Robin Van Persie – BRITISH SOCCER {DIVA}

The Rise and Rise of GQ Giroud…

When Arsenal signed Olivier Giroud from Montpellier, I was absolutely stoked.

However, not many Arsenal fans felt the same way. He wasn’t a glamour signing, nor did fans believe he was the right man to replace Robin Van Persie. The expectations were unrealistic and therefore, Giroud’s life at the Emirates started with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

Despite being the point of difference and main reason Montepellier were crowned Ligue 1 champions in 2012, Giroud’s first season at Arsenal was criticized by the media and fans. A little harsh perhaps when you consider he scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists.

The story this season is a little different for Giroud. He has become one of Arsenal’s most important players and has a look of belief and confidence about him. He wears the shirt like he truly deserves it and he exudes a sense of belonging. When you marry these attributes with his ability to hold the ball, connect play, win the ball in the air, muscle players off the ball, know where to take up positions, it makes for a unique player.

Giroud’s displays this season have made the original doubters become believers. Fans now sing his name with pride. A love affair might be brewing between another Frenchman and Arsenal fans. Long may it last.

In case you missed it, check out this article from the summer of 2012.
Let’s get #GQGiroud trending!

Olivier Giroud: Can He Become the Next Thierry Henry at Arsenal?

Soccerdiva Soundbite…Arsenal’s First Game…

A sad start to the new football season for Arsenal Football Club.

How the mighty have fallen. How the once great club has regressed. Eight years going on nine without a trophy. Losing to Aston Villa at home on the opening day of the season. That hasn’t happened in 20 years.

No transfers. No fresh blood. Just the same old story for Arsenal fans to eat. Well the Gooner nation is full from the club’s nonsense. They won’t be fed the PR lines for one more game. They don’t want to hear the lies any longer. They don’t want to be shined.

Football. Soccer. Call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.

Verbal Memo | Battle for 3rd & 4th…

The fight for the Premier League title is over. Anything can happen between now and the end of the season, but the chances Manchester United fold like cheap lawn chairs and concede the title to Manchester City once again are slim.

Robin van Persie is the gift from Arsenal that keeps on giving. The Dutch dynamo is in emphatic form and an absolute goal machine scoring nineteen in the league alone. His transfer from the Emirates to the Theater of Dreams could decide which team is crowned champions of England. And it’s looking more like the Red Devils with every football weekend that passes.

The battle for third and fourth however is far more exciting and unpredictable. Tottenham are playing delicious football. Or should we say Gareth Bale is playing delicious football. Chelsea falter one week, but then bounce back the next. Arsenal are showcasing more confidence and determination as the season goes on. And Everton continue to hang around and threaten to steal a Champions League spot despite a recent dip in form. Who will prevail and bank millions?

Also on the menu this week is a little slice of David Beckham and his move to PSG. Mr.Beckham is a polarizing figure and his new adventures in Paris are causing much debate beyond the football borders. Where do you stand when it comes to Beckham?

Whether you agree or disagree with any of the dialogue, lob us a volley or fire off a header to @soccerdiva. Football. Soccer. Call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.

Soccerdiva | Footy Show | 3rd & 4th

Verbal Memo | Robin van Persie & more…

In my weekly memo to fellow football fans there’s a fair bit of passion. Some folks have irked me.

Firstly, Luis Suarez got the football universe all riled up because of his handball in the F.A. Cup against wee Mansfield Town. Suarez certainly had lots of darts thrown at him after his unsportsmanlike action, but are the referees just as guilty as Liverpool’s bad boy?

Robin van Persie is having another phenomenal season. He is a world class player who has elevated Manchester United to impressive heights. The delicious Dutchman has been prolific since joining the Red Devils in the summer. Can Robin van Persie play in any team in the world right now? And should someone at Arsenal pay with their blood for selling him?

Finally, Rio Ferdinand declared he would like to be the first black James Bond. Rio is definitely suave enough to be a special agent for the British government. What if footballer’s were movie genres? From comedy, to musicals, we cast the lot!

Grab a brew and enjoy this week’s verbal memo. Connect with me @soccerdiva if you want to rant about anything. I’m here for you.

Verbal Memo | Robin van Persie & more

A Conversation With…Akil Vyas

Arsenal have been busier than usual in the transfer market yet the business conducted still hasn’t satisfied the appetites of many fans.

