There has been no shortage of celebrity Arsenal fans over the years, for example even Her Royal Majesty the Queen of England has been accused of following the Arsenal in the past, before she broke Arsenal hearts by confirming that her allegiance lies with the Hammers.
However, these ten celebrities are fully fledged, Arsenal loving humanoids, and may I say, that as celebrity fans go, it is one of the finest lists around…
Click on the North Bank below to see the top 10 celebrity fans who have once graced it
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Well there you have it. The top 10 famous Arsenal fans. Think there’s a celebrity missing from the list? Don’t consider Piers Morgan to be human, let alone a celebrity? Get involved in the comment box below.
Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton has stated that the club does not expect to be embroiled in a relegation battle, and games against beatable opponents in coming weeks should send the team back up towards mid-table.
The Midlands outfit are currently in 15th place after a poor run of form, but the midfielder does not feel that this is cause for concern.
“No, we’re staying positive,” Albrighton told The Guardian when asked if Villa are fighting for survival.
“We have two games now against Blackburn and Wigan where we know we are good enough to beat those teams. So we’re aiming for six points now, nothing less, that will lift us back up the table.
“We’ve just got to stick together, everybody at the club has to unite and hopefully we can get out of this slump and start winning football matches,” he stated.
Alex McLeish has had to harbour the bulk of the blame for Villa’s poor season, but Albrighton has backed the Scottish manager to get it right with club.
“I’m in favour of the gaffer. He’s been doing well in training for us, he helps us out and he speaks to us, which is what you want from a manager.
“I thought the fans were terrific inside the ground on Sunday, they were brilliant. They got behind us from the first minute, and that’s what we need going through this bad time. Hopefully we can repay them over the next couple of games,” he concluded.
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England under-21s have been handed arguably the toughest draw for the group stage of this summer’s European Championship in Denmark by joining Spain, Czech Republic and Ukraine in group B. Stuart Pearce’s men, who were runners-up in 2009 and semi-finalists two years earlier, appear to have paid the price for narrowly failing to secure seeded status for the tournament as they now face a struggle to qualify from the strongest of the two groups.
Group A seems to be the gentler of the two groups, containing hosts Denmark, Switzerland, Belarus and Iceland, who were seeded just ahead of England. The Three Lions have been teamed with Spain for the second consecutive tournament, having beaten them during the group phase in 2009, and they begin this summer’s campaign against the Spanish on June 12th in Herning, where they will also play Ukraine four days later.
But despite the toughest of draws, what are England’s chances of returning with the trophy they last won in 1984? The under-21s also triumphed two years previously in 1982, but the format of the competition has altered dramatically since then, and now imitates the structure of senior competition. Fabio Capello’s side disappointed in South Africa last summer, but Pearce’s young squad is considered one of the most promising on the continent, the likes of Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Daniel Sturridge providing significant encouragement.
Spain are currently odds on favourties to win the competition outright, but despite the senior squad adding the World Cup to their Euro 2008 title last year, the country’s Under-21 side have not been crowned European champions since 1998. That said, manager Luis Milla, is confident his side can emulate their elder counterparts, explaining: “They know what it means to compete. They are used to a certain model, a way of playing, that is very similar at all age levels, and they’ve grown in that system. So they understand the game in a very similar way, and we focus very much on that.” What’s more, Juan Mata and Javi Martinez, who were both members of the 2010 World Cup winning squad, are likely to be called up by Milla for under-21 duty in Denmark, forming part of a very threatening team.
England’s best chance lies in the attacking potency of Pearce’s squad. Daniel Sturridge produced an exceptional individual display, scoring the third, in a 4-0 rout of Denmark at the end of March, when Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, the highly talented Sunderland pair, also found the net. The only worrying fact is that it was the youngsters’ first win in four games, and England lost the following game, at home against Iceland, having taken the lead. History indicates that pre-tournament form never guarantees the continuation of momentum once the finals competition begins, and England certainly have as good a chance as Spain to bring home the trophy with a squad now brimming with Premier League experience.
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Birmingham City midfielder Barry Ferguson is content that he has made the right decision in not coming out of international retirement to play for Scotland again.
The 32-year-old had been asked by new head coach Craig Levein if he would consider a return to the fold, but opted against that course of action to focus on his career with the Blues.
He told the Daily Record:"It has not been an easy decision for me to make, but I feel I have done the right thing.
"There was a danger that, by returning now, I would have started a media frenzy and it would have been a distraction for the rest of the boys and the manager. That would not have helped anybody.
