Zigeunerzelt » to savour Sundays

London - Whilst it wont ever capture the globes imagination like an el Cl??sico does or possess the historical significance of a Manchester or Merseyside derby, Sunday mornings Chelsea v Arsenal London derby is without doubt today the biggest football battle the capital city possesses. In doing so, the North London derby has been relegated into a distant second place. Over the last decade and more as Chelsea and Arsenal have gained permanent membership of the Barclays Premier Leagues virtuous circle for the elite, Spurs reside amongst its periphery. Earlier in the week, one London newspaper provided a compelling case of why Tottenham should place the greater emphasis on the Europa League ahead of the BPL this season. Its reasoning, even after only six matches, Spurs stood little chance of making it to the Champions League via a top four finish whilst this seasons Europa League winners will be granted an automatic spot. Comfort though can be taken for Spurs supporters from Chelseas 6-0 dismantling of Arsenal in the corresponding fixture last season in a match that signified Arsene Wengers 1,000th in charge for the North Londoners - which he described at the time as not a bad day but a nightmare. Speaking of nightmares, a player who just cant help himself against Arsenal is Didier Drogba. Wenger, who celebrated 18 years at the helm of the Gunners just this past Tuesday, got a gift of sorts from his London neighbour early Friday with Chelsea announcing Drogba wont feature Sunday due to an ankle injury. Not that Wengers team will need any further motivation to make amends for last seasons aberration but adding a further layer of spice to Sundays encounter will be the sight of Cesc F??bregas trotting out of the tunnel in the blue shirt of Chelsea. This is sure to raise a few eyebrows and one or two Anglo-Saxon opinions from the 3,000 strong travelling support. In his pre-match press conference Friday morning, Wenger reignited his war of words with Mourinho by disclosing F??bregas preferred option was to return to the club he joined in late summer 2003 which was in stark contrast to what Mourinho said this summer after the Fabregas signing was announced. With close to $75 million invested in ?–zil, there was no way back for a player who in October 2003 became at 16 years and 177 days the youngest ever to put on the fabled Arsenal shirt in the clubs close to 130-year history. At Mourinhos pre-match press conference, which took place shortly after Wengers, he refused to be drawn on the Fabregas matter nor offer an apology to Wenger for anointing him a Specialist in Failure back on Valentines Day. No love lost between these two managers then. Mourinho did offer Wenger his congratulations on bringing up 18 years of service in North London. Tipping his hat to the remarkable Invincible Arsenal side of 2003/04 which went the whole season undefeated, Mourinho offered an unequivocal, No - when asked if he thought he could emulate such a unique achievement. In terms of whether there was an added intensity surrounding Sundays derby, Mourinho extended another one word response, Yes. The match has been a sell-out since just after the BPL schedule was released back in mid-June. Ticket brokers are a reliable source of what people are willing to pay these days to attend sporting events of this magnitude. The law of the resell market often states the bigger the occasion, the bigger the pay off. Now consider this. An all-inclusive to October 25ths el Cl??sico at the Santiago Bernebeau, including a return flight from London to Madrid plus a match ticket, would set you back less money than brokers are quoting for just a match ticket Sunday. If Frankies Sports Diner located inside Stamford Bridge for Tuesdays Champions League match away to Sporting Lisbon is any indication of how cosmopolitan the crowd will be on Sunday, then you get a clear idea of what helps to influence the market price for tickets. Then of course as Stamford Bridge only holds just north of 40,000, the law of supply and demand has a significant effect as well. Hospitality Packages, something you couldnt give away when I was a very frequent visitor to Stamford Bridge back in the 1980s, are also sold out. These were offered for sale by Chelsea for upwards up ?￡895 [$1,700]. The only option left earlier today was taking a Matchday Dining Package at the sumptuous 4-star hotel that is located inside Stamford Bridge. One of these would set you back ?￡495, throw in a room for the night and you wouldnt be getting much change out of $2,000. With patrons willing to absorb such sums to savour Sundays match, its hardly surprising Chelsea have for the past five years been weighing up all their options regarding the future of Stamford Bridge. Early this week, it was widely reported Chelsea will remain at Stamford Bridge and move into the home of English Rugby, Twickenham for a season whilst Stamford Bridge is upgraded. The magnificent 82,000 capacity stadium located some seven miles along the Thames will host next years Rugby Union World Cup Final. Much more than London bragging rights, and three valuable points in the title chase are at stake Sunday. Having faced a Mourinho-led Chelsea team 11 times previously, Wenger is still to savour the taste of victory. Diego Costa, who has been an absolute revelation since his summer move from the Spanish capital, needs two goals to make it into Chelsea folklore and emulate club legend, Jack Cock, who took just seven games to hit the 10 league goal mark back in 1919/20. I have a sneaking suspicion as well, Mourinho who prides heritage and tradition above much else, and no matter what the outcome on the pitch, will invite his opposite number into his office post-match to share a bottle of red wine, much like he did so often with the BPLs vintage man himself, Sir Alex Ferguson. Key is will they be drinking a 12-year old bottle of wine to reflect a 12th straight winless game for Wenger or will it be 18-years old to signify the 64-year old Frenchmans loyal Arsenal service? Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter Air Max France . The two-time Olympic halfpipe gold medallist informed ESPN on Monday he plans to compete in Apsen, Colo. Air Max Pas Cher France . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive. http://www.airmaxfrancepascher.fr/ .com) - The Miami Heat stopped a four-game losing streak last time out and thats the same length slide their opponents Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets, will try to halt when the two teams meet at the Pepsi Center. Air Max Pas Cher Livraison Rapide . Ireland was the last unbeaten side in the championship after France fell to Wales on Friday, and was favoured to end a three-match losing run to England with a side with more than twice as many caps, rampant momentum, and added incentive to celebrate Brian ODriscolls world record-tying 139th test cap. Air Max Livraison Gratuite . Braves reliever David Carpenter was also fined for throwing at Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson in the same game, which featured several ejections, including Colorado manager Walt Weiss. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Chiefs signed former Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker to a three-year deal Friday, filling one of their needs, and announced the signing of linebacker Frank Zombo. Walker was a seventh-round pick of the Falcons in 2009, and provided valuable depth while appearing in 58 games for them over his first four seasons. He started 15 games for the Raiders last season, making 29 tackles and three sacks. Walker figures to replace Tyson Jackson, who signed with Atlanta in free agency. "Were pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with both Frank and Vance," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. "Frank was a key member of our defence and special teams units last season and were looking forward to having him back. "Vance is a big, physical player that we believe can come in and contribute for us up front." The Chiefs entered free agency with about $9.6 million in salary cap space, a paltry sum that doesnt include the nearly $5 million its expected to sign their own players.dddddddddddd So they were unable to make serious offers at many of their own free agents who signed lucrative deals elsewhere. Instead, theyve been scouring the free-agent market for players they believe will fit into their system, fit into their budget and fill their most glaring holes. Walker, who had changed his Twitter avatar to the Chiefs logo on Friday, appears to fit that mould. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound veteran has enough athletic ability to play defensive end in the Chiefs 3-4 system, the same position Jackson held down, or provide depth across the line. The Chiefs werent the only one interested in him. The Packers were linked to Walker, and his agent Chad Speck had mentioned that Walker had planned to visit Seattle. Meanwhile, Zombo provides a reliable and versatile linebacker who can also contribute on special teams. He played in all 16 games for Kansas City a year ago, making five starts, and finished with 23 tackles and a pair of sacks. He also had an interception and forced a fumble. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '