Music - Song of the Day #45

Christmas Tomorrow!

In celebration...I suppose a mashup?

Daft Beatles Oasis - Beatles Mashup: Wonderwall vs. A Day in the Life.

Music - Song of the Day #44

Just found this old song, and I think it's awesome.

Like one of the comments says, this reminds me of a zombie apocalypse.

Music - Song of the Day #43

Feeling sick and yucky in my head. This isn't cool.

But hey, music.

Music - Song of the Day #42

Music time!

White Denim - No Real Reason

Music - Song of the Day #41

New computer today!

Time for Batman: Arkham City, LA Noire, and replaying of old games in better quality.

Smith & Burrows - Funny Looking Angels

Music - Song of the Day #40

Been a while. Uni + Sickness have been to blame.

Wooooooeewwwwww music.

Chiddy Bang - Ray Charles

Music - Song of the Day #39

Been a while, woops.

Really enjoy this song actually.

Blondfire - Where the Kids Are

Music - Song of the Day #38

Sneezing is stupid.

Chamberlin - Pumped Up Kicks (Foster the People cover)

Music - Song of the Day #37

400 more words to go in my essay...a shame that it's become more of a ramble than I had ever dreamed possible.

Many thanks to a friend of mine who introduced me to this song! Lovely guitaring.

Josh Pyke - Beg Your Pardon

Music - Song of the Day #36

Le tired, but my attempts to drive out fantastic, yet distracting thoughts, has led me to finding more music, and also watching Robin Williams on Inside the Actors Studio. Love Robin Williams.

Delay Trees - Gold

Music - Song of the Day #35

Been blasting U2 music in the house for a number of hours, so against my natural instincts, I'll suggest a song which isn't U2.

Phantogram - Don't Move

Music - Song of the Day #34

Ahh thoughts in my mind! Fantastic and then frightening.

Lovely song here, enjoy!

Darlingside - The Catbird Seat

Music - Song of the Day #33

First play night is over, and it was fantastic! Very excited for tonight's show!

Memory Tapes - Wait in the Dark

Music - Song of the Day #32

Short Play Night tomorrow @ UTS Bon Marche! Excited :)

Yesterdays - Traxx

Music - Song of the Day #31

2nd day with a very huskyish and Darren Lockyer-esquish voice.

Awesome flow into the song choice (yeah...lame I know).

Young the Giant - Cough Syrup

Music - Song of the Day #30

Arsenal won 3-0 over Bolton a few moments ago!

An average first half, which saw Arsenal show a few glimpses of the 'full package', but were again left wondering  with no final product in sight.

The second half was very different, as Arsenal took the lead in under a minute through captain Robin Van Persie. He then scored again later to reach 100 goals for the club. A fantastic contribution from a fantastic player.

Alex Song finished it off, and sealed all 3 points for Arsenal. A great second half.

SONG!

Rocket Empire - Cruising the Galaxy

Music - Song of the Day #29

Sneezy and yucky! Not the best start to my day, but surely reading through library books for good quotes will cheer me up.

The Peach Kings - Little Things

Music - Song of the Day #28

Chilled day requires fun music.

fun. - We Are Young ft. Janelle Monae

Music - Song of the Day #27

So the final night of the Jurassic Lounge @ The Australian Museum was last night, and while the crowds were longer than ever before, it was still a very enjoyable night, filled with drinks, music and puppet shows!

One song which played during the Silent Disco at the event was this one! You've probably heard it, but oh well.

Enjoy it! (again)

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

Music - Song of the Day #26

I haven't really had too much time to be searching for new music, so I've gone with this somewhat newish song by Coldplay. (Two Coldplay songs in a row, how great is that?!)

It's off the 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' EP, so enjoy!

Coldplay - Major Minus

Music - Song of the Day #25

Woops.

It's been a week, but my excuse is that I've been incredi-busy with uni work, drama, and more uni work.

Forgiveness please.

So, this song is well on its way to being very well known (obviously, because it's Coldplay), and while I think it's better than Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, I still don't think its incredible. Still a good song though.

So, this is a single from Coldplay's new Album Mylo Xyloto, which is set for release on October 24!

Coldplay - Paradise

Music - Song of the Day #24

Just like a pigeon, I'm currently pretty stressed out about being squished (though in my case, metaphorically).  The typical uni/drama situations are conspiring against me to provide me with a large quantity of "oh shit" moments.

Maybe this song will do...something?

