Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

[HeathenBenny]

GUNNING FOR GLORY:
Arsenal FC

Difficulty: Professional
Sliders: Orion's Next Gen
Controls: Semi Crossing, otherwise Full Manual
Rosters: Default
Board: Strict
1st Transfer Window: Closed
1st Year European Football: Enabled
(I'm trying this one more time. My last go was derailed by moving to Pennsylvania 0.0)

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

GUNNING FOR GLORY:
Club History

First Division/Premier League Champions: 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04

FA Cup Champions: 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005

League Cup Champions: 1987, 1993

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

SEASON IN PREVIEW:
ARSENAL GUNNING FOR GLORY AFTER WENGER RETIREMENT

After the surprise retirement of legendary manager Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal board of directors have been scrambling to find a manager before the friendlies begin, and they believe they've found their man. Ben Benjamin, former assistant manager of Cardiff City, had been considered a dark horse for the role after his public feud with the Cardiff board and subsequent firing, but wasn't considered a serious candidate until rumors of a potential hiring leaked just a few days ago.

Benjamin, an American of English descent, has only three matches to examine his club, and with the transfer window coming to an early close, he won't have any opportunity to make personnel changes until January. Despite his relative inexperience and a closed summer transfer window, the board has big expectations for the new gaffer. Predictions from the media have been scattered, with some believing that the fresh look can boost the Gunners to their first title in nearly a decade, and others saying that the inexperienced Benjamin will collapse under the pressure and Arsenal will finish mid-table.

Arsenal's current starting XI are very talented, and have the ability to challenge for the title. Mesut Özil and Santi Cazorla are expected to lead a very deep midfield that includes Jack Wilshire and Mikel Arteta as well. Wojeich Sczcesny is entering his prime years and is shaping up to be one of the most talented young keepers in Europe. Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski, and Theo Walcott present a wealth of options for Benjamin, as he can use any number of them at once depending on his strategy and the situation. The Gunners also have a large pool of youngsters on reserve itching to get their chance, headlined by 19 year old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and 21 year old right back Carl Jenkinson.

Despite the wealth of talent at Benjamin's disposal, there are still many challenges the new manager will face. A main concern has been a lack of depth on defense. Of the five center backs that are owned by Arsenal, two are out on loan. If more than one of the remaining three get injured, the next in line is Bacary Sagna, who is inexperienced in the middle of the pitch and would force Jenkinson into becoming a full-time player, a position he frankly isn't ready for.

No matter what formations and tactics Benjamin applies to his new club, the expectation is the same. The Gunners have gone more than eight years without silverware, and Benjamin needs to find some. If he can't do it--or at least look good trying--then Arsenal will be in this exact position next year with a different man in charge.

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

2013-14 Arsenal Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Arsenal FC 2013-14
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	NATION
1	Wojciech Szczęsny (79)	GK	23	6'5"	185	Poland
13	Emiliano Viviano (78) (loan)	GK	27	6'5"	200	Italy
21	Łukasz Fabiański (76)	GK	28	6'3"	185	Poland
50	Damián Martínez (62)	GK	20	6'3"	194	Argentinia

DEFENDERS

Arsenal FC 2013-14
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	NATION
5	Thomas Vermaelen (81)	CB	27	6'0"	181	Belgium
6	Laurent Koscielny (81)	CB	27	6'1"	165	France
3	Bacary Sagna (80)	RB	30	5'9"	158	France
4	Per Mertesacker (80)	CB	28	6'6"	198	Germany
28	Kieran Gibbs (78)	LB	23	5'11"	141	England
17	Nacho Monreal (77)	LB	27	5'10"	158	Spain
25	Carl Jenkinson (71)	RB	21	6'1"	169	England
40	Héctor Bellerín (56)	RB	18	5'10"	156	Spain

MIDFIELDERS

Arsenal FC 2013-14
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	NATION
11	Mesut Özil (87)	CAM	24	6'0"	167	Germany
19	Santi Cazorla (85)	CAM	28	5'6"	145	Spain
8	Mikel Arteta (82)	CM	31	5'9"	141	Spain
10	Jack Wilshere (82)	CM	21	5'8"	148	England
7	Tomáš Rosický (80)	CAM	32	5'10"	150	Czech Republic
24	Abou Diaby (77)	CM	27	6'2"	167	France
16	Aaron Ramsey (77)	CM	22	5'10"	167	Wales
20	Mathieu Flamini (77)	CM	29	5'10"	147	France
26	Emmanuel Frimpong (68)	CDM	21	5'9"	178	Ghana
57	Nicholas Yennaris (62)	CDM	20	5'8"	167	England
42	Thomas Eisfield (59)	CAM	20	5'10"	150	Germany

FORWARDS

Arsenal FC 2013-14
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	NATION
14	Theo Walcott (81)	RW	24	5'9"	147	England
9	Lukas Podolski (80)	LW	28	6'0"	183	Germany
12	Olivier Giroud (80)	ST	26	6'4"	194	France
15	Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (77)	RW	19	5'9"	154	England
52	Nicklas Bendtner (75)	ST	25	6'4"	207	Denmark
31	Ryo Miyachi (71)	RW	20	6'0"	156	Japan
30	Chu Young Park (70)	ST	27	6'0"	165	Korea Republic
44	Serge Gnabry (67)	RW	17	5'8"	161	Germany
22	Yaya Sanogo (65)	ST	20	6'3"	163	France
36	Benik Afobe (65)	ST	20	6'0"	169	England

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

As I said, I've moved to Pennsylvania, and school has gotten in the way of any updates, so that stalled my last series. After a long hiatus, I'm Gunning for Glory again. Good to be back!

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

FRIENDLY MATCHDAY 1
ARSENAL VS CAGLIARI
28 July 2013 | Emirates Stadium

ASNL 2 - 0 CLRI

AGGRESSIVE ARSENAL TROUNCE I ROSSABLU

New Arsenal manager Ben Benjamin led his team to a victory in Friendly #1 of the preseason against Cagliari today after a dominant first-half performance from the Gunners.

In the 20th minute, Aaron Ramsey sent a cross to Santi Cazorla in traffic. Even though he was covered, Cazorla found the ball and headed it past the keeper Werther Carboni for a goal. Park Chu-Young followed it up with a 35th minute header off of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead that would stand for the rest of the match.

"[Oxlade-Chamberlain] sent me a good ball. I'm getting a lot better at headers this offseason," Chu-Young told reporters after the game. Cazorla was equally as happy: "It feels great to be back out there. To start these friendlies in form, it's a great feeling."

Ivo Pulga, Cagliari manager, had praise to give to Ben Benjamin, the new man in charge. "[Benjamin]'s a great man for the job. His boys give him a lot of respect already, and that's hard to pull off in such a high-profile club." Benjamin was humble after the match, deferring the credit to his team. "I'm honored to be able to coach these boys," he said in his post-game press conference. "They did a great job today. This is the start of a big campaign, and I'm proud to be a small part of it."

In the 24th minute, Tomas Vermaelen of Arsenal landed awkwardly on his left knee after a challenge and was pulled at the half. Early reports showed that he had hyper extended the knee. There is no word yet as to whether or not Vermaelen will be on the team sheet for Arsenal's next match on the road against Elche on 1 August. Arsenal will face Sevilla at the Emirates on the 5th.

[HeathenBenny]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

VERMAELEN QUESTIONABLE FOR MATCHDAY 1

LONDON--After hyper extending his knee against Cagliari on 28 July, Tomas Vermaelen may not be on the team sheet for Arsenal on Matchday 1 against Aston Villa. Arsenal, already experiencing trouble with a thin backfield, will sorely miss Vermaelen's presence. It is unknown whether new manager Ben Benjamin will recall Johan Djourou or Ignasi Miquel from loan, although that seems unlikely at this point.

[KG]

Re: Gunning for Glory (again): An Arsenal FC Dynasty

It wouldn't be realistic if Arsenal didn't suffer injuries, lol.


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