Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Thierry Henry's best 3 goals
Henry tells about his best 3 goals for Arsenal and why does he rate them.
The Henry Movie
The best of the best Theirry Henry, top scorer in the EPL for many years. This awesome compilation shows why he is the best striker in the world.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Player Profile: 2. Abou Diaby
Vassiriki Abou Diaby (born May 11, 1986 in Paris) is a French football midfielder who plays for for Arsenal. He normally plays central midfielder. Diaby is commonly known by his middle name Abou. On January 12, 2006 he signed for Arsenal for a fee believed to be around £2m. Diaby turned down a move to Chelsea to join the Gunners. He wears the number 2 shirt at Arsenal. Abou made a promising start to his Arsenal career before Sunderland defender Dan Smith fractured and dislocated his ankle with a late challenge at the Stadium of Light in May. Abou is expected to be out until the end of the year while he recovers.Before his injury Abou showed huge promise. He was Arsenal’s first signing of the January transfer window after following in the footsteps of Eric Cantona and Djibril Cisse by progressing through the youth academy at Auxerre.Abou immediately added steel to the Arsenal midfield where his height, strength and determination makes him an imposing presence and invites comparisons with a young Patrick Vieira. Abou played in all four competitions for the Gunners last season.The young Frenchman led his country to success at the European Under-19 Championships in 2005 and looks to have a very bright future once he regains his fitness. Diaby is expected to be back in January with him available in the midfield he is going to add to the strength and give more options in attack.
| Abou Diaby | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vassiriki Abou Diaby | |
| Date of birth | May 11, 1986 (age 20) | |
| Place of birth | Paris, France | |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | |
| Nickname | Abou | |
| Position | Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Arsenal | |
| Number | 2 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
2002-2004 | INF Clairefontaine AJ Auxerre | |
| Professional clubs | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (goals) |
| 2004-2006 2006- | AJ Auxerre Arsenal | 10 (1) 12 (1) |
| National team | ||
| 2004-2005 2006- | France U-19 France U-21 | 14 (0) 1 (0) |
Player Profile: Luis Valencia
Luis Valenciais an Ecuadorian footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic after signing on a year loan from Villarreal.
Valencia was one of the 3 European-based players named in the Ecuador national team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.Valencia has impressed in his short time in England, registering a goal thus far and aside from his attacking and trickery, Valencia is noted for his efforts in winning balls in the midfield and making neat tackles which often disposseses his opponents.
He combines his speed with his technical skills and links the defence to the strikers with precision ball taking and elegant tackles combined with accurate through balls and pin-point crosses to the forwards.He also contributes with a blazing shot from distance, phenomenal balance of speed and power and a fighting spirit that always sees him battle for the entire game.
Valencia, who can play in central midfield as well as on the right wing, combines speed with great technical abilities with balanced defensive attributes. He scored two goals in his first senior cap in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay, helping Ecuador to a 5-2 victory.
Valencia is a nominee to be a part of FIFA's ideal 11 team, which recognises the top stars for every position in the World Cup. He was also shortlisted as one of the six potential candidates for the Gillette Best Young Player award, over many more well known candidates. Although it was Lukas Podolski who was selected for the award, Valencia received the most votes in the official poll.
On the 3rd August 2006 it was confirmed that Valencia would be joining English Premier League team Wigan Athletic on a 12 month loan deal.
Premiership Profile: Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic
Founded 1932
Nickname The Latics (made by distorting the word Athletic)
Club colours
Blue and white shirts, blue shorts and white socks
Ground JJB Stadium (25,000) : was opened in 2000 by Alex Ferguson. Named after the club sponsors JJB and the mascots jayjay and bee.
Manager Paul Jewell: Took charge in 2001 when Wigan was in League two and led them to the premiership in 2005.
Chairman Dave Whelan: He was the local millionaire who bought the club in 1995 with the then ridiculed ambition of making Wigan play in the premiership.
Last season 10th in the Premier League
Record appearance maker Kevin Langley 317
Record goalscorer Andy Liddell 70
Website www.wiganlatics.co.uk
- Wigan made 34 unsuccessful applications to be admitted to the Football league before achieving it in 1978.
- Wigan conceded just 20 goals in the promotion season of 2004/05 as they reached the Premiership.
- Wigan reached their first-ever major final in 2006, losing the League Cup final to Manchester United.
Wigan Athletic v/s Arsenal 13th December 2006
This midweek tie is the Arsenal's game in hand over the four teams above it in the table leaving only Chelsea. This is Arsenal's fourth game in ten day's time and third away from home. Wigan stand on 11th place in the table and dont have a very impressive home form. Henri Camara has scored 6 goals this season and looks in good touch. For Arsenal they will be going to the JJB Stadium without Henry and Rosicky. Toure would be back from suspension and Gallas should be fit too. Head to head these to teams have met four times with Arsenal winning thrice and Wigan once. Loooking at the last six games both teams have the same results ie won-2, draw-2 and lost-2. The Gunners are having two more games in the next six days so some key players may be rested. Arsenal would again be playing in a 4-5-1 formation with Ade up front.
The team line up could be like:
-----------------Lehmann------------------
Eboue-----Toure----Gallas------Clichy
----------------Gilberto--------------------
----------Flamini --------Ljungberg-------
-----Hleb----------------------Van Persie--
---------------Adebayor--------------------
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