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Volume 3, Issue 1 2003 Off Season Review 2nd August, 2003

NEXT MATCHES

Celtic v ARSENAL TVTV

10am, Sat Aug 2nd, 2003

Celtic Park, Glasgow

SK Beveren v ARSENAL XI

1pm, Sun Aug 3rd, 2003

Beveren, Belgium

Rangers v ARSENAL TVTV

2.45pm, Tues Aug 5th, 2003

Ibrox, Glasgow

Community Shield

ARSENAL v Man. United TVTV

9am, Sun Aug 9th, 2003

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

News in Brief St. Albans (1) 1 – 3 (1) ARSENAL XI

July 31st, 2003 (Clarence Park, St. Albans) Arsenal’s youngsters featured in this friendly at Clarence

Park with Moritz Volz scoring a brace and, captain, John

Halls tapped in for Arsenal’s third. [See the full match

report on page X]

Besiktas (0) 0 – 1 (0) ARSENAL

29th July, 2003 (Bad Waltersdorf, Austria) Arsenal rounded off their Austrian mini-tour with a fine

performance against the Turkish champions. A forty-eighth

minute strike from Bergkamp was the only score in the

game in which Lehmann made his debut between the

posts. [See the full match report on page X]

Austria Vienna (0) 0 – 2 (1) ARSENAL

25th July, 2003 (Vienna, Austria)

A goal from newly re-signed Dennis Bergkamp and

another after the interval from England Under-21 striker

Francis Jeffers saw Arsenal beat the Austrian champions.

[See the full match report on page X]

Arsenal signs Jens Lehmann!

Oliver Kahn’s backup in goal for

Germany, Jens Lehmann has joined

Arsenal FC from Borussia Dortmund,

ending weeks of speculation on who

would replace David Seaman as

Arsenal’s Number One.

Bergkamp signs new contract On July 21st, Arsenal FC announced that Dennis

Bergkamp had signed a one-year contract extension,

ending weeks of media speculation that had suggested

that he would retire or move to another club. In confirming

the successful conclusion of negotiations, Dennis also put

paid to the lies, spread in the media, that the club had

treated him badly or disrespectfully.

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EDITORIAL With just 14 days left until the start of the new season, I thought I’d take this opportunity to comment on, what seems to be becoming, a quite contentious off season.

After all the hullabaloo, you would think that we’ve entered Administration and would be soon conducting hastily organized fire sales of our top players to local Premiership rivals. As it has turned out, as usual, most of the media’s rumours and innuendo has been just that with no basis in facts or reality. We’ve, allegedly, had both Vieira and Bergkamp being insulted by the club and looking to jump ship, we’ve had a goalkeeping crisis of biblical proportions following the sad departure of England’s (former) Number One and we’ve been exposed to tales of financial woe surrounding the new stadium at Ashburton Grove. Finally, there was Scum-lover John Nicholson who, writing for football365.com, suggested that our current “woes” were an indication that we had fallen from our throne at the pinnacle of London football teams and would be lucky to finish above Spurs this season – this despite the fact that our squad remains almost unchanged from last season, when we should have won the League and did win the FA Cup!

As it turns out, Paddy came out today and claimed he was very happy at Arsenal and is likely to sign an extension to his contract in the very near future, Bergkamp resigned for one more year and refuted the reports of major disputes during the negotiations.

As all of you must know, we’ve also picked up a great new keeper in Borussia Dortmund’s Jens Lehmann. Lehmann, who had a good season with Dortmund last year, is also the backup for Oliver Kahn in the German national team so should make a good backstop to keep the goal safe until Taylor graduates to the No. 1 spot.

More good news was received shortly after the end of the season when the club announced that the much-disliked blue “Pepsi can” away shirt had been dropped in favour of a 70s retro look that emphasizes the club’s tradition and history. As I mentioned in this column last year, the club listens when we affect the money going into their pockets. They can’t ride roughshod over us without taking a financial hit, and that still remains one of the best ways of making our voices heard!

See you at the Bar!

- Grahame.

FEATURES THIS WEEK…FEATURES THIS WEEK…

Let’s Listen to Keegan… 4

Match Report: Peterborough 5

Match Report: Barnet 5

The Ins and Outs of the Off Season 6

Match Report: Ritzing 7

Match Report: Austria-Vienna 7

Gooners of NY: Ian Petty 8

Arsenal 2003/4 EPL Fixtures 10

Match Report: Besiktas 11

Match Report: St. Albans City 11

The Keane Rhapsody 14

REGULAR COLUMNS…REGULAR COLUMNS…

Premier League Table 3

Nevada Smiths Football Schedule 3

FA Watch 9

Caption Competition 9

Injury Report 12

We Saw You At The Bar! 13

Player Songs of The Arsenal 15

Can You Hear The Arsenal Sing? 16

Visiting Gooners from Back Home… hopefully we’ll see many more at Nevada’s this season…

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NOW SHOWING AT NEVADA SMITHS

Sunday August 3rd, 2003

“Champions” World Tour

Manchester United v. Barcelona – 8PM (Live)

Tuesday August 5th, 2003

GLASGOW RANGERS v ARSENAL – 2:45PM (LIVE)

Wednesday August 6th, 2003

Sporting Lisbon v Manchester United – 4:30PM (Live)

Saturday August 9th, 2003

MLS: Chicago v NY/NJ MetroStars, 4PM (Live)

Sunday August 10 th, 2003

Community Shield

Arsenal v Manchester United – 9AM (Live)

Saturday/Sunday August 16th/17th, 2003

PREMIER LEAGUE 2003/4 SEASON KICK-OFF

TBA. However, soccertv.com are reporting the following

as the TV schedule for “Kick-off Saturday”:

Portsmouth v Aston Villa – 7:30 AM (Live)

Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers – 10AM (Live)

Portsmouth v Aston Villa – 12PM (Tape Delay)

Tuesday August 19th, 2003

FRIENDLY; England v Croatia – 3PM (Live)

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?

We here at New York Gooners are looking for willing souls

who would like to contribute to the success of the fanzine

(with articles, jokes and personal stories) and the

Supporters Club…

Anyone who’d like to help out can either contact us at

Nevada Smiths on game days or send an e-mail to

contributions@nygooners.com.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated!

We’re also happy to receive your letters and feedback,

which can be sent to

letters@nygooners.com.

Barclaycard Premier League, 2nd Aug. 2003 P W D L GD Pts Arsenal 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aston Villa 0 0 0 0 0 0 Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blackburn 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bolton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Charlton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chelsea 0 0 0 0 0 0 Everton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fulham 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leeds 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leicester 0 0 0 0 0 0 Liverpool 0 0 0 0 0 0 Man City 0 0 0 0 0 0 Man United 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middlesbrough 0 0 0 0 0 0 Newcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0 Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southampton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tottenham 0 0 0 0 0 0 WBA 0 0 0 0 0 0 A Liverpool fan walks past a shop and sees the video "Liverpool - The Glory Years". He goes into the shop and asks how much. "£100" says the shopkeeper. "That's a bit steep, how come it's so dear?" "Well it’s a tenner for the video and £90 for the Betamax recorder!!

A man hands over a £50 note to the turn style operator at Maine Road.

Man: "Two please."

Turn style Operator: "Will that be defenders or strikers, sir?"

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LET’S LISTEN TO KEEGAN! "I came to Nantes two years ago and it's much the same today, except that it's totally different" "I know what is around the corner - I just don't know where the corner is. But the onus is on us to perform and we must control the bandwagon" "In some ways, cramp is worse than having a broken leg" "The 33 or 34-year-olds will be 36 or 37 by the time the next World Cup comes around, if they're not careful" "I'd love to be a mole on the wall in the Liverpool dressing room at half-time" "Goalkeepers aren't born today until they're in their late 20s or 30s and sometimes not even then. Or so it would appear. To me anyway. Don't you think the same?" "I don't think they're as good as they are" "Young Gareth Barry - he's young" "For some it's the ultimate job. For the others it's the last job" "I'm not disappointed - just disappointed" "He can't speak Turks, but you can tell he's delighted" "There'll be no siestas in Madrid tonight" "Despite his white boots, he has pace and aggression" "We deserved to win this game after hammering them 0-0 in the first half" "I'll never play at Wembley again, unless I play at Wembley again" "You can't do better than go away from home and get a draw" "Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America" "There's a slight doubt about only one player, and that's Tony Adams, who won't be playing tomorrow" "They compare Steve McManaman to Steve Highway and he's nothing like him, but I can see why - it's

because he's a bit different" "The good news for Nigeria is that they're two-nil down very early in the game" "England have the best fans in the world and Scotland's fans are second to none" "I don't think there is anybody bigger or smaller than Maradona" "At the Argentina game, how would you have guessed that Darren Anderton would have gone off with cramp?"

A Spurs fan, a Muslim and a Hindu are travelling together when their cars breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Traipsing through the darkened roads they finally come upon a run down farm.

Knocking on the door, they ask the farmer whether he could put them up for the night before they move on to the next town in the morning to arrange for their car to be repaired. The farmer agrees, but says that as he only has two spare beds, one of them must sleep in the barn outside.

