CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE VIDEO STREAM: Chelsea v Liverpool

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Chelsea v Liverpool

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE VIDEO STREAM: Manchester United v Barcelona

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Manchester United v Barcelona

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Derby County vs Arsenal – PLAYER RATINGS

By Atishay Agarwal

Well, i was expecting four, and we went two better, but also let in two goals. But i guess you can’t fault them too much for not taking this game too seriously, considering our title challenge is over and the fact that we were playing the worst team to have ever played in the premier league. The second half saw us play some scintillating football, and a few young lads put up a good show. The ratings:

Fabianski – 6 – Overall, his performance was decent, with two decent stops in the second half. He showed a bit of indecision on their first goal by not coming out to punch clear, and could have stayed tall instead of falling to his knees when the shot was taken. Promising in patches, he still isn’t a ready no.2 keeper.

Toure – 7 – Had an indifferent start to the game, but grew into it slowly, and came up with a delightful little chip for the second goal. Got forward much more thereafter, and could have scored with a couple of opportunities himself.

Gallas – 6 – He had a very shaky first half for me, and could have done better for their second goal. The second half, overall, saw an improved willy, but then they hardly had the ball post half time.

Song – 6.5 – Like Gallas, looked less solid than he did against reading, but improved as the match wore on, and i just love the way he gets forward and tries to provide impetus to our attacks.

Clichy – 7 – You don’t get picked in the PFA team of the year for nothing (Except if you’re Steven Gerrard) and he showed everyone just that. Signed off his performance with a great run and cross for the 5th goal. Its absolutely amazing what he produces on the pitch, for 90 minutes, week after week. Our most consistent player of the season, and my player of the season.
Walcott – 7 – I would have liked to see him start up front, but nevertheless he had a good game. He was in and out of it in the first half, but much more effective in the second, and finished beautifully in a Henry-esque manner for our fourth goal.

Fabregas – 7.5 – Controlled the game well, more in the second half, and looked dangerous whenever he got forward. Evaded tackles almost with an air of indifference, and the only thing missing from the performance was a goal. Hopefully he’ll get that scoring touch back by the time next season starts.

Denilson – 7.5 – His performance belied the fact that he’s been out for a long time, and he got in some very good tackles and won the ball back on a number off occasions. And now that Flamini seems to have agreed terms with Milan, we need him to step up to the plate quickly.
Eboue – 7 – I think he had one his best games as a right winger last night. Provided us with a lot of width, and got in several dangerous crosses. He’s really talented and good technically, but I still can’t stop wishing he leaves in the summer.

Van Persie – 8 - The RVP of old is back, and he was in full flow last night. Finished well for his goal, but his overall play was more impressive, with an assist for Bendtner’s goal as well. I don’t know why he was substituted at half time, but it worked for Ade nevertheless!

Bendtner – 9 – One could probably choose one from Fab, Theo, RVP, Ade for the man of the
match and it wouldn’t be the wrong choice, but my vote would go to St. Nicklas. In my view,that was his best performance of this season. He was dangerous throughout, and always got into wonderful positions between the midfield and Adebayor, and was the driving force behind many attacks. He scored too. 

SUBS:

Adebayor – 9 – Wasn’t wasteful today, and played like a true centre forward throughout the second half. His finishing hasn’t quite been upto the mark lately, but it was quite the opposite last night, and he deservedly went home with the match ball. We need him to be as efficient as he was yesterday for the whole season, and only then will he be considered a truly world class striker.

Gilberto – 7 – I think we should try to persuade him to stay, as he still has a lot to offer and adds a lot of value and experience to our squad. Atleast he understands what being at Arsenal means and isn’t tempted by better offers, and could make a very useful squad player and a competent first eleven player.

Djourou – NA – I was shocked when i saw him on the pitch! It was almost out of the blue. It’s been a tough second half of the season for him, and is good to see him back.

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Things Fall Apart – Are Arsenal Set To Unravel?

It’s that time of year again. The off-season has not begun officially, but Gooners worldwide have already been playing fantasy manager with the Arsenal squad. But putting dream signings aside for the time being, Arsene Wenger has argued that the most important ingredient in the recipe for success is retaining the current squad. After a season that promised so much, I am inclined to agree.

Unfortunately, the joy of playing for arguably Europe’s most attractive football side will never be enough for some, and two of our key players over the last season have been strongly linked to a move to Italy. Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini have experienced mixed careers at Arsenal, but have emerged as world class talents over the last twelve months. Their development has inevitably led to some of the world’s biggest clubs attempting to add further impetus to Arsenal’s burgeoning reputation as a feeder club for Europe’s elite.

The ongoing saga of Flamini’s contract negotiations took a worrying development today, as according to the Independent, Flamini has been offered a five year contract worth 4 million Euro’s a year by AC Milan, and will join the Rossoneri on July 1st. Juventus, who had assured Wenger one month ago that they had no plans to sign Flamini, have had a change of heart, but their offer is rumoured to be trumped by Milan’s by 1 million Euro’s.

