TGIF: EXCLUSIVE New Away Shirt 2010/11 revealed

Welcome to FTK’s TGIF where I take a look at the week according to Gooners. This Friday is even more special as I reveal my artists impression of the new Away Kit for 2010/11 plus the revelation that these exclusives appear to be getting up the noses of some rival trivial blogs whose only claim to fame is that they feature on Google (doesn’t every blog?lol) Anyway enough… feast your eyes on this number! I think that the reaction to this shirt will be very mixed. Not quite what everyone will have expected, but still. that’s life eh?

Vic Crescit raised a very good point that perhaps Emirates Airlines might like to forego having their logo on the front of the shirt, which substantially increase sales. The 15 year deal which allowed lead sponsorship for Emirates Airlines will have seen a paltry £100 million flow into Arsenal Coffers. Wasn’t naming the stadium enough ffs? Buy an Emirates Airline ticket as an Arsenal fan and do you get a complimentary upgrade to Business Class? Do you f**k!

Lets not beat about the bush The Emirates got a good deal at the time when we need the capital. It was all about cash up front. One could argue now that the dubai outfit had us over an oil barrel and we have been royally shafted. How dare I insult our lead sponsors? Tough… sue me!

I feel insulted that a team that has played Champions League Football with immense broadcasting exposure plus the naming of the stadium is only worth £100 million. The shirt deal is even worse, No wonder Gazidis is said to be unhappy. The deal runs until 2014 and works out at around £6 million a year. Compare that with Manchester United’s old deal with AIG for £56 million over four years, which is now to be replaced by £20 million a year over 4 seasons with Aon. Someone at Emirates is seriously taking the piss! So angry does it make me that I positively BOYCOTT Emirates airlines when choosing flights. My only recourse to show my disgust with our sponsors.

Anyway back to the away shirt. A lovely number no? The yellow shirt does look a little odd topped off with redcurrant instead of blue, lets hope that it is not to late to change that idea. But what has really got to me was the stripes. What is this obsession with stripes at the moment? Arsenal have had stripy shirts in the past, but just give me plain yellow any day of the week. So for me it gets the thumbs down. Whereas I was gagging to buy the new home shirt, you won’t see me in this  away kit anytime soon. Note… had it been blue and no stripes I would have been over the moon. The famous 1971 FA cup Double victory over Liverpool with Charlie George on his back after thundering in THAT shot! Like so many things at the Arsenal at the moment, an opportunity lost. Note to Nike, redcurrant and yellow reminds me of what my stomach throws up on a Saturday night after fifteen pints of lager and a red chilli jalfreezi. But of course you may have a different view…ENJOY!

The site was energised by debates on players this week. First Eldo71 revealed press speculation about Wenger opinions on the player who everyone still seems to forget is still on 20 years of age, and top strikers mature around 24 years onwards. The sense of doom and gloom around Arsenal fans about Theo, who I rate very highly is typical of the glory hunting impatient attitudes of some Gooners that scream out for the sacking of Arsene Wenger because we are only in third place in the Premier league and 9 points ahead of the scum in fourth place FFS! OK WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THEO….? HELLLOOO? Give the lad a chance, he has hardly played regular games this season, and if he had been selected as often as some players I could mention, then the present criticism could be viewed as almost fair.

Next…

Niklas Bendy Nenenenenerrr, our Danish striker. He is a hard worker, I would rather have him up front than Eduardo at the moment, and perhaps he can be forgiven the odd miss, as at least he can head the ball well.

Finally, Bacary Sagna who was seen strutting his stuff in a Mallorcan nite spot with our roving correspondent Jimc. Bacary was great value the first season. He is now a regular in the French National Squad but can someone please PLEASE teach this lad how to cross a ball with pace into the danger area of the box? Seeing the ball fly aimlessly over the upper tier of the Emirates. SORT IT OUT SAGNA! I love the player, but EBOUE showed him up against Sunderland, and for that Eboue should keep his place. It was great singing to the oppo fans, You’ve just been EBOUUEED!

“He doesn’t reach the ball because of his own defenders in his way. You get your hand out and he didn’t get to the ball.”

Referring of course to the Delap long throw into opponent’s boxes. What I cannot get my head around is if you cannot be offside from a throw in according to the laws of the game, why not set up for his long throws in the same way that we do for a corner? A man on each post and let the GoalKeeper go and punch the ball away. There is too much fear associated with this one trick pony and it’s about time professional football players sorted it out. Lets just beat Stoke tomorrow evening, collect the three points and move on! 

Highlights of the Press Conference not much to report I’m afraid… 

Injuries

Abou Diaby has a knee injury, Gallas has a calf injury, Arshavin has a hamstring, Long term injuries keep robin van Persie, Keiran Gibbs and Johan Djourou. Eduardo could be in following training assessment tomorrow.

Much of the press focused on the fact that Stoke have beaten the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsene played a straight bat to this shroud waving and sensibly announced that

“The Title race remains open, and to succeed we will probably have to win all our games.” 

 This week’s performance goes to the Club for securing the signatures of two very talented youngsters who may form the foundation of a future Arsenal team. First and foremost England Youth International striker, Benik Afobe has  signed  professional terms for Arsenal. He joined Arsenal at  eight years old, having progressed through the Club’s Hale End Academy. Next but not least, Thomas Cruise who has signed a contract extension. The left back has consolidated his position in the reserves since Keiran Gibb’s elevation to the first squad.

Today the Friday Finger is interactive.

I’ll throw this out to the Insider’s below. Please leave your suggestions in the comments below

Fabregas the King ftk@arsenalinsider.com {jcomments on}