NY Gooners 2003 3_2

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1 Volume 3, Issue 2 2003 Community Shield Special 10 th August, 2003 NEXT MATCHES Community Shield ARSENAL v Man. United TV TV 9am, Sun Aug 9 th , 2003 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff ARSENAL v Everton TV TV 10am, Sat Aug 16 th , 2003 Highbury, London Middlesbrough v ARSENAL TV TV 11.05am, Sun Aug 24 th , 2003 Riverside, Middlesbrough www.nygooners.com News in Brief Lehmann gets the Number 1 Jersey! Arsenal FC announced the squad numbers for the 2003/4 season last week revealing that new shot-stopper, Jens Lehmann, has been given the Number One jersey – so recently worn by departed – but not forgotten – David Seaman. The Number 6 jersey is still unassigned, presumably awaiting a suitable heir to Tony’s legacy, while the Number 20 shirt has been handed to Swiss wonder-kid Philippe Senderos. Newcomer Gael Clichy will be wearing the number 22 while he waits for his debut in the Arsenal First squad. Arsenal v Everton televised on tape delay! There was good news last week when FOX Sports announced that both the home and away openers of the season are to be televised. We’ll get the Everton game on tape-delay at 12pm on Aug 16 th and live coverage of the ‘Boro match at Riverside at 11am on Aug 24 th . Glasgow Rangers (0) 0 – 3 (1) ARSENAL August 5 th , 2003 (Ibrox, Glasgow) Tuesday at Ibrox brought a much more impressive performance from the Gunners, with goals from Edu, Lauren and Sol Campbell (…far post!) ending the preseason on a high note! [See the full match report on page 10] KSK Beveren (0) 2 – 2 (0) ARSENAL XI August 3 rd , 2003 (Beveren, Belgium) The youngsters got a run out at Beveren last week but could only manage a draw despite being two goals up with five minutes to go... [See the full match report on page 7] Arsenal signs Gael Clichy from Cannes! After a successful trial this off- season, Arsenal has signed 18-year- old Gael Clichy from AS Cannes. Clichy is expected to be a backup for Ashley Cole at left-back. W W e e l l c c o o m m e e b b a a c c k k P P a a d d d d y y ! !

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Volume 3, Issue 2 2003 Community Shield Special 10th August, 2003

Transcript of NY Gooners 2003 3_2

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Volume 3, Issue 2 2003 Community Shield Special 10th August, 2003

NEXT MATCHES

Community Shield

ARSENAL v Man. United TVTV

9am, Sun Aug 9th, 2003

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

ARSENAL v Everton TVTV

10am, Sat Aug 16th, 2003

Highbury, London

Middlesbrough v ARSENAL TVTV

11.05am, Sun Aug 24th, 2003

Riverside, Middlesbrough

wwwwwwwwwwww....nnnnyyyyggggoooooooonnnneeeerrrrssss....ccccoooommmm

News in Brief Lehmann gets the Number 1 Jersey!

Arsenal FC announced the squad numbers for the 2003/4

season last week revealing that new shot-stopper, Jens

Lehmann, has been given the Number One jersey – so

recently worn by departed – but not forgotten – David

Seaman. The Number 6 jersey is still unassigned,

presumably awaiting a suitable heir to Tony’s legacy, while

the Number 20 shirt has been handed to Swiss wonder-kid

Philippe Senderos. Newcomer Gael Clichy will be wearing

the number 22 while he waits for his debut in the Arsenal

First squad.

Arsenal v Everton televised on tape delay! There was good news last week when FOX Sports

announced that both the home and away openers of the

season are to be televised. We’ll get the Everton game on

tape-delay at 12pm on Aug 16th and live coverage of the

‘Boro match at Riverside at 11am on Aug 24th.

