Wenger: No New Centre Back Signing Needed

Ten games into the Premier League season, and Arsenal sit in seventh position in the table - 10 points behind the leaders, Manchester City. Other than the obvious difference in the amount of points gathered by both teams, there is one other glaring divide between Arsene Wenger's side and Roberto Mancini's: goals conceded.

It is a fundamental rule of football; if you don't concede, you will not lose, but unfortunately for Arsenal, their defending from the very start of the season has been quite embarrassingly awful. At the Emirates, Wenger's side have conceded an acceptable amount of four goals in five game, but away from home, it has been a whole different story. In just five away matches, the Arsenal defence has conceded an astonishing 17 goals - eight of those coming at Old Trafford.

Compare those figures to the Premier League leaders', who have conceded just two at home and six away, and you can clearly see where Arsenal need improving if they want to at least break into those Champions League places. Tightening up that defence must be a priority for the team if they stand any chance of success this season - especially considering that they have already conceded almost half the amount of goals they did in the whole of last season (they have already let in 21 and allowed the opposition to score 43 last year).

However, Arsene Wenger is confident that the central defenders, who are now all back from varying problems are sufficient enough to help Arsenal to success. He believes that balance at the back is crucial, and he has finally found that balance with Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, with Johan Djourou and Sebastian Squillaci also available if needed. He said:

"The balance is vital. I must say that all the three can play with each other. Koscielny and Vermaelen can play together and Mertesacker can play with Vermaelen and Koscielny. It gives us a bit of an opportunity to rotate a bit when needed and people are tired." 

"Ideally, Vermaelen will play on the left [of the centre-back pair]. But Koscielny can play on the left as well so we have a good potential and balance there. I think that all the three can play at any moment, and we still have Djourou and Squillaci as well."

"People wanted us to buy a centre-back so much and then suddenly you realise we have plenty."

Arsenal fans will probably be hoping that injuries stay away from their back line for a while, with luck in that department very thin on the ground, having seen Vermaelen - a integral part of the defence hampered with injuries for a long, arduous period of time.

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Man Utd vs Oţelul Galaţi Highlights Champions League November 2011

MANCHESTER UNITED vs OTELUL GALATI:

Manchester United are playing some sublime footballl this season and they will be looking to make it good match as they are playing in the UEFA Champions League group stages where they will be hoping to get another win under their belt and it will be interesting to see how this match goes about. Manchester United are playing well in the league again after getting a big defeat in the hands of city rivals that is Manchester City.

Manchester United will be trying to play some attractive football and get their form back on track, It is expected that Rooney and Hernendez will start upfront while Michael Owen and Berbatov will be on the bench in this Match. What is interesting, Rio Ferdinend has been told by Sir Alex that he has to alter his game if he is to continue his career at United as the first team player.

United are coming into this match on the back of winning 3 crucial points against Everton in the league it was 1-0 win and Javier Hernandez scored a tap in to win the game for United. YOu can tune in here to get the live updates of the match here, while match highlights will be available shortly after the match is over.

Manchester United vs Otelul Galati:
UEFA Champions League
Date: 2 November 2011

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Arsenal vs Marseille Highlights Champions League - 1 November 2011

ARSENAL VS MARSIELLE - UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ARSENAL VS MARSEILLE:

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Date: 1 November 2011

In the big match in the UEFA Champions League today we will have Asenal taking on Marseille side who will be hunting for the win at Emirates which seening Arsenal as playing some of the best football in country in the past month or so. Their performences has improved alot and they are winning games with ease and they will be very confident when they take on Marseille as they are coming into this match on the back of one of the biggest win agains their local rivals chelsea.

Arsenal are a team who tend to play better football, when they are given space and time and with their top players finding form just at the right time they are now one dangerous side as they keep on attacking all the time and that makes other team less effective on the other side of the pitch.

With the likes of Van Persie and Theo Walcot are in the form of their life and if they can keep the good run of form going it will be interesting to see how this match goes about. Marseille on the other hand are struggling in the league and also they lost against ARsean couple of weeks ago and they will be hoping to avoid such thing this time around.

ARSENAL vs MARSEILLE
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
DATE: 1 november 2011 - Time:

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"We Are Back" + Podolski to Arsenal?

Arsenal have the "spirit" and "belief" needed to succeed back in the dressing room thanks to their thrilling win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday according to the manager, Arsene Wenger. Scoring five goals away from home is an achievement against any side, but away to Chelsea, who conceded only 13 goals at home throughout the whole of last season is a fantastic confidence and morale booster for Wenger's team. The Frenchman said:

"If you have gone through what we have gone through since the start of the season, it's reassuring for me. The players have suffered, but that shows the belief and spirit is back."

"The spirit is great and all this together explains why the players reacted like that (after the final whistle). The spirit is strong and you feel that in the dressing room."

"The players are determined together and they want to play like we did against Chelsea. That encourages us to believe that we have the quality."

The Arsenal manager was also quick to praise his captain Robin van Persie for yet another superb display, scoring his 10th, 11th and 12th goals of the season at Chelsea to secure the win.

"He has exceptional class. He has scored 28 goals in 27 games in 2011. There are many factors why he is in such good form. He has experience, he is top quality and he's at the right age as well."

The side play Marseille on Tuesday in the Champions League group stages, and Wenger will be hoping to see the newly discovered spirit and belief on display again to secure a place in the later stages of the European competition.

A player whom Wenger may look to use in those later stages is FC Köln striker, Lukas Podolski. The German media are reporting that Arsenal have sent representatives to watch the former Bayern Munich attacker with the potential of a January swoop.

The 26 year-old, like van Persie is in top goalscoring form, having scored eight goals in 11 Bundesliga games for his club. Köln are not in the Champions League, so Podolski would not be cup-tied and would be eligible to contribute to Arsenal's European campaign if signed in the January transfer window.

The acquisition of an attacking player such as Podolski may seem strange considering the competition for places up front, with van Persie, Gervinho, Park and Chamakh all vying for places, however, the German international has becomes accustomed to playing out on the left wing for his country. Podolski's club have made it a priority to begin talks to extend his contract before Christmas of this year, with the players current deal expiring at the end of next season.

It is an interesting rumour, and with many others soon to follow as the January transfer window approaches, it looks like it could possibly be another busy transfer window for Arsenal. Then again, these kinds of rumours pop up every year...

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Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal Highlights Goals Video Premier League - 29 October 2011

Chelsea vs Arsenal Premier League Match:

English Premier League Match:
Chelsea vs Arsenal:
Date: 29 October 2011 - Time: 12:45 BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

In what will be a huge derby match this weekend between two of the big London sides will be taking on place as Chelsea will be hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and it will be interesting to see how this match goes about. Chelsea are playing some good football now but Arsenal's form is improving with everymatch they play. It always a great match when these two teams meet and this firworks can be axpected in this match as well.

Chelsea are having stuttering season and they will have to be more consistant as they are playing some sublime football of late, and it will be interesting to see how this match goes about. Arsenal are playing some good football in the league and their recent few performences have been nothing short of great.
Arsenal top player Robin Van Persi has been playing some well leading the team in style and he is scoring goals for fun at the moment.

TEAM NEWS:
Chelsea Team Squad: Cech; Bosingwa, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Meireles, Mikel, Lampard; Mata, Torres, Sturridge.
Out: Essienn (knee), Hilario (flu).

Arsenal Team Squad: Szczesny; Djourou, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos; Song, Arteta, Ramsey; Gervinho, Van Persie, Walcott.
Out: Benayoun (ineligible), Diaby, Sagna, Wilshere, Gibbs
(Stomach). Test: Jenkinson (knee).

Match Result and Highlights
[ Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal ]
14' [1 - 0] F. Lampard
36' [1 - 1] R.v. Persie
45' [2 - 1] J. Terry
49' [2 - 2] A. Santos
49' [2 - 2] A. Santos
56' [2 - 3] T. Walcott



 

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West Brom vs Liverpool Live Stream Highlights - 29 October 2011

In the Premier League match we will have Liverpool traveling to face West Bromwhich Albion in what will be a very interesting match on the weekend, Liverpool are struggling for form in the league but with Luiz Suarez playing well they always have a threat going forward and this week they will be traveling to face West Brom in what will be an very exciting match on the wekend and you can tune in here to get the live updates and the match highlights which will be available shortly after the match is over.

West Brom are a team struggling for form big time, they also have a poor home record so it will be interesting to see how whther West Brom go out their and play some good football or not. West Brom have played 9 matches in the league and they have 11 point in the league table whicch see them on the 12 place in the league.

Liverpool on the other hand, have played 9 matches as well and they are currently on 15 points, which sees them on 6th place, they are definately out out of the title challenge and now will have to concentrate on finishing 4th in the league. THey will have to win these sort of matches to keep their momentum going.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
WEST BROMWHICH ALBION VS LIVERPOOL
Date: 29 October 2011 - Time: 17:30 BST

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Man United Goalkeeper To Be Sold in January

Manchester United will sell their 29 year-old Polish goalkeeper, Tomasz Kuszczak in a cut-price deal in January with it very clear that he will not see any first team football for United in the near future.

The purchases of David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard as well as the emergence of 21 year-old former United youth goalkeeper Ben Amos have left Kuszczak as the fourth choice goalkeeper, missing out on first team action, even in Carling Cup ties.

Since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2006, he has played only 61 times for United with only 32 of those appearances in the League. United have failed to sell the goalkeeper before because of their £4 million valuation of him but with his contract running out during 2012, Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to place a lower price tag on Kuszczak to allow clubs such as West Brom reignite their interest in him.

The player himself is more than happy to leave the club, having already decided on his future in April when he said: "I'm definitely leaving the club. My time in Manchester is coming to an end. I've worked hard for five years, but I never played as much as I wanted. It's a shame the manager didn't really give me a chance. I always believed I can be Edwin Van Der Sar's successor. Unfortunately, Sir Alex has decided differently"


Despite owning three Premier League winners medals, United had to apply for special dispensation for all three as Kuszczak hadn't played enough times in the season to recieve a medal automatically. He has however, won two League Cup's with United as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2008 despite not playing a prominent part in the latter's squad.

Leaving Manchester United will surely be a very healthy career move for him, and would definitely allow the undoubtedly talented 'keeper's career to get back on track after five years of very few chances in the first team.

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