The three draw lots and the Muslim loses and goes to the barn to settle down for the night. Five minutes later there’s a knock at the door; it’s the Muslim. He explains that as there was a pig in the barn he could not possibly sleep there.

The Spurs fan and the Hindu then toss a coin and the Hindu loses and takes his possessions to the barn to sleep. A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door; it’s the Hindu. He too says that, for religious reasons, the fact that there was a cow in the barn means that he couldn't sleep there either.

Very reluctantly the Spurs fan takes his bag and walks to the barn to try and catch some sleep. Two minutes later, there’s a knock at the door; it’s the pig and cow…

Did you hear that the police were called to the last Bolton game at The Reebok? They caught two Bolton supporters red handed climbing out of the ground during the second half, but they insisted they go back and watch the rest of the match!

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Match Report: Peterborough Utd. 1 (1) Arsenal XI 0 (0)

July 11th, 2003 (London Road, Peterborough) An Arsenal XI got the club’s preseason off to a nightmare start with a 1-0 loss to Second Division Peterborough Town and a fright for the fans when Stuart Taylor was stretchered off with a concussion in the 84th minute – though thankfully he had recovered by the post-match press conferences. Many of the first team regulars were missing, including Ashley Cole, Dennis, Paddy, Freddie and the French Confederation’s Cup participants, but Sol, Ray Parlour, Jeffers, Keown and Edu all played for at least a half.

There weren’t many chances for either team in the first half, a Jeffers header and an errant free kick from Dave Farrell were the only opportunities for either team before the Posh set the 8,756-strong crowd on fire with a brilliant piece of individual effort by Francis Green saw him beat both trialist keeper, Matteo Guardalben and Martin Keown to score the only goal of the evening.

Wenger changed the entire team, bar Jeffers, for the second half bringing on Philippe Senderos for his debut in an Arsenal shirt (see the picture at the top right of the page), Lauren, Cygan and Edu. The changes invigorated the team and there were more opportunities in the last 45 minutes, the lads coming close to equalizing the score and stealing a draw. It was not to be though and when Peterborough striker Andy Clarke collided with Stuart Taylor (who had replaced Guardalben at the half) in the 84th minute, supporters were far more concerned with his health rather than the final result. Luckily, with the loss of Seaman and Warmuz in the off-season, Taylor had recovered by the end of the match and was able to reassure the fans after the game.

Match Report: Barnet (0) 0 – 0 (0) Arsenal July 19th, 2003 (Underhill, London) Another rough afternoon on Saturday as the Nationwide Conference’s Barnet held the Gunners for a no-score-draw at Underhill – the home of Barnet FC and the Arsenal Reserve team. This was, to be honest, not a big surprise though. Arsène decided to evaluate two trialists at this game – Gael Clichy from AS Cannes and Yaya Toure (yes, Kolo’s younger brother) who’s based at Arsenal’s “feeder club”, Beveren. They joined Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Parlour, Edu and Aliadiere in a first half side that seemed somehow limp and listless.

For the second half, Wenger continued his pre-season habit of almost replacing the entire team – with Volz on for Lauren, Keown “replacing” Campbell and Senderos getting another chance to impress.

The changes again bore fruit with the Gunners seizing the initiative and they were unlucky not to break the tie with chances from Halls and Jerome Thomas saved in style by Barnet’s second-half keeper, Danny Naisbett,

Arsenal were unfortunate not to take the lead after a great run and cross from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, who’d come on for Thomas in the 60th minute, that Yaya Toure only just headed past the post. This was to be the last real chance of the game and Arsenal headed off on their preseason mini-tour of Austria with a loss and a draw under their belt.

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The Ins and Outs of the Off-Season With the new stadium at Ashburton Grove lurking in the future and no money flowing in from outgoing transfers, spending in the Hallowed Marble Halls was limited this off-season with just two players joining the Gunners at THOF.

The most important priority in the off-season was keeping the existing Double Winning squad together for at least another season, a feat that seems to have been pulled off – especially given the more positive articles on both Vieira and Pires’ contract negotiations from the mainstream press in the last few days.

Almost as important as this was the search for a new Number One goalkeeper to replace the much-missed Spunky – who’s now facing a tough last year of his career with City’s leaky defence and the dubious tactical abilities of manager Kevin Keegan – and the signing of another back to add depth in case of injuries or suspensions in our back line.

The signings of hot young prospect Philippe Senderos from Servette and German International keeper Jens Lehmann from Borussia Dortmund take care of these requirements and, as a result, Wenger has suggested that the club’s credit cards are now stashed away until the next transfer window.

