Da Silva to Arsenal

Arsenal sign Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb for £7.5m.

Arsenal snap up striker Da Silva - BBC

Eduardo's Emirates delight - Sky Sports


Arsenal Merchandise

Henry Unveiled at Barcelona

Thierry Henry is unveiled at Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Henry completes move to Barcelona - BBC

Barcelona Jerseys

Henry Looks to Barcelona for Final Trophy

Having won two EPL titles and three FA Cups, a Champions League crown was all that was missing from Thierry Henry's Arsenal.

But now, as the France international makes a move to Barcelona, one can't help but sense a bit of irony in the whole proceedings.

The Gunners were within 14 minutes from hoisting Europe's most prestigious club trophy in 2006, but two late goals sent the trophy to his new club.

Interestingly, it was Henry who unable to finish, and on numerous occasions the France international could have put the match out of reach.

Barcelona were very fortunate to pick up the trophy that night in Paris, and one moment of brilliance from Henry and it could have been England's 4th place Gunners that were immortalized.

Henry might have done well to have remembered that along with his own side, 5th place Liverpool were champions in 2005 and this year's 3rd place Reds were close again.

And Barcelona are by no means assured another title in the next few years. The Catalan side went out of this year's Champions League in the first knockout round and collapsed in La Liga to finish 2nd.

Now having said that, Henry is obviously a great player. And if he is healthy, Barcelona will surely be threatening to win everything next season.

And maybe it's not just about that, and perhaps Henry views the Gunners as going in the wrong direction.

Seeing the progress of Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as the constant threat of Chelsea, it would be hard to argue that Arsenal have a tough road ahead of them.

And as he turns 30 in August, Henry's time for Champions League glory is definitely starting to run out.

But still, it's hard not to think that had Henry tucked that second-half breakaway under Victor Valdes, that Arsenal's all-time leading scorer wouldn't need to go looking for that last elusive trophy in Barcelona.

-Chris


Articles on other sites:
Henry frustrated at Arsenal's CL failure - AP - FoxSoccer.com
Emotional Henry salutes Gunners - BBC

Arsenal Jerseys
Barcelona Jerseys

Henry to Barcelona - BBC

BBC is reporting Thierry Henry will leave Arsenal for Barcelona.

Arsenal announce Henry departure - BBC

Barcelona UNICEF Jerseys

Chelsea Finally Seeded in Champions League

Chelsea join Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United as top seeds for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea in Champions League boost - BBC

Thierry Henry, Barcelona Transfer Denied By Agent

A report that Thierry Henry has left Arsenal for Barcelona is being vehemently denied by Henry's agent.

Agent slams Henry Barca reports - BBC

Report: Henry reaches Barcelona deal - AP - FoxSoccer.com

Ribery Unveiled at Bayern Munich

After much speculation that included Arsenal and Real Madrid, Franck Ribery joins Bayern Munich.

Bayern unveil new signing Ribery - BBC

Barcelona Make Clear Thierry Henry Interest

Thierry Henry to Barcelona speculation continues.

BBC Story - Barca leave door open for Henry

Champions League 2007 - Knockout Stages

Round of 16 Results:

Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Lille 0-1 Manchester United
PSV 1-0 Arsenal
Real Madrid 3-2 Bayern Munich
Celtic 0-0 AC Milan

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

FC Porto 1-1 Chelsea
Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool
Inter Milan 2-2 Valencia
Roma 0-0 Lyon

Tuesday, 06 March 2007

Chelsea 2-1 FC Porto - Chelsea 3-2
Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona - Liverpool 2-2
Valencia 0-0 Inter Milan - Valencia 2-2
Lyon 0-2 Roma - Roma 2-0

Wednesday, 07 March 2007

Manchester United 1-0 Lille - Manchester United 2-0
Arsenal 1-1 PSV - PSV 2-1
Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid - Bayern Munich 4-4
AC Milan 1-0 Celtic - AC Milan 1-0


More from other web sites (in a new window):
BBC - Web Updates
Live - Pay-Per-View @ UEFA / ESPNsoccernet

Related on Soccer Golazo:
Michel Platini - New UEFA President Seemingly Takes Aim at England
Jose Mourinho - Chelsea Manager Hails His FC Porto Days

Arsene Wenger Comments on Platini Champions League Proposal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has brushed aside new UEFA president Michel Platini's plan for cutting England, Italy, and Spain's Champions League places from four to three.

Referring to Platini's campaign promise, the Gunners boss stated, "he cannot decide that, that has to be voted [by UEFA's executive committee]."

Platini has said an April vote will decide the proposal that he would like to see enacted for the 2009-2010 Champions League.

More from other web sites (in a new window):
Wenger: Platini may fail to deliver on promises

Related on SoccerGolazo:
Michel Platini - New UEFA President Seemingly Takes Aim at England

Michel Platini - New UEFA President Seemingly Takes Aim at England

Newly elected UEFA president Michel Platini has big plans for Europe. Unfortunately, they are negative plans.

Starting with the Champions League and running all the way down through the domestic leagues, the former France international has ideas that would have ramifications all over the globe were he to get his way.