Courtney Fortune - Lost In The Memory

Music - Song of the Day #23

Ahh song #23...I can't really think of why the number 23 would be very significant, so...

*runs*

Here's a great cover of Steve Winwoood's 'Higher Love'

James Vincent McMorrow - Higher Love (why do so many folk musicians look the same?)

Music - Song of the Day #22

Doing a bit of a special Song of the Day now...

If you're wanting to fall asleep or just be so incredibly chilled that you couldn't even get up if you tried to, then this song might be for you.

And by song I mean, very long collection of parts of a series of song done by Rhian Sheehan, who featured in a post a few days ago.

This includes Parts 1-14 of Rhian Sheehan - Standing In Silence. Enjoy!

Music - Song of the Day #21

I hate sneezing. Sneezing is your bodies way of telling people around you that it just wants some alone time by itself.

SONG AHHH. Creepy album cover.

Radical Face - All is Well (Goodbye, Goodbye)

Music - Song of the Day #20

September 1 - the start of Spring! Goodbye to my good friend winter, you were pretty cold, but you allowed me to be re-acquainted with my friends the hot water bottle and the electric blanket.

And with a lot of new players having signed with Arsenal over the past few days, Spring is looking to bring an all new spin on things for my favourite club!

A song for spring now,

Telekinesis - You Turn Clear in the Sun

Music - Song of the Day #19

An incredible busy week of journalisming and being filled with emotions thanks to football (Arsenal losing 8-2, and the final game of my season having been last Saturday).

Time for a very calm, and 'backgroundy' kind of song.

Ah I love using fake words.

This is Rhian Sheehan - Places Between

Music - Song of the Day #18

Uni is quite the stressful situation right now, Arsenal are making life difficult for me in the football world, and I just finished eating the last lamington.

Time for music :)

Beautiful voice, beautiful lyrics.

Music - Song of the Day #17

Apologies for not posting for a while! Things with uni and the world around me have been quite busy!

Time for a song to make things all good between us again.

Cults - Go Outside

Music - Song of the Day #16

Finally got my Deathly Hallows necklace in the mail! And it's pretty damn fantastic.

Phantogram - You Are The Ocean

Music - Song of the Day #15

So after a slightly productive day of making a few more phone calls and sending out some more emails for journalism, I'm glad to just sit back for a few hours before theatre auditions :).

The song for today:

Noah Gundersen - Moss On A Rolling Stone

Music - Song of the Day #14

Sleepy, thinking too much, and wanting a chocolate milkshake.

Story of my life!

*Ahem* Song time.

Scattered Trees - Four Days Straight

Music - Song of the Day #13

After having a very late night thanks to the return of the English Premier League, I've indulged in my breakfast at time which is usually prime for lunch.

Now my entire eating curriculum for the day has been cast into doubt, as I'm not sure whether lunch is an option anymore, and if it is, does that mean that I push dinner back a few hours?

Ahh first-world problems.

SONG!


Iron and Wine - Boy With A Coin

Music - Song of the Day #12

My apologies for not having posted in a while! Things have been tre busy, and with many assignments creeping up slowly (yes, a Taxiride reference) it's been hard to keep up appearances here.

The song for today!

A chill song, which is very suitable because I'm in much need for some chill right now.

The Antlers - Rolled Together

Music - Song of the Day #11

Back to uni tomorrow/today *sigh*


But it's going to be pretty cold weather for the rest of the week (if the weatherman is to be believed), so I'm more than happy to get rugged up.

Today's song might come as a surprise to a select few, as I've never really taken much time out to listen to this band, but I've spent a lot of this evening listening to them, and they've finally begun to grow on me.

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot

Music - Song of the Day #10

Technically the second song of the day, but sshhhhh.

I'm feeling quite tired right now, after a busy day of football. It's certainly enjoyable when playing, but as soon as I've gotten home, had a shower and eaten dinner (as well as 3-4 donuts mmm) then I feel the tiredness come over me.

So, naturally, I've picked a song which doesn't give your ears a work-out, so enjoy :).

Freelance Whales - Ghosting

Music - Song of the Day #9

So I'm going to be a little sneaky and post two songs...although it is only 12:38am! So I'm not cheating too much.

This song's a little bit more settled when compared to previous songs, and it's quite a thought-provoking and special song for me right now. The problem is I don't know exactly what thoughts it provokes, or why it feels special.

