Rumours are circulating that Arsenal winger Andrei Arshavin could well be used as makeweight for long term target Eden Hazard next summer.
There were strong links linking Arshavin with a move away this summer, most notably Zenit St. Petersburg, however the player always insisted he would remain. With Hazard a player that Wenger has previously commented on as someone he would like to have onboard, next summer could be a crucial moment for both the club and Hazard.
Arsenal are keen to land the young Belgian who currently plays for Lille although it will cost them in the region of £26m. The inclusion of Arshavin might not do the French side justice however they would be receiving an experienced winger plus cash for the youngster and the side are ultimately aware that Hazard will not be at the club much longer.
A big issue for Arsenal at the moment though it their current form which highlights serious questions, particularly defensively, and should the North London side fail to reach the top four this season, then Hazard will look for a move elsewhere, most probably a side that are in a position to offer Champions League football.
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Article courtesy of Greg Tague from Footybunker
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Robin van Persie put in a captain’s performance with two excellent strikes to seal the points against a spirited Sunderland side.
The three points were just the tonic for Arsene Wenger’s side and the win takes them into the top half of the Premier League for the time since the opening day of the season, while defeat puts more pressure on Steve Bruce.
The win was nothing more than Arsenal deserved and they got off to an absolute flyer with Van Persie’s strike within 29 seconds of the kick-off. It was all Arsenal and they could have doubled their advantage when a wonderful turn and chip by the Dutchman hit the inside of the post before the Mackems were able to scramble it away. Steve Bruce’s men got something of a lifeline when former Gunner Sebastian Larsson fired in an expertly taken free-kick. The goal galvanised the visitors and could have found themselves leading had it not been for the excellent goalkeeping from Wojciech Szczesny.
The second half saw the visitors set their stall out to defend and it subsequently invited Arsenal to attack at will. Arshavin, Walcott and Rosicky all went close until Van Persie’s superb set piece settled the game for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger was a delighted man at the end of the game and is hoping the result will kick-start Arsenal’s season
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So, the curse of the captain’s armband is ready to strike at The Emirates again, with Arsene Wenger admitting that Robin van Persie could leave the club when his contract finally expires. Many were already predicting the Dutchman would be next big name to depart Arsenal even before he was handed the captaincy, therefore following in the footsteps of Thiery Henry and Cesc Fabregas. Add to the list Samir Nasri and you have a group of players who all insisted they have Arsenal in their hearts and are 100% committed to the club, but ultimate chose to leave in search of trophies, money or both. If van Persie does follow in those footsteps, one could have little sympathy for Arsenal, and Wenger, as they only have themselves to blame – with those previous footsteps providing the reasons.
The Gunners are experiencing one of their most turbulent seasons in recent memory but one positive has been the newly installed captain’s form. However, fresh from his captain’s 2-goal match winning performance manager Arsene Wenger revealed that whilst he is ready to open contract talks with van Persie, the striker may well refuse to extend any deal offered, and it is something they can do little about. With Manchester City reportedly monitoring any developments with a close eye, a repeat scenario akin to the Nasri situation could well yet again occur.
‘The ideal situation is that he [Van Persie] extends his length of contract but, if he does not, we have to respect that. What is important is that he plays like he plays’ said Wenger, before going on to address a possible commitment issue: ‘It depends what you call commitment. For me commitment is not how long you are at the club, it is as long as you are there you give 100 per cent until the last day of your contract.’ Wenger who stated something extremely similar prior to Nasri reappearing in the team whilst it was apparent a deal was being concluded with Manchester City, is of course assessing the whole situation from a logical point of view. But is he really being brutally honest with himself and the Arsenal fans, or just deflecting more criticism from his, and the clubs failings?
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It has been becoming more and more apparent that in today’s footballing world, money is the driving factor. At one time Arsenal could be admired for implementing a solid wage-structure, and whilst they were being successful, the glory and trophies could offset any lack of extra money a player could potentially earn elsewhere. However once the trophies dry up, sad as it may now be, very few players will stick around – especially if they could be earning double the amount of money at another suitor. Arsenal’s reluctance to splash the cash they now earn through the Emirates stadium, on established ‘big-name’ players, or through lucrative new contracts to existing star members of the squad have helped contribute to the seeming exodus of their stars, as they become restless and trophy-less. It’s little wonder their heads have been turned.
Robin van Persie is said to be on around £80,000 per week at Arsenal. With City reportedly ready to offer around £160,000 per week for a player who, at 28-years of age, would be signing potentially his last most lucrative deal of his footballing career, Wenger and Arsenal need to make the choice of either offering their star asset a deal worthy enough for him to consider, or continue down the path of previous years and lose their best player.
As always, Arsene, the choice is yours.
