Arsenal become the latest side to fall under foreign ownership as Stan Kroenke increased his stake holding at the football club. Whether it proves a good thing remains to be seen, but Arsenal fans will be hoping the American makes a better fist than his fellow countryman have in their ownership of Premier League clubs.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Dalglish defending the signings of Carroll and Suarez; Hart defends Manchester City’s spirit, while Spurs set to make an audacious bid for Cavani.
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Kroenke expected to assume
full control of Arsenal – Guardian
Berbatov on bench due to unreliability – Daily Telegraph
Sparky: They’re coming to get ya – Sun
Critics only ‘jealous’ of City’s money, says Dalglish – Mirror
Benayoun: We’re playing to save season – Guardian
Albion revival restores pride for Hodgson – Daily Telegraph
I don’t care if I never play again – Sun
Judge them next season! Dalglish shrugs off Carroll and Suarez concerns – Daily Mail
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Hart defends City’s spirit and Balotelli – Guardian
Spurs set to launch audacious £30m bid for Napoli strike sensation Cavani – Daily Mail
PSG’s Ligue 1 title hopes took a hit after being forced to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Brest on Sunday.Antoine Kombouare’s PSG outfit had to wait until the 86th minute to steal a point at Brest, thanks to a goal from striker Guillaume Hoarau.
The visitors had gone ahead through a 21st-minute strike from midfielder Mathieu Bodmer, but they headed into the interval a goal down.
Brest pair Larsen Toure and Bruno Grougi found the net, the latter in first half stoppage time, to give their side the lead.
But Hoarau’s goal put PSG within six points of Lille, while Brest move to 11th on the back of their three-game unbeaten run.
A goal from substitute George Welcome helped Monaco out of the relegation zone with a shock 1-0 win over fifth-placed Stade Rennes.
The on-loan Honduran attacker scored the 73rd-minute winner as Stade Rennes slumped to a third-straight loss.
Bordeaux shot into sixth spot on the back of a 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne.
Goals from Czech midfielder Jaroslav Plasil and substitute Cheick Diabate helped them above their defeated opponents.
Nancy missed a great chance to gain some breathing space in their relegation battle after only managing a 0-0 draw against a 10-man Arles.
Competing against the relegation-bound side, Nancy failed to beat Arles goalkeeper Cyrille Merville, even after defender Dianbobo Balde was sent off in the 10th minute.
Nancy are two points clear of the relegation zone, while Arles will be playing Ligue 2 football next season.
In other games, Valenciennes and Sochaux played out a 1-1 draw in their mid-table clash.
Auxerre and Lens also finished 1-1 in a result that does neither side any favours in their relegation battles.
Toulouse are winless in four outings after their 1-1 draw with Caen, which keeps them both locked in trying to avoid the drop.
Deportivo La Coruna pulled clear of La Liga’s relegation zone, while Cristiano Ronaldo hit a sixth hat-trick of the season for Real Madrid.Deportivo’s upset 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao helped them leap from the clutches of the relegation zone to 14th, sending Real Zaragoza down to 18th as a consequence.
Athletic Bilbao – who could have all-but stitched up a Europa League spot with victory – took a third-minute lead when striker Gaizka Toquero finished crisply past former team-mate Daniel Aranzubia in the Deportivo goal.
But led by playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron, Deportivo found a way back into the match on 22 minutes when Adrian Lopez’s shot was deflected into his own net by Athletic midfielder Carlos Gurpegi.
Fernando Llorente hit the crossbar with a trademark header shortly before half-time, while the two sides traded efforts when the second half got underway.
But Deportivo was to claim all three points when Athletic defender Castillo only succeeded in sliding an Adrian cross past goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz as he attempted to clear.
The win puts Deportivo three points above the relegation zone with two games of the season remaining.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo took his goal tally in all competitions this season to 49 courtesy of another hat-trick – this time in a 4-0 win over struggling Getafe at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo’s treble was completed with of a 90th-minute penalty, with Karim Bezema having poked home in the 77th minute with his first touch of the game to put Real 3-0 up.
