Walcott has improved by 20%

Alan Hansen said on BBC Match of the Day that:

"Theo Walcott never makes the right decision when he has to think about it."

There's some truth in that statement.

Mark Lawrenson on Mikel Arteta playing for England

"It's not right Arteta playing for England."

This coming from a man who played many times for Ireland but was born and raised in England. Fuck off Lawro!

Tony Adams and Moldovian goalkeeper Levroji

So far Tony Adams has had a mediocre start for his new club Gabala FC: Played 4; lost 2; won 2.

He has also convinced Deon Burton and Terry Cooke to play for him in the Azerbaijan Premier League.

Below is an article about a goalkeeper Arsenal are rumored to be signing from Moldova:

(AP- MOLDOVA) THE Moldovan international goalkeeper Nilain Levroji has lashed Manuel Almunia, saying that the Arsenal keeper has “gotten worse” in terms of positioning since last season, adding that his father’s prize-winning pigeons are better than the Spanish international.
Levroji has played twice for the Moldovan national team but has been rated as one of the top young keepers in European football.
Levroji who is tipped to move to the Emirates from Moldovan club Iskra-Stal Ribnit is unlikely to endear himself to Almunia after his comments on his Facebook page last evening.
The page and the comments were removed this morning.
Levroji’s father Igor is the top pigeon racer in Moldova and recently won the European Grand Prix event in France — the celebrations of which forced his 23-year-old son to postpone his trial at Arsenal for two days.
However, Almunia and probably Arsenal will be unhappy with the manner in which the Moldovan stopper was outspoken about his potential squad colleague.
Posting on social networking site Facebook hours after Liverpool and Arsenal drew 1-1, Levroji blamed Almunia for the LIverpool goal, saying that it was poor positioning that allowed the the ball to get past him from a tight angle.
“The goal that he conceded is typical Almunia. He conceded a very similar one against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] in the Champions League last season and if anything his positioning has got worse and not better.
“I know that I would offer much more stability to the Arsenal defence than he does. In fact, father’s pigeons flapping their wings wildly would offer more solidness (sic) than Manny Almunia.”
The comments were reported in Moldovan media on Monday afternoon and Levroji was refusing to make any statement about them. The deal to bring Levroji into the Arsenal squad in the light of the expected departure of at least two goalkeepers is believed to be almost finalised.

Premiership goalkeeper ratios from last season

Finally found the goalkeepers’ save ratios for last season. Almunia’s performance took a dive needless to say. Interestingly enough Shwarzer did better than Given:

1. Brad Friedel, Aston Villa – 80% of 157 Shots
2. Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton Wanderers – 80% of 128
3. Edwin van der Sar, Man Utd – 80% of 61
4. Joe Hart, Birmingham City – 79% of 181
5. Huerelho Gomes, Tottenham Hotspur – 79% of 99
6. Thomas Sorenson, Stoke City – 78% of 141
7. Craig Gordon, Sunderland – 77% of 117
8. Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – 75% of 143
9. Jose Reina, Liverpool – 72% of 118
10. Tim Howard, Everton – 70% of 147

11. Shay Given, Man City – 70% of 135
12. Petr Cech, Chelsea – 70% of 81
13. Boaz Myhill, Hull – 69% of 177
14. Robert Green, West Ham – 68% of 176
15. Paul Robinson, Blackburn Rovers – 68% of 141
16. Jussi Jaaskelainen – 67% of 184
17. Manuel Almunia, Arsenal – 67% of 88
18. Brian Jensen, Burnley – 66% of 200
19. Chris Kirkland, Wigan Athletic – 65% of 144
20. David James, Portsmouth – 61% of 106

Source:

http://www.plainsoccer.com/2010/04/epl-rankings-gk-save-percentage.html

Spurs Lose. Prince Boateng's Strange Italian Transfer

Spurs claim that they were not used to playing on Young Boys artificial turf after losing 3-2. I think that they're not telling us the whole truth:

http://www.dessosports.com/en/sports/football/football-projects/tottenham-hotspur/

Prince Boateng who played for Portsmouth last season has been signed by Genoa who are loaning him to AC Milan who don't have the cash for his transfer fee as it would affect their balance sheet. However, they can afford his wages but Genoa can't. Portsmouth wanted cash upfront. Milan will pay Genoa back in installments.

Genoa admit that Prince Boateng will probably never play for them.

Strange deal.

Karma - It's a Bitch

EXCLUSIVE

Arsenal are in talks with Manchester City over 25 million pound double swap deal for Given and Kompany. The transfers may not happen before Sunday's away game to Liverpool due to the international break. You can read more at the link below:

http://www.givenco.com/

The Informer

Farewells

While a new season is about to start, I find myself having to make a decision I have put off at least once before. When I was asked to join forces to help create the charter for 1886, I was honored. I was equally honored when asked to be a regular contributor.

I can speak for my colleagues in saying that the most important achievement for any of our posts is that they support football in general and Arsenal in particular. That more than anything has been exciting and has made every post worthwhile. Let's be clear, some of my posts were, frankly speaking, shit. However, I hope I have contributed a few that were worth your time.

Nothing lasts forever though. Recent events at 1886 have convinced me that something different is needed. Perhaps a different personality, a different approach than what I bring is best for this blog.

I have taken the decision to part ways with 1886. I wish it nothing but the best. It was fun and a good experience. Thanks for the support, we all appreciate it. Keep the faith.

Chat later,

Agent 86

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Echoing my colleagues thoughts, it is time for me to move on from this blog as well. I've been blessed with having enough time to write about Arsenal freely. However, I'm about to embark on the first step towards my ultimate career ambition. That is going to take up more of my time than I can probably even imagine.

My goal with this blog was to provide objective analysis with a keen affinity towards Arsenal. I am an Arsenal fan until I die. I don't take that label lightly. I care deeply for our club, and don't necessarily care all that much about any other football club. I tried to provide a dose of reality for Gooners and fans of other clubs. Sometimes I was successful, other times I was flat out wrong, and a few times there were disagreements.

I tried to write with passion, because anything less would not be worth anybody's time. There are frankly many Arsenal blogs out there.

This blog will still continue, but El Cunto aka The Informer will be the main man. He's entertaining, scandalous, intelligent, and capable of carrying this site forward.

Thanks to everybody who read even one word I wrote for this blog. We didn't have a legion of fans, but I know there were a handful that was devoted to this blog.

I'll sign off as "The One Who Shall Not Be Named."