1.Top 4

2. arsenalSTAR PLAYER Transfers outAndray Arshavin 28 Striker/Mid fielder William Gallas Fran MeridaAth MadridARSENAL INFOYear Formed: 1886 as Dial Square FCNickname: The GunnersStadium: Emirates StadiumMikeal SilvestrePhilip SenderosARSENAL LAST SEASONFulhamLeague Position : 3rdF A Cup : Semi FinalLeague Cup : SQUADUefa Champions League: Semi Final1 M. Almunia GTROPHY CABINET 23 A. Arshavin FLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/3452 N. Bendtner F1934/35, 1937/38, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1970/71, 22 G. Clichy D1988/89, 1990/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04. 35 F. Coquelin M(loaned to FC Lorient)FA CUP : 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 15 Denilson M2002, 2003, 2005.2 V. Diaby MLEAGUE CUP : 1987, 1993. 20 J. Djourou DEUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP :1993/94 27 E. Eboue MFAIRS CUP : 1969/70 21 L. Fabianski G 4 F. Fabregas MTransfers in 40 K. Gibbs M 42 H. Lansbury M stars 24 V. Mannone G 8 S. Nasri M 16 A. Ramsey M 7 T. Rosicky M 3 B. Sagna D 6 L. kosielny F 17 A. Song D 53 W. Szczesny GMaruane Chamakh- Bordeux 30 A. Traore D 10 R. Van Persie F 11Vela F 5 5 T. Vermaelen D 14 T. Walcott F 19 J. Wilshere M 32 S Campbell DLaurent Kosielny - Lorient 3. EDUARDO 1) Was the season a success or failure?personal message from EduardoA success overall - but the way it ended made it seem like a failure.Following the confirmation of his transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk,Arsenal exceeded expectations, though, so 7/10.Eduardohas spoken to Arsenal.com and asked if the following2) How did the manager do?message could be passed on:Arsene Wenger took Arsenal to the Champions League quarter- "Before I start a new chapter in my career with Shakhtarfinal and third place in the Premier League and but fell short due toDonetsk, I just wanted to send a message to all my friends ata lack of strength in depth and new signings. He was also guilty ofArsenal. not taking the domestic cup competitions seriously enough. 7/10 "The past few days have been very emotional for me. Although I3) Player of the season: Cesc Fabregasam excited about the challenge ahead with my new clubThe skipper was outstanding and carried the team on his shouldersShakhtar Donetsk, I am so sad to be leaving my home for the past in some games. I struggle to think of one player who had a biggerthree years - Arsenal Football Club. impact on a team - even Wayne Rooney got more help from his "Arsenal is a very special football club and I will miss so manyteam-mates.people - my team mates, all the staff and of course, the 4) Villain of the season: Manuel Almuniawonderful Arsenal supporters.In truth it could have been of Arsenals keepers. Theyre just not "I would just like to thank everyone for your support during my good enough, and all fell short of previous standards. Arsenal nowtime at Arsenal. When I first came to England, I could not speak know they must buy a top number one in the summer.the language and knew nobody, but as soon as I arrived I was 5) Best signing: Thomas Vermaelenmade to feel at home and part of this big family. Also, I want toWhen it comes to value, Vermaelen was great business atsay thank you to the Arsenal supporters - you have been10million. Hes strong, determined and, despite being Belgian, is afantastic to me and always sung my name and I will never forgetreal English-style centre-half whose game is perfect for the Premierthis.League. "I had some very difficult times with my injury, but Arsenal was6) Worst signing: N/Aalways there for me - the medical staff, the management, the Signings? What signings? Thomas Vermaelen and Sol Campbellplayers and the supporters. Thank you everybody. were the only new arrivals of note. "Although I have now left the Club, Arsenal will always be in my7) Best gameheart. I will always look for the Arsenal results and of course, I The 6-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers in October was Arsenal atwish Arsne Wenger and the great players at the Club well fortheir best: rampant, great passing, great goals and a brilliant mannext season and the future. of the match display by Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal 6-2 Blackburn match report and pictures 8) Worst game