In a training or off-season program, an athlete's main aim should be to limit the risk of injury. Improving strength and flexibility, strengthening weak connections, correcting nutrition habits, and improving sleep patterns are 4 major components of any off-season training program. There are a multitude of ways to achieve those goals. In fact, athletes should tailor each component to their own strengths, weaknesses, and requirements. To perform at a high level and avoid injuries, it is necessary to have a high level of flexibility and mobility in performance. The off-season is an excellent time to increase joint mobility and flexibility in major muscle groups. Maintain a healthy diet Certain food is needed for the human body to function properly. At every meal,
Apprentice beats master: when Cesc humiliated Vieira at Highbury
The giant, round Champions League flag ripples between its legion of bearers in the centre circle just as the excitement does amongst the crowd of 35,472 fans. The familiar anthem by Tony Britten begins and the breaths of many around the world habitually grow slower and deeper just for a second. Then the heart rates raise as the shiny metallic Handel inspired majesty builds purposefully towards its crescendo. And then they raise. Die Meister. Die Besten. Les grandes équipes. The champions. Tuesday 28th March 2006. The final season at Highbury before Arsenal moved to the Emirates. Champions League Quarter Final. Two genuine European heavyweights going head-to-head. Arsenal v Juventus. The Gunners v The Old Lady. England v Italy. Tradition abounds. Patrick Vieira’s first return to the club where he
Abou Diaby – How Good Was He?
Injured. Probably the word most football fans would use to describe Abou Diaby’s career. He’s now announced his retirement at the age of 32. Diaby made just 198 club appearances in total during a 14-year career, and had been without a club since being released by Marseille in 2017. To contextualise that tally, James Milner has made 162 appearances for Liverpool in less than four seasons. The reason for Diaby’s restricted game time almost doesn’t even need to be told. His staggering total of 42 injuries while at Arsenal has been well documented, to the sad result that Diaby has become something of a joke figure for many football fans. This detracts from the quality that the former French international brought when
Roy Keane vs Patrick Vieira – The Premier League’s Greatest Rivalry
One of the most debated topics in football is the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. Both players always show respect to one another and claim competition is healthy in pushing them to perform to their full potential. Their rivalry is rather tame in comparison to Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira's legendary battles against each other on the pitch. For much of the early 1990s Manchester United dominated the Premier League, winning four of the five titles between 93 and 97. Central to that success was their domineering and relentless midfielder from Ireland. Keane’s drive, determination and all-round excellence established him as the best midfielder in the country. When Eric Cantona suddenly retired in 1997, Keane was named United captain by Alex
David Rocastle – Remembering a True Arsenal Legend
On 31 March 2001, when Arsenal’s new No.7 scored a gem of a goal in the North London derby match with Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury, the crowd tearfully remembered one of their favourite sons, who used to wear the same No.7 jersey for the Gunners. Just before the match, more than 38,000 people observed a minute's silence without the faintest interruption after reports came in that David “Rocky” Rocastle had died in the early hours of 31 March 2001, aged 33. Born in Lewisham, south-east London, Rocastle, a fast, skilled, powerful outside right was one of three players from the same area who played a crucial part in the Gunners' success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Rocastle joined
Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal’s Frustrating Russian Genius
On the back of a mighty impressive Euro 2008, Andrey Arshavin joined Arsenal in February 2009. The Russian’s move to the Emirates Stadium was undoubtedly the most dramatic saga of that transfer window. He signed for Arsenal after overcoming obstacles like wage demands, transfer deadlines and even a certain Vladimir Putin. Arsene Wenger was very keen to add Arshavin to his squad and when the £15million deal was eventually confirmed Arsenal fans were justifiably excited. The 27-year-old was a player suited to Wenger’s style of free-flowing possession football: a two-footed technician who could dribble past opposition with ease, create chances with accurate passing and score. He wore the No. 23 shirt, last worn by Sol Campbell. However, during his stint at North
Arsenal 2021-22 Premier League Season Preview
Will this be the season Mikel Arteta finally gets the best out of Arsenal? The Spanish coach has endured a rough time at the club since his arrival, yet he always remained positive that improvements will come with patience and perseverance. Now the overwhelming sensation around the club is that it’s time to push on, as the Gunners look to improve their status in the Premier League. No matter whether attending matches at the Emirates or following the team from afar, Arsenal fans are amongst the most vocal in the world, full of enthusiastic praise or frustrated criticism depending on the circumstances. Looking ahead to the 2021-22 Premier League season, they will undoubtedly be expecting much better compared to recent campaigns. Premier
Thierry Henry – the Return of the King
On the 6th of January 2012, Arsenal’s record top goal scorer returned to North London on loan to cover for Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho who were at the African Cup of Nations. Unable to take his old number 14 shirt, occupied by Theo Walcott since his departure, Thierry Henry opted for the number 12 he had won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships with for France. Arguably the greatest player to have ever played in the Premier League, TiTi left Arsenal for brighter pastures at Barcelona, but returned a crowd favourite and self-confessed fan of the club. “When it comes to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking,” he said on his arrival. “I always said I was never
Gunners May Sign Lokonga This Summer
While the European Championship keeps stealing the spotlight, things are still happening outside of the biggest European football event of the year. Namely, the transfer season is in full force, with everyone from VietVwin to ESPN speculating on which player goes where - and for how much. This transfer season, Arsenal is in need of a midfielder, as Dani Ceballos has returned to Real Madrid and Granit Xhaka is expected to move to Roma. The Gunners will need fresh blood to support Partey and Elneny - this means that at least one, maybe two midfielders may be on their way to Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks. And one of them may be Belgian player Albert Sambi Lokonga. Sambi Lokonga Born and raised
What Made Thierry Henry Such a Superstar?
I am sure we all have memories of being at school and having one person being better than everyone else at playing football? Well, at his high school Thierry Henry was that person – always leaps and bound ahead of his peers at the game. There are several things that make the French footballer stand out from the crowd including his skills at taking a penalty, speed at moving the ball and his talents for assisting others to make a goal – all of this helped him secure a place as captain of his school football team. It is players like Henry that have helped to make Arsenal F.C betting at Sportsbet.io such a fun thing to do, because they