Glasgow Rangers (0) 0 – 3 (1) ARSENAL

August 5th, 2003 (Ibrox, Glasgow) Tuesday at Ibrox brought a much more impressive

performance from the Gunners, with goals from Edu,

Lauren and Sol Campbell (…far post!) ending the

preseason on a high note! [See the full match report on

page 10]

KSK Beveren (0) 2 – 2 (0) ARSENAL XI

August 3rd, 2003 (Beveren, Belgium)

The youngsters got a run out at Beveren last week but

could only manage a draw despite being two goals up with

five minutes to go... [See the full match report on page 7]

Arsenal signs Gael Clichy from Cannes!

After a successful trial this off-

season, Arsenal has signed 18-year-

old Gael Clichy from AS Cannes.

Clichy is expected to be a backup for

Ashley Cole at left-back.

WWWWeeeellllccccoooommmmeeee bbbbaaaacccckkkk PPPPaaaaddddddddyyyy!!!!

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EDITORIAL Well now, just one week until the start of the season and just tens of hours until the kick-off of this year’s Community Shield between the team that did win the League and the team that should have won the League. I expect a tough battle with the Mancs, but if you examine the head-to-head record between us in this competition (shown on page 6] should leave us confident, as should our general record in the old Charity Shield. I’m also expecting the Gunners to out fight the Mancs – they all know what they should have done last year and I really do believe that they’re going to be well up for it this time around.

Of course, it is irrelevant how committed the players are if we lack the talent or depth in the squad. We actually look in pretty good shape. The loss of England’s Number One, David Seaman, at the end of last season could be a major loss, his record as a shot-stopper is exemplary; most current Premiership keepers commit more mistakes in a single season than Seaman made in his entire career. However, in Jens Lehmann we do have a respected international keeper – it just remains to be seen whether he can keep his temper under control. With Roy Keane playing on Sunday, I think we’ll get an early answer to that question.

Although we spent little during the off season we did get Philippe Senderos for the first time and he’s looking good enough to play and we picked up Gael Clichy from AS Cannes at a bargain price (£250,000) who, together with Ryan Garry looks to give us cover at left-back.

With the resigning of Henry and Bergkamp we have options going forward, enhanced by the talents of Kanu, Wiltord, Aliadiere and Jeffers. In midfield we’re obviously all awaiting the result of the Vieira and Pires contract negotiations, but with the good news from Nike and the toning down of reports in the press (that reached fever pitch over the summer) it’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll get them both to commit to a Red & White future.

At the back we have some issues still. Campbell, Cole and Lauren are guaranteed places but depth is lacking. We still have options though, despite Volz and Svard’s recent loans, they can be recalled quickly and they will match fit – something that’s not certain when playing in the reserves. All in all, the team’s in good shape!

See you at the Bar! - Grahame.

FEATURES THIS WEEK…FEATURES THIS WEEK…

Focus On: Jermaine Pennant 4

Match Report: Celtic v Arsenal 5

Manchester United: Head-to-Head 6

Fancy some fantasy football? 6

Match Report: Beveren v Arsenal 7

A quick look at KSK Beveren 7

Gooners of NY: Sam Roberts 8

Match Report: Rangers v Arsenal 10

REGULAR COLUMNS…REGULAR COLUMNS…

Premier League Table 3

Nevada Smiths Football Schedule 3

FA Watch 9

Caption Competition 9

Injury Report 11

We Saw You At The Bar! 12

Player Songs of The Arsenal 13

Can You Hear The Arsenal Sing? 14

Nevada Smiths owner, and top-notch Gooner, Tom McCarthy before leaving for his home in

Ireland. Tom donated the Arsenal 01/02 Double-winning team picture that hangs up

above the bar!

