MBV Arkestra FC

[Dragonfly]

MBV Arkestra

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1516/dragonflybadgeoh8.png

Formed: 17th May 2006
League: Division 3


Home
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2506/dragonflyhomexx3.png

Away
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7140/dragonflyawayzy2.png



Home Ground: Twickenham Stadium
http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/images/stadium_282.jpg
Capacity - 82,000 (All-seater)

Chairman: Dragonfly

Manager: Arsene Wenger
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/234/wengerqh0.jpg

Assistant Manager: Henk ten Cate
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7955/catexl4.jpg

Coaching Staff:
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1539/coachingstaffjd2.jpg


Squad

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GOALKEEPERS:

Manuel Almunia
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/6406/almuniaat5.jpg
Position: GK
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 19th May 1977
Nationality: Spain
Video Profile:

Maarten Stekelenburg
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2978/stekelenburgsn4.jpg
Position: GK
Squad Number: 13
DOB: 22nd September 1982
Nationality: Netherlands
Video Profile:

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DEFENDERS:

Paolo Maldini
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7431/maldinilv8.jpg
Position: CB, LB
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 26th June 1968
Nationality: Italy
Video Profile:

Ronaldo Naldo
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/3999/naldofd1.jpg
Position: CB
Squad Number: 4
DOB: 10th September 1982
Nationality: Brasil
Video Profile:

Ricardo Osorio
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2275/osoriojv3.jpg
Position: RB, CB, SW
Squad Number: 2
DOB: 30th March 1980
Nationality: Mexico
Video Profile:

Emiliano Moretti
http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3058/morettiqe9.jpg
Position: LB
Squad Number: 3
DOB: 11th July 1981
Nationality: Italy
Video Profile:

John Arne Riise
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6461/riiseig2.jpg
Position: LB, LWB, LMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 24th September 1980
Nationality: Norway
Video Profile:

Gaël Givet
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7270/givetiv6.jpg
Position: CB, LB, RB
Squad Number: 23
DOB: 9th October 1981
Nationality: France
Video Profile:

Lucas Neill
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5799/neillim6.jpg
Position: RB, CB
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 9th March 1978
Nationality: Australia
Video Profile:

Pablo Ibáñez
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7355/ibanezgq7.jpg
Position: CB
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 3rd August 1981
Nationality: Spain
Video Profile:

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Ronald Zubar
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5224/zubarjq7.jpg
(On FSL to PEM)
Position: LB, CB
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 20th September 1985
Nationality: France/Guadeloupe
Video Profile:

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MIDFIELDERS:

Kim Kallstrom
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3161/kimkallstromrj0.jpg
Position: CMF, AMF
Squad Number: 8
DOB: 24th August 1982
Nationality: Sweden
Video Profile: 1 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=hlqcVvmpVH0)|2 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=elaHl0YkaVk)

Seydou Keita
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7567/skeitaqm1.jpg
Position: CMF, DMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 16th January 1980
Nationality: Mali
Video Profile:

Massimo Ambrosini
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2369/ambrosinijc6.jpg
Position: DMF, CMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 29th May 1977
Nationality: Italy
Video Profile:

Luís Figo
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2084/figocd3.jpg
Position: LMF, RMF, LWF, RWF, AMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 4th November 1972
Nationality: Portugal
Video Profile:

Hamit Altintop
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9581/hamitcu8.jpg
Position: RMF, AMF, CMF, RWB, RB, SS
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 8th December 1982
Nationality: Turkey
Video Profile:

Ivan Rakitić
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/5338/rakiticom7.jpg
Position: AMF, RMF, LMF
Squad Number:
DOB: 10th March 1988
Nationality: Croatia
Video Profile: 1 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=pt_uB_ZvDME)

Matías Fernández
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/250/matifernandezan5.jpg
(On loan from Yossi)
Position: AMF, SS
Squad Number: 30
DOB: 15th May 1986
Nationality: Chile
Video Profile: 1 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=tirVQPCmhkI)|2 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=FPuMzJcHSzg)|3 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=JvP5DEFKefo)

