Arsenal have been drawn against Porto, Fenerbahce, and Dynamo Kiev of the Group Stages of the Champions League, which looks like the toughest of the English sides (Liverpool being just as hard).
Group A: Chelsea, AS Roma, Bordeaux, CFR 1907 Cluj
Group B: Internazionale, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta
Group C: Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk
Group D: Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseilles, Atletico Madrid
Group E: Manchester United, Villarreal, Celtic, Aalborg BK
Group F: Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, Fiorentina
Group G: Arsenal, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kiev
Group H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St. Petersburg, FC BATE Borisov
Our first game kicks off against Dynamo Kiev in Kyiv, on Wednesday 17th September, and I’m sure it’ll prove to be a very gruelling opening match. To be fair, its the one game out of the lot that I’d rather get over and done with early doors. You don’t really want to be travelling to Kyiv later on in the season when the Premiership and FA Cup games start to kick in.
In transfer news, reports are veering towards Arsenal putting in a £12m bid for Feyenoord’s Jonathan de Guzman. Reports are suggesting that he’s the Dutch equivalent to Owen Hargreaves, which I think is total nonsense as he is far from a defensive midfielder and more of a creative player. To be honest, I’d accept anything right now, as I’m just desperate for a new signing regardless of position.
“I’m certainly open to interest from Arsenal and from what I hear Feyenoord are happy to hear from them as well.”
I get the feeling this is another random story the press are clinging onto, as the first anyone heard about this was a blog reporting Arsenal chasing Daniel de Guzman, who doesn’t even exist. If The Sun has no news then they’ll make something up. Exactly what I’m doing right now funny enough.
Good result last night against FC Twente. Walcott always looks quality against a diabolical opponent, Djourou looked strong, and Nasri looks like the best signing ever!
Henry going to Man United? Can’t be true, can it?
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jonathan de guzman is good. You’re right though, he aint no defensive midfielder.
We should fork out loads of money for Veloso. This guy is shit hot.
I read on another site that the quotes attributed to De Guzman by the Sun (and Caughtoffside the day before) where actual from an interview he gave in May. I think people are comparing him to Hargreaves because he’s a Canadian who doesn’t play for Canada. Can’t blame him – if you had the choice of Euros and World Cup or Gold Cup and … failing to qualify for the World Cup what would you choose?
When and who are we going to sign??? I think I’ll be happy with anyone right now. Even Silvestre seemed like a cracking signing at the time!! Sign of boredom!
I read on the site which reported the De Guzman rumours, and you are correct Damon, Caught Offside and The Sun are hardly reliable sources. I would take this with a pinch of salt right now.
Interestingly, there is mention of De Guzman on the official Arsenal website, if you subscribe you can hear Wenger talk about the rumour. No idea what he has said.
Caught offside is rubbish. I would not believe anything written on that site. Utter nonsense.
Denilson was bad today. We really need to get in an accomplished centre midfielder soon. I’m sure we’ll get Alonso before the deadline.