North London Derby: Nasri Does A Wayne Bridge

In pre-match interviews, Samir Nasri did say that he will NOT shake former Arsenal captain William Gallas' hand because even when Gallas was with the red half of North London, the two did not have a great relationship.

The French internationals had a bit of a row during international duty. Gallas was pissed because Nasri sat on Thierry Henry's seat. Pretty lame because it is not like Gallas slept with Nasri's girlfriend Tatiana Golovin.

At the end of the day, it was Gallas who had the last laugh as Spurs came back from a 2 goal deficit and scored thrice with gives Spurs all 3 points against their bitter rivals.

Nasri's diss...

Blast from the past: Wayne Bridge's handshake with JT that DID NOT HAPPEN. Ah, those were the days.

Cesc Fabregas Is A Mama's Boy

Cesc Fabregas celebrated scoring a penalty against Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League group stage match in Arsenal's 5-1 win against the Ukranian side by revealing a shirt underneath with the words "Felicitats Mama" or Happy Birthday to his mom.

“[The celebration] was for my Mum,” Fabregas said. “I couldn’t be there, [her birthday] was two days ago and a good way to show my congratulations.”

Full video of the penalty and celebration.

Post match interview with Fabregas and Wilshere, also on the score sheet.

Video: Aaron Ramsey Can Walk

Aaron Ramsey's can finally kick a ball. Everyone thought his career was over after Ryan Shawcross' horrific tackle on Aaron when Stoke City hosted Arsenal last season. Now he is back and we can see him back on the pitch by November.

Oh...Harry has done it again

Some Arsenal fan caught a picture of Redknapp sleeping on a bus. Please Harry. Don't sleep in public. It just ruins your reputation.

Anton Ferdinand's Dumb Mistake

And the credits go to Cesc Fabregas. All I can say is that THIS goal has got to be one of the most bizarre ones' ever to hit the back of the net.

Part 2 of A Gooner and A Spurs Fan

For part one , Click here

Sunderland Fans More Fat than Newcastle Fans.

"Newcastle fans, no longer number 1"

The Department of Health have put together shocking statistics accumulated from a survey, which shows footie fans against each other to see who drank, smoked and ate the most.

According to the results, Fulham fans drink the most alcohol, Sunderland fans are the most unhealthy (nicer way of saying “fat”).

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were joined by newcomers Blackpool in the healthy fans department.

• Sunderland: 51.3%
• Everton: 51.16%
• Wigan Athletic: 48.21%
• Manchester City: 47.25%
• Fulham: 47.17%
• Blackburn Rovers: 45.0%
• West Ham United: 44.99%
• Bolton Wanderers: 44.9%
• Wolverhampton Wanderers: 44.89%
• Tottenham Hotspur: 44.87%
• West Bromwich Albion: 44.63%
• Aston Villa: 43.23%
• Stoke City: 42.19%
• Birmingham City: 41.49%
• Liverpool: 40.5%
• Newcastle United: 40.32%
• Chelsea : 38.48%
• Manchester United: 36.39%
• Arsenal: 36.3%
• Blackpool: 30.33%

Fabregas Stays-But Will Leave Next Season

As you know, from the previous post that Cesc Fabregas has committed his future to Arsenal. But a source in Arsenal has said that this season will be his last at the Emirates. Then, its off to Barcelona. Hahaha...

Link: Arsenal fan gets the cartoon treatment. (Warning: Gooners, you have been warned!!)

The Fabregas statement: Not recommended for those who hate long sentences.

"Firstly, I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I've not known what I was going to do until this moment.

"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me. This was the club I learned my football, my hometown, where all my friends and family are and a club I have always dreamed of playing.

"There's not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona."I have had many conversations with Arsène Wenger, both in person and over the telephone in the last few months. And although the contents of those conversations will remain private the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal.

"I am a professional and fully understand that is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.

"I owe a lot to the club, the manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.

"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations are ended I will be 100 per cent focused on playing for Arsenal.

"I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch this is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting all of this speculation behind me."

Arsenal's Open Training: Cesc is Back

World Cup Finalist's Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas are back in North London after their post-WC holiday.

The Moment Arsenal fans were waiting for: Cesc Fabregas in an ARSENAL shirt unlike;

this...

