Ozil dreaming of a winter break

It's fair to say that Mesut Ozil has not enjoyed his best week since swapping Real Madrid for Arsenal and the Premier League.

The German international was the villain in midweek, missing an early penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, as the Gunners slipped to a 2-0 defeat that leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.

And the £42 million man was left out altogether on Saturday to rest as the Gunners cruised to a 4-1 win over Sunderland.

Monday, 24 February 2014 11:46

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Llorente: I see Tevez more than my girlfriend

Fernando Llorente may be taking his strike partnership with Carlos Tevez a bit too far after admitting he spends more time with the Argentine than his girlfriend.

"We are both very different, but perhaps you need this to form a beautiful partnership. He is more aggressive than me, moves more, is smaller, you can see his desire to impress and score goals,” the Spaniard told Tuttosport.

"Off the field me and Tevez hang out a lot. We both are very family orientated, he has his wife and children, I have my girlfriend and parents when they come and see me.

"The fact remains that between training sessions I spend more time with Tevez than I do my own girlfriend."

Sunday, 23 February 2014 12:00

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Manchester United show Rooney the money

Wayne Rooney finally put pen to paper on a new Manchester United contract on Friday.

The new deal will potentially see the striker stay at the club until 2019 and earn a staggering £300,000-a-week.

That figure has seen plenty of onlookers question the deal, but David Moyes has no doubts about the value of the England international.

"Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003," said Moyes.

"Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent.

"With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge."

Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:30

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SoldaD'oh! Spurs striker skies his sitter

It has been a difficult adaptation period for Roberto Soldado. The Spain striker signed for Tottenham for £26 million last summer but has struggled to find the back of the net this season.

He has scored just five goals from 21 Premier League matches, but with five in three the Europa League had provided him with a happier hunting ground. Until last night.

The striker looked set to put Tim Sherwood's men a goal up against Dnipro in the competition's last 32, but blazed well over with the goal wide open. The Ukranians went on to win the match 1-0. D'Oh!

Friday, February 21, 2014 12:00

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Miss-it Ozil can't fire Arsenal past Bayern

It had been billed as a big night for Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil, and he could have got off to a great start by netting an early penalty against Bayern Munich.

But his languid run-up, never a favourite among British crowds and commentators, was matched by a timid shot straight at Manuel Neuer, a giant in the Bavarians' goal all night.

With all his recent criticism coming to the fore, plus the thousands of fans behind the goal, the pressure proved to be far too much for Ozil.

Thursday, February 20, 2014 12:00

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Champions League back with a bang as Barcelona leave old foes fuming

Barcelona's 2-0 win against Manchester City left Manuel Pellegrini in a rage and Jose Mourinho eating humble pie.

The City boss was furious at the Swedish referee who awarded Barca a penalty and sent off Martin Demichelis. Pellegrini let fly in his post-match press conference, saying the ref was not up to the job of officiating a Champions League clash.

And it was a bitter result for Mourinho, who had earlier called out "the worst Barca side in many, many years". Cesc Fabregas issued a stinging rebuttal at full-time, saying Barca's detrctors should "shut up for a few days".

All the while, Paris Saint-Germain were marching towards the quarter-finals with a 4-0 away win against Bayer Leverkusen, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoreing twice, one of which an absolute rocket.

The Champions League is definitely back in full swing!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 12:00

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Hooray! The Champions League is back again

It has been a long two months since the Champions League group stages came to a close and the last-16 ties were drawn out of the hat in Nyon. But fear no more!

Tonight signals the return of the top club competition in Europe - if not the world. It's Manchester City v Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen v Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

With Arsenal taking on Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Chelsea and a whole host of other top teams in action over the coming weeks, you won't be short of star names and big performances. Rejoice!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 12:00

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Mourinho a 'specialist in failure' against Manchester City

Jose Mourinho hit the headlines on Friday after labelling Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a 'specialist in failure'.

"He's a specialist in failure. I'm not," Mourinho said in response to suggestions from Wenger that he fears defeat.

"The reality is he's a specialist because eight years without a piece of silverware, that is failure."

But it was Mourinho and Chelsea who flirted with failure on Saturday, as Manchester City dumped the Stamford Bridge side out of the FA Cup.

Stevan Jovetic and Samir Nasri were on the scoresheet for Manuel Pellegrini's men, who took some revenge for their Premier League defeat to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Sunday, 16 February 2014 07:30

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School bully: Mourinho teases 'failure' Wenger

The war of words is well under way between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, with the Chelsea boss labelling his rival as "a specialist in failure”.

Wenger had suggested Mourinho's reluctance to consider Chelsea as title contenders was down to a "fear to fail”, and this spat looks set to last for the remaining 12 Premier League games.

But can Wenger gain the upper hand in the battle of wits and guide Arsenal to their first league title in 10 years?

Saturday, 15 February 2014 12:00

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Kroos warned not to play poker with Bayern over contract

Mehmet Scholl has urged Toni Kroos not to ‘play poker’ with Bayern Munich over his contract situation.

The 24-year-old midfielder has yet to sign an extension to his current deal which expires in 2015, while Manchester United manager David Moyes was spotted with the player’s agent during a scouting trip in January.

"I think it's not wise for Toni to play poker too much with Bayern," Scholl told TZ.

"That's how it seems at the moment. His current wages are enough for him to have warm food on the table twice a day already!"

Friday, February 14, 2014 12:00

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