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NOW SHOWING AT NEVADA SMITHS

Sunday August 10 th, 2003

COMMUNITY SHIELD

ARSENAL v Manchester United – 9AM (Live)

Saturday August 16th, 2003

PREMIER LEAGUE 2003/4 SEASON KICK-OFF

Portsmouth v Aston Villa – 7:30 AM (Live)

Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers – 10AM (Live)

ARSENAL v Everton – 12PM (Tape Delay)

Sunday August 17th, 2003

Leeds v Newcastle – 9AM (Live)

Liverpool v Chelsea – 11AM (Live)

Tuesday August 19th, 2003

FRIENDLY; England v Croatia – 3PM (Live)

Saturday August 23rd, 2003

Newcastle United v Manchester United – 7AM (Live)

TBA – 10AM (Live)

Sunday August 24th, 2003

Aston Villa v Liverpool – 9AM (Live)

Middlesbrough v ARSENAL – 11AM (Live)

Wednesday August 27th, 2003

Manchester United v Wolves – 3PM (Live)

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?

We here at New York Gooners are looking for willing souls

who would like to contribute to the success of the fanzine

(with articles, jokes and personal stories) and the

Supporters Club…

Anyone who’d like to help out can either contact us at

Nevada Smiths on game days or send an e-mail to

[email protected].

Any help you can provide would be appreciated!

We’re also happy to receive your letters and feedback,

which can be sent to

[email protected].

Barclaycard Premier League, 10th Aug 2003 P W D L GD Pts Arsenal 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aston Villa 0 0 0 0 0 0 Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blackburn 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bolton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Charlton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chelsea 0 0 0 0 0 0 Everton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fulham 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leeds 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leicester 0 0 0 0 0 0 Liverpool 0 0 0 0 0 0 Man City 0 0 0 0 0 0 Man United 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middlesbrough 0 0 0 0 0 0 Newcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0 Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southampton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tottenham 0 0 0 0 0 0 WBA 0 0 0 0 0 0

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FOCUS ON: Jermaine Pennant The first Focus On article of the new season looks at The Gunners’ talented young forward Jermaine Pennant. With an extended run in the first team looking likely this season (assuming he doesn’t run off to Leeds), Pennant’s performances in the pre-season should leave Gooners happy that we have cover in the midfield and up front should we be again ravaged by injuries. Born in Nottingham on January 15th, 1983, the

PENNANT’S 2002/3 SEASON STATISTICS

Competition Team Apps

English Premier League ARSENAL 1 (4) 3 0 0 Worthington Cup ARSENAL 1 0 0 0 Champions League ARSENAL 0 (1) 0 0 0 Nationwide Division One Watford 11 0 0 0 FA Cup Watford 2 1 0 0 15 (5) 4 0 0

21-year-old’s career began back in 1999 when, aged just fifteen, he played two first team games for Notts County before Arsène Wenger poached him for £2 million. Pennant made his Arsenal debut against Middlesbrough during our 3-1 penalty-kick loss in the 4th Round of the Worthington Cup in 1999 and became the youngest player ever (at the age of 16 years and 319 days old – breaking Gerry Ward’s 1953 record by a day) for Arsenal. Though he spent much of his early days at Arsenal in the Reserve Team or on loan at Watford, he did make two substitute appearances in the Champions League – his first for the last 10 minutes of the October 2001 3-1 loss against Schalke 04, his second a late run out for Wiltord in the February 2002 4-1 demolition of the eventual finalists Bayer Leverkusen at Highbury. He got his first Premiership start against West Ham last year and was in the starting line-up for our late season Premier League fixture against Southampton last year. His performance in that game was very impressive and he scored three first-half goals in our 6-1 mauling of the Saints. Pennant’s performances for England have resulted in him being capped at the Under-15, -16, -20 and –21 levels and, so long as he can maintain his discipline, it will be only a matter of time before he follows Ashley Cole into the Senior squad.

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Match Report: Glasgow Celtic 1 (0) Arsenal 1 (0)

August 2nd, 2003 (Celtic Park, Glasgow) This was the first time that most of us in the US have got a chance to see our Gunners in action since the FA Cup final against Southampton and a chance to gather with a load of Gooners in Nevada Smiths after putting up with the recent Manc invasion was too good to miss for some. Just over 40 Gooners showed up for this 10am Saturday morning game and we were joined by a smattering of Bhoys – all of us hoping for a good game.