"Yes, it is hard to say no to Scotland because it hurts not to be involved with the national team. But I believe in fate and things happen for a reason.
"I want to enjoy my time here at Birmingham, but I wish Scotland all the best."
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Ferguson played 45 times for his country, before being banned by the SFA for a night of drinking while on duty with Scotland in April last year.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Andrey Arshavin’s agent has stated that his client wants to stay at Arsenal, despite interest from cash-rich Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.
The attacking midfielder has lost form and the fans’ backing over the last 12 months, and has been linked with a move back to his homeland.
This is still possible due to the Russian transfer window not closing until February 24th, but representative Phil Smith has moved to quash rumours that he is ready to leave the Emirates Stadium.
“Andrey doesn’t think it is time to go back yet,” Smith told Goal.com.
“He still feels he has a lot to do at Arsenal. He wants to win something, fulfil his ambitions and recover his form both for Arsenal and ahead of the European Championships.
“The Russia window lasts until 24th February and a guy representing Anzhi has made a tentative approach. But Andrey is not going to talk to the Russians because he doesn’t want to leave and Arsenal don’t want him to go, either. A lot depends on the summer,” he concluded.
If Arshavin does stay he will buck the trend of his countrymen in 2012, as Roman Pavlyuchenko and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov both left the Premier League to return home in January.
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According to sources at the club, Liverpool Director or Football Damien Comolli is set to have a busy summer as the club look to overhaul the playing squad. Despite spending over £50 million in the January transfer window, new owners the Fenway Sports Group look set to open the chequebook again to fund numerous acquisitions. But, following a resurgence since the reappointment of Kenny Dalglish as manager and the emergence of some bright young talent such as Jay Spearing, is a complete overhaul exactly what the Merseyside club need?
Admittedly Liverpool is a club still in transition after the departure of Rafa Benitez and ill-fated reign of Roy Hodgson. Despite a superb recovery to sixth in the table and the recent acquisitions of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, there are still many squad members still to prove their worth. The likes of Milan Jovanovic, Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen have failed to make any real impact whilst many fans would be glad to see the back of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and David N’gog. Worryingly for fans, iconic academy products Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard are both the wrong side of 30 and there will soon come a day when they fail to play week-in week-out. But, the club must be careful to avoid a repeat of the constantly revolving door and poor signings that appeared under Rafa Benitez.
Following a turbulent year and a change in ownership, the club must first look for some stability. For example, the club are yet to confirm the long-term future of Kenny Dalglish with his current deal expiring at the end of the season. And, whilst Damien Comolli looks to be directing current player recruitment, if it is Dalglish who will manage the club next season then surely he should have a great deal input into transfer dealings.
But Dalglish has done well to transform the current squad into one challenging for European football. The likes of Spearing, Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey have successfully broken into the first team, whilst the new strike partnership of Carroll and Suarez have only been at the club for a short period of time and will come good with time. Alberto Aquilani and Emiliano Insua could still return from their loan periods. But, with new owners keen to make their mark on the club and with a new record kit deal worth a reported £25 million a year, expect signings this summer.
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But what will it take for the club to return to the top four of the Premier League? The most recent club to break the mould were Tottenham who did so through some shrewd transfer dealings and exciting attacking football under Harry Redknapp. Manchester City’s recent charge has come off the back of heavy investment from owner Sheikh Mansour.
Whilst buoyed by the finances of Fenway, the club can by no means compete with the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea in the transfer market. And, with a squad beginning to gel under Dalglish, this could be a good thing. Don’t forget that Comolli is the man often credited with the signings of Gareth Bale, Tom Huddleston and Luka Modric at Tottenham and who will surely look to sign future stars.
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Fans have called out for exciting talents such as Alexis Sanchez and defensive reinforcements in the mould of Gary Cahill, whilst a midfield enforcer in the mould of Javier Mascherano is still to be signed. And, with money clearly available and owners willing to invest, there will be signings this summer. But, Liverpool must be careful to invest the money wisely in order to improve rather than necessarily overhaul the much improved squad that has emerged under Dalglish.
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For some years now Sir Alex Ferguson has been resolute in his refusal to talk to the BBC, until now it has not cost him or the club, but the enforcement of new rules in the Premier League mean that his silence could potentially cost the club just under £1 million over the course of the season. The new rules compel employees of clubs to talk to broadcasters of the Premier League, and by not talking to the BBC Ferguson is in breech of the rulses. The club’s hierarchy have given their full backing to Ferguson in this respect, but will it be the most pointless £1 million that United have ever spent?