Jacqueline Stem - Streams of Consciousness

Music - Song of the Day #8

After having a fantastic time at the Australian Museum last night for the "Jurassic Lounge" party, it's all been about relaxing and being settled today.

Although that evening is over, I'm going back to the museum next week. They had live animals (including a snake!), burlesque shows, live painting, great music, and trippy projected images and colours throughout!

So while this song doesn't really scream "trippy" or "burlesque", it certainly does something good to your ears.

A cover of the original by Katy Perry, here's William Fitzsimmons - I Kissed a Girl.

Music - Song of the Day #7

So again we come to a new song! I know I posted a song by this artist only two days ago, but...we don't want to be setting restrictions on what the songs are do we? (No!)

This music video makes me want to go out and invest in an animal costume, and dance around in a silly way.

So, here's another great song by Said The Whale!

Said The Whale - This City's a Mess

Music - Song of the Day #6

One day of uni down, a whole lot more to go!

Song time!

Phantom Planet - Do The Panic

Music - Song of the Day #5

Back to university tomorrow....HNNNGGHHH....Having looked at my course outlines (well, 2/3) I'm quietly confident that I will not survive this semester.

So! Onto something more positive. The song for today is one which not only sounds cool, but also has a story in its video!

I heard this song a few months ago, and it's certainly one which I find easy to listen to over and over again.

Said the Whale - Camilo (The Magician)

Music - Song of the Day #4

So, I was going to be putting this song up today regardless, but having heard it earlier tonight on Saturday Vibe , I thought it must mean that it was destiny/some supernatural sign/...chance, that I really had to pick this song.

So, here is Song #4 (my favourite number woo!)

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kids.

Music - Song of the Day #3

A little bit more relaxed today, and rightly so.

Having felt quite sick last night, I spent a lot of time sitting on my bed watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent. After that I decided it was best to go to sleep, but not before listening to some music.

Next thing you know I've woken up this morning with my ipod halfway down my bed. This song was one of those featuring in my sleeping playlist.

Bon Iver - Wash.

Music - Song of the Day #2

I've spent about 45 minutes searching for some new music, and while I've come across a few new songs which I'll consider keeping in my music vault, this one here just sounded 'right' from the beginning.

So today's song! The Head and the Heart - Down in the Valley

Music - Song of the Day #1

More proof that this blog is going all over the place. So whenever I think of it/can be bothered, I'm going to post a Song of the Day (be excited, please?).

First off, The Wombats - Trampolining

Enjoy!

Arsenal: Shopping for Quality

It's obvious that this transfer window will mostly (for Arsenal) revolve around whether or not club captain Cesc Fabregas stays at the Emirates, or returns to Barcelona.

Having seen the same transfer rumour in the headlines for the past three years, it's become clear now that Arsenal are considering offers. The most recent offer I've read is one of £35m + future incentives for the midfielder. While this offer values Fabregas as being of equal worth to the tall hippy at Liverpool that is Andy Carroll, it seems that Barcelona are unwilling to hold back on other transfers in order to provide the money Arsenal want.

Barcelona have reportedly been looking to sign Udinese star Alexis Sanchez, and it puzzles me why they are not offering how much Arsenal are wanting for Fabregas (around the £45m mark) when they are showing themselves to be capable of also making a large bid for Sanchez.

Whatever happens to Fabregas in this transfer window will obviously have an impact on Arsenal's transfers before the season begins. With Nasri refusing to commit himself to Arsenal  and Man Utd reportedly set to offer £20m for the Frenchman, the creative role at the Gunners is looking quite insecure right now, if you don't count the developing talent of Jack Wilshere.

Fans of Arsenal must have read the news yesterday with a smile of sorts though, with Spanish international, and U21 European Championship winning midfielder Juan Manuel Mata being labelled by The Sun and The Daily Mail, as Arsenal's priority purchase in this transfer window.

Juan Manuel Mata

Currently playing at Spanish outfit Valencia, he's a small player, which goes against what Wenger has been saying about Arsenal needing bigger players. His goal-scoring ability and assist record however is something which will have interested Wenger, given Arsenal's inability to find the net on a regular basis.

Along with Mata, Arsenal have also been linked with a creative midfielder in Ricardo Alvarez. He currently plays for Argentine club Velez Sarsfield, and while he hasn't had much time to prove himself as being "the next Fabregas", he's also been linked with a move to Inter Milan.
To be honest I've never seen him play, so I can't say whether or not he's the right man to fill Fabregas' shoes if he leaves, or if he's talented enough to be a regular Arsenal player. 