Who’s Gone?

David Seaman (Manchester City, free)

Spunky decided that he wanted to keep playing for one more year, but the club was only prepared to offer him the goalkeeping coach position that Bob Wilson had vacated.

Personally I was disappointed with this decision by the club, Seaman had at least one more year of goalkeeping at the top flight and his loyalty to the club was unblemished!

He will be greatly missed…

Graham Barrett (Coventry, free)

Young Irish International, Graham Barrett was released by the club and transferred to First Division Coventry City.

Oleg Luzhny (Wolves, free)

Oleg was released from the club and will probably be replaced by a defender from the reserves.

Jermaine Brown (released)

Who’s arrived?

Philippe Senderos (Servette, undisclosed fee)

18-year-old hot prospect Philippe Senderos came to the Gunners from Swiss-side Servette and is expected to contribute greatly to the team.

Jens Lehmann (Borussia Dortmund, undisclosed fee)

Lehmann has been brought in as Arsenal’s Number One while Stuart Taylor waits in the sidelines for his chance at the big time!

Thanks for the memories Nutty!!!Thanks for the memories Nutty!!!

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Match Report: Ritzing 2 (2) Arsenal 2 (0)

July 22nd, 2003 (Ritzing Stadium, Ritzing, Austria) Freddie saved the day with a penalty kick in the closing minutes of this game to eek out a draw against a feisty Ritzing side who finished third in the Burgenlandliga (the Austrian Fourth Division) last season. In front of about 2,000 people in temporary stands (the stadium normally can hold a crowd of 505) the locals watched as their team seized a two-goal lead against an Arsenal who were, unfortunately, without Arsène Wenger – who was still suffering from a stomach infection back in London.

After the loss against Peterborough and the Barnet draw, fans were hoping for a decisive start to the Austrian mini-tour, but it was Ritzing who were decisive in the first half of this game against a Gunner squad that was still without inspirational captain, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Campbell, Cole, Wiltord and Pires. Standing in for them were trialists Gael Clichy and Yaya Toure, together with many of the youth and reserve players and, new signing, Philippe Senderos. In the 20th minute, Ritzing’s Oliver El Senosy took the ball past a stranded Pascal Cygan and planted it in the back of the Arsenal net. Despite a missed opportunity by Jerome Thomas, Ritzing doubled their lead to 2-0 just five minutes later as another shot from El Senosy beat Taylor and bounced into the goal thanks to an unfortunate deflection from Martin Keown.

During half time, assistant manager Pat Rice rang the changes and Sol Campbell, Ljungberg and Gilberto entered the fray to bring the match back under the Gunners control. Senderos was also subbed in and over the next 45 minutes he would make a good impression at centre-back. The Gunners cut the deficit with a fine header from Cygan from an Edu corner but, despite maintaining the bulk of the possession, it looked increasingly likely that they would come away with a disheartening loss – at least until five minutes from the end when Yaya Toure was brought down in the box after another scintillating run through the midfield.

Freddie stepped up and chipped the ball straight down the middle for the equalizer.

Match Report: Austria-Vienna 0 (0) Arsenal 2 (2) July 25th, 2003 (Schwechat Stadium, Vienna, Austria) Dennis Bergkamp made a spectacular return to the squad with a superb goal and a magnificent cross that was converted by Jeffers in the first half in this match up against the Austrian Champions. Despite Vienna’s good first-half performance it would be the Gunners who would come away with an insurmountable lead thanks to the fine footballing skills of the immensely talented Dutchman. He had a chance in the 13th minute when a run down the wing by Jermaine Pennant ended with a cross to Bergkamp who was waiting at the far post. Bergkamp’s volley was well connected, but slightly off target. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice though and when Pennant found him at the near post in the 29th minute he speared the volley into the back of the net – 1-0 to The Arsenal!

The team’s second, came after more superb work from the Dutch Master who jumped on a messed up back pass from Scharner, took the ball past their keeper and passed to Jeffers who poked the ball into the back of the Austrian’s net.

The second goal effectively ended the game as a contest and Arsenal cruised in a second half that would see eleven substitutions.

