Virus hits Arsenal to leave Wenger sick as a parrot

Arsenal's plans to overturn Manchester United at Old Trafford and extend their lead over their rivals to 11 points were scuppered on Sunday as the effects of a virus in their camp took their toll.

Tomas Rosicky and key defender Per Mertesacker were ruled out of the crunch match due to the illness and United ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from former Gunner Robin van Persie.

Poor Arsene Wenger must have been feeling sick as a parrot after letting David Moyes win the first of their managerial battles across the historic rivalry.

Monday, 11 November 2013 07:36

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Shadow of Sir Alex looms as Moyes and Wenger face off at Old Trafford

Sunday sees a mouth-watering game take place in the Premier League as league leaders Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on reigning champions Manchester United.

The Gunners go into the game eight points clear of David Moyes’ men but have failed to beat the Red Devils in the Premier League on their own turf since 2002.

However, the hosts have begun the defence of their title in far from convincing fashion under new manager Moyes who knows that another defeat will leave his side a whopping 11 points behind the Gunners.

Sunday, 10 November 2013 07:43

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Barbara wrestles Galliani while Silvio is about to sleep

A conflict in the management of AC Milan between club CEO Adriano Galliani and club president daughter Barbara Berlusconi in the time of AC Milan struggling season.

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Pellegrini charms Nasri back to form

Manuel Pellegrini can be fairly pleased with his start to life as Manchester City manager - and arguably his biggest achievement is getting Samir Nasri hitting top form once again.

The former Arsenal midfielder had struggled under former boss Roberto Mancini but, if his man-of-the-match display against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday was anything to go by, he's back to his best.

Pellegrini's charm is clearly working wonders with Nasri and with Sergio Aguero also firing on all cylinders, City look well-equipped to challenge for the major honours in the 2013-14 campaign.

Friday, November 8, 2013 12:00

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The Brave Gooner

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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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Real vultures close in on Suarez

Luis Suarez may be fully fit, suspension-free and free-scoring, but he will never shake speculation surrounding his future at Liverpool.

And so as the January transfer window approaches, what better time for Real Madrid to begin laying the foundations for a big money move?

The Liga giants may find it hard to muster the cash and convince the Reds to sell their star striker this winter, but he has certainly moved to the top of their wishlist with a series of impressive displays under Brendan Rodgers.

Expect numerous quotes from players, Florentino Perez and anyone with an affiliation to Madrid in the coming months, before a long and painful (but ultimately successful) pursuit in the summer.

The vultures are circling.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 08:26

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Where's Wenger: Arsenal keep tabs on Llorente & El Shaarawy

After being knocked back in his attempts to sign Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic, Arsene Wenger might be trying a more discreet approach to player recruitment.

The Arsenal boss is keeping tabs on Fernando Llorente and Stephan El Shaarawy with a view to a January transfer, but while Juventus and AC Milan are not exactly keen on letting their attackers leave, Wenger should probably keep a low profile...

Monday, November 4, 2013 12:00

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Head & Shoulders above Hart: Pantilimon in at City

The England goalkeeper may have a lucrative shampoo sponsorship deal but he'll be tearing his hair out after being dropped for Manchester City's game against Norwich on Saturday.

Costel Pantilimon, the 6'8" Romanian, will get his chance between the sticks after Hart committed a string of errors in the opening weeks of the season.

Saturday, November 2, 2013 11:00

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Arsenal extinguish the SAS

It was an impressive performance at both ends of the pitch for Arsenal as they ran out 2-0 winners over Liverpool on Saturday.

In the attacking third, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil linked up superbly with Olivier Giroud, while in defence, the commanding duo of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were able to nullify the threat of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

Sunday, November 3, 2013 12:00

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Trick or treat? Maradona gives Aguero a scare

Diego Maradona had strong words for Sergio Aguero recently - labelling the Manchester City striker a "wimp" after alleged statements from the Argentina striker to attorneys.

Aguero and is his wife, Giannina Maradona, who is the daughter of the legendary former Napoli attacker, separated in January and Diego could not help but take a swipe at the 25-year-old City star.

"He told Giannina: 'I don't fear anyone'," Diego Maradona insisted to Metro Radio. "In the next meeting with the lawyers I want to be with my daughter to see if he has balls to say what he said to her [again].

"I'm really angry. He's a wimp. He knew that I was in Dubai, that's why he went to that meeting."

Let's hope Aguero kept all doors and windows locked on Halloween night!

Friday, 1 November 2013 10:00

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Commander Cristiano shows Blatter who's boss

He may alledgedly spend more time in the hairdresser's, but boy does that Ronaldo know how to score goals!

After being satirised by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who claimed Ronaldo was a commander on the pitch before doing a silly walk, the Portuguese made sure he had the last laugh by bagging a hat-trick on a crazy night in Madrid.