There’s no doubt the Gooner nation is happy with the arrival of a class player like Santi Cazorla, together with German goal machine Lukas Podolski and rising French star Olivier Giroud. Despite the pedigree of these players, fans are upset Arsene Wenger didn’t do enough to replace Alex Song and they are also disgruntled the club sold Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United. In A Conversation With Akil Vyas, we break down the Arsenal situation and discuss the hot topics engulfing the famous North London club.

What do Gunners fans really think about Theo Walcott? With all of Diaby’s injuries, can the club trust he’ll be available and fit throughout an entire season as the ready-made replacement for Alex Song? Should The Ox play or be a super sub? What is Arsenal’s best formation? Is there a need to worry about the injury prone back line? Can they have an impact in the Champions League?

Akil answers all of these questions and more in our conversation. You can follow him on Twitter @10akhil. Kick back, relax and enjoy!

A Conversation With…Derek Rae

A Conversation With Derek Rae is pure football poetry. One of football’s finest voices, Derek always paints a beautiful picture through his commentary. Do you know anyone who can marry the famous poet Robert Burns with football?

From Team GB and the Olympics to all things Premier League including Luis Suarez, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Andre Villas Boas, Brendan Rodgers, Manchester City, mid-level clubs and beyond, Derek discusses it all with an honest perspective. There’s even time to talk a wee bit of Rangers!

Football, soccer, call it what you want, it’s just like being down the pub with your mates.

A Conversation With…Stretty News

After losing their title on goal difference to their fiercest rivals, Manchester United are looking to bounce back this coming season. Desperate to regain what they believe to be their rightful place at the mountain top of English football, United fans are hoping for more success after having nothing new and shiny to place in the already abundant trophy cabinet.

Stretty News is one of the fastest growing Manchester United blogs anywhere in the world. In a Conversation With Dale O’ Donnell we dissect all things Red Devils. From the Glazers to Sir Alex Ferguson, the rivalry with Manchester City, Wayne Rooney, Kagawa and beyond, we cover the latest news that is happening at Old Trafford.

Dale is a leading voice for a new generation of Manchester United fans and he holds no punches when giving his opinion. Check out Dale’s work at www.strettynews.com and follow him on Twitter @StrettyNews.

Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.

A Conversation With…Arseblog

Since joining Arsenal, Robin van Persie hasn’t put prolific back-to-back seasons together for the North London club. Is it fair to say he will not have the same success next season and that now is the time for Arsenal to cash in on the Dutchman? How would Arsenal shape up tactically without him? And what is the scoop with Theo Walcott and his unrest? Could Arsenal afford to lose either or both of these players? What has become of the Gunners? What is the identity of this team? Why does everyone always want to leave?

Andrew Mangan joins us in A Conversation With sharing his insights like no other Arsenal blogger out there. Fans trust his opinion and thousands follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He is undoubtedly one of the most influential voices in the Arsenal community today. He doesn’t hold back as we dissect the team on and off the pitch. Put your slippers on and enjoy the conversation.

A Conversation With…You Are My Arsenal

Is it going to end up being another summer horribilis for Arsenal fans? Michael Price from You Are My Arsenal joins us for “A Conversation With” and we talk all things Gunners. From Robin van Persie to Theo Walcott, the return of Jack Wilshere, new boys Lukas Podolski & Olivier Giroud, Michael gives his perspective on how things will shake down at the Emirates as Arsenal prepare for the new season. In recent years, there’s been drama on the red side of North London as the Gunners once again battle to keep their best players. Will RVP stay or go? Sit back, relax and enjoy the conversation.

Not So Best XI…

It’s easy to compile a Premier League Best XI when you can choose from the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Papiss Cisse, Gareth Bale and Yohan Cabaye.

From Manchester City, to Newcastle, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, the top half of the Premier League table is dripping with talent and their silky skills make you salivate with delight.

But there are also some talented folks in the bottom half. In fact, this season more than ever, there are some players in the bottom half who wouldn’t be a bad investment for some of the teams at the top. If some scouts took a wee gander at what was going on beneath them, they could save on the travel budget!

Instead of the traditional Best XI, this season, we’ve put together our Not So Best XI. This selection of players make up a team that could perhaps qualify for the Europa League. Or some would argue they could easily get relegated. Chime in and let us know what you think. Better yet, send us your Not So Best XI so we can compare scouting notes!

Goalkeeper = Michel Vorm | Swansea

Manager = Brendan Rodgers | Swansea

Kit Colour = Home | All red | Away | All Black