A Gooner in Montreal
To contact me: ulysse.pasquier@gmail.com
Follow me on twitter: @ulyssep
Thierry Henry: In Search of Lost Time
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal
Anyone who follows football knows the amount of emotion that the sport can bring in a split second. From total despair to intense euphoria, every fan is ought to have experienced his fair share of hair-raising moments. What happened at the Emirates yesterday however transcended all these feelings. Seeing Thierry Henry warm up wearing the Arsenal colors was already a nostalgic treat every Gooner could savor. His match-winning goal however was out of this world and truly of fairytales. Much like a taste or smell that can resurrect forgotten memories, witnessing his so familiar trademark finish brought me back to a time I thought was lost, a time when I first became interested in football because I heard this Frenchman was ruling the pitches of England.
(via afootballreport)
A miraculous week for French clubs in the Champions League
A miracle. That’s exactly what Lyon needed to go through to the knockout stages of the Champions League after disappointing in the five first games and scoring only on two occasions. To qualify, Les Gones not only needed Ajax to lose, but also had seven goals to catch up on the Dutch side. As if that wasn’t hard enough, Lyon’s goalscoring form had been worryingly poor, especially away, and when Dinamo Zagreb managed to hold them at 1-1 at half time, Marseille looked to be the only French club going to the last 16. We thought we had seen it all when Didier Deschamps’ men came back from 2-0 to win at Dortmund yesterday. Clearly not. Seven goals in 30 minutes, including four from Bafétimbi Gomis, allowed Lyon to unbelievably secure second place in Group D.
(via afootballreport)
A Year with Laurent: Only the Illusion of Success?
Les Bleus wrapped up 2011 with a 0-0 draw at home against Belgium, an unconvincing performance that unsettled many critics in France. Just over a year since taking the top seat, the grace period and overall optimism linked to Laurent Blanc’s appointment have clearly evaporated. There is no talk of getting rid of the former Bordeaux coach of course but the consensus is evident: France is not playing good enough with the player it has. It is true that France seemed to lack pace and presence in the final third against Belgium and even during the win against the USA. Yet, Blanc’s men have just booked their place into the Euro (without going through the playoffs) and are currently defending a 17-game unbeaten streak. So which is it? Is Blanc fulfilling his promises or was 2011 only the illusion of a successful year for Les Bleus?
(via afootballreport)
Fighting the Power Shift - Arsene’s Last Struggle?
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal
Football clubs do enjoy their deadline drama it seems. These last couple of days have been so hectic it has become difficult to keep track of my Twitter feed every single deal, and the transfer window is not even closed yet! We can expect more signings in the next 24 hours that could shape the rest of the season, notably in the Premier League with much of the attention focused on Arsenal. The Gunners have been incredibly busy since their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford, getting their hands on Park Chu Young from Monaco while waiting for Andre Dos Santos and Per Mertesacker to follow the South Korean to North London. Arsene Wenger has had a very worrying start of the season, to say the least, and Arsenal’s top four spot is already severely threatened, only three match-days into the new campaign. Whether this new found taste for spending is a reaction to this weekend’s loss or part of “Le Plan” is irrelevant, however after Manchester City’s performance at White Hart Lane, it could very well be Wenger’s despairing attempt at saving Arsenal’s seat in the Champions League.
(via afootballreport)
Can’t thank Eric Beard enough for giving me this opportunity. A dream come true to be able to ask questions to an Arsenal legend like Dixon. Also, Lee’s reaction to hearing my name is priceless haha!
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon answers Ulysse Pasquier’s questions for A Football Report
AFR Senior Writer Ulysse Pasquier had the opportunity to ask former England and Arsenal full back and BBC football pundit Lee Dixon questions about Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, the transfer market, Ian Holloway, and the Premier League as a whole. He didn’t answer our question about whether Balotelli is a great footballer or the greatest footballer ever, but we’ll let it slide.
Aside from his established career as a footballer and now a pundit, Lee Dixon is also a script and storyline contributor for I AM PLAYR, the first-ever point-of-view online football game. After testing out the game, AFR decided to team up with Mr. Dixon and I AM PLAYR. It’s a creative, somewhat addicting take on the life of a young professional footballer coming through the ranks in England with hopes of being the next great thing. Alongside the gameplay, the characters and vivacious first person videos truly make the game a unique experience. We’re not sure it knocks Football Manager off its perch just yet, but it is free. So why not have a go and join us?
(via afootballreport)
Like Liverpool in Istanbul, The Podcast Makes A Comeback! iTunes / Soundcloud / RSS
After a two-month period of soul-searching and not having nearly enough time for weekly hour-long recording sessions, the A Football Report podcast is back with a new, fresh format. The podcast, now hoping to be about 25 minutes in length, will focus heavily on interacting with you via Facebook, Twitter, and email. On this podcast Ulysse Pasquier, Oliver Sparrow, and Eric Beard talk about the importance of the Europa League, Manchester United’s fantastic season so far, Arsenal’s not so fantastic end to their season and recent change in ownership, and the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
(via afootballreport)
A game Barcelona deserved to win, but should they have?
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal
Ignoring the result, the first leg between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates was everything we had hoped for. The amount of precision in both teams’ passing and control made the game a joy to watch for anyone passionate about football, Gooner or Culé. Although not lacking the excitement and controversy, Tuesday’s match was somewhat disappointing in terms of the quality of play with only one team coming out of the gates. Indeed, the first half couldn’t have been more one-sided with waves of Messi-led attacks leaving Arsenal gasping for air. Sadly, the turning point of the game wasn’t the Argentinian’s genius touch to set up the first goal, or any other piece of football magic but a jaw dropping decision form the referee instead. The second half looked promising with the Gunner’s unlikely equalizer bound to open up the game and yet we barely had time to say “game on” before Mr. Massimo Busacca made the conscious decision to end the contest by sending off Robin Van Persie.
(via philosofooty)
Carling Cup Final: Arsenal and Birmingham face-off for some much needed silverware
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal
There will be much more than just golden statuettes distributed on Sunday as Arsenal will look to end their 6 year trophy drought against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final. Arsenal’s lack of silverware since 2005 has been a talking point in the press - for what seems like forever for us Gooners - and yet it will be Alex McLeish who will have the task of ending the longest winless run with Birmingham lifting their only major trophy back in 1963. Puts things in perpective doesn’t it? However Arsene Wenger has evidently felt under pressure this season breaking off with his nonchalant attitude toward the League Cup and lining up stronger sides. The Gunners will be eager to silence the critics but will first have to get past a strong Birmingham side and do so without the injured Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas.
(via matchcentre)
Arshavin and Bendtner - Should Arsenal fans Love or Hate?
Arsenal fans have been increasingly frustrated with the duo’s performances in the recent weeks, especially following their important involvement in the Gunners’ two-game cup ties against lower-league clubs Leeds and Ipswich. Arshavin and Bentdner have indeed not had the best of seasons so far with most of theirs last appearances in the league coming from the bench. The humiliating defeat at Portman Road in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final hence resulted in a furious backlash from angered Gooners, directed especially towards Bendavin (let’s just hope that name doesn’t stick). I believe however that their style of play makes them especially easy to target and scream at from your couch - and I’ve done my share of that - but looking at the big picture, is all this criticism justified?
(via philosofooty)
Walcott inspires Gunners against out-of-form Chelsea
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal
Arsenal ended on Monday night their calamitous recent record against the Blues with a significant 3-1 win at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger’s players had to overcome the psychological pressure of having won only two of their last 18 matches against Chelsea in all competitions. Goals at either end of half-time from Song, Fabregas and Walcott allowed the Gunners to do just that and keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. It was however important team changes from Wenger that led to a rather unusually inspired defensive performance by Arsenal to stop the likes of Didier Drogba, previously with 13 goals in 13 appearances against the North London club.
(via matchcentre)