Raúl García Escudero
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4733/raulgarciaru4.jpg
(On HSL from Wan)
Position: CMF, DMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 11th July 1986
Nationality: Spain
Video Profile:
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Daniël de Ridder
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5058/deriddergm6.jpg
(On HSL to PEM)
Position: RMF, RWF, AMF
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 6th March 1984
Nationality: Netherlands
Video Profile:

Kevin Nolan
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2374/kevinnolanqu0.jpg
(On HSL to Wan)
Position: CMF, AMF
Squad Number: 11
DOB: 24th June 1982
Nationality: England
Video Profile: 1 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=6fIiy_yuJw4)

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FORWARDS:

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Eidur Gudjohnsen
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8523/gudjohnsenva5.jpg
Position: SS, AM, ST
Squad Number: 7
DOB: 15th September 1978
Nationality: Iceland
Video Profile: 1 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=u7yD6Jf9uZM)|2 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zemh4fuo-zk)|3 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=cwROLYAKMxw)

Hernan Crespo
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5417/crespogh3.jpg
Position: ST
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 5th July 1975
Nationality: Argentina
Video Profile:

Hugo Almeida
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8504/almeidajx0.jpg
Position: ST
Squad Number: ~~
DOB: 23rd May 1984
Nationality: Portugal
Video Profile:

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Peter Odemwingie
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4029/odemwingiezk3.jpg
(On FSL to Nathegg)
Position: ST, LWG
Squad Number: 20
DOB: 15th July 1981
Nationality: Nigeria
Video Profile:

[Dragonfly]

The MBV Orchestra

:thewave:

[Dragonfly]

D3 : 06/07

Matchday 1:
Dimitri 0-3 MBV ARKESTRA
(Pauleta 12,31,40)

Matchday 2:
MBV ARKESTRA 4-1 Grimmer
(Pauleta 13,60; Barry 29; Naldo 72)

Matchday 3:
Cali 1-1 MBV ARKESTRA

Matchday 4:
BREAK

Matchday 5:
MBV ARKESTRA 2-0 Mufcsean
(Benayoun 4; Nilmar 77)

Matchday 6:
MBV ARKESTRA 1-1 ScouseMike

Matchday 7:
BREAK

Matchday 8:
Captain 2 - 2 MBV ARKESTRA
(David Silva 74) (Nilmar 84)

Matchday 9:
Sullivan 1 - 1 MBV ARKESTRA
(Muntari 71)

Matchday 10:
MBV ARKESTRA 4 - 1 PEM
(Naldo 14; Rocchi 47, 86; Alvarez 65)

Matchday 11:
Original? 1-1 MBV ARKESTRA
(Naldo 65)

Matchday 12:
MBV ARKESTRA 1 - 1 Cali
(Pauleta 25)

Matchday 13:
BREAK

Matchday 14:
Mufcsean 1-3 MBV ARKESTRA
(Barry 40; Rocchi 61, 70)

Matchday 15:
Wellzy 1 - 1 MBV ARKESTRA
(Pauleta 31)

Matchday 16:
BREAK

Matchday 17:
MBV ARKESTRA 1 - 1 Captain
(Pauleta 50)

Matchday 18:
MBV ARKESTRA 2-2 Sully
(Rocchi 22; Pauleta 85)


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D3 : 07/08

Match Day 1:
PEM 1-3 Dragonfly
(Chevanton 42; Gudjohnsen 79; Simic o.g. 90+1)

Match Day 2:
Dragonfly 1-1 Bammers
(Gudjohnsen 66)

Match Day 3:
Original? 3-1 Dragonfly
(Pauleta 52)

Match Day 4:
Dragonfly 2-0 Rafa
(Senna 21; Pauleta 54)

Match Day 5:
Rangers 1-2 Dragonfly
(Matias Fernandez 13; Pauleta 53)

Match Day 6:
Dragonfly 1-1 Nathegg
(Chevanton 87)

Match Day 7:
NYRB 2-2 Dragonfly
(Gudjohnsen 8; O'Shea 53)

Match Day 8:
Wan 1-4 Dragonfly
(Gudjohnsen 17; Rakitic 25; Carlos Alberto 60; Osorio 90+1)

Match Day 9:
Dragonfly 1-0 MarkM
(Palacio 78)

Match Day 10:
Dragonfly 1-1 PEM

Match Day 11:
Bammers v Dragonfly

Match Day 12:
Dragonfly v Original?

Match Day 13:
Rafa v Dragonfly

Match Day 14:
Dragonfly v Rangers

Match Day 15:
Nathegg v Dragonfly

Match Day 16:
Dragonfly v NYRB

Match Day 17:
Dragonfly v Wan

Match Day 18:
MarkM v Dragonfly

[Dragonfly]

Peace Cup 2006/07

Group A, Matchday 1:
Dimitri 1-1 MBV ARKESTRA
(Vucinic 85)

Group A, Matchday 2:
MBV ARKESTRA 2-1 Mufcsean
(Benayoun 32; Barry 82)

Group A, Matchday 3:

Group A, Matchday 4:
Dragonfly 2 - 2 Cali
(Barry pen 71, 88)

Semi-Finals:
Sullivan 1 - 2 Dragonfly
(Alvarez 34; Rocchi 116)

Final:
MBV ARKETRA 1 - 2 (ext.) Cali


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Peace Cup 2007/08

Group D, Matchday 1:
PEM 0-2 Dragonfly
(Nolan 50; Gudjohnsen 55)

Group D, Matchday 2:
Dragonfly 2-2 Rafa
(Wilhelmsson 36; Pauleta 63)

Group D, Matchday 3:
NathEgg 0-0 Dragonfly

Group D, Matchday 4:
No Game.

Group D, Matchday 5:
Dragonfly 2-0 Mark

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WCL 2006/07

Group A, Matchday 1:
MBV ARKESTRA 1-1 The G
(Barry 72)

Group A, Matchday 2:
Phat 2 - 0 MBV ARKESTRA

Group A, Matchday 3:

Group A, Matchday 4:
Calculus 1-2 MBV ARKESTRA
(Pauleta 24; Silva 72)


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WCL 2007/08

Group D, Matchday 1:
Calzone 1-1 Dragonfly
(Palacio 54)

Group D, Matchday 2:
Rambo vs Dragonfly

Group D, Matchday 3:
No Game.

Group D, Matchday 4:
Dragonfly 0-1 Cranie

Group D, Matchday 5:
Dragonfly vs Nedy

[Dragonfly]

2006/07

Philipp Degen - £3.5m
Sebastian Kehl - Free
Gareth Barry - £3m
Gareth Bale - £500,000
Ronaldo Naldo - £3m
Pauleta - £2m (Season loan)
Marko Babic - £2.5m
Steve Sidwell - £1m
Emiliano Moretti - £2.5m
David Navarro - £2.5m
Andreas Ottl - Swap for Pablo Zabaleta
Tom De Mul - Swap for Marko Babic
Timmy Simons - £1m + Sebastian Kehl

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2007/08

Pauleta - £0.5m (permanent)
Eidur Gudjohnsen *
Christian Wilhelmsson *
Marcos Senna *
Matthieu Delpierre - Swapped for David Navarro
Kevin Nolan - Swapped for Niko Kranjcar
John O'Shea - exchange for Timmy Simons
Olof Mellberg - exchange for Quique Alvarez
Ronald Zubar - +£6m & -G. Barry
Maarten Stekelenburg - £2m
Ricardo Osorio - £1m (and Pelizzoli)
Julio Arca - £2.5m
Mark Noble - £1.5m
Matias Fernandez - free HSL (option to extend)
Javier Chevanton - £2m (FSL)
Cleber Santana - exchange for Andreas Ottl
Marcello Gallardo - £0.5m & Cleber Santana
Peter Odemwingie - free HSL (option to extend)
Cristian Ledesma - for Noble
Oliver Kahn - exchange for David James
Gael Givet - £4m
Carlos Alberto - free FSL
Lovenkrands - for Gallardo
Ivan Rakitić - £3m
Niko Zigic - £5m from Rambo
Kevin Kuranyi - for Lovenkrands + £2m
Peter Odemwingie - £5m

* Part of a combined deal where £5m was gained.

[Dragonfly]

2006/07

Adriy Nesmachny - Released
Nicolas Burdisso - Released
Gareth Bale - £1m
Pablo Zabaleta - Swap
Marko Babic - Swap
Sebastian Kehl - swap deal for Simons
Niko Kranjcar - £1m HSL (2nd half of 06/07 season)

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2007/08

David Navarro - Swapped for Matthieu Delpierre
David Silva *
Muntari *
Tommaso Rocchi - £8.5m
Niko Kranjcar - Swapped for Kevin Nolan
Gareth Barry - +£6m & + Ronald Zubar
Mirko Vucinic - £6m
Pelizzoli - as part of the Ricardo Osorio deal
Ronald Zubar - On FSL to PEM
Andreas Ottl - exchange for Cleber Santana
Cleber Santana - exchange for Marcello Gallardo
David James - exchange for Oliver Kahn
Tom De Mul - Loaned out to Rambo
Mark Noble - for Ledesma
Nilmar - £7.5m
Yossi Benayoun - free FSL
Gallardo - for Lovenkrands
Kevin Kuranyi - HSL trade with Rodrigo Palacio
Nikola Zigic - £7m

* See 'Transfers - Players In'*
----------

Other Financial Activies

2006/07

Manager of the Season D3 (Arsen Wenger) - £10m
Various - £14.5m

Current Bank Balance = £38m

[Dragonfly]

ANNOUNCEMENT

[Dragonfly]

Frustrated Rocchi Requests Move

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1481/rocchimo3.jpg

MBV Arkestra's striker, Tommaso Rocchi, has requested a move in order to find regular football. The 29 year old forward has claimed that his patience and performances in training deserves to be rewarded with a starting role with MBV. But, with the manager's recent decision to switch to a 4-5-1 formation, it looks even more unlikely the talented finisher will be involved in the manager's plans, especially with the on loan striker, Pauleta, being in hot form.

Hiddink At The Helm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41254000/jpg/_41254248_hiddink270.jpg

Legendary Dutch manager Guus Hiddink has been appointed as the manager of MBV Arkestra. The Chairman, Dragonfly, feels very confident his team will be promoted to Division 2, and felt that the experienced and much decorated manager would bring the tactical and technical requirements needed for the team to perform at a higher level. The team is looking towards a bright future and with Hiddink at the helm, they may be heading for great things.

Where The Kehl Will He Go?

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/8434/image4ou5.jpg

The German defensive midfielder has been told he's surplus to requirements by new manager, Guus Hiddink, after Kehl's national compatriot, Andreas Ottl had been drafted in. MBV Arkestra have reported to be looking for around £3m for the German international.

Dutch Deceit

http://www.bnr.nl/blobs/anp/45532.jpg

Recently appointed MBV Arkestra manager, Guus Hiddink, has been forced to explain himself in relation to the allegations that he unlawfully took the post of MBV manager. "It's a simple case of poor communication and misunderstanding", explained the 60 year old.
MBV chaiman, Dragonfly, said he felt embarrassed to have fallen for Hiddink's lies. "Our club is bigger than any individual, and will not tollerate such behaviour".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/graphics/2005/02/22/sfnhen22.jpg

On the back of this controversy, Dragonfly rushed in a replacement manager. And what a replacement! Arsene Wenger is one of the world's greatest managers and this is a real coupe for the promising D3 side. Wenger said, "I'm proud to be involved with such an ambitious team. We both have the same vision to make the team the biggest in the world, and bring many trophies to Twickenham Stadium."

Golden Boy Is Silva

http://www.panorama-actual.es/archivos/imagenes/silva-jpg-ok.jpg

There have been many rumours circulating in the football world concerning the future of MBV Arkestra's Spanish starlet, David Silva. According to several sources, there has been huge interest in the 21 year-old winger. These rumours have been quashed by MBV Arkestra manager, Arsene Wenger, who said, "Silva is very happy at MBV, and neither he or his agent have indicated a desire to move", when asked during a charity event at MBV's home, Twickenham stadium. Some football pundits, however, believe Arkestra's failure to achieve promotion could result in MBV being pressured in to losing their top earners, including the influential Swede, Kim Kallstrom (pictured below).

http://www.paktribune.com/sports/imgfiles/K-Kallstrom_Sweden.jpg

David Silva has had an impressive debut season at MBV, despite only getting a regular place post-Christmas break. His introduction to the team's midfield injected an increase in creativity and a more direct style of play to the team. His impressive dribbling skills, passing and shooting abilities helped MBV score the second most amount of goals in Division 3 this season. "He would be a huge loss to the team, and to the league as a whole", commented MBV club captain Quique Alvarez. He has gained many admirers this season, and some have claimed such interest from managers in the "handsome" youngster has become rather inappropriate.

