Entries from May 2004 ↓

(out of five).This was an enjoyable, albeit flawed film. Brian Cox as Agamemnon and Eric Bana as Hector steal the show. Brad Pitt looks the part, but there was something missing from his portrayal of Achilles. Orlando Bloom as Paris was passable, but then, Paris never really was a sympathetic character to begin with.

(Martin Keown Testimonial)

.Lots of Arsenal news today…

First off, congratulations must go to Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger. They each picked up awards today, the Barclaycard Player Of The Year and Manager Of The Year Awards respectively.

Thierry scored 30 league goals this season, while Arsene was the mastermind behind this unprecidented undefeated campaign. Both men are quite deserving of the awards, and this Gooner couldn’t be prouder.

In other news, new signing Robin Van Persie passed his physical yesterday, so he’s good to go for the 04-05 season. I look forward to seeing what he can do. Also, Sylvain Wiltord, seen here spraying his teammates down with champagne, has, along with Kanu and Martin Keown played his last game for the Gunners. All three men have played their part in helping the club in all of it’s recent success, and here’s hoping them all the best in their future endeavors.

Speaking of Martin Keown, tonight was his testimonial match at Highbury. An all-star England XI vs. Arsenal, it sounds like it was a blast. David Beckham, Ian Wright Wright Wright, and his son Sean Wright-Phillips, Marc Overmars, and many others were on hand to pay homage to the veteran defender.

Jose Antonio Reyes stole the show, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win for the Gunners. Here’s the news from the mothership:

By Richard Clarke

“There�s only one Keown,” sang Highbury in unison as an Arsenal legend bade farewell to the Club tonight.

Martin Keown, winner of three titles and three FA Cups in 449 competitive appearances, enjoyed a wonderful night as an Arsenal XI beat an England XI 6-0.

Jose Antonio Reyes grabbed a quick-fire hat-trick at the start of the second half and Jeremie Aliaidere scored twice. But the main goal-action of note came 11 minutes before half time when Keown�s penalty was saved.

David Beckham kicked-off the game but that was virtually his only involvement. The England captain was pulled out just before the match was due to begin and he was substituted by Paul Gascoigne after just a few minutes.

However, the former Manchester United midfielder deserves the utmost credit for travelling back from Spain to pay tribute to Keown. A crowd of over 38,000 had turned up to do the exactly the same thing.

Returning hero Ian Wright was soon up to his old tricks. He wrestled with Ray Parlour, who started on the England team, in the opening minutes. Then he swapped his shirt - which was not in fact his, Henry and Wright had each other�s names on their backs - with a fan.

In the 17th minute Arsenal went ahead, Freddie Ljungberg clipping a cross for Ashley Cole to backflick the ball past Robert Green at the near post.

It was 2-0 six minutes later when Aliadiere skipped through, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

The big moment of the first half arrived when Green fouled Edu in the 34th minute. The crowd called for Keown to take the spot-kick. But the Norwich No 1 guessed correctly and, almost apologetically, blocked the penalty and the follow-up.

“That�s why you�re a centre half,” sang the North Bank.

Philippe Senderos came on for the second period. After an injury ravaged season since signing last summer, it was his first appearance at Highbury. Sebastian Svard was also back after his loan spells at FC Copenhagen and Stoke City.

Within a few minutes, Marc Overmars came off the bench. The Barcelona winger was afforded a warm welcome.

Reyes stung Green�s hands in the early stages. Then, in the 53rd minute, he beat the keeper by running onto Bergkamp�s pass to stroke home. He added another in the 58th minute, cutting inside his defender and thumping home from the edge of the area.

The little Spanish striker completed a 13-minute hat-trick when he curled home a shot in the 66th minute. A procession of substitutions continued. Wright even joined his adopted son, Shaun Wright-Phillips, on the England side.

Overmars set up Aliadiere to hook home his second, and Arsenal�s sixth, in the 77th minute. The Dutchman continued to cause problems to the England backline.

But Keown was still looking for a goal and by now was stationed up front. He twisted six-yards out a few minutes from time and sent a solid shot goalwards but Arsenal reserve keeper Mark Howard, in goal for England, made an instinctive save. The stopper was playfully booed for his contribution.

And that was it, Keown was substituted. Afterwards he made a short speech, did a lap of honour and left the scene.

He will not return but the memories will live on.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Leicester City

…Arsenal complete first undefeated English league season since 1889

.Paul Dickov threatened to put a wrench in the works, scoring on Leicester City’s only shot of the first half, giving the Foxes a 1-0 lead at halftime. However, the Gunners were not to be denied on this day of destiny.

Within seconds of the restart, Ashley Cole was brought down in the box, earning Arsenal a penalty kick. Thierry Henry stepped up to the spot, and slotted in the equalisier - his thirtieth goal of the season.

Twenty minutes later, Captain Paddy Vieira put the party into full effect when he latched onto a great pass by Dennis Bergkamp, putting the Gunners 2-1 up, and it was smooth sailing from there.

Martin Keown came on with about five minutes left in the match, thus earning him his tenth league appearance, making him eligable for a Championship medal.

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I’ll be posting much much more about this amazing season later on, but for now I need to get some sleep!

South Africa to host 2010 FIFA World Cup

.In an announcement made this morning during a press conference held in Zurich, South Africa overcame the other four African nations in contention, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia and was chosen as hosts of the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA had decided during the 2002 World Cup that it would begin a practice of moving from Continent to Continent, and had only entertained bids from African nations.

South Africa, despite it’s high crime rate and crippling AIDS epidemic has hosted succesful World Cups for both rugby and cricket in recent years, a fact that did not go unnoticed by FIFA officials.

On hand at the press conference in Zurich was South Africa’s most famous son, Nelson Mandela, who could be seen grinning from ear to ear upon hearing the announcement.

Since Japan/S. Korea (Asia) just hosted the 2002 World Cup, Germany (Europe) will be hosting in 2006, and now South Africa (Africa), it is down to North America, South America, and Australia as the choices to host the 2014 World Cup. It is my understanding that the the US Soccer Federation will be making a strong campaign to bring the tournament back to the States for the first time in twenty years.

After revealing that he urinates on his hands, Posada gets hit in the face with a ball. Karmic Justice?

.Now, I would never wish ill on anyone, especially a great Yankee like Jorge Posada, but, am I the only one who thought Jorge’s recent revelation regarding his batting “secret” was a bit too much information?

For those who don’t know, Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou recently revealed that instead of wearing batting gloves, he urinates on his hands to build up toughness, thus making the gloves unnecessary. The day after the news broke, Posada revealed that he too ascribes to this practice.

I don’t even want to think about how one discovers that this is a good idea, or how the decision is reached to even try it. Well, whatever works for ya man, just don’t think I’ll be shaking your hand anytime soon.

Anyway, get well soon Jorge, and all the best for the rest of 2004.

Gramatica to compete with Matt Bryant

.I’m too disgusted by this move to write anything eloquent about it, so if you want more info, check out the NY Post.