Arsenal have been in bullish mood this week and have told Barcelona where they can stick their interest in Cesc Fabregas. Supporters will hope that the board maintain their stance and don’t cave in under the pressure from the Catalans and perhaps the player on his return from the World Cup.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Arsenal blogs which has included…Cesc’s comments highlight Barca’s flaws; Walcott finds himself at a crossroads and Van Persie eyes dream attacking quartet.
Plus we have taken a look at the best Arsenal stories on the Web this week.
WAG IDOL – The Arsenal Heat
If the PL BIG Four were musical artists…
Fabregas comments highlight Barca’s flaw
Van Persie eyes dream attacking quartet
If he hates Arsenal so much…perhaps he should move on!
Yoann Gourcuff – The man to soften Arsenal’s blow this summer?
The evolution of the full back role encapsulated perfectly by Arsenal
Hugo is a luxury Wenger could do without
Cantona, Bergkamp, Messi…the ‘False Nine’ is effective but underused
Walcott finds himself at a career crossroads
Top 10 managers’ quotes of the season
Best of Web
As an Arsenal fan it’s win win, it will be interesting to hear the excuses or fun to see the new and improved team. – Le Grove
Summer Fun: The Musical Starring Cole, Gorcuff and Cesc – A Cultured Left Foot
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In defence of Theo – Online Gooner
We are arguing about a rumour so let put forward our list, the window is now officially open. – Le Grove
Never Thought I’d Say This But Here It Goes…… – Wrighty7
“Arsenalisation” continued (The renaming of the stands and reintroduction of the clock) – Online Gooner
Theo’s KO, Aaron’s OK And Other Gossip – A Cultured Left Foot
England scraped a 1-0 win over Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon to qualify for the last 16 of this summer's World Cup finals.
Jermain Defoe's first-half strike was enough put the Three Lions into the next stage, but Fabio Capello's men finish as Group C runners-up following USA's last-gasp 1-0 triumph over Algeria.
England started the game nervously with Matthew Upson replacing Jamie Carragher in defence and Defoe and James Milner coming into the starting 11 for Emile Heskey and Aaron Lennon.
Successive fouls by Glen Johnson saw referee Wolfgang Stark have a stern word and it was the dangerous Valter Birsa who forged the first shooting opportunity of the day as he cut in from the right to fire straight at David James.
A number of corners fell England's way, but the inspired Samir Handanovic in the Slovenia goal kept the men in red at bay.
But, in the 23rd minute, Capello's men grabbed the crucial breakthrough. Fine play on the right between Johnson and Milner led to the Aston Villa man sending a mouth-watering ball into the area.
Defoe was on hand to beat his marker and shin the ball at Handanovic. The shot-stopper got two strong hands to the effort, but he could only tip his strike into the roof of the net to send the England faithful wild in the stands.
England were now in the ascendency and another right-wing cross from Milner was palmed to the edge of the box where Frank Lampard fired narrowly over. Johnson's centre then almost found Steven Gerrard at the back post, but the Liverpool man's control let him down.
Then Handanovic kept his side in the contest as he saved from Defoe. The ball ricocheted to Wayne Rooney and his clever pass found Gerrard unmarked, but the England captain's side-footed strike was turned away as a second goal beckoned.
Immediately after the re-start, Rooney's quickly-taken corner almost brought Defoe's second of the day.
His corner was punched away by Handanovic and, as the ball was looped back in, Defoe, with his back to goal, nonchalantly flicked wide from six yards out.
The 1966 World Cup winners began to dominate once more, but the failure to score that elusive second goal allowed Slovenia to grow in hope.
Defoe had a goal disallowed for offside and then John Terry had his header expertly turned behind by Handanovic.
Rooney missed another gilt-edged chance to put the opposition out of sight from the resulting corner.
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Lampard hoisted the ball into the area to the unmarked and onside front man, but he could only watch his tame effort bounce off the post after Handanovic made another telling stop.
Sloppy play from Gareth Barry allowed Birsa to break with 20 minutes remaining and, as the ball broke to Milivoje Novakovic, he could only shoot at Terry. Substitute Zlatko Dedic was then cruelly denied by Johnson as England rode their luck.
Joe Cole and Heskey made their way into the action as Capello freshened things up and, with time running out, Upson made a last-ditch diving challenge to deny Dedic.
However, England held firm to seal their place in the last 16 where they will meet Germany, Ghana, Serbia or Australia on Sunday afternoon.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal have followed the example set by north London rivals Tottenham and banned vuvuzelas from the Emirates Stadium.
Spurs were the first Premier League club to block fans from bringing the controversial World Cup instrument to White Hart Lane on match days.
A number of Championship clubs had already banned the plastic horn before Spurs' decision to act.
Now the Gunners have followed suit after citing the "safety and enjoyment" of fans as reasons for the ban.
During the early stages of the World Cup, players, supporters and broadcasters claimed the continued noise from the traditional South African instrument was a distraction to the on-pitch action.
"Further to their hugely debated involvement at this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, Arsenal Football Club has decided to forbid the use of vuvuzelas within Emirates Stadium with immediate effect," read a club statement.
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"This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on match days, which is of paramount importance to the club."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Liverpool have emerged as the most likely destination for Nice striker Loic Remy who had been expected to sign for West Ham United.
Reds boss Roy Hodgson is a big fan of the 23-year-old while Nice's chief executive, Patrick Governatori, has claimed that both Liverpool and Tottenham have made bids for the player.
Remy admitted:"I have never hidden my desire to play in England. It will be a choice between two clubs with big futures. I have a slight preference for a prestige club like Liverpool, even though Tottenham are also very, very interesting.
"Nothing has been decided. Wherever I play, I'll have to fight and work hard to win my place."
Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold, as well as vice-chairman Karren Brady, flew to the south of France on Wednesday in a an attempt to seal a £12million deal for the player but it now appears that Liverpool could hijack their plans.
Remy scored 11 league goals in his first season at Nice and found the net 14 times in 34 Ligue 1 appearances for the club last term.
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Meanwhile, Emiliano Insua is set to join Fiorentina and Benfica are hoping to snap up Damien Plessis.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Since his breakout performances at this summer’s World Cup, rumours have been flying around the internet about the future of Mesut Ozil. However, the player himself has put paid to the speculation by saying he intends to remain at Werder Bremen until the end of his contract. Speaking to German tabloid Bild am Sonntag, Ozil said: “For now, my situation for the next 12 months is clear. Only the facts count and the fact is, I am under contract with Werder. I cannot know what comes after that.”
The news that Ozil is staying at Werder this season is set to disappoint potential Premier League suitors Arsenal and Manchester United who have been heavily linked with a move for the playmaker. Nevertheless, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger can both find solace in the fact that by seeing out his contract at Werder Bremen, Ozil would be available on a free transfer come the end of the season.
The decision by Ozil to snub interest from the Premier League, albeit for one season at least shows that the profile of German football is definitely on the up. Their imperious displays at the World Cup won the Germans many fans with their unique brand of high octane attacking football; a brand of football based upon the foundation of home-grown youth.
Germany has been quietly producing technically gifted and exciting young players, as evidenced by looking at the players in Joachim Low’s World Cup squad. Along with Ozil, there are number of promising young Germans who play regularly in the Bundesliga. There is Ozil’s teammate at Bremen Marko Marin who impressed alongside Ozil in the Bremen midfield last season. There is also a clutch of Bayern Munich youngsters in the German national team set-up including defender Holger Badstuber, midfielder Toni Kroos and Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller. In addition to the youth talent in the Bundesliga, many of the established international players also play in the German league showing the strength in depth that is present in Germany’s national league.
The success of Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League has similarly helped to raise the awareness of German football. Their spending power and European pedigree has allowed the Bavarian club to attract some of the biggest names in world football to the Allianz Arena. In the past few years, Bayern have brought in superstars such as Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben whose scintillating form carried Bayern into the Champions League final.
With some of Bayern’s big signings, the Bundesliga is becoming an attractive destination for both players and managers alike. Despite attracting attention from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, Danish defender Simon Kjaer chose to reject the Premier League and join German side Wolfsburg from Palermo. Indeed, Kjaer’s new boss, Steve McClaren left his post in Twente to become the new manager at the Volkswagen Arena.