SENNAsational News

Marcos Senna was officially unveiled as the captain of MBV Arkestra earlier today. The new summer signing has been wearing the hallowed red and white armband during recent friendlies, and his leadership qualities have impressed manager Arsene Wenger. "He [Senna] has been a great inspiration to the other player, so far", Wenger explained. "He's not only guided his teammates well, but he has also led by example."

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1862/sennabday1kd5.jpg
Senna leaves the press conference pleased with his new role.

Senna was absolutely overjoyed with his new role as club captain, replacing the recently released Quique Alvarez. "I am happy to have this opportunity", said Senna during the press conference. "I will try my hardest to do as good a job possible for the other players, the manager, the club and for the fans. I am determined to lead MBV to the title and D2."

Senna was signed as part of a deal which saw himself, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Christian Wilhelmsson (both pictured below) arrive at Twickenham Stadium from Asgård Utd, with David Silva and Sulley Muntari heading in the opposite direction.

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/5073/gudjohnsengoalkb3.jpg......... .http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9697/wilhelmssonpressdv6.jpg
Gudjohnsen celebrates another goal..........Wilhelmsson shows off his amazing dribbling abilities.


Tom De Mul: Available On Loan

http://www.vi.nl/images2/a/8/d/1971939836_1999999168_MulTom_0 1_Pro_192_221.jpg

He's a young dynamic winger. An excellent dribbler with end product. Yes, he's that rare type of modern winger, he can actually cross a ball. He's currently away on international duty with the U-21 Belgium team in the U-21 European Championship. De Mul is available on full or half season loan.

A Noble Gesture

http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/7DCB1FF3-CA54-4425-8ED7-8DA0A243FB85/61547/MarkNoble_L.jpg
Noble in action

MBV Arkestra have decided to put the England U-21 International midfielder, Mark Noble, up for loan. "He is still very young, and I would like for him to gain valuable first team experience", explained MBV manager Arsene Wenger. Mark Noble has shown immense potential and made a huge impression at his previous club West Ham United. His dynamic performances caught the eye of Wenger last season, after his emergence turned round the fortunes of West Ham to save them from relegation.

It is believed that MBV will be looking a forward to be loaned in exchange for Noble's services, to fill the void left by Tommaso Rocchi. Ole Solskjaer appears to be top of Wenger's hit list to help fill the desired four striker criterion. Rumours have been circulating around the terraces that the Norwegian striker feels he has done all he can at Norway United. The arrival of Kuranyi and Vorinin to Old Trafford has fueled further speculation of the veteran striker and current manager of Norway United's future.

http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/98/solskjaer_on_bench.jpg
Solskjaer ponders his future

New Coaching Team At Arkestra

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/995/henktencateuo4.jpg
Henk ten Cate shows his delight after joining MBV Arkestra

MBV Arkestra have added to their tactical and technical know-how, by employing the services of Henk ten Cate as the new assistant manager. Arsene Wenger is believed to have become very friendly with Ten Cate after their last footballing meeting in the Champions League final when they were at their previous clubs Arsenal and Barcelona. "We hit it off immediately", explained the new assistant. "After the Champions League Final, we chatted about our desired tactics, and as it turned out, we both enjoy an attractive, passing, attacking and flowing style of football." In Spain, the pundits believe that Cate was the true tactical mastermind behind Barcelona's recent success and not Frank Rijkaard.

Some critics believe the arrival of Ten Cate as the new assistant is as a direct result of MBV's failure to gain promotion to D2, with many believing that Wenger needs help. Despite having arguably the strongest D3 team last season, Arkestra's season ended quite disappointingly, with no promotion and narrowly missing out on the Peace Cup. Some football writers believe Cate's appointment could see Wenger leaving at the end of next season with Ten Cate taking the top spot. MBV chairman rubbished such talk when interviewed at a charity golf game, "That's rubbish", clarified Dragonfly.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1539/coachingstaffjd2.jpg

Arsene Wenger also added a full coaching staff to help mould his players to legendary status, and for them to play at their full potential. Wenger has signed recent legends of football to train the players and show them what it takes to be as great as they once were. The new goalkeeper coach is Peter Schmeicel, arguably one of the greatest goalies of all time; defence coach is Tony Adams, former Arsenal and England captain, always has been a commanding force in defence, and he has had coaching experience already; midfield coach is Fernando Redondo, an Argentine legend who had everything as a midfielder, he was a complete player; and finally, coaching the strikers will be Alan Shearer. One of the finest forwards to have graced any football pitch, and Wenger will be hoping Shearer will show the current strikers how to finish off teams, because one of MBV's problems last season was they would dominate teams, but would fail to put away chances to put games out of sight.

These new appointments shows clear ambition from the D3 team to move to the top of the FL as soon as possible.

Ivan Rakitić Swiss Starlet Joins MBV

http://www.tiscali.de/sport/images/rakitic-schalke-fans.jpg
Rakitić first step into the major European limelight

Ivan Rakitić at 19 years of age is one of the most exciting prospects of the future of football. He's an attack minded midfielder that has an eye for goal. He is able to strike a ball with power and accuracy equally with either feet, and has the dribbling ability to beat a defender with ease. He is known for his long distance strikes, of which one was voted goal of the season last season at FC Basel. The goal was reminiscent to that of Zinedine Zidane's famous volley in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen (click here to see the goal (http://youtube.com/watch?v=x8Jyr__hN2g)). The Swiss born Croat also has the football intelligence to pick out killer passes and can pull the strings in midfield. At such a young age, Rakitić already has the poise and composure not to panic when confronted by defenders or goalkeepers.

http://www.fussball.ch/fussball_img/article/110103-ra.jpg
Rakitić celebrates yet another wonder goal

On his debut at FC Schalke 04, Ivan Rakitić came off the bench to save his team from defeat at the hands of last season's Bundesliga champions, Stuttgart, by scoring the equaliser and securing his team a point. It was an excellent début goal, which showed the teenager has the trickery to beat defenders and the accuracy and composure to slot away the ball into the back of the net (click here to see the goal (http://youtube.com/watch?v=vL1fLtwLGaM)).

It had been reported that Ivan Rakitić's new manager, Arsene Wenger, is looking to loan out the Swiss starlet in order to give him first team experience. The video below will give his potentially new suitors of what they can expect from him in the forthcoming season.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pt_uB_ZvDME

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/6207/sview2tm0.jpg

FC Planet Express 1 - 3 MBV Arkestra
(Arouna Kone 19; Chevanton 42; Gudjohnsen 79; Simic o.g. 90+1)

I was very happy with the players' performance from the goalkeeper, all the way through the team to the forwards. They showed good team spirit and resilience to come back from a goal down. We battled very hard to get back into the game to gain all three points.

We knew it would be very hard to defend against Planet Express' front three, but we were still disappointed to have let in a goal so early. It meant we had to commit more men forward, leaving us more vulnerable at the back, but our defenders showed good mental strength and composure to hold off Planet's attackers for the rest of the match.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8634/chevjohnsenburgmu8.jpg
Debutantes Chevanton and Gudjohnsen celebrate their goals to give MBV 3 points, while Stekelenburg shows his delight after saving Veron's penalty.

I was very happy with the new players. JC (Chevanton) showed excellent pace and awareness to get on the end of Andreas' cross. Rakitic and Palacio caused Planet Express' defence a lot of problems with their dribbling and passing abilities. Eidur came on for Rodrigo during the second half and we changed tactics, which proved successful. Eidur linked up well with Ivan to put us ahead in the 79th minute. Another addition that impressed was Maarten Stekelenburg, who made an excellent penalty save late into the game and prevented Express from scoring the equaliser. He was great throughout the match and was not surprised that Maarten was voted man of the match. He will be a great replacement when Oliver Kahn finally decides to retire.

I was asked after the game about our chances of promotion. It will of course be difficult, but I have faith in my players and coaching staff that we will succeed in gaining promotion. And if we are a bit lucky, we could even win the league. Our main competitor, LSA Originale? has had an excellent start to the season, and it already an uphill battle. We will, however, try our hardest to prevent the league being a one horse race. I am confident we will be up there this season in the title race.

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