Arsenal rock Dortmund & hit the perfect note

It had been billed as the clash between Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal brand of football and Arsene Wenger's orchestra but when it was all said and done only one team was left singing the blues.

Aaron Ramsey's 11th goal of a superb campaign gave the Gunners a marvellous 1-0 win at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night, pushing Arsene Wenger's side to the summit of their Champions League group.

Thursday, November 7, 2013 11:01

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Jurgen's Kloppstars host Wenger's orchestra

Borussia Dortmund host Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night with both sides looking to gain an advantage in a hugely competitive group.

But will the 80,000 supporters in the Signal Iduna Park be taking in a football match or a battle of the bands?

Jurgen Klopp compared the two club's contrasting styles as he spoke about Wenger. "He likes having the ball, playing football, passes... it’s like an orchestra," Klopp said, miming playing a violin.

"But it is a silent song. I like heavy metal more. I always want it loud."

No matter the football on show, one thing you can be certain of in a raucous Westfalenstadion is noise.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 10:34

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Europe's top clubs turn attentions to Champions League

With domestic football well and truly back underway across Europe, the continent's biggest clubs switch their focus to the Champions League as the illustrious competition returns on Tuesday.

Two of the Premier League's biggest hitters are on show as Manchester United host Bayer Leverkusen, while Manchester City face a tough trip to Plzen.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid are in Turkey to face a Galatasaray side led by Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez is expected to line up for Juventus against FC Copenhagen, and Pep Guardiola's star-studded Bayern Munich take on CSKA Moscow.

With the final set to take place at Benfica's Estadio da Luz in May, Europe's biggest names are drawn to the competition like moths to a flame.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 09:00

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Ozil & Bale take centre stage as domestic football returns

It's back to school for domestic football as the curtain closed on another round of international fixtures and the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Europe's other top leagues open their doors once again.

Arsenal fans will be relishing seeing Mesut Ozil in action for the first time in a Gunners shirt, with the Germany international set to make his debut against Sunderland, while Marouane Fellaini is expected to line up for Manchester United against Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Gareth Bale will play some part against Villarreal, while Kaka could feature as AC Milan meet Torino following his return to the San Siro club.

Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:00

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Arsenal roll out the red carpet for Ozil

Arsenal fans had their minds collectively blown when Arsene Wenger sealed the club-record signing of Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day - and they do not have to wait much longer, with a debut against Sunderland in line on Saturday.

The Germany international was officially unveiled in north London on Thursday and the Gunners could hardly be more accommodating of their latest star.

Ozil is set to be the biggest star in Arsene Wenger's midfield and he can expect to be treated like a prince for the foreseeable future...

Friday, September 13, 2013 11:58

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Ozil arrives in eye-popping Arsenal deal

Arsenal proved to be the big winners on transfer deadline day by pulling off the biggest deal by signing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.

The Gunners sealed a £40 million deal for the Germany international late on Monday to smash their transfer record and thrill Gunners' fans who had called on manager Arsene Wenger to spend.

Ozil becomes the third most expensive signing in British football history as well as Arsenal’s highest earner in a simply eye-popping deal.
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Deadline day dominoes ready to topple

Arsene Wenger puts it as only he can: "It’s a little bit a domino game and maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours." We think it's fair to say something WILL happen on transfer deadline day.

With Gareth Bale having completed his world-record move to Real Madrid from Tottenham, the starter's pistol has truly been fired. 

Can Arsenal pick off Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria as Madrid look to recoup some funds? Will Manchester United join the race, or will they focus on Maroaune Fellaini and Ander Herrera? Could Luis Suarez finally get his move to Madrid?

Whatever happens, you can keep up-to-date with the latest rumors and confirmed deals on our LIVE blog and Done Deals section.
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Life's a beach: Madrid cruise in Bournemouth sunshine

 

Real Madrid began their pre-season in convincing fashion on Sunday, roundly beating Championship side Bournemouth 6-0 down on the south coast in front of a packed Dean Court.

With it also marking the beginning of Carlo Ancelotti's reign as boss, the Liga side ensured their marquee names were on show and none other than Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a double in the romp.

Bournemouth erected a temporary stand just for the occasion, allowing as many as 12,000 people to lap up the atmosphere and bask in the aura of the galacticos.  
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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 
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Rampant Germany hit Ireland for six

 

Even the most optimistic of Republic of Ireland fans may not have been expecting to defeat Germany, but the 6-1 hammering in Friday's World Cup qualifier certainly wasn't part of the plan for Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

Doubles from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, alongside goals for Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose, ensured Joachim Low's men secured a rampant win at the Aviva Stadium.

And while Andy Keough may have grabbed a late consolation goal, there is no denying that the Irish were smashed out of the park by their German counterparts...
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Europe's finest begin long road to Brazil

 

The first round of qualifying fixtures for World Cup 2014 kick off this weekend and it's a chance for many of us to see the star names which made Euro 2012 such a memorable tournament.

With Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas leading the way, the Real Madrid captain will be hoping that Vicente Del Bosque's side will be able to become the first team to retain the trophy since Italy did so back in 1938.

Roy Hodgson's England side will be hoping to make an impact on the latter stages in Brazil, as well a few of the other familiar faces such as Italy, Portugal and Germany...
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Ronaldo's stars align as he tops the Goal.com 50

 

This year's Goal.com 50 has been announced with Cristiano Ronaldo revealed as the top player of the past 12 months.

Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas was surprisingly placed second with Lionel Messi shunted down to third after Los Blancos' title-winning exploits in La Liga last term.
The list has sparked debate and intrigue among fans and pundits alike, and is likely to continue to do so for time to come.

Not everyone has the time to pore over the facts and stats of the list in full so we have brought the entire 50 to you in the simplest of forms.
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Euro 2012 race set to start

 

The day has finally arrived. Euro 2012 will kick off this evening as tournament co-hosts Poland take on Greece in Group A's opening fixture.

With all 16 nations having made all of their final preparations ahead of the tournament, it's now left to us to sit back and enjoy day after day of world-class football.
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Europe's giants take an unlikely beating

 

Saturday saw shock results all over the continent as some of Europe's best and brightest were brought down to Earth by the smaller nations.

Netherlands lost 2-1 at home to Bulgaria, Germany were blown away by Switzerland in an extraordinary 5-3, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal could only draw 0-0 with lowly Macedonia.

It was a day in which the Davids of European football delivered some unexpected beatings to the much-fancied Goliaths, putting preconceptions into doubt ahead of Euro 2012...

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From Galacticos to Jurassicos - Real Madrid Island awaits

 

On Thursday afternoon, Real Madrid announced the ambitious news that they are planning to spend around $1 billion on a luxury holiday resort and theme park in the United Arab Emirates. 

Real Madrid Resort Island, as the project is known, will have a host of state-of-the-art facilities including a five-star hotel, and a water park. Club president Florentino Perez looks to be creating his very own Jurassic Park ...

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Deutschland in Euro 2012

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El Clasico... The past and the present

Generations passed on the historical clash and still today 

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