The same goes for Gervinho. I haven't seen him play too much (youtube does a good job at letting me see some of his best moments though), but unlike Alvarez, there are many who believe Gervinho will be positive signing if he does come to Arsenal. 

I'm a little confused though.

While Arsenal does need some better players in the midfield and up front, the main priority at the end of last season seemed to be for improvements in the defence, and in goals.

So far, Arsenal have been linked with defenders Gary Cahill and Chris Samba, who, while being tall and capable defenders, are not exactly the "big" signings that I'm sure some fans would have been expecting.

Out of those two players however, I'd prefer to see Samba at Arsenal, as he's priced at £12m by Blackburn, as opposed to Cahill, who, being English, is selling for an inflated price of what is suggested to be around  £18m.

And while I'm Gary Cahill is big (6ft 2in), he's not as big as Samba (6ft 4in). That doesn't mean anything in the effectiveness of the defender, I know, but Samba does look much more secure and imposing at the back than Cahill, and having stood about a metre or two away from Samba at the beginning of the year at the Sydney Football Stadium, I can easily say he is huge.

So, that leaves goalkeepers.

I haven't seen any rumours in the papers about goalkeepers coming to Arsenal. (Please somebody change this...even a rumour!). I do believe Almunia and Fabianski (aka: Flappy Handski's) will be on their way from Arsenal within the next season, but our young Polish, scrabble-letter named keeper Wojciech Szczesny will be around for a while I feel.

He performed quite well for Arsenal last season, however I believe a more prolific and commanding goalkeeper is necessary for Arsenal's defence to truly be coordinated and disciplined.

I've said it a few times before, but I think Hugo Lloris would be an excellent signing. Obviously though, he'd cost more than Wenger would dream of spending on a goalkeeper.

So, that's it for now. I've written things in no real order, and it's just been written as I've thought it, so apologies for the disorganised ramble!

Until next time.

Go the Gunners!

Returning from Neverland

As the uni break has now gotten underway, it's come to my attention that I suddenly don't have much at all to be doing...and it feels weird.

Having finished the first semester of the UTS Journalism course about two weeks ago now, I've had what can probably be labelled as my busiest week ever!

What made my week so busy? A theatrical performance of Peter Pan!

Over the past 2-3 months our group in the theatre society had been working very hard together at intense rehearsals every week to create a great show. Having spent countless hours going over scenes and changing pieces of the play that didn't quite work (eg: Awkward boat scene), we all seemed to develop a very unique and incredible friendship.

Our director, Michelle Sewell, summed things up quite well after our fourth and final show last Saturday, saying that she felt like we were just like a big family.

So many different personalities were mixed together, and so many days were shared where the performers almost felt like they were going to collapse in exhaustion. The number of hilarious moments we all shared would be almost impossible to count.

Every show we did was different, and every person who was involved in the performances gave so much of their own time and effort to make it work as well as it did.

From these shows I've learnt a lot not only about theatre and the process from reading the script to being under the lights. I've learnt a lot about friends and (yeah I know it's corny, but sshh) myself.

Prior to this show I had no real confidence on stage, and while I don't see myself as being a great actor, I find myself enjoying the experience of being on a stage and performing not only for the audience, but for the other cast members too.

This cast has been fantastic. Our first show was on Wednesday, which was also my birthday, and they all gave me a birthday I can never forget.

Walking into the theatre after having lunch with Sophia, Sharon and Gina (thankyou for shouting Sophia!), I was welcomed by lots of hugs and a "Happy Birthday" song. After this I was then provided with multiple blown-up balloons (thanks Jake!), which included a huge birthday hat, swords, and in accordance with my "I thought it was only flowers that die" line from the play, a nice collection of balloon flowers.

Many many mini cupcakes were then handed around (Thanks Cecilia!), and I was also given two bars of chocolate :) (thanks Sami!).

After the show, they again sung "Happy Birthday" to me, and handed me an amazing card which they had written in. Still, after this, I was shouted many drinks when we went out partying in the city.

So, with Peter Pan now finished, and the empty feeling of not being so incredibly busy with all these people sinking in, it's time to look forward to next semesters shows, and to say thank you so much for the many many memories from this show.

MUSIC

Yes, this blog is a bit all over the place.

It started off as a football blog, but seeing as that's about all I'm known for enjoying, I thought it would be a nice idea to allow people to imagine me without football on my mind.

So, music.

Yes music can be played during football matches, and there are football chants ("TWO HATS, TWO HATS!"), but that isn't the point.

So, I thought I'd post a song I just heard which I thought was quite good at making me a bit more relaxed. Why was I not relaxed? News day is tomorrow for me in my journalism course at university. Fun!

So, this is Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Box of Stones. This single will be released on June 20.

Oh Gunners.

In a number of weeks many Gunners fans have been gutted by the incredible fall from grace that Arsenal have taken.

Fans were hoping to see Arsenal contend for the EPL title right to the end, as the squad had given us all hope that they could pull it off. Now we're struggling to believe the team can even finish fourth.

While second place was still a slight possibility after Chelsea got a 2-2 draw with the Toon, Arsenal were once again incapable of providing anything worthy of praise, and stumbled away from their last home game of the season with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

I'm sure there are fans that were amazed that Arsenal could lose this match given the possibility of coming second, but to me and many others, this kind of performance has become predictable of the Gunners squad.

Losing the Carling Cup Final certainly tore many players and fans up inside, and things became no better when Arsenal eliminated the possibility of (while unlikely even for an amazing team) winning four competitions.

Winning one of these four competitions would have been an achievement given the teams circumstances, but instead we saw a team with no confidence fall and fall again at the vital moments.

It's difficult to sit and watch Arsenal. Years ago the club had the incredible attacking power that other clubs envied, and while the Arsenal style of play is labeled as "beautiful", it's come to a point where this apparent "beautiful" football has become incredibly predictable and useless.

The same tactics have been employed by Arsenal for a few seasons now, and while the slick passing can be incredible to watch, and victories can certainly come from them, this style isn't getting the club anywhere.

As always, there are rumours of some players leaving, and I'm hoping that this seasons results finally do result in some players leaving the club. I wouldn't be sorry to see the end of Denilson, Rosicky, Squillaci, Diaby and possibly Arshavin.

And while these players are at the moment more qualified for the bench of this seasons Arsenal squad, it suggests that players in the first team would instead make better substitutes than first team players for this squad.

Diaby: Will he be saying goodbye to The Emirates?

I've heard a lot of talk about Bendtner possibly going to Wolfsburg or somewhere over in Germany, but to be honest I'd be fine with him staying at the club. On the odd occasion when he does play, he's played out of position on the left wing or in the stands. When you look at his performances when he's actually used up front, he's got a decent scoring record.

And onto Wenger. He's certainly played his part in Arsenals poor form this season, and I see it as mostly being to do with the tactics. Nice looking passes which lead to crosses into the box for nobody do not win trophies. I miss the days when the Invincibles would push down the field together and, while also presenting very nice looking football, would dominate a game and fire the goals in all too easily.

So lets hope that Arsenal sought out what needs to go, and what needs  to stay. What needs to change? A lot of things, that's for sure.

I have faith in Wenger as a manager, and for those who say he isn't a good manager, I would agree with you on the point of his current "success model". For the most part he's done brilliantly with it, and he's shown that he's incredibly gifted at getting the best out of players he's found in places which nobody knew existed.
It's his faith in the minority that has failed him, and I think he can be forgiven for that if he accepts that he didn't get everything right.

This isn't a football post.

From the title of this particular blog post, you can probably expect to hear nothing about football.


We'll see in due time if that is correct.

It's very difficult to write down what I actually think about, because recently I've just had so much on my mind, that even I cannot figure out what my brain is actually doing.

Still, from what I can attempt to gather, it goes something like this:

ARGH.


While I am finding my existence to be quite enjoyable right now, it still feels like I am a world away from being comfortable and accepting of what is going on.

Studying at UTS has (so far) been incredible when compared to some previous study at Macquarie, and I find the people in the course I'm doing (Journalism) to be very friendly and cool...Yes cool. It's the only word I could think of. Shut up.

While that's all great fun, I've found it quite different to be so involved in the uni life, as I haven't really been used to that until now. I feel like I'm more capable of hurting people and getting people angry, and for me that's incredibly difficult to deal with and it's quite stressful. It isn't as if I need to be stepping around peoples feelings, it's just that I know that while I try to be the "nice guy", I'm also capable of being the mistakingly hurtful "bad guy."

The studies though are great, and I consider myself very lucky to have met the people I've met so far at uni.

Being busy with things like university studies, drama performances/rehearsals, interning at Goal.com, football on weekends and whatever else I've forgotten, it feels like I'm not exactly in control of where I'm going or what I'm doing.