Sir Alex Ferguson’s wall of silence against the BBC stems back from a program broadcast 2004, which alledged that Ferguson’s son Jason, then a football agent, had very close links to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has since refused to speak to the BBC, accusing them of being arrogant and demanding an apology for the program, something he has yet to receive. Whilst there has been no punishment in the past for Ferguson’s actions, there will be this season and the club could face fines of up to £25,000 each time he snubs the BBC for an interview. Ferguson though, has no intention on breaking his silence and the club have backed their manager to the hilt, perhaps not surprising given his reputation Old Trafford.
In what seems like straitened financial times for Man Utd however, this seems like a complete waste of the club’s finances. It may not be an absolutely huge amount of money, but surely it would be better spent on the academy, or developing some young talent at the club. It leaves no doubt over who is in charge at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson is the top man and the clubs board know this, but some might say they are being far too conciliatory to a man, who despite all his successes, is still an employee at the club. You imagine for instance, if Ian Holloway refused to speak to the BBC, Blackpool would not be too happy about paying out regular fines.
The whole situation just seems to be very immature. It is not just Ferguson, the BBC might want to consider taking a look at themselves, whatever was behind their documentary, be it truthful or not, would it not just be so much easier for them to issue an apology? It really does seem like sorry is the hardest word. Ferguson is hardly covering himself in glory either, he has shown a great deal of stubbornness and he clearly intends to continue in this manner despite the fines his club are going to receive.
It is irritating when you are watching Match of the Day and you don’t get to hear the opinions of Sir Alex Ferguson. You might have hoped that the system of fines that are going to be implemented this season would have persuaded him to start talking to the BBC again, but that does not seem like it is going to be the case. Manchester United seem more than ready to accept their punishment, and it may be a while before we see Ferguson on the BBC again.
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David Beckham is set to snub a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain, and looks set to renew his deal with LA Galaxy.
The ex-England international’s deal with the MLS side has expired, and Beckham has been linked with a transfer back to Europe in the January transfer window.
With the big-spending Ligue 1 side the frontrunners for Beckham’s signature, reports in France had previously stipulated that a deal to bring the veteran to the Parc des Princes was all but done.
However, sporting director Leonardo has stated that Beckham will not be moving to the French capital.
“It’s over,” Leonardo told L’Equipe.
“It’s a shame. But the welfare of his family in Los Angeles, the wish not to change everything in his life, weighed heavily.”
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi also confirmed that a deal was close, but would now not happen.
“We didn’t reach an agreement – he’s a great player, I met him and it’s bad luck we didn’t reach an agreement.
“We weren’t far, but there are family issues and I think that was the reason. It was very difficult to move the family,” he concluded.
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Barcelona are appealing UEFA’s proposal to ban playmaker Andres Iniesta from the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.Iniesta is under investigation for picking up a yellow card in the quarter-final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, which ruled him out for the return clash in the Ukraine and also wiped his record for the semi-finals.
UEFA have issued a report alleging the Spanish midfielder collected the booking on purpose, and should the European body suspend the 26-year-old, he will miss the first semi-final leg against Madrid at the Bernabeu.
“FC Barcelona have this evening submitted an appeal to UEFA against the proposed imposition of an additional game suspension for Andres Iniesta following the yellow card he picked up against Shaktar at the Nou Camp on April 6th,” a statement on the club’s site read.
“FC Barcelona believe that the arguments outlined in their appeal, based on the good faith of the player and the disproportionate nature of the proposed sanction will be sufficient to rebut these allegations.”
Sir Alex Ferguson accused his Manchester United players of throwing away points following Sunday's dramatic 2-2 draw with Fulham.
United were denied a victory at Craven Cottage after Brede Hangeland headed home a last-minute equaliser in a thrilling stalemate.
Paul Scholes had fired the visitors ahead with a shot from distance on 12 minutes but Simon Davies hauled Fulham level 15 minutes into the second half.
Hangeland's 84th minute own goal looked to have handed the Red Devils the points but the momentum turned on Nani's missed penalty three minutes later as the giant Norway defender headed home a late corner to earn his side are share of the spoils.
"When you get the opportunity to seal the game with that penalty you should be taking it," Ferguson told MUTV.
"It was a missed opportunity and it galvanised them, got the crowd up and they scored the equaliser in the end.
"When we got that second goal I thought 'we've escaped here'.
"But to miss a penalty kick to make it 3-1, you're throwing two points away there I'm afraid.
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"You don't want to be dropping silly points and we dropped silly points here. We can't escape that.
"There was an opportunity to go 3-1 ahead with three minutes left and we didn't take it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email