Peter Cech : Best Goal Keeper from Czechoslovakia

Profile :
Name: Petr Cech
Nationality: Czech
Date of Birth: 20/05/1982
Height: 6' 5" (196cm)
Weight: 14st 6lbs (91.71kg)
Previous
Clubs: Sparta Prague, Stade Rennais
Position: Goalkeeper

The 2007/08 season was another stop-start one for Chelsea's back-to-back title winning goalkeeper.

Thankfully, there was nothing to match the very serious head injury suffered the previous campaign but Petr's 6ft 4in frame continued to suffer as it was afflicted by calf and hip problems, plus a nasty facial cut caused by a training ground accident.

As in the previous year, he recovered his fitness and was in good form as the club season reached the big climax of another cup final, this time the Champions League Final in Moscow.

An excellent double stop in that historic match kept Chelsea in the contest when under heavy first-half pressure and his penalty save from Cristiano Ronaldo, Petr's first in a shoot-out for Chelsea, set up a European Cup-winning chance, sadly not taken.

The number one choice between the posts for four seasons also had to adapt to a change oin goalkeeping coach. When Silvino Louro departed with José Mourinho, it was Christophe Lollichon, Petr's coach at his former club Rennes who came in.

Since the two last worked together, the pupil had established a name as the best keeper in the world, his reputation only enhanced by the remarkable way he had fought back to his best following an injury in October 2006 that had cast big doubts over the future of his career.

Showing the dedication and strong mind that had taken the Czech international to the top of his profession, Cech overcame a fractured skull to return just three months later.

Within weeks he had recorded a seven-game run for club and country without conceding a goal, all while sporting the skull protection that has become a trade mark. He was frequently outstanding for the rest of the 2006/07 season, not least in repelling a bullish Blackburn side in a semi-final at Old Trafford on the way to winning the FA Cup.

A new arrival in the summer of 2004 who at £7 million, cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr was bought to provide serious and healthy competition to the older Carlo Cudicini.

He immediately caught the eye with his height, incredible reaction speed and confidence in leaving his goal-line and began his Chelsea career as José Mourinho's first choice. He had to be good to keep Cudicini out.

A precocious talent, Petr built his reputation at Sparta Prague where at the age of 19 he broke the national record for the longest spell without conceding a goal.

Equally hard to beat in the Champions League, over 1,000 minutes in all competitions passed without a goal.

That earned a move to Rennes in France where midway through his second season he agreed to join Chelsea for the next campaign on a five-year contract.

At Under 21 international level he was a major factor in the crowning of the Czech Republic as 2002 European Champions while at senior level, Euro 2004 brought five clean sheets, a semi-final and a place in Uefa's all-star squad of the tournament.

A clean-sheet laden first season at Stamford Bridge was statistically the most accomplished by any Chelsea keeper.

A run of 1,024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March set a new English top flight record.

By the end of that season he had his first championship medal plus records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top flight season.

It was recognised with the award of the Barclays Golden Gloves for 2004/05.

Though the 2005/06 version of the Chelsea defence was never quite as watertight as the season before, Petr continued to excel and was a major force in capturing of a consecutive Premiership title.

It was all the more admirable for the fact that he had been playing for 14 months in pain from a shoulder injury.

With the other shoulder also damaged during the season, Petr went under the knife as soon as the Czech Republic's low-key 2006 World Cup ended.

He missed the opening games of the 2006/07 title defence but returned in late August in full working order once more.

However, a dreadful collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October left Petr with the damaged skull and requiring immediate surgery, 30 stitches and much rest. That his season would resume so soon and end so well with two cup final wins, no-one would have predicted at the time.

In 2007/08, Petr's form remained consistent, a few uncharacteristic mistakes apart. His own staunchest critic, he took full responsibility for a costly missed corner away to Arsenal, as he did during Euro 2008 when a late dropped catch allowed Turkey back into the final group game and the Czech side were ultimately eliminated.

