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[Giggs]

Ronaldinho joins Brazilian club Flamengo



Brazilian forward Ronaldinho has joined Rio de Janeiro-based club Flamengo - ending any hope Blackburn had of signing the playmaker from AC Milan.
The 30-year-old, who joined Milan from Barcelona in 2008, had also been linked to Brazilian teams Gremio and Palmeiras but has signed a deal until 2014.

[reality]

Fifa's Best Goal of 2010

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld5zqTsJxhg&feature=related]YouTube - [HD1080p] FIFA Puskas Award: Official Best Goal of the Year 2010 (Hamit Altintop)[/ame]

[Giggs]

Fifa's Best Goal of 2010

YouTube - [HD1080p] FIFA Puskas Award: Official Best Goal of the Year 2010 (Hamit Altintop)

Thanks reality

[asish]

2026 FIFA WC indial aanennu sep blater paranjathayi deepikayil kandu...

pinne messiku awardu kittiyathine pati vimarsanam kandu >> messi, oanoru pavalle oanathu kitteeennu vicharichu oru ahankarom kanikkathonalle.. oanathu kondoyikotte..

[mampilly]

Arsenal 2000-2010: Invincibles, Youth Revolution and the Team Of The Decade


By Peter Missouri
(Contributor) on January 14, 2011


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Phil Cole/Getty Images
Arsenal started the decade in a fantastic position to consistently challenge for domestic and European success. Having already won The Double with Arsenal in his first full season as Manager in the 1997/98 season, Arsene Wenger had by the 2001/02 season assembled a squad that was ready to end Manchester United’s reign as Premier League’s dominant team.
2000-2005: The “Invincibles” and Beautiful Football
Due to the presence of the “famous four” (Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon), Arsenal was already a great team defensively before Wenger arrived at Highbury so the Frenchman focused his initial squad investments on midfielders and forwards that could complement the masterful playmaker Dennis Bergkamp.
The “famous four” were aging, however, and between 1999 and 2001 they were gradually replaced: long-time backup Martin Keown confidently stepped in to take over for Bould; Ashley Cole became the first Arsenal academy player to successfully capture a first eleven position under Wenger when he became the full-time left fullback in December of 2000; Lauren deputized for Dixon in his first Arsenal season (2000/01) before fully taking over the right fullback position prior to the 2001/02 season; and Sol Campbell was signed on a free transfer from archenemy Tottenham in the summer of 2001 to replace “Mr. Arsenal” Tony Adams. Dixon and Adams did not retire until the summer of 2002, but their playing time was limited in the 2001/02 season as Dixon was no longer good enough while “Mr. Arsenal” struggled with injuries.
The new back-four was not as stellar as the legendary “famous four”, but combined with the most complete midfield and forward line in the Premier League in Patrick Vieira, Fredrik Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Ray Parlour, Nwankwu Kanu, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal famously secured the Premiership title with a one-nil victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford to complete a domestic double in the 2001/02 season after having beaten Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup Final four days earlier.
The Gunners became the first team to go an entire Premiership season without losing an away match, the second team to win “The Double” on three different occasions (Manchester United being the other) as well as the first to score in all 38 matches.
Ahead of the 2002/03 season, Wenger continued to slowly build his perfect team by signing Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva as well as Ligue 1 defender of the year Pascal Cygan. Young Ivorian Kolo Toure, who had been signed in February of 2002, also joined the first team squad.
Arsenal continued their dominant form from the previous season as they set a new top-flight record for most consecutive wins with 14, scored in 47 straight matches, beat Nottingham Forest’s top-flight record of 22 away league fixtures without defeat as well as set a new Premiership record for most unbeaten matches in a row with 30.
Despite playing scintillating attacking football and leading the Premiership most of the season, the Gunners squandered away important points against the physical football of Everton, Blackburn and Bolton. Poor defending combined with critical goalkeeper errors resulted in a very disappointing second place, five points behind champions Manchester United.
In addition, the Gunners reached the quarterfinals in the Champions League, their best result under Wenger, before frustratingly crashing out to Valencia on away goals. Arsenal did win a title though after a Robert Pires goal secured a one-nil victory over Southampton and a ninth FA Cup.
German veteran Jens Lehmann was signed before the 2003/04 season to replace the legendary David Seaman who was a few years past his prime as Arsenal looked to avenge the disillusioning end of the previous season.
Once again, the Gunners didn’t make it past the quarterfinals stage as London rivals Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate. Wenger’s men were also knocked out in the semifinals in both the Carling- and FA cup. However, Arsenal continued to play magical football and became the first team since the 1888/89 Preston North End to go an entire top-flight season undefeated and clinched their third Premier League title.
Despite winning the FA Cup and finishing second in the Premiership behind first time winners Chelsea, the end of the 2004/05 season signaled the beginning of the downfall of Arsenal’s dominance in English football as well as their fantastic brand of football.
The team started the season brilliantly and extended their consecutive unbeaten streak to 49 matches to set a new League record, but the Gunners lost their impeccable form and energy that had lasted for more than three seasons after losing 2-0 at Old Trafford to Manchester United to end their unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
Their performance in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United emphasized the difference in form from the previous season: after Bergkamp was substituted in the 68th-minute, and without an injured Henry, Arsenal for the first time under Wenger tried to defend themselves to victory. The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of football and the Gunners won 5-4 on penalties after converting all five of their tries.