Ray Parlour started the game as Captain and his first half energy was incomparable… every time a Celtic player got the ball you seemed to see a horizontal Pizza Boy hurling across the screen. I was fairly surprised he managed to last the entire game without getting sent off though, but you can’t fault his energy or commitment. Both Arsenal and Celtic started in their new away kits – obviously putting them on show to increase sales – and I have to say that I do like ours… the retro-70s look is good and respects the traditions of the club. It’s nice to see this after the fiascos with the crest and the Pepsi-can shirt.

The first half was a quiet affair with Celtic having the edge in attacking play. Their defence was also a lot better than it had been when they played the Mancs in Seattle, which was a bit of a shame. New signing Jens Lehmann was in goal and appeared confident and relaxed and seemed to already have developed a good relationship with the defence. In the 8th minute we had a worrying moment when Shaun Maloney broke through the defence to get a decent shot off but Lehmann was up to the task and blocked it with his legs. Another good stop in the 31st minute after Petrov fired one on target left many of us more relaxed with him between the posts.

Arsenal did have a couple of chances in the first half but, despite some fine runs from young Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere and an only-just wide shot from Englishman Francis Jeffers, neither team could break the tie.

The second half saw The Boss bringing on Edu, Gio (which brought the predictable Parkhead reaction) and Kanu while Martin O’Neill opted for Didier Agathe, Varga and Petta. O’Neill’s substitutions seemed to have the greater effect though and Celtic took the lead in the 57th minute when a move started by Lennon saw Liam Miller fire the ball past a diving Lehmann.

Before the restart, Wenger made his most important substitution – and the moment many of the gathered Gooners had been waiting for – when he withdraw Freddie and brought on our Captain, Patrick Vieira. Missed since his knee injury was aggravated against the Mancs last April, he immediately started bossing the midfield in the way we all know and love.

Kanu was also impressive in this game demonstrating some excellent ball skills; one move – an overhead kick past an opponent – was unlucky to be called offside. In the 71st minute, he was to be our saviour, gaining the equalizer when his rebounded pass fell into his path where he could slot it past Celtic’s keeper, Magnus Hedman.

Celtic: Hedman (Marshall 75); Crainey (Valgaeren 63), Balde (Laursen 63), Mjallby (Varga 46); McNamara (Agathe 46), Sylla, Lennon, Petrov (Lambert 63), Smith (Petta 46); Miller (Beattie 74), Maloney (Wallace 74). Subs: Douglas, Prunty, Kennedy. Arsenal: Lehmann; Toure (Cygan 57), Silva (van Bronckhorst 46), Campbell, Cole (Clichy 78); Lauren, Parlour, Pennant, Ljungberg (Vieira 56); Jeffers, Aliadiere (Kanu 46). Subs: Taylor, Senderos, Edu. Referee: D McDonald.

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Manchester United: Head-to-Head Arsenal and Manchester United have met 187 times since their first competitive match in the old Division Two back in the 1894/95-season. The 3-3 result in October 1894 set the tone for contests between these two long-serving teams with honours being almost shared – Arsenal with 73 wins, Manchester United with 75 and 39 draws.

Arsenal

Wins

Draws Manchester

Utd. Wins

Premier League

7 6 9

Football League

56 31 59

FA Cup 5 1 4

League Cup

2 0 3

Community Shield

3 1 0

Total 73 39 75

Arsenal’s record against Manchester United in the Community (nee Charity) Shield is excellent with 3 wins and a lone draw. Since their first meeting in this competition on October 6th, 1948 when Arsenal beat the Mancs 4-3, United have struggled against the Gunners at every meeting.

10-6-1948 Arsenal 4-3 Manchester United

The next meeting would have to wait until 1993 when the Mancs stole the Shield on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw:

8-7-1993 Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Hughes Wright

After we won the 97/98 Double, we’d face them again while still on a high and the result was almost a foregone conclusion:

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ttthhheee NNNYYY GGGoooooonnneeerrrsss DDDiiivvviiisssiiiooonnn!!!!!!!!!

8-9-1998 Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United

Overmars, 33

Wreh, 56

Anelka, 71

Our last meeting in the old Charity Shield was in 1999, after we’d gifted the Mancs with their Treble. We were the stronger team again and came away with a justifiable victory after goals from Kanu and Parlour cancelled out their Beckham opener:

8-1-1999 Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

Kanu, 67 Beckham, 36

Parlour, 77

Here’s hoping that we can keep the record going on Sunday as we look for our first silverware of the new season.

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Match Report: KSK Beveren 2 (2) Arsenal XI 2 (2)

August 3rd, 2003 (Beveren, Belgium) Given that this game was played in Belgium, just one day after the Old Firm clash against the Bhoys, you can understand with the youngsters got another run-about. Stuart Taylor, Jeremie Aliadiere, and Igors Stepanovs were the only players with substantive first team experience but our American readers will no doubt be pleased to hear that Frankie Simek got a late run out when he replaced Moritz Volz at the back. Swiss youngster Philippe Senderos was able to manage almost an hour of play while new signing Gael Clichy played the full 90 minutes.

In the same match last year, Beveren held The Gunners to a 1-1 draw and as half time drew near it seemed like this year’s fixture would end the same way. Beveren played better in the first half but they were unable to capitalize on their advantage although the referee’s decision not to award a penalty when Kaïper was brought down in the box certainly helped the young Gunners.

After the game restarted for the second half, Arsenal took advantage of a mistake by Beveren’s replacement keeper, Philippe Deckers who, instead of intercepting a Hoyte cross, diverted it instead into the path of Nicky Nicolau – who gratefully kicked it into the net. Twenty minutes later another fine bit of counter-attacking play from the youngsters had Sebastian Larsson with only the keeper to beat; he missed but the rebound fell to Quincy Awusu Abeyie, who made no mistake for Arsenal’s second.

The Arsenal XI held this two-goal advantage until the 85th minute when Kaïper got revenge for the disallowed penalty when he headed home a fine cross from Yapi Yabo, the Beveren captain. With just two minutes remaining the score was tied by Yapi Yabo who fired the ball into the Arsenal net from close range.

A Quick Look at KSK Beveren Just west of Antwerp lies the sleepy town of Beveren, home to a football club, Sportkring Beveren that has a special relationship with our own Arsenal FC. KSK Beveren was founded in 1935 but it took until 1978 before they won their first Belgian Cup. The next year saw them win the National Championship in Belgium and reach the semi-finals of the European Cup-Winners Cup after beating Inter Milan in the quarters. Unfortunately FC Barcelona eliminated them and they went on to lose in the Belgian Cup final in 1980.

They came back into their own in 1983 when they did the Flemish Cup/Belgian Cup double and they followed this up with a National Championship and the Belgian Supercup in 1984. The next year saw them lose again in the Belgian Cup, since when they have been unfortunately twice relegated – yet, they have always fought themselves back into the top flight after just one year. Last year saw them relegated again and it remains to be seen whether they can repeat their previous accomplishment, although the deal done to bring in former French International Jean-Marc Guillou as owner has laid the foundations for a successful future.

Guillou, friend of, and part owner of the Player Academy in the Ivory Coast with, Arsène Wenger asked Arsenal FC whether they could help save the club and Arsenal agreed. A deal was made between the two clubs last year that financially helped the Belgian club escape its debts and Arsenal gained an established club to which it could send its promising youngsters to gain further experience. In addition, Arsenal gained access to those Academy players that Beveren is willing to sell. Already, Kolo Toure’s brother, Yaya, a Beveren regular, has attracted The Boss’s attention and he was trialed by Arsenal in the off-season.

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GOONERS OF NEW YORK #2: SAM ROBERTS This week we are talking to Sam Roberts who is a member of that growing band of Americans who support the Beautiful Game. Sam grew up in the nation’s capital – Washington DC for those who failed Geography at school – but has been in NYC for two years now, working as an architect at CR Studio. He also is a graphic designer on the side and I personally can attest to the quality of the work he produces. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING THE ARSENAL?