A consummate professional, Petr will be working hard to ensure no repeat in the 2008/09 club campaign. Frighteningly for all opposition, he has well over a decade of football ahead of him to further improve.

It looks as though the majority at least of that time will be at Chelsea too, as Cech signed a new contract with the club in July, committing him to Stamford Bridge until at least 2013.

The new campaign started well, and by the end of 2009 just nine league goals had been conceded, with Cech keeping 11 Premier League clean sheets by the halfway point.
Season 2008 - 09

Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub) Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08 League 26 (0) 0
FA Cup 1 (0) 0
League Cup 3 (0) 0
Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07 League 20 (0) 0
FA Cup 6 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 8 (0) 0
Chelsea 2005 - 06 League 34 (0) 0
Euro Cups 7 (0) 0
Chelsea 2004 - 05 League 35 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 11 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2003 - 04 League 33 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2002 - 03 League 36 (0) 0
Sparta Prague 2001 - 02 Euro Cups 12 (0) 0

Article Source : http://www.chelseafc.com/

Cesc Fabregas : The Best Midfielder from Spanish

Pofile :
NAME : Francesc Fabregas Soler
BIRTHDAY : 04/05/1987
BIRTH CITY : Arenys of Mar, Spain
CLUB : Arsenal FC
POSITION : Midfielder
PREMIERSHIP DEBUT :15/08/2004 Everton
SPAIN DEBUT :01/03/2006 Ivory Coast

Biography:
Spanish midfield playmaker Cesc Fabregas is a brilliant passer of the ball with an eye for goal and is one of a crop of outstanding youngsters beginning to establish themselves at Highbury.

National team
Fabregas was voted the player of the tournament at the 2003 FIFA Under-17 World Championship and won the Golden Boot after his six goals helped Spain reach the final. He was a key member of the Spanish squad in the 2004 UEFA Under-17 European Championship, and scored a vital 89th-minute goal against England to take the team through to the final. Has since stepped up to U21 level.

Club
Despite coming through the ranks at FC Barcelona, Fabregas moved to Arsenal FC in September 2003 at the age of 16 having never played a first-team game at Camp Nou.

2003: After impressing with the reserves, he became the youngest player to feature in the Arsenal first team when, at 16 years and 177 days, he made his debut in the English League Cup against Rotherham United FC on 28 October.

2004/05: Fabregas made his Premiership debut in the 4-1 win away to Everton FC on the opening day of the season and went on to start 24 matches as Arsenal finished second in the league. He opened his Premiership scoring account in the 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers FC on 25 August and scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in December's 5-1 victory against Rosenborg BK.
http://www.cescfabregas.org/

Thoe Walcott The Best Young Gun's Player

Profile :
Full Name :Theo James Walcott
Date of Birth : 16 March 1989 (1989-03-16) (age 19)
Place of Birth : Stanmore, London, England
Playing Position : Striker
Club Career :
Youth career
A.F.C. Newbury
Swindon Town
Southampton
Senior career
2005–2006 : Southampton
2006– : Arsenal
National team
2006– : England U21
2006– : England

Arsène Wenger :Arsenal FC Coach Biography and Profile

Arsène Wenger profile
Name : Arsène Wenger
Position :Manager
Born : October 22nd, 1949, Strasbourg, France
Previous clubs as player : Mutzig, Mulhouse, Strasbourg
Clubs as manager/coach : Strasbourg (youth), Cannes (assistant), Nancy, AS Monaco, Grampus Eight Nagoya
Joined Arsenal : 28 September 1996
First match as manager :Blackburn Rovers (a), Premier League, October 12, 1996, Won 2-0
Honours (Monaco):
French League championship 1988, French Cup winners 1991, French 'Manager of the Year' 1988
Honours (Grampus Eight):
Japan's 'Manager of the Year' 1995, Emperor's Cup winner 1996, Japanese Super Cup winner 1996
Honours (Arsenal):
League championship 1998, 2002, 2004, FA Cup winners 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, Voted 'Manager of the Year' 1998, 2002, 2004

Arsene Wenger Biography:
Little was known in England about the man who had managed Nancy Lorraine before taking AS Monaco to the French League Championship with a certain Glenn Hoddle in his ranks.