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Manchester City ended Newcastle’s 11 match unbeaten record at the Etihad Stadium running our 3-0 winners to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Two defensive errors from Ryan Taylor gifted penalties gifted goalsto Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards before Sergio Aguero’s spot kick wrapped the game up as City saw off a spirited display from the Magpies who grabbed a late consolation from substitute Dan Gosling. The win maintained City’s own unbeaten record as they made it 11 league wins out a possible 12 although it could have been different if the visitors had converted a number of chances during the game. Alan Pardew’s men went into the fixture off the back of a superb start to the season that had seen them equal the records set by Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ in 1994/95 season. Going toe-to-toe with Roberto Mancini’s men was always going to be a tough task considering the Italian boss has seen win every game on home soil. The City express is certainly starting to build speed although they were made to sweat for 40 minutes as Newcastle threatened to upset the apple cart and go into half time unscathed. The Geordies have garnered a reputation of being side that is difficult to break down and they lived up to that as the hosts struggled to penetrate a back four starting it’s 12th consecutive game together.
Few would have even predicted that Newcastle would be awaiting their first league defeat in mid-November and they showed why they have had superb start to the season as they thwarted City’s attack at every opportunity. The home side were lacking the inspirational talents of David Silva, who was on the bench, but they still had the talents of Mario Ballotelli to call on. The enigmatic Italian went closest to putting them in front only to see his powerful header tipped over by Magpies keeper Tim Krul. Pardew’s side also had a chance of their own soon after with Demba Ba seeing snap shot saved by Joe Hart after being played in by a neat ball from the returning Hatem Ben Arfa. The striker then contrived to head Yohan Cabaye’s corner wide from six-yards despite standing unmarked in the penalty area his profligacy came back to haunt the visitors soon after. A flowing City move saw they ball find Yaya Toure in the penalty area with his shot striking off Taylor’s outstretched arm giving referee Chris Foy no option but to point to the spot. It was the Balotelli who stepped up to cooly slot the ball beyond Krul on 41 minutes before crossing his arms and glaring at the keeper in apparent celebration. That lead was doubled four minutes later as the unfortunate Taylor got into a muddle trying to cut out Aguero’s ball allowing Richards to sneak in and scuff the ball home to put a huge dent in Newcastle’s hopes of extending their unbeaten run.
To their credit the Magpies didn’t let their heads drop and after a few inspiring words from Pardew came out for the second half determined to get themselves back into the game. However shoddy finishing would once again cost them with Ben Arfa the width of a post away from halving the deficit. The mercurial Frenchman was making his first league start of the season on the ground where City midfielder Nigel de Jong broke his leg just over a year ago. He almost marked the occasion in style picking Vincent Kompany’s pocket before gliding through a sea of sky blue shirts only to see his effort rebound back off the post with Hart beaten. The visitors were well on top and had more chances to score with Fabricio Coloccini volleyed wide from 12-yards before Danny Guthrie saw his shot blocked by the legs of Hart after driving into the City penalty area . It would prove costly to those wearing black and white as Mancini’s men were given the chance to wrap the game up once and for all. David Silva, seconds after coming on, bamboozled the Newcastle defence with a delicious reverse pass into Richards who was bundled over by Ben Arfa in the area. Aguero stroked home the resulting penalty to confirm the Geordie’s first defeat in 14 games – a record stretching back to last season. The travelling support were given reason to celebrate though as Gosling turned the ball home from close range after Ba’s shot was saved.
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Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has confirmed that the club have opened informal talks with Petr Cech over the goalkeeper’s contract, with the Stamford Bridge outfit keen to extend his deal.
The Czech Republic international has 18 months left on his current deal, and although he is a mainstay in the Premier League club’s starting XI, rumours have circulated regarding a potential exit the summer after next.
The Portuguese coach has dismissed this, and feels Cech is an integral part of his plans going forward.
“There are false stories about Petr Cech leaving the club,” the ex-Porto trainer told reporters at a press conference.
“We are trying to reach an agreement with Petr. He knows that we are trying to reach an agreement with him and that we are interested in renewing his contract.
“The goalkeeper position is very, very specific,” he stated.
Chelsea signed young Belgian goalkeeper Thibault Courtois in the summer, and the 19-year-old is currently impressing in a loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
Villas Boas has stated that he has a decision to make regarding Courtois, but that he will not be replacing Cech any time soon.
“Regarding Courtois, we have to make a decision. We won’t recall him in January, for sure.
“At the end of the season, we have to decide,” he concluded.
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Cech can expect to be a busy man on Monday night, as Chelsea entertain Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill is targeting a run in the FA Cup after seeing his side dispatch Peterborough 2-0 on Sunday.