2005-2010: The Emirates, Youth Revolution, Title Drought and Different Kind of Success
In the summer of 2005 Wenger continued to renew the squad, which he began the previous summer by releasing Parlour, Keown, Wiltord and Kanu and signing Jose Antonio Reyes, Mathieu Flamini and Robin van Persie, by selling Captain Vieira to Juventus while bringing in Vassiriki Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Adebayor and Aleksander Hleb.
Consequently, with 17-year-old youth player Cesc Fabregas replacing Vieira as well as Hleb, and both van Persie and Adebayor being preferred ahead of Pires and Bergkamp respectively in the starting lineup, Arsenal’s style of football changed drastically as the fast-paced counter-attacking football associated with Wenger since 1997 was replaced by a possession-oriented approach that attempted to slowly carve out goals through a plethora of passes.
Despite these changes, the Gunners started the season playing good football and were still considered contenders for the Premiership title. Nevertheless, the season ended with a disappointing fourth place in the Premier League as well as losses in the forth round of the FA Cup and semifinals in the Carling Cup.
Nonetheless, since this style befits the Champions League more, Arsenal reached their first Final in which they lost to Spanish side Barcelona. The Gunners cruised through the group stage playing attacking football, but changed their approach for the knockout stages as Wenger resorted to the same defensive tactics utilized against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup Final.
The 2005/06 season also was Arsenal’s last season at the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury before completing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Bergkamp retired in the summer of 2006, Ashley Cole forced a transfer to Chelsea, Pires and Campbell were released on a free transfer, while Lauren had been allowed to leave for free in January as Wenger continued to revamp his squad by adding players from Arsenal’s youth academy.
Wenger’s youth revolution continued for the remainder of the decade, with the occasional signing of a big name, as he sought success in different ways as well as another arena. First, the Frenchman has stated on numerous occasions that he wants to prove that a team can win titles by developing young players into stars. Second, he has been prudent with his transfer funds because he is focused on steadily reducing the club's debt.
Arsenal has not won a title since 2005 so the youth policy has been futile in regards to championships so far, but Wenger has been universally lauded for his development of young players, such as Fabregas, Flamini and Samir Nasri, and influenced other big teams in England to develop their own youth academies. Moreover, combined with reckless spending by some European clubs, Wenger's economical transfer policy has incited a debate across Europe on financial fair play, youth development and homegrown players.

Next is my team choice for team of the decade. Start the slideshow to see if any of today's fan favorites made the cut.
Summary of titles:
Premier League: 2001-02, 2003-04
FA Cup: 2002, 2003, 2005
FA Community Shield: 2002, 2004


Goalkeeper: Jens Lehmann (2003-200



Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Despite his (at times) immature antics, the charismatic veteran was by far Arsenal's best goalkeeper in the past decade. Lehmann was generally safe with both his hands and legs and commanded the defense well. The German was also reliable between the posts in the Premier League during the Invincible season.


Right Fullback: Lauren (2000-2007)



Clive Rose/Getty Images
The Cameroonian with the eyes of steel came to the club in the summer of 2000 and spent six glorious years with the club as an indispensable part of the defense. Due to his background as a midfielder, Lauren was a decent contributor to Arsenal's attacks with well-planned backdoor runs and good crosses, but it was his tactical knowledge defensively and his precise tackling that stood out.


Center Back: Sol Campbell (2001-2006; January-June 2010)



Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Became a Judas when he left boyhood club Tottenham to sign on a free transfer for Arsenal in the summer of 2001.
Sol Campbell was an outstanding centre back for the club, with the occasional frustrating bad pass and/or terrible judgement, and was an integral part of every title-winning team the last decade (although he didn't get a winners-medal for the 2003 FA Cup due to suspension. Clumsy with the ball at times, but fantastic tactical knowledge and, along with Tony Adams, taught Kolo Toure how to be a centre back.


Central Defender: Kolo Toure (2002-2009)



Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
In his first season with the club, Kolo Toure was a backup and played any position available with the same tenacity, enthusiasm and energy. Eventually, the Ivorian international developed to be a fantastic centre back and went from being a restless puppy to one of the leaders on the team.
Toure spent seven years (2002-2009) with the club and was a vital part of the "invincibles" with his pace, understanding of the game and passionate play.


Left Fullback: Ashley Cole (1998-2006)



Ben Radford/Getty Images
Arsenal's best defender during the last decade and was indispensable to the club until he left in the summer of 2006.
Cole was tactically brilliant, both defensively and offensively, and had great basic skills. Although he was good in the short-passing game, his only weakness was that he was just an average crosser of the ball. Nevertheless, Ashley contributed offensively with his relentless running and opened up space for Arsenal's playmakers with his backdoor runs.


Right Midfielder: Fredrik Ljungberg (1998-2007)



Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Ljungberg came to Arsenal in 1998 with funky red hair and instantly became a club hero with a great goal in his debut as a second-half substitute against Manchester United at Highbury.
Awkward with the ball yet a great finisher and essential to Arsenal's attack with his intelligent backdoor runs and calmness in front of goal that led to many important goals. Ljungberg always contributed defensively as well.


Defensive Midfielder: Patrick Vieira (1996-2005)



Phil Cole/Getty Images
Patrick Vieira was one of Wenger's first signings and served the club gloriously for eight-and-a-half of his nine years (four of which as captain) with Arsenal with brilliant tackling, leadership and intelligent runs forward. Vieira is a club legend and was one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Impeccable tactical knowledge, great skills and one of the worst long-distance shooters of the ball of all time (although he did score a great goal from long distance against Newcastle in either his first or second season with the Gunners).
His performance dropped in the second half of the 2004/05 season as he grew tired of Arsenal's underachievement in the Champions League, and it was evident for the last few months that he wanted to leave, but he did score the winning penalty goal in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United.
Vieira was indispensable to the team and Wenger has yet to find an adequate replacement.


Defensive Midfielder: Gilberto Silva (2002-200



Phil Cole/Getty Images
Gilberto Silva came to the club in the summer of 2002 as a recent World Cup winner with Brazil.
Gilberto's performances varied from season to season, but he was an important part of the "Invincibles" and therefore deserves a place in the team of the decade. His understanding of the game, like most Brazilians, was great and he was a great defensive asset to the team.
Although he had good basic skills, Gilberto could not shoot and sometimes was frustrating with the ball at his feet.


Left Midfielder: Robert Pires (2000-2006)



Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Robert Pires is, from a global perspective, one of the most underrated players of his generation probably because he was never a showboater and because he was never part of a Champions League winning team. His basic skills, tactical knowledge, and decision-making were second to none and he is undoubtedly one of the best players of his generation.
Pires' passing, vision, finishing skills and incredibly intelligent runs were a delight to observe and key to Arsenal's entertaining fast-paced counter attacking football between 2000 and 2005.
Pires consistently scored 84 goals in 284 appearances for Arsenal, which is a great feat for a true winger.


Forward: Dennis Bergkamp (1995-2006)



Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Bergkamp was one of the best players of his generation and a true football magician. The non-flying Dutchman was a flawless finisher, passer, dribbler and playmaker and every Arsenal fan is grateful for the eleven years (1995-2006) he spent with the club. His vision on the field is beyond comprehension.
Every football fan should watch this compilation of Bergkamp's best goals:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mAAgeMis_U]YouTube - Dennis Bergkamp - The Enchanting Android[/ame]


Striker: Thierry Henry (1999-2007)



Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Thierry Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer with 226 goals in 369 appearances so his importance to the team should be obvious for everyone.
Henry was also one of the best players of his generation and a true legend with his fantastic pace, skills, finishing and tactical knowledge. He had two flaws: terrible header and average first-touch passer. Henry was a great passer after he controlled the ball, but often missed on one-touch passes.
In any case, the Frenchman was always entertaining both as a goalscorer and with his French facial expressions.
Similar to Vieira, Henry left he club because he was chasing Champions League glory.


Manager and Substitutes



Michael Regan/Getty Images
Manager: Arsene Wenger is arguably Arsenal's best manager of all time and his contribution to the club is invaluable.
Substitutes:
Sylvain Wiltord (2000-2004): Spent four years with the club and was an important part of the Double winning team and the "invincibles". Scored important goals and generally played well, but was a bit selfish at times.
Tony Adams (1983-2002): Because of injuries, Mr. Arsenal played less than he would have the two seasons he was active during the last decade (2000-2002), but his contribution to Kolo Toure's character as a defender was very important.
Martin Keown (1984-86; 1993-2004): Was very important to the team as Adams' backup between 2000-2002 and contributed in the invincible season as well.
Ray Parlour (1992-2004): Unsung hero and fan favorite that was an important contribution to all the titles during the last decade.
Mathieu Flamini (2004-200: was key to Arsenal's title-contending side in 2007/08 and also a major contributor at left fullback during the Champions League run to the final.
Francesc Fabregas (2003-present): same as Flamini except he only played as a midfielder.

[hitman87]

Arsenal 2000-2010: Invincibles, Youth Revolution and the Team Of The Decade


By Peter Missouri
(Contributor) on January 14, 2011


39 reads
0 comments
0 likes



Previous
1 of 14 Next



Phil Cole/Getty Images
Arsenal started the decade in a fantastic position to consistently challenge for domestic and European success. Having already won The Double with Arsenal in his first full season as Manager in the 1997/98 season, Arsene Wenger had by the 2001/02 season assembled a squad that was ready to end Manchester United’s reign as Premier League’s dominant team.
2000-2005: The “Invincibles” and Beautiful Football
Due to the presence of the “famous four” (Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon), Arsenal was already a great team defensively before Wenger arrived at Highbury so the Frenchman focused his initial squad investments on midfielders and forwards that could complement the masterful playmaker Dennis Bergkamp.
The “famous four” were aging, however, and between 1999 and 2001 they were gradually replaced: long-time backup Martin Keown confidently stepped in to take over for Bould; Ashley Cole became the first Arsenal academy player to successfully capture a first eleven position under Wenger when he became the full-time left fullback in December of 2000; Lauren deputized for Dixon in his first Arsenal season (2000/01) before fully taking over the right fullback position prior to the 2001/02 season; and Sol Campbell was signed on a free transfer from archenemy Tottenham in the summer of 2001 to replace “Mr. Arsenal” Tony Adams. Dixon and Adams did not retire until the summer of 2002, but their playing time was limited in the 2001/02 season as Dixon was no longer good enough while “Mr. Arsenal” struggled with injuries.
The new back-four was not as stellar as the legendary “famous four”, but combined with the most complete midfield and forward line in the Premier League in Patrick Vieira, Fredrik Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Ray Parlour, Nwankwu Kanu, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal famously secured the Premiership title with a one-nil victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford to complete a domestic double in the 2001/02 season after having beaten Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup Final four days earlier.
The Gunners became the first team to go an entire Premiership season without losing an away match, the second team to win “The Double” on three different occasions (Manchester United being the other) as well as the first to score in all 38 matches.
Ahead of the 2002/03 season, Wenger continued to slowly build his perfect team by signing Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva as well as Ligue 1 defender of the year Pascal Cygan. Young Ivorian Kolo Toure, who had been signed in February of 2002, also joined the first team squad.
Arsenal continued their dominant form from the previous season as they set a new top-flight record for most consecutive wins with 14, scored in 47 straight matches, beat Nottingham Forest’s top-flight record of 22 away league fixtures without defeat as well as set a new Premiership record for most unbeaten matches in a row with 30.
Despite playing scintillating attacking football and leading the Premiership most of the season, the Gunners squandered away important points against the physical football of Everton, Blackburn and Bolton. Poor defending combined with critical goalkeeper errors resulted in a very disappointing second place, five points behind champions Manchester United.
In addition, the Gunners reached the quarterfinals in the Champions League, their best result under Wenger, before frustratingly crashing out to Valencia on away goals. Arsenal did win a title though after a Robert Pires goal secured a one-nil victory over Southampton and a ninth FA Cup.
German veteran Jens Lehmann was signed before the 2003/04 season to replace the legendary David Seaman who was a few years past his prime as Arsenal looked to avenge the disillusioning end of the previous season.
Once again, the Gunners didn’t make it past the quarterfinals stage as London rivals Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate. Wenger’s men were also knocked out in the semifinals in both the Carling- and FA cup. However, Arsenal continued to play magical football and became the first team since the 1888/89 Preston North End to go an entire top-flight season undefeated and clinched their third Premier League title.
Despite winning the FA Cup and finishing second in the Premiership behind first time winners Chelsea, the end of the 2004/05 season signaled the beginning of the downfall of Arsenal’s dominance in English football as well as their fantastic brand of football.
The team started the season brilliantly and extended their consecutive unbeaten streak to 49 matches to set a new League record, but the Gunners lost their impeccable form and energy that had lasted for more than three seasons after losing 2-0 at Old Trafford to Manchester United to end their unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
Their performance in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United emphasized the difference in form from the previous season: after Bergkamp was substituted in the 68th-minute, and without an injured Henry, Arsenal for the first time under Wenger tried to defend themselves to victory. The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of football and the Gunners won 5-4 on penalties after converting all five of their tries.