Arsene Wenger had since left his homeland for Japan, to manage the team Gary Lineker had 'enjoyed' a brief spell with, Grampus Eight, but he was pleased to accept the invitation to manage in the English Premier League with one of England's biggest and, historically, most successful clubs.

Arsene replaced Bruce Rioch at Highbury in 1996 but prior to officially joining the Gunners from the J-League, Arsenal had, under the Frenchman's advice, signed two French players. They were Remi Garde from Strasbourg and Patrick Vieira from AC Milan. More Frenchmen soon joined the Gunners including Emmanuel Petit (Monaco) and Nicolas Anelka (Paris St Germain). Dutch winger Marc Overmars also joined the club from Ajax Amsterdam.

Arsenal fans were initially skeptical about the influx of French players to Highbury, but their fears were soon dispelled as Petit and Vieira forged a powerful midfield partnership to help the Gunners to seriously challenge for the title in Wenger's first season - for the first time since 1991. Arsenal eventually ended the season in third place, level on points with Newcastle United but losing out on the runners-up spot and a place in the UEFA Champion's League on goal difference.

In the following season, 1997/98, the Gunners picked themselves up from a slow start to power to the Double, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup and repeating the achievement of Bertie Mee's 1970-71 side. In the process, Arsene became the first non-British manager to accomplish this.

In the process of their late surge for the title, Arsenal also set a Premier League record of 10 successive wins to snatch the trophy from Manchester United, who had looked odds-on to win all season, with some bookmakers even paying out at one stage. It was a testament to Wenger's determination and motivational skills that Arsenal were able to triumph in the final chapter of an enthralling campaign.

The combination of foreign flair and English grit in Wenger's side, typified by the contrasting qualities of Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams, highlighted the changing nature of the modern English game, something that was certainly apparent to the astute Frenchman.

The following three seasons again saw Wenger's men challenging for the Premiership, but they were thwarted by Manchester United on every occasion. Their European campaigns were generally disappointing although, having been eliminated from the Champions League, The Gunners got through to the final of the UEFA Cup in 1999/2000 only to be narrowly defeated in a penalty shoot-out by Galatasaray.

They were runners-up again, this time in the FA Cup, in 2001, after a Michael Owen double allowed Liverpool to snatch the lead, and the trophy, in a game that Arsenal had dominated for 80 minutes.

Wenger had continued to invest in new talent, bringing in the likes of Kanu, Silvinho and Lauren to replace those who left Highbury. Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn left the club, breaking up Arsenal's famous home-grown back four, and foreign stars Anelka, Petit and Overmars were all sold for enormous transfer fees. The Frenchman's best buys came again from his homeland, with Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires all coming to Highbury.

The French tactician has built up a reputation as one of the shrewdest operators in the transfer market and is probably the most successful manager to have come to English football from abroad. He continues to bring the best out of Highbury's collection of continental stars, as well as developing the skills of young English players like Ashley Cole and Jermaine Pennant.

Coveted by several clubs around the world, and by the French and Japanese FA, Wenger committed himself to Arsenal by signing a new contract in 2001.

His loyalty, and the club's foresight, were rewarded with another Double the following season, as The Gunners put their FA Cup heartache behind them with a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the final.

And in the most open title race for years, Arsenal were crowned Barclaycard Premiership champions, securing victory with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against their perennial rivals.

In a season that saw Henry and Pires in particular excel, the North London side were unbeaten away from home and lost just three Premiership games.

Despite beating Juventus in the Champions League second stage, they were unable to reach the quarter-finals as they had the previous year, but domestically they were untouchable and fully deserved to complete their second double in four years as they smashed countless records.

It further underlined Wenger's qualities as a manager and further engrained his name into the Arsenal history books as a Highbury legend.