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GOONERS OF NEW YORK #1: IAN PETTY To kick things off we met up with Ian Petty. Ian was born in Southend, Essex in 1959. He lived in Africa, Scotland and Ipswich before he came to the US in 1981. Working as a metal fabricator in Brooklyn, he still manages to keep his passion for football going despite his years in the wilderness. How long have you been following Arsenal? Arsenal is my team. I’ve been actively following them since the first time I went to see them beat Ipswich Town by 1-0 on the 19th February 1972. How did you start following Arsenal? When I lived in Scotland, all my friend’s elder brothers seemed to support Arsenal, so I started following them myself. Who’s your least favourite football team and why? Tottenham, of course, for the obvious reasons… as well as for the fact that in 1974 their fans tried to hang me over a safety barrier at a derby game. Who’s your favourite active footballer? Right now I’d have to say Thierry Henry. The skills he shows, both on and off the ball, are exquisite. Who’s your favourite footballer of all time? That’s a really tough one! Johan Cruyff, I suppose; I’ve always loved watching him play – he epitomizes the beauty of Dutch “total” football started at Ajax. What’s the best ground you’ve ever visited? Anfield in the ‘70s. It had the best atmosphere of any ground I’ve been to, no one was mean and everyone got on really well… no problems at all! … And the worst? That’s got to be Carrow Road… and not just because I lived in Ipswich! What a dump it was! Ratty, dirty, falling apart… and a corrugated tin roof that leaked every time it rained!

What ‘s the best game you’ve ever seen? That would have to be England’s 5–1 victory over Germany in September 2001. It was a dream come true… … And the worst? The 1978 Cup final when Arsenal lost to Ipswich Town. I lived in Ipswich at the time and they took the mick for ages; The Arsenal were also rubbish that day! Where do you watch football games and why? That’s an easy one… Nevada Smiths. For me, it’s got the best atmosphere for games – if you liked the terraces - singing, shouting and good people. What was the last live football match you attended? Uh, I’ll have to think about that one… I think it was in April 2001 when I saw the MetroStars lose 3-1 to the Mutiny. It really put me off going to MLS games though. I wasn’t able to get in until half time and as I went in they told me I wasn’t allowed to sing… How do you think Arsenal will do next season? Well… I think we have a good enough squad to win the Premier League and we should get to at least the quarter-finals of the Champion’s League… though I’ve said that for the last two years running Are you in favour of Celtic and Rangers joining the English League? If so, how do you think they’d do, if not, why not? I would like to see it but I’d be concerned about increased trouble at the games. If they were in the Premier League I think they’d both end up in mid-table for the first couple of seasons but they would get better and better; they have good stadiums and fan bases and that alone puts them in good stead.

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FA Watch CCaappttiioonn CCoommppeettiittiioonn

WWIINN AA SSCCAARRFF!!!!!! Don’t forget to get your entries to us before the end of the month.

You can either send your suggestions to captions@nygooners.com, go to the Caption Competition page on the NY Gooners website (www.nygooners.com), or just tell them to us in the bar.

Closing date for this competition is September 1st.

The person submitting the best quote by that date will win an Arsenal scarf (donated by Grahame).

FA and ManUre are fined for price-fixing!

The English Football Association and Manchester United Football Club, amongst others, have been punished by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in the UK after it was determined that they had been illegally fixing the prices of England and Manchester United shirts since 1999.

Most of the accusations revolved around the pricing of new kits at launch and the cost of an England shirt before Euro 2000. The FA was fined £198,000 – though the OFT reduced this to £158,000 after they took into account the changes the FA have made to prevent the same gouging happening again. Manchester United were fined £1.652 million, reflecting the enormous amount of money that the club takes from their fans in merchandising sales.

The good news is that the OFT now reports that fans have more choice in vendors for team shirts and prices have generally fallen since the investigating team went public.

Stay tuned to this regular column for regular updates during the season as, your friend and mine – the English Football Association – is kept under close scrutiny to highlight their continual attacks on our club and players and bias in favour of our opposition.

Did you hear about the Leeds fan who was taking his driving test?

The instructor asked him if he could make a U-turn and the Leeds fan said, "Man, I could make her eyes pop!"

Q: What does Gordon Strachan say when Southampton score? A: Great, now try it at the other end.

Calm Down!

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A Celtic fan's wife was sitting at home waiting for her husband to come home from the away match at Aberdeen. She turned on the radio to find out the result, but got the travel news by accident. She was just about to change station when something caught her attention: "News just in!" shouted the radio presenter urgently, "We have had a report of someone driving the wrong way up the M8! We advise all drivers to take care!" Fearing for her husband's safety, the wife rang him up on his mobile phone. He answered and the wife told him that one car was driving the wrong way up the motorway. "One?" replied the Celtic fan, "There's bloody hundreds of them!"