Real remain second and five points behind league-leaders Barcelona, while Getafe are just one point above the drop zone.
Atletico Madrid failed to do themselves any favours in their bid for Europa League football next season after losing 2-1 at Racing Santander.
Atletico took an 11th-minute lead through Mario Suarez, but goals either side of half-time from Swedish duo Kennedy Bakircioglu and Markus Rosenberg handed Racing the win.
They move to ninth on the table, while Atletico are in sixth and have Sevilla lurking just goal difference away.
In a match that meant little for either end of the table, Julio Baptista and Eliseu struck to propel Malaga to a 2-0 home win over Sporting Gijon.
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle insists a couple of recent disappointing results does not mean their season has been a failure.Bolton fans were left deflated by the comprehensive 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat their side suffered at the hands of Stoke City at Wembley two weekends ago.
Although they bounced back in the Premier League with a fine 2-1 win over Arsenal, Bolton went down 3-0 at Fulham in midweek.
But they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday looking for the best possible end to the campaign.
“Our motivation is to finish the season as strongly as we can,” Coyle said on Friday.
“I never thought about getting into Europe, I just want to improve Bolton Wanderers from one season to the next.”
“I am flattered people thought we might qualify for Europe because we were favourites for relegation when I came into this job.”
“We were in the bottom three and for people to say we would do so well shows how much progress this club has made, having spent very little money.”
“There are huge clubs below us in the table who have spent over 20 million pounds so we are pleased with how the season has gone.”
“We now have to finish the season strongly then look for areas we can improve.”
Bolton will be shorn of a few players at Blackburn, but Coyle has done his best to patch up the side.
Those who are fit to play will know local bragging rights are at stake in this Lancashire derby.
“It’s fair to say that we will be short of numbers but the ones that are fit and available will be doing everything in their power to win a local derby,” he said.
“Mark Davies will have a scan on his ankle. He had a few problems last season but this year he had been doing ever so well, up until he turned it late on at Birmingham.”
“He hasn’t been right since and hasn’t felt quite 100 percent. We want to get to the bottom of it and nip it in the bud so that it is sorted out properly. Hopefully it won’t be too bad.”
“Unfortunately, Daniel Sturridge wasn’t quite fit for Fulham but he has responded to treatment – he will be touch and go. We don’t do anything detrimental to Daniel and we need to show consideration to his parent club Chelsea who have loaned him to us.”
“We have to do what is right by everybody. Yes we want him fit and available because he has been sensational for us, but we need to look at the bigger picture.”
“Gretar Steinsson is a big doubt. He has jarred his knee and at this moment I would say that it will be highly unlikely he will play at Blackburn. But he is the type of lad to play through the pain barrier, so we will wait until the last moment and take it from there.”
Defender Sam Ricketts (Achilles) and midfielders Sean Davis and Stuart Holden (both knee) will definitely not play.
Arsenal and its fans are experiencing a problem of the most frustrating nature and a strange atmosphere has consequently ensued around the Emirates which seems to have seeped into the players. It seems inexplicable that a team full of quality players capable of beating Manchester United, Chelsea and even Barcelona can stoop to the lows seen throughout the current season.
With a real chance of the Premiership and as Manchester United’s only challengers at the time Arsenal proceeded to throw FOUR goals away at Newcastle which sort of sums up The Gunners’ season. Tottenham twice, failing to score against Blackburn and Sunderland at home, not to mention the Carling Cup Final. But why has the same mistakes been allowed to happen time and time again?
Yes, there have been injury problems but less than previous seasons and no more than their title challengers. You could say that they lack leadership but Arshavin is Russia’s captain, Vermaelen is Belgium (and former Ajax) captain, Aaron Ramsey, despite his tender age is Wales captain and Tomas Rosický is captain of the Czech Republic. Along with the captains that Arsenal already have; Fàbregas, Van Persie, and Nasri that makes a team of players who know what it means to be a leader. Although these players aren’t veterans it still goes some way to dispelling the lazy ‘lack of leadership’ argument which they are often accused of.