He was personally honoured at the LMA's Tenth Annual dinner where, via a satellite link to Highbury, he was presented with the LMA Manager of the Year award, as voted for by his fellow professionals, and the Barclaycard Premiership Manager of the Year award (chosen by a Barclaycard panel).

With plans for a new stadium having been approved, Wenger saw a bright future for the club and was determined to dominate the English game in the way Manchester United had done during the previous ten years, 1997-98 aside.

That seemed a likely prospect in the following season as Arsenal raced clear in the Barclaycard Premiership and booked their place in the FA Cup final for a third successive year.

Thierry Henry, voted PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year, fired the Gunners to the top of the table, as well as impressing on the European stage as Arsenal threatened to finally make their mark in the Champions League.

However, their European challenge faded as they failed to get past Ajax and Valencia in the second group stage and their grip on the championship also suffered.

The Arsenal boss remained confident that his team would retain the title and even repeat the domestic double, but Manchester United stormed to the championship in the final two months of the season - a 3-2 home defeat to Leeds sealing The Gunners' fate on the penultimate weekend of the league campaign.

Wenger took some consolation from what was literally a season of two halves as his side retained the FA Cup with victory over Southampton in Cardiff as he planned for another challenge the following year.

Along with compatriot and fellow boss Gerard Houllier, Arsene received an OBE for his services to English football in the Queen's birthday Honours list in June 2003.

There were more honours to come for Wenger at the end of the following season as he again won the LMA Manager of the Year and the Barclaycard Manager of the Year awards for steering his side through their Premiership campaign without losing a single game.

A point from a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane on April 25th ensured that The Gunners regained their league crown, and they went on to finish their campaign having won 26 and drawn 12 of their 38 matches.

Despite an amazing turnaround in their European fortunes - they won their last three group games to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League - Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea in the quarter finals. They also lost out in both domestic semi-finals, to Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup and to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Nevertheless, their achievements in 2003/04 were incredible, and striker Thierry Henry collected the PFA and Football Writers' player of the year awards, as well as winning the Golden Boot for being the Premiership's top scorer.

In the first part of the 2004/05 Wenger and his team continued their wonderful form from the previous campaign. However, in what would have been their 50th game without a defeat, Manchester United broke their record after a dubious penalty instigated a 2-0 victory.

This set Arsenal back for a few games after as they fell behind Chelsea in the race for the Barclays Premiership. However, they recovered in time to secure the runners-up spot, meaning that in Wenger's reign, they have only finished out of the top two once.

Wenger also claimed his fifth FA Cup victory this season in a hard-fought final against Manchester United at the Millenium Stadium. Although The Gunners were out-played for long stretches of the match, it went to a penalty shoot-out which they won 5-4, after Paul Scholes missed a crucial spot-kick for United.
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In Europe, however, Wenger suffered the same dissapointment as in previous campaigns. Struggling through the group stage, The Gunners started well with a 5-1 home drubbing of Rosenberg. But the Highbury side's form soon dipped as they drew four, narrowly qualifying past the group stage before being knocked out by Bayern Munich in the Last 16.

The 2005/06 season saw Wenger get as close as he has ever got to that elusive European victory. Cruising through a tricky Champions' League group unbeaten, Arsenal put in a series of superb performances in the knockout stages, first against Real Madrid in the second round, then against Juventus in the quarters and finally against Spanish side Villarreal in the semis.

Victory meant that Arsenal became the second successive English side to qualify for the final of Europe's top competition, facing Barcelona in Paris. But the day was not to be as memorable as it was for Liverpool the year before.

The Gunners took the lead as half-time approached thanks to a Sol Campbell header, but earlier had gone down to ten-men after Jens Lehamnn was, somewhat controversially, sent-off.

Wenger's men put up a brave performance, but eventually Barcelona wore them down and claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to late goals from Eto'o and Belletti.

It was a harsh blow for an Arsenal side who had performed admirably in the game itself and produced some superb football throughout the competition as a whole.