Gareth Bale scored twice, and set up another two, on a fine night for the Welshman (even if there was a comedy dive thrown in for good measure), while Karim Benzema hit two of his own.

Ronaldo, backed by the cheers of every home fan at the Santiago Bernabeu, marked his first goal of the night with the kind of salute fitting of a true field commander - over to you, Sepp!

Thursday, October 31, 2013 12:00

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the Jordanian national team and the idea thief

On the September 2011, I drew a cartoon on Jordan achievement in the World Cup qualifications first phase in Asia, which was a “Football” wears an Arabic “Keffiyeh” (a traditional headdress) and heading to Brazil with slogan يلا عالبرزيل (Let’s go to Brazil) and so that the illustration was later published through Goal.com the Arabic edition.

Later on it popped to my mind an idea to draw a mascot to Jordan with a business plan to establish a T Shirt and merchandising industry to supports the Jordanian national team. So I went the Jordan Football Association on the 15^th of May 2012 to meet the marketing manager Mohannad Mahadeen to work with the JFA on the idea. Mahadeen asked me to draw a mascot which I made him an eagle wears the Jordanian jersey.

Later he told me that the JFA can’t afford to spend on the project because they don’t have the cash. Later I was surprised to see the JFA is asking an advertising agency to design a mascot with using my slogan (Let’s go to Brazil) and recently they are printing T-Shirts with it to sell it to the markets before the important matches between Jordan and Uruguay.

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Ballon War! Ronaldo & Blatter do battle over Messi comments

Sepp Blatter caused a rumble in world football on Tuesday when his comments about Cristiano Ronaldo were put under the spotlight.

Speaking at the end of last week, the Fifa president admitted that he preferred Lionel Messi to the Real Madrid attacker, who he claimed "spent more time at the hairdresser's".

Ronaldo hit back with a Facebook status which hinted at institutional favouritism towards Messi and his club, Barcelona, while Madrid president Florentino Perez wrote an open letter which demonstrated his displeasure.

Blatter has since apologised for his remarks by replying to Perez's letter and also Tweeting Ronaldo's official account.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 09:00

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Platini and Blatter cram the World Cup full

With the European Championships soon to expand from 16 teams to 24, the World Cup could be set to receive similar treatment.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is on record as wanting more Asian and African teams to be represented at the planet's biggest tournament and Uefa head honcho Michel Platini suggested on Monday that the finals could be stretched to 40 teams to make room.

There are more international teams around than there used to be but it could still be a tight fit if football's administrators get their way and push Russia 2018 to another level.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 12:48

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Hart & Nastasic gift wrap Chelsea's winner

Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge appeared to be heading for a tie as Chelsea and Manchester City were both holding firm in the final stages.

But one hopeful long punt towards City's goal triggered Joe Hart to sprint out from his area, only for Matija Nastasic to head the ball past his own goalkeeper, which allowed Fernando Torres to tap in the winner and send Jose Mourinho crowd surfing.

Monday, October 28, 2013 12:00

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Bale at Neymar's mercy after Clasico clash

Neymar and Gareth Bale stepped onto the Camp Nou turf for their first taste of a Clasico encounter on Saturday evening, billed as the main supporting cast for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It turned out to be a frustrating night for the Real Madrid star, however, with Bale slicing a couple of efforts high and wide before being hooked by Carlo Ancelotti on the hour mark.

For Neymar, it was a different story. The Brazilian sensation got his side well on the way to a 2-1 victory with the opening goal of the game, picking up on Andres Iniesta's ball through to slot into the corner of the net.

Sunday, October 27, 2013 11:00

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Messi and Ronaldo’s last chance to stop Ribery's Ballon d’Or pursuit

Saturday's El Clasico has extra significance for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo look to halt Franck Ribery's pursuit of the Ballon d'Or.

The France international's scintillating form inspired Bayern Munich in their treble-winning campaign last season and so far this term the 30-year-old has picked up where he left off, which makes him a strong contender to scoop Fifa's highest individual accolade ahead of the Barcelona star and the Real Madrid ace.

Will Messi or Ronaldo be able to put in a Ballon d'Or-winning display at Camp Nou?

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Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic & Ribery leave trail of destruction

Wednesday marked another string of scintillating displays in the Champions League, the best of which came from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Sweden international notched four of Paris Saint-Germain's five goals in a comfortable win over Anderlecht, one of which, a 30-yard thunderbolt, will be a frontrunner for the best strike in the competition this season.

Elsewhere, Franck Ribery netted twice in Bayern Munich's 5-0 rout against Viktoria Plzen, while Cristiano Ronaldo's double fired Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Juventus.

Thursday, October 24, 2013 12:00

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