Happy Birthday, Abou Diaby!

Happy birthday to our Midfielder, Abou Diaby!

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

Premier League: Arsenal v Chelsea [1-4]

Date: Sunday, May 10th 2009

Kick-off: 04.00 pm (GMT)

Location: Emirates Stadium

Result: 1-4

****

Next season.

Those are the two words for our Gunners. From the defeat in Champions League to a final meltdown in this game against Chelsea, the Gunners will have to settle in fourth place in the Premier League and contemplate for the next season.

Don't let your spirits down, Gunners. There will always be winners and losers, and there is always the next season and the next and the next. With such a terrible ending for this season, it seems likely that Arsenal will devise better strategies and improve their overall status.

Sadly, I was unable to watch the Live match, but it is said that Arsenal did put up a better fight with Chelsea than they did previously with Manchester United - with Bendtner's spirit-lifting goal. They were all about creating chances for themselves in this match, as during the first-half it seemed like Chelsea was still affected by their lost on Wednesday.

But a comeback was made. And it seemed like that did take Arsenal by surprise.

"We lost the game 4-1 which is a major disappointment but I feel going forward we had a very interesting game and we did create plenty of chances" - Arsene Wenger

Nevertheless, it may be the end of this season - but it's not the end of Gunners' Road to Victory.

"We may have lost the battles, but we WILL win the war."


We will await the next season, with high hopes...

****

For the full report of the match, here are the links:

Arsenal v Chelsea Link 1
Arsenal v Chelsea Link 2

Arsene Wenger - Interview
Arsene Wenger - Wenger sees the positives

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

Premier League: Arsenal v Chelsea Preview

"It's down to the team which deals best with disappointment." - Arsene Wenger.

Well said, Arsene Wenger. Both teams will be facing each other tomorrow, with wounds still fresh from their defeat by their Championship League rivals.

Who will prevail?

It seems like it is down to the team that can rise from the ashes.

As reported by Arsenal.com, Wenger claims that it is Chelsea who suffered the most between the duo, as they had put up a fair battle against Barcelona in the semi-finals - only to have end up on the losing side.

Will this be Arsenal's opportunity to retain what's left of glory for this season?

We shall find out soon. Good luck to both teams, and especially to our Gunners!

News Link:

Arsene Wenger on Arsenal v Chelsea
Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

Gunners' Greatest Goals: Vote now!

****Following the previous post with "Gunners' Greatest Goals" Part 1 and 2 links, here are part 3 and 4!

Gunners' Greatest Goals, Part 3 link
Gunners' Greatest Goals, Part 4 link

So, go on, don't miss out on voting!

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

Daily Updates: Friday, 8th May 2009

****Congratulations to Andrey Arshavin, AGAIN! Our Mr. Number 23 is on FIRE! (Not literally...) In this week, he has won his second consecutive Oշ/Arsenal.com Player of the Month Award AND now he holds the Barclays Player of the Month Award, too! Not only is he the second-ever Russian to snag this award after Andrei Kanchelskis' 1996 achievement, he is the first Arsenal player - after Fabregas', who won this award in 2007, to scoop this prize! We're so proud of you Arshavin!

BUT, despite the awards, Arshavin is allegedly UNABLE to make an appearance for Sunday's game against Chelsea due to being down with the flu. Get well soon!

****Will, or will not, Robin van Persie extend his contract with Arsenal - as Walcott did? As quoted from Arsene Wenger:

"I am hoping he (van Persie) will sign a new deal and I am trying very hard to get him to sign"

Well, we all are hoping that Persie will stay in Arsenal. It is never a happy incident to have any one of our players leave the Club. Cross our fingers!

Stay tuned for updates on Persie's contract status!

****It seems like not only Bendtner is crushed from the midweek defeat in the Champions League, Samir Nasri feels the sting too.

"It's hard to get over Man Utd game" - Nasri

But Nasri will attempt to leave the past in the past and focus on this Sunday's game against Chelsea. We have your back Nasri!

****Nicklas Bendtner was FINED by the Club for his inappropriate behaviour! Wenger has expressed his disappointment in Bendtner's acts, but he has furthered commented that Bendtner's incident was a SET UP! Wenger allegedly fined Bendtner for going out and not for the incident itself. Fair enough, no?

****Arsenal has a candy-eye on Tottenham's defender - Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Though, it seems highly unlikely that Harry Redknapp will allow his defender to move...

****"Be a Gunner Be a Runner" raises over £28,000!

"On Sunday May, 3 Emirates Stadium hosted its first ever fun-run for Arsenal’s Charity of the Season, Teenage Cancer Trust. The event raised over £28,000 for the charity which helps young people fight cancer." - arsenal.com

Aren't we just proud to be Gunners?

For more information on today's updates, here are the links:

Arshavin - Barclays Player of the Month Award
Arshavin - ...to miss Chelsea's Match?
van Persie - To stay, or not to stay?
Nasri - It's hard to get over Man Utd game
Bendtner - Inappropriate Behaviour Link 1
Bendtner - Inappropriate Behaviour Link 2
Transfer Rumours - Arsenal's eye on Assou-Ekotto
Be a Gunner Be a Runner

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

This just in!

****Theo Walcott has been signed a new long term contract with Arsenal F.C.! Go, Walcott!

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.

Daily Updates: Thursday, 7th May 2009

****Get well, Gael Clichy! Our French defender is down with his back problem and would not be playing again this season. Having injured his back on April 7th - the Quarter-Final first leg against Villarreal, he has not successfully healed before the end of the season and Arsene Wenger has decided not to take any chances, after his appearance for the Semi-Final against Manchester United. Sadly, this means that Clichy won't be appearing for the game against Chelsea this Sunday. We supporters, with no doubt, are wishing you a speedy recovery, Clichy!

****No, no, Nicklas Bendtner! That is not the way to appear in public - with your pants halfway down! But it's ok, everybody makes a silly mistake once in awhile! Us supporters know that the outcome of the Semi-Final was a tough blow on you Bendtner!

As quoted from thesun.co.uk:

Bendtner said: “I love this club [Arsenal] and was so disappointed to lose against Manchester United last night.

“Reaching a Champions League final is one of my biggest dreams and getting knocked out was a massive blow.

“However, no matter how disappointed I was, it does not excuse my behaviour later in the evening.

“I may be young, but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret.

“I want to apologise to the club and the fans for letting them and myself down.

“I cannot change the past, but will learn from my mistakes.

“Tuesday night is behind me now and I want to use my energy to fully focus on our three remaining games this season - starting with Chelsea on Sunday.”

All is forgiven Bendtner. We all anticipate for the game against Chelsea this Sunday!

****Gunners' Greatest Goals! There are 2 FREE video clips available on Arsenal.com revealing Gunners' greatest goals in 40 years. So don't forget the cast your vote!

Links:
Gunners' Greatest Goals: Part 1
Gunners' Greatest Goals: Part 2

**Editor's Note**Do you have any comments, questions, request, etc.? Then please comment in the comment box at the bottom right hand side of this blog, or email me at arsenalpride.uk@gmail.com! I accept any suggestions on anything that I could add on to this blog! Thank you!

Gunners then, Gunners now... and Gunner always.