2005-2010: The Emirates, Youth Revolution, Title Drought and Different Kind of Success
In the summer of 2005 Wenger continued to renew the squad, which he began the previous summer by releasing Parlour, Keown, Wiltord and Kanu and signing Jose Antonio Reyes, Mathieu Flamini and Robin van Persie, by selling Captain Vieira to Juventus while bringing in Vassiriki Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Adebayor and Aleksander Hleb.
Consequently, with 17-year-old youth player Cesc Fabregas replacing Vieira as well as Hleb, and both van Persie and Adebayor being preferred ahead of Pires and Bergkamp respectively in the starting lineup, Arsenal’s style of football changed drastically as the fast-paced counter-attacking football associated with Wenger since 1997 was replaced by a possession-oriented approach that attempted to slowly carve out goals through a plethora of passes.
Despite these changes, the Gunners started the season playing good football and were still considered contenders for the Premiership title. Nevertheless, the season ended with a disappointing fourth place in the Premier League as well as losses in the forth round of the FA Cup and semifinals in the Carling Cup.
Nonetheless, since this style befits the Champions League more, Arsenal reached their first Final in which they lost to Spanish side Barcelona. The Gunners cruised through the group stage playing attacking football, but changed their approach for the knockout stages as Wenger resorted to the same defensive tactics utilized against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup Final.
The 2005/06 season also was Arsenal’s last season at the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury before completing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Bergkamp retired in the summer of 2006, Ashley Cole forced a transfer to Chelsea, Pires and Campbell were released on a free transfer, while Lauren had been allowed to leave for free in January as Wenger continued to revamp his squad by adding players from Arsenal’s youth academy.
Wenger’s youth revolution continued for the remainder of the decade, with the occasional signing of a big name, as he sought success in different ways as well as another arena. First, the Frenchman has stated on numerous occasions that he wants to prove that a team can win titles by developing young players into stars. Second, he has been prudent with his transfer funds because he is focused on steadily reducing the club's debt.
Arsenal has not won a title since 2005 so the youth policy has been futile in regards to championships so far, but Wenger has been universally lauded for his development of young players, such as Fabregas, Flamini and Samir Nasri, and influenced other big teams in England to develop their own youth academies. Moreover, combined with reckless spending by some European clubs, Wenger's economical transfer policy has incited a debate across Europe on financial fair play, youth development and homegrown players.

Next is my team choice for team of the decade. Start the slideshow to see if any of today's fan favorites made the cut.
Summary of titles:
Premier League: 2001-02, 2003-04
FA Cup: 2002, 2003, 2005
FA Community Shield: 2002, 2004


Goalkeeper: Jens Lehmann (2003-200



Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Despite his (at times) immature antics, the charismatic veteran was by far Arsenal's best goalkeeper in the past decade. Lehmann was generally safe with both his hands and legs and commanded the defense well. The German was also reliable between the posts in the Premier League during the Invincible season.