It's obvious that I picked to do these things, and I enjoy them all, but part of me is just thinking "why won't things happen how I want them to?"

That's kind of an odd thing to think, because when I look at what I'm doing, it is what I want to be doing, but I just feel like there's some kind of...emotional emptiness.

I've got football, great friends, and studies, and while they all evoke some emotional responses (uh oh, it's understanding communications class!), I don't think they draw out the extremes.

Not sure where that's going, but I'll probably end it there to give myself a speck of privacy, so the majority can think "what the hell is he on about?", while a select few can think "ahh yep" or something like that.

Anyway! FOOTBALL (see, it's here)

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa tonight....not really wanting to watch the Gooners tonight after their joke of a performance against Stoke last round.

Wigan vs. West Ham on the other hand looks interesting, as it's a relegation battle which will hopefully keep the Latics in the league!

Young Guns Delight

As a Gunners fan, I'm all too familiar with the worried cries of fans who believe that losing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona would dent all hopes of Arsenal succeeding.


While still playing an important role in Arsenals 2010/11 campaign, it's clear that Fabregas is not performing as well as he did last season. Now comparing a players performances in one season and another is not necessarily grounds for saying that the player has "lost their touch". Instead, this comparison suggests that Fabregas value should have perhaps dropped this season.

In the eyes of Barcelona, this isn't the case.


Still offering the same amount of money they offered at this point last season (£35-45m), Barcelona are still suggested to be interested in signing Fabregas.


And at this point in time, I'm not as worried at the idea of him leaving as I was last season.


Since last season, Young Lion Jack Wilshere has stepped up brilliantly for not only Arsenal, but also for England. His performances in the Champions League, and more recently, in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United, have shown him to have incredible skill and intelligence on the pitch. He's a joy to watch.


And if Wilshere wasn't enough, enter Aaron Ramsey.


The former Cardiff boy has suffered setbacks to his Arsenal career due to injury, but now that he has mended his bones, Ramsey has made an instant impact for Arsenal since his return.

Ramsey scored the winning goal in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Man Utd.

He worked wonders in the midfield with Wilshere against Manchester United, and I actually wondered if the total control of the midfield would have happened if Fabregas had been playing instead of Ramsey.


Credit must also go to Alex Song, who played his part very well as a holding midfielder.


So really, if we did happen to lose Fabregas next season, I'd love for Wenger to spend some of his warchest on another prolific midfielder. However, I'd like to see Ramsey be given the chance to stay in the first team.

Wilshere and Ramsey in the midfield for the Gunners. Both young, both determined, and both will cement themselves as key members of the Arsenal squad for years and years to come.  

Lehmanns Terms

It's been almost three years since he left Arsenal, but he's back.

Jens Lehmann had big boots (and gloves) to fill when he joined as legendary keeper David Seaman's replacement.

Fans were patient, and they were excited, as Jens impressed for the most part. Despite being quite an eccentric goalkeeper, he showed incredible skill throughout his time at Arsenal - playing a key role in the 2003/04 Premier League season.

Jens Lehmann - Man of the Match in the
2005 FA Cup Final.

His departure not only meant the loss of a very unique personality for Arsenal. It also meant the waiting game was to begin again.

And since May of 2008, fans of Arsenal have still been waiting. The likes of Manuel Almunia, Fabianski and Szczesny have all been given chances in goals for the Gunners, however none have been able to hold down a first team place.



So what to do? Enter Jens Lehmann v2.

The now 41 year old veteran has come out of retirement to push Arsenal forward in the race for the EPL title (or at least, try to.)

While he most probably has not got the quality he once had as a goalkeeper, his personality and determination seem to already be shining through, if Wengers comments and the medias comments are enough to go on.

Arsenal fans may feel some form of comfort in hearing that Lehmann is determined to raise the spirit of the team, however many fans will be unsure of Lehmanns influence on the squad, with the veteran already breathing down the neck of his former nemesis Manuel Almunia for a first-team spot; an all too familiar scene.

Personally I'm not really sure what to think of Lehmann's return. Surely his determination will be a huge positive for the players, but with Fabianski and Szczesny out, he's a good emergency option.


So, I'm hoping Lehmann still has some of those skills we saw in the early 2000's. A positive we can take from his age however, is that unlike in the early 2000's, Mr. Lehmann may be less inclined to run out of his box to attempt a dramatic save in 2011.