Flamini has a track record in negotiations that provides little hope. At Marseille, despite verbally agreeing to the club’s long-term contract offer, he signed for Arsenal, leading the Marseille manager José Anigo to state: "This is a beautiful treason. He used me." But after four years fighting for his position at Arsenal, would he really walk away from a central role in the most exciting young team in Europe to join a crumbling giant that has been long delaying the necessary rebuilding?

Milan’s offer amounts to just over £60,000 a week. Arsenal, meanwhile, are rumoured to be offering closer to £50,000 a week. Flamini has long felt undervalued at Arsenal, and under the new contract offer, will still be earning roughly £25,000 a week less than Cesc Fabregas, who is three years his junior. Flamini deserves a wage on a par with Arsenal’s higher earners. Although he has had only one great season, the consistency, commitment and leadership that he has displayed over the course of this campaign justifies a significant wage increase, not the water-carrier earnings presented by Arsenal. However, this would set a precedent that would seriously disrupt Arsenal’s wage structure, a structure Wenger, with his master’s degree in economics, has great respect for. But compromising this wage structure is a necessary concession. The wage difference between Milan and Arsenal’s offers amounts to just over £500,000 per year. When you bear in mind that the only holding midfielder in the Premiership on a level with Flamini, Javier Mascherano, cost Liverpool £17 million, the wage increase Flamini desires would save us mountains of cash in comparison to the price of a potential replacement. Gareth Barry, who may be on his way out of Villa Park this summer, will demand a transfer fee of up to £15 million, but we all know Wenger is too canny/stingy to pay the exorbitant fees demanded for English players. Milan’s contract also includes a significant signing-on fee, but as Thierry Henry’s final contract at Arsenal was rumoured to include a £5 million pound signing-on fee, surely we could grant Flamini the bonus he deserves.

The alternatives of promoting from within are all flawed. Diaby and Denilson are attack-minded players, who lack the discipline and defensive positioning to replace Flaimini. Alex Song shone on loan at Charlton as a holding midfielder, while he was in the team the team of the tournament at the African Cup of Nations as an attacking midfielder. Wenger, therefore, naturally see’s his future at centre-half. Johann Djourou has claimed that defensive midfield is his best position, but he lacks experience in this role at the top level. Gilberto will likely leave this summer, and the obvious decline in tempo of the teams play has been evident every time he has replaced Flamini. Diarra would have been a perfect replacement, but unfortunately Arsene had to let him go. With the dubious potential of replacements both within the club and outside considered, the importance of Flamini staying is amplified. There is an ongoing debate over the captaincy for next season, and Flamini, with his obvious leadership skills, is my ideal candidate, and awarding him the armband would surely go some way to convincing him to stay.

My sympathy for Flamini’s cause leads me to accept his desire to leave for a contract he deserves, but I hold no such compassion for the plight of Alex Hleb. Flamini could have left last season, but has waited for his chance and shone when he received it. In Hleb’s case, however, we have been the ones waiting, with the Belarusian needing two seasons to demonstrate his influence on the team. And in return for our patience, Hleb goes on a date with Inter at the first sniff of gelato. Arsenal haven’t won anything in 3 tears, and if Hleb isn’t happy that he hasn’t kissed a trophy in his entire career at Arsenal, perhaps he should look a bit more closely at his own performances before this season . This has been the first season in which he has truly shone at the club, and his form has dropped alarmingly since January. At over £10 million, Hleb did not come cheap, and he has scored a rather pitiful 7 goals in 89 games for Arsenal, but Inter’s interest suggests that Arsenal are not the only club that could embrace an attacking midfielder who refuses to shoot.

Hleb seems more likely to stay than Flamini, but if he does go, I would love to see Arsene break the bank for the Bundesliga’s reigning player of the year, Diego, a playmaker who scores goals, and is a joy to watch, but seems set on a move to Spain. Ideally, both can be convinced to stay. If two of the foundations for our achievements this season are removed, the whole structure could collapse. Arsenal are in the midst of building something very special, but all our progress could be dismantled if the board refuses to compete financially with the established hierarchy or European football.

Edited: Because of mistakes earlier.

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Thierry Henry WANTS TO BE "HOME" - 25 Minute Full Interview With The Legend

By Bilal Zaidi

I don't really want to comment on this. Please just watch the full interview and tell me Henry doesn't want to be at Arsenal. He says what I say to people; “I don’t regret things”...but that is just out of default...he might not regret it but I bet he wishes he was still here, there is a difference. He talks of England being his "home" since he has lived in England longer than he even lived in France.

It just reminds me of what I have always loved about him...as the reporter asked about coming back to England...he blushed, covered his face and said "there is only one team for me".

I wrote on here the other day about my opinions on Henry coming back but I can't help but reminisce like an emotional lover over an ex-girlfriend. Yes that sounds rather extreme but since I have grown up, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry have been my Arsenal legends just like many that may be reading this...to see Thierry rotting away on the left wing at Barcelona is painful.

I doubt if any other player in my lifetime will ever make me feel like that after they leave the club. I was a great fan of Vieira, Pires and Ljungberg too...but for some reason it really isn't the same as when I see Henry playing for another team. Sorry to be taking a trip down memory lane but...Thierry Henry is and will always be the Don of Arsenal for me.