Their performances on the domestic front, however, left something to be desired as they were as good as league also-rans by Christmas and knocked out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage by Bolton.

The festive period also saw a not-so-jolly war of words between Wenger and Jose Mourinho as the Chelsea boss accused his counterpart of being a 'voyeur', who was more interested in events at Stamford Bridge then at his own club.

Eventually, Arsenal FC managed to seal fourth place from competitors Spurs on the final day of the season, but it was a position they couldn't improve on in the 2006/07 season.

Wenger chose to side with youth during this campaign, but with Thierry Henry suffering with injuries and poor form, the squad lacked experience and despite some impressive performances (not least two victories over champions Manchester United), they finished the season trophyless.

Another fruitless campaign followed in 2008/9, but Wenger could take heart from an improving campaign. His side led the league for much of the season, and were it not for a dreadful injury to Eduardo in the latter part of the term, they could have hung on to their advantage.
Article Source : http://www.4thegame.com/

Robie Van Persie : Arsenal Team and Profile

Profile :
Full Name :Robin van Persie
Date of Birth : 6 August 1983
Place of Birth : Rotterdam, Netherlands
Playing position : Second Striker,Striker,Winger
Career Club :
Years Club
2001–2004 : Feyenoord
2004– :Arsenal
National team
2003-2005 : Netherlands U21
2005– : Netherlands

Arsenal struck twice late on to see off brave Hull on Saturday and claim a 3-1 win that keeps them in touch with the Premier League's top four.Hull had looked set to frustrate the Gunners for the second time this season when Daniel Cousin cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half opener after 65 minutes. Those heady days seem a long time ago now for Hull, who despite their encouraging display, have now lost their last five league outings. Adebayor's goal, only his third in nine games, initially seemed to justify his inclusion in an unchanged Arsenal side ahead of Bendtner, the match-winning substitute against Bolton last week. Hull fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing under-strength sides in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places. There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while yesterday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench. France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Hull player to play in all four divisions for the club. Geovanni, scorer of Hull's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes. The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other Hull players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot. A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance. Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Robin van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner.
"When they scored to make it 1-1 I was a bit worried. But we stuck together and played some good football," van Persie told Setanta Sports 1.
"The win was really important because this was a difficult away game. The first game was in our minds, it was tough for us to come back."

Daniel Agger Liverpool Player

Daniel Munthe Agger (born 12 December 1984) is a Danish professional footballer who currently plays as a central defender for English club Liverpool. He started his senior career at Danish club Brøndby IF in July 2004, with whom he won the 2005 Danish Superliga championship. Since his debut in June 2005, he has been capped 22 times and scored three goals for the Danish national team.

Dirk Kuyt the Holland Player Striker

Dirk Kuijt (DirkKuyt.ogg pronunciation (help·info)), commonly known as Dirk Kuyt,[2] (born 22 July 1980) is a Dutch professional football player who currently plays for English club Liverpool. He is renowned for his work-rate in his primary position as a forward, but now he is more often deployed as a winger for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

Kuyt began his professional career with FC Utrecht in 1998 and quickly became part of their first team. He spent five years at the club and in his final season he won his first senior honour, the Dutch Cup, and was chosen as the season's Dutch Golden Shoe Winner. Following this, he left Utrecht in a €1,000,000 transfer to Feyenoord. He became the club captain in 2005 and was a prolific goalscorer at the Rotterdam club; he was the club's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, the top goalscorer in the 2004–05 Eredivisie season, and the 2005–06 Dutch Footballer of the Year. Kuyt missed only five games over seven seasons from 1999 until 2006 and appeared in 179 consecutive matches between 2001–06.

He left Feyenoord after three years, having scored 71 league goals in 101 appearances, and joined Premier League side Liverpool for £10 million.[3] He made his Premier League debut in late 2006 and immediately became part of the first team squad. He played in his first UEFA Champions League Final in 2007 but the team lost to Milan.

He made his international debut in 2004 and has represented the Netherlands at two major international tournaments, the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. Read more in wikipedia......