Arsenal. My first live match was Arsenal v Southampton in 1993. I saw Ian Wright play for them and immediately knew that they were my team. WHO’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE TEAM AND WHY? Spurs, for the obvious reasons and PSV Eindhoven. I just dislike PSV – when I was first watching football on television, back in the days of the Cup Winner’s Cup, they were always around and I never liked watching them play. WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVE FOOTBALLER? Thierry Henry. He’s electric – magic on the pitch. I can’t think of anyone else who compares to him. WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIME? Ian Wright – hands down! No doubt at all, he’s the best player I’ve seen with Eric Cantona a close second… WHAT’S THE BEST GROUND YOU’VE EVER VISITED? I’ve never seen a game live in Europe. I did visit Highbury last year. It was the first real football ground I’ve seen and I don’t think American football grounds come close.

…AND THE WORST?

Not really a ground, but when I was 18 or 19 I was down in Florida playing in a tournament. We were playing on a Bermuda grass pitch, 100 yards from the sea. It was supposed to be good to play on, but it’s not, and the supporters watching us play kept being hit from the spray from the waves. WHAT WAS THE LAST LIVE GAME YOU SAW? That would be Real Madrid v AS Roma last preseason at Giants Stadium. Watching Zidane was amazing and Roberto Carlos kept the ball off the ground for ages in the second half – all while moving about 40 yards across the pitch! WHERE DO YOU WATCH FOOTBALL GAMES AND WHY? At Nevada’s, or at home. HOW DO YOU THINK THE ARSENAL WILL DO NEXT SEASON? I hope they’ll win the Premiership. We should get the FA Cup again, but I could very easily give up both for the Champions League title! WHEN DO YOU THINK THE USA WILL MAKE IT THROUGH TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL? Two tournaments from now… in 2010! The 20-year-old stars will be in their prime by then and may have been playing in Europe for up to five years…

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FA Watch CCaappttiioonn CCoommppeettiittiioonn

WWIINN AA SSCCAARRFF!!!!!! Don’t forget to get your entries to us before the end of the month.

You can either send your suggestions to [email protected], go to the Caption Competition page on the NY Gooners website (www.nygooners.com), or just tell them to us in the bar.

Closing date for this competition is September 1st.

The person submitting the best quote by that date will win an Arsenal scarf (donated by Grahame).

“No Chance!”

The FA and English Premier League issued a curt “No chance!” when asked about the possibility of the Old Firm moving south of the border last week. Apparently fed up with answering the same question again-and-again, despite their unwavering position that it would be bad for the game in Scotland and unfair on English teams that have been competing within the English League’s pyramid structure, both organizations seem determined to end the discussion once-and-for-all.

Let the Scum have it!

On Friday, the FA announced that they would be open to offers from Arsenal or The Scum if either club were interested in basing themselves at the “New” Wembley Stadium. Given that allowing such an occupancy would mean that the FA would lose £120 million of charity money, it seems likely that moving would cost at least that much. Personally I remember the last time we played at Wembley and I think a losing record would be better if it was held by The Scum than if it was held by us.

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson told David Beckham that he was thinking about playing him in the next international friendly but may pull him off at half time. "Fantastic," said David, “I usually only get an orange!” Q) What do Sunderland and George Michael have in common? A) They are always scoring in the wrong end.

Yep, the team is Deportivo Wanka from Peru!!!