It seems apparent that it is a mentality problem rather than a cliental problem. Wenger said after the defeat to Stoke City that “something has gone.” The players do not look like they are playing for the manager any more; the self-belief in the total football cause seems to have slipped away. Even taunts from the Stoke crowd of “boring, boring Arsenal” and “3-1 to the rugby team” couldn’t even spur them on.
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Once again Arsenal have one last chance to win their fans back at home with a win over Aston Villa this weekend much like they did against Manchester United two weeks ago. Many questions remain about the manager’s stubbornness and many fans are at odds with one another in the Emirates stadium with some backing the manager fully and others suggesting it might be time for a change. Arsenal’s 4-3-3, the same formation that was so prolific at the start of the season has now been sussed out and Arsenal don’t seem to have a response. Teams are finding it all too easy to defend in two banks of four, forcing the Gunners’ out wide to put wayward crosses and failing to get enough players in the box.
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The manager has failed to make the necessary changes on the pitch when it has been needed, he has failed to manage the game all too many times and the fans are frustrated. It is not a case of simply buying players in summer, the players need a mentality change; there is no doubt that they have the talent but they do not seem to share a collective mentality. A win next week will paper over some cracks in the immediate future but there is no doubt that there are some big questions hanging over the club.
While the press was dominated by reports over the potential burn out of English prodigy Jack Wilshere, this United fan was concerned by a far more pressing matter, the condition of Mexican sensation Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
After playing nearly all of the second half of what was no doubt an energy sapping season, Chicharito is set to play in a major international tournament this summer, the Concacaf Gold Cup.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Gold Cup, it’s North and Central America’s version of the Euros, an important competition, especially this year as the winner gains entry to the 2013 Confederations Cup. If he avoids injury, and Mexico manage to perform, then Chicharito could potentially play in another four or five games for his country, before United kick off the Community Shield against City in August.
For a defender or a goalkeeper perhaps, such an ordeal would have little effect, but for a player like Hernandez, so reliant on his pace an agility, this glut of games could be disastrous. Due to his boundless energy and outstanding perseverance, Chicharito has managed to get in behind a whole myriad of defenses, as well as put himself in the right place at the right time. However, tired after missing out on summer holidays, the Mexican may well struggle to replicate his form of last season when the Premier League kicks off in August. Tired, he could lose that all important half an inch, the tiny denomination which would allow him to get ahead of a defender and score a goal. Anyone who witnessed Gazza’s miss in ’96 knows the importance of that half an inch…
Staying up late last night to watch Mexico’s Gold Cup opener, I was relieved to see Chicharito was missing none of his usual enthusiasm; for anyone that doesn’t already know, the lad scored a superb second half hat trick. Encouraging, but certainly not the provider of any kind of termination to my worries, playing in the ridiculously hot United States, Hernandez is likely to be faced with harder tests to come, including a likely final against the highly robust Gold Cups hosts: Bob Bradley’s USA team.
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To make matters worse, you can be sure that Chicha will be targeted by defenders in every game he plays, such treatment is simply part and parcel of life as one of the best strikers in the World. Certainly, when the Mexicans do inevitably collide with the United States later this month, no love will be lost between the Little Pea and the US back line; players like Onyewu and Bocanegra take no prisoners.
Part of the reason Chicharito was so successful last term was his ability to maintain fitness, something which contributed to Dimitar Berbatov ’s inability to break back into the first team. Unfortunately, that run won’t last forever, and it would come as no surprise at all to me if a tired Hernandez had the start of his Premier League season delayed by a crunching tackle courtesy of one of those brutes the United States are wont to insert in defense.
For anyone curious, Chicharito and Mexico kick off their next game on the ninth against Cuba, a match which will be available via online in enough places to insure a satisfactory video feed. Hernandez is likely to have a wealth of chances in that game, Cuba lost their opener five-nil, so here is to another couple strikes from a hopefully fit and fresh Javier Hernandez!
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Article courtesy of David Yaffe-Bellany at Red Flag Flying High.
