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Emirates Cup 2008
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The Emirates Tournament is fast becoming one of the most prestigious pre-season competitions in the world. The 2008 version was to see Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and Hamburg compete for the prize. With points awarded not just for wins and draws but also for goals scored, it encouraged attacking football which is always a bonus for the neutral. The McCarthy Family decided to attend day one of this festival of soccer, with Real v Hamburg and Arsenal v Madrid being on the card |
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| Arrival at The Emirates is following a few pints at Wetherspoons Victoria | These steps would be a challenging climb |
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| The Arsenal badge leaves nobody in any doubt as to whose home ground they are at | Tom McCarthy looking as happy as ever to be at The Emirates |
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| McCarthy enjoys a hotdog in the confides of the stadium | Tom McCarthy is also enjoying a hotdog |
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| The Emirates Stadium | 60000 would be inside of her today for the games |
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| The Main Stand | Tom is delighted to be at the Emirates for the first time |
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| McCarthy looks on in admiration | Jerzy Dudek warms up ahead of the first game of the day |
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| This Arsenal fan was very fit | Gunnersaurus Rex does his rounds |
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| These water sprinklers were reminiscent of the feeling in many mens trousers as they were about to get a glimpse of Guti | Madrid and Hamburg enter the arena |
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| Half time and Madrid lead Hamburg 1-0 | Martin Jol in his regulation tracksuit |
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| Ruuuuuuuuuud | Arjen Robben heads back up the touchline |
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| Martin now added to his already flair look with a turquoise hat | Raul was leading the line for Madrid |
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| Madrid attack with a corner | Robinho was on display despite constant links to Chelsea |
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| Madrid scored a late goal to give themselves a 2-1 win | A half-way stage pizza for McCarthy |
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| Arsenal and Juventus line up for their clash | The Arsenal players do their traditional gaying up before the game |
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| Claudio Ranieri was looking delightful | McCarthy wondered if Arsene had seen this photo being taken |
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| A free kick to the Gunners | David Trezeguet would get himself on the score sheet |
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| Juve attack with a corner | This free-kick would be completely scuffed, allowing Trezeguet to nip in and make it 1-0 |
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| Arsenal troop off at half time | The scoreboad tells a sorry story for all the Arsenal fans in attendance |
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| Emmanuel Adebayor warms up | Yes, it was the start of August. And yes, William Gallas is in full winter wear |
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| World cup winner and one of the flairest keepers around, Gianluigi Buffon was between the sticks | Olof Mellberg does a fine marking job on Adebayor |
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| The Emirates watches on in the hope of an Arsenal goal | Two more examples of flair, Abou Diaby and his orange boots, and Bacary Sagna with his fantastic hair |
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| Pavel Nedved is replaced | Theo Walcott applaudes the fans, despite a disappointing 1-0 defeat to all but end the hosts chances of defending the cup successfully |
