title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 11 July, Arsenal confirmed that the internationals who were in action for their respective countries in June were all back to London Colney. Two days later, manager Mikel Arteta named a 33-man squad for the trip to the United States where they would play three more friendlies. The 17-year-old defender Reuell Walters was the only academy player to travel with the first team to the US.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners faced fellow Premier League side Everton at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on 16 July. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both scored one goal in the first half, helping the team win 2–0. Four days later, Arsenal took on Major League Soccer side Orlando City at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Gunners won 3–1 with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the opener, Eddie Nketiah scoring the second, and Reiss Nelson scoring the third.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 23 July, the club played their third and final game of the USA tour – also the final game of the 2022 Florida Cup series – against Premier League side Chelsea at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. New signing Oleksandr Zinchenko made his non-competitive debut for Arsenal. In the 15th minute, Gabriel Jesus put the Gunners ahead with his fourth goal of pre-season. On 36 minutes, Martin Ødegaard added a further goal by sliding his shot low into the net. Bukayo Saka scored the third shortly after the hour mark. Albert Sambi Lokonga headed in a cross from Cédric Soares at the far post in the closing stages, making the score 4–0. Arsenal ended the 10-day trip to America with winning the Florida Cup.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners finished their pre-season campaign by thrashing La Liga side Sevilla 6–0 to claim the 2022 Emirates Cup on 30 July. The match saw four goals in the opening 20 minutes, courtesy of braces from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian completing his treble on 77 minutes before Eddie Nketiah netted in the final minute.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Before the start of the game against Sevilla, Arsenal announced that Martin Ødegaard was named their new men's first-team captain.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Last season, French centre-back William Saliba spent a year on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1. During his time with Marseille, Saliba made 52 appearances in all competitions, and helped the club to second in the league, whilst also reaching the semi-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League season. Saliba was named as Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and was awarded a position in the Team of the Year. He also won his first caps for France. In early June 2022, Saliba confirmed he would return to north London from his Marseille loan spell. He would wear the number 12 shirt from the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 19 May 2022, three days before the last game of the 2021–22 season, Arsenal announced that Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos joined Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart in a permanent transfer. On 24 May, the club confirmed Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny signed a new contract. On 10 June, Arsenal announced that they were to release nine players, two of whom, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, made men's first-team appearances for the Gunners. Eight days later, the club confirmed English striker and academy graduate Eddie Nketiah signed a new long-term contract, and would wear the number 14 shirt from the 2022–23 season, having previously worn the number 30. The departure of French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi to Ligue 1 side Marseille was announced on 1 July.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer transfer window on 10 June with Brazilian forward Marquinhos joining the club on a long-term contract from Série A side São Paulo. On 21 June, the club announced the signing of Portuguese midfielder Fábio Vieira from Primeira Liga side Porto. He was given the number 21 shirt. Six days later, the Gunners confirmed American goalkeeper and Arsenal fan Matt Turner joined the club from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, and would wear the number 30 shirt.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: In July 2022, the Gunners announced two signings of notable players from fellow Premier League side Manchester City, where Mikel Arteta spent three years and a half at as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola before returning to Arsenal as head coach. On 4 July, Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal on a long-term contract, and was assigned the number 9 shirt. With the ability to play in several attacking positions, he is one of the leading strikers in the Premier League during his six seasons in Manchester City. On 22 July, Ukrainian left-sided player and Arsenal supporter Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is comfortable operating in midfield and defence, joined the club on a long-term contract, and would wear the number 35 shirt. Jesus and Zinchenko had both won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup and a number of EFL Cups as Manchester City players. Manager Arteta believed that Jesus and Zinchenko would help bring a winning mentality to the young squad.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners continued their summer exodus after signing five players. In late July, the club announced the loan departures of English goalkeeper and academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo and Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares to League Two side Crewe Alexandra and Ligue 1 side Marseille respectively.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 2 August, Arsenal announced German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who had made 125 appearances for the club in all competitions, joined fellow Premier League side Fulham in a permanent transfer. On the next day, the Gunners confirmed English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale took the number one shirt, moving from his previous number 32 following Leno's move to Fulham.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The departures of five first-team players were announced afterwards, as English forward and academy graduate Folarin Balogun joined Ligue 1 side Reims on a one-year loan, Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira completed his transfer to Süper Lig side Galatasaray, Spanish defender Pablo Marí joined Serie A side A.C. Monza on a one-year loan deal, Icelandic goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson joined Süper Lig side Alanyaspor on loan for the 2022–23 season, and Ivorian winger Nicolas Pépé joined Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on a season-long loan.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On transfer deadline day, 1 September, two first-team players departed the club. English midfielder and academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined fellow Premier League side Southampton on a one-year loan. Spanish defender and academy graduate Héctor Bellerín, who had made 239 first-team appearances in all competitions and won three FA Cups with the club, joined La Liga side Barcelona in a permanent transfer.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: After the summer transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Just like the 2021–22 season, the Gunners began their campaign with a London derby away in the Premier League's first fixture on Friday, 5 August 2022, facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, managed by former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. Returning loanee William Saliba and new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko made their competitive debuts for the team in a 2–0 win. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header assisted by Zinchenko, becoming the first Brazilian to net a season-opening goal of a Premier League campaign. In the 85th minute, Bukayo Saka's cross was deflected home by Marc Guéhi to ensure Mikel Arteta registered his 50th league victory, making him the second-quickest manager to reach 50 top-flight wins for Arsenal after Arsène Wenger.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Eight days later, the club played their first home match of the season against Leicester City. Gabriel Jesus netted twice in the first half on his home debut, becoming the first player to score more than once on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal. The visitors were awarded a penalty before half-time when striker Jamie Vardy and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale collided in the box, but the decision was overturned after referee Darren England checked the pitchside monitor. Despite a Wiliam Saliba own goal in the 53rd minute, Granit Xhaka scored just two minutes later. Moments after James Maddison scored for the Foxes, Gabriel Martinelli netted in the 75th minute, making the score 4–2.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: It was reported on 15 August that manager Mikel Arteta appointed Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Jesus as the team's vice-captains to support skipper Martin Ødegaard.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 20 August, Arsenal continued their Premier League campaign, facing newly promoted Bournemouth away at Dean Court. Martin Ødegaard netted twice within the opening 11 minutes. Wiliam Saliba scored with a left-footed curled shot from the edge of the box to the top right corner in the 54th minute, becoming the youngest Frenchman to score a Premier League goal for the Gunners since Samir Nasri in November 2008 vs Manchester United, and sealing a 3–0 victory. The win vaulted them to the top of the Premier League for the first time since 17 January 2016 against Stoke City, and ensured it was the first time Arsenal had won their opening three fixtures since the 2004–05 season. Bukayo Saka became the second youngest player to play 100 times for the club in the Premier League, behind Cesc Fàbregas.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 26 August, the draw for the Europa League group stage was made. Arsenal were drawn in Group A, along with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt and Swiss champions Zürich.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: A day later, the Gunners played at home against newly promoted Fulham and former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who had signed with the Cottagers three days before the start of the Premier League season. In the 56th minute, Gabriel Magalhães hesitated to pick a pass and lost possession on the edge of his own box to allow Aleksandar Mitrović to put Fulham ahead. Eight minutes later, Martin Ødegaard equalised with a deflected strike from Bukayo Saka's pass. In the 85th minute, a Martinelli corner caused havoc in a congested box and Gabriel Magalhães redeemed himself with a scrambled finish from close range, making the score 2–1. The win marked Arteta's 100th Premier League game in charge and ensured it was the third time the club had won each of their first four games of a Premier League season, after 2003–04 and 2004–05. It was also the first time Arsenal conceded the first goal in the second half of a Premier League match and managed to come back and win since 26 December 2013 against West Ham United.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: It was reported on 30 August that midfielder Mohamed Elneny suffered a significant injury in the match against Fulham. He would be ruled out for two months.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal's last match of the month was against Aston Villa and former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez at home on 31 August. In the 30th minute, Gabriel Jesus put his side in front by sweeping a low effort past Villa goalkeeper Martinez after he had fumbled Granit Xhaka's deflected shot. The visitors found an equaliser directly from Douglas Luiz's corner in the 74th minute, as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale protested that he was impeded by Boubacar Kamara. The Gunners regained their lead with Gabriel Martinelli turning in Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross just three minutes later. The victory was the 200th Premier League win since the club moved to Emirates Stadium from Highbury back in 2006. It was the fourth time Arsenal had started a top-flight season with a run of five wins, after 1930–31, 1947–48 and 2004–05. Mikel Arteta became the 11th manager to have won the first five games of a Premier League season, after Kevin Keegan, Carlo Ancelotti, Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Alan Curbishley, José Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini, Pep Guardiola, Maurizio Sarri, and Jürgen Klopp.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal's performances in August led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After guiding the Gunners to wins in all five of their Premier League matches of the month, Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month, winning the award for the third time following his previous successes in September 2021 and March 2022. Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard, who both scored three goals in August, were nominated for Premier League Player of the Month. Gabriel Jesus' chip against Leicester City and William Saliba's strike against Bournemouth were both nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award. Though the latter two awards were ultimately won by Manchester City's Erling Haaland, and Allan Saint-Maximin's volley for Newcastle United at Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively. Jesus and Ødegaard were also nominated for PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award, which was ultimately won by Haaland. Jesus was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for August, and Saliba's strike against Bournemouth was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The club started September with a 1–3 defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United on Sunday, seeing their five-game winning start to the Premier League season come to an end. In the 12th minute, Gabriel Martinelli raced goalwards and finished past goalkeeper David de Gea, however video assistant referee Lee Mason suggested that referee Paul Tierney should check for a foul on Christian Eriksen by Martin Ødegaard in the build-up to the goal, and he changed his on-field decision. In the 35th minute, Antony scored for the hosts. Bukayo Saka levelled for the Gunners on the hour mark, ending his 10-game goal drought dating back to May. Marcus Rashford then netted twice in the 66th and 75th minute, helping the hosts to victory. Despite the loss, Arsenal remained top of the table. The game also saw new signing Fábio Vieira make his competitive debut for the team as a substitute in the 74th minute.