[30stone]

Jay-Z 'Ready' For Arsenal Investment

JAY-Z is planning to spend more time in London as he prepares to invest in a top British soccer team.

The rapper has previously spoken of his interest in becoming a major shareholder in Barclays Premier League club Arsenal, admitting he has been a fan of the team since French star Thierry Henry played for them.

But Jay-Z, who co-owns U.S. basketball team the New Jersey Nets, insists he will have to play an active role in Arsenal if he's to clinch the deal.

He says, "(Wife Beyonce and I) would have to spend much more time in London. Bey knows how much I love sports and has known about my interest in Arsenal for a while.

"I never want to be a back-seat investor. I want to be on the board, involved in the decision-making... I'm at the stage of my career where I am ready for another investment like this. I have really got into soccer over the last 10 years and I've been saying for some time I want a percentage of Arsenal."

[30stone]

Many things grind my gears about football. Most of them are completely inane. Some of them don’t bother anyone else and I seem like a complete mad person for getting so worked up by them, but some things are universally baffling. These are but a few of them.

1. Automatic bookings for stripping off – The passion, excitement and euphoria of football can often come to a head in the event of scoring a goal. Such is the feeling – that even school yard players know – that it can, on occasion, encourage footballers to take their clothes off before they’ve even gotten to China White. The passion is the greatest thing about the sport. Those who don’t understand it lament it’s ability to churn out suicidaly dull 0-0 draws at Bolton on a breezy February afternoon, but they fail to grasp that the waiting is just the thing that makes it. We can sit in rain and sleet and snow and watch the most appalling rubbish, transfixed in anticipation, knowing that at any moment, a goal may be scored to light up our experience. The very lack of constant scoring is what makes the act of scoring so emotional, and when said emotion explodes it’s a joyous and wonderful thing. So if a player gets so worked up by it that he finds the act of keeping his clothes on impossible to abide by, then at no point should that ever – ever – be punishable by anything. Except maybe cold nipples.

2. Three Minutes of Injury time – I can’t pin point the exact moment 3 minutes of injury time became compulsory, but I’m going to take a complete guess and say it was around 1997. No match ends earlier than the 93rd minute anymore, so we might as well just play 93 minutes. Even a suicidally dull 0-0 draw at Bolton on a breezy February afternoon gets 3 minutes. Why? When you add up the amount of time the ball is actually not in play it comes to about 20 minutes, but we don’t play 20 minutes injury time because that would be absolutely ridiculous – unless one of the big four are losing of course (only joking big four fans!…sort of) – So lets just play 93 minutes. And if you want to add 4, just add 1 instead. Simples.

3. The Idea you need a few naughties to get a top atmosphere/it’s just part of football – No you don’t/ No it isn’t. I eff and blind as much as the next bloke at a match, but in a vague and non-specific way. The odd expletive repeated 20 times in a row isn’t going to hurt anyone – probably – but you don’t need to add a racial or homophobic slur to the end of it. You really don’t. Nor do you need to throw a coin, or a bottle (or in one Liverpool fan’s case – your phone) on to the pitch to “improve the atmosphere”. That isn’t part of football, that’s just part of being a mong.

4. Diving – Get up you expletive expletive + homophobic insult

5. Autobiographies by players who are still playing – Surely the point of an autobiography is to reflect on your life’s work with the wisdom you’ve gained over the course of it? It should be an opus, not a serial. Writing an autobiography at 25 isn’t writing an autobiography, it’s writing a diary. Furthermore, if you’re not even going to write it at all, merely talk to some other bloke about it for a bit and let him write it down, then why make it a book? You aren’t going to read it anyway are you? Why don’t you just release it on tape or something? “Things I’ve thought of so far by Wayne Rooney”, for example. I wouldn’t buy it, but someone would. At no point does anyone still playing the game need to write an Autobiography, or have a biography written for them. And you don’t need more than one either, it’s supposed to be about your life. You only get one of those.