The 1-1 draw away at Birmingham. Arsenal conceded a late equaliser after an Almunia mistake, and, more than any other result, it was this draw away from home that dented their title ambitions. Birmingham 1-1 Arsenal match report and pictures 9) Funniest moment of the season Andrey Arshavins appearance on Question of Sport . He spoke perfect English when he could answer the question and suddenly couldnt speak any English at all when he didnt know the answer.Eduardo will always remain in the heart of Arsenal fans not only Rather like those translated interviews...because he is an immensely talented player but also because he 10) Key lessons to be learnedwas denied stardom and being an arsenal legend by the roughArsene Wenger must strengthen his squad. Arsenal need moretackle of Martin Taylor. quality and more bodies so that players dont pick up injuries after being pushed to the limit. He also needs to go for the FA Cup in earnest next year and, above all, sign a new keeper. 4. Look Back At ArsenalsBadmanHe also scored my favourite goal ever. Again, at Highbury, i was in theNorth Bank for a North London derby against Tottenham. Thierrypicked up the ball in his own half, ran through about 5 Spurs playersand slotted the ball into the bottom corner. That goal was pure Henry.Thierry has since moved on to Barcelona and went on to win thechampions league medal his talent deserved, along with several otherdomestic trophies in Spain. Even though he has lost a couple of yardsof pace these days and is nowhere near the player he was while atArsenal, i am still not looking forward to seeing him play against us.Perhaps the only person on the planet who is looking forward to itless is Thierry himself! Arsenal Vs Barcelona saw the return of a true ArsenallegendThierry Henry. The player voted No.1 in anarsenal.com pole of the greatest ever Arsenal player.Arsenals all time record goal-scorer and arguably thegreatest player to ever play in the premier league. Henry played against his former club for the first time whenArsenal faced Barcelona in the champions league. It was to bean emotional return for both Henry and the fans who adoredHe has always and continues to openly express his love for the club,him for 8 trophy-filled seasons. Thierry Henry is my favouriteArsenal player of all time, by quite some distance. His passion Arsene Wenger and the fans. He described his dismay at the thoughtfor the game, the graceful way he glided over the perfect of facing The Gunners in a recent interview;Highbury surface, it was a joy to watch.It will be weird for me to step on the pitch, even if its at the Emirates After arriving for 10.7 from Juventus as a pacey winger, and not Highbury, with another shirt on.Arsene Wenger soon converted Henry into a striker. It tookWhen asked if he would celebrate a goal, he added: Forget about it.him some time to settle into his new role, as he endured aNo. I do not want to play against Arsenal, simple as that.mixed first year at the club. I remember going to see him The bond that I have with the Arsenal fans I will never get anywhereduring that first season at Wembley in the champions league else.against Dinamo Keiv. He missed a couple of one-on-ones Can you imagine if he does score?! I wouldnt be surprised if hethat night and nobody in the crowd would have imagined he apologised!would go on to become Arsenals record goal-scorer.I hope he gets an amazing reception when he walks out in a Barcelona One of my greatest footballing memories was whenshirt at the Emirates, Im sure he will as long as there arent too manyManchester United visited Highbury on April 16th 2003. I wasfans who choose to remember the ridiculously over-hyped hand-ballsat in row E in the North Bank Lower Tier just to the right ofthe goal. Arsenal were trailing United in the league by 3 incident versus the Irish over all he did for Arsenal Football Club.points, with a game in hand, and this was a true title 6- Whatever happens on Wednesday night, Thierry Henry will always bepointer.an Arsenal legend. United took the lead during a poor first period but Henryequalized early in the second half, then 10 minutes laterHenry burst through and beat Barthez to give Arsenal thelead right in front of the North Bank. Thierry went ballisticand headed straight for the crowd and i was lucky enough tobe standing face-to-face with him as he celebrated his goalwith the Arsenal fans. It was amazing. My mates dont believeme, but i swear he was shouting Im a badman right at mewhilst beating his chest! I have always called him Badman-Henry ever since. The game eventually ended 2-2 and SolCampbell was controversially sent off for an elbow onSolskjaer, United went on the win the league, but i will alwaysremember the moment i shared with Henry celebrating hisgoal. 