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: After missing out on continental action last term, the Gunners began their fifth Europa League campaign on 8 September with a trip to Switzerland in a group stage match against Zürich, the reigning Swiss Super League champions. This was the first time the two teams played each other in a European game. New signings Marquinhos and Matt Turner made their competitive debuts and fellow new recruit Fábio Vieira got his full debut in a 2–1 win. In the 16th minute, Arsenal took the lead through Marquinhos converting from Eddie Nketiah's cutback. Zürich equalised in the 44th minute courtesy of Mirlind Kryeziu's penalty after Nketiah fouled Fidan Aliti inside the box. At half-time, the news broke of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Arsenal's players returned to the field wearing black armbands in respect, while a minute's silence was held before the start of the second half. In the 62nd minute, Nketiah atoned for his earlier error by heading the deciding goal at the far post from Marquinho's cross, becoming the fifth Englishman to score in three consecutive starts in the Europa League. The winner prompted a muted response from players on the pitch as well as manager Mikel Arteta, who also wore a black armband, on the sidelines in light of the news from Buckingham Palace.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal's home fixture against Everton, which was originally due to be played on 11 September, was postponed two days beforehand along with the entire weekend's English football league programme, as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Europa League group stage match between Arsenal and Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, originally scheduled to be played on 15 September, was postponed due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. It was announced on 14 September that the league match between Arsenal and Manchester City, which was originally scheduled for 19 October, was postponed to accommodate Arsenal's rearranged Europa League fixture against PSV Eindhoven, following discussions between UEFA, the Premier League and relevant clubs.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Ahead of the first international break of the season, the Gunners faced Brentford away at Brentford Community Stadium on 18 September. Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a rendition of the national anthem "God Save the King". In the 17th minute, William Saliba opened the scoring with a header from Bukayo Saka's corner. Eleven minute later, Gabriel Jesus doubled Arsenal's advantage with another header from Granit Xhaka's chip. In the 49th minute, Fábio Vieira collected a Saka pass in space outside the Brentford box and unleashed a strike that crashed in off the post, marking his first Premier League start, and sealing a 3–0 win. Eddie Nketiah made his 100th appearance for the team as a substitute in the 78th minute. As a schoolboy midfielder at the age of 15 years and 181 days, Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to replace Fábio Vieira in second-half stoppage time. He became the youngest player to ever appear in the Premier League – breaking the record previously held by Harvey Elliott, and the all-time English top-flight record held since August 1964 by former Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Forster, by three days. He also became Arsenal's youngest-ever player in any competition, breaking the previous record of 16 years and 177 days, set by Cesc Fàbregas in the 2003–04 League Cup. In the post-match presser, manager Mikel Arteta explained that they had to name Nwaneri and two other under-21 players on the bench because the first team had several injuries, especially the injury of midfielder Martin Ødegaard, and a "gut feeling" was behind his decision to send Nwaneri on.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 29 September, Arsenal announced that academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe had undergone surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his groin. He would return to full training in December.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Gabriel Jesus's impressive form was recognised with a nomination for September's PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month, which was ultimately won by Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Granit Xhaka was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for September, and Fábio Vieira's strike against Brentford was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: October 2022 would be a gruelling month for Arsenal. They would play five Premier League matches and four Europa League matches in 29 days, including two home games against Tottenham and Liverpool, and two games away to Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 1 October following the international break, it was North London derby day in the league as the club played at home to Tottenham. Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a right-footed curled shot from 25 yards assisted by Ben White. It was the first time Partey scored from outside the box for Arsenal, with what was his 65th attempt in all competitions. Spurs equalised in the 31st minute courtesy of Harry Kane's penalty after Gabriel Magalhães fouled Richarlison inside the box. In the 49th minute, Gabriel Jesus capitalised on a mix-up between goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and defender Cristian Romero to put the Gunners in front from close range shortly after Lloris spilled a Bukayo Saka shot. On 62 minutes Emerson Royal's reckless foul tackle from behind on Gabriel Martinelli prompted referee Anthony Taylor to produce a straight red card. Five minutes later, Granit Xhaka drilled a low shot past Lloris from the centre of the box, making the score 3–1. The win kept Arsenal on top of the Premier League table, and ensured it was the first time the club had won each of their last three Premier League home games against Tottenham since September 2013.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners resumed their Europa League campaign on 6 October with a home game against Bodø/Glimt, the defending Eliteserien champions. This was the first time the two teams met in a European competition. American goalkeeper Matt Turner made his home debut and kept his first clean sheet for Arsenal in a 3–0 win. Eddie Nketiah netted on his fourth Europa League start in a row by tapping home the rebound from Kieran Tierney's strike in the 23rd minute. Four minutes later, Fábio Vieira crossed for Rob Holding at the back post to head in a second. On 84 minutes, Gabriel Jesus danced past several defenders in the box to tee up Vieira to fire into the net. The win put the Gunners top of their Europa League group by two points over PSV Eindhoven with a game in hand.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 9 October, the club played their third consecutive home match of the month against Liverpool, a team that Arsenal had only won one of their last 14 Premier League matches against since the 2015–16 season and had failed to score in their past six meetings with in all competitions. The Gunners took the lead after just 58 seconds when captain Martin Ødegaard slipped the ball through three defenders to Gabriel Martinelli and he tucked the ball home. Liverpool equalised through Darwin Núñez in the 34th minute. At the end of the first half, Arsenal reclaimed the lead with Bukayo Saka tucking in Martinelli's low pass through the six-yard box at the back post from a swift counter. Liverpool again got back on terms through substitute Roberto Firmino in the 53rd minute. After Gabriel Jesus was fouled by Thiago inside the box, Saka scored the deciding goal from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, making the score 3–2, and sealing the Gunners' first win over Liverpool since July 2020. This was the fourth time Arsenal had won at least eight of their first nine league matches in a top-flight campaign, after 1947–48, 2004–05 and 2007–08.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Four days later, the Gunners travelled to Bodø, Norway – a town located just north of the Arctic Circle – to face Eliteserien side Bodø/Glimt. The game took place on an artificial pitch at Aspmyra Stadion, where the Norwegian team had won each of their last 14 home matches in European competition. On 24 minutes, Bukayo Saka's toe-poked effort was blocked by a defender, the rebound bounced off his face and past the goalkeeper. It was the only goal of the game, and the Gunners won 1–0.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal continued their Premier League campaign on 16 October, facing Leeds United away at Elland Road. The game saw goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale produce a man of the match display as the Gunners won 1–0. In a unique start to the game, a power cut outside the stadium after 60 seconds forced a 40-minute suspension, because referee Chris Kavanagh found that he lost communication with VAR, which would play a crucial role when the match eventually resumed. Once they got going again, Bukayo Saka scored the winning goal from a tight angle in the 35th minute, assisted by Martin Ødegaard. After a VAR check, Leeds were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute when William Saliba was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box, but striker Patrick Bamford dragged his effort wide of Ramsdale's left-hand post. In stoppage time, referee Kavanagh sent off defender Gabriel Magalhães for kicking out at Bamford and awarded the hosts a second penalty after discussing with his assistant, but both decisions were overturned after Kavanagh was suggested by VAR to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. This was the club's best start to a top-flight campaign as the Gunners had won nine of their first ten league games for the first time ever. The result also moved Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 20 October, the Gunners played the postponed Europa League match at home to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, which finished as runners-up in the 2021–22 Eredivisie. On 70 minutes, Granit Xhaka drove a right-footed effort into the bottom left corner from Takehiro Tomiyasu's right-wing cross, helping the hosts to a third straight 1–0 victory. The win marked Kieran Tierney's 100th appearance for the team, and ensured Arsenal qualified for the Europa League knockout stage with two group games to spare.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On the next day, the club announced that Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães signed a new long-term contract.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal headed to the south coast of England on 23 October facing Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium. In the 11th minute, Granit Xhaka put his side ahead with a right-footed strike from Ben White's cross. But the Gunners were unable to add a second goal, and the hosts found a leveller through Stuart Armstrong on 65 minutes. It ended Arsenal's eight-game winning run, and was also their first draw in 28 Premier League matches since January 2022.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 27 October, the Gunners travelled to the Netherlands to face Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven at Philips Stadion. After a tight first-half finished goalless, Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong both scored one goal in an eight-minute period, sealing a 2–0 win for the hosts, and ending Arsenal's four-game winning run in the Europa League. This was the first time the Gunners suffered an away defeat in the group stage of the Europa League since November 2017. The game also saw Gabriel Martinelli make his 100th appearance for the team in all competitions, and Granit Xhaka make his 50th Europa League appearance, becoming the second Swiss player to reach this milestone.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal's ninth and last match of the month was against newly promoted Nottingham Forest at home on 30 October. Before the start of the game, the team paid tribute to their on-loan defender Pablo Marí, who was recovering after being stabbed in an Italian supermarket on 27 October. The players did the same by holding up a shirt with Mari's name on it after Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring with a diving header. Before the half hour mark, Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury and was replaced by academy graduate Reiss Nelson, who netted twice in the early stages of the second half, becoming the first Englishman to score a brace as a substitute for the Gunners in a Premier League game. Thomas Partey added the fourth with a long-range strike before a Martin Ødegaard shot made it 5–0. The victory was Arsenal's 300th at Emirates Stadium since the club moved from Highbury in 2006. The win also marked Granit Xhaka's 200th Premier League appearance for the team, and kept them on top of the table.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners' performances in October led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After guiding Arsenal to four wins and a draw from their five Premier League games of the month, Mikel Arteta was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month, though it was eventually awarded to Newcastle's Eddie Howe. Granit Xhaka, who scored two goals for the team in October, was shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month, which was won by Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron. Thomas Partey's long-range effort against Tottenham was nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award, but it was given to Miguel Almiron's volley for Newcastle at Fulham. Xhaka was also nominated for PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award, which was ultimately won by Almiron. Granit Xhaka was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for October, and Thomas Partey's strike against Tottenham was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 3 November, the Gunners hosted Swiss side Zürich at Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group game. Gabriel Jesus started as Arsenal's captain for the first time, and Mohamed Elneny made his return from a hamstring injury after two months out. In the 17th minute, Kieran Tierney scored the only goal of the game with a left-footed shot from 20 yards to the bottom right corner, helping the team win 1–0. The victory meant that the Gunners had finished top of their group in all five of their participations in the UEFA Europa League. This was the first time Arsenal had kept a clean sheet in all three of their home group-stage games in a single European campaign since the 2008–09 season. They would go straight into the Europa League round of 16 in March 2023, skipping the knockout play-off round in February.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arsenal went on to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 6 November, a match that saw manager Mikel Arteta reach 150 games in all competitions – the same number of appearances he made for the Gunners as a player. Oleksandr Zinchenko was back in the starting line-up after missing nine games with a calf injury. Gabriel Magalhães's close-range finish from Bukayo Saka's corner in the 63rd minute earned the visitors a 1–0 win. This was Arteta's 87th victory in charge of Arsenal – more than any of his predecessors, including George Graham and Arsene Wenger, over the equivalent period.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Three days later, the Gunners entered the EFL Cup in the third round, facing Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at home. The 20-year-old Estonia international keeper and academy graduate Karl Hein made his competitive debut for the first team and started in goal, becoming the fourth Estonian to start for an EPL side. Arsenal took the lead through Eddie Nketiah's 20th-minute strike after Reiss Nelson's run from the halfway line. The Seagulls equalised on 27 minutes courtesy of Danny Welbeck's penalty after Hein slipped and tripped him inside the box. Two counter-attacking goals from Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey in the second half saw the visitors win 3–1 and end the Gunners' 12-match winning run at home. This was the second time in 20 seasons that Arsenal had failed to progress past the third round of the EFL Cup (formerly League Cup).


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 12 November, Mikel Arteta's side played their last game before the World Cup break against Wolverhampton Wanderers away at Molineux Stadium. In the 54th minute, captain Martin Ødegaard tapped Fábio Vieira's cross in from close range. On 75 minutes, the Norwegian drilled in the rebound after Gabriel Martinelli's low effort was denied by the goalkeeper, making the score 2–0. The win moved Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, the biggest lead they had at the top of the league since December 2013. The Gunners would be top on Christmas Day for the first time since 2007.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The 2022 World Cup would take place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December. Ten Arsenal players were named in squads for the tournament: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Ben White (England), William Saliba (France), Thomas Partey (Ghana), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), and Matt Turner (United States).


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 18 November, the club appointed Edu Gaspar, a member of "The Invincibles" team of the 2003–04 Arsenal season who re-joined the Gunners as technical director from the Brazilian Football Confederation in July 2019, as their first-ever sporting director.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: It was reported on 28 November that the first-team players who were not in action for their respective countries were back to London Colney for mid-season friendlies in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and London.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 4 December, manager Mikel Arteta named a 27-man squad – including thirteen academy players – for the trip to the United Arab Emirates where they would play two friendlies in the Dubai Super Cup.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Two days later, Arsenal confirmed that striker Gabriel Jesus had undergone surgery to his right knee after suffering an injury during Brazil's World Cup group stage match against Cameroon on 2 December. The club did not give any timescale on his return.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The Gunners faced Ligue 1 side Lyon at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on 8 December. Gabriel Magalhães, Eddie Nketiah and Fábio Vieira each scored one goal in the first half, helping the team win 3–0. The friendly also feature a post-match penalty shootout and Arsenal earned an extra point by edging that 2–1, with young goalkeeper Karl Hein making four saves out of five.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Arteta's side played their second and final game of the Dubai tour against Serie A side Milan at Al Maktoum Stadium on 13 December. The Gunners won 2–1 with Martin Ødegaard scoring the opener and Reiss Nelson scoring the second. Karl Hein made a save in the post-match penalty shootout as Arsenal triumphed 4–3 and earned a bonus point. This ensured that the Gunners claimed the Dubai Super Cup with eight points.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: After flew back to England, Arsenal hosted Serie A side Juventus for their final friendly during the World Cup break at Emirates Stadium on 17 December. A Granit Xhaka own goal and a strike from Samuel Iling-Junior snatched victory for the Italian team. The game also saw Reiss Nelson limp off with a muscle injury in the 22nd minute.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following Arsenal Academy players featured in a first-team matchday squad during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: This is Adidas's fourth year supplying Arsenal kit, having taken over from Puma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season. On 30 September 2022, Arsenal announced the extension of the partnership with Adidas until 2030.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: On 19 April 2022, Arsenal announced that they would travel to the United States in July to compete in the FC Series as part of their preparations during pre-season with matches against Orlando City and Chelsea. On 10 May, a further US tour friendly was confirmed against Everton in The Charm City Match in July. On 18 May, La Liga side Sevilla revealed their participation in the 2022 Emirates Cup in late July. On 6 June, Arsenal announced that they would travel to Germany to face 1. FC Nürnberg as part of a pre-season training camp at the Adidas headquarters in July, before heading to the US.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: In order to prepare for the resumption of the Premier League following the mid-season World Cup break, Arsenal announced that they were going to partake in a warm-weather training camp in Dubai in early December. This involved participating in the Dubai Super Cup against Lyon and Milan on 8 and 13 December respectively, at the Al Maktoum Stadium. Points, in addition to those earned in the initial 90 minutes, would be awarded through a mandatory penalty shootout; the team with most points overall after two matches (alongside a fourth participant in fellow Premier League side Liverpool) would be crowned champions of the competition. Arsenal then announced a final friendly against Serie A side Juventus to be played, at home, on 17 December, 9 days before the resumption of their domestic season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: As a result of finishing top of the group, Arsenal advanced directly to the round of 16. The round of 16 draw will be held on 24 February 2023. Arsenal will be a seeded team and will be drawn to play the second leg at home.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: "Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total goals are equal. Players with no goals not included in the list."


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: "Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total assists are equal. Players with no assists not included in the list."


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: "Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list."


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: "Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Players with no clean sheets not included in the list."


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: "Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total number of games where a player started as captain are equal. Players with no games started as captain not included in the list."


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The winner of the award was chosen from goals scored by both the men's and women's teams via a poll on the club's official website.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: Mikel Arteta was named the Premier League's Manager of the Month for August 2022, winning the award for the third time following his previous successes in September 2021 and March 2022.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The winner of the award was chosen by a combination of an online public vote, a panel of experts, and the captain of each Premier League club.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The winner of the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award was chosen by an online public vote.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players made their competitive debuts for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players made their 50th appearances for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players made their 100th appearances for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players made their 150th appearances for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players registered their first assists for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following players kept their first clean sheets for Arsenal's first team during the 2022–23 season.


title: 2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

text: The following first-team players were ruled out for at least 30 days after suffering an injury during the 2022–23 season.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife, Inc. is the holding corporation for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), better known as MetLife, and its affiliates. MetLife is among the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, with 90 million customers in over 60 countries. The firm was founded on March 24, 1868. MetLife ranked No. 43 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.


title: MetLife

text: On January 6, 1915, MetLife completed the mutualization process, changing from a stock life insurance company owned by individuals to a mutual company operating without external shareholders and for the benefit of policyholders. After 85 years as a mutual company, MetLife demutualized into a publicly traded company with an initial public offering in 2000. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia's Pacific region, Europe, and the Middle East. MetLife serves 90 of the largest Fortune 500 companies.


title: MetLife

text: The company's head offices and boardroom are located at the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and New York City which MetLife owned from 1981 to 2005; despite the sale, MetLife increased its leased footprint in the building beginning in 2015.


title: MetLife

text: In January 2016, the company announced that it would spin off its U.S. retail business, including individual life insurance and annuities for the retail market, in a separate company called Brighthouse Financial, which launched in March 2017. The continuing MetLife company kept naming rights to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.


title: MetLife

text: , the company was "organized into five segments: Insurance Products, Retirement Products," the US Business (including Auto & Home and Corporate Benefit Funding), and International. The Insurance Products division was the largest unit, accounting for 53% of 2009 revenue. By 2015, a division referred to as "Americas" had emerged.


title: MetLife

text: As of May 2019, MetLife's chief executive officer was Michel A. Khalaf and its non-executive chairman of the board was Glenn Hubbard.


title: MetLife

text: In 2015, MetLife hired Hugh Dineen to fill the new role of chief marketing officer within the US Business Unit.


title: MetLife

text: As in many large, public corporations, MetLife has a compensation committee which establishes compensation levels for the company's senior executives; MetLife compensation emphasizes "variable performance-based compensation over fixed or guaranteed pay".


title: MetLife

text: MetLife subsidiaries and affiliates have included MetLife Investors, MetLife Bank, MetLife Securities, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, General American, MetLife Legal Plans, MetLife Resources, New England Financial, Walnut Street Securities, Inc., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Inc., and Tower Square Securities, Inc., Cigna.


title: MetLife

text: The subsidiary MetLife Insurance Company USA, as of 2015 headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, was formerly known as MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, and prior to this as Travelers Insurance Company.


title: MetLife

text: Metlife in partnership with Tishman Realty & Construction co-owns the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The land on which the hotels are located on is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is leased to Metlife and Tishman (which owns the buildings) and operated by Marriott International as a Westin hotel.


title: MetLife

text: The predecessor company to MetLife began in 1863 when a group of New York City businessmen raised $100,000 to found the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company. The company insured Civil War sailors and soldiers against disabilities due to wartime wounds, accidents, and sickness. On March 24, 1868, it became known as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and shifted its focus to the life insurance business.


title: MetLife

text: A severe business depression that began with the Panic of 1873 forced the company to contract, until it reached its lowest point in the late 1870s. After observing the insurance industry in Great Britain in 1879, MetLife President Joseph F. Knapp brought “industrial” or “workingmen's” insurance programs to the United States – insurance issued in small amounts on which premiums were collected weekly or monthly at the policyholder's home. By 1880, sales had exceeded a quarter million of such policies, resulting in nearly $1 million in revenue from premiums. In 1909, MetLife had become the nation's largest life insurer in the United States, as measured by life insurance in force (the total value of life insurance policies issued).


title: MetLife

text: In 1890, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Building was commissioned to serve as MetLife's home office on 23rd Street in Manhattan. The building was completed in stages through 1905. A clock tower was commissioned adjacent to the home office in 1907, and when completed two years later, the building was the world's tallest until 1913. The home office complex, which came to include the Metropolitan Life North Building remained the company's headquarters until 2005. For many years, an illustration of the Metropolitan Life Tower (with light emanating from the tip of its spire and the slogan, "The Light That Never Fails") featured prominently in MetLife's advertising.


title: MetLife

text: In 1905, MetLife faced lost a legal case, "Pavesich v. New England Life Insurance Company", where they attempted to use an image of another person for promotion but this was ruled a breach of privacy and libelous: this case became a standardly cited case on privacy in US law.


title: MetLife

text: By 1930, MetLife insured one of five men, women, and children in the United States and Canada. During the 1930s, it also began to diversify its portfolio by reducing the percentage of individual mortgages in favor of public utility bonds, investments in government securities, and loans for commercial real estate. The company financed the Empire State Building's construction in 1929 as well as provided capital for Rockefeller Center's construction in 1931. During World War II, MetLife placed more than 51 percent of its total assets in war bonds and was the largest single private contributor to the Allied cause.


title: MetLife

text: During the post-war era, the company expanded its suburban presence, decentralized operations, and refocused its career agency system to serve all market segments. It also began to market group insurance products to employers and institutions. By 1979, operations were segmented into four primary businesses: group insurance, personal insurance, pensions, and investments. In 1981 MetLife purchased the Pan Am Building from a group that included Pan American World Airways for the price of $400 million. The building was subsequently renamed and the prominently displayed Pan Am logo was replaced with the MetLife logo.


title: MetLife

text: In 2000, MetLife converted from a mutual insurance company operated for the benefit of its policyholders to a for-profit public company. The de-mutualization process allowed MetLife to enter unrelated insurance businesses and increase executive compensation.


title: MetLife

text: Policyholders received some stock in the new company in this process. MetLife was accused of breaching federal securities laws by misrepresenting and omitting information in materials given to policyholders during this process, resulting in years of litigation ending with a $50 million settlement in 2009.


title: MetLife

text: From 2004 to 2011, MetLife continued to hold its position as the largest life insurer in the United States. The company had $2.5 trillion in policies written, $350 billion in assets under management, over 12 million customers in the United States, 8 million customers outside the United States, and a net income in 2003 of $2.2 billion. That year, "Barron's" reported that 13 million American households owned at least one product from MetLife.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife named Robert H. Benmosche as chairman and CEO in July 1999. Benmosche occupied the position until 2006, when he was replaced by C. Robert Henrikson.


title: MetLife

text: The company's sales grew 11.5% between 2008 and 2009, despite the national recession. In 2011, CEO Robert Henrikson was replaced by Steven A. Kandarian, who had overseen the company's " investment portfolio" as chief investment officer. Henrikson remained the company's chairman to the end of 2011, at which point he reached the company's mandatory retirement age.


title: MetLife

text: In 2015, MetLife was ranked as number one on "Fortune" magazine's list of World's Most Admired Companies in the Insurance: Life and Health category.


title: MetLife

text: In the summer of 2017, MetLife plans to add a third office building of 255,000 square feet at its Cary, North Carolina Global Technology Campus, giving the company a total of 655,000 square feet at a location which has over 1,000 employees in such areas as engineering, software and technology. This plan was the result of North Carolina awarding the company $94 million in incentives in 2013 for creating over 2,600 jobs, half in Cary and half in Charlotte.


title: MetLife

text: In 2012, MetLife failed the Federal Reserve's (the Fed's) Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review stress test, intended to predict the potential failure of the company in a recession. The Fed stated that the minimum total risk-based capital ratio should be 8% and it estimated MetLife's ratio at 6%. The company had requested approval for a share repurchase to prop up the stock price, along with an increased dividend. Because MetLife owned MetLife Bank, it was subject to stricter financial regulation. To escape that level of regulation, MetLife announced the sale of its banking unit to GE Capital. On November 2, 2012, MetLife said it was selling its mortgage servicing business to JPMorgan Chase for an undisclosed amount. Both sales were part of its strategy to focus on the insurance side of its business.


title: MetLife

text: The attempt to escape "too big to fail" regulation was not successful. In September 2014, the United States government observed the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law by proposing the application of an official label to MetLife as "systemically important" to the American economy. If implemented, MetLife would be subject to different sets of rules and regulations, with increased oversight from the Federal Reserve. The company appealed this proposal in November 2014. In December 2014, federal regulators decided that MetLife required the special regulations reserved for financial companies and organizations deemed "systemically important," or "too big to fail". MetLife announced in January 2015 that it would file a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to overturn the federal regulators' decision, thus becoming the first nonbank to challenge such a decision. Three other nonbank companies have been designated as "systemically important": AIG, General Electric and Prudential. MetLife continued to litigate this issue as of mid-2015, with the US Department of Justice asking that their challenge be dismissed.


title: MetLife

text: On August 7, 2012, it was announced that MetLife will pay $3.2 million in fines after the Federal Reserve charged it used unsafe and unsound practices in handling its mortgage servicing and foreclosure operations.


title: MetLife

text: In 2014, MetLife paid $23 million to settle multiple lawsuits over junk fax operations used to generate leads for life insurance sales.


title: MetLife

text: In 2015, MetLife Home Loans LLC paid $123.5 million to the United States Department of Justice to resolve allegations it knowingly made mortgages insured by the United States government that didn't meet federal underwriting requirements.


