Wenger keeps faith in Adebayor

Arsene Wenger hopes it will only be a matter of time before the Emirates Stadium sees the best of Emmanuel Adebayor.

The 21-year-old Togo striker has been handed the role of targetman alongside captain Thierry Henry since being introduced into the first team following a January transfer from Monaco.

Adebayor hit the net four times - including on his debut - over the closing stages last season, but has so far failed to find consistent form during the opening matches of the current campaign.

The 6ft 3in striker bore the frustrations of some sections of the home support at Arsenal's impressive new stadium during his last appearance.

However, two goals for the reserves in their 4-0 thrashing of Charlton at Barnet on Monday will have improved his sharpness and Wenger feels it is only a matter of time before that is transferred into the first team.

"I believe Adebayor is a bit intimidated at home," Wenger reflected.

"Away from home he is doing extremely well, but it is important for him to get the goals at home too because it looks like it has diminished his confidence."

The Gunners fielded a strong second string on Monday, one which included Theo Walcott and Mathieu Flamini, as well as wantaway defender Ashley Cole.

The England left-back completed 74 minutes as he continues to work on match fitness, having so far been excluded by Wenger from his squad as talks over a protracted transfer to Chelsea continue.

With the deadline of August 31 fast looming, negotiations over any deal have to be concluded fast - with the clubs reported to still be haggling around the size of the fee and whether Blues defender William Gallas can be included in the package.

Wenger has continually maintained his stance Arsenal do not have to sell either Cole or Jose Antonio Reyes, who wants to return to Spain, unless the deal is right for them.

However, the Gunners boss would also not stand in the way of the pair leaving, so long as it was on the club's terms.

Wenger has been at pains to stress he does not have to sell before he can buy.

Reports suggest Arsenal are ready to make a £17million move for Argentina World Cup midfielder Carlos Tevez, although any such big-money deal may have to wait until the Cole and Reyes sagas are concluded.

Kilmarnock's 19-year-old striker Steven Naismith does, though, look set to join the Gunners
following a short trial.

From : BBC

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal were punished for a host of missed chances as Manchester City clung on to end a turbulent week with a win.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry missed two one-on-ones with City keeper Nicky Weaver and a Robin van Persie shot hit the post before City took the lead.

Justin Hoyte conceded a penalty for a foul on Trevor Sinclair and tireless Joey Barton smashed in the spot-kick.

Ben Thatcher's tackle on Pedro Mendes in midweek had cast a dark cloud over City but they held on valiantly.

The game had got off to a fractious start before settling down with both teams spurning good chances.

Henry was unusually Arsenal's main culprit with the French striker showing his trademark pace and predatory instinct but lacking in his execution.

He was clean through after latching on to Alexander Hleb's lofted ball after 14 minutes only to see keeper Weaver save with his leg.

Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann gave his side a scare at the other end when his goal-kick struck Bernardo Corradi before rebounding back into his grateful arms.

Barton side-footed agonisingly wide and Corradi saw a header saved low down by a scrambling Lehmann as the home side threatened despite Arsenal's domination.

The visitors have frequently been accused of failing to apply an end product to their play and they showed why as the half wore on.

Henry angled a drive wide, was twice let down by his poor touch in threatening positions and saw another effort saved by Weaver as they strained to break the deadlock.

Van Persie's snapshot beat Weaver but hit the post before Arsenal paid the price for their profligacy.

A cross-field ball caught out left-back Hoyte, who conceded a penalty for a foul on Sinclair, and Barton dispatched the spot-kick in off the crossbar.

City had the woodwork to thank again when Gunners defender Kolo Toure's header came back off the crossbar, while Van Persie reacted angrily to not being given for a perceived push by Richard Dunne.

The home side could even have extended their lead on the stroke of half-time if Corradi had been more clinical with a poked shot hit straight at Lehmann.

Arsenal continued to pass and probe after the break and Van Persie dragged a shot across goal and wide just after the hour mark as City battled to hold on to their lead.

The home crowd were giving their side plenty of encouragement while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger threw on teenager Theo Walcott.

Walcott has twice come on to engineer late goals for his side but could not do it again as City got their goal and points tally off the mark to move off the bottom of the table.

Man City boss Stuart Pearce:"They don't lose many matches and we did it as a collective.

"When you beat Arsenal you have to ride your luck a little bit and I think we did that.

"I think after a tough couple of days one or two people may have doubted us but right through the front to back of the team I'm very proud of them."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:"We cannot finish what we create at the moment.

"In the last two games we have had a lot of possession but have not made enough out of it through naive mistakes at the back.

"But, there is a lot of potential in the side and when we are completely ready we will win these games."

Man City: Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Dabo, Vassell (Danny Mills 80), Dickov (Samaras 86), Corradi (Miller 90).Subs Not Used: Hart, Ireland.

Booked: Jordan.

Goals: Barton 41 pen.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue (Flamini 83), Toure, Djourou, Hoyte, Hleb (Adebayor 76), Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky (Walcott 66), Van Persie, Henry.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Cygan.

Booked: Van Persie.

Att: 40,699

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).

From : BBC

Wenger slams Reyes offer

Arsene Wenger branded Atletico Madrid's offer for Jose Antonio Reyes an "insult" - and maintained his priority was what is best for Arsenal Football Club before keeping players happy.

Like defender Ashley Cole, the future of the 22-year-old winger - currently sidelined with a groin problem - remains uncertain as transfer deadline day looms.

Reports in Spain suggest Atletico had made a bid in the region of £8.1million, while Arsenal were reported to have placed a £12.2million price tag on the Spain international.

Reyes has made no secret of his desire to return to the Primera Liga, with Real Madrid his preferred destination.

Wenger insists no firm proposal has been put forward by the Bernabeu club - and rejected out of hand the one tabled by their city rivals.

"I do not consider that an offer - I consider that an insult," the Arsenal manager declared.

"I feel if a player wants to go and you get an agreement with the money you want, he goes - if you do not get that, he stays here.

"We will try to make him happy - but what can we do about the situation?

"When a player has a contract you need an agreement of three parties and you need an offer for a player and we have had no offer."

Wenger added: "I am not annoyed [by the situation] because I take care of the players who play and the players who do not play, what can I do?

"He wants to go Spain and we have no offer, what can I do about it?

"I can do nothing.

"It is like you wanting to marry Miss World and she does not want you. What can I do about it?

"I can try to help you, but if she does not want to marry you, what can I do?

"If you are not happy, what can I do about it? It is exactly the same."

Wenger, however, rejected suggestions he would be better to cut his losses and let the unsettled player leave.

The Gunners boss said: "Everybody comes in then and does exactly the same. You have to be careful with what you do.

"What is important is the interest of Arsenal Football Club."

Wenger insisted: "I have a responsibility towards the club and the fans about how I manage the club.

"It is important that everybody is happy at the club - but there are other interests which are above that."

From : Football 365

Mourinho plays down Cole saga

Chelsea head into another tricky away fixture, this time at Blackburn, with the saga of Ashley
Cole's proposed transfer from Arsenal likely to drag on into next week.

After the defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, Chelsea will not want the distraction of more transfer speculation and manager Jose Mourinho has sought to play down the importance of landing long-term target Cole.

New capture Khalid Boulahrouz could provide cover for revitalised Wayne Bridge and if William Gallas makes his peace with the Chelsea chief then the failure to land Cole would be of little consequence.

Mourinho said: "I have Bridge, who is playing very well. I don't have another pure left-back but there are some solutions in the squad to give us cover for that position.

"I don't know what the situation is but if, on August 31 (transfer deadline day), we cannot get Cole then it is not a drama."

Negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea have reached an impasse with neither wishing to lose face over any deal.

Arsenal have also made a bid for Chelsea's unsettled central defender Gallas who is currently out of favour with Mourinho after failing to appear for their pre-season training camp in
America.

From : BBC

Johnson called into England squad

England have recalled Everton striker Andy Johnson for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Johnson, 25, replaces the injured Dean Ashton in the squad to face Andorra at Old Trafford on 2 September and Macedonia four days later.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick also returns after missing the friendly win over Greece with injury.

But Carrick's club-mate Gary Neville misses out with a groin problem which will keep him out for two weeks.

England head coach Steve McClaren is also without Joe Cole and Jamie Carragher through injury.