5. Andrei Arshavin can be Arsenals answer to Lionel MessiFormer Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scored against old foesTottenham but he finished on the losing side on his debut for NewYork Red Bulls.The 32-year-old scored in the first half when he converted a crossfrom Joel Lindpere past Carlo Cudicini. The Frenchman, who took public transport to the match, played thefirst half, handing his number 14 shirt to Spurs midfielder Luka Modricat the whistle Henry signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Bullsafter he was released by Barcelona. "The young bloke from that first It would be futile to pretend that Arsenal or indeed Manchesterhalf, Henry, looks like hes got a good future," joked Tottenham bossUnited have a player to compare favourably over the past twoHarry Redknapp.seasons with Lionel Messi. Wayne Rooney might have his admirers"He was fantastic. Hes a different class. Hes still a world class player but, taking everything into consideration, Messi has been the best footballer on the planet by a considerable margin. On a one-off occasion, Arsenal have players who are capable of stealing the limelight from Messi, not least Andrei Arshavin, the most similar in size, style and big-game temperament to Barcelonas little Argentinean genius. Thus far, the evidence of Arshavin is that he tends to deliver in the biggest games. He was man of the match for Zenit in the final of the 2008 Uefa Cup and was also comfortably the best player on the pitch in the quarter-finals of the European Championships when Russia produced what was arguably the performance of the entire tournament by eliminating Holland. Since his arrival at Arsenal, it is little coincidence that his most eye- catching displays were in some of the most important matches or hostile atmospheres. He scored four times against Liverpool at Anfield last year; he also scored earlier this season at Old Trafford and was the pivotal figureThe Invincibles as Arsenal so emphatically over-turned their Champions League first leg deficit against Porto.Possibly Arsenals finest achievement came during the 2003- 04 season. Arsenals team included players such as Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira, Pires and Campbell, they had everything. Pace, power, steel at the back, deadly finishers up front, they were simply unplayable at times. Arsenal managed toAs a footballer, he shares with Messi a similar ability to beat players, win the title completing an entire season unbeaten, the first make the killer pass and score special goals. Most importantly, the time this had been achieved since Preston North End inself-confidence to perform on the grandest stage is also evident. 1883. To make the achievement even more sweet, ArsenalNo-one is saying that Arshavin is better than Messi but, on a given won the league at White Hart Lane, the home of bitter rivalsnight, he has the ability to walk taller. Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenals record for the season stood at 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 losses. The unbeaten run ended on 49 games, a national record, in controversial circumstances at Old Trafford, when Manchester United were awarded a suspect penalty. However, the magnitude of Arsenals success was not un-noticed as the Premier League commissioned a special edition gold trophy to commemorate the unbeaten season. 