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EPL: Live Video Streams: Portsmouth v Blackburn, Everton v Aston Villa, Arsenal v Derby County

See ALL of todays games live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE.

Portsmouth v Blackburn
Everton v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Derby County (Monday)

Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

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LIVE VIDEO STREAMS: Birmingham v Liverpool,Manchester City v Fulham,Sunderland v Middlesbrough,West Ham v Newcastle,Tottenham v Bolton,Wigan v Reading

See ALL of todays games live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE.

Chelsea v Manchester United
Birmingham v Liverpool
Manchester City v Fulham
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
West Ham v Newcastle
Tottenham v Bolton
Wigan v Reading

Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

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Chelsea v Manchester United - Preview + Live Video Stream

By Paul Dargan

See todays matches live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE. Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

Stamford Bridge will be the focus of most eyes in World Football later today, as the top two in the Premiership clash, in what should decide who will walk off with the title this season.

What has turned out to be the most crucial game of the season has coincided with both sides reaching the last four of the Champions League and both sides came away from their First Leg’s with encouraging results; Chelsea even bagging an away goal – thanks to the generosity of John Arne Riise.

The Londoners are determined to gain a result which will keep their slender hopes of a third title in four years alive, and manager Avram Grant is hoping for a win to turn the tide and go on level points with the champions.

"We don't want them to take the title here, or to become champions at all," said Grant at Friday’s Press Conference.

Anything other than a home win would leave the visitors virtually assured of sealing a 10th Premiership title but Grant says his team have not given up hope of overtaking their rivals.

"We are happy that we're still in the race for the championship," said Grant.

"The players are highly motivated. We are at home and we want to win. We did what we needed to do in Liverpool. It was a Champions League semi-final away from home at Anfield.

"We did what we needed to do. The game was good for us. United also played away from home on Wednesday, but this game will not be the same.

"They are a proud team and in first place, and they will come to Stamford Bridge knowing that we're still in the fight.

"But we are a team that's come from fifth to second place, showed a lot of spirit and mounted a good recovery from a sometimes difficult situation.

"It is difficult to beat us and we have shown a lot. The pressure's good. I hope I have weeks like this all my life. It's an exciting week. We've worked hard to come to this situation. We want to enjoy it now."

"There is a great incentive for us," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot is hoping his players can recover enough following a difficult trip to the Continent in midweek but feels confident they will be in good order for the visit to Chelsea.

United returned to Manchester with the aggregate score at 0-0 following the Nou Camp meeting, in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final – the night after Chelsea drew their match-up with Liverpool.

"What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. Hopefully we will be all right," Ferguson added.

"We have the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course.

"The game takes care of itself in terms of focus; we just have to make sure we are properly rested and prepared.”

If there is any hope for Chelsea to get a positive result, it lies in their fantastic home form. It is 65 games since they were last defeated at Stamford Bridge – a 1-2 reverse to Manchester United’s European opponents, Barcelona on 22nd February 2006. They have an even more astonishing league record; Arsenal were the last team to come away with three points, with a 2-1 win, strangely enough almost 2 years to the day before on 21st February 2004.

Their last defeat in the league this season came at the Emirates, in December – their only loss in 28.

Manchester United’s top-flight away form though, means that they will be formidable opponents today. They themselves are unbeaten in the last 16 home and away in all competitions, which was the FA Cup Quarter-Final against Portsmouth, 0-1. They also without defeat on their travels this calendar year, with four wins and three draws; the last ground they failed to take points from was Upton Park on 29th December, losing 1-2.

This Premiership campaign, they are imperious. They have the most wins (25), the least amount of dropped points (24), most goals scored (73), and least goals conceded (19).

If there was any key stat though, it is that United’s form against the ‘Big Four’ this season is the most impressive – 100% record at home, beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, and away winning at Anfield and drawing at the Emirates.

Early team news suggests that following the passing of Frank Lampard’s mother, he will not be present in the Chelsea squad. But Michael Essien does return following his suspension for Wednesday’s clash at Anfield.

Manchester United are hoping that Nemanja Vidic will be fit to start at Stamford Bridge, after his missed the Barcelona game with a stomach complaint. Ferguson has also hinted that he may make a few changes and Ryan Giggs is expected to feature.

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Video: Striker With Goal Every 1.6 Games, Pace, Power, Heading Ability, Cheeky Dance + Best Interview EVER

By Bilal Zaidi

Yes he has been frustrating at times but at the same time he has produced some fantastic football this season. Those that want Adebayor out of the club...here is a reminder of what he has done this season:

38 Starts, 7 Sub = 27 goals

That is a goal every 1.6 games. Only 3 less than Torres...some amazing strikes including that famous goal against Tottenham (shown in video below).

I understand why some don't like him but 27 goals in any team, in any league is a great achievement. There have been so many negative comments about him in the last few months and at times this included me; influenced like a young delinquent by my cousin shouting out "DONKEY! DONKEY! OFFSIDE DONKEY"...to the TV when we played Liverpool in the second leg.