Ozil’s decision to stay with Werder Bremen could prove to be a wise one. He would be guaranteed playing time which is something that neither Manchester United or Arsenal can give him. In the end, the prospect of one more season of regular football could prove to justify Ferguson and Wenger’s interest and make Ozil an even hotter prospect for the future.
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United’s draw against Fulham came in such a manner that for many it actually seemed like a loss. However as the ever-chatty Mickey Phelan stated: “It was points dropped not a match lost.” So what did United’s draw at Craven Cottage tells us this weekend? The obvious one would be that Paul Scholes is like a fine wine/ the best midfielder in PL history/the only cool ginger man on the planet- but I already covered that following the Newcastle game so I won’t bother repeating it. However there was much to ascertain from Sunday’s game-4-4-2 could be the new 4-5-1 and Fergie still loves the BBC are just a couple of points that became evident, here’s five things we learnt.
1. 4-4-2 is back in fashion. Okay, so United didn’t win, sorry for stating the bleeding obvious, but one thing was as clear as the penalty not given against Nemanja Vidic- Dimitar Berbatov should not be dropped. Despite not being a clinical as he perhaps should be, the Bulgarian has started the season well and deserves to be playing regularly- or at the very least given a decent run. With Wayne Rooney hopefully off his toilet very soon then we should see him linking up with Berbatov to form the sort of strike partnership that United fans have been hoping for since the former Spurs striker shook hands with Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford- as Sky Sports went into hysterics at the ‘exclusive pictures.’ It’s not just Berbatov that makes sticking with the more traditionally United formation of 4-4-2 seem logical – Michael Carrick and Anderson would arguably not bring more to the team if they were brought in at the number 9’s expense. There’s a case to be made that even if Berbatov is not fit then Chicharito should be given a chance as part of a front two. If Scholes does need a rest, which although unfortunate is inevitable, then one of the aforementioned midfield men could come in and do the job, but switching to 4-5-1 for the big games, which was the norm last season, is looking like becoming a thing of the past.
2.There is a Plan B after Wazza. Okay so United didn’t win- and I assure you that’s the last time I’m going to say that, but they did score goals- sort of-and do enough at least attacking wise to win the game. Usually two goals would see United beat nearly any team. It’s easy to look at the Reds failure to take all three points and turn it into a simple equation United minus Rooney equals no win. However it wasn’t the bug riddled scousers absence that cost United all three points it was defensive lapses -and the penalty miss, which I’ll get to later. Hopefully United players can take solace from the fact that despite missing out on what would have been a cracking win, and despite there being room for improvement, they still performed better, scored more goals and took more from the game than they have in the previous two seasons.
3. West Ham need to suffer. With Chelsea destroying teams with aplomb and the struggling Hammers at OT in United’s next fixture it’s an ideal opportunity to show the Champions that they’re not the only ones who can take apart teams. The United chant “we often score six but we seldom score ten” is in danger of becoming synonymous with the Chelsea side. However while I don’t expect to see United put six past West Ham- although a hat-trick apiece for Rooney and Berbatov would be splendid, I still think a convincing victory is required. Not only will it all but erase the memory of the points dropped at Fulham but it was also let the rest of the Premier League know that United are still capable of giving teams a good hiding. The recent hysterical drooling from certain sections of the press regarding Chelsea’s two wins over p*ss poor opposition does at least underline one fact- last season the West Londoners goal difference was tantamount to an extra point. Although after only two games it’s far too soon to start worrying about goal difference, United do not want to let it become an for advantage for Chelsea early on in the season. Teams that come to Old Trafford cautious and fearful always end up being comfortably beaten and if United can instil that fear into visiting teams early on this season in it should make the quest for a nineteenth title that little bit easier. It’s just a shame Mick McCarthy doesn’t manage all the visitors.
