retired_dfj003

Top Of The Premiership :

1. Arsenal------played 11, points 27
2. Man Utd-----played 11, points 22
3. Fulham------played 11, points 22
4. Liverpool---played 11, points 20

Man City are doing well in 5th place, while Chelsea have improved slightly and are in 8th. Reading have moved out of the relegation zone after some good results and they have been replaced by Wigan, who have been sucked in after a string of losses.

Top Of Serie A

1. Inter-------played 11, points 22
2. Roma-----played 11, points 19
3. Cagliari---played 11, points 19
4. Chievo----played 11, points 18

Palermo are a point behind Chievo in 5th while Milan are climbing up the table after overcoming their 8 point deduction, they are 13th but would be 3rd had they not been deducted points. Fiorentina are still in minus points after a string of poor results and lie at the bottom on -5. Udinese are one of the main underachievers, sitting in 14th, though Lazio are also struggling, they find themselves in the relegation zone but also have a substantial points deduction.

Top of La Liga

1. Madrid----- played 12, points 29
2. Seville------played 12, points 24
3. Deportivo--played 12, points 21
4. Osasuna----played 12, points 20

Two Spanish giants are really struggling in Spain this season. Champions Barcelona are playing surprisingly badly, down in 13th after four losses and three draws, though Valencia aren’t doing any better, they are two below in 15th . Celta, Gimnastic and Racing are all in good form, they are 5th 7th and 8th respectively, and have been the surprise packages of La Liga.

retired_dfj003

Our position at the top of the Premiership reflects in the team of the week as Lehmann Richards and Hleb are all selected after playing well against Everton. Lehmann and Hleb will both be rested for the League Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, I am looking forward to giving the youngsters another run out


Our Premiership game against Tottenham has been rearranged for December because of their UEFA Cup commitments.

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Team against Middlesbrough :

Enyeama

Hoyte
Djourou
Richards
Traore

Diaby

Obertan
Moutinho
Denilson
Clichy

Walcott


Subs :

Ricardo
Senderos
Baptista
Marchisio
Van Persie

Cardenas is omitted because of his injury so I go for a 4-5-1 with Diaby the holding midfielder in his first game back from injury. Clichy replaces Van Persie on the left, I am planning to rest Van Persie in the first half, then Clichy in the second by bringing him off for the Dutch striker.

League Cup 4th Round 7/11/2006
Riverside, Middlesbrough

Middlesborough lined up with their strongest team, Yakubu and Viduka up front, and Stewart Downing captaining the side on the left. The first half was fairly even though, and the Arsenal youngsters had the better of the chances with some good goalkeeping from veteran Ian Walker keeping the scores level. Four minutes from time the task got harder when Gabriel Obertan got sent off for a foul on Emanuel Pogatetz. But just before half time Gael Clichy went on a darting run, before laying off Walcott for the youngster to get his second goal of the tournament. Middlesbrough had more players, but we had more goals, and at half time we had played better, but they had player capable of changing the game in an instant. I switched to a 4-4-2- diamond at the break, with Denilson playing wide right, where Obertan had been. Gael Clichy was injured, but able to continue. I took him off for a rest anyway though and hoped the injury wouldn’t be anything serious, he had only just returned to action. Van Persie came on in his place.

In the second half Boro failed to take advantage of being a man up, and were outplayed by the young Gunners, Mark Viduka had a chance to level things, but was denied by a last ditch tackle from Johan Djourou. It proved to be a costly miss, moments later Diaby chipped a pass over Jonathan Woodgate for Denilson to run onto, when the Brazilian got there however he was challenged by Emanuel Pogatetz, who deflected the ball in off his shin by accident. 2-0 up was much safer than 1-0 and it took the sting out of Middlesbrough, who started to look weary. Justin Hoyte picked up a caution, and Moutinho an injury, but other than that it was a very good win.

Middlesbrough 0

Arsenal 2
Walcott 44
Pogatetz (og) 67


Man of The Match : Micah Richards (Arsenal)

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Gary Lewin came to see me today to tell me that Joao Moutinho has suffered a bruised rib, nothing too serious, and he’ll be back in full training in four days.

Better news from the Cup match was that we had been awarded £70,000 for the win.

The phone rang just as I was contemplating what I was going to have for lunch.

“Ham sandwich” I said stupidly as I picked up the phone

“Sorry?” said the voice at the other end

“What? Oh!” I just realised what I had done, “Yes, sorry what erm, who is this?”

“It’s Pat, boss” came my assistants voice

“Oh right, Hello Pat, what is it?”

“I have Benfica manager Fernando Santos on the line, a secretary tried to direct him to a club official but he insisted on speaking to you”

“Okay, put him on then” I said, curious.

There was a click, “Hello?”

“Hello Mr Santos, how can I help you?”

“I am looking into your player Anthony Stokes” he said without pre amble

“Anthony?” I replied, surprised

“Yes, that is correct, I am interested in bringing him to the club. I wanted to know how much you would consider for him.”

“Well he is a very promising player” I said, not wanting to give away that I was delighted someone wanted him now, and that they weren’t waiting until his contract ran out in the summer, “But he has a price. We have set a figure of £2,800,000 on him.”

“Very good, I shall get back to you. Good day Mr Wulfric” the line went dead.

I was surprised at his interest, I was expecting Stokes to move on a free to a Championship club in the summer, but if Benfica were to make a bid that would be very good. It isn’t that I don’t think he could be useful at Benfica, more that I was surprised they weren’t waiting for the summer. He is a good player and he will cost a few million more now.

I left the office to join the rest of the squad upstairs where they were watching the League Cup Quarter Finals draw. With Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham also in the draw it was going to be very exciting. We avoided all four though.

Draw


Arsenal..........v.....Wigan
Aston Villa......v.....Man United
Tottenham........v.....Portsmouth
Chelsea..........v.....Liverpool

To be honest I would have fancied anyone except for Chelsea, but I was disappointed to see Man United and Tottenham both drawn with teams that they are comfortably better than, because United are also strong contenders for the trophy and Tottenham should also get through. If it had been United-Chelsea and Spurs-Liverpool the semis would have been easier. But I still relish the big games, and if we beat Wigan we are almost certain to get one of those. We actually play Wigan next, in the Premiership at the Emirates.

This was my last meeting with a lot of the team for a week as they were all off to play for their Nations, as another dreaded International break was upon us. My only dislike of them was the injuries sustained by the players during them, unsurprisingly, I do not want the squad broken up by injuries.

Andres Guardado told me he is ready to resume full training, and I went to see Gary Lewin, who confirmed the player can now return. I am planning to include him in the reserves in their game against Portsmouth.

Gabriel Obertan’s ban has been extended, which is infuriating as it was two yellows for two silly but unintentional fouls. Hardly worth a three match ban.

retired_dfj003

Andres Guardado skippered the reserves as they drew 1-1 with Portsmouth, the Mexican lasted 70 minutes and I am hoping he will be fully fit again soon.

Justin Hoyte has pulled his hamstring and is out for two weeks, the blow is softened by Clichy’s return to full fitness and Urby Emanuelson’s iminent return from suspension.

retired_Brandon Scott

3 good installments Tom but how were you playinga 442 formation with a player missing?

retired_dfj003

In which game was there a player missing?

retired_superdupermido

I'm following this story because I'm a Arsenal fan and when I play FM I'll do it with the same approach. Never get that many players because I suck at negotiations.

I hope you keep doing good. I'm also happy to find a Colombian -being a Colombian myself- in the Arsenal's rooster.

retired_Brandon Scott

the game where Obertan was sent off fella

retired_dfj003

Oh yeah sorry just seen. It was actually a 4-4-1 with a diamond midfield, it just slipped my mind when describing the formation. Sorry about that. More updates coming btw