Right Fullback: Lauren (2000-2007)



Clive Rose/Getty Images
The Cameroonian with the eyes of steel came to the club in the summer of 2000 and spent six glorious years with the club as an indispensable part of the defense. Due to his background as a midfielder, Lauren was a decent contributor to Arsenal's attacks with well-planned backdoor runs and good crosses, but it was his tactical knowledge defensively and his precise tackling that stood out.


Center Back: Sol Campbell (2001-2006; January-June 2010)



Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Became a Judas when he left boyhood club Tottenham to sign on a free transfer for Arsenal in the summer of 2001.
Sol Campbell was an outstanding centre back for the club, with the occasional frustrating bad pass and/or terrible judgement, and was an integral part of every title-winning team the last decade (although he didn't get a winners-medal for the 2003 FA Cup due to suspension. Clumsy with the ball at times, but fantastic tactical knowledge and, along with Tony Adams, taught Kolo Toure how to be a centre back.


Central Defender: Kolo Toure (2002-2009)



Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
In his first season with the club, Kolo Toure was a backup and played any position available with the same tenacity, enthusiasm and energy. Eventually, the Ivorian international developed to be a fantastic centre back and went from being a restless puppy to one of the leaders on the team.
Toure spent seven years (2002-2009) with the club and was a vital part of the "invincibles" with his pace, understanding of the game and passionate play.


Left Fullback: Ashley Cole (1998-2006)



Ben Radford/Getty Images
Arsenal's best defender during the last decade and was indispensable to the club until he left in the summer of 2006.
Cole was tactically brilliant, both defensively and offensively, and had great basic skills. Although he was good in the short-passing game, his only weakness was that he was just an average crosser of the ball. Nevertheless, Ashley contributed offensively with his relentless running and opened up space for Arsenal's playmakers with his backdoor runs.


Right Midfielder: Fredrik Ljungberg (1998-2007)



Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Ljungberg came to Arsenal in 1998 with funky red hair and instantly became a club hero with a great goal in his debut as a second-half substitute against Manchester United at Highbury.
Awkward with the ball yet a great finisher and essential to Arsenal's attack with his intelligent backdoor runs and calmness in front of goal that led to many important goals. Ljungberg always contributed defensively as well.


Defensive Midfielder: Patrick Vieira (1996-2005)



Phil Cole/Getty Images
Patrick Vieira was one of Wenger's first signings and served the club gloriously for eight-and-a-half of his nine years (four of which as captain) with Arsenal with brilliant tackling, leadership and intelligent runs forward. Vieira is a club legend and was one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Impeccable tactical knowledge, great skills and one of the worst long-distance shooters of the ball of all time (although he did score a great goal from long distance against Newcastle in either his first or second season with the Gunners).
His performance dropped in the second half of the 2004/05 season as he grew tired of Arsenal's underachievement in the Champions League, and it was evident for the last few months that he wanted to leave, but he did score the winning penalty goal in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United.
Vieira was indispensable to the team and Wenger has yet to find an adequate replacement.


Defensive Midfielder: Gilberto Silva (2002-200



Phil Cole/Getty Images
Gilberto Silva came to the club in the summer of 2002 as a recent World Cup winner with Brazil.
Gilberto's performances varied from season to season, but he was an important part of the "Invincibles" and therefore deserves a place in the team of the decade. His understanding of the game, like most Brazilians, was great and he was a great defensive asset to the team.
Although he had good basic skills, Gilberto could not shoot and sometimes was frustrating with the ball at his feet.


Left Midfielder: Robert Pires (2000-2006)



Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Robert Pires is, from a global perspective, one of the most underrated players of his generation probably because he was never a showboater and because he was never part of a Champions League winning team. His basic skills, tactical knowledge, and decision-making were second to none and he is undoubtedly one of the best players of his generation.
Pires' passing, vision, finishing skills and incredibly intelligent runs were a delight to observe and key to Arsenal's entertaining fast-paced counter attacking football between 2000 and 2005.
Pires consistently scored 84 goals in 284 appearances for Arsenal, which is a great feat for a true winger.


