₦airaland Forum

Cesc Fabregas can sense a "good feeling" at Arsenal this season - and he believes Tomas Rosicky is a big part of that.

The Czech international is rediscovering the form which made him such a vital cog in the Arsenal machine before his lengthy lay-off. And it's no coincidence that the Gunners are flowing now Fabregas and Rosicky are back in tandem for the first time since 2007/08 - the last time the Gunners challenged strongly for the title.

But according to the captain, Rosicky's influence runs deeper than that. The Czech's mental fortitude during his 18-month spell on the sidelines helped Fabregas through his own four-month lay-off last term and brought the Arsenal squad closer together.

"Tomas Rosicky is probably one of the best friends I have, and he’s been injured for nearly two years," said Fabregas, speaking at the launch of Nike's CTR360 Boot at the start of the month.

"It's great to have him back and I'm really happy for him. I have learned a lot from him as well - to be strong and keep believing. He believed in himself, that he could play football and it is great to see him play.

"I was with him every day, I went to his house - it’s like that. And I think team mates, we have to be like that as well. It was nice when they were coming to me [when I was injured]; it’s nice now that I go to them.

"The important thing is you don’t do it because you have to; you do it because you really want to do it. And I think that [at] Arsenal, there’s this feeling with everyone. It’s really good."

At 29, Rosicky brings vital experience to Arsène Wenger's youthful squad. And Fabregas clearly loves sharing a football pitch with his Czech mate.

"I think he has done very well and he gives you so many options," said the captain. "You can see straight away the vision he has, the touch, the class that he plays with. It's great to have him in the team; he's like a new signing."

edoyad:
^^^ haba tayo, you know say you be my man. I posted a pix of Gabriel Obertan. The guy look like Sylvestre.

mukina2:
what is 5 murtala?

edoyad:
Can you believe this is not sylvestre's clone ?
Why Manchester girls like this particular kind of men sef ?       

Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna
France 5-0 Faroe Islands, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
France v Austria, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
William Gallas scored the third goal as France beat Faroe Islands 5-0 to secure their World Cup Qualifying Play-Off place with a game to spare. Bacary Sagna also played 90 minutes in the match. Andre-Pierre Gignac scored a first-half brace before Gallas headed home Thierry Henry's cross at the back post. With 86 minutes played Nicolas Anelka added a fourth and two minutes later Karim Benzema made it five. Serbia's 5-0 victory over Romania means that they will finish as Group Seven winners. France host Austria on Wednesday in their final group-stage match.
Player Profile - Cesc FabregasSpain

Cesc Fabregas
Armenia 1-2 Spain, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Spain, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Cesc Fabregas helped Spain maintain their 100 per cent record with a 2-1 victory in Armenia. The Arsenal captain gave the European champions a first-half lead but Robert Arzumanyan equalised after 58 minutes. However, six minutes later Fabregas played a through ball to Juan Manuel Mata who was upended by keeper Roman Berezovsky. Mata converted the resulting penalty to restore the visitors' lead. Spain now travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a bid to make it 10 wins out of 10.
Player Profile - Thomas VermaelenBelgium

Thomas Vermaelen
Belgium 2-0 Turkey, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Estonia v Belgium, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Thomas Vermaelen captained Belgium as a brace from Emile Mpenza secured a 2-0 win over Turkey as they bid to finish third in Group Five. The former Manchester City striker struck in the eighth and 84th minutes. A Belgian victory in Estonia coupled with an Armenia victory in Turkey on Wednesday will see Vermaelen's nation finish third in their group.
Player Profile - Philippe SenderosSwitzerland

Philippe Senderos
Luxembourg 0-3 Switzerland, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Switzerland v Israel, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
An early double from Philippe Senderos helped Switzerland guarantee a minimum of a Play-Off place with a 3-0 win in Luxembourg. Six minutes in the Arsenal centre-half headed home Alexander Frei's free kick and two minutes later netted again, this time it was Tranquillo Barnetta's free kick which Senderos headed into the back of the net. Just a point at home to Israel on Wednesday will ensure Switzerland direct progression to next summer's World Cup.
Player Profile - Tomas RosickyCzech Republic

Tomas Rosicky
Czech Republic 2-0 Poland, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Czech Republic v Northern Ireland, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Tomas Rosicky wore the captain's armband and claimed an assist as Czech Republic defeated Poland 2-0 to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive. Rosicky sent a through ball to Tomas Necid, who opened the scoring six minutes after the break. Jaroslav Plasil secured the home victory with a header 18 minutes from time. The Czechs must now beat Northern Ireland and hope Slovenia slip-up against a San Marino side yet to pick up a point in qualifying if they're to finish second in Group Three.
Player Profile - Andrey ArshavinRussia