6. was this Arsenal squad really good enough?Aaron RamseyOne of British footballs most exciting young talents and a player who hasBy Jeremy Wilson Football Last updated: February 2nd, 2010shown further development this season. Can be a major influence at8 CommentsArsenal for the next decade or more, we wish him well on his recoveryArsene Wenger has a fundamental question to answer. Quite from a broken leg.simply, he must decide if this Arsenal squad and certainTheo Walcottindividual players truly are good enough to match the vast hope A season of intense frustration following a succession of niggling injuries.and faith he has placed in them.His pace, though, could provide Arsenal with a completely different optionBy being good enough, it is not a question of whether they canas shown against Barcelona.qualify for the Champions League, but if they are actually capableTomas Rosickyof winning trophies on a regular basis. To do that, sublime patchesof beautiful football must also be backed up by nerve and Still seems to be finding his rhythm after missing all of the 2008-9 seasonconsistency during those defining moments in a season. Thethrough injury and really just needs a consistent run of matches.sequence that will worry all Arsenal fans is a run of seven defeats Samir Nasriand one draw in matches against Manchester United and Chelsea Peripheral against Manchester United and throughout much of the season.since last April. Another who has something to prove following injuries in the early part ofSo who should he place his faith with in the longer term and arethe season.there some players that should be moved on to make way forEduardosome new signings? Heres a breakdown of the squad and some ofAfter four goals in seven matches at the start of the season, Eduardosthe questions Wenger may face.influence has declined just when he was most needed following Robin vanManuel AlmuniaPersies absence. Clearly has not psychologically recovered from his injuryLacks the presence of the very best goalkeepers in the world and, two seasons ago.judging by all the rotation earlier in the season, it would seem that? Robin van Persieeven Wenger may have his concerns. Lukasz Fabianski is the bigArsenals best striker and also an extremely important dressing-roomlong-term hope.presence. His injury, though, may still prove to have been the definingCesc Fabregas moment in the clubs season.A talismanic presence at times this season and, with AndreiArshavin and Robin van Persie, one of the jewels Wenger surely Nicklas Bendtnermust keep this summer.Until injury struck, there were clear signs he was ready to make a majorBacary Sagnaimpact and he now has the chance to try and fill the considerable void thatAfter an excellent debut season, he has not quite made thehas been left by Van Persie.progress that might have been hoped at a time when he should be Andrei Arshavinreaching his peak. Even so, still one of the leagues best right- One of the few creative Arsenal players to have remained fit throughoutbacks.the vast majority of the season. Surprisingly tends to be lazy in matchesGael Clichy that matter eg against Chelsea ,Man utd and Barcelona.Started the season well but has struggled since returning fromEmmanuel Ebouelong-term injury and was given a particularly torrid time byUsed to be a squad player but has performed well enough this season to beManchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney and Nani. Clearly needs more pushing Bacary Sagna for the right-back position. Has really become anmatches.important player for arsenal.William GallasEver-present in the Champions and Premier League although thereis concern that with his contract which expires this season.Remains one of Arsenals best and most important players.Thomas VermaelenAn eye-catching player because of his quality on the ball butdoubts do persist about some of his defending. That aside, he hasmade a major impact and looks like a potential future captain.Sol CampbellHad a contract until the end of the season and, depending onperformances, could conceivably be offered a further year. there isstill much left in the tank.DenilsonWenger has invested much time and faith in Denilson but, at thelevel Arsenal aspire to play, the suspicion is that he is not quitegood enough.Alex SongA player who has really blossomed this season and grown into theholding midfield role. Vital to Arsenals future and one of the firstnames on the team-sheet.Abou DiabyHe was badly missed against Manchester United because of hisphysical presence and unpredictable ability to create somethingfrom nothing. Definitely part of Wengers long-term plans.Aaron Ramsey 7. chelseaSTAR PLAYERTransfers outMichael Balack(Bayer leverkusen)Juliano Beletti(fluminense)Didier Drogba Joe cole(Liverpool)Miroslav Stoch(Fenerbache) 30 StrikerstarsCHELSEA INFOYear Formed: 1905Nickname: The BluesStadium: Stamford bridgeCHELSEA LAST SEASONLeague Position : ChanpionsF A Cup : ChampionsLeague Cup : SQUADUefa Champions League: Semi FinalTROPHY CABINET Petr echLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 1954/55, 2004/05, 2005/06Branislav IvanovidFA CUP : 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009. Ashley ColeLEAGUE CUP : 1968, 1998, 2005. Michael EssienEUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP :1970/71, 1997/98Ricardo Carvalho Frank Lampard (vice-captain) Franco Di Santo Transfers inDidier DrogbaYossi Beayoun(Liverpool) John Obi MikelMatej Delac(inter zapresic)Michael BallackTomas Kalas(Sigma olomouc) Florent Malouda Scott Sinclair Paulo Ferreira Deco Salomon Kalou John Terry (captain) Rhys Taylor Alex Nicolas Anelka Henrique Hilrio Yossi Beayoun Matej Delac Michael Mancienne Jacob Mellis Jan ebek Ross Turnbull Yuri Zhirkov Daniel Sturridge Jos Bosingwa 8. liverpoolSTAR PLAYERTransfers outFernando Torres 26 StrikerBenayyoun- ChelseaLIVERPOOL INFOYear Formed: 1892Nickname: The Reds SQUADStadium: AnfieldLIVERPOOL LAST SEASONAurellio-League Position : 5th 5 D. Agger DF A Cup : 8 A. Aquilani MLeague Cup : 12 F. Aurelio DTROPHY CABINET 19 R. Babel FLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 1900/01, 1905/06, 1921/22J. Brouwer F1922/23, 1946/47, 1963/64, 1965/66, 1972/73 23 J. Carragher D1975/76, 1976/77, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1 D. Cavalieri G1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90. A. Cooper MFA CUP : 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006. 32 S. Darby DLEAGUE CUP : 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003. 27 P. Degen DEUROPEAN CUP :1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84, 2004/05. 39 N. Eccleston FUEFA CUP : 1972/73, 1975/76, 2000/01. 31 N. El Zhar F 8 S. Gerrard M 41 M. Hansen GTransfers in 36 S. Irwin D 30 C. Itandje G 2 G. Johnson D 34 M. Kelly D 18 D. Kuyt F 21 Lucas M 40 D. Martin G 20 J. Mascherano M C. Mavinga DJovanovic (Standar Liege) E. Mendy D Joe Cole - Chelsea 24 D. NGog F 29 K. Nemeth F V. Palsson M 28 D. Plessis M R. Putterill M 25 J. Reina G 11 A. Riera M 37 M. Skrtel D 26 J. Spearing MJonjo Sheverly- Charlto athDanny Wilson -Rangers 9 F. Torres F L. Weijl M 9. manchester unitedSTAR PLAYER starsWayne Rooney 24 StrikerMANCHESTER UNITED INFOYear Formed: 1886Nickname: The Red DevilsStadium: Old TraffordEdwin van der SarMANCHESTER UNITED LAST SEASONGary NevilleLeague Position 2ndPatrice EvraF A Cup :Owen HargreavesLeague Cup : Rio FerdinandUefa Champions League: SemiFinal Wes BrownTROPHY CABINET AndersonLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 1907/08, 1910/11, 1951/52Dimitar Berbatov1955/56, 1956/57, 1964/65, 1966/67, 1992/93, Wayne Rooney1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, Ryan Giggs2000/01 2002/03,2006/07,2007/08,2008/09Park Ji-SungFA CUP : 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983,1985, 1990 Nemanja Vidid1994,1996,1999,2004. Michael CarrickLEAGUE CUP : 1992, 2006. NaniEUROPEAN CUP : 1067/68, 1998/99, 2007/08.Paul ScholesTransfers in Danny Welbeck Fbio Rafael Chris smallingJohn OShea Jonny Evans Darren Fletcher Danny Simpson Darron Gibson Tomasz Kuszczak Federico Macheda Antonio ValenciaHernandezGabriel Obertan Michael Owen 10. manchester citySTAR PLAYER stars Carlos Tevez 24 Striker/MidfieldMANCHESTER CITY INFOYear Formed: 1887Nickname: The CitizensStadium: City of Manchester StadiumMANCHESTER CITY LAST SEASONLeague Position : 4thF A Cup : 25 E. Adebayor FLeague Cup :18 G. Barry MTROPHY CABINET39 C. Bellamy F27 Benjani FLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 1936/37, 1967/68.3 W. Bridge DFA CUP : 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969.29 K. Etuhu MLEAGUE CUP : 1970, 1976 15 Garrido D EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP :1969/70 1 S. Given GG. Hartley G7 S. Ireland M6 M. Johnson M Transfers in33 V. Kompany D4 N. Onuoha D2 M. Richards D14 R. Santa Cruz F16 K. Schmeichel G12 S. Taylor G32 C. Tevez F28 H. Toure D36 J. Vidal DYaya toure40 V. Weiss M David silva8 S. Wright-Phillips M5 Zabaleta D34 N. de Jong MYaya toure MDavi Siva MAlex Nimley FJerome Boateng