We're by Far the Handsomest Team the World Has Ever Seen

 Three of the most of most prolific strikers in the world are now playing for Arsenal.

The whole of Goonerdom were celebrating the arrival of their latest addition to our beloved Arsenal, Olivier Giroud. The announcement was made official at around 5 o'clock in the afternoon in my time zone, and Beliebers might have the shock of their lives upon seeing the name "Olivier Giroud" topping the trending topics worldwide.

Just like Lukas Podolski's signing, the Giroud signing was a mere speculation for months. But it happened to be Arsene Wenger's worst kept secrets. As of this writing, Arsene Wenger has 3 of most prolific  strikers in world at his disposable and all three happened to be left footers. The lack of quality back up striker really hurt Arsenal's chances of attaining at least a trophy in what was a tumultuous season under Wenger. And doing business this early, made me think that Le Professeur's did learn something from last summer's transfer shenanigans.

Speculations that either Giroud or Podolski could be club captain Robin van Persie's replacement in case the latter's contract negotiations breaks down are just mere speculations. Robin is on a holiday somewhere, and he'll be reporting to the club by July 3 for the preseason training. By then we will know what will be his plans.

I wonder what would be Arsenal's next move? Adding some steel in the midfield by acquiring either Lucas Biglia or Yann M'Vila? Will they purchase a decent goalkeeper to back-up or even challenge Wojciech Szczesny? Which young Guns will be featured in the first team in cup matches? Which young Guns will go on loan? Do we have buyers or willing loaners to some fringe players? Will Joel Campbell finally have his working permit? So many questions by most Gooners that need to be answered. Roll on, July!

PS1: The acquisition of Olivier Giroud officially made Arsenal as the most handsome club in the world. Thus, I took a pun on a favorite Gooner song, "And it's Arsenal".

PS2: All three forwards photographed above have "bromances" with 3 club centerbacks: Lukas Podolski & Per Mertesacker, Robin van Persie & Thomas Vermaelen, Olivier Giroud & Laurent Koscielny.

The Arsenal Breakup Diaries : The Princely Spaniard

I compare Arsenal's victory vs. Manchester City last night to a break up diary, although I've never read any of Meg Cabot's books. Although the match benefited Manchester United in their quest for their 20th title, but it has some personal undertones particularly to someone named, Samir Nasri.

Let's compare Arsenal to a fair maiden who battles different domestic and continental clubs for trophies. She has a general named Arsene Wenger, and has a 25 man pawns led by a brilliant Dutch commander, Robin van Persie. The fair maiden had a favorite lieutenant named Samir Nasri, whom she fell in love with. The young French lieutenant was the likely tactical successor of the Catalan commander who went home to join his childhood friends to battle the forces of Mou. Unfortunately, the lure of money corrupted the young French Lieutenant, and went to join the circus that is Manchester City, a club backed by the Oil Baron from the desert. This hurt the fair maiden so badly. General Wenger suffered some setbacks amongst it's troops with the injuries of the promising squire named Jack Wilshere and the Belgian deputy commander, Thomas Vermaelen, the Fair Maiden suffered the most embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Red Devils of Manchester. She had no choice but to let Gen. Wenger buy the a squad of players who he thinks will fill the gaps. One of them was a Princely Spaniard named Mikel Arteta.

You left her not for trophies you, jerk! But for money!!!!!!

A prince in shining er, armor.

The Princely Spaniard was one of the prized knights of the Blue half of Merseyside. He is a handsome man with a perfectly gelled hair, who plays beautiful passing football which he learned as an apprentice in Catalonia. Unfortunately, he never tasted success as a Toffee, that when an offer to join the Fair Maiden, his general let him go with a heavy heart.

His first match was a lost in a skirmish in Blackburn. The Lancaster Rose were lucky to score 2 offside goals and 2 own-goals from the Welsh Squire and the French Buccaneer. But slowly the Fair Maiden and his knights got up and fought the hard and won. The Princely Spaniard did what he does best, made sure to hold on possession and defend. His contributions to the match may not seem to be elegant as that to his compatriot who is now in Catalonia. The Princely Spaniard was there and was counted in the moments when she seemed to be down and out. And sooner or later, the Fair Maiden forgot her love of the French Lieutenant.


April 8 is the penultimate battle for the Fair Maiden and the Oil Baron from the Desert. The Oil Baron wanted to catch up with the Red Devils of Manchester, while the Fair Maiden will try to hold on to third after victories of the Chicken from the Craphole and the Russian Oligarch the previous day. The Fair Maiden lined up her best eleven knights, the same knights who gallantly defeated the Chicken in the hollowed pitch of Ashburton. On the other side was the Baron lined-up his trolls that included maiden's former knight and her lover, Mons. Clichy and the French Lieutenant. The Fair Maiden's knights were all out from the get go, but lack in the killer blow. The Oil Baron's men, tried to get into the game and break-up the tempo by committing fouls,  particularly his court jester Balotelli, almost injuring her knights. Every time the French Lieutenant touches the ball, her supporters jeered at him, and rightfully so. Her knights continue to barrage their attack, until 3 minutes before time, the Princely Spaniard took a shot and BOOM! GOAL!!!!!!

The Fair Maiden finally got her revenge to the French Lieutenant who was anonymous during the match. And what a better goal scorer than her current love, the Princely Spaniard!

Yeah, it was a great match. Some anxious moments but my instinct told me that Arsenal will win, and they did. I did not care if I lack sleep, but an Arsenal win will definitely perk me up. Yeah, sorry for treating this match as a break-up saga. But really, I can compare Samir Nasri's betrayal to a bad break-up. Arsenal bounced back and moved on with a better man (Ahem, Mikel Areta!), who was with her through ups and downs.

PS: Unfortunately, if fan girls are to believe, the Princely Spaniard has a thing on either the Dutch Commander or the Belgian Deputy.