/90000301.jpg" alt="25: Thousand's To Million's!?" width="594" height="396" /><p class="wp-caption-text">25: Thousand&#39;s To Million&#39;s!?</p></div>
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		<title>Top Guns Back In Action..</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/top-guns-back-in-action/702/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/top-guns-back-in-action/702/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:33:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>GuestGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[English Premiership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gunnerose]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=702</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Arsenal continued their thumping start to the Season with a third straight win as they handsomely dispatched Portsmouth at the Emirates. The stadium buzzed with excitement as over 60,000 scarves gyrated in the North London air. Meanwhile the Red Dolls has to face the ignominy of losing to minnows Burnley in the mid-week. Weekend, though [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_706" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 520px"><img class="size-full wp-image-706" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gun__1214840854_emirates_pitch.jpg" alt="60000 Scarves And 4 Goals!" width="510" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">60000 Scarves And 4 Goals!</p></div>
<p>Arsenal continued their thumping start to the Season with a third straight win as they handsomely dispatched Portsmouth at the Emirates. The stadium buzzed with excitement as over 60,000 scarves gyrated in the North London air. Meanwhile the Red Dolls has to face the ignominy of losing to minnows Burnley in the mid-week. Weekend, though had a different story to tell. A sneak into what transpired over the last two days and Who the Newsmakers were..<span id="more-702"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_704" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 520px"><img class="size-full wp-image-704" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gun__1250953292_Diaby.jpg" alt="Diaby Double" width="510" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Diaby Double</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Gunners started brilliantly creating chances galore and Abou Diaby scored completing a typical Arsenal move on the 18th minute mark. A few minutes later, Diaby was on the scoresheet  again showcasing another example of Arsenal’s classical counter-attacking play. Captain Fabregas seems indispensable if Arsenal have to challenge for Title this Season as he proved his worth providing champion passes that led to both goals. Though Kaboul got one back before half-time for Pompey, it was Gallas who scored first in the second-half, making his goal tally reach three in equal number of games. It was Ramsey who scored the last goal of the match thus completing another fine performance by Gunners. United next!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
<div id="attachment_705" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 676px"><img class="size-full wp-image-705" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/michaelowenwigan.jpg" alt="Again A Red!" width="666" height="450" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Again A Red!</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Manchester United responded brilliantly after the disappointment they suffered at Turf Moor in midweek. They outclassed Wigan in every department winning 5-0 with all goals being scored after the half-time break. Rooney netted two times, with Berbatov, Owen and Nani getting one apiece. Ancelotti’s men marched on at Craven Cottage with Drogba and Anelka scoring either side of half-time. Blues now maintain a perfect start to the new season, as do Arsenal derby rivals Spurs who came from behind to nail Hammers with Lennon scoring late in the game. Manchester City too continued their fine start by narrowly beating new-boys Wolverhampton at Eastlands with ex-Gunner Adebayor scoring the only goal of the game. Hull registered their first win in over five months as Bolton felt victim to wasted opportunities at the KC stadium. Black Cats were too hot for Blackburn to handle despite Givet giving Rovers the lead after 21 minutes. However, Jones scored twice handing the game to Sunderland. Everton’s bad season to the season continued as they fell prey to Burnley who just seem to have been promoted with an insight of making surprises week in week out. What worse could follow for Toffees after a humbling defeat and Moyes’ admission of his failure to keep Lescott at Goodison Park. The first draw of the season was witnessed at St. Andrews as Birmingham City failed to break Stoke’s defence thus providing a stalemate. Meanwhile, Liverpool play Aston Villa late on Monday night.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Another week of superb football thus ensued with Arsenal presenting a fine demonstration of flourishing football, while United came back thunderously remarking their ability to beleaguer Premier League teams. A great next week is in store when the two juggernauts lock horns against each other at Old Trafford. The Red Dolls will be duly operated@OT! Till then, bask in glory!</p>
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		<title>Hibernation Period Ends, And In Some Style!!</title>
		<link>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/hibernation-period-ends-and-in-some-style/534/</link>
		<comments>http://11gunners.com/the-weel-that-was/hibernation-period-ends-and-in-some-style/534/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:06:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>GuestGooner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[The Week That Was]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arsenal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[english premier league]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gunnerose]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://11gunners.com/?p=534</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Toffees were swallowed raw and sweet by the Professor’s boys at Goodison Park as Arsenal hit Everton for a six! It all started by a wonderful goal from Denilson and it didn’t stop till the final whistle. Captain Fabregas was sublime creating two goals and scoring two, in the process dedicating his superb long-ranger [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_541" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 508px"><img class="size-full wp-image-541" src="http://11gunners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gun__1214838161_tunnel.jpg" alt="Men Are Back" width="498" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Men Are Back</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Toffees were swallowed raw and sweet by the Professor’s boys at Goodison Park as Arsenal hit Everton for a six! It all started by a wonderful goal from Denilson and it didn’t stop till the final whistle. Captain Fabregas was sublime creating two goals and scoring two, in the process dedicating his superb long-ranger to his friend Daniel Jarque, who died of a heart attack last week. New-boy Vermaelen scored with a thumping header from a set-piece as Gallas followed pursuit with a header of his own from Fabregas’ free-kick and the comeback man Eduardo chipped in with a goal late in the game. Saha got one back for Everton but it was too little, too late as Arsene Wenger looks forward to this seasonwith new promise. The toffee was sweet indeed!<span id="more-534"></span><br />
It was good news for Arsenal as Liverpool dropped points at White Hart Lane, with Spurs putting up an effort to which Rafael Benitez’s side found no answer. Assou-Ekotto and Bassong were on target for Tottenham while Gerrard scored from a penalty as Johnson seemed to be illegally brought down in the box. Meanwhile, Manchester United ground out a 1-0 win over Birmingham City with Wayne Rooney scoring the only goal of the game after tapping home from the rebound after his initial effort ricocheted off the crossbar.<br />
Stamford Bridge witnessed late drama as Drogba snatched a victory for the Holders in stoppage time. Chelsea were left reeling when Hunt gave Hull the lead but Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge didn’t taste bitter as Drogba first scored with a superb free-kick and then won the game for the hosts scoring late in the game. Elsewhere big-spenders City started their campaign smartly with a 2-0 win at Ewood Park with Ex-Gunner Adebayor opening the scoring at three minutes and Ireland adding a late second. Wigan and West Ham also won away with the same margin defeating Aston Villa and Premiership new-comers Wolves respectively with Rodallega scoring a scorcher for the Latics.<br />
It seems the day panned out luckier for the away boys up and down the country as Sunderland and Fulham both registered 1-0 away wins. Debutant Bent scored at the Reebok giving much reason for Steve Bruce to pat his own back, while for Fulham it was Bobby Zamora who hit the back of the net thanks to a deflection against Portsmouth. Brede Hangeland proved once again while he is on Arsenal’s radar as he gave a thoroughly professional performance for the Cottagers. The only home team other than Chelsea which won today was Stoke as Burnley failed to adjust quickly to the tempers of the top flight, as Jordan hit an own goal to add to Clarets’ woes who had already seen Shawcross giving Potters the lead early in the game.<br />
A great first day ensued in the Premiership with away teams walking away with most of the plaudits as only two teams managed to win at their own turf. But more importantly, it was a signal of intent from Gunners who crushed David Moyes’ side as he sat on looking helpless against the wave of orgasmic football! Can&#8217;t wait for Round-2 to begin..</p>
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