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says the Cottagers are looking to make their mark in Europe after a strong domestic campaign last season.The Australia international has been a key presence in Fulham’s blossoming in the English Premier League after joining at the end of their disastrous 2007/08 campaign.
Since then, the Cottagers have gone on to record two top-10 finishes in the past three years, as well as taking Atletico Madrid to extra time in the final of the 2009/10 Europa League.
Fulham are on the long road back to Europe, having been granted a berth in the first qualifying round of the 2011/12 Europa League through UEFA’s Fair Play rankings.
The club has already cleared the first hurdle – Faroese club NSI Runavik – with a 3-0 aggregate, and locked in a tie with Irish League side Crusaders in the second qualifying round.
Schwarzer says Fulham are determined to prove they belong in Europe just as they do in the Premier League.
“We’ve just got to keep backing up what we’ve been doing over the last few years,” he told Fulham’s official website.
“The last three seasons have been, for Fulham Football Club and a lot of us personally, fantastic. It’s possibly been the best three years in a lot of our careers. We need to continue that run.”
“We believe that we belong in the top half of the Premier League and we like to think that we can mix it in Europe every couple of seasons.”
Those expectations are not limited to the players. Schwarzer acknowledges Fulham fans are also anticipating improvement under new manager Martin Jol.
“The expectation levels are always higher,” Schwarzer said.
“When I first came here, the club had just avoided relegation with 15 minutes to spare so anything above that was a bonus.”
“To then finish seventh, then have such a great run in Europe and finish eighth last year means the expectations are there.”
“We, as players, acknowledge that and we know that we need to live up to them. So far it’s been a great challenge.”
“If you look at the history of the club and how much has been accomplished, particularly in the last three years – it’s been outstanding.”
Roberto Mancini has blasted Mario Balotelli following his lack of professionalism shown in City’s recent game of their US tour. The Italian immediately withdrew the striker from the action immediately and believes that the humiliation of being substituted so early in the game will prove punishment alone.
In the papers this morning we have seen a mixed bag of stories that include Beckham telling United to buy Sneijder; Arsenal keen on McCarthy, while Jose Enrique blasts the Newcastle board.
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Mancini unimpressed with Balotelli tantrum – FFC
Bin Hammam: Blatter is a dictator – FFC
Wenger: ‘tapping-up’ must be reviewed – Guardian
McEachran will give us fresh legs, says Villas-Boas – Independent
Enrique blasts Newcastle’s transfer policy – Guardian
Beckham tells United: Go get Sneijder – Mirror
Gunners keen on McCarthy – Sky Sports
Time running out for Parker deal, West Ham boss Allardyce tells Spurs – Daily Mail
Evra warns Nasri over proposed Manchester City transfer – Independent
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Newcastle boss Pardew agrees £7m fee for PSG’s Turkey striker Erdinc – Daily Mail
Pressure took its toll on Dzeko – Sun
Shawcross keen to impress Capello with top displays in Europe – Mirror
Gianluigi Buffon is desperate to see Juventus return to the Champions League, after two frustrating seasons at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.
Speaking to support the Heineken Star Player game, Buffon reveals his disappointment at not playing in Europe’s elite competition; however is hopeful that under the new management of Juventus Legend, Antonio Conte, the team can apply themselves accordingly to ensure a return for 2012/13 campaign.
“Not being in the Champions League definitely makes it more frustrating for players like myself and Del Piero, who have the attitude to participate at the top levels in football.
“The fact that we are not in this competition is quite frustrating. The fact we won’t participate next season means the team and the players need to work hard to reach this target in the future.“
Buffon is under no illusions how tough qualification is likely to be, especially given there will only be three qualifying spaces for Serie A Clubs
“We also have to consider that from next year, there will only be three Italian teams qualifying for the Champions League, so therefore it will be even more difficult.”
Juventus have struggled in the last two seasons; finishing 7th on both occasions and the Italian is hoping they can bridge the gap next season and return to the competition that holds good memories for him:
“I have several good memories of the Champions League, partly with Parma and partly with Juventus.”