The Arsenal fans gave Cesc a warm reception and clearly not pissed about the whole wearing-a-Barca-shirt-and-forgetting-you're-the-Arsenal-captain episode

Becks watch Arsenal vs AC Milan with 3 Sons

David Beckham watches with son, Romeo as his old loan club take on former league rivals Arsenal.

The kids even did some Mexican wave...

In other news, Arsenal retain The Emirates Cup (the only trophy they ever won in a billion years) for the fourth year in succesion. Congrats...

The Cesc Fabregas Saga: Hotter than a Tortilla Española!!!

Okay, the very sexy man on the right wants to leave Arsenal for childhood club Barcelona but the very ugly old (and according to José Mourinho, a voyeur) wants to keep him for himself. I would....

Barcelona keep on putting bids for the midfielder but Arsenal always say back off!

Barcelona playmaker says its only a matter of time until Fabregas returns to the Nou Camp

Carles Puyol says that I love Sex Cesc is being held against his will in Arsenal. I would (by Cesc, i mean)

Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry wants his successor to stay at the Emirates but understands why Cesc wants to leave for Spain.

Lets just enjoy this photo....

The Relationship between a Gooner and a Spurs fan

Its hilarious but ridiculous at the same time. This describes perfectly the relationship between Arsenal and Tottenham fans in the 21st century.

Arsenal sign Laurent Koscielny from Ligue 1 side Lorient

He is 24 years old. Used to play for Lorient. Uncapped internationally because he has not decided to play for the country where he was born and bred (France) or follow his roots (Poland). So technically, he is nationality-less...

NiKE Gets It Right with Arsenal's New (Gorgeous) Kit

Classic yet simple....Can't wait for the United kit and I am keeping fingers crossed that it will not be like the leaked pics.

Arsenal's New Kit With More Photos

Arsenal Signs Marouane Chamakh (as if we didn't know) and Marouane-Yoann Tribute

Everyone saw it coming. There were persistent rumors circulating the media about Arsenal signing Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer and guess what? THE Press was right!!!

Marouane Chamakh rejected offers from North-London rivals Tottenham and Liverpool to join his favourite English club. He will be wearing the number 29 shirt and will face tough competition for starts with Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and Eduardo also part of the Arsenal attack.

“I am delighted to become part of the English football atmosphere,” Chamakh told L’Equipe. “It is something amazing. “I am counting down the days – 11 short days. As time passes, it feels strange. I am experiencing many emotions.”

“Bordeaux offered me a contract extension that was almost impossible to refuse, financially – the figures were very close to those offered by Arsenal.

“I have always loved Arsenal’s football. I know I will have to adapt, but I have experience of playing the short passing game from working with Yoann Gourcuff.”

He really doesn't forget the ones he love. This transfer has left me in tears as we say goodbye to a bromance that has budded between Marouane and Yoann Gourcuff in Bordeaux. *sobs*

I am on the verge of tears.....

Check out what Arsène Wenger wore during the unveiling of Marouane Chamakh.

Cesc Wants To Go Back to Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas is planning to do a "Gerard Pique" (returning back to your youth club after a stint at a big English club).....

Cesc's new teammates???

The Arsenal skipper could have a terrible effect on the Gunners as he is the focal point of the squad and he is the captain of one of the "Big Four" at the tender age of....23 and his name rhymes with....guess it!!!

Bye bye, Wenger

Cat Suprised by Danny Rose's Goal against Arsenal

Trust me...I had the same expression when I saw this!!!




via Who Ate All the Pies

Arsenal FC's Charity Ball

Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin

Cesc Fabregas and the tailor man

Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Denilson and Eduardo...the smiley bunch

Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song hang out...

Forbes' Most Expensive Football Teams

No. 10: Schalke 04

Domestic league: German Bundesliga

Owner/majority shareholder: Veltins brewery

Current value: $510 million

A new German TV deal is boosting revenue. So is selling out Veltins Arena (the brewer is parent and naming-rights sponsor). The team is locked up with Gazprom on a shirt sponsorship deal that will reportedly pay as much as $180 million over five years. Quarterfinalists in Champions League in '08, Schalke 04 was out early in '09.

No. 9: Juventus

Domestic league: Italian Serie A

Owner/majority shareholder: Agnelli family

Current value: $600 million

Juventus was promoted back to Serie A last year following scandal and demotion. Eligible for Champions league this year, the team is building a new, mid-sized stadium; the naming rights are already sold.