title: MetLife

text: , MetLife had a "diverse product mix" which included insurance (home, car and life), variable life annuities and structured settlements, commercial mortgages and securities backed by commercial mortgages, and sovereign debt.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife's individual life insurance products and services comprise term life insurance and several types of permanent life insurance, including whole life, universal life, and final expense whole life insurance. These services vary in regards to the duration and amount of coverage available and whether a medical exam is required for coverage. The company also offers group life insurance, provided through employers, which consists of term life, permanent life, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States, based on life insurance in-force.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife offers group dental benefit plans for individuals, employees, retirees and their families and provides dental plan administration for over 20 million people. Plans include MetLife's Preferred Dentist Program (PPO) and the SafeGuard DHMO (available for both individuals and employees in CA, FL, TX, NJ and NY.). As of May 2010, MetLife's dental PPO network included over 135,000 participating dentist locations nationwide while the dental HMO network included more than 13,000 participating dentist locations in California, Florida and Texas. MetLife also administers dental continuing education program for dentists and allied health care professionals, which are recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).


title: MetLife

text: MetLife provides disability products for individuals as well as employee and association groups who receive them through their employer. For individuals, the company's individual disability income insurance can replace a portion of lost income if an individual is unable to work due to sickness or injury. MetLife offers several individual disability income policies, including MetLife Income Guard, OMNI Advantage, OMNI Essential, Business Overhead Expense, and Buy-Sell. The policy options provided by the company vary in terms of eligibility and the provided coverage. For groups, MetLife offers short term disability insurance and long term disability insurance. Short term disability insurance is structured to replace a portion of an individual's income during the initial weeks of a disabling illness or accident. Long term disability Insurance serves to replace a portion of an individual's income during an extended period of a disabling illness or accident. The company also maintains an absence management product which allows employers to track and manage both planned and unplanned employee absences. The product, which MetLife calls MetLife Total Absence Management, is structured for businesses with 1,000 or more employees.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife is among the largest providers of annuities in the world, recording $22.4 billion in sales during 2009. MetLife offers annuities which consist of fixed annuities, variable annuities, deferred annuities and immediate annuities. In 1921, MetLife was the first company to issue a group annuity contract. More recently in 2004, it was the first insurer to introduce a longevity insurance product. As of December 31, 2009, MetLife globally managed group annuity assets of $60 billion with $34 billion of transferred pension liabilities and provided benefit payments to over 600,000 annuitants per month.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife Auto & Home is the brand name for MetLife's nine affiliate personal lines insurance companies. Collectively these companies offer personal lines property and casualty insurance policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The flagship company in the MetLife Auto & Home group, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company, was founded in 1972. MetLife Auto & Home companies presently have over 2.7 million active policies and service 58 of the Fortune 100 companies.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife's home insurance includes homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, insurance for landlords, and mobile home insurance. The available policies for MetLife's home insurance provide coverage for possessions, property damage from natural disaster or theft, and various legal expenses incurred resulting from injuries sustained on an individual's property. The companies also sell RV, ATV, boat, mobile home, collectible vehicle, and motorcycle policies and offers flood insurance policies as a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is managed by the federal government. MetLife's various types of coverage for auto insurance include liability protection, collision and comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection, rental car coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Through an arrangement with Hyatt Legal Plans, a subsidiary of MetLife, MetLife Auto & Home underwrites group legal plans in many states.


title: MetLife

text: It was the first national insurer in the United States to offer identity-theft resolution services at no extra premium and as of 2012 continues to do so today in most United States states. In 2010, MetLife Auto & Home began offering their GrandProtect plan in most states. This GrandProtect policy simplifies complex insurance needs by combining a client's home, valuable items, autos, RVs, and boats into one comprehensive policy package. The ultimate benefits to the consumer are having one bill, only one deductible, comprehensive coverage, and typically lower rates than trying to get each policy individually.


title: MetLife

text: On December 11, 2020, Farmers Insurance Group, which is owned by Zurich Insurance agreed to purchase MetLife’s auto and home insurance business for $3.94 billion. At the time of announcement, MetLife auto and home was 18th largest auto insurer in the U.S, with a presence in all 50 states writing $2.4 billion in auto premiums in 2019. Farmers Insurance Group completed it's purchase of MetLife's auto and home books of business on April 8, 2021. As part of the transaction, Farmers secured a 10-year marketing agreement with MetLife to offer Farmers products on MetLife’s group benefits platform, currently serving over 3,800 employers and 37 million employees of the companies utilizing MetLife to provide employee benefits. Farmers acquired MetLife policies as is, with no immediate intentions on changing the policy terms of existing MetLife customers to match those of current Farmers policies.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife's products also include critical illness insurance. Financial services include fee-based financial planning, retirement planning, wealth management, 529 Plans, banking, and commercial and residential mortgages. The company also provides retirement plan and other financial services to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit organizations. The MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning is a group of planners which serve families and individuals with special needs. In 2014, MetLife launched MetLife Defender, a digital identity theft protection product.


title: MetLife

text: Outside of the United States, MetLife operates in Latin America, Europe, Asia's Pacific region, and the Middle East, with leading market positions in Mexico, Japan, South Korea and Chile.


title: MetLife

text: On March 8, 2010, MetLife announced its intent to purchase the international leader life-insurance business, American Life Insurance Company (Alico), from American International Group (AIG). MetLife, which completed the deal on November 1, 2010, paid approximately $7.2 billion in cash and $9.0 billion in MetLife equity and other securities. The securities portion of the deal consisted of 78.2 million shares of MetLife common stock, 6.9 million shares of contingent convertible preferred stock and 40 million equity units. The values of the common and preferred stock were based on the closing price of MetLife's common stock on October 29. Upon completion of the purchase, MetLife became a leading competitor in Japan, the world's second-largest life insurance market, and moved into a top 5 market position in many high growth emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Romania, the Middle East and Latin America. The deal added 20 million customers to MetLife's 70 million and according to "Barron's" more than doubled the percentage of operating profits that MetLife gets abroad to 40%.


title: MetLife

text: In India MetLife has an affiliate company "India Insurance Company Limited (MetLife)" which has operated in India since 2001. This company has its headquarters in Bangalore and Gurgaon and was jointly owned by MetLife and a few local Indian financial companies. In 2012 an agreement was made with local Indian bank, the Punjab National Bank to establish a strategic alliance and for it to take a 30% share in MetLife India. The state owned bank would in return sell MetLife insurance products in its branches


title: MetLife

text: As of 2015, Julio Garcia-Villalon leads the Middle East & Africa regional business, which is headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre and has operated in the region since the 1950s.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife Foundation is MetLife's independent charitable and grant-awarding foundation. It was founded in 1976 and had provided over $650 million in grants by January 2015. The foundation has partnered with and donated to a variety of organizations, including Habitat for Humanity since 2010 and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation since 2008. In 2013, the MetLife Foundation announced a new focus on financial inclusion, including educational programs on basic financial planning for disadvantaged children and financial services aimed at low-income communities. According to the OECD, MetLife Foundation’s financing for 2019 development increased by 20% to US$14 million.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife's use of comic strip characters since the mid 1980s, according to chief marketing officer Esther Lee, was intended "to make our company more friendly and approachable during a time when insurance companies were seen as cold and distant."


title: MetLife

text: MetLife licensed Snoopy and other "Peanuts" characters for promotional purposes from the Iconix Brand Group, which owns the promotional rights to the works of Charles M. Schulz. In 2010, Iconix formed a joint venture with Schulz's heirs (as Charles Schulz himself died in 2000), buying out E. W. Scripps Co. and United Features Syndicate for $175 million. MetLife was reported to pay $12 million per year to Iconix for licensing rights. Prior to the Iconix deal, MetLife had licensed the characters from other rights-holders.


title: MetLife

text: The Peanuts-based campaign was developed by the advertising agency Young & Rubicam. MetLife also has used Foote Cone & Belding to develop Peanuts-related promotions.


title: MetLife

text: MetLife announced the end of its 31-year relationship with "Peanuts" on October 20, 2016. This decision resulted from the company's sale of its life insurance business to concentrate on corporate clients. MetLife's new blue and green logo was criticized for being a knock-off of comparison website Diffen.


title: MetLife

text: The MetLife blimp program began in 1987 with the “Snoopy 1” airship and, in 1994, expanded to include the “Snoopy 2” airship. The program provided aerial coverage to over 80 major sporting events every year and became the official aerial coverage provider of the PGA Tour. “Snoopy 1” and “Snoopy 2” also provided overhead television coverage for the NFL, CBS College Football, the LPGA, the NBA Finals, Copa Chile, the Preakness Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby. When MetLife ended their ‘’Peanuts’’ branding, they also brought the blimp program to a close.


title: MetLife

text: In 1959, The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (as it was known at the time) released tables of the best weight for each height for longevity, based on their collected insurance data. These tables showed what were characterized as “desirable weights”. In 1983, the company released tables showing the “ideal” weights for greatest longevity; this information was based on data collected in the Build Study of 1979 collected by the Society of Actuaries. This data followed patients for 18 years (1954–1972) and was collected from 25 life insurance companies in Canada and the United States, representing 4.2 million people. These “ideal” weights were higher than the prior “desirable” weights, this was attributed to an increase in muscle mass due to improved fitness levels among the population.