But looking back in hindsight, I would like to say well done Ade...you have been one of the players of the season without a doubt in my mind.

Everyone has their own opinion on him, which is fair enough, but this is mine; where would we be without his 27 goals this season? Where do you think these goals would have come from? Again it is all down to opinion...feel free to share yours in the comments section.

If you still don't like him after seeing some of the goals he has contributed this season (vs Tottenham & Newcastle probably the pick of the bunch) in the first video, then perhaps the second video might just do it for you. If not, then perhaps the third an amazing interview that hs to go down in history. What a legend.

Watch tomorrows games live from our "live video streams page" if you haven't already bookmarked it. Early kick off between Chelsea and Manchester United. Until then. Blessings all.

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ArsenalReview.co.uk Poll: Who Should Be Arsenal Captain Next Season - Vote and Reasons Why

Good day all.

Just a quick one, we have a new poll on the side bar to the right which asks; Who should be Arsenal Captain Next Season? Please just take a quick minute to have your say because it will be interesting to see what people think.

Feel free to vote right now, voting will end in just over a week (4th May) so we can announce the results. Vote now and write a little comment here to say who you voted for and the reasons why.

More later, blessings all.

BilZ.

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Henry Could Return To Arsenal?

By Bilal Zaidi

Reports suggest that Henry may be looking to leave Barcelona this summer after things haven’t gone as well as he would have wished. He has not played as regularly as he would have likes, especially in his favoured position up front since Barcelona play a central striker with two “wing forwards” if you would like to call them that. Playing on the left is not where he is at his best and Henry recently said he would only move back to Arsenal if he returned to the Premier League.

To add to this speculation, Arsene Wenger said:

"In our situation you can never say never," said Wenger.

"He only left last year and I think Thierry is disappointed because things haven't gone as well as
he would have liked them to go.

"I still feel he is a world-class player."

I still find it very difficult to believe that he would return back to Arsenal and Wenger would even consider brign him back after only one year away. Arsenal have moved on, the team has learned how to cope without him, new players have emerged and the team is built around Fabregas rather than Henry as it was in the past.

However, as Wenger says, you can never say never but my personal opinion is that this is all speculation. Comments always welcome.

We should have a preview for our match and the “big” match between Chelsea & Manchester United including a new betting preview for any of you punters. You can catch both matches on our live streams page

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PART 2 : Villa/Huntelaar/Joaquin/Benzema/Ben Arfa/Vela/Sell Van Persie?/Adebayor...£25 Million Available NOT £40-70 Million

Arsenal ONLY HAVE £25mil Available, Not £70mil or £45 – Wengers “Youthful Kaizen Continuity Model”

By Bilal Zaidi

Good day all. Since the last post on our finances there have been many comments saying that I’m both perhaps right and wrong in my judgements. The available £70 million cash balances figure that has been passed around in conversation amongst other websites and fans needs to be clarified as it does not mean we have £70 million that has been assigned to spending on transfers.

Arsene Wenger will not change his mind over night since his mentality of building this current football team is based on a “youthful kaizen continuity model” which I like to call it.

Let me break that phrase down:

Youthful: This obviously means he aims to bring in youth instead of old veterans especially over the age of 28-30. He likes to mould them into players that he needs to fit HIS TEAM not the other way round.

Kaizen: This is a Japanese term used to describe “continuous incremental improvement” often used in business or economics. He does not want to drop 15 players and bring in another 16, his priority is to keep this set of players together.

Continuity: This ties in with Kaizen since the key word is “continuous improvement”, not simply a drastic Chelsea approach to team building.

As I said in the last article, it seems like many delusional Arsenal fans think building a football team is like it is in “championship manager”. I will admit to being an addict to that game in the past also but that is just a bit of fun, not real life. These players in the games are simple binary numbers in a database, with values attached to certain attributes. IN REAL LIFE, a manager is managing a group of MEN not a set of values such as “finishing, positioning, off the ball, heading” etc.

Men or human beings, have emotions, wants of self fulfilments (money or otherwise), desires and other needs apart from getting the highest player rating on a game, like on championship manager. They have families, problems, and friends that all contribute to wanting to work in a specific place just like anybody else. Thierry Henry’s transfer to Barcelona apparently was a lot more down to personal problems as his marriage broke down than what was first thought out. He seemed to want a new start, away from Arsenal where his life was running so smoothly for many years. Obviously there were other issues perhaps including Wenger feeling the time was right to cash in on his prized asset but it all contributed.

Flamini, Hleb, Cesc and Rosicky are apparently all great friends so for Flamini to want to leave will mean he is leaving the players and friends he has been close to in recent years. Even though in recent times money seems to be driving most transfers as with most things in life, we have to step back and realise that it isn’t just simple values on a players profile that make them good players.

Players have to be compatible with a country, with a culture, with a particular French speaking team and not all great players do well in England let alone at Arsenal. Chelsea show on countless occasions of players that have come in and not really kept to their high status of hype, Shevchenko-esq.

