Oh the Highbury crowd saw some sweet football (soccer) tonight! Arsenal, missing 8 first teamers still put the beat down on Leverkusen. Leverkusen, for those who don't know, are in front runners in the German top league (Bundesliga). The Germans had their full compliment of players, many of whom are on the team that will represent Germany in the World Cup. This all on the heels of Leverkusen blowing out previous Bundesliga front runners Dortmund. 4-1. Simply awesome. Pires, Viera, Henry, and Bergkamp. And Bergkamp again scores with the most delicate touch. Unreal. Its really to bad he's afraid to fly....
I am tempted to root for Arsenal after reading the Nick Hornby book "Fever Pitch." We also stayed in Stamford Hill, which is right by the Arsenal home pitch, the last time we were in London. Rabid fans! Are Arsenal sort of the football equivalent of the old Bill Laimbeer Detroit Pistons, or is that an old conception?
Yes and no. They are very physical in the back, but they have some French guys in the front and middle that play with a ton of pace and technique. Great team to watch. No lead is safe, either ahead or behind! For some reason they don't seem to be too popular here in England, though (I think it may be all the French players and the French coach). I live about five minutes from Highbury, so it was just natural (or seemed natural to me) to root for them when I moved into the neighborhood.
Thats good stuff. well and bad in a way. see I always have rooted for Arsenal in the EPL, and Bayern Munich, in the Bundesliga. so its good on both accounts. The thing that I dont like is that Leverkusen ownes Landon Donovan, and I hate them for that. The way I figure it is that if they win out the season they will be less likely to call him back from his extended loan to MLS. Although Americas top talent should be playing with the best in the world I dont want him to go because what he means to our infant soccer league. any hoo go Arsenal
Let's take some World Cup 2002 bets. World Cup 2002 Odds France 4/1 Argentina 9/2 Italy 13/2 Brazil 8/1 Spain 10/1 England 12/1 Portugal 14/1 Germany 18/1 Paraguay 50/1 Russia 50/1 Cameroon 66/1 Croatia 66/1 Poland 66/1 Republic of Ireland 66/1 Uruguay 66/1 Belgium 80/1 Denmark 80/1 Japan 80/1 Nigeria 80/1 Sweden 80/1 Ecuador 100/1 Turkey 100/1 Mexico 125/1 Slovenia 125/1 South Africa 150/1 Tunisia 150/1 USA 150/1 Costa Rica 200/1 Korea 200/1 China 300/1 Saudi Arabia 300/1 Senegal 300/1 This is what I found on a website two or three months ago. I like the Croatians and Aregentines. I wanna see an All-Star line up of the best MLS SOCCER (football) players get stomped on by a bundisliga or however its spelled or a English Primere team.
No, Bayern München. Since the Rockets have been losing, I need at least one team that is consistently at the top or I am in danger of becoming depressive .
I actually took a liking to Arsenal because of their similarities to the Rockets. Both teams were called boring during their successes. Both had red and white uniforms. And both teams closest rivals are Spurs.
Of the top 6 clubs, Man U have the worst record strictly head to head against the other top 6 clubs. Not a good sign for championship hopefuls.
I have mixed feelings about Leverkusen. I know a guy who did scouting for them. He said they're keen to sign young Americans like Hedjuk, Donovan, Di Gimarino, and Thorrington just to see if they turn into something so they can sell them at a higher price later. And from what I've heard, Donovan is as good as gone back to Leverkusen no later than when the Bundesliga starts up again next season. But if I'm ever in Germany, I can get free tickets to a match.
Hey HayesStreet, what do you think of the possibility that Patrick Viera will play for Real Madrid next season? I read somewhere that the deal is almost done, and Arsenal is looking for replacement in that position. I´m interested because I´m a Real Madrid fan, but I like Arsenal in the Premier League. And, don´t worry too much, Real Madrid is going to win it all, again
What do I think of it? It would suck. He is the best at his position in the world IMO. This has been an ongoing controversy for the last couple of years. He says he is going to honor his contract. Arsenal says they expect him to honor his contract. That usually means the player is leavingWenger signing a new contract, along with Henry and Pires signing extentions increases the chance he will stay at Highbury. Winning big in the Champions League would go the farthest to keep him I think. I would put it at 50/50 he'll leave Arsenal for Real in the summer. In the end Wenger would take the 40 million pounds, and find the next Viera. His record with signings is phenomenal. Real is very very good. After watching Arsenal I believe they can win the Champions League if they keep their current form. They have the talent and the flair to win it all.
Will Real Madrid stop spending money on blockbuster transfers? I don't know if Arsenal can go far. I don't think their back 4 is too great. Also, Seaman is collecting his social security already.
Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga with Bayern taking the Champions League yet again is someting that I could live with.
Will Real Madrid stop spending money on blockbuster transfers? If they spend the money in good players (i.e. Figo, Zidane) that´s just fine. I think that´s one of the positive things Florentino Perez has that Lorenzo Sanz didn´t. Sanz just buy players just because Barcelona would sign them (i.e. Karembeu), and made a lot of really bad transactions (i.e. Anelka), hurting the chemistry of the team and the development of the young players. That´s another positive thing about Florentino´s era. Instead of signing a coach from some other place, they let Del Bosque, a man who has been in the team for years and knows pretty well the organization. They are giving the chance to the young players, like Pavon, he´s a great defender, and this prevented Real Madrid of spent a lot of money in Nesta and/or another defender. Hey, I´m really glad to know that people here in CC.net likes football / soccer that much. I hope we continue to have this kind of conversations about the Champions League and the World Cup in the future.