title: MetLife

text: This study is still the largest available pool of data for this purpose. It was noticed that the average weights in the population are higher than the ideal weights for survival. The ‘’’Metropolitan Tables’’’ included ‘’small’’, ‘’medium’’ and ‘’large’’ frames, based on elbow-girth measured using calipers, as the elbows do not develop adipose tissue. They presented weight ranges for height, sex and body frame (again associated with the lowest mortality) The midpoint of the ideal weight for the medium frames for each height was selected as the “ideal” weight used for calculations of “excess weight” (initial weight minus ideal weight). This led to a formula to calculate the ideal weight used by bariatric surgeons, but it had lost considerable accuracy by 2007, again due to improvements in medical care and in public health.


title: Markov decision process

text: In mathematics, a Markov decision process (MDP) is a discrete-time stochastic control process. It provides a mathematical framework for modeling decision making in situations where outcomes are partly random and partly under the control of a decision maker. MDPs are useful for studying optimization problems solved via dynamic programming. MDPs were known at least as early as the 1950s; a core body of research on Markov decision processes resulted from Ronald Howard's 1960 book, "Dynamic Programming and Markov Processes". They are used in many disciplines, including robotics, automatic control, economics and manufacturing. The name of MDPs comes from the Ukrainian mathematician Andrey Markov as they are an extension of Markov chains.


title: Markov decision process

text: At each time step, the process is in some state formula_1, and the decision maker may choose any action formula_2 that is available in state formula_1. The process responds at the next time step by randomly moving into a new state formula_4, and giving the decision maker a corresponding reward formula_5.


title: Markov decision process

text: The probability that the process moves into its new state formula_4 is influenced by the chosen action. Specifically, it is given by the state transition function formula_7. Thus, the next state formula_4 depends on the current state formula_1 and the decision maker's action formula_2. But given formula_1 and formula_2, it is conditionally independent of all previous states and actions; in other words, the state transitions of an MDP satisfy the Markov property.


title: Markov decision process

text: Markov decision processes are an extension of Markov chains; the difference is the addition of actions (allowing choice) and rewards (giving motivation). Conversely, if only one action exists for each state (e.g. "wait") and all rewards are the same (e.g. "zero"), a Markov decision process reduces to a Markov chain.


title: Markov decision process

text: The state and action spaces may be finite or infinite, for example the set of real numbers. Some processes with countably infinite state and action spaces can be reduced to ones with finite state and action spaces.


title: Markov decision process

text: A policy function formula_28 is a (potentially probabilistic) mapping from state space (formula_14) to action space (formula_15).


title: Markov decision process

text: The goal in a Markov decision process is to find a good "policy" for the decision maker: a function formula_28 that specifies the action formula_32 that the decision maker will choose when in state formula_1. Once a Markov decision process is combined with a policy in this way, this fixes the action for each state and the resulting combination behaves like a Markov chain (since the action chosen in state formula_1 is completely determined by formula_32 and formula_36 reduces to formula_37, a Markov transition matrix).


title: Markov decision process

text: The objective is to choose a policy formula_28 that will maximize some cumulative function of the random rewards, typically the expected discounted sum over a potentially infinite horizon:


title: Markov decision process

text: where formula_42 is the discount factor satisfying formula_43, which is usually close to 1 (for example, formula_44 for some discount rate r). A lower discount factor motivates the decision maker to favor taking actions early, rather than postpone them indefinitely.


title: Markov decision process

text: A policy that maximizes the function above is called an "<dfn>optimal policy</dfn>" and is usually denoted formula_45. A particular MDP may have multiple distinct optimal policies. Because of the Markov property, it can be shown that the optimal policy is a function of the current state, as assumed above.


title: Markov decision process

text: In many cases, it is difficult to represent the transition probability distributions, formula_46, explicitly. In such cases, a simulator can be used to model the MDP implicitly by providing samples from the transition distributions. One common form of implicit MDP model is an episodic environment simulator that can be started from an initial state and yields a subsequent state and reward every time it receives an action input. In this manner, trajectories of states, actions, and rewards, often called "<dfn>episodes</dfn>" may be produced.


title: Markov decision process

text: Another form of simulator is a "<dfn>generative model</dfn>", a single step simulator that can generate samples of the next state and reward given any state and action. (Note that this is a different meaning from the term generative model in the context of statistical classification.) In algorithms that are expressed using pseudocode, formula_47 is often used to represent a generative model. For example the expression formula_48 might denote the action of sampling from the generative model where formula_1 and formula_2 are the current state and action, and formula_4 and formula_52 are the new state and reward. Compared to an episodic simulator, a generative model has the advantage that it can yield data from any state, not only those encountered in a trajectory.


title: Markov decision process

text: These model classes form a hierarchy of information content: an explicit model trivially yields a generative model through sampling from the distributions, and repeated application of a generative model yields an episodic simulator. In the opposite direction, it is only possible to learn approximate models through regression. The type of model available for a particular MDP plays a significant role in determining which solution algorithms are appropriate. For example, the dynamic programming algorithms described in the next section require an explicit model, and Monte Carlo tree search requires a generative model (or an episodic simulator that can be copied at any state), whereas most reinforcement learning algorithms require only an episodic simulator.


title: Markov decision process

text: Solutions for MDPs with finite state and action spaces may be found through a variety of methods such as dynamic programming. The algorithms in this section apply to MDPs with finite state and action spaces and explicitly given transition probabilities and reward functions, but the basic concepts may be extended to handle other problem classes, for example using function approximation.


title: Markov decision process

text: The standard family of algorithms to calculate optimal policies for finite state and action MDPs requires storage for two arrays indexed by state: "value" formula_53, which contains real values, and "policy" formula_28, which contains actions. At the end of the algorithm, formula_28 will contain the solution and formula_56 will contain the discounted sum of the rewards to be earned (on average) by following that solution from state formula_1.


title: Markov decision process

text: The algorithm has two steps, (1) a value update and (2) a policy update, which are repeated in some order for all the states until no further changes take place. Both recursively update a new estimation of the optimal policy and state value using an older estimation of those values.


title: Markov decision process

text: Their order depends on the variant of the algorithm; one can also do them for all states at once or state by state, and more often to some states than others. As long as no state is permanently excluded from either of the steps, the algorithm will eventually arrive at the correct solution.


title: Markov decision process

text: the formula_28 function is not used; instead, the value of formula_32 is calculated within formula_56 whenever it is needed. Substituting the calculation of formula_32 into the calculation of formula_56 gives the combined step:


title: Markov decision process

text: where formula_66 is the iteration number. Value iteration starts at formula_67 and formula_68 as a guess of the value function. It then iterates, repeatedly computing formula_69 for all states formula_1, until formula_53 converges with the left-hand side equal to the right-hand side (which is the "Bellman equation" for this problem). Lloyd Shapley's 1953 paper on stochastic games included as a special case the value iteration method for MDPs, but this was recognized only later on.


title: Markov decision process

text: In policy iteration , step one is performed once, and then step two is performed once, then both are repeated until policy converges. Then step one is again performed once and so on.


title: Markov decision process

text: Instead of repeating step two to convergence, it may be formulated and solved as a set of linear equations. These equations are merely obtained by making formula_72 in the step two equation. Thus, repeating step two to convergence can be interpreted as solving the linear equations by Relaxation (iterative method)


title: Markov decision process

text: This variant has the advantage that there is a definite stopping condition: when the array formula_28 does not change in the course of applying step 1 to all states, the algorithm is completed.


title: Markov decision process

text: In modified policy iteration (; ), step one is performed once, and then step two is repeated several times. Then step one is again performed once and so on.


title: Markov decision process

text: In this variant, the steps are preferentially applied to states which are in some way important – whether based on the algorithm (there were large changes in formula_53 or formula_28 around those states recently) or based on use (those states are near the starting state, or otherwise of interest to the person or program using the algorithm).


title: Markov decision process

text: The solution above assumes that the state formula_1 is known when action is to be taken; otherwise formula_32 cannot be calculated. When this assumption is not true, the problem is called a partially observable Markov decision process or POMDP.


title: Markov decision process

text: For this purpose it is useful to define a further function, which corresponds to taking the action formula_2 and then continuing optimally (or according to whatever policy one currently has):


title: Markov decision process

text: While this function is also unknown, experience during learning is based on formula_80 pairs (together with the outcome formula_4; that is, "I was in state formula_1 and I tried doing formula_2 and formula_4 happened"). Thus, one has an array formula_85 and uses experience to update it directly. This is known as Q-learning.


title: Markov decision process

text: Reinforcement learning can solve Markov-Decision processes without explicit specification of the transition probabilities; the values of the transition probabilities are needed in value and policy iteration. In reinforcement learning, instead of explicit specification of the transition probabilities, the transition probabilities are accessed through a simulator that is typically restarted many times from a uniformly random initial state. Reinforcement learning can also be combined with function approximation to address problems with a very large number of states.


title: Markov decision process

text: Another application of MDP process in machine learning theory is called learning automata. This is also one type of reinforcement learning if the environment is stochastic. The first detail learning automata paper is surveyed by Narendra and Thathachar (1974), which were originally described explicitly as finite state automata. Similar to reinforcement learning, a learning automata algorithm also has the advantage of solving the problem when probability or rewards are unknown. The difference between learning automata and Q-learning is that the former technique omits the memory of Q-values, but updates the action probability directly to find the learning result. Learning automata is a learning scheme with a rigorous proof of convergence.


title: Markov decision process

text: The states of such an automaton correspond to the states of a "discrete-state discrete-parameter Markov process". At each time step "t" = 0,1,2,3..., the automaton reads an input from its environment, updates P("t") to P("t" + 1) by "A", randomly chooses a successor state according to the probabilities P("t" + 1) and outputs the corresponding action. The automaton's environment, in turn, reads the action and sends the next input to the automaton.


title: Markov decision process

text: Other than the rewards, a Markov decision process formula_86 can be understood in terms of Category theory. Namely, let formula_87 denote the free monoid with generating set "A". Let Dist denote the Kleisli category of the Giry monad. Then a functor formula_88 encodes both the set "S" of states and the probability function "P".


title: Markov decision process

text: In this way, Markov decision processes could be generalized from monoids (categories with one object) to arbitrary categories. One can call the result formula_89 a "context-dependent Markov decision process", because moving from one object to another in formula_90 changes the set of available actions and the set of possible states.


title: Markov decision process

text: In discrete-time Markov Decision Processes, decisions are made at discrete time intervals. However, for continuous-time Markov decision processes, decisions can be made at any time the decision maker chooses. In comparison to discrete-time Markov decision processes, continuous-time Markov decision processes can better model the decision making process for a system that has continuous dynamics, i.e., the system dynamics is defined by ordinary differential equations (ODEs).


title: Markov decision process

text: Like the discrete-time Markov decision processes, in continuous-time Markov decision processes we want to find the optimal "policy" or "control" which could give us the optimal expected integrated reward:


title: Markov decision process

text: If the state space and action space are finite, we could use linear programming to find the optimal policy, which was one of the earliest approaches applied. Here we only consider the ergodic model, which means our continuous-time MDP becomes an ergodic continuous-time Markov chain under a stationary policy. Under this assumption, although the decision maker can make a decision at any time at the current state, they could not benefit more by taking more than one action. It is better for them to take an action only at the time when system is transitioning from the current state to another state. Under some conditions,(for detail check Corollary 3.14 of "Continuous-Time Markov Decision Processes"), if our optimal value function formula_107 is independent of state formula_66, we will have the following inequality:


title: Markov decision process

text: If there exists a function formula_110, then formula_111 will be the smallest formula_112 satisfying the above equation. In order to find formula_111, we could use the following linear programming model:


title: Markov decision process

text: formula_116 is a feasible solution to the D-LP if formula_116 is nonnative and satisfied the constraints in the D-LP problem. A feasible solution formula_118 to the D-LP is said to be an optimal solution if


title: Markov decision process

text: for all feasible solution formula_116 to the D-LP. Once we have found the optimal solution formula_118, we can use it to establish the optimal policies.


title: Markov decision process

text: In continuous-time MDP, if the state space and action space are continuous, the optimal criterion could be found by solving Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) partial differential equation. In order to discuss the HJB equation, we need to reformulate


title: Markov decision process

text: formula_123 is the terminal reward function, formula_124 is the system state vector, formula_125 is the system control vector we try to find. formula_126 shows how the state vector changes over time. The Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation is as follows:


title: Markov decision process

text: We could solve the equation to find the optimal control formula_125, which could give us the optimal value function formula_107


title: Markov decision process

text: Continuous-time Markov decision processes have applications in queueing systems, epidemic processes, and population processes.


title: Markov decision process

text: The terminology and notation for MDPs are not entirely settled. There are two main streams — one focuses on maximization problems from contexts like economics, using the terms action, reward, value, and calling the discount factor or , while the other focuses on minimization problems from engineering and navigation, using the terms control, cost, cost-to-go, and calling the discount factor . In addition, the notation for the transition probability varies.


title: Markov decision process

text: In addition, transition probability is sometimes written formula_130, formula_131 or, rarely, formula_132


title: Markov decision process

text: Constrained Markov decision processes (CMDPs) are extensions to Markov decision process (MDPs). There are three fundamental differences between MDPs and CMDPs.


title: Markov decision process

text: There are a number of applications for CMDPs. It has recently been used in motion planning scenarios in robotics.


title: Lourdes

text: Lourdes (, , ; ) is a market town situated in the Pyrenees. It is part of the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France. Prior to the mid-19th century, the town was best known for the Château fort de Lourdes, a fortified castle that rises up from a rocky escarpment at its center.


title: Lourdes

text: In 1858 Lourdes rose to prominence in France and abroad due to the Marian apparitions claimed to have been seen by the peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, who was later canonized. Shortly thereafter the city with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes became one of the world's most important sites of pilgrimage and religious tourism.


title: Lourdes

text: The current municipal area of Lourdes was inhabited in prehistoric times. In Roman times it had to be, since the first century BC, an oppidum hill where today stands the fortress, as is testified by the numerous finds that came to light in the second half of the nineteenth century (remains of walls, fragments of a citadel, a pagan temple dedicated to the gods of water). Its buildings were discovered soon after the demolition of the parish of Saint Pierre (which took place in the early twentieth century), along with remains of pottery and three votive altars. In the fifth century, the temple was replaced by an early Christian church, destroyed later because of a fire. In the immediate vicinity of the place of worship was a necropolis of whose date and size there are no notes. The presence in the locality of a Roman road (and a possible second path perpendicular to the previous one) that connected the Pyrenean piedmont with Narbonne led to the hypothesis that the town could match "quell'oppidum novum" mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary.


title: Lourdes

text: From 732 to 778, Lourdes was possessed by Muslims of Al-Andalus. However, during the 8th century, Lourdes and its fortress became the focus of skirmishes between Mirat, the Muslim local leader, and Charlemagne, King of the Franks. Charlemagne had been laying siege to Mirat in the fortress for some time, but the Moor had so far refused to surrender. According to legend, an eagle unexpectedly appeared and dropped an enormous trout at the feet of Mirat. It was seen as such a bad omen that Mirat was persuaded to surrender to the Queen of the Sky by the local bishop. He visited the Black Virgin of Puy to offer gifts, so he could make sure this was the best course of action and, astounded by its exceptional beauty, he decided to surrender the fort and converted to Christianity. On the day of his baptism, Mirat took on the name of Lorus, which was given to the town, now known as Lourdes.


title: Lourdes

text: Little is known of Lourdes in the period from the barbarian invasions to the Carolingian period when the town was part of the County of Bigorre. The fortress was at times the seat of counts and, during the Albigensian Crusade, it was the subject of disputes between various local lords. Ultimately it came under the domination of the Counts of Champagne. In the fourteenth century Lourdes was first occupied by Philip the Fair, then, during the Hundred Years' War, by the English, who controlled it for nearly half a century, from 1360 to 1407, through local feudal lords such as Pierre Arnaud de Béarn and, later, his brother Jean de Béarn. The English were able to take advantage of the excellent strategic situation and the prosperity of an eleventh century market that had been increasingly consolidated thanks to its proximity and good communications with Toulouse and Spain, managing to secure important gains for those who held the town. In the town, which developed in the valley, east of the fort, there were 243 fires at the beginning of the fifteenth century, compared to 150 of the thirteenth century.


title: Lourdes

text: After being the residency of the Bigorre counts, Lourdes was given to England by the Brétigny Treaty which bought a temporary peace to France during the course of the Hundred Years War with the result that the French lost the town to the English, from 1360. In 1405, Charles VI laid siege to the castle during the course of the Hundred Years War and eventually captured the town from the English following the 18-month siege.


title: Lourdes

text: During the late 16th century, France was ravaged by the Wars of Religion between the Roman Catholics and the Huguenots. In 1569, Count Gabriel de Montgomery attacked the nearby town of Tarbes when Queen Jeanne d’Albret of Navarre established Protestantism there. The town was overrun, in 1592, by forces of the Catholic League and the Catholic faith was re-established in the area. In 1607 Lourdes finally became part of the Kingdom of France.


title: Lourdes

text: The castle became a jail under Louis XV but, in 1789, the General Estates Assembly ordered the liberation of prisoners. Following the rise of Napoleon in 1803, he again made the Castle an Estate jail. Towards the end of the Peninsular War between France, Spain, Portugal, and Britain in 1814, British and Allied forces, under the Duke of Wellington, entered France and took control of the region and followed Marshall Soult's army, defeating the French near the adjoining town of Tarbes before the final battle, outside Toulouse on 10 April 1814, brought the war to an end.


title: Lourdes

text: Up until 1858, Lourdes was a quiet, modest, country town with a population of around 4,000. The castle was occupied by an infantry garrison. The town was a place people passed through on their way to the waters at Barèges, Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and for mountaineers on their way to Gavarnie.


title: Lourdes

text: Then on 11 February 1858, a 14-year-old local girl, Bernadette Soubirous, claimed a beautiful lady appeared to her in the remote Grotto of Massabielle. This lady later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception and the faithful believed her to be the Blessed Virgin Mary. The lady appeared 18 times, and by 1859 thousands of pilgrims were visiting Lourdes. A statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was erected at the site in 1864.


title: Lourdes

text: During World War II, pilgrimage to Lourdes declined dramatically as hotels and other accommodation was requisitioned, and travel became difficult. Despite this, Lourdes became a focus for religious resistance. Refugees from Lorraine visited in 1941, led by their own exiled bishop Joseph Jean Heintz. Lourdes was the destination for a tour of the statue of Our Lady of Boulogne (known as Le Grand Retour) which aimed to secure the spiritual salvation of France. In 1944, a peace pilgrimage to Lourdes took place. Even when war ended, pilgrimages took a while to return to their pre-war levels as the usual trains and pilgrimage ships were in use elsewhere, or destroyed.


title: Lourdes

text: Since the apparitions, Lourdes has become one of the world's leading Catholic Marian shrines. Pope John Paul II visited the shrine twice, on 15 August 1983, and 14–15 August 2004. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorized special indulgences to mark the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes.


title: Lourdes

text: Lourdes is located in southern France in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains near the prime meridian. It is overlooked from the south by the Pyrenean peaks of Aneto, Montaigu, and Vignemale (3,298 m), while around the town there are three summits reaching up to which are known as the "Béout", the "Petit Jer" (with its three crosses) and the "Grand Jer" (with its single cross). The Grand Jer is accessible via the funicular railway of the Pic du Jer. The Béout was once accessible by cable car, although this has fallen into disrepair. A pavilion is still visible on the summit.


title: Lourdes

text: Lourdes lies at an elevation of and in a central position through which runs the fast-flowing river Gave de Pau from the south, coming from its source at Gavarnie; into it flow several smaller rivers from Barèges and Cauterets. The Gave then branches off to the west towards the Béarn, running past the banks of the Grotto and on downstream to Pau and then Biarritz.


title: Lourdes

text: On land bordered by a loop of the Gave de Pau is an outcrop of rock called "Massabielle" (from "masse vieille": "old mass"). On the northern aspect of this rock, near the riverbank, is a naturally occurring, irregularly shaped shallow cave or grotto, in which the apparitions of 1858 took place.


title: Lourdes

text: According to believers, the Virgin Mary appeared to Maria Bernada Sobirós (in her native Occitan language) on a total of eighteen occasions at Lourdes (Lorda in her local Occitan language). Lourdes has become a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healings. The 150th Jubilee of the first apparition took place on 11 February 2008 with an outdoor Mass attended by approximately 45,000 pilgrims.


title: Lourdes

text: Today Lourdes has a population of around 15,000, but it is able to take in some 5,000,000 pilgrims and tourists every season. With about 270 hotels, Lourdes has the second greatest number of hotels per square kilometer in France after Paris. Some of the deluxe hotels like Grand Hotel Moderne, Hotel Grand de la Grotte, Hotel St. Étienne, Hotel Majestic and Hotel Roissy are located here.


title: Lourdes

text: In the evening of February 11, 1858, a young Roman Catholic girl, Bernadette, went to fetch some firewood with her sister and another companion when a Lady who was indescribably beautiful appeared to her at the Massabielle grotto. Although the Lady did not tell Bernadette her name when asked at first, she told her to return to the grotto. On subsequent visits, the Lady revealed herself to be the "Immaculate Conception". This was a reference to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception which had been defined only four years earlier in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, stating that the Virgin Mary herself had been conceived without sin. Bernadette, having only a rudimentary knowledge of the Catholic faith, did not understand what this meant but she reported it to her parish priest, Father Peyremale. He, though initially very skeptical of Bernadette's claims, became convinced when he heard this because he knew the young girl had no knowledge of the doctrine. The Lady also told Bernadette to dig in the ground at a certain spot and to drink from the small spring of water that began to bubble up. Almost immediately cures were reported from drinking the water. Today thousands of gallons of water gush from the source of the spring, and pilgrims are able to bathe in it. Countless purported miracle cures have been documented there, from the healing of nervous disorders and cancers to cases of paralysis and even of blindness. During the Apparitions, Bernadette Soubirous prayed the Rosary. Pope John Paul II wrote: "The Rosary of the Virgin Mary [is] a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness".


title: Lourdes

text: The climate of Lourdes, due to the proximity of the city to the Atlantic, is oceanic ("Cfb" in the Köppen climate classification). It is quite mild for most of the year with moderate rainfall in summer and quite high rainfall in winter – about 120 rainy days and more than of average annual precipitation. The summers are warm, the autumn and spring mild, while winter is cool. Because of the proximity of the city to the Pyrenees, Lourdes, like other areas of the Pyrenean Piedmont, however, can be affected in winter by sporadic waves of frost: in January 1985 the thermometer marked -17° Fahrenheit, -27°C (historical record from 1934 to the present). A summer temperature of 102° Fahrenheit, 39 °C, was recorded in August 2003. The reference station of Lourdes is to Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, located approximately from the town, in the airport area of Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées, 360 m.


title: Lourdes

text: Yearly from March to October the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a place of mass pilgrimage from Europe and other parts of the world. The spring water from the grotto is believed by some Catholics to possess healing properties.


title: Lourdes

text: An estimated 200 million people have visited the shrine since 1860, and the Roman Catholic Church has officially recognized 69 healings considered miraculous.


title: Lourdes

text: Cures are examined using Church criteria for authenticity and authentic miracle healing with no physical or psychological basis other than the healing power of the water.


title: Lourdes

text: Tours from all over the world are organized to visit the Sanctuary. Connected with this pilgrimage is often the consumption of or bathing in the Lourdes water which wells out of the Grotto.


title: Lourdes

text: At the time of the apparitions, the grotto was on common land which was used by the villagers variously for pasturing animals and collecting firewood, and it possessed a reputation for being an unpleasant place.


title: Lourdes

text: The five-domed St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lourdes was designed by Myroslav Nimciv, while its Byzantine interior polychrome decorations were executed by artist Jerzy Nowosielski and the iconostasis by Petro Kholodny. The church was consecrated in 1982. It is about a 10-minute walk from the basilica and the grotto, on a street named in honour of Ukraine, 8 Rue de l'Ukraine, situated on a narrow piece of property close to the railroad station. Visible from the basilica, the height of the building makes up for its narrow breadth.


title: Lourdes

text: Although the town is most famous for its shrines it is also notable for its Rugby union team, FC Lourdes, which during the mid-twentieth century was one of the most successful teams in France, winning the national championship eight times from 1948 to 1968. Their most famous player is Jean Prat, who represented his country 51 times.


title: Lourdes

text: Since 2015, the local mountain biking course has been home to a UCI Downhill World Cup round each season.


title: Lourdes

text: Lourdes is served by Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport situated from the town centre. (Many visitors also fly to Pau Pyrénées Airport.) This airport is served by Ryanair from London Stansted, Dublin, Lisbon, Kraków and Milan Bergamo, and three other airlines: AlbaStar, Austrian and Volotea. The airport also offers seasonal charter flights to and from the largest European cities. The town's railway station Gare de Lourdes is served by SNCF and TGV trains, including a high-speed TGV service from Paris which takes four-and-a-half hours. Many pilgrims also arrive via bus service from France and Spain.


title: Lourdes

text: Lourdes has two main schools, one public and one private. The private school, the "Lycée Peyramale St Joseph", was founded by two monks just two years before the apparitions; it is named after the priest Dominique Peyramale, who was present during the apparitions. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007. The newer public school is called the "Lycée de Sarsan".


title: Rockwell scale

text: The Rockwell scale is a hardness scale based on indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test measures the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load (major load) compared to the penetration made by a preload (minor load). There are different scales, denoted by a single letter, that use different loads or indenters. The result is a dimensionless number noted as HRA, HRB, HRC, etc., where the last letter is the respective Rockwell scale.


title: Rockwell scale

text: The differential depth hardness measurement was conceived in 1908 by Viennese professor Paul Ludwik in his book "Die Kegelprobe" (crudely, "the cone test"). The differential-depth method subtracted out the errors associated with the mechanical imperfections of the system, such as backlash and surface imperfections. The Brinell hardness test, invented in Sweden, was developed earlier – in 1900 – but it was slow, not useful on fully hardened steel, and left too large an impression to be considered nondestructive.


title: Rockwell scale

text: Hugh M. Rockwell (1890–1957) and Stanley P. Rockwell (1886–1940) from Connecticut in the United States co-invented the "Rockwell hardness tester," a differential-depth machine. They applied for a patent on July 15, 1914. The requirement for this tester was to quickly determine the effects of heat treatment on steel bearing races. The application was subsequently approved on February 11, 1919, and holds . At the time of invention, both Hugh and Stanley Rockwell worked for the New Departure Manufacturing Co. of Bristol, CT. New Departure was a major ball bearing manufacturer which in 1916 became part of United Motors and, shortly thereafter, General Motors Corp.