“With Parma I remember the match in Dortmund when we lost, unfortunately. But I saved two penalties so it’s a good memory. With Juventus, my best memory is the year when we reached the final of the competition. That period was my best period in the Champions League.”
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Gianluigi Buffon was speaking to support the Heineken Star Player game. Star Player is an interactive game available on mobile and online that enhances fan’s match viewing experience by challenging them to anticipate what will happen at key moments in UCL games. Star Player competitors can earn points, brag with friends and win awesome prizes. Go to itunes or Facebook to play the game.
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As the new season gets underway, there is a lot of debate on whether Liverpool will be able to make a return to the Top Four and add some silverware to their trophy room or not. Many fans have adopted a rather critical opinion of Liverpool’s pre-season displays as well as their summer activities in the transfer market with the club spending heavily on players such as Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. However, there have been plenty of reasons to believe that Liverpool is indeed, on the way up and a return to the Big Four is imminent.
1) Luis Alberto Suarez is one of the key factors which led me to believe Liverpool will indeed be a force to reckon with this campaign. For a player to switch club and country mid-season and still manage to make a sizeable impact come May is truly remarkable. The Uruguayan filled the gaping hole left by Fernando Torres’ departure almost instantly. “El Pistolero” as he is known in his native country, will also be in good spirits following his explosive performances in the Copa America and the striker will be hoping to emulate his International form in Liverpool colours this year. Moreover, after enjoying a successful first season in England, Suarez will be much more accustomed to the English style of play and with the new summer recruits settling in well to support the striker, who’s to say Liverpool’s number 7 won’t be at the top of the scoring charts come May.
2) Transfer activities at Anfield this summer have been nothing like they were last year. A total shift in the club’s transfer policy has seen an influx of money invested in proven Premier League players with the best of their years ahead of them. Stewart Downing, our most expensive summer signing, has been under the club’s radar for many years now. His playmaking abilities and versatility has convinced the club’s new American owners to spend big on him and keeping his pre-season performances in mind, he could very well be a bargain. To add to it, summer signings of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson can both fill the void left by Steven Gerrard’s injury and will go a long way to strengthening our midfield. Recently acquired Jose Enrique can solve our left-back problem which has been the club’s Achilles heel for many years. Moreover, with Raul Meireles and Alberto Aquilani along with others providing the necessary squad depth, Liverpool now have a squad capable of challenging for the European spots.
3) No European football this term could be just what Dalglish needed in his first full season as Liverpool’s manager second time around. The club is going through a rebuilding process and the added pressure that comes along with European football could very well be a distraction the Scot could do without. Liverpool just isn’t ready to compete against top European teams and with the club now focusing solely on domestic competitions, a top four finish seems more likely.
4) Arsenal, who are in direct competition with Liverpool for a Champions League spot have had a turbulent summer with the Gunners resigned to losing club captain Cesc Fabregas and quite possibly Samir Nasri, putting an end to a long running saga. Having already lost Gael Clichy, things at Emirates seems to have taken a turn for the worse and with a number of key players gone, Arsene Wenger’s refusal to revolutionize his ideology and transfer policies have been the cause of some serious unrest among the Arsenal faithful. After constant reports linking most of their big name players with moves away from the Emirates this summer, Wenger has been kept busy to say the least, on guarding the exit doors and thus, Arsenal’s inability to spend big in the summer to sort out their defensive woes as well as to strengthen their midfield has led many to believe that Kenny Dalglish’s men can successfully overtake the North Londoners in their bid for a Champions League spot.
5) Stability is perhaps the most important change brought upon by the club’s new American owners ever since taking over from the much hated duo of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. By bringing in the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Steve Clarke and Damien Comolli to the backroom and managerial staff, FSG have created a solid foundation on which they will need to build on. After many years, Liverpool will be going into a season without any kind of negativity surrounding ownership troubles or unhappy big name players. Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Damien Comolli have received tremendous support from the boardroom level and all the good work they have put in has been translated onto the players and fans alike, bringing the Anfield romance back. Hence, things are finally looking on the up for the Merseysiders and a long due return to the Top Four is back on the cards again.
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