Arsenal’s 2003/4 EPL Fixtures Here’s the full fixture list for Arsenal FC with all the changes that have been made before the publication date. All kick offs are in New York time (EST/EDT) Saturday 16 August Arsenal v Everton 10.00 Sunday 24 August Middlesbrough v Arsenal 11.05 Wednesday 27 August Arsenal v Aston Villa 14.45 Sunday 31 August Man City v Arsenal 11.05 Saturday 13 September Arsenal v Portsmouth 10.00 Sunday 21 September Man Utd v Arsenal 11.05 Friday 26 September Arsenal v Newcastle 15.00 Saturday 4 October Liverpool v Arsenal 07.30 Saturday 18 October Arsenal v Chelsea 10.00 Sunday 26 October Charlton v Arsenal 09.00 Saturday 1 November Leeds v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 8 November Arsenal v Tottenham 10.00 Saturday 22 November Birmingham v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 29 November Arsenal v Fulham 10.00 Saturday 6 December Leicester v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 13 December Arsenal v Blackburn 10.00 Saturday 20 December Bolton v Arsenal 10.00 Friday 26 December (Boxing Day) Arsenal v Wolverhampton 07.00 Sunday 28 December Southampton v Arsenal 10.00 Wednesday 7 January 2004 Everton v Arsenal 14.45 Saturday 10 January Arsenal v Middlesbrough 10.00 Saturday 17 January Aston Villa v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 31 January Arsenal v Man City 10.00

Saturday 7 February Wolverhampton v Arsenal 10.00 Tuesday 10 February Arsenal v Southampton 14.45 Saturday 21 February Chelsea v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 28 February Arsenal v Charlton 10.00 Saturday 13 March Blackburn v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 20 March Arsenal v Bolton 10.00 Saturday 27 March Arsenal v Man Utd 10.00 Saturday 3 April Portsmouth v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 10 April Arsenal v Liverpool 10.00 Monday 12 April (Easter Monday) Newcastle v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 17 April Arsenal v Leeds 10.00 Saturday 24 April Tottenham v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 1 May Arsenal v Birmingham 10.00 Saturday 8 May Fulham v Arsenal 10.00 Saturday 15 May Arsenal v Leicester 10.00

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Match Report: Arsenal 1 (1) Besiktas 0 (0) July 29th, 2003 (Bad Waltersdorf, Austria) The Gunners wrapped up their pre-season mini-tour of Austria with a well-deserved victory over the reigning Turkish champions, Besiktas Istanbul. The Black Eagles had just a few chances and new Arsenal Number One, Jens Lehmann made a couple of fine saves on his first-half debut in an Arsenal shirt. Arsenal started the game as the stronger side; the game was less than a minute old when Freddie almost scored from a Bergkamp cross. Only a good save from Besiktas’ Columbian keeper, Oscar Cordoba kept the ball out of the net - rebounding the ball to Edu, who passed it back to Ljungberg, his second-chance shot kept out only by an Ashley Cole-esque goal-line clearance from Ahmet Yildirim.

Shortly after, Besiktas had their only dangerous first-half chance when Pancu fired a shot from a corner, only to see the ball narrowly go wide of the far post. Lehmann’s outstretched response to this shot was his only action of the half and youngster Stuart Taylor – who had to face a more rampant Turkish team in the second half, replaced him at half time. With just three minutes gone in the second half, Arsenal grabbed their winning goal from a move started by substitute and French trialist Gael Clichy. His pass to Freddie let the talented winger to get into position in the box from where it was simplicity itself to feed an energetic Bergkamp who had raced down the field to toe the ball past the stranded keeper.

The goal did seem to revitalize the Turkish champions, who had several chances but were denied by Taylor (and the officials, who ruled a Sinan goal offside).

Match Report: St. Albans City 1 (1) Arsenal XI 3 (1) July 31st, 2003 (Clarence Park, St. Albans) The Arsenal youth players featured in this exhibition match at Clarence Park, which gave club management and traveling fans the chance to evaluate their development in detail. From the performances in this game, the future of the Arsenal Youth System and its players seems secure. Moritz Volz, the 20-year old German who came to Arsenal on a free from Schalke 04, scored a brace – a one in each half – and Arsenal XI captain John Halls got the other in the second half. The roughly 1,500-strong crowd got a chance to see the FA Cup before the game and then were treated to a great display of football by this Arsenal’s XI that included only one player with first team Premiership experience – Igor Stepanovs, Wenger instead opting to select up-and-comers like Frank Simek, Svard, Dean Shiels and Alex Bailey. St. Albans had some early chances, even scoring a goal after just four minutes – though the ball was called back by the referee after he’d whistled the ball dead due to an earlier incident. Within ten minutes, they had another good chance, McDonnell’s header going just over the bar. Arsenal started getting back into the game though and a free kick in the 19th minute was picked up by Volz who struck a powerful shot past their keeper and into the back of the net. St. Albans overcame their deficit in the 44th minute when McDonnell got his aim on target and the two teams went into the dressing room tied at 1-1. Volz reestablished Arsenal’s lead in the 51st minute and almost had his hat trick two minutes later, only denied by some desperate defending on the line. Arsenal’s third came after an excellent run down the wing by Jerome Thomas, who crossed the ball to a lurking John Halls whose tap in was almost academic.

