New Arsenal Signing Sent out on Loan

Ryo Miyaichi, the young Japanese attacker who joined Arsenal in the new year, has been sent on loan to Feyenoord in an informal agreement.

He was offered a contract by Arsenal at the end of August 2010, but officially agreed to join the club at the start of the new year, which was exciting news for Arsenal as he has been compared to former Manchester United winger/striker, Cristiano Ronaldo - in terms of ability.Wenger praised the 18 year-olds "raw ability" and "potential" which delighted him and attracted Arsenal to bring him to London.

He will now begin to fulfill his potential in Holland with Feyenoord as Arsenal director Richard Law said:

"We don't believe in a co-operation by signing contracts and documents. It's much more important to build up a good relationship. We have similar relationships with other players and already have a good relationship with Feyenoord."

"If we can help each other out, then it is something we will look into. I see this as a shake of hands agreement."

The move is apparently part of a wider strategy to strengthen links between the two clubs - who both have similar footballing philosophies, and Arsenal believe that the Dutch club will be a good place for youngsters like Miyaichi to learn their trade before returning to England.
The Arsenal Director, Richard Law continued:

"Feyenoord must fully trust us when we say that he is a very good player. We feel they will use him in the right manner. We have not put any demands on them and it will be up to them where he will play and how much he does."

Tottenham 0 - 0 Man Utd: 9 men & Vidic Keep out Spurs

Tottenham huffed and puffed against Manchester United, but were unable to blow the mighty Vidic's defence down as the Red Devils just about made sure that their unbeaten run continues for another week. It was defence against attack as the midfield of Tottenham really controlled most of the play with Luka Modric spraying the ball around to his team mates in search of the killer pass, but it was just out of reach, largely due to the magnificent defence of United.

The two wide players for Tottenham, Bale and Lennon, who were expected to be the difference between the two sides didn't have the best of games, and were unable to make much of an impact. Only a couple of their crosses managed to find a Tottenham players waiting head, but no finish could be found. That was the problem for Tottenham really, they had most of the offensive possession, but just couldn't slice open the organised solidity of the defence, even when United went a man down.

Rafael da Silva was sent off in the 74th minute for a second "bookable" offence. I say "bookable" in inverted commas because the decision to give him that second yellow was, although seemingly inevitable, questionable. When the Brazilian defender picked up his first yellow card early on, I had a strong feeling that with his passion, commitment and refusal to back out of any tackle, the likely possibility was that he would get another. He did, but it wasn't from a malicious, dangerous or cynical tackle - it was a clip on the back of Assou-Ekkoto's heel as hey both ran for the ball. It was obvious that it was an accident - even the sometimes naive Rafael wouldn't have been stupid enough to purposely trip the opponent on a yellow card - but the referee, Mike Dean was his usual, unsympathetic or understanding self and harshly brandished the red.

As it happened, Bale wasn't able to exploit the left wing in the absence of Rafael, and the game ended with United on the attack - despite being under pressure from Tottenham ever since the dismissal.

Overall, United's play was pretty poor. It was clear they wanted to win, and definitely could have won, but the passing was bad. The final ball was disappointing. The attacking was almost non existent apart from a couple of good attacks which led to a few chances, but not as much as United would have liked. Perhaps the only real positive to be taken was the outstanding performance from the defenders, ad come to think of it, the togetherness of the team when they went a man down.

While earlier in the season United may have conceded a clumsy goal late on, they were resilient tonight, as the best centre back partnership in the League, Ferdinand and Vidic proved their worth to the United team with some invaluable tackles, headers away and clearance.

Manchester United go back to top spot, ahead of Manchester rivals City on goal difference while Tottenham move to within a point of fourth place Chelsea. It was, in the end, another clash of two strong teams that was, although entertaining, over hyped.

Ronaldinho's Turned Down England Twice Before - So Why Blackburn?

Now that the new Blackburn owners have confirmed that they have bid £6.2 million for AC Milan star, Ronaldinho, we must think up reasons as to why he would want to join less than glamorous Blackburn Rovers - other than the reported £130,000 a week wages.

The 30 year-old Brazilian has been subject to bids from both Manchester United and Manchester City in his career, and has turned down both of them. He turned a big money United deal down in 2003 when he chose to move to Spain and play for Barcelona, and he turned City down during Thaksin Shinawatra's reign in 2008 after a £25.5million bid - instad choosing a move to Milan. So why Blackburn now?

It would be great to see Ronaldinho playing in the Premier League, and although way past his best would bring a lot of skill and flare to England, just as he has at all the clubs he has been to, but it is understandable that people are a little shocked about Blackburn' interest.