Andrey Arshavin
Russia 0-1 Germany, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Azerbaijan v Russia, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Russia will have to contest a Play-Off match to qualify for the World Cup after a 1-0 home defeat to Group Four leaders Germany. Miroslav Klose netted the only goal of the game after 34 minutes. Andrey Arshavin was captain in Moscow. Russia's final game is away to Azerbaijan but the fixture has nothing riding on it.
Player Profile - Nicklas BendtnerDenmark

Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark 1-0 Sweden, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Denmark v Hungary, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Denmark secured their place at the World Cup with a 1-0 home win over Sweden. Nicklas Bendtner played 90 minutes as Jacob Poulsen scored the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time. The Danes' final qualifying match is at home to Play-Off chasing Hungary.
Player Profile - Aaron RamseyWales

Aaron Ramsey
Finland 2-1 Wales, World Cup Qualifier, October 10
Liechtenstein v Wales, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Aaron Ramsey played 90 minutes for Wales but could not prevent his nation going down 2-1 to Finland. Roni Porokara put the hosts ahead after five minutes in Helsinki but Craig Bellamy equalised 12 minutes later. The game remained level until the 77th minute when Niklas Moisander scored the winner for Finland.
Player Profile - EduardoCroatia

Eduardo
Croatia 3-2 Qatar, Friendly, October 8
Kazakhstan v Croatia, World Cup Qualifier, October 14
Eduardo sat out Croatia's 3-2 win over Qatar due to his thigh injury. Croatia took the lead seven minutes in courtesy of Vedran Corluka and doubled their advantage four minutes later through Ivan Klasnic. In the final minute of the first half Majdi Siddiq pulled one back for Qatar and the scores were levelled when Sebastian Soria struck after 69 minutes. Nikica Jelavic netted Croatia's winner in stoppage time.

By Chris Harris

Frank McLintock can see similarities between Alex Song and the unsung hero of Arsenal's first 'double' team - Peter Storey.

The Cameroon international was no more than a bit-part player 18 months ago and had yet to win over the fans at Emirates Stadium. But he is now perceived as a vital member of Arsène Wenger's first-team, especially now the manager has adopted a 4-3-3 formation.

Song is solid if understated and the same applied to Storey during his heyday nearly 30 years ago. But the tenacious English international was just as important to Bertie Mee's legendary line-up as Song is to the current side.

McLintock, who captained the 1971 team, benefited from the protection Storey gave that Arsenal back four. He believes Song can do a similar job for the class of 2009.

"When they have three in the centre of midfield and they leave Van Persie up front, it's making us stronger in midfield," McLintock told Arsenal.com.

"We always played 4-4-2 with Peter Storey as the anchor man in midfield and he was very protective of the back four. Song is one of those players who can do the same kind of job as Peter Storey. Peter ended up with about 20 caps."

McLintock was one of just 16 players who featured for Arsenal in that historical 1970/71 campaign but he acknowledges that football has changed dramatically since then. The former skipper believes the current squad must match their rivals' strength in depth if they are to push for honours this term.

"I think they started the first few games very well," said McLintock. "I like the new signing, Vermaelen, I think he looked terrific. He's not a giant but he springs well, he is alert.

"Arsenal have always played great football since Arsène Wenger has been here. I think we are a better footballing side than Chelsea and Manchester United and if we can match them for strength in depth we can challenge."

Cristalz:
@tayoccu
Hey sweetie.

Just felt like greeting you specially.  .  .you deserve it.

Emperoh:
Just take idea do this greeting before some detractors go begin read one kind meaning into it
Just my 2 pence though!!

Krayola:
hhmmnn. I smell a rat  

@ crizzle. . .explain the origin of that ring on your finga.

Tayoccu, u may approach the bench. . .guards. . . cuff him!!  

Krayola:
somebody's got a crush on somebody.

Crizzle and Tayoccu sitting on a tree. . .k*i*s*s i*n*g 

Cristalz:
See your head.

Nah.  .  .dude's probably married with 8.5 kids for all I know.
Simply appreciating his nice nature.

Who knows, if you're nice Bluediva might appreciate you too. Or chic2pimp.

While Wenger didn't have the balls to play his youth players against Chelsea in the FA cup semis last season, Fergie rolled out his fledgings against the Toffees.

Emperoh:
So u dey jealous Criz cos your fellow Gaynners no gree crown u Queen?
I am no ones flower boy oo. . . .if you want be for Dk pls carry go. . . . just let me u hear.
Ok ok i just sent my boy to you. . .can i be now?
Pally no worry i dey do like Evra. . . . pretending to fall but dribbling past you
Nothing do u. . . oya over to the Manc thread!!

tayoccu:
@DK
tell me who will you rate higher,
A child that finished top 5 in his class @ lekki british int'l school,
or a child that finished 1st in oke meta primary school?

dayokanu:
Stupid question.

If the child who was 5th in Lekki cant show his skills in WAEC then he is dud.

Anyone who leads WAEC is the winner whether its the Lekki or the Oke - Popo student