Selling Stars: Arsenal's Loose Grip

Despite not being an Arsenal fan myself I am an avid Premier League enthusiast and therefore have taken an interest in the latest changing of events happening at Arsenal Football Club. A large turn around in playing and coaching staff shows not only a shift in where club sees itself but also how we see it.

Breaking the Curse: How England Can Win a Penalty Shootout

England went into these European Championships with expectations at an all time low. A managerial change, stories of divisions amongst the players and controversy in squad selection culminated in England kicking off their first group game against France with few expecting them to qualify for the knockout stages. As the tournament progressed and England ground out results with resolute defending and counter attacking football, the constant harping about low expectations and little pressure ironically saw the expectations of the country tentatively lift until many believed England could overwhelm Italy and overcome the curse of the quarter final that has plagued them since 1996.

As a country however, we diluted our own failings as a team and overestimated the few strengths we had. We threw caution to the wind in a way only expectant England fans can, and dismissed the Italians as an ageing group of players lacking creativity, typical defensive solidity and a predatory strike force. However for 120 minutes in Kiev, none of this mattered. England were knocked out of Euro 2012 by the majesty of Andrea Pirlo and the ‘lottery’ of the penalty shootout.

England vs Italy: All Pain No Gain

So we lost on penalties. Who saw that coming? Admit it, when Ricardo Montolivo missed his spot kick we all thought for a split second that this could really be the moment we banish that penalty voodoo that has haunted us through eight different contests reduced to penalties, only winning once.

Euro 2012: Fantasy Football Tips and Tactics

The Euros are fast approaching. The squads have now been confirmed, and pre-tournament prattle is sweeping the nation, dominating the topic of conversation from schoolyards to pub gardens.

Controversial questions are being asked of various selection policies, and to pick one at complete random, it appears that Stewart Downing’s inclusion in the England squad has become a hot topic of debate. Personally, I feel that this statement represents the biggest oxymoron since the inception of the ‘Democratic People's Republic of Korea’. Words like ‘controversy’ and ‘debate’ imply that there is more than one logical opinion to be held. There isn’t. Stewart Downing isn’t that good at playing football for Liverpool. He has produced one assist (against Oldham) and no goals all season. Chances are, therefore, that the trend will continue into the European Championships, and that he won’t be that good at playing football for England.

Expect the Unexpected that you were Expecting...

 Much like Englebert Humperdink, England started off the evening in a relatively positive and impressive manner. The geriatric crooner had enjoyed the same kind of hype as his footballing compatriots with talks of ‘no expectations’ but more ‘pleasant surprises’ in a way to make our horizons seem less bleak.

The Countdown to History: Our Verdict on the Playoff Final

This Saturday the world of football prepares itself for a showdown of monumental proportions and far reaching consequences. A game the victory of which means more to both clubs that any other single match in world football. Step aside Chelsea and Bayern Munich as this Saturday's "Day of Destiny" belongs to West Ham and Blackpool.
The Championship playoff is a fixture like none other as the rewards bring not only promotion and glory, but possible survival as a football club. The game is often referred to as "the richest game in world football" with a £40million windfall up for grabs, and with 2 of the Championship's biggest teams set to contest the showpiece final, there's sure to be fireworks. Let us take a closer look at the 2 teams vying to reach the holy grail of English football.

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Preview: All Thriller, No Filler



The end's not near, it's here. The UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea marks the culmination of the European season, as the competition draws to its annual conclusion at 7.45PM this Saturday. It ain't going quietly. Some 62,000 fans will pack out the Fußball Arena München for the 2012 showpiece finale, a figure likely to be dwarfed by the number of fans tuning in to televisions worldwide (estimated viewing figures for the 2011 final were "in excess of 300 million" according to UEFA spokesman Kimmo Bellmann). From Brazil to Beijing, the world will be watching this weekend. Don't believe the hype? We've barely scratched the surface.