The original piece written by Nigel Phillips of the Arsenal’s Supporters Trust on ANR, summarised at the end:

“Of the near £70m of cash balances, £25m is unavailable as it is used to partially secure future repayments of the debt facilities and one also assumes some is set aside to meet the probable £20m of additional transfer fees payable on existing squad members.

This does however leave maybe £25m for the squad building (transfer plus wages) that appears all too necessary to sustain a season long challenge for honours on several fronts.”

Somebody made a comment saying I was wrong in my interpretation of these last sentences on the original article. This apparently meant we have £70mil - £25mil = £45mil.

However it is really £70 million - £25million - £20 million = £25 million

The extra £20 million that is estimated to be “set aside to meet additional transfer fees payable on existing members” is in reference to the additional fees that are also present in Championship manager, things like appearance fees for players. Any football club or business would need to be secure, especially in our case and leave this money aside so that when the transfer fees are due to pay then we have the available cash.

People need to CALM DOWN thinking that our squad is totally dire. We were on top of the table for a long time with a much smaller squad, assembled with pennies in comparison to our rivals. YES we through it away, but it wasn’t because we weren’t good enough. We all agree we need a few players but to say get rid of half the team, including our TOP GOALSCORER Adebayor is crazy. The guy is 23 years old, has played up front on his own for most of the season, works his ass off every game and that is what he gets? Yes he misses some chances but what striker doesn’t. He is still young, tall, strong, very quick for his size, good in the air and has a good football brain but he isn’t perfect. He isn’t Thierry Henry but he has scored 27 goals this season, more than double any other player has in our team? Torres who is a class player has only scored 3 more goals than Adebayor.

He will improve, he will learn with time what the offside rule is and he will also finish better consistently. He has been an absolute revelation this season, scoring some amazing goals and being an integral part of the team. Some people can only think of the last part of the season where to be honest, Fabregas and Hleb have not exactly been as they were in the first half of the season. Most fans just jump along with the crowd when there is criticism of a player, learn to have your own opinion and take every variable into account.

Overall, it seems as if the £25 million set aside for new player transfer fee’s inclusive of their contracts makes sense. Regardless, even if we did have £45mil or even £70mil, Wenger would most probably never get near that mark anyway.

Good day...God Bless.

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De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather To Fight Again?

By Bilal Zaidi

For any of our boxing fans there is some news relating to the potential up-coming fight between Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather aka Pretty Boy and Oscar De La Hoya. Their last fight on May 5th 2007 was classed as a “super fight” which went down in history as the most lucrative fight in boxing history with $120 million generated in revenue, beating the record set a few years earlier by Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

The re-match seems to be shaping up to be another hell of a bout after Mayweather swept aside Ricky Hatton in December. Now...two fighters, already legends in the sport have inevitably found each other again for a long awaited rematch. This promises to be another huge occasion. The last time these two gladiators met, Floyd managed to squeeze out a victory when he won on a split decision.

The management on Mayweather’s side seem to think it is pretty much a done deal and a date has been set for around September 13th to September 20th this year. These two class acts have provided us with some fantastic entertainment over the span of their careers and I hope that the coming fight will live up to the expectation of the fans from around the world.

Set your reminders, mark your calendars for another super fight: September 13th to 20th.
If anybody is interested in getting tickets for this event you can purchase Mayweather vs De La Hoya tickets.

This is a sponsored post, for information on our disclosure policy please feel free to read.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE VIDEO STREAM: Barcelona v Manchester United

See ALL of todays games live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE.

Barcelona v Manchester United

Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

Enjoy.

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Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did...Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea - I Still Hate Cashley aka ATM Machine - Match Reaction

See todays champions league live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE. Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

By Bilal Zaidi

Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did They'd Be The Best Last Minute Own Goals In The World.

As you may sense I am still bitter that Liverpool knocked us out in the quarter finals due to a couple of jammy decisions...YES...but as much as I detest Chelsea, for some reason, the first time ever, I really didn't want Liverpool to win. Weird feeling...perhaps because my best friend is a Liverpool fan and his continuous digs were too much to take when we had our triple leg tie against them and many a Pro game after. Also perhaps because I had layed (bet against) Liverpool to win at home on betfair...Crazy but...Thank you Mr Riise.

However, Chelsea are Chelsea...Cashley is Cashley...so I have realised that no matter who loses this tie, I will be slightly happy. A win-win situation if you will. Preferably once Cashley aka ATM Machine scores an own goal that knocks his beloved Chelsea out of the Champions League. Wanker.

What did I think of the match? B-O-R-I-N-G to be perfectly honest. Chelsea started off better, Liverpool didn't do much in the first half and Mr. Jam himself, Kuyt, finished nicely between Cech's legs after a 'superb' pass. That was pretty much the story of the first half.

Second half was different, Liverpool didn't really allow Chelsea to do anything, they closed down in midfield, didn't allow Malouda to do anything and forced Avram to take Joe Cole off. My friend texted me while the match was going on saying "Drogba doesn't look like he's given up" and "SNAP I didn't realise Lampard was even playing", to which I replied; "Snap I didn't realise Stevey was playing"...to which he replied; "Oh SNAP...I didn't realise Arsenal WEREN'T PLAYING." Scouse bastard.