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Match Report: Glasgow Rangers 0 (0) Arsenal 3 (1) August 5th, 2003 (Ibrox, Glasgow) The Gunners put in good performance on Tuesday at Ibrox against a woeful Rangers defence as they wrapped up their preseason friendlies ahead of Sunday’s FA Community Shield match-up against Manchester United. About 10 Gooners showed up for this mid-week friendly, many people probably being put off by the $10 cover imposed by Setanta Sport on the door – a charge that they were still imposing after half-time (which seems a bit ridiculous to me…) With so few people, there was little singing anyway so, other than missing a quite reasonable Arsenal performance, those who stayed away didn’t really miss much. Arsenal’s starting line-up was close to what we’d expect for the start of the season with the only noticeable absences being Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, who’d be expected to start ahead of Jeffers and Parlour. Kolo Toure seems to be settling in at the back – especially when left in the centre rather than replacing Ashley Cole at left-back and Lehmann seems to be settling in nicely between the posts. Rangers starting line-up saw the return of Michael Arteta, whose move to Athletico Madrid is on hold at the moment, and he would be the biggest threat as Rangers looked better for the first half-hour. His first shot on goal in the eighth minute hit the far post after the ball had beaten Lehmann from a free-kick. He had another chance ten minutes later and it was only a good save by the German International that stopped Rangers from taking a dangerous home lead. Despite being outplayed for the first 30 minutes, Arsenal had not conceded a goal and, when Edu scored after a lucky deflection from teammate Ljungberg in the 31st minute, the momentum turned back in our favour and the lads started playing as well as we know they can. Within a couple of minutes both Jeffers and Lauren had had good shots on target that tested Klos’ abilities - the Rangers keeper looking happy to enter the dressing room at the half after conceding just a single goal.

Arsenal quickly extended their lead two minutes into the second half when sloppy defending led to a penalty for the Gunners after Vieira was brought-down in the box by Bob Malcolm. There was much amusement among the Gooners when Lauren stepped up to take it and, as against Spurs last year, he just dribbled it down the centre beating the keeper completely. 2-0 to The Arsenal and Rangers were looking defeated already. With 15 minutes left, Bergkamp sent over a fine free-kick and Sol was waiting at the far post to head it past a helpless Klos and the match was

effectively over as a competitive performance. Lauren had one more chance to score from the spot after Craig Moore brought down Ljungberg but Stefan Klos – who would not be fooled a second time, easily saved his predictable dribble down the centre. To be fair to Rangers, many of their players were coming back from injury, but they will have to perform better defensively if they hope to retain any of the three titles they won last year, let alone advance far in the Champions League… Rangers: Klos, Ross (Muscat 81), Moore, Malcolm, Ball, Ferguson (Burke 62), Arteta (Hughes 46), Nerlinger, de Boer (Smith 81), Thompson, Lovenkrands (Mols 46). Subs: McGregor Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren (Clichy 79), Campbell (Cygan 62), Toure, Cole, Ljungberg (Halls 79), Vieira (Pennant 62), Parlour (van Bronckhorst 46), Edu, Jeffers (Kanu 62), Bergkamp (Aliadiere 79). Subs: Taylor Referee: K Clarke (Scotland)

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Injury Ì Report Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira appears to be fully recovered from his knee injury with The Boss announcing that he would start on Sunday.

Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires

All the French Confederation’s Cup contestants have been undergoing intensive training over the last week and a half. It is not certain whether they will start in the Community Shield, but they should be found on the bench.

Philippe Senderos

Swiss wonder-kid Philippe Senderos has recovered from a calf injury and is available for Sunday’s game.

Martin Keown

It is expected that Martin Keown will be rested for a few more days after picking up a groin injury. It is not expected that he will be named in the squad.

Gilberto Silva

Gilberto picked up a groin injury in the Celtic game and missed the Rangers game. He has been in training though and is expected to be ready for Sunday’s game.

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In the next Issue:

Ø Match reports from the Community Shield and our season opener against Everton

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Ø Focus on: The series of player profiles continues with new shot-stopper, Jens Lehmann

Available on August 16th at Nevada Smiths. Come join us for the start of Arsenal’s English Premier League season!!!

A father and son were eating breakfast. The father’s newspaper had the headline "Van Gogh sold for £25 million". The son asked, “Is he worth it dad?” The father, surprised at his son's interest in fine art, replied, "I suppose so, son. Why do you ask?" The son said "Well, United paid more than that for Veron, and he was crap!” Which ONE of the following DID Roy Keane manage to hit last season? Back of the Net ___ Decent Cross ___ Barn Door ___ Opponent ___

QUESTION: How many Manchester United fans does it take to change a light bulb? ANSWER 1: Three. One to change the bulb, one to buy the "1997 light bulb changing" commemorative T-shirt and video, and one to drive the other two back to Torquay. ANSWER 2: Who cares, so long as it comes out in 4 different versions (£49.99 each), and changes twice every season?