He doesn't seem to suit their playing style, but I think the deal is most probably being done by the owners, and not the manager. The Venkey's have become unpopular among fans after the strange sacking of Sam Allardyce and have admitted that they know nothing about football. There are some names in football however, that everyone has heard because of the universal interest in such good players. Ronaldinho is one of them. Having won prestigious awards such as the FIFA World Player of the Year and the European Player of the Year among so many others, as well as playing for some of the best teams in the world and lighting up the World Cup in 2002 (and winning it), you don't really have to know football to know Ronaldinho.

The signing is one that would potentially bring a wider interest into Blackburn Rovers and one that would make the Venky's a lot more money through shirt sales and merchandise. They see owning Blackburn as a business and nothing more, much like many other owners of football clubs, and are only interested in making money.

Having said that, being the brilliant player he is (or was) will still add more quality to the Blackburn side, and might even attract other players who dream of playing alongside such a footballing legend, and would be a good bit of business - that is if they can persuade him to join over Brazilian club Gremio - the front runners for his signature.

Stoke Manager Complains Arsenal are less Disciplined than Stoke

Arsene Wenger has complained in the past about Stoke City's aggressive play and crunching tackles, especially after their defender Ryan Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey's leg. But now, Tony Pulis has hit back at Arsenal and Wenger ahead of the match between the two teams at the Emirates on the week-end.

Pulis said:

"Arsenal have got more red cards than us this season, more yellows than us and committed more fouls,"

"It'd also be nice to tell the ref that before Saturday - I just have? Good! People have perceptions and you struggle to change those.

"You speak to the layman and its 'bad old Stoke going to The Emirates.' But the facts don't back up that."

Pulis has obviously looked up the statistics on the two teams in preparation, because what he said is correct. Arsenal have conceded 224 fouls this season to Stoke's 194, and the Gunners have received 4 red cards to the Potters' 1.
The statistics are true, but many of the yellow and red cards Arsenal have received were from silly challenges and not dangerous ones. Wenger agrees:

"He's right. We've got more yellow cards. It's surprising about our yellow cards. Like the other night (against Manchester United) we picked up yellow cards but I thought it was a fair game."

Pulis and Wenger have often had a difference in opinion when it comes to discipline. Wenger and Arsenal fans were furious with the horrific challenge that left the Welsh midfielder, Aaron Ramsey with a terrible broken leg which threatened his career. Pulis argued that his player didn't purposely injure Ramsey, and Shawcross "has no bad blood in him whatsoever", while Wenger called on the FA to act swiftly to severely  punish Shawcross for the tackle.

Pulis is obviously frustrated with the reputation his team have when it comes to discipline, and although Ramsey is now healed from his leg break, the anger that sparked from the orignal tackle is still verymuch in the air. Stoke shouldn't be surprised if certain players are get a frosty reception from the Arsenal fans on Saturday.

Manchester United sign Anderson on New Deal

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has signed a new contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2015.

The Brazilian had been quite a disappointment since his £17 million move to United in 2007 from FC Porto, as he struggled to find form or fitness - which cost him a regular first team place. However, after playing a couple of games in the first team, filling in for Paul Scholes and proving his qualities with some fine performances and a rare goal to his name, not to mention his obvious potential he has earned himself the new deal.

The 22 year-old, who had been linked to moves away from United said he is delighted with the contract renewal, as he told the clubs official website:

"This is the best club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years"

"I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract."

His manager was equally as happy, saying that Anderson "has fantastic potential" and is "going to be a really top player" for the club.

The player scored his first goal at Old Trafford against Valencia last week - doubling his overall goal tally for United, and the signs of improvement are clear to see. He is much more comfortable with his position -playing further forward seems to be a strong point, but his physicality and passion are still as strong as when he first joined as a teenager.

Things seem to be going United's way at the moment - top of the League with a game in hand after toppling title challengers Arsenal and they stand in the proud position of being the only unbeaten side in England. A shaky Chelsea team in next up for the Red Devils, and Anderson will be hoping to earn his money and play a big part in pushing the Blues of the edge in what looks like will be a thrilling game.

“I had never watched a single football match in my life [before buying Blackburn]"

“I had never watched a single football match in my life [before buying Blackburn]". These are the words of new Blackburn owner, Anuradha Desai - said after taking over Blackburn Rovers. Sam Allardyce has been sacked, with no real reason other than they want "good football and Blackburn to be fourth or fifth in the league or even better" - aspirations that are not only ridiculously high for the outgoing manager, but any other manager coming in.

