Who are Hangzhou Greentown?

The second and last leg of Arsenal's Asian Tour take us to China, where the Gunners will take on Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown. But who are Hangzhou? Hopefully this blog will give you a better indication of who we'll be facing come July 16th.

The team was formed in 1998, however they didn't have a senior level team until a year later. After many years of knocking at the door, they were finally promoted to the CSL in 2006 after finishing 2nd in China League One, 4 points behind Champions Henan. For the next couple of seasons since they battled to stave off relegation, and found themselves relegated at the end of the 2009 season, only to be spectacularly saved because two teams (Chengdu and Guangzhou) were found guilty of match fixing.

Having been saved from the drop the season before, Hangzhou made sure that this second chance would not go to waste and it sure didn't. Greentown finished 4th, with the race for the last Champions League place going down to the very last day of the season. Hangzhou needed to avoid defeat, which they did winning 1-0 against Qingdao Jonoon.

Hangzhou has had several international players don their shirt, the Honduran trio of Mauricio Sabillon (32 caps), Emil Martinez (57 caps), Jerry Palacios (13 caps), Macedonian midfielder Slavco Georgievski (20 caps) and Cameroon's Bertin Tomou (20 caps).

The Chinese Super League season is currently in full flow and Hangzhou currently sit in 8th place, out of 16 teams. They have played 16 games so far this season, having won 6, drawn 5 and lost 5.

Their biggest win of the season was 3-1 against Beijing Guoan. Their biggest league defeat is also the same scoreline against current league leaders Guangzhou. Hangzhou are currently a staggering 17 points behind the leaders, but are only 6 points behind last year's Champions Shandong Luneng who currently lie in the 4th and final Champions League place.

Their main striker, 22 year old Maimaitiyili Bali, hasn't lived

up to his display last season where he netted 13 times in 16 games. This season he has struggled to show anywhere near the same kind of potency, only managing to find the back of the net 3 times in 14 games.

Their top scorer this season is the former Real Mallorca Uruguayan midfielder Paulo Pezzolano Suarez who has scored 5 goals in 15 games. Followed by Honduran international midfielder Luis Quioto has scored 4 goals in 15 games.

Look for Quioto and Suarez to create most of their chances, especially Suarez who is their playmaker. However they shouldn't cause any real trouble for our defence who should keep them at bay.

Hangzhou have played against English opposition before, in 2009 they took on a travelling Manchester United team amidst their Asia Tour. Man United went on to thrash them 8-2.

Will we repeat Manchester United's score from two years ago? I doubt it, not because we're not good enough, because we are, but because when we storm to a big lead Wenger makes sure we take it down a peg or two so we don't embarrass the opposition.

I expect us to at the very least equal our score against Malaysia, hopefully my boy Ryo Miyaichi finds his way onto the score sheet as maybe if he has some senior level goals for us, his work permit might be allowed. One thing is for sure, the Wilshere and Ramsey combo will tear their defence to shreds.

Patrick Vieira calls time on his playing career

Today Patrick Vieira has called time on his playing career, quite fitting that he does it on Bastille Day, a national holiday in France.

Paddy will no doubt go down as one of the best midfielders to not only grace the Premiership, but the world game. He has done it all won countless League and Cup titles with Arsenal, Inter Milan and Man City, but also World and European titles with France.

His rivalry with Manchester United's Roy Keane was not only entertaining, but also intense. These were two very similar players who played with their heart on their sleeves, and always gave 100%, and when they faced each other it always got heated.

But that's just one of the many reasons why the fans loved Vieira, he didn't back down from anyone, and led us to the highest of heights. Arsene Wenger has gone as far as saying Paddy was the best player he ever bought.

Not only is he a great player and leader on the pitch, but behind the scenes as well, which is why every player who has ever played with him can't speak any higher of this Great Giant.

Vieira now takes up a role with Manchester City as Football Development Executive, where he will help the development of Young Players. I personally can't see a better man for the job, he's been there and done it all, he offers so much experience and advice that young up and coming players need in order to nurture them correctly.

Vieira said about the new position "This role is a fantastic new challenge for me, and I am very grateful to Manchester City for offering me this opportunity". He goes on to say "I am very happy to have been given the chance to stay and develop my career away from the pitch".

Patrick Vieira roll of honour -

Arsenal

Premiership 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04

FA Cup 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05

Community Shield 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Internazionale

Serie A 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10

Supercoppa 2006, 2008

Manchester City

FA Cup 2010/11

France

World Cup 1998

European Championship 2000

Confederations Cup 2001

Seriously FIFA?

Unbelievable, that's the only word that can describe what FIFA have done. To try and get back their Fair Play image, that they haven't had in a long long time, they go and appoint Massimo Busacca. Every Arsenal fans blood is boiling right now, and understandably too. For those non Gooners out there, Busacca is the man who screwed Arsenal of any hope of making the Quarter Finals of the Champions League last season.

Having just equalised with Barcelona, we were now pressing them hard and had them on the back foot at the start of the second half, Van Persie was played through and shot as soon as the ball went to him. He was offside, however he did not see the flag go up, nor did he hear the whistle because there were 95,000 screaming football fans in the Nou Camp that night.

Busacca then felt that to stop Arsenal from carrying on in the attacking manner that they started the second half he would send Van Persie off for kicking the ball 1 second after he blew the whistle, that only those standing next to him could hear. Our momentum in the second half stopped right there, and Barca went on to dominate, like they did in the first half.

Though had Van Persie not been sent off, we would have created more chances, and I'm damn sure we would have put one of them in. But that's in the past, it's done and dusted now.

However FIFA's appointment of Busacca as Head of FIFA Refereeing Department is very much the present. How can FIFA justify this appointment? Answer they simply can't but FIFA have never been an organisation that makes sense, or takes pride in 'Fair Play', if you are corrupt, or make terrible decisions that you don't apologise for, you'll always be welcomed at the Switz headquarters.

To think that this moron will teach other referees is actually quite terrifying. Because we, as Arsenal fans, will now have to look forward to a new generations of Massimo Busacca's to officiate our matches. And that scares the crap out of me. I am getting too old for being held down by the linesmen and raped by the referee, I'm 23 and I have been experiencing it my entire life. I just want one season where no referee screws Arsenal. Please Captain Jean Luc Picard, make it so!

Arsenal kick of the new football season with a win

The long wait is finally over for Arsenal fans. The new football season has kicked off, and the months of feeling down in the dumps after yet another trophyless season are long gone. And what better place to start the season than in Asia, good enough place than any. In 30 degree temperature and around 75% humidity the Arsenal lads took on a Malaysia select XI.

Over 50,000 fans filled the Bukut Julil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur to watch Arsenal cruise to a convincing 4-0 win over the National XI.

Within minutes of the kick Arsenal were 1-0 up as Jack Wilshere was brought down by Zafuan on the left side of the penalty area. Not many in the stadium would have expected Aaron Ramsey to step up to the plate and tak

e the penalty. But he did and sent Malaysia's keeper Nourdin the wrong way to the delight of nearly everyone in the stadium.

Arsenal were nearly two up straight after as Walcott broke free down the right, but his attempt went over the bar. This was the Arsenal we have been waiting months for.

Unfortunately for the fans, Arsenal had cool down and stop pressing as much, which allowed Malaysia to try and reset and get a foothold in the match. While Malaysian attacks did come, they weren't really any trouble for the defence to deal with. Subramaniam was the danger man but Thomas Vermaelan was more than enough to quash him.

Walcott continued to pester the Malaysian defence, so did Ramsey with his movement. Arsenal were at their best when these two combined.

Walcott had another chance midway through the half, when Chamakh fed him through on the edge of the box, but just at the pivotal moment he lost control of the ball.

Malaysia's best attempt at goal in the first half came from Rahim free kick. His lofted ball caused some concern but Szczesny used all his 6 foot 5" frame to tip it over. Many Arsenal fans had flashback to the 2002 World Cup when Ronaldinho free kick from a similar position went in over an outstretched David Seaman.

Following the free kick Malaysia now had a new sense of believe that they could perhaps score, and Subramaniam tried to do his best, although Arsenal's new signing Jenkinson dealt with him well.

Both teams had chances after the half hour mark, Vermaelan's header just inched wide of the post. And Saarani got on the end of a cross but Szczesny managed to block the attempt, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway as the flag was up for offside.

Ramsey and Walcott showed why they are the future of Arsenal when they combined again in the 37th minute. Ramsey sent a picture

perfect through ball to Walcott who sprinted past the defender and casually lifted his shot over the rushing Nourdin to make it 2-0. A beautiful goal that's very typical of the Arsenal of old.

As the teams came on for the second half, Arsene Wenger had made 8 changes with only Jenkinson, Miyiachi and Ramsey staying on.

Within the first ten minutes both teams had chances to score, Carlos Vela knocked Rosicky's pass to Ramsey who raced to the ball and sent his blasted his shot just inches over the bar.

Just afterward, substitute goal keerp Vito Mannone gave away an in-direct freekick after holding onto the ball for what seemed like an eternity. Arsenal had eight men in the wall, as they expected Rahim to drive the ball low and hard, which he duly did and the Arsenal wall was able to block the shot and clear the danger.

Just before the hour mark Arsenal's quality shone through, as Rosicky set Vela free down the left and the speedy Mexican delivered a cheeky chip, which was just beyond the reach of Nourdin, and went into the far corner of the net. 3-0 Arsenal.

With the result over, Wenger decided to bring on the big boys and give the crowd more to cheer about, on came Robin Van Persie, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri, who received the biggest cheer of the three.

Vela could and should have made it four, after he controlled Johan Djourou's pass and beat a defender and the goal keeper a couple of times, but chose to wait too long before he eventually shot, sadly it was cleared off the line.

Rosicky managed to grab the fourth goal in injury time as he connected with a low cross from the left wing to send the ball home and the crowd alight again.

Moments after the final whistle blew and the crowd erupting as they perhaps watched an Arsenal team that will eventually come good in nearly a year's time.

As a whole, it was an Arsenal performance, but for the many many thousands of Arsenal fanatics in that part of the world, it was more than enough to fill their hungry for seeing the boys up close in action.

Arsenal now move onto China, where they will take on CSL side Hangzhou Greentown.

Arsenal team - Szczesny (Mannone, HT), Jenkinson (Sagna, 70), Koscielny (Squillaci, HT), Vermaelen (Djourou, HT), Gibbs (Traore, HT), Song (Denilson, HT, Van Persie, 67), Walcott (Rosicky, HT), Ramsey (Nasri, 67), Wilshere (Frimpong, HT), Miyaichi (Arshavin, 67), Chamakh (Vela, HT)

Two days to forget

To sum up the past two days, I would have to say typical. Why do we as a nation just excel in failure, it's like we like the notion of success but when we are on the cusp of it we shy away and try and distance ourselves from it as much as possible.

Last night David Haye was categorically defeated on points to Vladimir Klitschko. A dismal performance by Haye, all the talk before the fight whipped the British public into a frenzy as we though that the boring Klitschko era was over...awkward.

The saying goes you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? And sadly for Haye, he will be remembered as being a great Cruiserweight but just lacking when he stepped up to the Heavyweight division. When he beat Valuev for the title, he beat possibly the worst champion of all time, in what was an horrendous bout. His next fight was against Fraudley sorr

y Audley Harrison in what can only be described as a joke.

His first challenge as a heavyweight boxer and he was comfortably beaten. Now now, lets not look past his broken toe, of course it would hinder his ability, but why oh why does he feel the need to blame it on the toe. If he was injured beforehand, call off the fight. Sure he'd annoy fight fans, but at least they would have eventually got to see the fight as it should be, not the awful display that we saw.

Coming out now and blaming his toe is so typical of British sports stars. They always look for an excuse as to why they lost, as the concept of a foreigner being better than them just doesn't come into the equation.

Could have been a great weekend, but Scotsman Andy Murray, and Englishman David Haye just didn't want to give the British public, and this now proud Welshman, the satisfaction of seeing two Champions crowned.

Oh well, the Djokovic v Nadal will make up for it, two of the best players going at it for the ultimate prize in Tennis. Hopefully Djokovic will win and stop Nadal edging ever closer to Federer's Grand Slam record.

I'm off to go eat my Chili Non Carnie (Vegetarian Chili Con Carnie, but you knew that) and get ready for one hell of a match.

Laters

See you next year

Yep, it's more of the same sadly once again when it comes to a British tennis player at Wimbledon. For all those years where we cheered on Tiger Tim, and we all got caught up in the euphoria surrounding him that he could do, only to sadly fall short in the semi final countless time (four). If only it didn't rain we all say :(

Now sadly Murray is following that trend, going out in 3 straight Wimbledon Semi Finals. It all starting so well. This tournament Andy was playing some breathtaking tennis, and of course with us being Brits, we got caught up in it, and already put a down payment on our mortgage that he would do it. The first set was remarkable, Andy carried on his remarkable tennis however in typical British style that soon crumbled. Instead of keeping Nadal under pressure, Murray decided he would bottle it. Allowing Rafa to storm the second set, and from there on he had the match wrapped up.

I'm annoyed right now, but in a few days it'll pass, and I'll give Rafa all the plaudits he deserves, his returns were amazing, and at times he is unplayable. But dammit Rafa, just for one year stop being so good :( it was supposed to be Murray's time.

Oh well there's always next year, and yes I will blindly believe that Andy can do it :P

Oh happy Canada Day, my boy Prince William is lording it up to our dear 144 year old Commonwealth daughter. Happy birthday Canada.