Second half goals from Sebastian Larsson and James McClean ensured that The Black Cats made it through to the fourth round, where they will take on Middlesbrough in a North East derby.
O’Neill feels that the Stadium of Light fans will be delighted with the draw, and is eager to have a run in the cup to lift the supporters’ spirits.
“The last few supporters in the ground let out a big roar when the draw was made,” O’Neill told Sky Sports.
“It will be one that we look forward to. It’s a great tie for both sets of supporters and we are at home so we will see if we can make that count.
“The Cup is important to this club. We haven’t done well in it recently but I will try and put that right,” he commented.
The Northern Irish coach was also full of praise for goalscorer McClean, who he has been impressed with since taking over at the Wearside club.
“He has played three on the trot now and he’s been brilliant.
“In my first week here he played against Manchester United in a reserve game that I thought was going to be called off because of 70mph winds.
“The conditions were dreadful but he quickly came in to the game.
“He did brilliant on the night and he showed a real aptitude for it. We took a chance with him. He had a little bit of luck when he came on against Blackburn but he electrified the place and he has continued to do that,” he concluded.
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Former Hull striker Dean Windass has admitted that he tried to commit suicide last week, after becoming depressed following the end of his playing career.
The bulky forward quit football at the age of 42, and has revealed the harrowing time that he has had since he has stopped playing.
“I have cried every day for the last two years since retiring,” he told People.
“People outside football think we have it all. But I was in a hole that I honestly didn’t know how to get out of.
“Just over a week ago I hit rock-bottom and decided to end it all.
“I first took an overdose and when that didn’t work tried to hang myself. I felt so alone and believed I had nothing to live for. I need to sort myself out which is why I’m speaking out now.
“People have this image of me as this big strong man who can take anything life throws at him. But I’m not ashamed to say I wanted to end it after a string of setbacks.
“I knew I’d been a fool but I couldn’t shake off the depression at feeling what a failure I’d become,” he concluded.
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Manchester United went level on points with rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Stoke at Old Trafford.
The home side sealed victory through penalties from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, with one being converted in each half.
Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the performance: “It was terrific – I thought our performance was very, very good.
“We kept playing our football, we kept moving the ball and played with great consistency and we could have won by maybe more – we should have had another two penalties I think.
“When you see we have won by two penalties it doesn’t really reflect how we performed, I thought it was a good performance by us.” SkySports
United are now equal on 54 points with City, and travel to take on Chelsea next at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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Manchester City playmaker David Silva has stated that Barcelona and Real Madrid will face competition from his side for next season’s Champions League.
The Etihad Stadium outfit are currently leading the Premier League by two points, but were knocked out of the ‘group of death’ in Europe’s top club competition this term.
Despite this, Spain international Silva feels that his countrymen should be concerned about City’s progress, and that next season they will be key competitors for the crown.
“Real Madrid and Barcelona have been working together for a long time,” the attacking midfielder told Mirror Football.
“Barcelona have won many titles and Madrid have been with the same structure for a long time.
“At City we are getting there and, if not next year, soon we will be fighting for the Champions League,” he defied.
Silva has been a superstar since joining Roberto Mancini’s men from Valencia, and he has admitted that he made the right choice coming to England.
“Neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid made a move for me.
“Manchester City did and that’s why I’m here. I went where I wanted. I was very happy in Valencia but circumstances meant that I had to go.
“City was the strongest bet for me and I made the right decision. I’m very happy in England, I have a two-year contract and I want to fulfil that, I don’t want to move.
“People treat me great and I hope to enjoy more success. Roberto Mancini has given me confidence, and that’s very important for a player.
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“My team-mates have adapted to my game and that’s very good for me. I am enjoying my football to the fullest,” he concluded.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has stated that he is on the verge of returning to action, and could be fit to play against Arsenal this weekend.
The Argentina international has been on the sidelines with an ankle injury, with a number of claims that he had fallen off a motorbike or down the stairs of the team bus to pick up the ailment.
However, Aguero rejects these reports as completely false, and is hoping to face Arsene Wenger’s men on Sunday.
“During the match against Chelsea, I injured my ankle and it was sprayed with a topical anaesthetic that caused a burn on the upper part of my right foot,” he told the club’s official website.
“The injury worsened after a few days and when boils appeared I was told I wouldn’t play against Stoke and then against Sunderland.
“You can imagine how I felt, being out of playing condition when my team is trying to take the championship. It’s always worse from the bench.
“After that I started receiving incredible rumours about how it all happened.
“I know my life is very public and I’m willing to take criticism even if I disagree with it. But I will not sit quietly while lies are being spread – even more so if they cast doubt upon my professionalism.
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“This is a simple injury and not a plot of intrigue,” he confided.