How then, can they decide as to whether the manager - vastly experienced and relatively successful at the clubs he has managed is not good enough, despite only seeing a few games of football with him in charge. Sir Alex Ferguson, a good friend of Allardyce said:

"I've never heard of such a stupid decision in all my life, it's absolutely ridiculous. I don't know what they're doing up there, but deary me. "

That is coming from a man who knows what it is like being a manager, under pressure - but in a job, as he sits in the position of being the longest serving manager currently still managing in the football league, and he is right of course.

Will the new Rovers' owner be one of those owners of a football club? By those I mean another Mike Ashley - recently sacking the excellent, widely supported boss, Chris Hughton. After all, it was the same Anuradha Desai that said of Allardyce after her takeover:

 "He deserves a chance"

and

"To this end the group have promised manager Allardyce funds to spend in the January transfer window."

That is - if he still has the job - which he doesn't, and so it turns out, both are lies on the part of the owners, as they falsely led Big Sam into a sense of security in his job - something that very few managers have these days.

The League Managers association said this:

"When new owners take over a club, sadly the manager's position often hangs by a thread."

If this is what footballing is turning into for managers, then it really isn't a good advert for any young managers wanting to come through and earn their trade. I think that the owners should only interfere when the situation is severe - or it is suggested that the clubs situation is balancing on that. Blackburn weren't, and a man who was being tipped for the England job finds himself out of a job all together thanks to a poor, poor decision.

Arsene Wenger Realises he has Out Grown his Sleeping Bag

No, it isn't a clever metaphor, but it is simply a literal observation of Arsene Wenger unable to let go of the old days when he could fit into his camping sleeping bag. Kind of. With yet another disappointing performance from Arsenal against a top side in a big game, it is no wonder Wenger is losing his mind...

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Wojciech Szczesny To Start in Goal for Arsenal against United



Szczesny reveals how many goals he will concede tonight

 Wojciech Szczesny will start for Arsenal against Manchester United tonight in a game which could send either team to the top of the table.  
Szczesny confirmed the news by replying to a Polish journalist, who texted him over the speculation;
when asked if he would 'play against Manchester', Szczesny replied: 'Yes, and I'm really happy about it.'
Fabianski is said to have a groin injury and will not be risked, and despite Almunia declaring himself fit, the Spaniard will be overlooked.

The 20 year-old Polish goalkeeper has only 3 appearances for Arsenal's first team, but will be thrown in at the deep end as he comes face to face with a strike force, who, on their day are one of the best in the world in Rooney and Berbatov. However, Wenger has seen something in Szczesny in his time at the club, and thinks he has all the qualities to cope with players like these, as in January 2010, the Frenchman said:

"I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal's No 1. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper"

Is today the day that he becomes Arsenal's number one? In such a big game against good opposition, there is no doubt, he will have plenty of time to prove himself. But there is also little doubt that the move to put such an inexperienced goalkeeper in to a big game so fast is a bit of a risk - especially as Manuel Almunia has declared himself fit.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham - Video Goals

Watch the Goals Here

Arsenal jumped above Manchester United to the top of the table after a 2 - 1 win at the Emirates, thanks in no small part to the brilliance of Samir Nasri.

The Frenchman grabbed both of the goals, making his tally for the season go into double figures to 11, and they were very important goals too, as Chelsea faltered at home against Everton. With Manchester United not playing due to snowy conditions at Blackpool, it was the chasers chance to leap frog the Red Devils at the top as well as gain some momentum going into next weeks games. Arsenal have benefited, while a poor Chelsea, despite the return of John Terry, drew against Everton, thanks to a late Jermaine Beckford goal which results in the Blues sitting third.

Both of the Gunners goals were sublime. Their small, tricky passing doesn't always pay off or turn into goals, but when Samir Nasri is in this kind of form, you just need to pass to him in the box and there will be only one result. Arshavin, fresh from winning the controversial 2018 World Cup bid, fed in  Nasri on the right of the penalty box for the first goal. Nasri then faked a shot as one Fulham defender came sliding in for the block. He then faked another, as another defender came sliding helplessly passed, and then with the coolest finish, he smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net - with no challengers ahead of him. "Beautiful!", "magnificent!", "fantastic!" screamed the commentator, and you just have to agree.

Fulham then equalised in the 30th minute through striker Kamara. Confusion at the back left Diamante Kamara free in the middle, and as the American Clint Dempsey clipped the ball over everyone to the waiting striker, it was only going to be a simple placement into the net passed Fabianski. It has happened quite often this season, and it is a problem Wenger needs to address. His defence is caught out to often, and something must be done, because a winning team can't keep leaking goals, especially when it comes to the better sides.