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We saw you at the bar… for the Old Firm games! Here are some pictures taken during the Old Firm friendlies during the past week...

And finally, some of the NY Gooners letting everyone know what the think of the Mancs!!!

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Player Songs of The Arsenal

Vieira Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh,

Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh,

He comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal,

Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh

Henry Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry,

Went down the lane, the other night,

To tell the scum we’ve got the new Ian Wright,

They said to me, how can that be,

I said to them Thierry Henry

Denis! There’s only one Denis Bergkamp, there’s only one Denis Bergkamp,

Walking along, singing a song,

Walking in a Bergkamp wonderland…

We’ve got Denis Bergkamp; we’ve got Denis Bergkamp, na-na-na-naah, na-na-na-naah

Freddie! We love you Freddie because you've got red hair,

We love you Freddie because you’re everywhere,

We love you Freddie,

Cause you're Arsenal through and through!

("You're just too good to be true")

Wiltord Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

And he plays for Arsenal

Parlour Ooh-aah, Ray Parlour (repeat)

Keown

Kee-own!

There's only one Keown,

There's only one Keown,

There's only one Keown. Kanu Chim-chimmney, chim-chimmney,

Chim-chim-charoo

Who needs Anelka, when we’ve got Kanu?

Sol Double Double

Sol Campbell has won the double

And those c**ts from the lane

Have won f**k all again

And Sol Campbell has won the double

Heeeeey hey Tott’numb

You... Scum…

I wanna know…

Where your captains gone?

Ashley Ashley Cole, COLE

Always believe in your soul,

You've got the power to know,

You're indestructible,

Always believe in....

(“Gold”, Spandau Ballet)

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Can You Hear The Arsenal Sing?

Good Old Arsenal Good Old Arsenal,

We’re proud to say that name,

While we sing this song,

We’ll win the game

(“Rule Britannia”)

Ooh! Ooh, ooh, ooh to be, Ooh to be a, Gooner!

You are my Arsenal You are my Arsenal, my only Arsenal,

You make me happy, when skies are gray,

You’ll never know just, how much I love you,

So please don’t take my Arsenal, away

(“You are my Sunshine”)

Super Arsenal And it’s Ar-sen-al, Ar-sen-al FC,

We’re by far, the greatest team, the world has ever seen

(“The Wild Rover”)

Who’s the team? Who’s the team we call the Arsenal,

Who’s the team we all adore,

They’re the Boys in Red and White,

And they fight with all their might,

And they just show us how to score

(“Ally’s Army”)

Red and White Army (chant) Arsène Wenger’s Red and White Army!

We hate Tott’numb!

Arsène Wenger’s Red and White Army

We hate Tott’numb!

We won the League… We won the League, in Manchester,

We won the League in Manchester.

We won the League, at Old Trafford,

We won the League in Manchester.

(Still worth singing at the Mancs!)

Gooner ‘til I die! I'm a Gooner ‘til I die! I'm a Gooner ‘til I die!,

I know I am,

I'm sure I am,

I'm a Gooner ‘til I die!

Paddy’s Song…

By Jesus said Paddy, I sing it so well,

I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again,

So Paddy got up and he sang it again,

Over and over and over again...........

One Team!

One team in London,

There's only one team in London,

One team in London,

There's only one team in London

One-nil to The Arsenal One-nil to The Arsenal,

One-nil to The Arsenal (repeat)

HOW TO CONTACT US! If you are interested in joining the NY Gooners, send an e-mail to [email protected] or talk to us at Nevada Smiths on match days.

We’re looking for both new members and anyone who’d like to contribute to the newsletter, website or to help organize the Supporter’s Club