Arsenal News 24/7Writer: gunnerkid107 
Date:Friday August 8 2008
Time: 5:32PM
UK time is: 16:55:32
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Ajax vs. Arsenal
Amsterdam ArenA
8th August 2008
8:15 pm
On Sky
Amsterdam Tournament
After suffering the narrowest of defeats against Juventus on Saturday, Arsenal bounced back with an extremely impressive performance against Spanish giants, Real Madrid, and a comeback win against Huddersfield Town. It was good to see the scrupulous passing and the exquisite movement back in the Arsenal play during the Madrid game, as it hasn`t been on full display during most of the pre-season games. Ajax will be another difficult test for the Gunners, which will hopefully prepare them for the Champions League qualifier against fellow Dutch side FC Twente, who ironically eliminated Ajax from the qualifying round of Europe`s finest tournament.
Some Arsenal fans that travel to the Netherlands will be looking to see and greet the new youth coach of Ajax, the legendary Dennis Bergkamp. I know this really has no bearing on the game tonight, but it is still an interesting sub plot to the whole shebang.
Vital Quotes:
After another season on the injury table, Robin Van Persie is looking to get back to his best. He told ATVO "I played 45 minutes against Stuttgart, 65 [against Madrid], and hopefully [this] weekend I can play 80 or even a whole game. So that`s it for me, I just need to improve in every single training and every single game and hopefully I can get back as soon as possible to the top level."
He spoke about the Amsterdam tournament this weekend too. "It`s always a nice tournament and it`s always nice to go there, and I love to play against Ajax and I love the whole tournament."
The Dutchman also gave the inside scoop on our opponents for next week, FC Twente. "They have a good pitch there, everything is okay with it."
"Twente did really well last year but they lost two good players, El Ahmadi went to Feyenoord and Engelaar went Schalke, so that`s a big blow to them, but they were really making the game last year, those two left now but they brought in two or three players."
"In the end it looks like a good draw, but you never know or otherwise they wouldn`t be here"
Ajax Team News:
This will be Ajax`s third game against British opposition in eight days. Ajax played Aaron Ramsey`s old side, Cardiff City, on the first of the month and surprisingly the Welsh side came out the better in a tepid 0-0 result. Their next game was against Wearside opponent Sunderland FC on Sunday and in this game the Dutch side played better but still not to the total football standards we`ve become accustomed to from Ajax. Marco Van Basten has promised that he will bring the flair to the Ajax team that the whole world saw in his Euro 2008 Netherlands team, and Van Basten will be looking to make true of his word against a couple of top-class opposition this weekend and that starts against the Arsenal.
Player to watch: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Who else could I pick to watch for the Amsterdam club other their captain who has scored 70 goals in 82 appearances for Ajax. Huntelaar has been linked with a move to many big European teams, including Arsenal, for years now but somehow Marco Van Basten has managed to retain his skipper`s services at the Amsterdam ArenA for the upcoming season. His knack for scoring goals will need to be kept under wraps during this game.
Arsenal Team News:
Personally I expect the strongest possible side for the first game of this tournament, so the team can get acclimatised to Dutch football before their Champions League qualifier against FC Twente. Though, Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby did not travel to Holland because of knee/thigh injuries. Nasri is just out with a precaution and will be ready for the game against FC Twente, but Diaby`s is more of a serious injury. On a more positive note, Cesc Fabregas will probably make an appearance. Denilson will probably be his partner in the centre of the pitch.
Player to watch: Robin Van Persie
The former Feyenoord Rotterdam player is hated by the Ajax faithful for the simple reason of playing for Feyenoord, but Robin reveled in the hatred during last season`s Amsterdam tournament. Van Persie, who was even assaulted by Ajax fans while playing a match for the Rotterdam club, will certainly be looking to have a repeat performance from last year after scoring a late winner against the Dutch side in the 2007 edition of the tournament.
Match Prediction:
2-1 to the Arsenal. Van Persie, Adebayor, and Huntelaar to grab the goals in an entertaining display of football from both sides.
