Voice of Arsenal

EMIRATES OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
On Thursday The Duke of Edinburgh came to Emirates Stadium to officially open our new home. His Royal Highness unveiled an official plaque as well as visiting the Arsenal Learning Centre, the Arsenal Museum and also viewed an Arsenal In The Community training session. Prince Phillip was also introduced to VIPs and staff, including the first-team squad. There will be a picture feature on the Royal Visit in our CSKA Moscow programme on Wednesday.

STOP PRESS: As fans may have heard, The Queen was originally scheduled to open the stadium, but had to withdraw at short notice due to a strained muscle in her back. Some pages of today's programme went to print prior to Thursday's ceremony, and therefore refer to The Queen opening Emirates Stadium. Apologies for the confusion.

KICK IT OUT!
Today's game sees the culmination of a week-long series of activities around the country for the Kick It Out initiative, football's anti-racism campaign. Supporters will find an 'Arsenal For Everyone' card on their seats, please lift them up as the team walk out this afternoon. Turn to page 18 of today's programme to find out how the Club are showing their support for this very worthy cause and how we've backed the campaign over recent years.

MATCHDAY BIKE RACKS
The Club can now provide secure parking for push-bikes on a matchday. The cycle parking can be found behind Highbury House and is open from two hours before kick-off until one hour after the match. For access to the facility please report initially to the Highbury House Reception on Drayton Park.

HELP A LONDON CHILD
Ashley Weller is helping to raise funds for Capital Radio's Help A London Child. One of his fundraising initiatives involves Arsenal legend. Pat Jennings kindly donated a pair of his gloves to Ashley and he's inviting Arsenal fans to bid for the gloves, via e-mail at BigPatsGloves@aol.com. All bids need to be with Ashley by Friday, November 24.

THEO'S THE STAR
As mentioned in his exclusive interview on pages 76-79, Theo Walcott is one of the stars of a new exhibition at London's National Portrait Gallery, entitled: Exceptional Youth. The selection of portraits taken by Emma Hardy captures exceptional teenagers who have already made a positive contribution to British life and also includes the likes of Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Blaine Harrison from the band Mystery Jets. The exhibition runs from today until Sunday, April 8 in the Balcony Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery is in St Martin's Place, just 200 yards from both Charing Cross and Leicester Square underground stations. Opening hours are 10am - 6pm with late night opening (until 9pm) on Thursday and Fridays. Admission to the National Portrait Gallery is FREE.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Four players made their Arsenal first-team debuts in the 2-0 Carling Cup win at West Brom on Tuesday, and congratulations are therefore in order to Denilson, Matthew Connolly, Mark Randall and Armand Traore. Denilson and Mark both played in their customary central midfield positions, whilst Armand Traore played on the left side of midfield following the early substitution of Emmanuel Adebayor. Armand can also operate as a left full-back. Matthew Connolly played at right-back on Tuesday night and Matthew is also comfortable as a centre-half, where he regularly plays as captain of the Reserves side. Denilson was already confirmed as squad number 15; our three other new first-teamers are numbered as follows: Matthew Connolly: 33, Mark Randall: 43, Armand Traore: 45.

WELCOME TO EMIRATES STADIUM
Welcome to Emirates Stadium today Arfon Griffiths MBE, who played for Arsenal between 1961 and 1962. Arfon is now the club president at Wrexham FC. Enjoy your day.

CESC AND KOLO SIGN NEW CONTRACTS
Two of Arsenal Football Club's shining stars have recently signed new long-term contracts. Kolo Toure has committed his future to the Club and the backbone of the Gunners' defence was delighted to do so: "I can see myself staying here [at Arsenal] for the rest of my career," said 25 year-old Kolo. "Why would I want to leave? I love my football here, my family is settled here and the Club is ambitious. It is fantastic." And young midfield star Cesc Fabregas has also committed to the Club for the long term, signing an eight year contract - the longest in Premiership history! The 19 year-old is already one of the finest midfielders in Europe and he was delighted to commit his long-term future to Arsenal: "I am so happy here and I am delighted to have signed this new contract that will keep me at the Club for years to come," said Cesc. "I wanted to pay back the Club, especially Arsène Wenger for the support and faith he has shown in me. What is important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies. That is our main aim, that is my aim as well."

NEW BALLS PLEASE!
Supporters may be interested to note that today's game is the Gunners' last Premiership match for four months to be played with the white ball! With the clocks going back tomorrow, and winter now upon us, the Premier League will be changing to the Nike T90erow Hi-Vis ball for all Premiership games (the yellow ball!) from Saturday, November 4 until spring is in the air, Monday, February 26, 2007 when we will revert back to the white ball.

CARLING CUP DRAW
Following Arsenal's victory over West Brom on Tuesday, the Gunners have been drawn away from home in the Carling Cup Fourth Round.
The match will be played as under:

Everton v Arsenal
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Kick-off: 8pm
At Goodison Park

CHARLTON GAME RE-ARRANGED
Due to the effect of recently rearranged games for live television purposes on Saturday, December 30, 2006, our home game against Charlton Athletic - originally scheduled for Monday, January 1, 2007 - has been rearranged and will now take place as under:

Arsenal v Charlton Athletic
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Kick-off: 7.45pm
At Emirates Stadium

THE ARSENAL SHOPS
With the opening of Emirates Stadium, Arsenal also launched the flagship retail store, The Armoury, located at the south end of the stadium. The Armoury is widely regarded as having the most advanced design of any football retail space in the world and aims to provide Arsenal supporters with the ultimate shopping experience. With help from George Davies, the man behind the rise of Next, Per Una and George at Asda, Arsenal have created a large and spacious feel to the store, ensuring that supporters can make their trip as stress-free as possible.

The Armoury stocks everything from babygrows to limited edition prints, as well as holding a large printing area to get your favourite player's name on the back of your new shirt. The Armoury will stay open until 7pm on Thursday December 7 and 14, and 8pm on December 21 with a series of late night shopping events to ensure everyone can pick up those all important Christmas presents for the Arsenal supporter(s) in their life. The Armoury opening hours are: Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm
 
Along with The Armoury, the Club have also opened a second store called All Arsenal at the base of the Highbury House building on Drayton Park. Although significantly smaller, All Arsenal has all those Arsenal essentials including a printing area. Most significantly, All Arsenal houses the new Supporters Service Centre open from the beginning of November where supporters are able to speak to a Club representative about any membership or club service enquiry. Supporters will also be able to book Emirates Stadium Tours at the Supporters Service points. All Arsenal is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday but will remain open until 7pm on Tuesdays in December in the countdown to Christmas. All Arsenal is also open 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Arsenal World of Sport, located next to Finsbury Park Tube Station, remains open and will undergo a full renovation in 2007 to bring it in line with the Armoury and All Arsenal.

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