15 minutes left of the match, and Arsenal know that a win takes them top. Step up Mr Nasri. Again, the Frenchman's trickery inside the box is excellent after he is fed in by Robin van Persie. Nasri bursted into the box with the ball at his feet, slipped round the goalkeeper with ease, swivelled around to the left of the goal, adjusted his feet, and lifted the ball into the back of the net for the winner. Just brilliant.

Goals like that deserve to win games, and it just so happens that these goals also took Arsenal to the top of the table too.

Watch the Goals Here

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Giovani dos Santos to Leave Tottenham for Liverpool?

Since joining Tottenham from Barcelona in 2008, Giovani dos Santos has never really had a fair run in the team. He has talent, he has the ability, but he doesn't get the game time at White Hart Lane, and with Tottenham's recent surge to success in the Champions League as wel as at home inthe Premier League, it seems as if a first team place will start to become even more unlikely for the tricky Mexican.

The 21-year-old had a good World Cup, playing his part, alongside Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, in helping Mexico through their group stage; beating France in the process. He was even nominated for the FIFA young player of the tournament award, which eventually went to German striker Thomas Muller. But on his return to Tottenham, he found that Rafael van der Vaart had been bought, and his place in the team was all but gone.

The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp pointed out the former Barcelona man's main weakness:

"If he could pass a nightclub as well as he can pass a ball, he would be all right."

And although admitting that dos Santos has "bags of ability and fantastic skill", his dedication to the Tottenham cause was questionable.


Dos Santos is now being linked to a number of clubs in terms of destinations for a possible transfer, with Liverpool being among the names. He would provide good width to the Liverpool side, as well as his trickery and creativity - things that Liverpool need a big injection of if they are to climb back up to their perch with Roy Hodgson. At his young age of 21, dos Santos has plenty of time to improve his game, or his dedication to football, as Redknapp pointed out, and the fee shouldn't be too high since he hasn't exactly had a chance to showcase his talents at Tottenham.

The youngster has been labelled as a "flop" by some, but with only 10 League appearances under his belt, it really can't be judged whether the signing was a failure. He hasn't had a chance to show what he can really do at Tottenham, but with Liverpool, and their depleted squad, a little bit of Mexican skill and passion would be welcomed with relief to the injury ridden squad.
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Rangers 0 - 1 Man United: Rooney Scores Winner as United Stay Top

As Wayne Rooney ran with clenched fists screaming and moving his head wildly towards the Manchester United fans, you could be forgiven for thinking that he was about to knock every one of the boo boys out in a massive punch up. He had actually just scored the winner for Manchester United against Rangers in the Champions League, and he was positively animated, overjoyed, and most probably relieved that he had scored a goal at last.

(WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE GOAL BELOW)

For the most part, Rooney looked so much better than previous performances this season. He had a couple of tough chances that the Rooney of last season may have taken, but after the summer he had, he is still climbing back up the ladder to get to that prolific stage once again.

Rangers didn't look at all like a team that wanted to win the game. They needed to win, but their extremely negative tactics of about five defenders and one striker restricted them to only around 5 minutes of the whole match outside of their own half. They were dominated by a controlling but wasteful Manchester United, who admittedly didn't create a massive amount of chances.

Rangers brought on James Beattie - another striker - just after Rooney had scored, and with little chance of getting anything from the game just whithered away, accepting their Europa League spot.
Valencia had beaten Bursaspor 6 - 1 and so Rangers needed to win. Nobody must have told them that though.

Manchester United ended up being too much for the Scottish team, and stayed at the top of their Champions League table with a point against their next opponents and closest rivals Valencia, guaranteeing them top spot.

Hopefully for Manchester United and Wayne Rooney, the striker can now get back on track in the Premier League with goals galore. It might take a little while longer for him to get back into top form, but he will get there - and if his estatic celebration was anything to go by, his commitment to United is not in any doubt.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez Scores for Mexico Again

Hernandez has been described by the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as two footed, very quick, has a good spring and a natural goalscorer. So Ferguson certainly knows what he is talking about!
The exciting young Mexican once again showed his potential with a clever run, onside, with a simple tap in. If you don't get in the positions, you don't score the goals. Chicharito does both.
It was his eleventh international goal - scoring two in he World Cup against Argentina and France, with the rest coming in friendly games - one against World Champions Spain. More of this form and Hernandez could be nailing himself to the Manchester United team-sheet. Good to see.

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