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  ¤ CM 00/01

Our excellent run in the league was carried on by 2 magnificent wins over Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs. Both teams were sent packing after identical 4-1 wins. With Saviola scoring a brace in the former match and Henry hitting a hat-trick in the latter. This saw Henry picking up the Player of the Month award for November. I was voted Manager of the Month for October.

In the Champions League, we finished as group leaders after wins over Servette FC (2-0), Feyenoord (2-0) with Ljungberg scoring his 50th Arsenal goal and a 3-0 win over Monaco. The shock of the Champions League came when Real Madrid were dumped out of the Cup and also a place in the UEFA Cup by Panathinaikos, who thrashed them 7-0, Nikos Liberopoulos scored 6 of them. The Phase 2 groupings saw us being drawn with AC Milan, Celtic and Premiership rivals Huddersfield. The first match saw us visiting San Siro. 67,000 fans were at the historical stadium watching the match. No one would have guessed the score line after the match. Both teams started strongly and were held to a 1-1 draw in the first half. Arsenal came out of the second half a changed side. On the hour, Saviola scored his 100th goal for Arsenal and his second of the match. Calaio added another in the 71st minute before Greening scored in the 86th minute to condemn Milan to their heaviest defeat. Saviola wrapped up his hat-trick and Arsenal's fifth in the 87th minute. Milan fans were gutted and started to vent their anger by throwing firecrackers into the pitch. They were later fined 500,000 Lira for the havoc. We went home with 3 points and a 5-1 victory. [ScreenShot] The match against Celtic was tougher but we managed to hold on to a slim 2-1 win.

We suffered our first defeat of the season at the hands of Leeds United. We failed to overcome an early 2-goal deficit resulting in a 2-1 loss. Bristol City rubbed salt into our wounds when they beat us fair and square by 2 goals to none. Both goals coming in the last 10 minutes of the match.

Between these 2 defeats, Arsenal captured the World Club Cup. We were up against Flamengo of Brazil. We had faced them before in the World Club Cup 3 years ago where we won 4-0. This time around, their manager Mauricio promised not to surrender without a fight. I had other plans of course. The National Stadium in Tokyo was packed to the brim. The organizers put up an excellent firework show for the audience. Arsenal started the match much better than their counterparts and within 5 minutes we had the ball in the net courtesy of Ljungberg. Just before half time, the score line became 2-0 thanks to Ljungberg again. The second half clearly showed that we were in control of the match as the Brazilians failed to find a way through our tough defence. They had also failed to get themselves acclimatised to the rainy weather on the day. Saviola and Henry rubbed salt into their wounds by scoring in quick succession. In the end, we went home with the Cup and also the record of winning it 4 times in a row. [ScreenShot]

The newly assembled Arsenal Youth team was having an enjoyable time in the domestic cup runs. The League Cup 3rd Round tie was at home against Everton, they won the match 2-0, with new boy Craig Flynn scoring the opening goal. The 4th Round match was against First Division Reading. Former Gunner Mendez was in the team but he got himself injured in the 24th minute. Still, Reading took the lead and we had to wait until the 74th minute before Junior Elliott equalised. The match was heading towards extra time before 2 quick goals by Pennant and Benson gave the score line a much respectable look. Tranmere Rovers came to Ashburton Grove for the Quarterfinal match. Arsenal took the lead but was soon down to 10 men after David Hunt was sent off. John Spicer increased the lead but Tranmere caught up and equalised in the 85th minute. Super sub Cassano applied the winning goal in the 99th minute and we had booked ourselves for the Semi Finals against Derby County.

After the 4-0 thrashing we endured during our encounter with Manchester United last season, I decided it was time we showed them. The league schedule put us in a position where we will be facing them twice within 2 weeks. First up, away at Old Trafford. Last season's defeat was still fresh in our minds and we had a lot to do to make sure it doesn't repeat itself again this year. Banners with the 4-0 defeat greeted us as the team made their way to the pitch. The fans were chanting that we would lose to them again this time. On the pitch, it was a different story altogether. It took us 7 minutes to open the scoring. Vieira headed in a cross from a Joe Cole corner. GOAL! In the 21st minute, Van der Vaart picked out Barthez's weak goal kick, before threading the ball towards Henry. GOAL! Just before half time, Saviola received a pass from Greening before making his way through United's defence. GOAL! 3-0 for Arsenal and the United fans were silent whereas our fans were erupting with joy. 2 minutes into the second half, Joe Cole struck from outside the box for his 50th Arsenal goal. And Henry finally nailed United's coffin with a goal in the 86th minute. 5-0 to Arsenal and it was our biggest ever win over Manchester United. [ScreenShot]

Prior to the match at Ashburton Grove against Manchester United, we drew 2 league matches against Leicester City and Everton. But with half of the season gone, Arsenal is 7 points clear of Southampton with 2 games in hand. So we come to the match against Manchester United. Both sets of fans were chanting and cheering their team on. We didn't had a fast opener but we took the lead in the 20th minute through Saviola. 15 minutes later, Diego knocked Joe Cole to the floor in the box. Penalty! Saviola stood up and sent the keeper the wrong way. GOAL! Rio Ferdinand left the pitch for further treatment after he injured his groin. Just before half time, Saviola bore down at goal after being put through by Van der Vaart. GOAL! His hat-trick complete and that was his 25th goal of the season. The second half was an easy stroll for us and we added another goal via Henry. Manchester United had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Wes Brown was sent off. In the end, we won 4-0 and United had lost both encounters with us this season.[ScreenShot]

  ARSENAL FC
  Season 03/04 :
  Pre-Season
  Part 1
  Part 2
  Part 3
  Part 4
  Post-Season

  Season 04/05 :
  Pre-Season
  Part 1
  Part 2
  Part 3
  Part 4
  Post-Season

  Season 05/06 :
  Pre-Season
  Part 1
  Part 2
  Part 3
  Part 4
  Post-Season




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