Riise got confused by a decent ball in by Kalou as Anelka loafed behind, that goal may prove to be as crucial as the Hleb (non-penalty) and Babel's penalty at the end.

Overall probably a fair result in my opinion, even though I didn't think either side really did much at all to deserve anything. So at half time in this tie it is 1-1, Chelsea have an away goal that seems to be rare in this champions league tie and Chelsea play Manchester United on the weekend in their half time break.

Ronaldo to run the show tomorrow in the Nou Camp? If Messi is fit then it may not be. Until tomorrow.

Blessings all...BilZ.

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Villa/Huntelaar/Richards/Joaquin/Benzema/Ben Arfa/Vela/Sell Van Persie?...£25 Million INCLUDING WAGES To Spend...Arsenal Fans Need To Calm Down.

See todays champions league live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE. Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

By Bilal Zaidi

After reading some ridiculous comments on some other websites, I found it amusing to see what some Arsenal fans (hopefully children) were saying on the comments section. After reading a solid piece on ANR by Nigel Phillips, it seems as if Wenger has about £25 million to play around with INCLUDING wages. Sorry to disappoint you fantasy fans but...that isn't that much.

Here are two samples of what I read on another site from the comments:

Sample Number 1:

Sell :
Lehmann - Retired
Hoyte - 2
Eboue - 5
Gallas - 5
Rosicky - 7
Diaby - 5
Gilberto 3
van Persie 8
Bendtner 2.5
Buy
Gomes 5
Richard 7
Ben Arfa 10
Benzema 12

Sample Number 2:

"Huntelaar would be a good signing Villa would be better but what about both?? We have all heard AW has a war chest to spend and with the sales of players like

Lehmann Free,
Eboue 2.5,
Gallas 5,
Gilberto 1.5,
Rosicky 5.5,
Bendtner 3.5,
Hoyte 1.5,

Total 19.5

Spend
Villa 25,
Huntelaar 15,
Richards 9,
Joaquin 8,

Total 57"

Two words...OH MY.

Sell Van Persie? Villa, Hutelaar, Richards and Joaquin? Mass clearout? This was just two samples of it, there were SO MANY around but I found these two quite comical to say the least. Some Arsenal fans are living in the world of "Championship Manager"..whatever it is called nowadays.

£25 million is not going to be that much if we anticipate losing Flamini on a free and considering how much of that total would be taken up by wages/signing on fee's for new players. Wenger said "one or two" quality players, hopefully in the form of Sagna would do us well next year. No big star names will come in, in my opinion...call me a pessimist...but big star names, even if they are young like most that are mentioned on that list...have never been Wenger's style. The closest we came to that was a young chap called Jose Antonio Reyes who is chilling out in Spain right now after being bullied at Old Trafford.

Next season we will have a young man called Carlos Vela at the club, with a lot of hype around him. Let's hope Arsenal fans can be a bit more patient with this youngster. Flamini may be on £60k a week at Juventus, Hleb may be licking ice creams in Milan and Lehmann will be mad back in Germany. It won't be the first time that we have lost quality players for little money or on a free, but we have to see what Wenger has in store for us.

PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE IS HERE

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Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did...Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea - I Still Hate Cashley aka ATM Machine - Match Reaction

See todays champions league live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE. Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

By Bilal Zaidi

Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did They'd Be The Best Last Minute Own Goals In The World.

As you may sense I am still bitter that Liverpool knocked us out in the quarter finals due to a couple of jammy decisions...YES...but as much as I detest Chelsea, for some reason, the first time ever, I really didn't want Liverpool to win. Weird feeling...perhaps because my best friend is a Liverpool fan and his continuous digs were too much to take when we had our triple leg tie against them and many a Pro game after. Also perhaps because I had layed (bet against) Liverpool to win at home on betfair...Crazy but...Thank you Mr Riise.

However, Chelsea are Chelsea...Cashley is Cashley...so I have realised that no matter who loses this tie, I will be slightly happy. A win-win situation if you will. Preferably once Cashley aka ATM Machine scores an own goal that knocks his beloved Chelsea out of the Champions League. Wanker.

What did I think of the match? B-O-R-I-N-G to be perfectly honest. Chelsea started off better, Liverpool didn't do much in the first half and Mr. Jam himself, Kuyt, finished nicely between Cech's legs after a 'superb' pass. That was pretty much the story of the first half.

Second half was different, Liverpool didn't really allow Chelsea to do anything, they closed down in midfield, didn't allow Malouda to do anything and forced Avram to take Joe Cole off. My friend texted me while the match was going on saying "Drogba doesn't look like he's given up" and "SNAP I didn't realise Lampard was even playing", to which I replied; "Snap I didn't realise Stevey was playing"...to which he replied; "Oh SNAP...I didn't realise Arsenal WEREN'T PLAYING." Scouse bastard.

Riise got confused by a decent ball in by Kalou as Anelka loafed behind, that goal may prove to be as crucial as the Hleb (non-penalty) and Babel's penalty at the end.