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Injury Ì Report Patrick Vieira

Skipper Patrick Vieira seems to be recovered from the knee injury that, decisively, kept him out of the end-of-season run-in – with tragic consequences.

According to Arsène Wenger, Paddy rejoined the team in training this week and is expected to play, at most, 45 minutes of the Celtic friendly.

Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires

The French contingent that contributed so much to their Confederation’s Cup victory also rejoined training on Wednesday. Thierry and Bobbie are not expected to play until next week’s Community Shield match against Manchester United, while Wiltord may get a run-about in this week’s Old Firm friendlies.

Philippe Senderos

Summer signing, Philippe Senderos is not expected to play in the Celtic game after missing the Besiktas game due to a groin injury.

Martin Keown

After picking up a calf injury and missing the Besiktas game, Keown is expected to miss the Celtic match.

An airplane was about to crash; there were 5 passengers on board but only 4 parachutes. The first passenger, said, I'm Kobe Bryant, The best NBA Basketball player, the LA Lakers need me, I can't afford to die..." So he took the first pack and left the plane.

The second passenger, Hillary Clinton, said, "I am the wife of the former President of the United States, I am the most ambitious woman in the world, I am also a New York Senator and a potential future President." She just took the second parachute and jumped out of the plane.

The third passenger, David Beckham, said, "I am the best and most intelligent football player in the world, I have a great responsibility playing football against the world's best and could win a world cup for the greatest footballing nation in the world, England, so I can't die". So he put on the pack next to him and jumped out of the plane.

The fourth passenger, The Pope, says to the fifth passenger, a 10-year-old school boy, "I am old and frail and I don't have many years left. As a Christian I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute. The boy said, "It's Ok, there's a parachute left for you. England's most intelligent footballer has taken my school backpack.

In the next Issue:

Ø Match reports from the Celtic and Rangers friendlies

Ø Previews of the Community Shield and the Arsenal v Everton season opener.

Ø Focus on: Youngster Jermaine Pennant gets the once over in this continuing series

Available on August 10th at Nevada Smiths. Come join us for the Community Shield!!!

Saint Peter was manning the Pearly Gates when forty Celtic fans showed up. Never having seen any Celtic supporters at Heaven's door, Saint Peter said he would have to check with God. After hearing the news, God instructed him to admit the ten most virtuous from the group. A few minutes later, Saint Peter returned to God breathless and said, "They're gone." "What? All of the Celtic fans are gone?" asked God. "No" replied Saint Peter "The Pearly Gates!"

13

We saw you at the bar… for the FA Cup! Here are the some of the pictures taken at Nevada Smiths after the Gunners were victorious against Southampton in the FA Cup. I’ll make them available on the website soon.

14

The Keane Rhapsody Mama, just kicked a man.

There's a screw loose in my head,

Because I tried to break his leg,

Fergie, the season’s just begun,

But now I've gone and thrown it all away!

Forlan! Ooh -ooh - ooh,

Makes me want to sigh!

We'd score more goals with Sid James or Kenneth Williams,

Carry On, Camping,

The whole teams just in tatters.

Too late, my crime is done,

Tried to mangle Alfie's spine,

Now he's aching all the time,

Goodbye Mick McCarthy, I've got to go,

Got to leave the squad behind, 'cos I'm a twát!

Veron! Ooh -ooh - ooh

He doesn't seem to try,

I sometimes wish he'd never been bought at all.

(Guitar solo)

(Opera Section)

I see a little packaged sandwich filled with prawns,

LAURENT BLANC! LAURENT BLANC!

HE'S JUST SLOW, OLD AND USELESS!

Brown & Neville fighting, very very frightening indeed!!!

WHERE IS RIO?,

Where is Rio?,

WHERE IS RIO?,

Where is Rio?,

Because Laurent's far too slow! He's far too slow-ow-ow-ow-ow...

I'm just a head-case, nobody loves me!

HE'S JUST A HEADCASE, WALKED OUT ON, HIS COUNTRY!

SPARE US THE WHINES FROM HIS GAFFER IF YOU PLEASE!