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Your Comments
It will be great to see Dennis Bergkamp again, and of course looking forward to seeing our very own Euro 2008 champion Mr Cesc! I too am awaiting the Cesc and Denilson partnership to from strength to strength.
hackneyval
Just finished watching last year's Ajax tournament highlights. Let's do it again!
Lou the Gunneress
Last years game was a very intense affair, with both sides playing physical, we will probably see a similar game today. Hopefully no one gets injured. Robin almost did in last years game right at the death.
gunnerkid107
Oops I forgot to watch Sevilla-Inter. Was the goalless draw boring, if you guys did watch?
Lou the Gunneress
No actually it was a very entertaining match. There really should of been a winner, but excellent goalkeeping denied both teams.
gunnerkid107
Spurs have already won a significant cup against proper good opposition, keep up arse
CartoCoys
Hehe Ade will have a blinder I think... Goals from him and RvP or Theo. :D
Lou the Gunneress
Damn Ade should of put that one in!
gunnerkid107
sorry guys, but I haven't got sky and my usual 'source' isn't working. Does anyone know how else I can watch it?
ArsenalRob
Rob I will PM you
gunnerkid107
you will what me?
ArsenalRob
On the forum I sent you a private message(PM) with a feed
gunnerkid107
can't get it working, is there any chance you can send me the URL?
ArsenalRob
"Spurs have already won a significant cup against proper good opposition, keep up arse" -- is this a joke? A "significant cup"??? Oh I forgot, it's a spurs fan being delusional as usual.
jaelle
We've had the opportunities to be ahead, but we just need to improve our finishing and we can win this easily
gunnerkid107
lost to hamburg in your own tournament and think your going to win this won? face it you aren't a cup team. ajax 2-1 huntelaar double and adebayor getting a lucky pentalty. spurs would win
attwooll9
o and ramsey will make the biggest impact just not this year, fav player on your team, good agianst juv
attwooll9
Jaelle you're pretty generous in giving responses.
Lou the Gunneress
attwool, check your facts before you start making rediculous claims about spurs beating Ajax. Arsenal didn't loose to Hamburg at all. I know you won the beer and everything but spurs just wouldn't be able to compete in the Amsterdam tournament. Have you even been invited to it?
ArsenalRob
2-0 down
123spurs
It's in a way good to let Arsene see where the weaknesses are. Same old, same old, set piece and long ball heheehe
Lou the Gunneress
Yeah Lou, the same old defensive frailties coming to the fore. That defensive performance didnt fill me with any confidence.
prits
Fantastic strike by Suarez for the 1st goal, though.
prits
is there a tournament for european countries *****™ cup winners?
KingGunner
missed 1st half, how have we been apart from the goals? whos playing at CM, playing well?
ArsenalRob
Why do no other countries have league cup competions?? English FA have to much compassion for the smaller clubs.
KingGunner
On the first goal both centerbacks went with the runner on the long ball, which left the second striker wide open to win the knock down. Since this is Kolo and Gallas's first time to play with each other since the Chelsea game way back in last season, everybody has to cut them some slack for that goal. The second one goes down to lazy play after conceding a free kick.
gunnerkid107
Rob, Denilson is playing well. We need to improve our finishing. We should of been 2-0 up. Ade should have easily scored twice!
gunnerkid107
Thanks GK, did Cesc start?
ArsenalRob
Yes he is starting. Played well carved Ajax wide open in the second minute and sent Ade on a clear break away but he screwed up
gunnerkid107
I really want Kolo to get his old hairstyle back now...
Lou the Gunneress
Good lord! How is that not a penalty?
gunnerkid107
50-50 there i reckon GK, great move though. Yeah I agree Lou, Arsenal players just don't function well when they change hair styles.
ArsenalRob
It looks to me a bit like only Theo and Denilson improved on last season. Otherwise the defence looks the same, Ade looks the same.. is it just me? :P
Lou the Gunneress
Did ade row his hair because he saw how bad toure looks....!