6. Sepp Blatter – I have no idea why Sepp Blatter still exists in football.

7. The “new George Best” – Or the new Zinedine Zidane, or the new anyone. No, they aren’t that. Stop it. And being fast and mixed race doesn’t automatically make anyone comparable to Thierry Henry.

8. Shot sleeves and gloves – Beanie and a vest? Pants and duffle coat? No.

9. Wearing a suit to pundit on television – Why do you need to wear a suit to talk about football on television exactly? Are you going to get booked if you take it off?

10. Anyone who says there’s no romance in the FA Cup anymore – Didn’t Portsmouth win it 2008? Didn’t Cardiff get to the final? Didn’t Millwall get to the final a few years back? Didn’t Leeds knock out Man Utd away this year? Didn’t Barnsley knock out Liverpool at Anfield two years ago? Didn’t a million other things happen or weren’t you watching? This goes equally for anyone who says “football’s rubbish now, it was better in my day” – which it probably wasn’t, but you were certainly less of a tool – and “The English League is the least competitive” – when in fact only 9 teams have ever won La Liga in it’s entire history, and only 5 during the PL era or more than twice. Only 8 have ever won Seria A more than twice and only 5 since the PL era too. 19 English clubs have won the top tier more than twice however, so even if the PL era has only seen 4 winners, it’s still all rubbish, and actually more in line with the rest of Europe than it ever was.

[30stone]

The diaby tackle by robinson...
Nice..

Youtube video

Here is the video of 'that' tackle by Bolton's Paul Robinson. I thought it was a clear red card at first viewing and it only looks worse on the replays. If ever a tackle was designed to break a leg then this is it. A couple of chaps at the stadium sitting behind me felt it was a fair tackle, if they haven't changed their minds having studied in it more detail then they need their heads examined.



Shocking straight legged tackle, player taken off with potentially nasty injury, one would think that this would make the headlines, at least make the news. So why the strange blackout in certain parts of the media following Diaby's premature exit from the game? The BBC have been appalling, the incident wasn't even on MOTD's highlights and wasn't even mentioned in a match report. Given the the BBC is a public broadcaster they are obliged to listen to complaints, so please join me in taking a couple of minutes to fill out this quick complaints form.

Thats the complaints form from the article.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/for...P1Q39LTB0H5B7S

[30stone]

Owen Coyle has again raised the issue of referees favouring big clubs over the smaller sides following Bolton's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

The Trotters chief was frustrated after watching his side's bid to secure something against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday ended by referee Stuart Attwell's harsh decision to send off Gary Cahill in the second half when the score was 2-1 and just moments after he ignored a clear foul on Lee Chung-yong.

Arsenal went on to wrap up the game with two more goals and Coyle was left to reflect on other matches against the Premier League big boys where they have been hard done to.

He said: "Last year we all know what happened here, we were 2-1 up when Mark Davies was fouled by Mr [William] Gallas, Arsenal equalised while he was lying injured and made it two each, then we went on to lose the game.

"I remember we went to Chelsea late on last season, there were two stonewall penalties denied us and we lost 1-0.

"We came to Arsenal again, and there was another big moment. So maybe when the smaller clubs come to the elite clubs, they don't get the rub of the green."

He added: "As mangers what we want is that they get the big decisions right.

"It was such a glaring foul on the edge of the box and the assistant, has he abdicated responsibility? I don't know - but they were both in good positions to see it."




LOL!? Really? Bolton were going to get nothing Cahill or not!

Lets look at Robinsons foul again shall we? was that favourable refereeing toward Arsenal? He didnt even get a yellow for a BLATENT red card challenge.

Davies made 4 maybe 5 yellow card challenges and went unpunished all afternoon.

How can coyle say the ref helped us, when they deserved a lot more punishment and the ref chose to ignore it..