Here it comes, Open goal - Forlan must score.

HE WILL NOT!

No! He's simply got to score!

HE WILL NOT, NEVER, EVER SCORE!

No! He's simply got to score!

HE WILL NOT, NEVER, EVER SCORE!

NEVER, EVER SCORE, NEVER, EVER SCORE, NEVER, EVER SCORE...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

Oh where is Rio? Where is Rio?

Has he really stubbed his toe?

Beelzebub take the Neville's from my side, Oh Please?

Oh Please, Oh Pleeeeeeeaaaase?

(Guitar riff)

So you think that I punch refs and spit in their eyes?

Would I kick Alan Shearer and leave him to die?

Oh baby, Even though I seem crazy,

I'm Roy the Red, rich, thick and madder each year.

(Slow bit)

All the guys I've clattered...even poor Alfie!

Now I've got a Court case...........I just want to kick folk, you see?

Tell me where did Mick go?

[Editor’s note: I know we had this in the fanzine at the beginning of last season, but I thought it was good enough to repeat – especially if there are any of you who haven’t seen it before.]

15

Player Songs of The Arsenal

Vieira Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh,

Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh,

He comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal,

Vieeeeeeira, ooh, oh, ooh, oh

Henry Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry,

Went down the lane, the other night,

To tell the scum we’ve got the new Ian Wright,

They said to me, how can that be,

I said to them Thierry Henry

Denis! There’s only one Denis Bergkamp, there’s only one Denis Bergkamp,

Walking along, singing a song,

Walking in a Bergkamp wonderland…

We’ve got Denis Bergkamp; we’ve got Denis Bergkamp, na-na-na-naah, na-na-na-naah

Freddie! We love you Freddie because you've got red hair,

We love you Freddie because you’re everywhere,

We love you Freddie,

Cause you're Arsenal through and through!

("You're just too good to be true")

Wiltord Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

Sylvain Wiltord is a Gooner,

And he plays for Arsenal

Parlour Ooh-aah, Ray Parlour (repeat)

Keown

Kee-own!

There's only one Keown,

There's only one Keown,

There's only one Keown. Kanu Chim-chimmney, chim-chimmney,

Chim-chim-charoo

Who needs Anelka, when we’ve got Kanu?

Sol Double Double

Sol Campbell has won the double

And those c**ts from the lane

Have won f**k all again

And Sol Campbell has won the double

Heeeeey hey Tott’numb

You... Scum…

I wanna know…

Where your captains gone?

Ashley Ashley Cole, COLE

Always believe in your soul,

You've got the power to know,

You're indestructible,

Always believe in....

(“Gold”, Spandau Ballet)

16

Can You Hear The Arsenal Sing?

Good Old Arsenal Good Old Arsenal,

We’re proud to say that name,

While we sing this song,

We’ll win the game

(“Rule Britannia”)

Ooh! Ooh, ooh, ooh to be, Ooh to be a, Gooner!

You are my Arsenal You are my Arsenal, my only Arsenal,

You make me happy, when skies are gray,

You’ll never know just, how much I love you,

So please don’t take my Arsenal, away

(“You are my Sunshine”)

Super Arsenal And it’s Ar-sen-al, Ar-sen-al FC,

We’re by far, the greatest team, the world has ever seen

(“The Wild Rover”)

Who’s the team? Who’s the team we call the Arsenal,

Who’s the team we all adore,

They’re the Boys in Red and White,

And they fight with all their might,

And they just show us how to score

(“Ally’s Army”)

Red and White Army (chant) Arsène Wenger’s Red and White Army!

We hate Tott’numb!

Arsène Wenger’s Red and White Army

We hate Tott’numb!

We won the League… We won the League, in Manchester,

We won the League in Manchester.

We won the League, at Old Trafford,

We won the League in Manchester.

(Still worth singing at the Mancs!)

Gooner ‘til I die! I'm a Gooner ‘til I die! I'm a Gooner ‘til I die!,

I know I am,

I'm sure I am,

I'm a Gooner ‘til I die!

Paddy’s Song…

By Jesus said Paddy, I sing it so well,

I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again,

So Paddy got up and he sang it again,

Over and over and over again...........

One Team!

One team in London,

There's only one team in London,

One team in London,

There's only one team in London

One-nil to The Arsenal One-nil to The Arsenal,

One-nil to The Arsenal (repeat)

HOW TO CONTACT US! If you are interested in joining the NY Gooners, send an e-mail to gooners@nygooners.com or talk to us at Nevada Smiths on match days.

We’re looking for both new members and anyone who’d like to contribute to the newsletter, website or to help organize the Supporter’s Club