KingGunner
you can tell van basten and bergkamp are coaches. Shoot on sight
KingGunner
Lou personally I don't think theo has been that impressive pre-season. He's shown glimpses of quality but still lacks a bit when he comes deeper. I agree though the defence still looks just as shaky and Ade seems the same. still with some great moments and some bad touches
ArsenalRob
as much as v p is a good player.....there is a bad vibe about him
KingGunner
KG he's clearly a good guy, I just think sometimes he expresses his passion in a bad way if that makes sense....
ArsenalRob
Van Persie just wanted Theo to play a pass, which Theo should of done.
gunnerkid107
And we are playing Ajax. A team Van Persie hates. He just wants to win this game more than any other Arsenal player
gunnerkid107
i know what your saying he should still encourage though. but ever since he signed theres something about him......
KingGunner
that will do ade just 30 more and well forgive you
KingGunner
come on ade
ArsenalRob
Finally Eboue! Great cross by him. 2-1!
gunnerkid107
I WANT PEOPLE TO NOTE THAT IT WAS EBOUE THAT CREATED THAT GOAL -- BRILLIANT CROSS!
jaelle
If Eboue can keep up those crosses, and Ade keep up scoring all season, I will forgive them both
ArsenalRob
Looks like AW agrees with RVP. He's bringing off Theo, but maybe thats cause he played against Huddersfield.
gunnerkid107
eboues posessed!
KingGunner
I have to admit, Ajax look like a much fresher, energetic team than the one of a few years ago. I would not be surprised if they were back in the Champs lgue semis again in a few years.
ArsenalRob
Are we going to play a 4-3-3 or is Robin going to go to the left wing?
gunnerkid107
Looks like 433 to me GK
ArsenalRob
I really wouldnt be surprised either way. We will have to see
gunnerkid107
Theo & RvP seemed to disagree on something. Little things that kept brewing during the match.
prits
4-3-1-2
KingGunner
eufa semi's!!
KingGunner
Just when I was gonna type "the lack of end product was same old too", Eboue said NO to me. Hats off to him for once. :D
Lou the Gunneress
NIcky B!
ArsenalRob
YEAAAAA!!!!! NIK!!!!
gunnerkid107
Nickyyyy!!!!!
nikolaijns
ajax play well with confidence. 4-2 to arsenal
KingGunner
NICKY MY BEAUTIFUL BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jaelle
We are going to go on to win this!! 3-2 to the Arsenal!!!!
gunnerkid107
It was a good effort play by Ade to keep it in play for Bendtner
gunnerkid107
Yes it was, Ade did very well. Denilson's injured!
jaelle
WHAT A GOAL!!!!!!1
ArsenalRob
YEAAAAAAA!!!!! ADEBAYOR!!!!!
gunnerkid107
its three. great goal...the arsenal way
KingGunner
Well done Denilson! Beautiful play for your last contribution! :)
gunnerkid107
I dont think Denilson is injured. Just tired. He play 180 mins last weekend
gunnerkid107
Interesting opportunity to see Wilshere and Ramsey against such good opposition
ArsenalRob
feckin all out sub assault!! JFW on to run the ****s ragged
nikolaijns
6 points in 45 minutes (so far)
ArsenalRob
Denilson still in pain runs like crazy and creates our 3rd goal! Fantastic work by both Denilson and Ade!
jaelle
wow... you are beating the team that managed a tie with cardiff last week...great job gunners. then agian cardiff made it to an fa cup final last year while arsenal didnt come close
attwooll9
s h i t.my mrs just put big brother on.........what the *****??
KingGunner
Hahaha thats a wonderful windup! Just brilliant from the Spurs fan. Everybody give him a round of applause.
gunnerkid107
attwool you're an idiot. Arsenal lost ONLY to Juve at the Emirates Cup with an offside goal, using a team full of kids under 21. Arsenal WON to a full strength Real Madrid the next day. Who the hell have you beaten lately?
jaelle
and while im talkin to you gunners, how is ramsey been playing since he left? is he playing in the ajax game?
attwooll9
Sigh, I missed that goal... I'm watching you-know-what and it's dodgy... How's Denilson? (Yes I care about that more than the goal.) And it seems like Senderos = DM for now?