Overall probably a fair result in my opinion, even though I didn't think either side really did much at all to deserve anything. So at half time in this tie it is 1-1, Chelsea have an away goal that seems to be rare in this champions league tie and Chelsea play Manchester United on the weekend in their half time break.

Ronaldo to run the show tomorrow in the Nou Camp? If Messi is fit then it may not be. Until tomorrow.

Blessings all...BilZ.

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Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did...Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea - I Still Hate Cashley aka ATM Machine - Match Reaction

By Bilal Zaidi

Carlsberg Don't Do Last Minute Own Goals But If They Did They'd Be The Best Last Minute Own Goals In The World.

As you may sense I am still bitter that Liverpool knocked us out in the quarter finals due to a couple of jammy decisions...YES...but as much as I detest Chelsea, for some reason, the first time ever, I really didn't want Liverpool to win. Weird feeling...perhaps because my best friend is a Liverpool fan and his continuous digs were too much to take when we had our triple leg tie against them and many a Pro game after. Also perhaps because I had layed (bet against) Liverpool to win at home on betfair...Crazy but...Thank you Mr Riise.

However, Chelsea are Chelsea...Cashley is Cashley...so I have realised that no matter who loses this tie, I will be slightly happy. A win-win situation if you will. Preferably once Cashley aka ATM Machine scores an own goal that knocks his beloved Chelsea out of the Champions League. Wanker.

What did I think of the match? B-O-R-I-N-G to be perfectly honest. Chelsea started off better, Liverpool didn't do much in the first half and Mr. Jam himself, Kuyt, finished nicely between Cech's legs after a 'superb' pass. That was pretty much the story of the first half.

Second half was different, Liverpool didn't really allow Chelsea to do anything, they closed down in midfield, didn't allow Malouda to do anything and forced Avram to take Joe Cole off. My friend texted me while the match was going on saying "Drogba doesn't look like he's given up" and "SNAP I didn't realise Lampard was even playing", to which I replied; "Snap I didn't realise Stevey was playing"...to which he replied; "Oh SNAP...I didn't realise Arsenal WEREN'T PLAYING." Scouse bastard.

Riise got confused by a decent ball in by Kalou as Anelka loafed behind, that goal may prove to be as crucial as the Hleb (non-penalty) and Babel's penalty at the end.

Overall probably a fair result in my opinion, even though I didn't think either side really did much at all to deserve anything. So at half time in this tie it is 1-1, Chelsea have an away goal that seems to be rare in this champions league tie and Chelsea play Manchester United on the weekend in their half time break.

Ronaldo to run the show tomorrow in the Nou Camp? If Messi is fit then it may not be. Until tomorrow.

Blessings all...BilZ.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE VIDEO STREAM: Liverpool v Chelsea

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Liverpool v Chelsea

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Finally A Quiet Weekend For Arsene - Future of Flamini / Gilberto

By Richard Popple

A mixture of relief and thoughts of what might have been filled me after the Reading win on Saturday. Of course our challenge for silverware is over this season and this game had from Arsenal’s point of view, an air of lethargy about it. But we won nevertheless, a victory and a clean sheet.

The performance was professional and clinical against a Reading side that showed plenty of determination but little guile and ambition to win the game. It was great to see Theo Walcott play a full 90 minutes and he gave a decent performance. Robin Van Persie importantly is showing signs that he is returning to some form. Next year however, is a huge year for Van Persie. I hope he stays injury free and if he does Arsenal will be there or thereabouts.

What then do we look forward to from now until August? Arsene Wenger has demanded that we finish with four wins and twelve points. We have taken three comfortably and now have a week off to take stock before going to Derby a week tonight. I hope Walcott and Bendtner start that game as Wenger as made it clear that both of these players will be at the club next season. It would therefore be nice to see a bit more of them in the remaining games.

The other big talking point is Mathieu Flamini and the saga that is his future. For what it’s worth, here is my advice to Flamini: Sign the contract Mathieu. You earn enough money at Arsenal and play regularly. Arsene Wenger has given you a massive chance to play in this team and exposure to the French national side.

Flamini has been brilliant for Arsenal this season and knows that he is an integral part of the team. It would represent another greedy exploitation of the bosman ruling if he left for a free in the summer, with the promise of more money surely the only reason. It would be a massive disappointment to loose Flamini but, no player is ever more important than the club. If he wants more money then he can leave.

Oh a quick word for Gilberto. He played very well again on Saturday, it will be intriguing to see whether he stays next year, which he stated is his intention……maybe we don’t need Flamini after all? Comments are welcomed.

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Arsenal vs Reading – PLAYER RATINGS

By Atishay Agarwal

Doesn’t it feel like ages since we last played a game like that? And didn’t you get the feeling that the lads played without any pressure and played freely, unlike how they have been recently? I didn’t know how to react when I saw us play the way we did today, be overjoyed, frustrated, angry, or just appreciative. How our season would have flourished had we not started thinking way too much about results and consequently compromise the fluidity of our play. Well, I maybe reacting too much here considering that we played a hapless side who applied man marking for the whole 90 minutes and were devoid of any creativity in their play whatsoever, but who knows. Nevertheless, we got that ‘winning feeling’ back. The ratings, dear friends, lie beneath.

Lehmann - 7 – I was quite happy to see him play, and I think the boss should play him in the remaining games just to give him a nice send-off, as a thank you. Well he might have strained his muscles more by just sitting on the bench today anyway! Had nothing to do throughout the game, but reacted well a couple of times to make the required but expected save near the end.

Clichy – 8 – This is quite unfair you know? Having to come up with a rating and a non-repetitive description for his performance after every game, when he does the same things again and again. Quick, alert and committed as ever, he can be the best left back in the league consistently for the next few years at least.(If he isn’t already) Touchwood.

Gallas – 7 – Like Lehmann, had very little to deal with and was comfortable with whatever the Reading attackers could muster.

Song – 7 – This wasn’t the kind of game one should judge his center back credentials on, but he was calm and composed nevertheless. What was more impressive, though, was the way he got forward and gave some impetus to our attacks. Looks much better than he did last season, and could turn out to be a revelation at center half. (Disclaimer: This doesn’t mean we don’t need to buy an experienced center back in the summer.)

Toure – 7 – Finally turned in a good performance, and crossed brilliantly for the opening goal. I’m not going to comment on the defending again as one saw that they hardly tested our backline, but the way he drove down the wings was most encouraging. Even the Toure at center back used to be an offensive force worth reckoning, and he surely was today.

Hleb – 5 – The only attacker who didn’t do something of note today. Oh wait, he did. He slapped Murty right across his left cheek! Nice shot, but he could get into trouble.

Fabregas – 8 – A typical Cesc-y performance reminiscent of his performances last year. He controlled the pace of our play, and the game in general, and one could see his sharpness and that physical edge in challenges that had gone missing for the last month or so. Almost scored a deserved goal right at the end, but was cleared off the line. MoM for me.

Gilberto – 7 – Our ex-captain put in another admirable effort, and even scored to show for it, even if it was deflected! (Who complains when Mr. Lampard bundles in deflected goals week after week?) It was an efficient performance, and once he gauged the ineffectiveness of their attackers, he got forward more and more.

Walcott – 7 – Theo finally got his long-coveted start, and was good value for it. He troubled their defenders all day, and showed incredible pace and some sublime skills. His first touch ends up being a bit too light at times, which makes him lose control of the ball, but that’s a minor flaw which will be fine-tuned. Hit the bar in the second half, when it was probably easier to score.

Van Persie – (8 -1= 7) – We finally saw the RVP of early season, and all that rust seems to have been well oiled out. Whipped in several stunning crosses, made 2-3 simply outrageous passes, and curled a fantastic free kick which deflected off the bar onto the post, but didn’t go in! I gave him the ‘-1’ because of his Henry-esque complaining each time a pass wasn’t made to him or if it went astray. I hate to see a player complain with his arms raised all the time. A bit harsh maybe, but we don’t need another striker who the players ‘must’ pass to.

Adebayor – 7 – Was more energetic than he has been recently, and ran his legs off throughout the first half. Missed an easy header early on, but took his goal like a real finisher, and coolly slotted home. A very bright performance from our top scorer.

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WATCH LIVE STREAMS: Fulham v Liverpool,Wigan v Tottenham,Blackburn v Manchester United,Middlesbrough v Bolton,West Ham v Derby,Barcelona v Espanyol

See ALL of todays games live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE.

Arsenal v Reading
Fulham v Liverpool
Wigan v Tottenham
Blackburn v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Bolton
West Ham v Derby
Barcelona v Espanyol


Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

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WATCH LIVE STREAMS: Fulham v Liverpool,Wigan v Tottenham,Blackburn v Manchester United,Middlesbrough v Bolton,West Ham v Derby,Barcelona v Espanyol

See ALL of todays games live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE.

Arsenal v Reading
Fulham v Liverpool
Wigan v Tottenham
Blackburn v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Bolton
West Ham v Derby
Barcelona v Espanyol


Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.

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STARTING XI - Arsenal v Reading - Walcott in, Eboue out, Song Stays at CB

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Finally Walcott gets a chance to start over Eboue! Here are the two teams:

1 Lehmann
22 Clichy
10 Gallas
5 Toure
4 Fabregas
17 Song Bilong
19 Silva
13 Hleb
32 Walcott
25 Adebayor
11 van Persie

Substitutes
40 Mannone
6 Senderos
27 Eboue
15 Denilson
26 Bendtner

Starting Line-ups
1 Hahnemann
19 Rosenior
16 Ingimarsson
22 Bikey
2 Murty
5 Sonko
30 Kebe
4 Cisse
17 Convey
15 Harper
12 Kitson

Substitutes
32 Federici
29 Duberry
20 Fae
28 Matejovsky
9 Doyle

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WATCH Arsenal v Reading - LIVE VIDEO STREAM HERE

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Arsenal v Reading - 12:45

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Enjoy.

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Watch Everton v Chelsea - LIVE VIDEO STREAM HERE

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Everton v Chelsea

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Enjoy.

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