No. 8: Chelsea

Domestic league: English Premiership

Owner/majority shareholder: Roman Abramovich

Current value: $800 million

Although the team was a runner-up both in Premiership and Champions leagues, home attendance at London's Stamford Bridge was down. More than $700 million in debt, team head Peter Kenyon's plan to turn profit will have to wait.

No. 7: Barcelona

Domestic league: Spanish Primera Liga

Owner/majority shareholder: club members

Current value: $960 million

The Champions league semifinalist is investing in Major League Soccer team in Miami to grow U.S. presence and investing $400 million to redevelop its old stadium.

No. 6: AC Milan

Domestic league: Italian Serie A

Owner/majority shareholder: Silvio Berlusconi

Current value: $990 million

The team shared a stadium with Inter Milan, and it will miss the '09 Champions league after a subpar 2008, despite borrowing David Beckham from Los Angeles Galaxy. Revenues are up on first year of new TV deal with Berlusconi's Mediaset

No. 5: Liverpool

Domestic league: English Premiership

Owner/majority shareholder: George Gillett/Thomas Hicks

Current value: $1.01 billion

The credit crunch forced owners to halt plans for new stadium last year. Hicks and Gillett have roughly three months to repay or refinance $600 million in debt with RBS/Wachovia. Owners could be forced to sell just one year after making the semifinals of the Champions league.

No. 4: Bayern Munich

Domestic league: German Bundesliga

Owner/majority shareholder: club members

Current value: $1.11 billion

The team missed the Champions league but made it to semifinals of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Cup. Bayern Munich has a debt-free balance sheet, and last year it bought a 50% stake in its stadium that it did not own, which will increase their revenue this season.

No. 3: Arsenal

Domestic league: English Premiership

Owner/majority shareholder: Alisher Usmanov

Current value: $1.2 billion

London club sold out new Emirates Stadium in its second year, despite increased ticket prices, and finished third in English Premier League (EPL). Naming rights pay an average of $18 million a year through 2021, which should help pay stadium debt. There are 50,000 fans on the waiting list for season tickets.

No. 2: Real Madrid

Domestic league: Spanish Primera Liga

Owner/majority shareholder: club members

Current value: $1.353 billion

Despite the loss of their jersey sponsor BenQ Mobile, these Spanish champs are in the second year of a $1.4 billion, seven-year TV deal. And recent stadium improvements mean more luxury suites and hospitality revenue this season

No. 1: Manchester United

Domestic league: English Premiership

Owner/majority shareholder: Glazer family

Current value: $1.87 billion

These European champs benefit from the first year of new Premiership TV deal. Owners could sell naming rights for the team's Old Trafford stadium to reduce their $1 billion debt.

Forbes' 10 Most Valuable Teams in Sports

Manchester United has topped the list of Forbes' 10 Most Valuable Teams in Sports..

No. 1 Manchester United

Football

$1.8 billion

An annual powerhouse with a true global brand, Man-U fetched the highest price ever for a sports franchise when Malcolm Glazier forked over $1.45 billion for it in 2005.

No. 2 Dallas Cowboys

American Football

$1.6 billion

No. 3 Washington Redskins

American Football

$1.5 billion

No. 4 New England Patriots

American Football

$1.32 billion

No. 5 New York Yankees

Baseball

$1.3 billion

No. 6 Real Madrid

Football

$1.29 billion

A winner of nine European Championship Cups, Real Madrid rakes in close to half a billion dollars in annual revenue. Its 62-year-old stadium--Santiago Bernabéu--has been heavily renovated over the years, with capacity trimmed from a peak of 120,000 to 80,000. Like American baseball, European soccer is moving to a model that emphasizes revenue per seat over maximum attendance.

No. 7 Arsenal

Football

$1.2 billion

The club founded in 1886 took in $329 million in revenue last year. Three-year-old Emirates Stadium, which seats over 60,000, includes 7,139 club level seats sold in one to four year licenses and over 150 boxes where seats start at $87,000 annually (65,000 euros). The naming rights deal with Emirate Airlines is worth $133 million (100 million euros) over eight years.

No. 8 New York Giants

American Football

$1.18 billion

No. 9 New York Jets

American Football

$1.17 billion

No. 10 Houston Texans

American Football

$1.17 billion