Lou the Gunneress
cardiff fan, though when i get tired of the championship i support spurs. hopefully i wont have to next year when we get promoted!
attwooll9
attwool, come on. you know plain well that you would rather sp*rs were in arsenal's position. you know you would like to be in the Champs Lgue like us, you know that you would rather have finished 3rd lst season than 12th or whatever it was. and, lets be honest, you would be more than happy if your team had come back from 2-0 down to beat ajax.
ArsenalRob
And btw idiot attwood, the great Mourinho had a scoreless draw against Sevilla earlier in the day, what does that prove?
jaelle
very enjoyable game to watch
123spurs
Lou, Denilson worked a wonderful one, two with Adebayor then passed it back to the Togo man to finish it!
gunnerkid107
true comebacks are a joy to watch, really just seeing if ramsey is playing well
attwooll9
123spurs, your one of the more sensible spurs fans Ive seen an the Vital network. Surely you agree we deserved to win the game today?
gunnerkid107
attwool you sheepbothering cock jockey at least have the good grace to admit you were an idiot coming here shooting ya big gob off, see the tiny totts coming from 2-0 down away from home against a deadly looking Ajax team??? Not a chance, a very impressive second half to smash and grab our way to victory. Well done lads!
nikolaijns
123 whats the score, 4-2 arse? huntelaar needs to step it up
attwooll9
it was a game of two halfs, ajax scored 2 arse scored 3 end of
123spurs
Yeah yeah GK! Just saw it on Sky Sport News! So Arsenal that goal! :D Just a few mins before that, Denilson challenged Suarez and lifted his shorts to look at a scratch or something. Plus he also played in all pre-season games. Hope the boy's ok.
Lou the Gunneress
lol sheepbothering cock? im not welsh, im american, and yeah i knew arsenal would beat ajax, cardiff nearly did. I WAS SEEING HOW RAMSEY WAS PLAYING, not talking *****
attwooll9
It's amazing that attwool keeps mouthing off when he's not even watching. And I think I have to watch the replay of this one again on ATVO! :>
Lou the Gunneress
It's always nice to hear the 2-0 and you ****ed it up chant get another airing huh?!
nikolaijns
damn arse fans are betchy, i didnt watch it cause they barely show any preseason in america (only the emirates cup) thats why i asked the score
attwooll9
Lou, I'm worried about my boy Denilson too -- I get all maternal with him. I just want to take him home and cook him a big Brazilian feijoada (AW wouldn't like that, tho). :-)
jaelle
I like the fact that we had to work hard till the end for the win - exactly like last time at Ajax. It'd put the team in the right mind frame going into the Twente game next week - we have the quality to beat these teams, but we have to treat the game seriously.
Lou the Gunneress
calm down attwool, jus a friendly cup.
123spurs
now did ramsey get any pt? i dont even hate arsenal, they are the most pop team in america (maybe man u) actually are fav team in top 4, but my duty as a spurs fan is to talk ***** about them
attwooll9
attwooll9 I am in America and I watch every single Arsenal game. Pre-season, EPL, CC, FA cup, and the Champions League. So no excuses.
gunnerkid107
Lol what's betchy? Is that like Beverley Hills 90210 slang for like sooo not putting up with a gloating spud? :0
nikolaijns
nice match..i can see why hunteleer wouldnt fit into Arsenal at the moment..his work rate is a bit low. Ade on the other hand could score more goals but brings a lot more..looking forward to team B playing tomorrow
number14
i think eboue did pretty well in the 2nd half....we all have seen his brilliant crossing ability b4 (when he was RB)...mayb this season eboue may suprise us....? !!! ..
HENRY`14
And by the way Ramsey played the last 5 mins. He will get much more game time tomorrow. You should watch it ;)
gunnerkid107
Ramsey came on for Denilson for the last 10-15 minutes did'nt see too much of him but then I was watching the game on the tiniest bleedin' window known to humanity.
nikolaijns
well im not paying money to watch an arse game, getting the chamionship in the atl (not bev hills) is hard enough
attwooll9
Anyone any idea what strength outfit Sevilla fielded today? Was it a full strength one like us?
nikolaijns
attwooll9 you dont have to pay money to watch football games online. Its not a new thing you know
gunnerkid107
I know Jaelle! I get all sisterly with the boys too lol - sometimes I feel like giving Cesc and Denilson a big hug and messing up Cesc's carefully arranged hairdo or something. (You know that's how you annoy a lil bro!) And what's feijoada? :D
Lou the Gunneress
who yal playin tommourow?
attwooll9
Sevilla played their starters. So it will probably be reserves v reserves tomorrow.
gunnerkid107
All 5 goals and Inter-Sevilla highlights! http://www.101greatgoals.com/2008/08/arsenal-beat-ajax-in-an-inspired-second-half/
Lou the Gunneress
still suspect at back like last season no problem scorein like us
123spurs
That was a game we needed to have. We could have been a couple of goals up early in the 1st half which would have made it all a bit easier perhaps but we'll get much more out of the scrap we had. It was Cesc's and Toure's first full 90 minutes and both needed it.
Amos.
Toure and Gallas will need time to gel together again. I might be mistaken but I dont think they have played central defense together since Sagna got injured at Stamford Bridge.
gunnerkid107
Yes GK your concern is valid - Kolo and Gallas only played together once, at home vs Liverpool (EPL), after Sagna's injury at SB. With Kolo just back, yes they need to spend some time together in training now.
Lou the Gunneress
Thanks Lou for the back up stats, hopefully they will be able to gel quick with the season fast approaching. Arsene was proud of the attack today, but obviously was not impressed with the defense.
gunnerkid107
And at the website you posted, the highlights of Bendtner's goal clearly shows the ball was NOT out for Ade
gunnerkid107
Great game, I like to see arsenal win sometimes, as much as I hate them, I do pity them aswell
CartoCoys
Yay Arsene said "no injuries from this game" - Denilson should be ok! :)
Lou the Gunneress
A thought occurs loosely connected to this game. Isn't it weird how Ade and RvP have acted like cretins this summer over money, yet the supposed ego maniac and troublemaker Bendtner has kept his mouth shut, his head down, played well and scored goals.
Little Dutch
LD in that regard I like Denilson too (and of course Clichy and Sagna as always). The boy made no noise whatsoever - the only interviews he gave was to the club website, magazine and ATVO. Came back and did his job well when given the chacne. Btw post-match interviews with Cesc and the boss: http://www.skysports.com/video/0,20285,12606_3941528,00.html
Lou the Gunneress
Was out last night, so I sky plussed the game and having now watched it back, it didn't tell us a lot we didn't already know. We need a destroyer in midfieldand a big centre half, but that we can score goals and have a terrific attitude when we go behind. van Persie's big challenge, other than fitness, is to stay in a game for 90 minutes, he drifts too much, whereas Adebayor is constantly involved. But I've liked the link up between Ade, RvP and Theo in pre season. For my money, Eboue had a terrific game on the right, let's hope he can maintain, because he looked good there last pre season but couldn't carry that into the campaign.
Little Dutch
Just heared you were in for some Gokhan Inler guy (Swiss, I think) Its reported you are offering 15 million euros for him.
united4life
Has anyone got the line-up against Sevilla?
Lou the Gunneress
GUNNERKID107 where in the states are u?am in chicago always linkin up with a bunch of chavs and mancs
the arsenal
Hey the arsenal. I am from Houston Texas, but I am go to school at Oklahoma U. And Im like you, most of the people I know are Chelsea and Man U fans. Though I have convinced many of my neutral friends to support Arsenal! :)
gunnerkid107
I meant to say 'I go to school'
gunnerkid107
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