Taking a Champions League spot from England, Spain, and Italy is first on Platini's agenda. A mistake that will surely negatively impact those leagues, but also the Champions League itself.

Anyone waxing poetically about the romance the tournament could bring with lesser clubs should check the scoreline of matches in Group A of this year's competition.

Levski Sofia, champions of Bulgaria in 2006, lost all six matches in Group A, scoring 1 goal while allowing 17. A goal difference of -16. And anyone who watched those matches can testify, they were every bit as bad as the scorelines indicate. It was sad and unenjoyable.

While it is certainly good to have underdogs in the mix, it hardly seems wise to look for ways of adding more.

But underdogs from the "Big 3" are a completely different story. Liverpool finished the 2003-2004 English Premier League in 4th and won the 2004-2005 Champions League in stunning fashion.

And although Arsenal finished 2nd in the 2004-2005 EPL, they finished 4th in 2005-2006 as they came within 14 minutes of lifting the Champions League trophy.

This year's Champions League has seen all four teams from England win their groups to advance into the final 16.

Simply put: England deserves four spots.

Whether Spain and Italy deserve their 4th spot might be up for debate. Osasuna crashed out in preliminary qualifying for Spain. But Italian football supporters might argue the match-fixing scandal that sent Chievo over Fiorentina muddles the issue. Chievo went out before the Group Stages.

It has been reported that Platini will likely trot out the tired idea of limiting foreign players. Another ill-conceived notion that again seemingly targets England more than any other country.

Arsene Wenger's great quote from last year sums up this idea with little discussion: "This player's first touch is not good, yes, we know but he is English. What can I do?"

As simple as Wenger makes it, another, much more complex issue, is rarely mentioned in arguments against quotas. That is the possible negative impact on players from less-profitable markets.

On an individual level, it definitely seems like you would be taking the opportunity from players in, say, Argentina or Chile to make a hugely profitable jump across the Atlantic.

The result being that country of origin means having a greater right to more money, no matter your footballing skills.

Placing limits is a one-sided, European view of the quota issue and doesn't seem well thought-out.

Other pressing issues to be presented by Platini include player salary limits that are based on percentages of club "turnover." Not only a confusing proposal, but one that would seem entirely unenforceable.

And even though this idea would heavily affect football powers in Spain, Italy, and elsewhere, it again seems targeted at England, coming at a time when Chelsea is top of the heap in spending.

It all adds up to a hands-on approach to running UEFA.

Unfortunately, it seems more like a hands-on approach to running clubs in England, which is not UEFA's purpose.


More from other web sites (in a new window):
Platini elected as Uefa president - BBC
Ferguson warns new chief Platini - BBC
Fifa quota proposal angers Wenger - BBC - 4 Nov 2006

UEFA Champions League Draw - First Knockout Stage 15.12.06

From UEFA.com:

2006 - 2007 UEFA Champions League
First knockout round
Team named first at home in first leg

FC Porto (POR) v Chelsea FC (ENG)
Celtic FC (SCO) v AC Milan (ITA)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Arsenal FC (ENG)
LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
AS Roma (ITA) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
FC Barcelona v Liverpool FC (ENG)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Valencia CF (ESP)

UEFA Details

Champions League Matchday 6 Live Updates

Live Updates for Champions League Matches on Matchday 6:

UEFA MatchCentre (new window)

Or try here and click MatchCentre at Upper Right

Or:

Live Updates @ the BBC (new window)

Champions League Live Streaming Webcast Video at UEFA - ESPN

Below is a link to UEFA Video and Pay-Per-View.

The matches are listed as being brought to you by ESPNsoccernet.com and ESPNDeportes.com

There is a note that the service is not available to the Mac OS and that only Windows machines running Internet Explorer 6 are supported.

This post is for information and is not an endorsement of this service.

UEFA Video - http://video.uefa.com/video/index.html (new window)

Barcelona - Champions League Title Defense On The Line

Champions League Group A:

When Barcelona kickoff against Werder Bremen today, the Champions League knockout stages will be at stake for both teams.

Barcelona's day of reckoning has arrived much earlier than anyone had anticipated, and the holders must win outright to go through.

A draw would be enough to see the German-side through.

Barcelona's bitter Champions League rivals, Chelsea are already through from Group A.

Manchester United, Arsenal, and Roma will all be playing to stay in the CL as well.

Champions League Scenarios @ the BBC (new window)

Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry - Arsenal Bust-Up Over

Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry both contend that they are no longer at odds, and that reports of a bust-up are much ado about nothing.

Henry allegedly stormed out of training on Friday after being told he would not play in Saturday's north London derby versus Tottenham due to injury.

The French international claimed he was only frustrated "because [he] cannot help out [his] team on the pitch."

Wenger stated, "there is no problem between us," even though Henry spoke out of turn earlier this week claiming Arsenal would surely be interested in new signings in the January transfer window.

Wenger has been very clear that Arsenal will do or die with the current squad of players.

Wenger and Henry united over row - BBC Report (new window)

I'm pig-headed but there's no rift, says Henry by David Bond - telegraph.co.uk (new window)