Forward: Dennis Bergkamp (1995-2006)



Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Bergkamp was one of the best players of his generation and a true football magician. The non-flying Dutchman was a flawless finisher, passer, dribbler and playmaker and every Arsenal fan is grateful for the eleven years (1995-2006) he spent with the club. His vision on the field is beyond comprehension.
Every football fan should watch this compilation of Bergkamp's best goals:
YouTube - Dennis Bergkamp - The Enchanting Android


Striker: Thierry Henry (1999-2007)



Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Thierry Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer with 226 goals in 369 appearances so his importance to the team should be obvious for everyone.
Henry was also one of the best players of his generation and a true legend with his fantastic pace, skills, finishing and tactical knowledge. He had two flaws: terrible header and average first-touch passer. Henry was a great passer after he controlled the ball, but often missed on one-touch passes.
In any case, the Frenchman was always entertaining both as a goalscorer and with his French facial expressions.
Similar to Vieira, Henry left he club because he was chasing Champions League glory.


Manager and Substitutes



Michael Regan/Getty Images
Manager: Arsene Wenger is arguably Arsenal's best manager of all time and his contribution to the club is invaluable.
Substitutes:
Sylvain Wiltord (2000-2004): Spent four years with the club and was an important part of the Double winning team and the "invincibles". Scored important goals and generally played well, but was a bit selfish at times.
Tony Adams (1983-2002): Because of injuries, Mr. Arsenal played less than he would have the two seasons he was active during the last decade (2000-2002), but his contribution to Kolo Toure's character as a defender was very important.
Martin Keown (1984-86; 1993-2004): Was very important to the team as Adams' backup between 2000-2002 and contributed in the invincible season as well.
Ray Parlour (1992-2004): Unsung hero and fan favorite that was an important contribution to all the titles during the last decade.
Mathieu Flamini (2004-200: was key to Arsenal's title-contending side in 2007/08 and also a major contributor at left fullback during the Champions League run to the final.
Francesc Fabregas (2003-present): same as Flamini except he only played as a midfielder.

thanks for the post.. really a nice one..

[reality]

La Liga Is The Best In The World And Premier League Can Learn From It – Sepp Blatter

Domestic game undermined due to lack of players in World XI

By Craig Turnbull



Find the best odds and bet on La Liga.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter believes that Spain’s Primera Division is the best league in the world and says that the Premier League should learn from it.

Blatter pointed to the evidence of eight Spanish-based players being in Fifa's World XI and Spain winning the World Cup in 2010 as reasoning behind his view that La Liga was the top domestic competition.

"It must be the strongest league in the world," he told CNN World Sport.

"And when you see the starting XI of the Spanish national team, all of them play their football in Spain. The Spanish league also has the highest number of local players."

The Fifa president further added salt into the wounds by saying that because there were hardly any players from England and the Premier League that featured in the World XI, it undermined the credibility of the domestic league.

"The Premier League is the best-marketed league in the world," he added.

"It's a good league, with good players, but when you consider not one player made the best XI of the world, maybe they should think about whether something can be adapted."

The Fifa XI featured six players from Spanish champions Barcelona, two from Real Madrid and the other from Inter Milan, who won a treble under Jose Mourinho.

Among the players chosen were Leo Messi, who won the 2010 Ballon d’Or beating his fellow team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi to the prestigious award to win it for the second year in a row.

Blatter continued: "Leo Messi is what I identify as a wonderful football player and a good boy. He is really humble. It's not a game he's playing, he's not an actor."

However, the Fifa supremo did add that in order for Messi to be compared to the great Diego Maradona he would have to help Argentina to a World Cup winning victory like Maradona in 1986.

[Giggs]

1996/97 European Champions are well on-course for the German Title...great...a team other than Bayern , Leverkusen , Werder Bremen or Schalke ..is winning it

[hitman87]

Thanks Giggs.. dortmund is a great team..

[vishnu vardhan]

Squad focus on Malaga visit

Marc Guillén / Vanessa Forns


After a well earned day off on Friday, the squad were back in training on Saturday as they prepared for Sunday’s game against Malaga.

Guardiola decided to give the players a rest day yesterday, but this morning they were back in training behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

First game of three this week

The Malaga game is the first objective for the squad who will face a trip to Seville to play Betis in the second leg of the Cup quarter final on Wednesday, before next Saturday’s La Liga game against Racing.

Whole squad plus Thiago

The boss was able to call on the whole first team squad plus B team midfielder Thiago for training today, January 15th, which is Victor Valdes’ 29th birthday – an occasion the squad celebrated with a round of applause for the keeper