Wayne Rooney is suspended for both games following his sending off in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

Johnson, who made an £8.6m move from Crystal Palace to Everton in May, was on standby for the World Cup finals but has not played for England since the 2005 summer tour of America.

He won his first England cap as a substitute in a friendly against Holland in February last year and then started his only game for his country against the USA in Chicago.

McClaren said: "Andy deserves his chance in this squad after starting the season well with his new club.

"He's a great lad and a real team player who always gives everything. I've spoken to David Moyes and he's delighted with how well Andy has settled in at Everton.

"I'm also delighted to have Michael Carrick back. Alex Ferguson says he's been training well and should be ready for the two games.

"It's a shame his start at United has been disrupted but he's a top-quality player and a great passer of the ball."

Johnson added: "When I joined Everton I said that it would be good for my international ambitions and that's been proved right.

"Every player wants to represent his country and I am no different in that. I just hope that now I can actually play a part in the two games.

"I am happy with my form at Everton and I have to thank the lads who have made it very easy for me to settle in."

Macedonia coach Srecko Katanec has named the same 18-man squad that beat Estonia 1-0 in their opening Euro 2008 qualifier in August.

England squad:Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Liverpool), Foster (Man Utd), A Cole (Arsenal), Young (Charlton), P Neville (Everton), Bridge (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Brown (Man Utd), Dawson (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Carrick (Man Utd), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Richardson (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lennon (Tottenham), Defoe (Tottenham), Bent (Charlton), Johnson (Everton), Crouch (Liverpool)

Macedonia squad to play England on 6 September:Jane Nikolovski, Tome Pacovski, Goce Sedloski, Igor Mitreski, Nikolce Novevski, Aleksandar Vasovski, Robert Petrov, Vlade Lazarevski, Igor Jancevski, Velice Sumolikovski, Vlatko Grozdanovski, Darko Tasevski, Artim Sakiri, Aleksandar Mitrevski, Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, Ilco Naumovski, Goran Maznov

From : BBC

Kenyon optimistic of signing Cole

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident Arsenal defender Ashley Cole will sign for them before the transfer window closes in seven days.

"We just need to agree a price, so I'm optimistic. I think it's fair to say it will go to the wire," he said. "We'd like it not to, but it could do."

Asked whether William Gallas will join Arsenal as part of any deal he said: "From our point of view definitely not.

"Even if he isn't we don't think it will stop us from getting Ashley Cole."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed earlier in the week that Chelsea had rejected an offer for French defender Gallas and said Cole's departure from the club remained "50/50".

The Cole transfer saga has rumbled on all summer, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m but Arsenal holding out for £25m for the 25-year-old England international.

But Kenyon, in Monaco for the draw for the group stage of the Champions League, added: "I'd like to think he (Cole) will be part of our team.

"We've seven days to find out whether he will or he won't, but we're in discussions with Arsenal.

"Those discussions have been going on for several weeks and they'll be going on for another few days. We'll see what we can get."

Kenyon went on to say that he was aware of Arsenal's interest in Gallas.

He said: "We rejected an offer, but I know they are interested in him and would still like him to be part of the deal.

"Whether he will or he won't, I'm not sure."

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, at the same event in Monaco, said there were no new developments with regard to either player.

"We have made it clear we would like William Gallas," said Dein.

"When we negotiate it has to be at a level we believe is right for our budget, but there is no progress to relate.

"There's still a few more days to go of the transfer window, but at the moment Ashley Cole is an Arsenal player, and may very well remain an Arsenal player.

"If that's the case, we're relaxed. Whatever happens will happen."

Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa last Saturday and both legs of the Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb.

He has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined by the Football Association for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge.

In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: "I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love."

And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

From : BBC

Arsenal turn down offer for Reyes

Arsenal have confimed they have rejected a bid from Atletico Madrid for winger Jose Antonio Reyes.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein told Sky Sports News: "They have made an offer which has been rejected.

"As it stands today, Jose Antonio Reyes is an Arsenal and he may very well remain an Arsenal player."

The 22-year-old had also been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but a move to the Bernabeu appears to have stalled with the clubs failing to agree a fee.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left Reyes out of the Gunners' line-up for their Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb but he denied it had anything to do with transfer speculation.

The deal with Real hit a stumbling block with Arsenal believed to want £16m for the winger or Julio Baptista to move to the club as part of any deal.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had earlier confirmed his club's firm interest in Reyes.

He stated that Atletico had lodged "an important offer" for Reyes and denied his club would
have to offload any players to finance the deal.

Reyes has made no secret of his desire to return to Spain and in particular, Real Madrid.

From : BBC

Man City v Arsenal

City of Manchester Stadium
Saturday, 26 August
Kick-off: 1715 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD

BIG-MATCH FACTS

MANCHESTER CITY are the only club without a Premiership goal, going into this Saturday teatime contest. They're trying to beat Arsenal for the first time in 19 attempts and the first time ever in the Premiership.

Stuart Pearce selects a City side for the 50th time in the Premiership.

Since David White scored the only goal against Arsenal at Maine Road on 28 December 1991 in pre-Premier League days, City have only managed one point on home soil against the Gunners (0-0 on 15 January 1994).

ARSENAL moved into the group stages of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. They are therefore playing only their second Premiership match of the season and first on the road.

Arsene Wenger's team made a tentative start to their League campaign, being held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at their plush new home. Should the Gunners return from Eastlands without any points it would represent their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the
very first season in 1992-93 when they lost their opening two games.

The Gunners are pursuing an eighth successive Premiership maximum on Manchester City territory.

REFEREE

Uriah Rennie (Sheffield, Yorkshire)

Premiership referees' table

Uriah Rennie's 2006-07 Premiership card count

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

MANCHESTER CITY

Club stats

Fixtures Last season: 15th 43 pointsThis season: 17th 1 point

1. Pressing for a first win in six Premiership matches.

2. Drawn one and lost four top flight games since beating Aston Villa 0-1 at Villa Park on 25 April.

3. Lost 10 of the last 12 League matches.

4. Began the season with a 3-0 thrashing from champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and ended goalless in the midweek home fixture against Portsmouth, which was marked by an awful tackle by Ben Thatcher on Pedro Mendes, leaving the Portsmouth Portuguese midfielder hospitalised.

5. Not scored in 322 minutes (five hours 22 minutes) of Premiership football, since David Sommeil's consolation goal in the 1-3 home defeat by ARSENAL on 4 May.

6. Winless in five home Premiership games.

7. Drawn one and lost four top flight matches at the City of Manchester Stadium, since the 2-1 eclipse of lowly Sunderland on 5 March.

8. Gone 35 games since a score draw - the longest such sequence in the Premiership.

9. The Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 10 September last year was the most recent occasion City recorded a score draw in the top League (1-1.)

10. Have picked up just one point after the first three games of a Premiership season on four occasions to date.

ARSENAL

Club stats

Fixtures Last season: 4th 67 pointsThis season: 12th 1 point

1. Unbeaten in seven Premiership matches.

2. Won four and drawn three League games since losing 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 9 April.

3. Suffered one defeat in 12 top flight contests.

4. After the international break, Arsenal must host Chelsea's midweek conquerors
Middlesbrough on 9 September, and then visit Manchester United on Sunday, 17 September.

KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

MANCHESTER CITY

Squad profiles

If he participates, Dietmar HAMANN will be playing on the eve of his 33rd birthday.

If he plays, Joey BARTON will be making his 100th League appearance in a Manchester City
shirt.

If selected, Nicky WEAVER will be keeping goal in his 150th League match for the Citizens.

Andrew COLE and Paul DICKOV were both Arsenal trainees.

ARSENAL

Squad profiles

Freddy LJUNGBERG has scored five goals in six Premiership appearances against Manchester City.

If he plays, LJUNGBERG will be making his 200th Premiership appearance for the Gunners.

If on the field from the outset, GILBERTO SILVA will be making his 150th start for the Londoners.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Manchester City 1-3 Arsenal4 May 2006 - Ref: Graham PollMan City scorer: Sommeil
38Arsenal scorers: Ljungberg 30, Reyes 78, 84

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

Home and awayLeague: Man City 40 wins, Arsenal 79, Draws 37Prem: Man City 0 wins, Arsenal 15, Draws 3

at Man City onlyLeague: Man City 27 wins, Arsenal 31, Draws 20Prem: Man City 0 wins, Arsenal 8, Draws 1

From : BBC

Wenger delight at Zagreb victory

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was relieved after his side beat Dinamo Zagreb to record their first win at their new Emirates Stadium home.

Two late goals earned Arsenal a 2-1 victory in the Champions League third round qualifier as
they won 5-1 on aggregate to reach the group stages.

"Not to create a problem, it is better to win," said the Frenchman.

"People would have said 'you cannot win at your new stadium' if we had not won. It is good to get it out of the way."

Wenger admitted his side made an unconvincing start to the match before finding their feet to ultimately hold off their gutsy opponents in comfortable style.

"It is difficult psychologically when you are 3-0 up to go into a game like mad," he said.

"They caught us well and maybe they could have surprised opponents of less quality."

Wenger added: "I felt we had a little bit sloppy start then it became difficult for us.

"When you do not start very well, it is always difficult to come back in a convincing manner.

"We had merit to come back and win the game because in the second half, it was all us."
Dinamo Zagreb boss Josep Kuze felt his side had learned a lot from the experience.

"We came here to do better than the first leg and tried to be more aggressive," he said.

"We went 1-0 up, but then our midfield did not hold the ball and maybe if we had got a second goal, then it would have been different.

"Arsenal, being an experienced team, punished us.

"But although we lost we will go away having made a good impression and hopefully that can now translate into better form in the league as well."

From : BBC

Arsenal 2-1 D Zagreb (agg 5-1)

Arsenal resisted the challenge of Dinamo Zagreb to book their place in the Champions League group stages.

The visitors went ahead when Eduardo reduced Dinamo's deficit to 3-1 when he fired in after Kolo Toure's attempted clearance fell into his path.

Robin van Persie almost ended Dinamo's faint hopes only to see a shot steered on to the woodwork and to safety.

But Freddie Ljungberg's late header and Mathieu Flamini's tap-in saw Arsenal to victory and a place in Thursday's draw.

There was an air of co-ordinated adventure about Dinamo's play early on as they looked to engineer an unlikely comeback in the second leg of the third round qualifier.

And the Croatian side were rewarded with an early goal to give them hope.

Eduardo thrust in from the left and played the ball wide to Etto before continuing his run into the Arsenal box.

Etto slipped the ball back to his fellow Brazilian and, after Toure could only steer his clearance into the run of Eduardo, the Dinamo striker pounced to slot in an angled shot.

Arsenal heeded the warning and exerted some pressure to go along with their superior possession and they were only denied by the frame of the goal.

Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina missed a Cesc Fabregas cross and Dutch forward Van Persie seemed set to score.

But his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Mario Cvitanovic before the ball cannoned off the underside of the bar and to safety.

The influential Van Persie then produced a sublime piece of skill and had an acute-angled strike saved.

Ljungberg had an excellent chance after Adebayor's knockdown but placed his effort too close to the legs of grateful keeper Turina.

But Dinamo remained a threat and Luca Modric went close with a shot across goal and a deflected Etto strike just before half-time.

Arsenal striker Emanuel Adebayor should have put the home side beyond reach after 53 minutes but blazed high from 12 yards.

The game started to open up as the Croatian side became stretched in their attempts to score again and send a ripple of anxiety around the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal could not take advantage of the extra space in attack and manager Arsene Wenger introduced star striker Thierry Henry.

Henry's arrival gave his side more of a threat up front and Ljungberg headed in a Van Persie cross to mark his first game as captain with a goal.

Theo Walcott then set up his second goal in as many games as he crossed for Flamini to give the Gunners a win in their first European game at their new stadium.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte, Hleb (Silva 70), Fabregas, Flamini, Ljungberg, Van Persie (Walcott 81), Adebayor (Henry 65).Subs Not Used: Poom, Song Billong, Cygan, Aliadiere.

Booked: Flamini, Djourou, Walcott.

Goals: Ljungberg 77, Flamini 90.

Dinamo Zagreb: Turina, Corluka, Cvitanovic, Mamic, Drpic, Etto (Tomic 90), Vukojevic (Ljubojevic 89), Agic (Buljat 69), Carlos, Modric, Eduardo.Subs Not Used: Loncaric, Pandev, Costa.

Booked: Agic, Drpic, Buljat.

Goals: Eduardo 12.

Att: 58,418

Ref: Bertrand Layec (France).

From : BBC

Arsenal turn down offer for Reyes

Arsenal have confimed they have rejected a bid from Atletico Madrid for winger Jose Antonio Reyes.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but a move to the Bernabeu appears to have stalled with the clubs failing to agree a fee.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein told Sky Sports News: "They have made an offer which has been rejected.

"As it stands today, Jose Antonio Reyes is an Arsenal and he may very well remain an Arsenal player."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left Reyes out of the Gunners' line-up for their Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb but he denied it had anything to do with transfer speculation.

The deal with Real hit a stumbling block with Arsenal believed to want £16m for the winger or Julio Baptista to move to the club as part of any deal.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had earlier confirmed his club's firm interest in Reyes.

He stated that Atletico had lodged "an important offer" for Reyes and denied his club would have to offload any players to finance the deal.

Reyes has made no secret of his desire to return to Spain and in particular, Real Madrid.

From : BBC

Champions League draw : Arsenal in a tough group

Chelsea and Champions League holders Barcelona will renew their rivalry after they were drawn together in the first phase of this year's competition.

The two sides, who have now been paired for the third time in three years, also face Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia.

Manchester United will meet Celtic in Group F with Benfica and FC Copenhagen.
Last year's finalists Arsenal take on Porto, CSKA Moscow and Hamburg while Liverpool face PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux and Galatasaray.

AC Milan, who were found guilty in the probe into match-fixing in Serie A but were re-instated on appeal, are with Lille, AEK Athens and Anderlecht.

One of the toughest groups looks to be Group B, which sees Inter Milan, Bayern Munich,
Sporting Lisbon and Spartak Moscow.

Chelsea and Barcelona have had acrimonious clashes over the past two seasons - with both teams taking a win each.

The Premiership champions beat Barca 5-4 on aggregate in the first knockout stage in February 2005.

But the tie was overshadowed by Blues boss Jose Mourinho claiming Barca counterpart Frank Rijkaard visited referee Anders Frisk's dressing room at half-time of the first leg.

They then clashed again last season with Barcelona going through after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory.
But again there was bad blood after Chelsea accused Lionel Messi of over-reacting to a challenge by Asier del Horno, which led to the Blues full-back being sent off.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says he wants to move on from the recent controversy.

"We have a great respect for them and we have a good relationship with them and I hope people concentrate on the football," he said. "We have to move on from what has gone on before.

"This is what the Champions League is about at the end of the day. Fans want to see us against the big teams and they don't come much bigger than Barcelona.

"We shouldn't overlook the other sides in there. Werder Bremen have had a good start to the season. It's a big group."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said he is relishing the clash with Scottish champions Celtic.

"It's a great draw. It's great for the fans and great for the manager Sir Alex Ferguson," he said.

"We have not played against Celtic in a competitive fixture - the last time the two sides met was back in May when we played in Roy Keane's testimonial.

"The atmosphere that night was fantastic, now we've got a competitive fixture I'm sure it will go up many, many decibels."

But Celtic boss Gordon Strachan said that he would rather have faced a club like Real Madrid.

He told BBC Scotland: "I've been to United so many times as a player and a manager, and even with Celtic.

"I would have liked Real Madrid. Something different."

Arsenal's German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was delighted that his side, who were defeated by Barcelona in last season's final, will take on Hamburg in the first phase.

"I'm quite happy with Hamburg," he said. "We finally get to play a German side and I've always been looking forward to that.

"They are always dangerous at set-pieces. You always have to be aware of this strength.

"Porto and Moscow are good teams but we have the favourite's position in this group."
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was satisfied with his side's draw - which sees them return to Turkey - the venue of their triumph in 2005.

"We have fond memories of trips to Istanbul," he said.

"PSV and Bordeaux are a little bit of an unknown for us, but it's okay. There is no such thing as a favourable draw, none of the groups is that easy.

"Turkey is a long way but we've avoided the eastern European trips. We are looking forward to it."