4. Nani you are okay (you are okay, you are okay, Nani). The penalty miss by Mr Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha no doubt cost United two points and many thought Ryan Giggs should have taken it. Fergie himself said that Giggs who scored two penalties in the game against Spurs last season was no doubt the man for the job. However while I at first was fuming with the Portuguese winger’s profligacy, once the smoke had cleared it was time for a bit of rational perspective. Nani is nothing if not supremely confident and it’s that confidence that United are going to need this season as he’s one of the real match winners the Reds have got. While missing a penalty is always disappointing, United should still have been able to hold out for a win and let’s not forget this isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened. A few seasons ago Cristiano Ronaldo missed a late penalty against West Ham who promptly scored a last minute equaliser shortly afterwards. Penalty misses happen- even Eric Cantona did it –very rarely though- and my point is Nani shouldn’t blame himself, it was a decent enough strike- although admittedly a ‘nice height for the goalkeeper’- which produced a good save. Let’s just hope that come the end of the season United fans aren’t looking at is as one of those title costing incidents.
5. The BBC is still off Fergie’s Christmas card list. One of the biggest questions before the match was whether Ferguson would finally end his six-year feud with the BBC and give a post match interview to Match of the Day. Obviously time has not healed the wound the Beeb caused on the United manager by ‘dissing’ his son so he’s still ‘not having it.’ While it all seems a little inconsequential following such an exciting and drama ridden game, it does mean the saga is set to continue with newer facets. The Premier League has declared it is going to order a review regarding the situation- no doubt Fergie’s on a plane to Venezuela as we speak.
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Read more of Justin Mottershead’s work on his blog “Name on the Trophy”
Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan gave their opinion on Wayne Rooney; on his current form, and the causes relating to the media circus surrounded his jaded life at the moment. Sir Alex spoke of Rooney finally coming to terms with just how much interest he is to the country’s press, while Keegan chose to question Rooney’s decisions regarding endorsements i.e. he should take the rough with the smooth.
Ferguson did not come out and blame the media. He is far too wily and long in the tooth to think that would have any positive effect on the situation. By proclaiming that anyone put under that sort of intense, public scrutiny would show signs of weakness, he was perhaps asking the press to give the country’s most gifted player a little breathing space. Ferguson said:
“I don’t think the boy can turn a corner at the moment without a camera on him. He can’t move without the paparazzi being on him and, for a young person that is not what you want.
“You want to play and enjoy your football without that attention on you, because that can be quite exhausting. He would like to keep playing with freedom, but the siege of the tabloids can wear out anyone.”
For Rooney, the constant nag of paparazzi is nothing new to him. Since being propelled onto the Premier League stage, barely out of school, his entire life has had it’s very own public diary as we have become obsessed with his mercurial talent. The fact that that same attention has only increased after the allegations made, is of no shock to us, and should be even less of a surprise to the man himself.
Kevin Keegan was on ESPN when he regarded that Rooney should be fully prepared to take the hits from the media, after courting their attention throughout his career:
“You can’t then turn around and say there’s too much paparazzi around or too much publicity.
“You can’t have all the contracts, sell your wedding to magazines and things like this, and suddenly say, ‘That’s the tap I want to turn on but we want to turn the other one off’.
Although I don’t make a habit of agreeing with Keegan on the opinions he has (not out of spite, just common sense really), I can see where he is coming from. Whether any of the allegations made are true or not is pretty irrelevant – certainly to us, not to him or his family – the fact is that they exist, true or not. When agreeing to virtually every commercial deal humanly possible: Nokia, Ford, Asda, Coca-Cola, EA Sports, plus a five-book deal over twelve years (obviously there is the contract with Nike, but I see no problem with sportsmen being endorsed by sports brands), one must also accept that there will be reasons that put you in the variety of media we have access to toady, that you may not be happy with.
I don’t blame Rooney for agreeing to every contract that has been thrust in his face. I can only imagine he has agreed to things he sees as harmless, and financially lucrative, while just wanting to carry on with playing football. For most of the media appearances he makes, he seems quite reluctant, although he is getting better, and would rather be somewhere else.
I can’t remember Rooney ever looking as downcast as he does at the moment. As an England fan, and a fan of football in general, I want to see Rooney playing at his best, because it is such an amazing thing to behold. Ferguson would love the press to leave him alone, but knows he’s is flogging a dead horse in any attempt to try and prevent the attention from laying off. Keegan himself has struggled with the media attention, particularly while in charge of England, and has his own point to make, one that holds some validity.
