Nikesoccer

Bitter Rivals, Sweet Victory

DonJulio — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:08:39 GMT

Cesc Fabregas stands in the center circle. His first North London derby as captain. His team just went up 1-0.

Time to kill the game.

The match re-starts. Cesc bursts off the line and steals the ball, dances past one player, two, three. With just five touches he's at the edge of the penalty box. Then, with the keeper at his mercy, Cesc calmly strokes the ball home.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Cesc Fabregas at his player page and the Arsenal team page.

Cesc Takes Control On Facebook

DonJulio — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:10:57 GMT

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

On Thursday October 22 at 1:30pm EST, he'll be taking over the Nike Soccer 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 favorites and answer them.

Join the event at facebook.com/nikesoccer

Cesc Fabregas: Total Control

DonJulio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:44:31 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.

Control Is Everything

adamspangler — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:26:19 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.

Dempsey's Derby Day

adamspangler — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:10:54 GMT

Before Fulham welcomes Arsenal to their historic home along the Thames River, Clint Dempsey talked exclusively with nikesoccer.com about his life in London, his hectic travel schedule, and his mindset leading into a derby weekend.

For all the fanfare that goes into derby clashes, Clint's quiet life in the London suburb of Wimbledon allows him to fly under the radar. His public notoriety has changed just a little bit since he was the relative unknown American moving abroad. "It's not too crazy now, but I do get noticed more." Clint says. "If I am out and around Wimbledon, especially when school is letting out, I do get people coming up to me or saying 'what's up.' It's cool."

You might expect some trash talking in a city with 13 professional clubs delivering more than a fair share of derby games and distinct fan bases, but Clint says he doesn't hear negativity from fans, even in jest. "There is so much going on in London," he says. "More than just football, so I don't get a lot of attention." If he does hear anything, it's usually from fans of the Blues, he says, not Arsenal.

And so the American soccer star goes about his low key London life, focusing on family and soccer. It's been a whirlwind start to the season for Clint, who has more on his plate than most. Beyond a new baby, there's Fulham's league schedule of course, then a new European competition and qualifying games en route to South Africa, where the punishing midfielder recently won the bronze ball as the third best player in the warm-up tournament to the finals. Clint plans on returning next summer.

In the last few months alone, Clint has traveled to Russia, South Africa, El Salvador, and California, just to name a few. How does he maintain? "I don't have any secrets," Clint says of dealing with the travel and multiple games in a week. "I like to get a lot of sleep, get in work with the team's physio staff, and take ice baths. Just things that help bring the life back into your body." During stretches like this, "there is no training outside of training," Clint says. "I rarely get even one day off a week." Want to be the best? You gotta put in the work.

Heading into a big game, it's a balance between mental focus and physical fitness. "You got to make sure you are feeling sharp and rested," Clint says. "Don't think about the game too much, because then you will stress yourself out. Stress can take its toll, so you have to manage your mind and body. I'll spend the time from now until the game focusing on my marking assignments, how Arsenal will play, and my overall game plan."

The work is never done, not for new fathers, not for footballers. Not for outside midfielders who need to cover the entire length of the field. Want to make the difference? You gotta be ready.

Clint Dempsey is ready for Arsenal.

Pain Is Temporary. Defeat Is Permanent.

adamspangler — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:45:21 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.

Andrei Arshavin At The Wheel

crowlala — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:48:40 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 a invitation to South Africa.

There is no part of a match Arshavin can not 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.

From Being the Difference, to Making the Difference

DonJulio — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:14:25 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

DonJulio — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:17:56 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.

Three and easy

DonJulio — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:15 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.

Lay it on the line

crowlala — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:00:33 GMT

The pros have made their pledges on how they will Make the Difference. What are you saying?

This is your chance to lay down a marker for your season. Five more goals than last season, win every 50-50 ball, never lose your man.

Whatever your aim, make it public on Facebook.

Then get on the pitch and make it happen.

Make your pledge on Facebook

Own opening day

crowlala — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:27:43 GMT

Cesc's pledge for the season was one word – trophies. While silverware may still be months away, Cesc showed how to Make the Difference in the first 90 minutes of the campaign.

His two goals and two assists helped Arsenal equal the record for opening day wins. And it proved when you need to nail the first game of the season, the difference is born in training.

Train on Facebook

Make your pledge

T-90 Ascente Testing – Arsenal

crowlala — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:29:45 GMT

Date: 04.02.09
Location: London Colney
Weather conditions: Extremely cold. Temperature range from -5C to +5C. Conditions changed from sunny, blue skies to cloudy with snow and rain.
Pitch conditions: Ploughed snow. Ground soggy but firm.
Players and staff: Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Jack Wilshere, William Gallas, Denilson, Eduardo, Mikael Sylvestre, Carlos Vela, Alexandre Song, Lukas Fabianski, Manuel Almunia, Arsene Wenger.

Tester’s notes
Freezing conditions. Heaviest snowfall in 18 yrs. Balls inflated to 12.5 psi exactly. Arsene had a juggle & some one-touches w Paul Johnson. “It’s good, it’s lively.” The keepers... Almunia worried. “Not good for goalkeepers. Again!” Sorry Manuel. (Great for fans though.) Team session. Wilshere : “Yeah, it feels good on the touch.” Shooting session: Ball flight and rotation were true. Some spectacular long-range shots. Get ready Premier League – spectacular goals are coming.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

CR7 in a league of his own

gabejazzy — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:03:11 GMT

How good?

A 40 yard free kick – again. Clinical finishing under pressure – again. Elite opposition taken down – again.

That’s how good.

Man Utd fire first

gabejazzy — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:45:50 GMT

Although Man Utd's firepower proved superior last night, at 1-0 Arsenal still have it all to play for.

A place in the final, European domination. And the chance to go 15-14 up in Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s 13-year head-to-head.