Group A

BARCELONA
Chelsea
Werder Bremen
Levski Sofia

Group B

INTER MILAN
Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon
Spartak Moscow

Group C

LIVERPOOL
PSV Eindhoven
Bordeaux
Galatasaray

Group D

VALENCIA
Roma
Olympiakos
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group E

REAL MADRID
Lyon
Steaua Bucharest
Dynamo Kiev

Group F

MANCHESTER UNITED
Celtic
BenficaFC
Copenhagen

Group G

ARSENAL
Porto
CSKA
MoscowHamburg

Group H

AC MILAN
Lille
AEK Athens
Anderlecht

From : BBC

Champions League draw : Arsenal in a tough group

Chelsea and Champions League holders Barcelona will renew their rivalry after they were drawn together in the first phase of this year's competition.

The two sides, who have now been paired for the third time in three years, also face Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia.

Manchester United will meet Celtic in Group F with Benfica and FC Copenhagen.
Last year's finalists Arsenal take on Porto, CSKA Moscow and Hamburg while Liverpool face PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux and Galatasaray.

AC Milan, who were found guilty in the probe into match-fixing in Serie A but were re-instated on appeal, are with Lille, AEK Athens and Anderlecht.

One of the toughest groups looks to be Group B, which sees Inter Milan, Bayern Munich,
Sporting Lisbon and Spartak Moscow.

Chelsea and Barcelona have had acrimonious clashes over the past two seasons - with both teams taking a win each.

The Premiership champions beat Barca 5-4 on aggregate in the first knockout stage in February 2005.

But the tie was overshadowed by Blues boss Jose Mourinho claiming Barca counterpart Frank Rijkaard visited referee Anders Frisk's dressing room at half-time of the first leg.

They then clashed again last season with Barcelona going through after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory.
But again there was bad blood after Chelsea accused Lionel Messi of over-reacting to a challenge by Asier del Horno, which led to the Blues full-back being sent off.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says he wants to move on from the recent controversy.

"We have a great respect for them and we have a good relationship with them and I hope people concentrate on the football," he said. "We have to move on from what has gone on before.

"This is what the Champions League is about at the end of the day. Fans want to see us against the big teams and they don't come much bigger than Barcelona.

"We shouldn't overlook the other sides in there. Werder Bremen have had a good start to the season. It's a big group."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said he is relishing the clash with Scottish champions Celtic.

"It's a great draw. It's great for the fans and great for the manager Sir Alex Ferguson," he said.

"We have not played against Celtic in a competitive fixture - the last time the two sides met was back in May when we played in Roy Keane's testimonial.

"The atmosphere that night was fantastic, now we've got a competitive fixture I'm sure it will go up many, many decibels."

But Celtic boss Gordon Strachan said that he would rather have faced a club like Real Madrid.

He told BBC Scotland: "I've been to United so many times as a player and a manager, and even with Celtic.

"I would have liked Real Madrid. Something different."

Arsenal's German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was delighted that his side, who were defeated by Barcelona in last season's final, will take on Hamburg in the first phase.

"I'm quite happy with Hamburg," he said. "We finally get to play a German side and I've always been looking forward to that.

"They are always dangerous at set-pieces. You always have to be aware of this strength.

"Porto and Moscow are good teams but we have the favourite's position in this group."
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was satisfied with his side's draw - which sees them return to Turkey - the venue of their triumph in 2005.

"We have fond memories of trips to Istanbul," he said.

"PSV and Bordeaux are a little bit of an unknown for us, but it's okay. There is no such thing as a favourable draw, none of the groups is that easy.

"Turkey is a long way but we've avoided the eastern European trips. We are looking forward to it."

Group A

BARCELONA
Chelsea
Werder Bremen
Levski Sofia

Group B

INTER MILAN
Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon
Spartak Moscow

Group C

LIVERPOOL
PSV Eindhoven
Bordeaux
Galatasaray

Group D

VALENCIA
Roma
Olympiakos
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group E

REAL MADRID
Lyon
Steaua Bucharest
Dynamo Kiev

Group F

MANCHESTER UNITED
Celtic
BenficaFC
Copenhagen

Group G

ARSENAL
Porto
CSKA
MoscowHamburg

Group H

AC MILAN
Lille
AEK Athens
Anderlecht

From : BBC

Gunners linked with Kaladze move

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Kakha Kaladze, who is reportedly on his way out of AC Milan.

Reports in the Italian press suggest the Georgia international is ready to leave the San Siro.

The versatile defender has informed coach Carlo Ancelotti he is seeking regular first-team football and this could alert the attention of the Premiership's biggest clubs.

Kaladze has been a long-term target for Chelsea and Manchester United while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also expected to make enquiries after admitting he is seeking an experienced defender.

On Tuesday the Gunners boss confirmed they have made an offer for William Gallas but revealed the Frenchman was not the only target.

He said: "We want the player because we made an offer for him. That is clear. Gallas is not the only player we have a chance of getting. As you know there is always a lot happening in the last few days - but he is a player we have a chance to get."

The future of left-back Ashley Cole remains uncertain despite his clear desire to leave and Wenger's willingness to let him go and Kaladze would be a suitable addition to the squad.

Because of his injury, he played no part in either leg of Milan's Champions League qualifer against Crvena Zvezda and would therefore be eligible for European competition this season.

From : Football 365

Wenger bids for Chelsea's Gallas

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he has made an offer for Chelsea defender William Gallas, as the Ashley Cole saga rumbles on.

Wenger, who is reported to want Gallas in part-exchange for Cole, said Cole's departure remains "50/50". He added: "We are still in no man's land surrounding Cole's move.

I made an offer for William Gallas and that is how far we are.

"I am very keen to resolve all of this. I want the squad to be settled."

Arsenal and Chelsea have been involved in a lengthy battle for 25-year-old England defender Cole, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m but Arsenal holding out for £25m.

Last week Wenger said: "It is not true that we have turned any offer down.

"Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him."

Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa. His move across London remains uncertain - and Chelsea have recently signed Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from Hamburg. "We are ready" said Wenger last week.

"From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know.

"It's also difficult for us. We have a player and we cannot really count on him. Is he with us or not? "We have to sort this situation out quite quickly. The numbers are not so important for Chelsea. They just bought a player.

"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea.

"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season.

"He has permission to leave if a club come in and makes the right offer.

"If that doesn't happen the consequence will be that he will stay. If nobody gives us the right offer what can you do?"

The Arsenal boss insists he will play Cole when he thinks he is ready, although will not be in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners are 3-0 up from the first leg and playing Cole would cup-tie him and add an extra complication to the transfer.

Cole made himself available for Saturday's opening league game at the Emirates Stadium. He said: "I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They've been very supportive of me."

Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge.

In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: "I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love."

And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

From : BBC

Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva scored a late goal to salvage a point for Arsenal in their first Premiership match at the Emirates Stadium.

Villa skipper Olof Mellberg gave the visitors a shock lead when he headed in from a corner after 53 minutes.

Gilberto equalised six minutes before the end following excellent work from teenage substitute Theo Walcott.

Villa then withstood a late onslaught to ensure that Martin O'Neill's tenure as manager got off to a great start.

O'Neill, who was appointed Villa boss at the start of August, seems to have immediately suffused confidence and belief into his young side.

Gareth Barry, Steven Davis and Gavin McCann were outstanding for the visitors in midfield while 19-year-old Gabriel Agbonlahor was a real threat on the break.

Arsenal were their usual blend of touch and movement, dominating possession and creating a host of chances, but they lacked sharpness in front of goal.

Agbonlahor had the first good chance of the game when he drew a smart save from Jens Lehmann with a volley from 15 yards.

Thierry Henry was predictably the main threat for the hosts and had a hat-trick of shots from the edge of the area, all of which flew over the crossbar.

The Gunners thought they had broken the deadlock after three minutes of first-half stoppage time.

Kole Toure headed in a free-kick from close range, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The goal would have been hard on Villa, who were organised and resilient, in sharp contrast to their showings under David O'Leary at the end of last season.

The home crowd were incensed shortly after the interval when Emmanuel Eboue went down following a tussle with Luke Moore.

As new Premier League guidelines dictate, Villa played on when referee Graham Poll did not whistle.

If the Arsenal supporters were angry with that decision, they were stunned when the visitors scored the first goal in a competitive game at the Emirates Stadium.

Lehmann failed to collect a left-wing corner, Mellberg rising above Emmanuel Adebayor to head into an unguarded net.

Arsenal responded by laying siege to the Villa goal but struggled to find a way through.

Adebayor almost atoned for his earlier error but saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell.

Walcott was brought on for his first Premiership appearance and played a key role in Arsenal's equaliser.

His cross from the left eventually fell to Gilberto, who thumped a volley into the roof of the net.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Theo Walcott:

"I know a lot is expected from him but I am pleased.

"He had that sharpness that we missed and was dangerous on the left flank. He was involved in the goal and his overall performance was very positive.

"It was a typical beginning of the season game where the players were not completely ready physically, added to the fact that many of them played 90 minutes in midweek."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill:

"I'm still trying to get to know my players, but I thought they were terrific it's a great result.

"It is a big boost to confidence. If we had been hammered it would have looked like a long hard season.

"I cannot do anything about the expectation but we are not going to become a really decent team overnight."

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte (Flamini 80), Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Ljungberg (Walcott 73), Adebayor (Van Persie 65), Henry.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Cygan.

Booked: Toure.

Goals: Silva 84.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Agbonlahor, McCann, Davis (Hendrie 83), Barry, Angel (Laursen 90), Moore (Djemba-Djemba 89).Subs Not Used: Taylor, Phillips.

Booked: Hendrie, Angel.

Goals: Mellberg 53.

Att: 60,023.

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

From : BBC

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Emirates Stadium
Saturday, 19 August
Kick-off: 1500 BST

Theirry Henry, Jens Lehmann and Freddie Ljungberg will all figure for Arsenal, but want-away defender Ashley Cole will not, despite making himself available.

Unsettled winger Jose Antonio Reyes also misses out with a groin problem, as does summer recruit Tomas Rosicky.

Martin O'Neill goes into his first game as Aston Villa manager without three key men - defenders Wilfred Bouma and Gary Cahill and striker Milan Baros.

Steven Davis travels, but faces a late fitness test on a thigh injury.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Flamini, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Fabregas, Gilberto, Van Persie, Adebayor, Henry, Almunia, Hoyte, Hleb, Aliadiere, Cygan, Traore, Song, Ljungberg.

Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Barry, de la Cruz, Delaney, Hughes, Laursen, Mellberg, Ridgwell, Samuel, Berger, Davis, Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Angel, Moore, Phillips, Agbonlahor.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"We play three times in a week.

"Add in the international matches and that means we play four times at the beginning of the season.

"I will have to make choices to find the right mixture between people who have played the internationals and those who have not played."

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill on playing at Arsenal's new ground:

"From our point of view it should be great for the players to step onto the pitch and not be frightened of it.

"We obviously want to do as well as we can, but why not go out to try to get a result?

"This is what we are in professional football to do - to have oppportunities to play in games like these."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

ARSENAL and Aston Villa both begin new eras, as they prepare to do battle in their opening Premiership duel. The Londoners play their first competitive match in the prestigious new setting of the £390 million Emirates Stadium, just a short walk from Highbury - their much cherished home for 93 years.

Arsene Wenger knows expectations are high as he begins his 11th season with the north Londoners. The 60,000 capacity at their new ground in Ashburton Grove will give Wenger much needed spending power. This compares with last season's Premiership average attendance of 38,186. The losing Champions League finalists finished outside the Premiership's top two for the first time in nine years. Their fourth placing has resulted in an early season qualifying fixture with Dinamo Zagreb for a place in Europe's elite club competition, and with a 0-3 lead from the away leg, Arsenal are well placed, ahead of Wednesday's second leg.
The Gunners are aiming to collect a ninth consecutive home League victory over Villa. That would also extend their unbeaten home top flight run against the Midlanders to 13, since a 1-2 defeat on 6 November 1993 when Guy Whittingham and Andy Townsend did the damage.

ASTON VILLA are soon to be under new ownership, and anticipation for the campaign ahead is at fever pitch with one of the hottest properties in football management now at the helm. But it would be a shock of gigantic proportions if Martin O'Neill could steer Villa to their eighth League title.

The sole Midlands representatives in the Premiership are one of four founder members of the Football League competing in this season's top division.

The Claret and Blues have not won in 15 Premiership clashes home and away against the north Londoners, since a 3-2 success at Villa Park on 13 December 1998. Dion Dublin scored twice for Villa, and Dennis Bergkamp got a brace for the visitors.

Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

ARSENAL

Club stats

Fixtures Last season: 4th 67 points

1. Embarking on their 81st successive saeson of top flght football - the longest such run by any club.

2. Finished last season 24 points behind champions Chelsea.

3. Gained the highest points per game record last season in Premiership matches in which they scored first - won 19 and drew one of 20 at 2.9 points per game.

4. Ended last season on a three-match winning sequence in the highest League.

5. Three of their 13 League titles have come in the Premiership era (1997-98, 2001-02 and 2003-04).

6. Won their opening Premiership fixture in each of the last five seasons, and seven of the last eight.

7. Hold the record for the longest unbeaten streak from the start of a Premiership season, when they went through the entire campaign without losing in 2003-04.

8. Scored in every League game of the 2001-02 campaign.

9. Arsene Wenger is the second longest serving manager in the top tier, joining the Gunners in September 1996. Only Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United caps that. At 56 years of age,
Wenger is the fourth oldest boss in the top division.

10. The Gunners are bidding to extend an undefeated League run to seven games, which would stretch their unbeaten home Premiership sequence to eight games. Manchester United were the last team to defeat them in the League (2-0 at Old Trafford on 9 April). West Ham were the most recent to claim all three points on Arsenal turf (2-3 on 1 February).

ASTON VILLA

Club stats

Fixtures Last season: 16th 42 points

1. Last season saw Villa endure their second lowest finish in the Premiership. Their lowest was
18th in 1994-95.

2. They ended two places and eight points above the relegation zone.

3. Villa were the Premiership draw specialists last season - 12 of the 38 matches ended all square (32%).

4. The 1981-82 European champions, who last won major silverware when lifting the League Cup in 1996, are competing in their 96th season in the top flight and 19th in succession.

5. Took four games to record a victory last season, and won only one of their first eight Premiership contests.

6. Without an away League victory in six, the last five of which were defeats.

7. Not won a League game on the road since beating Middlesbrough 0-4 at the Riverside on 4 February.

KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

ARSENAL

Squad profiles
Ins and Outs

Thierry HENRY, who turned 29 on Thursday, was Arsenal's leading scorer with 33 League and Cup goals. Of these 27 were netted in the Premiership, winning the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year the Golden Boot award for the third season in a row, and fourth time in total.

HENRY has scored five times in Arsenal's last four opening home League games of a Premiership campaign.

Jens LEHMANN was one of 10 ever presents in the Premiership last season - seven of which were goalkeepers.

ASTON VILLA

Squad profiles

Ins and Outs

Milan BAROS was Villa's leading scorer last season with 12 goals - eight of which came in the Premiership.

If on the field from the outset, Jlloyd SAMUEL will be making his 100th career League start.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:

Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa
1 April 2006 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
Arsenal scorers: Adebayor 19, Henry 25, 46, Van Persie 71, Diaby 80

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

League: Arsenal 62 wins, A Villa 58, Draws 34
Prem: Arsenal 14 wins, A Villa 5, Draws 9

HEAD TO HEAD at Arsenal
League: Arsenal 42 wins, A Villa 20, Draws 15
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, A Villa 2, Draws 3

From : BBC

Cole omitted from Arsenal squad

Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has been omitted from the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa despite saying he is available to play.

The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move to Chelsea, but no deal has been concluded.

Cole said on www.stellargroup.co.uk that he was available for Saturday's game at the Emirates Stadium.

He added: "I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They've been very supportive of me."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger previously hinted at leaving Cole out because of the speculation about a possible £20m transfer to Chelsea.

Wenger said he would be happy to keep Cole at Arsenal should the player choose to stay. "If he doesn't go, of course he's a great player," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"He has permission to go somewhere if he wants to do it, but if there is not an opportunity for him and the club, he will stay at the club."

Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, that included Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge.

In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: "I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love."

And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

He said on www.stellargroup.co.uk: "I hope the fans understand where my grievances lie."

Last week, Wenger, like his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho, said he wanted the saga resolved within the week.

Cole played in last season's Champions League final and was an ever-present at the World Cup for his country.

From : BBC

England 4-0 Greece

England made a flying start under new boss Steve McClaren with a four-goal first-half blast to beat Greece.

John Terry marked his first match as captain by nodding in the opening goal after Stewart Downing had headed the ball into the penalty area.

Frank Lampard then scored with a deflected shot and soon after it was his close-range effort which rebounded for Peter Crouch to stab home.

Crouch rounded off the scoring with a downward header into the top corner.

The Liverpool striker scored a hat-trick against Jamaica the last time England played at Old Trafford.

And he could have repeated the feat had he got on the end of a teasing low cross from Downing.
Crouch also steered a Steven Gerrard cross wide of the upright when he might have tucked the ball away.

Gerrard provided good width throughout for England in his role on the right, where former captain David Beckham has played for so long.

He was also able to cut inside, and it was his powerful burst through the centre which led to Crouch's second goal.

And there were other bright performances for England, from the tenacious patrolling of Owen Hargreaves in the holding role, to the return to goalscoring form of Lampard.One Hargreaves tackle on the edge of his area was outstanding and his man of the match display woud have further impressed Manchester United, who are reportedly ready to pay £13m to sign him.

But for McClaren, although it was a good result, his first match in charge since taking over from Sven-Goran Eriksson was not the sternest test.

Greece barely managed a shot in the first half and England were fully in control.

However, it took two superb second-half clearances off the line from Ashley Cole to ensure the McClaren era begun with a shut-out.

And substitute keeper Chris Kirkland dived well to his right to palm away a decent Giorgios Karagounis strike.

Substitute Aaron Lennon looked lively when he came on late in the second half - and Jermain Defoe, on from the start, also showed good touches.

Overall McClaren will be delighted with the win and the performance.

And it should be remembered that he has Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole and Michael Owen to come back.

The McClaren evolution - in which he has promised the team will play without fear - has made a good impression after 90 minutes.

But he will need to help England improve their ability to defend set-pieces if the signs of promise are to be fulfilled.

England: Robinson (Kirkland 45), Gary Neville (Carragher 78), Ferdinand, Terry, Cole (Bridge 80), Gerrard (Bent 78), Lampard, Hargreaves, Downing (Lennon 69), Defoe (Richardson 69), Crouch.Subs Not Used: Young, Phil Neville, Brown, Dawson, Jenas, Wright-Phillips, Foster.

Goals: Terry 14, Lampard 30, Crouch 35, 42.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Fyssas (Lagos 29), Dellas (Anatolakis 64), Katsouranis, Antzas (Kyrgiakos 45), Vyntra, Zagorakis (Basinas 45), Karagounis, Giannakopoulos (Salpigidis 45), Samaras (Amanatidis 45), Charisteas.Subs Not Used: Chalkias, Kafes, Gekas, Papadopoulos, Georgeas.

Att: 45,864

Ref: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).

From : BBC

Reyes transfer to Real in danger

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists Arsenal hold the key if they are to sign Jose Antonio Reyes from the London club.

Calderon said signing Mahamadou Diarra from Lyon was the club's priority.

"Reyes will come only if Arsenal meet our conditions," he told Spanish daily AS. "I'm not going to waste a euro.

"I feel sorry for the lad if the deal doesn't come off, but we've no arrangement to sign him at all costs. Arsenal will have the last word."

Reyes, 22, did not play in Arsenal's win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and it seemed he was set for a move to the Bernabeu after not being cup-tied.

"My dream of wearing the Madrid shirt is growing ever nearer," Reyes said recently. "It's hard to stay calm at a time like this.

"Madrid's offer cannot be turned down. Now all that is left is for the offer also to be good for Arsenal."

Arsenal are believed to want £16m for the winger or Julio Baptista to move to the club as part of any deal.

But the two clubs appear to be at a stand off as negotiations threaten to collapse.

But Reyes added: "The coach knows that I have had problems in adapting to the lifestyle in
England.

"If agreement isn't reached, it will be bad for Arsenal and for me."

From : BBC

Reyes 'eager to seal Madrid move'

Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes hopes to tie up a move to Real Madrid "as soon as possible".

Talks between the two clubs about the 22-year-old are believed to be ongoing.

"Me and my family are somewhat tense at the moment and want to make sure things don't collapse," Reyes told Spanish newspaper AS.

"I want things to be sorted out as soon as possible and I will have my mobile turned on all day on Wednesday in case there are any important calls."

The Spain international added that he was "optimistic things will work out well in the end".

Reyes was an unused substitute for Arsenal's 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League qualifying round on Tuesday, increasing speculation that he will leave the club.

Had he played in the match, Reyes would have been ineligible to play in European competition for any other club this season.

"I don't know if Wenger thought I was ready, but maybe he thought I was too distracted to play," Reyes told AS.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he left Reyes out of his team because the winger was "unsettled" and not because of his prospective move to Real.

"I feel Reyes, with all the noises made about his transfer with Real Madrid, has been unsettled," Wenger said.

"I don't think he had the right concentration. The fact he will be cup-tied did not come into my mind."

Asked whether he thought Reyes would still be with Arsenal when the transfer window closes, Wenger insisted: "I am confident, yes.

"I do not send messages out. I send a good team out with chance to win. You can take all the conclusions you want.

"You cannot see behind every decision I make (whether it is) to transfer players."

Earlier on Tuesday, Reyes' agent Rodriguez de Moya told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: "If he plays it will complicate the move.

"Real Madrid do not want to invest a large sum in a player who cannot play in the Champions League."

Reports in Spain suggest there was contact between Real Madrid and Arsenal about the player on Monday.

De Moya added: "It appears that the clubs have begun talking and we are waiting to see if they reach an agreement.

"It's an open secret that Jose Antonio wants to play for Real Madrid.

"He is very happy at Arsenal because they have treated him very well but he misses home and has always made that clear."

From : BBC

Dinamo Zagreb 0-3 Arsenal

Arsenal scored three second-half goals to take control of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Cesc Fabregas collected a lay-off from Robin van Persie before slotting home from a tight angle after 63 minutes.

Van Persie doubled their lead a minute later after collecting a long pass from Alexander Hleb and Fabregas scored the third after a jinking run.

Jose Antonio Reyes, linked with a move to Real Madrid, was left out of the side for the first-leg encounter.

But it was not all one-way traffic, with Zagreb playing a full part in the match before Arsenal took control with 30 minutes left.

The visitors went into their first competitive fixture of the season with a much-changed line-up from the team that started last season's Champions League final to Barcelona.

Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell were all missing from the team that lost in Paris.

But summer signing Tomas Rosicky showed some good touches, while the Arsenal team showed great maturity in possession.

Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina saved long-range efforts from Emmanuel Adebayor, Van Persie and Rosicky during an opening half in which both teams were largely restricted to shots from
distance.

Adebayor, making his European debut for Arsenal, was heavily involved and went close with a blistering strike that eluded Turina but flew wide of the post.

The home team, playing in front of a capacity crowd, opened up Arsenal on several occasions, with Lukas Modric a real threat.

Modric, who is on a 10-year contract at Zagreb, troubled Arsenal with his direct running and clever touches.

The 20-year-old just missed the target after striking Etto's pull-back with his first touch and later opened up the Gunners defence, collecting a return pass before just shooting wide from a
tight angle.

Manuel Almunia saved low to his left to deny Marijan Buljat, while Modric struck the ball wide
with a shot across goal under pressure from Johan Djourou.

Dinamo enjoyed a spell of possession after the break and an early ball from the influential Modric released Eduardo, who took his shot early but failed to find the target, while Van Persie forced a scrambling save from Turina with another effort from distance.

But Arsenal's patience in possession was finally rewarded when Van Persie controlled a Hleb pass with his first touch and laid the ball off for Fabregas to score with a precise finish.

Within a minute Arsenal had doubled their advantage, Van Persie collecting Hleb's superb long ball forward before slotting a shot across Turina, who should have got at least a hand to the low strike.

Modric almost pulled a goal back before Fabregas showed great control in dribbling the ball into the Zagreb area before scoring with a shot across goal.

It could have been even worse for Zagreb but Turina saved with his feet from Mathieu Flamini.

From : BBC

Pompey complete Campbell signing

Portsmouth have completed the signing of former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old, who had a medical at Fratton Park earlier on Monday, agreed to a two-year contract with Pompey.

"I told him Portsmouth are a club going places, a good club to come to," said Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

"It's a very ambitious club now. We are going to keep moving forward and he can be part of something very exciting. So I think he was up for that."

Redknapp added: "I think he'll give the place a real lift just coming in. He's a top, top player, a big character and I think he's a great signing for us.

"He's very strong. I think he's fine and looking forward to the challenge."

Arsenal released the centre-back in July because he wanted a new challenge.

Campbell, who spent five years at Highbury, also attracted interest from Newcastle, while Manchester City denied they made a late move for the player.

His decision to have considered a move to the south coast surprised Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

"I have no regrets," Wenger said of his choice to release the player. "But it is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad.

"Have you sold Portsmouth to a foreign country? No."

Redknapp is looking to partner Campbell with either Manchester City's Sylvain Distin or Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen.

Portsmouth are particulalry keen on Distin, who is in the last year of his contract at Manchester City and would cost around £4m.

He has also tendered a bid for New Zealand international Nelsen, although it has been rebuffed by Blackburn boss Mark Hughes.

The Pompey boss has also made an approach to Manchester City for England keeper David James.

Campbell announced at the end of last season that he was leaving the Gunners to seek "a new challenge" after five years with the London club.

He made 197 appearances for the Gunners and won five major trophies after joining the club from arch rivals Tottenham in 2001.

From : BBC

Campbell set to seal Pompey deal

Portsmouth are closing in on a deal with England defender Sol Campbell.

Campbell underwent a medical at Fratton Park on Monday prior to signing what BBC Sport understands is a one-year contract with a further year's option.

The 31-year-old was released by Arsenal following his desire to seek a new challenge after five years at the club.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is looking to partner Campbell with either Manchester City's Sylvain Distin or Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen.

Redknapp is keen on Distin, who is in the last year of his contract at Manchester City and would cost around £4m.

Pompey have also tendered a bid for New Zealand international Nelsen, although it has been rebuffed by Blackburn boss Mark Hughes.

With no transfer fee involved for the England defender, Portsmouth will be easier able to meet Campbell's salary, believed to be in the region of £60,000 a week.

Campbell follows loan signing Glen Johnson from Chelsea as the second big summer signing for Redknapp who had been struggling to put new owner Sasha Gaydamak's wallet to work.

Redknapp is keen to make Campbell and Distin, who is in the last year of his contract at Manchester City, his new defensive pairing.

The Pompey boss has also made an approach to Manchester City for England keeper David James.

Campbell announced at the end of last season that he was leaving the Gunners to seek "a new challenge" after five years with the London club.

He made 197 appearances for the Gunners and won five major trophies after joining the club from arch rivals Tottenham in 2001.

But Redknapp may be forced to renew his search for a striker with news that Lomano LuaLua could be out for up to a month with an ankle injury.

The 25-year-old injured his ankle in a pre-season friendly at Oxford and although Pompey are awaiting to discover the full extent, the swelling on his ankle was cause for concern.

Redknapp is left with just Svetoslav Todorov and £4.1m record signing Benjani Mwaruwari as his senior striking options.

The Pompey boss has made little progress in his bids for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe and Fenebache's former Arsenal forward Nicolas Anelka.

From : BBC

Wenger wants quick Cole desicion

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants left-back Ashley Cole's future to be settled by the end of this week.

The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with Chelsea and Wenger said: "I don't know what will happen.

"For me, the deadline has come to make a decision one way or another and I would see this week as the limit."

Cole is not in Arsenal's squad for the Champions League tie at Dinamo Zagreb and, if a move goes through, could play for Chelsea in the competition.

Wenger insisted that Cole was left out for fitness reasons but Chelsea, who returned from a pre-season trip to America on Monday, would not want to sign a player who is ineligible for their 2006-07 Champions League campaign.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted that initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place.

Chelsea were fined - together with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and Cole - in June 2005 after they breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal's knowledge.

Cole's relationship with the Gunners has been strained of late and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised Arsenal for making him a "scapegoat" over the tapping-up affair.

The England left-back is expected to cost Chelsea up to £25m, with some reports linking unhappy Blues defender William Gallas with a move in the opposite direction.

Wenger said he admired the Frenchman but added: "We have never spoken to player or club about that so it's pure speculation at the moment."

From : BBC

Cole named in Arsenal's Euro squad

Ashley Cole has been named in Arsenal's Champions League squad for the coming season - but that will not stand in the way of the England full-back moving to Chelsea.

Despite his inclusion in the squad submitted to UEFA, Cole will still be eligible to play for Chelsea in European competition if he does not appear in Arsenal's Champions League qualifiers against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners are due to fly out to Croatia this afternoon ahead of their first leg tomorrow, and Cole is not expected to travel.

Cole, 25, looks increasingly likely to move to Chelsea in a £25million move, especially since extracts in his forthcoming autobiography were published criticising the way the club dealt with the tapping-up scandal which enveloped both Arsenal and Chelsea last year.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has already admitted initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place.

Arsene Wenger is expected to play Mathieu Flamini at left-back against Zagreb. The Frenchman appeared in that position on numerous occasions last season when Cole and Gael Clichy were injured.

Wenger has already confirmed that Thierry Henry will not play while goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is suspended.

Summer signing Tomas Rosicky, the Czech Republic midfielder, could make his competitive debut against the Croats.

From : Football365

Arsenal hit by triple injury blow

Arsenal trio Gael Clichy, Philippe Senderos and Abou Diaby will miss the first six weeks of the season.

Midfielder Diaby, 20, suffered a broken and dislocated ankle in May and manager Arsene Wenger said: "He is ahead of what we expected for him.

"But it is November at the earliest for him. The news is quite good for Diaby, Clichy and Senderos but the first of these will be back in October."

Left-back Clichy has an ankle injury while Senderos dislocated his shoulder.

The Swiss defender suffered the injury at the World Cup.

Wenger is confident that Freddie Ljungberg will only miss the first game of the Premiership season as he recovers from an ankle problem.

"He is doing well," said the Gunners boss. "He may not be there for the first game of the season but he will be there around the start."

From : BBC

AZ Alkmaar 0-3 Arsenal

Arsenal warmed up for Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb with a convincing friendly win over AZ Alkmaar.

Gilberto put the visitors ahead on 34 minutes with a back-post header from Jose Antonio Reyes' free-kick.

Reyes was also involved in the second goal just after the break when his pass led to Emmanuel Adebayor slotting home after Gilberto's shot was parried.

Robin van Persie added the third from the penalty spot on 74 minutes.

Arsenal take on Zagreb in the first-leg clash in Croatia on Tuesday night.

From : BBC

Reyes : Madrid the real deal for me !

Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes has urged Real Madrid to move to sign him before the Premiership club kick off their Champions League campaign next week.

In a report on www.marca.es, 22-year-old Spanish international Reyes made it clear he was desperate to make the switch.

Reyes said: "I don't know anything but the days are going by and I am not going to deny I am a little worried by the rumours.

"I know I am wanted (at Arsenal) and that the fans are behind me but I am not adapting to this life.

"I am missing Spain and I have a unique chance to come back with Real Madrid. Everyone must understand I can't let this chance pass by. Madrid are unique."

Reyes is desperate Madrid move before Arsenal play Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier next week.

"The boss (Arsene Wenger) has said nothing to me and I don't know if I will play or not," said the former Sevilla favourite.

"I hope everything is sorted out before. It's obvious if I play (for Arsenal) in the Champions League the signing for Madrid will become quite complicated.

"But if I have to play I will."

From : Football 365

Lebanon withdraw from Asian Cup

The Lebanese football team has pulled out of the qualifying rounds of the 2007 Asian Cup because of the current crisis in the country.

The head of the Lebanon Football Association, Rahif Alameh, said the fighting had forced several players to leave their homes to evade the war.

The Asian Football Confederation said its board would convene an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.

The absence of Lebanon leaves one of the qualifying groups a team short.

The top two football teams from each of the six qualifying groups will advance to the finals next year.

From : BBC

Unwell Cole wants to leave

Having avoided a £60,000 fine by turning up for work at Arsenal's training ground on Monday morning, Ashley Cole spent just an hour at London
Colney before being sent home after claiming to be unwell. He did, however, find time to announce he wants to leave the club.

The cause of Cole's illness, apparently a 'stomach upset', is unknown, but it may be significant that he met with David Dein during his brief visit to Arsenal's training base.

Cole blames the Arsenal vice-chairman for the breakdown of his relationship with the club he has supported since childhood. It is believed that, in a bid to speed up his transfer to Chelski, Cole informed Dein for the first time that he wants to leave the club.

According to The Daily Mirror, Cole vowed that he 'would never play for the club again.'

The England full-back avoided a meeting with manager Arsene Wenger as the rest of the first-team squad were completing their pre-season preparations in Austria. However, the Frenchman returns to England today and is expected to immediately hold talks with Cole. Fitness permitting, Cole will repeat his wish to leave.

Wenger struck an exasperated figure after watching the Gunners thrash Schwadorf in the final match of their tour. Pressed to comment on Cole's future, Wenger was unusually brusque in his reply.

"Why are you only asking about a player who is not with us and the rest of the squad out in Austria at the moment?" he retorted. "There are 25 other players who are preparing hard for the season and yet everybody wants to know about one who is not. I think the Arsenal fans are more interested in the Arsenal team and the players who are training, than more stories about Cole."

Wenger also insisted that club rather than player would have the final say on Cole's future.

"If Ashley is going to be sold he will be informed and if he is staying then he will be informed of that as well. Ashley is under contract to Arsenal, so who do you think will decide what happens to him?"

The clock is ticking on Cole's proposed transfer to Chelski with UEFA imposing a Thursday deadline for the registration of Champions League players. The Gunners are demanding £30m for his services, a sum that the Premiership champions are, as yet, unwilling to pay.

Cole's ultimatum has reduced Arsenal's bargaining power and, while the saga appears to have reached a stalemate, the smart money remains on the England full-back completing his move within the next 48 hours.

From : Footbal365

Wenger wants goals from whole squad

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is banking on goals from all quarters as his side aim to book their place in the Champions League group stage.

The Frenchman expects the club's main goalscorer Thierry Henry to still be lacking in match-fitness when their third qualifying-round tie, almost certainly against Croatian side Dynamo Zagreb, rolls around.

Henry played in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial in the first match at the Emirates Stadium, but prior to that his last outing was in the World Cup final for France.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie demonstrated their sharpness with two goals each in an 8-1 thrashing of Austrian side Schwadorf yesterday evening, but Wenger expects everyone in the side to contribute when they play their first competitive game on August 8 or 9.

"Jens Lehmann will be suspended (for the Zagreb tie) and Thierry Henry will be very short (of fitness). I've not yet made up my mind on that, but I am convinced he will be very short," Wenger said.

"Anybody can score in our side and that is what you want. Overall, offensively the game (against Schwadorf) was quite good.

"We found a few bursts and we were always dangerous and our combination game was good, so if the combination game is good everybody can score.

"We did what we wanted to do, and that was to give everybody a game, (suffer) no injuries and score a lot of goals.

"I think it will be Zagreb, they won 4-1 away, so it would be unbelievable if it would not be them. It is a difficult side because they have a lot of experienced players, South American players and they are experienced at the back.

"They have a culture, they know how to go into these games and that's why for us it could be a difficult game."

In addition to the braces for Adebayor and Van Persie in Austria, there were goals for Johan Djourou, Kolo Toure, Nicklas Bendtner and Alexander Hleb.
The Gunners' next outing will be against Dutch top-flight side AZ Alkmaar on Friday evening, who were UEFA Cup semi-finalists two seasons ago.

"First of all it is important to recover now, and to prepare well for Alkmaar," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"That will be the last preparation game and we will not rotate as much and play with a much smaller side."

Meanwhile Abou Diaby, who suffered a season-ending ankle fracture and dislocation in the Premiership game against Sunderland in May, is "in front of what is expected from him" in his recovery according to Wenger, but the
Gunners boss does not expect him back until November at the earliest.

Philippe Senderos is expected to miss the first two months of the season after dislocating his shoulder while playing for Switzerland in the World Cup.From : Football 365

Ribery ready to stay at Marseille

France winger Franck Ribery says he will stay at Marseille for the remaining four years of his contract.

He said: "I have a contract that lasts for four more years and for four years I am at Marseille. I love this club, the people and the fans."

Lyon and Arsenal had been linked with the 23-year-old, who played a key role as France reached the World Cup final before losing to Italy on penalties.

Marseille claimed Manchester United had also made an approach for Ribery.

Wembley 'ready for 2007 FA final'

The Football Association expects the 2007 FA Cup final in May to be held at the new Wembley despite the builders saying it will not be ready in time.

Multiplex said the £757m north London stadium will not open until June.

It was due for completion in August 2005, but hold-ups have led to events, such as this year's FA Cup final, being rescheduled and played in Cardiff.

An FA spokesman said no plans have been made to book the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the 2007 final.

An FA spokesman said: "Further to conversations with Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL), the FA remains confident that Wembley Stadium can be ready for this season's FA Cup final.

"This is of course dependent on when stadium constructors Multiplex meets all of its contractual obligations.

"WNSL believes it is unlikely that Multiplex will complete their work by September but they continue to expect practical completion to take place before the end of 2006."

He added: "We do have to factor in that Multiplex have, to date, missed all key deadlines."

Multiplex said Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL), which owns the venue, needed to stage test events so the stadium could gain the required licences and approval to operate.

'Muddy the water'

Multiplex director of communications Peter Murphy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The problem at the moment in terms of when the stadium becomes operationally complete, or reaches practical completion, really surrounds commencement and completion of the client works.

"So at this stage, Multiplex as builder is reliant upon our client, WNSL, completing a series of critical works to get us through to the point where we're capable of actually hosting or running test events and, at this stage, we're unclear and we haven't been informed by WNSL when in fact they'll commence and complete those works."

But a spokesman for WNSL dismissed claims the stadium would not be ready until June.

He added that Multiplex was trying to "muddy the water" between the dates for practical and operational completion and said WNSL had always insisted it could not organise test events until Multiplex had reached practical completion.

It was only then that a safety certificate could be issued that would enable the stadium to open at full capacity, he said.

From : BBC

Cole back in training at Arsenal

Ashley Cole returned to Arsenal on Monday for pre-season training, despite speculation over his future.

Cole, who has returned to the club later than the rest of the squad after his honeymoon, is thought to be on the verge of a £25m move to Chelsea.

And the 25-year-old would have trained without any of the first-team squad, who are on a tour of Austria.

Cole's future will be decided almost certainly before Thursday's Champions League registration deadline.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has already confirmed that discussions have taken place with Chelsea.

He has stressed that Cole would remain an Arsenal player unless 'something changes' - but that change is now widely expected.

Cole's relationship with Arsenal has been strained following the 'tapping-up' affair with Chelsea last year.

And the relationship has been further damaged by Cole's claims that he will reveal why his relationship with Arsenal broke down in his forthcoming autobiography.

"I'll reveal the shattering truth about who fed me to the sharks. It changed my view forever on the club I regarded as family," said Cole.

From : BBC

Schwadorf 1-8 Arsenal

Arsenal made light work of their friendly match against Austrian third division side Schwadorf as they romped to a convincing win.

Robin Van Persie opened the scoring in the sixth minute, before Johan
Djourou made it 2-0 after 15 minutes.

A double from Emmanuel Adebayor made it 4-0 at half-time, before Van Persie netted his second after the break.

Kolo Toure, Nicklas Bendtner and Alexander Hleb made it 8-0 before Martin Labaska's late consolation.

Reyes gives mixed Madrid signals

Jose Antonio Reyes has added to the uncertainty around his future by saying he is happy at Arsenal, while also admitting he wants to join Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old stated on Arsenal's website he is "very happy" at the club.

But he then told Spanish paper As he is "not looking for another club", but "I have always said that Madrid is one of my biggest targets. Everyone knows it.

"Clubs are looking for me but the only way that any team, including Madrid, can sign me is by speaking to Arsenal."

Reyes' future at Arsenal has been under scrutiny since he fell victim to a hoax at the start of 2005.

He told a Spanish radio presenter - who Reyes thought was Real's sporting director Emilio Butragueno - that he was keen on a move to the Bernabeu.

The Spain international subsequently signed a new six-year contract at Highbury but recently he was again quoted as saying he wants a return to Spain.

However, he says he will not be unhappy if he stays at Arsenal.

"I am very grateful to Arsenal for the faith they have put in me," Reyes told As on Tuesday.

"I don't have any problem with the club. There are Spaniards in the team and that makes everything easier.

"The way of life is a different matter. There are many things I miss about Spain, not just the food and the weather.

"But I am happy and I will carry on training. If I have to stay with Arsenal, I will do so happily.

"Not every player has the chance to play for a club like this, with players of this quality. I have left everything in the hands of my agent."

From : BBC