If Rooney is guilty of any marital misdemeanours then he has brought this problem unto himself, and it is really only he that can find a way out of it. What doesn’t help is the frighteningly good form he was in previous to this slump. Being a professional player, to the level that Rooney has reached, means playing the game in the right way, and by game I mean the entire package that goes along with the time on the pitch. I for one hope his skills off the pitch can reach a level close to what he is capable of on it.
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Do you agree with Fergie? Or Keegan? Or neither?
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In-form Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has no intention of reversing his decision to retire from international football.
The former Liverpool and Wigan Athletic forward made his announcement in the summer after England's disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Fabio Capello had asked Heskey if he was willing to play for his country again because of the dearth of fit strikers currently at the England manager's disposal.
Since Gerard Houllier was appointed Villa boss last month, Heskey's form has been excellent but he is believed to have rejected Capello's advances.
Capello had said:"I saw Heskey against Wolves and he played very well and he is in a good moment. The new Villa manager (Houllier) knows him very well from his time at Liverpool.
"We will try to speak with Heskey. We need him at this moment. He is in good form. We are talking about him for the one game against Montenegro. We will try to speak with him. But he will decide."
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Heskey scored seven times in 62 international appearances before quitting the England scene in July.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arguably the biggest victim of man-of-the-moment Rafael Van der Vaart’s scintillating arrival to the Premier League has been Giovani Dos Santos. There were many – including this writer – who thought that the Mexican forward’s performances in the World Cup, as well as some encouraging pre-season form, was enough to force his way into first team recognition.
Certainly a large amount of Spurs fans were getting excited by the prospect of Giovani finally proving his worth. The talk of his possible departure has had a whole host of suitors and admirers confirming their interest in his services, only highlighting how good a player he actually is. Napoli, Roma, Fiorentina, Villerreal, Sevilla and even Liverpool have all been muted as possible destinations, and they may be far more willing to give the player a chance to recreate his national performances.
In the summer, Spurs’ forums were awash with talk about this being Giovani’s year. The stresses on the squad through the increase in fixtures, and the added pressure of the Champions League, meant that Spurs’ squad was going to get tested to the fullest. Players like Giovani, who had previously been shunned, would be given games just out of the sheer number of fixtures, and then it would simply take a couple of good performances to prove he was worth more game time.
That run of games never happened, and when Daniel Levy gave Redknapp his end of window present in the shape of Van der Vaart, Giovani slid even further down the pecking order.
Clearly in the Van der Vaart wonderland that is now happening at White Hart Lane, the potential future of Giovani isn’t that big an issue, as it appears Rafael can solve every problem that exists, such has his start to his Spurs career been. It is however a shame, that such a talented player (34 caps for his country and still only 21) has found such a hard time of it during his time in England; with all due respect, Giovani is too good to be going to Ipswich on loan.
Part of the blame must at least lie with the player himself, had he been played as well as he clearly can do, then he would be starting more games than he has. That said, I do think his opportunities have been at an absolute premium. What about those occasions that David Bentley was getting starts last season? Had Giovani not been shipped off to Turkey, those starts could have been his. In a club with the busiest physio in professional football, he must have believed that at some point his chance would come, but alas, it is clearly not to be, and White Hart Lane is not his home.
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And so a potential star looks to be heading for his exit; supremely gifted, but maybe just not cut out for the club. Ask any Spurs fan how they feel, and I’m sure they will feel the situation is a shame, because there was genuine excitement amongst them in the summer about Giovani. That said, any resentment will be blown off their face as soon as VDV’s name is mentioned. The Dutchmen had a similar problem at Real, to which Giovani is having at Spurs, and a move away, even at this ludicrously early stage, looks to already have been proven as the right decision. Maybe Giovani now has to do the same.
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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could be sidelined for a lengthy period with his calf injury, according to boss Roy Hodgson.
The 25-year-old Denmark international has not played since the 2-2 draw with Sunderland in September and Hodgson is not upbeat about any imminent return to action.
He said:"Agger is long term. They can't put a date on it.
"At the moment he can't train, he has just got to rest and wait for the next time he goes to see the specialist again.
"They are very anxious that bone doesn't form. It is a calcification issue and training would certainly accelerate the calcification.
"Now they have to wait and hope the body breaks down the calcifying elements before he can even think about training again. So it could be very long term."
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Agger has made more than 100 appearances for the Reds since making his debut in January 2006.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email