[Novo]

Am I in the Talk football thread here or the Talk Arsenal thread

[30stone]

The talk Arsenal + whoever Arsenal have played recently or are playing recently thread.

[alc09]

Originally Posted by DDRickyDD

Southampton have a wonderful ground with fantastic fans. They are only in League One because of the poor ownership and management which isn't the fans fault at all. Your correct, no club has a divine right but I would prefer the bigger clubs of English football to be in the Permier League other than smaller clubs such as Wigan who can't fill their stadium.

They are in League 1 because thats where they deserve to be on their performances. If you put in **** performances then you are going to be facing relegation.

A 'wonderful ground' (not so sure what's wonderful about a lifleless bowl - have you been?) and 'fantastic fans' (not sure why you think that either), yep, that will earn them promotion. Forget the players on the pitch.

[Chels]

Originally Posted by alc09

Awful challenge.

Keogh isn't bad, but you still have Bellamy?

We've been playing Bellars on the wing because DJ has opted for a 4-5-1 formation, plus he missed the game on Saturday due to his knee flaring up when he played Montenegro with Wales. He's travelled tonight up to Leicester though and he'll have a fitness test tommorow so fingers crossed he's good to to.

[30stone]

Perfect result for Arsenal today, if Aston Villa won they would be one point behind but stoke won.

MEaning aston villa stay on 6 points stoke are on 3.

[Raph]

I haven't been following football much all month. It's appalling really. I only know that Kaiserslautern lost 2-1 to Mainz and that's about it. Damn. Heck, I don't even quite know what's going on in Premier League.

I am following the Euro Qualifications though. Wales are failing, as usual

[DDRickyDD]

Originally Posted by alc09

They are in League 1 because thats where they deserve to be on their performances. If you put in **** performances then you are going to be facing relegation.

A 'wonderful ground' (not so sure what's wonderful about a lifleless bowl - have you been?) and 'fantastic fans' (not sure why you think that either), yep, that will earn them promotion. Forget the players on the pitch.

Do you support Portsmouth by any chance? You sound like a Portsmouth supporter!

[30stone]

Silvestre ready to stand tall against Crouch
Mikaël Silvestre picks out Tottenham Hotspur FC's Peter Crouch as the main threat to SV Werder Bremen as the former Arsenal FC central defender targets another clean sheet.




Bolton appeal Gary Cahill’s Arsenal red card
Bolton Wanderers have launched an appeal over the red card shown to defender Gary Cahill during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal. - I actually think fifa wont take it back, he was no where near the ball, he came in 2 footed and behind. i think he will keep his 3 match ban



Sporting Braga star Vandinho reckons Arsenal can't blame their injuries if they fail to top their Champions League group.
"In theory first place will be Arsenal's but the battle for second place will be wide open." - They sound a bit defeated? which i dont get as they are the time im most worried about..



Arsenal and Chelsea are both allegedly keeping tabs on Spain star Jesus Navas.
The 24-year-old is being linked with a move to London in January, with both Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti said to be showing an interest.
Metro reports that both Arsenal and Chelsea have had scouts monitoring the progress of the Sevilla ace over recent weeks.



Arsenal signing Wellington Silva is confident he can make an impact at the Emirates.
The Samba starlet is set to join the Gunners permanently in January after a successful trial period in north London, with manager Arsene Wenger securing the player's signature immediately.


Cesc Backs Almunia and says he is well - loved amoung the players and staff
Cesc said:

"Manuel commanded the defence very well at Blackburn - but it is not just about one game or two or three," the Spain midfielder said. "He is well-loved player among everybody here and performs well for this club. We all wish him a super season and have a lot of trust."
Almunia has started the season very well, he has withstood everything that has been thrown at him. I do not believe that he was at fault for the goal at Anfield and in my eyes he has hardly put a foot wrong. He has been under plenty of pressure this summer, especially with the non stop talk about Mark Schwarzer.

[30stone]

Diaby will only miss 2 games.


Good news after most thinking he would miss 2 months.

[30stone]

V Diaby- no return date
T Vermaelen - no return date
T Walcott - 24th Oct 10
R Van Persie - 24th Oct 10
E Frimpong - May 11
N Bendtner - 18th Sep 10
A Ramsey - November 11

Missing a starting 11
Centre Back
Central Midfielder
Right Winger
Striker

Secondary striker

and 2 players that would regularly make the bench..


So thats like..

Chelsea without

Terry
Malouda
Mikel
Drogba
Anelka
Bennayoun
Zhirkov



Or liverpool without

Carragher
Poulsen
Joe cole
Torres
N'gog
Lucas
Jay spearing


Im glad we are doing so well without the important players.

[bbfan1991]

LOL Arsenal and Chelsea have no chance of getting Jesus Navas if he still suffers from homesickness.

Good luck to the English teams in the CL tonight!.

Wolves splitting debate at the moment and Villa losing at the last minute. Poor Tony Pulis though with his mother passing away...

[King Gizzard]

Stoke are brutal anti football dickheads

Wolves are nasty and dirty

[Chels]

I got a bad feeling about tonight ;/ hope city prove me wrong.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Stoke are brutal anti football dickheads

Wolves are nasty and dirty

Wolves are just trying to be tough to beat and get stuck in kind of team, don't think they are setting out to injure people. I don't even like them but theres lots of hypocrisy in Football..

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Chels

I got a bad feeling about tonight ;/ hope city prove me wrong.

You mean due to the injury situation?.

[Chels]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

You mean due to the injury situation?.

We're good enough without them but Leicester have been playing well and we're away so I dunno

[Chels]

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton, Naylor, Hudson (c), Gyepes, McPhail, Rae, Whittingham, Burke, Koumas, Keogh. Subs: Heaton, Quinn, Matthews, Jarvis, Taiwo, Blake, Wildig.

Leicester City: Ikeme, Neilson, Morrison, Oakley (c), Howard, King, Dyer, Waghorn, Berner, Wellens, Hobbs. Subs: Vitor, Texeria, Gallagher, Fryatt, Logan, Abe, Moussa.

Honestly can't see nothing but them battering us now, what a ****ing crap team we've got out there. Howard will flatten Gyepes :[

[Raph]

City have a chance though. Blake!!!

[alc09]

Originally Posted by DDRickyDD

Do you support Portsmouth by any chance? You sound like a Portsmouth supporter!

Portsmouth 'Till I Die.

[alc09]

Originally Posted by Chels

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton, Naylor, Hudson (c), Gyepes, McPhail, Rae, Whittingham, Burke, Koumas, Keogh. Subs: Heaton, Quinn, Matthews, Jarvis, Taiwo, Blake, Wildig.

Leicester City: Ikeme, Neilson, Morrison, Oakley (c), Howard, King, Dyer, Waghorn, Berner, Wellens, Hobbs. Subs: Vitor, Texeria, Gallagher, Fryatt, Logan, Abe, Moussa.

Honestly can't see nothing but them battering us now, what a ****ing crap team we've got out there. Howard will flatten Gyepes :[

Several 'capable' Premier League players in that side. Surely it will be at least 5-0 to Cardiff?

Didn't know Tom Heaton was with you.....had him on loan a few years back and was a good shot stopper but terrible at pretty much everything else. Wasn't as bad as Andy Lonergan from Preston though.

[Chels]

Originally Posted by alc09

Several 'capable' Premier League players in that side. Surely it will be at least 5-0 to Cardiff?

Didn't know Tom Heaton was with you.....had him on loan a few years back and was a good shot stopper but terrible at pretty much everything else. Wasn't as bad as Andy Lonergan from Preston though.

We have 7 players out injured. It's not laughing matters for us, how the ****ing hell are they all injured they've had two weeks off

Heaton's ****.