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Bitter rivals, sweet victory

DonJulio — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:56:38 GMT

Cesc stands in the centre circle. His first North London derby as captain. His team 1-0 up. Time to kill the game.

The match re-starts. Cesc bursts out of the traps. Steals the ball, dances past one player, two, three. Then, with the goal at his mercy, calmly strokes the ball home.

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Cesc takes control on Facebook

DonJulio — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:26:05 GMT

Want to know the secret of Cesc’s game-winning control?

On Thursday 22 October at 6:30pm, he’ll be taking over the Nike Football Facebook page.

It’s your chance to see behind-the-scenes photos, hear his football insights and ask your own questions.

So we need you to get involved. Post your questions to the event wall. Cesc will pick his favourites and answer them on the night.

Join the event

Cesc Fabregas: Total Control

DonJulio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:13:12 GMT

At the heart of the game stands the playmaker. The one whose first touch is already the start of the second. Who creates space out of chaos. Who sees runs no-one else sees or imagines. The one to whom precision is the norm and the spectacular expected. The one the other players look back to when their shot hits the net.

Watch Cesc take total control.

Bendtner vs. Zlatan

DonJulio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:39:05 GMT

Often football is most beautiful in its simplicity.

Sweden are 3 points behind Denmark. Win, and they could earn automatic qualification to South Africa.

Anything else sees them toughing it out in the play-offs. And that’s forgetting what happens in the other games.

Simple. Direct. Uncomplicated.

So both sides need goals. And each has a world-class striker poised to fire his team into the tournament. It’s Bendtner vs. Zlatan.

Get ready.

Arshavin vs. Özil

DonJulio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:35:17 GMT

When the difference between automatic qualification for 2010 and scrapping it out in the play-offs is just one single point, a moment of genius is needed.

Two nations. Two born entertainers. Two moments of game-changing brilliance waiting to happen.

One spot to play for. It’s on.

In total control

DonJulio — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:15:55 GMT

The CTR360 is the ultimate control boot. Developed for players who pull the midfield strings. Players who specialise in killer through-balls. Players like Cesc.

On Sunday, Cesc wore the CTR360 for the first time, getting a chance to see how the boot would improve his game.

Over 90 minutes Cesc gave a stunning masterclass in the art of midfield play – setting up four of Arsenal’s six goals and netting one himself. No arguments who made the difference.

Want to dominate the game like Cesc?

Explore the CTR360

Start training now

Control is everything

DonJulio — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:10:28 GMT

You don’t need to score to change games. It’s all about pulling the strings.

On Saturday, Cesc showed the impact of his game-winning control as his inch-perfect through-ball laid on the goal that won the three points.

Be the player, behind the player.

Bombardero – not a nickname, a gift.

DonJulio — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:44:13 GMT

Most players ease their way back after injury. Feeling their way back to sharpness. Not the man they call the bomber.

Carlos Vela exploded back into Arsenal’s frontline with an assist for the first goal and a predator’s finish for the second against West Brom.

Look out, the Gunners have refuelled one of their most potent weapons.

Never give in

DonJulio — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:29:50 GMT

Speed, accuracy, control. All vital to winning games. But there’s something else. It turns a match on its own – that clenched-fist refusal to be beaten. You can’t train for it. You have to find it in yourself.

Arsenal found it when they dug deep to rescue European victory from the jaws of defeat. Eduardo found it to slot in the winning goal.

Find yours.

Arshavin At The Wheel

gareth.nettl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:45:31 GMT

Sometimes the difference maker in a game doesn’t show up on the score sheet, but he always appears in the memories of those who bear witness to his artistry. In Russia’s 3-1 victory against Wales on Wednesday, Andrei Arshavin did both, displaying his footballing brilliance in the offensive half of the field the entire match and collecting the decisive assist for the first goal. Riding the Arsenal midfielder’s relentless attack, his nation is well positioned for an invitation to South Africa.

There is no part of a match Arshavin cannot dominate. The road for any team to South Africa is strewn with obstacles, but for Russia, as long as their biggest star is driving, there always appears to be a path to victory.

Pain is temporary. Defeat is permanent.

DonJulio — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:03:58 GMT

They taunt you and they hack you. But you know what you need from the game.

Three points. A performance to keep your place. To crush your fiercest rivals.

So when you’re brought down again, for the seventh time – that’s when you get up, rise above it and turn the game.

From Being the Difference, to Making the Difference

DonJulio — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:02:48 GMT

Last November, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was wearing his Pink Mercurial Vapors when he scored the decisive goal in their match against Dynamo Kiev. A substitution that was the Difference in the 88th minute, securing Arsenal's advance into the Quarter Finals of Europe's elite competition.

Bendtner, who also plays for the Danish National Team, has a hearty resolve off the pitch as well.

This week, Nicklas and Team Rynkeby – a cycling team that supports Børnecancerfonden, a charitable foundation for children diagnosed with cancer – will auction his Pink Mercurial Vapors on eBay. All proceeds will go directly to this organization.

Nicklas and his Arsenal teammates have visited child cancer patients throughout England several times, and he quickly became an advocate for this cause.

“Our visits have touched me deeply. It is so hard for the whole family when children are affected by a disease like this. Therefore, it is also incredibly admirable, when organizations such as Børnecancerfonden takes on the responsibility for helping children with cancer,” says Bendtner.

Fast is never enough - Theo Walcott

gareth.nettl — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:32:09 GMT

Theo’s lightning pace terrifies defenders and turns games.

But it’s never enough. To Make the Difference, fast must be fused with an insatiable hunger to be better. To be more than any opposition can handle. Every single week.

Fast is never enough

DonJulio — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:25:37 GMT

Three and easy

DonJulio — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:55:53 GMT

Three minutes. That’s all Arshavin took to Make the Difference last night. Bursting off the bench, he slotted home his first goal of the season to send Arsenal marching into the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition.