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Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is a rare glimpse of personality in a barren landscape

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Jack Wilshere thinks the FA have behaved badly towards him. The FA say Wilshere brought football into disrepute by leading a chant inviting Arsenal fans to describe Tottenham Hotspur as “sh*t” and replying to “his old man”who told him to be a Tottenham fan with the line “sh*t, f*ck, bollo**s you’re a c**t”. Arsenal fans gleefully joined in.

The FA then saw the footage, read the media’s shock and horror and ordered Wishere to put some money in their swearbox.

“What do we think of the FA?” Wilshere should ask all football fans. The reply should be monosyllabic.

Wilshere, who looked a tad  merry as he led a chant among what he saw as friends and like minds, thinks he’s been hard done by. He is, after all, being fined for swearing. WTF? He says:

“Apologies if I offended or upset any of u with my celebrations… Learning a lesson is one way of looking at it, but at the same time people have been giving me a lot of stick for having some fun and enjoying myself at the end of a successful season. We’ve worked hard all year as a group of players and we’ve won a trophy. That’s the best feeling in the world. No matter what job you do, if at the end of the year you get a promotion and a bonus, you’re going to go out and celebrate. I think criticism for that side of things was a bit harsh.

“I only found out when I reported for England duty. One of the press officers told me. It was a surprise. I didn’t know I’d been charged so I was like, ‘What?’ I don’t think I’m in a position to comment about it any further at the moment. It’s being dealt with by the FA and my club. What will be, will be.”

Adding:

“I am quite proud of my relationship with the fans. I’ve always had that bond with the Arsenal fans since I was young because I came through the club. I grew up at Arsenal and I love the fans, but believe it or not I’ve actually got family who are Tottenham fans, so it’s nothing personal against them. It was just a bit of fun.”

Of course it was bit of fun. He was inviting the fans to join him in mocking the local rivals. They knew the routine and joined in. Wilshere is one of their own. And what fan of any club can take offence at a homegrown player sharing their passion?

What do think of the FA, Jack? As FA Chairman Greg Dyke might put it: “F*** off. I never liked you anyway.”

Posted: 9th, June 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment


Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is rated the second worse player in England and Ireland

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How football reporting works, with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and the Daily Mail team. Following a dire 0-0 friendly draw with Republic of Ireland, the writers got to work.

Neil Ashton: “Thank the lord for small mercies because at times Jack Wilshere shimmered on the ball, making the type of purposeful, driving runs that brought back memories of Paul Gascoigne striding through England’s midfield.”

Riath Al-Samarrai: “Jack Wilshere is almost alone in showing initiative… he is still the dynamic force in this team. A team performance that could not have been more subdued was at least partially lifted by Wilshere probing and searching from deep.”

John Downes: [Paul] Scholes’ praise of Wilshere continued after the game by stating that the Gunner was the only one in the England team who played well.
‘I think he (Wilshere) was the only one,’ Scholes added.

And now for the scores.

Rob Draper: “5/10. Previously thrived in this position but looked out of sorts. Too much was ineffective, epitomised by the awful first-half free kick routine with Lallana.”

That score marks Wilshere out as the second worst player on pitch. Of the 33 players who appeared for both sides only Chris Smalling (4.5) scored a lower mark than the Arsenal man.

As the player himself might ask, ‘What do you think of that?’

Posted: 8th, June 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Paulo Dybala Joins Juventus For Less Than Arsenal ‘Bought’ Him For

Juventus have invested £24million in Paulo Dybala on a five-year deal. But it was not so long age that the Daily Star said the Palermo player was on his way to Arsenal. In fact, the deal had been agreed for £31m:

 

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The Express agreed:

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The Week said Dybala was off to Barcelona.

“Would I be open to a move to Barcelona? I would swim to Barcelona if they came knocking,” declared Dybala. “I wouldn’t even have to change into my swimming gear.”

 

 

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That was all utter balls.

 

Posted: 4th, June 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Higuain spotted at Arsenal and sharks off the Dorset coast

The Guardian wonders if the Napoli and Argentina striker is heading to Chelsea for £30m. The Metro says he’s off to Arsenal for £42m. The Star says Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all want Gonzalo Higuain.

And we go back to the Sun’s 2013 scoop that Higuain was a Gunner:

 

arsenal higuain

 

 

Higuain never did sign.

But maybe this this year he will. Maybe.

Posted: 4th, June 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Arsenal Balls: Jack Wilshere auditions for the Daily Mail

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Arsenal’s FA Cup victory parade excited the Daily Mail after Jack Wilshere stood on the gantry and swore. The Mail says Wilshere “heaped more embarrassment on Arsenal”.

The paper adds:

Young children, along with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, were present at the celebrations as Wilshere chanted: ‘What do we think of Tottenham?’ before adding: ‘And what do we think of s***?

Having laughably bracketed Wenger, 65, and toddlers in a group who must be protected from such words, we wonder when Mail readers and writers became so sensitive?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 2nd, June 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Wojciech Szczesny is Head & Shoulders above Manchester City’s Joe Hart

Welcome competition for Manchester City’s Joe Hart in the world of anti-dandruff sponsorship arrives in the form of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Until now, Hart had occupied the No.1 slot in Team Head & Shoulders. Now his place is under threat.

Maciej, Szczesny’s father, says the story of his son smoking in the changing rooms after playing a less than glorious part in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton is a case of wrongful substance identification.

“The media keep writing about that cigarette under the shower, but according to my knowledge, it never took place. It’s hard to deny that Wojciech’s relationship with Wenger hasn’t been great for some time. It’s not all Wojciech’s fault and I’m not saying that because I’m his father and would want to act as his advocate. Wenger shall not be counted among loyal individuals. He doesn’t always keep his promises and isn’t always honest. However, he [Wenger] claims that there is cigarette ash on his [Szczesny’s] suit jacket, whereas in fact it’s dandruff.”

Easy mistake to make, as any adolescent ever caught with dandruff all over his fingers and cuffs in the school toilets can attest.

 

Posted: 30th, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Arsenal balls: Cup Final mascot won’t forget what he never saw in the Mirror

Arsenal Balls now as the Daily Mirror reports on how Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain surprised a young Arsenal supporter with amazing prize. The report tells us:

This young Arsenal fan won’t forget the Gunners’ 4-1 win over West Brom in a hurry. No, not because Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick or because Jack Wilshere scored an absolute worldie, but for another reason. Gunners supporter Malachi will remember the final day of the 2014/15 season because it was the day he learned he would be a mascot in an FA Cup final.

He sure won’t forget that West Brom match in a hurry – if he was there.

 

 

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Because as Arsenal reports:

The Arsenal forward sought out the Edgware youngster in his seat at Emirates Stadium at half-time of the game against Sunderland. He then invited Malachi pitchside to reveal that he had been randomly selected from more than 34,000 Junior Gunners to be club’s mascot for the FA Cup final against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sunderland played Arsenal before that unforgettable West Brom match.

Such are the facts in the self-styled “intelligent tabloid”.

Posted: 28th, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Arsenal sign Artuto Vidal for less than half what Manchester United bought him for

Transfer Balls: Is Arturo Vidal heading to Arsenal from Juventus? It was only a yer ago the tabloids told us that Vidal had signed for Manchester United for £47m, £45m£40m and £62m. He didn’t sign. But now he’s riding high on the news cycle all over again. And the Daily Express has the scoops:

On May 27, the Express told us: “Reports have linked Vidal with a £25m move to the Emirates this summer.”

What reports?

Well, the Daily Express told us that: “JUVENTUS have told Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United that they will have to fork out £28million to land Arturo Vidal this summer.”

So that £25m is not enough.

On May 25, there was no news in the Express – and there would no news until the Copa America had ended:

 

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And that was deflating for Gunners fans keen on the Chilean player because a few days earlier the Express had told them that Vidal was an Arsenal player. It was a done deal.

 

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That Express story was based on a report in the Standard, which told us:

Juventus star Arturo Vidal appears to be on the Gunners wish-list.

Such are the facts.

Posted: 28th, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Arsenal sign 85,000-a-week babysitter to help Petr Cech settle in

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Transfer Balls spots this pile of steaming matter in the Daily Star. Tomas Rosicky is surely on his way out of Arsenal. He’s a terrific player but at 34 years of age and no longer near the starting XI he’s looking very replaceable.

But wait a moment! In the Daily Star, Dave Woods has an “EXCLUSIVE”.

Tomas Rosicky to stay if Arsenal sign Chelsea star Petr Cech

Why?  Is Cech insisting that Rosicky stays at Arsenal?

…with the pair being so close, the Frenchman knows keeping Rosicky at The Emirates can help convince Cech that Arsenal are the right team for him.

Because Rosicky and Cech are both Czech nationals it means that having the square-cheeked midfielder around the Emirates will help Cech settle into life in London, the city he’s lived in for a decade? That’s the “exclusive”?

Rosicky will be delighted to learn that his primary function will be to operate as – and this with apologies – Cech’s Czech mate. And at £85,000-a-week, he might well be the capital’s most expensive babysitter. Something to put on his CV, there.

 

Posted: 22nd, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment


Watch Manchester United’s Phil Jones tackle Arsenal’s Giroud with his face

 

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Manchester United’s Phil Jones will now slide tackle Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud using his face.

It’s what hi-def slow motion was made for.

Spotter: Pies

Posted: 17th, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Arsenal get three players they don’t want

Transfer Balls spots this gem in the Daily Express: “CONFIRMED: Arsene Wenger reveals the THREE players joining Arsenal this summer.”

Can it be that after playing his cards so close to his chest for years, the Arsenal boss has taken to advertising his intentions in the transfer market before the summer has even begun? Has Bruce Archer the scoop of scoops?

 

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No. The entire story runs like this:

Wenger insists he will not be making any big signings but his three loanees will return when the season is over.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 10th, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Chelsea would have got Pogba from Arsenal because Mourinho’s success is all about the money

Can Arsenal win the Premier League next season? In short: can  they beat Chelsea, this season’s best?

Jose Mourinho, never one to miss a chance to salute his own genius, says:

“The titles at Chelsea [in his first tenure in charge] were fantastic, becasue it was the beginning of the Mr Abramovich era, no title before that.”

Well, not quite. Chelsea had been champions of the old first division in 1983–84, 1988–89.  They had last won the top tier in 1954–55 – the only time they had done so until Roman arrived.

So. Money won it? No, says Jose:

“But now it’s a great feeling because it’s my club, because of the [strength] of the league, because we are not the any more the rich club.”

Chelsea’s finances are sound. Sure, Chelsea’s parent company owes Abramovich £958million, but he’s not sent any final demands yet.

But Chelsea are rich.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 3rd, May 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment


Arsenal: player’s mother banned by club for ‘scuffle’

The mother of Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles has reportedly been banned from entering the club’s training ground after scuffling with a member of the Gunners’ back-room staff during a recent Under-21 game.

Police were called to London Colney during the U21 fixture with Aston Villa on March 20th and arrested a woman, reported to be the mother of 17-year-old Maitland-Niles on suspicion of assaulting two people, one of them being Arsenal club negotiator Dick Law.

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Posted: 30th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Trasnfer balls: Manchester United keep and lose de Gea to Real Madrid as Casillas stays to play for Arsenal

Transfer balls:  The Sun says Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 33, wants to join Arsenal this summer. That move would mean Madrid buying David De Gea from Manchester United.

We know this because the Sun has heard from “top sources in Spain”. The facta only get more factual when the Sun presses caps lock:

And it means Real WILL swoop for Manchester United star David De Gea, who is still stalling on a new deal at Old Trafford.

It WILL!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 29th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Arsenal offer Barcelona more than Chelsea for Pedro who plays for Inter

Transfer Balls: Is Barcelona’s Pedro heading to Arsenal? The Daily Express says he is. It’s an “exclusive”:

 

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Pedro’s a top player. Arsenal fans will be happy he’ll be playing for them next season. Of course, this is the Daily Express, which told its readers Pedro had agreed to play for Inter Milan:

 

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Arsenal had best hurry up because early this week, Pedro was worth £22m to Chelsea…

 

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Uttrer balls everyday in the newspapers…

 

Posted: 28th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment


Clegg’s Arsenal, Cameron’s Aston Villa or Miliband’s Leeds United: the General Election vote for football fans

Political football is a game of own-goals. Just as a leading Aston Villa, Arsenal or Leeds United fan…

 

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David Cameron is the latest (but probably not the last) politician to learn that football, when used as a political football, can result in an own goal.

In football parlance, it was the day the Conservatives’ gaffer became the gaffe-er. During an election meeting, the Prime Minister described our great country as a place, ‘Where you can be Welsh and Hindu and British, Northern Irish and Jewish and British, where you can wear a kilt and a turban, where you can wear a hijab covered in poppies. Where you can support Man United, the Windies and Team GB all at the same time.’

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 28th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Politicians, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Liverpool’s bid for Arsenal target Asier Illarramendi is lost in translation

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Transfer Balls: Liverpool have made an offer for Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi. So declares the Daily Telegraph. And who are the papers sources for this Liverpool scoop?

According to The Metro, Illarramendi is expected to quit Madrid this summer after struggling to hold down a regular place in the Real side

The Metro. Yeah. Stick with it. After all, waaaay back on April 22, The Metro reported:

Arsenal handed transfer blow as Asier Illarramendi confirms desire to stay at Real Madrid

Today’s Metro scoop arrives via Jamie Sanderson:

Liverpool ‘make offer to finally seal Asier Illarramendi transfer’.

Sanderson then delivers the facts:

Liverpool have made an offer to sign Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi ahead of Arsenal, according to reports. Illarramendi is expected to quit Madrid this summer after struggling to hold down a regular place in the Real side.

Which reports?

Arsenal have been linked with a move, with Arsene Wenger said to be a fan, but Marca claims Liverpool…

So. It’s Marca, then. And we do find a story on Illarramendi and Liverpool. It’s dated April 11 2015. It contains not single word on any offer. But we do learn that Arsenal and Liverpool both like Illarramendi. But mentions of a bid are there none.

 

Posted: 24th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment


Chelsea Balls: Fabregas’ Arsenal return only highlights Wenger’s failure

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In the build up to Arsenal’s Premier League match with Chelsea, the tabloids are focusing on the Blues’ Cesc Fabregas. The match will be the first time the Chelsea player has faced his old club on their home pitch.

The Daily Star leads with news that Fabregas “snubbed” Arsenal.  The paper says Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has “muddied the water” by saying his former captain had no intention of returning to the Gunners:

“I believe his decision was already made. I personally believe that deal was done a long time ago, in early 2014… I was intriguded that he might go to Chelsea, but when I was informed I thought the deal was already done.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 24th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Victor Wanyama says the Sun’s story on his move to Arsenal is bunkum

Victor Wanyama

 

Transfer Balls: Is Southampton’s  heading to Arsenal? The Sun says he might be. The story tells readers:

Victor Wanyama has revealed to SunSport that he is on Arsene Wenger’s shopping list Wanyama said: “Wenger has been talking about me. And he has let it be known that he wants me in the summer. Arsenal are a great club and I’d love to play Champions League football as I loved being on that stage with Celtic.”‘

So. Wanyama is keen on Arsenal.

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But on Twitter, Wanyama says the story is wrong:

“I have to make it clear that I have not said what has been brought up today. I am professional and will never say that. To cut the story short have never spoken to Wenger.”

 

 

 

Posted: 23rd, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Sami Khedira’s Arsenal agreement is worthless

Transfer Balls spots the Daily Star’s news that Sami Khedira has delived a “blow to Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United”.

Jonathan Green reports:

The 28-year-old has become one of the most sought after players in European football with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Schalke all looking to secure the German’s signature.

This is the Daily Star that told readers that Khedira had agreede to join Arsenla and Bayern Munich:

 

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Such are the facts in the Daily Star…

 

The World Cup winner is out of contract in the summer and has confirmed he will leave the Bernabeu after five years.

The 28-year-old has become one of the most sought after players in European football with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Schalke all looking to secure the German’s signature.

And reports in Spain claim Dortmund are in the process of drawing up an offer for Khedira as they look to move ahead of their rivals.

Borussia Dortmund want Sami Khedira
INTEREST: Borussia Dortmund want Sami Khedira [GETTY]
They say Dortmund officials are prepared to offer Khedira a deal worth €11m (£8m) a year to bring him to the Westfalenstadion.

The Bundesliga club are set for a major overhaul this summer following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he will step down as manager at the end of the season.

Mats Hummels looks set to follow Klopp out of the exit door while doubts remain over the futures of Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus, Ciro Immobile and Neven Subotic.

Posted: 21st, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Jurgen Klopp Should Go To Arsenal, West Ham Or Liverpool And Avoid Manchester City

By Klopp Watch

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Jurgen Klopp is heading out of Borussia Dortmund. But where to next for the affable German?

The Daily Express says Manchester City is Klopp’s most likely destination. Why City, who have moved towards the Spanish model in recent seasons with the appointment of former Barcelona executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain (secured in the hope of luring Pep Guardiola to the Etihad), would opt for the man who made Dortmund masters of high-octane gegenpressing is not explained.

Any move for Klopp would necessitate a wholesale change in style and massive investment. Would Financial Fair Play allow it?

The Mirror also links Klopp to City. Apparently, odds on Klopp heading to the Etihad have been slashed. Of course odds on Klopp heading anywhere have been slashed following the announcement that this season will be his last at Dortmund.

The Mirror says City’s main rivals for the German are Napoli. Can anyone really see an Italian team embracing Klopp’s madly energetic, hard-pressing style? Klopp has said that he loves “serenity football… What we call in German – English football: rainy days, heavy pitch, everybody is dirty in the face…” So. Sunny Napoli it is then.

The Sun leads with news that Klopp has “told Premier League clubs: Come and get me.” The paper suggests the clubs that could go for Klopp: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham  and Newcastle.

The Mail produces its list of possible Klopp destinations. City, Liverpool and Arsenal are the only Premier League clubs to feature. No word on West Ham, who would offer Klopp an intriguing challenge. Liverpool would be Klopp’s natural fit, but Brendan Rodgers is doing a decent job at Anfield. Arsenal could do with Klopp when Arsene Wenger leaves in a year or two. But after years of relative austerity when they sold their best players to balance the books and fund a new stadium, Wenger’s sudden departure would be like a man walking away from a loaded fruit machine.

The Mail says the clubs most likely to go for Klopp are Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Could Klopp, the outsider, end up at one of the ultimate insider clubs? Rory Smith (Times) compares such a move to “the gertrification of Williamsburg, the adoption of the beard by the Ben Sherman boys, the ultimate defeat for hipsters”.

So. Not all bad, then.

But while a move to Real Madrid seems possible, Klopp to Bayern would surely be a bitter blow to the Dortmund fans who love him. The Mail says “sources in Germany have not ruled out a move to rivals Bayern Munich if Pep Guardiola fails to win the Champions’ League this season”.

That might be because Klopp has not ruled out a move to anywhere.

Posted: 16th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Liverpool Balls: Raheem Sterling’s smoking Arsenal audition

It’s the Daily Raheem Sterling – a look at the Liverpool player in the news.

The Sunday Mirror has news that Sterling, 20, has been photographed smoking a shisha pipe during a night out with friends. Was this a bonding session with Arsenal’s smoking Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny?

The picture of him inhaling on the bright orange pipe during a night out with pals emerged just hours after he upset his army of fans by snubbing a £100,000-a-week contract. Experts warn a single shisha session could be equivalent to smoking up to 200 cigarettes.

In case you were less than bothered at what a top athlete does in his spare time and find ludicrous the claim that a drag on a shisha is the same as smoking 200 fags, the Mirror trills:

The image will shock team-mates and parents of youngsters who idolise the winger, 20.

As ever with such things, we are invited to think of the children. From being an adult having a legal puff , Sterling is now a danger to your kids.

The Daily Mirror says Sterling was heckled by Liverpool fans as he modeled the team’s new kit. As Sterling took the stage to enthuse about the outfit, a voice shouted:

“Make sure we see you in it next season.”

Others cheered. Sterling, quick as a flash, said nothing.

ESPN says Sterling will ignore the hecklers and not sign a new Liverpool contract. How do ESPN know this? It reports:

Raheem Sterling will not sign a new contract at Liverpool this season as he waits to see what offers come his way this summer, a well-placed source has told ESPN FC.

An anonymous source says so, that’s why. And if you can’t trust an anonymous source, who can you trust?

Over in the Liverpool Echo the news is that Liverpool already have a ‘new’ Sterling:

Jordon Ibe can be just like Chelsea and Arsenal target Raheem Sterling – Brendan Rodgers

Is that what Rodgers said? No quite, no. The Liverpool Post has Rodgers quotes on Ibe in full:

“They’re both very exciting, but they’re different types of players,” Rodgers said.

Over on Sky Sports, Sterling is being talked about by his Liverpool teammate Lucas Leiva:

“It’s incredible how much he (Sterling) can achieve,” said Lucas. “He’s got all the potential and of course there has been a lot of talk about his contract situation but he’s dealing with it well on the pitch.

“Off the pitch he is getting advice that he thinks is best for him. My advice for him would be to play football – although it is hard to give advice. He knows what’s best for him as do his agent and family.”

So. No news, then…

 

Posted: 12th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment


Transfer balls: Sterling to Arsenal, Walcott to Liverpool and £20m in change

Transfer balls looks at today’s reporting on Liverpool star and Arsenal target Raheem Sterling.

The Daily Star leads its sports coverage with news that Sterling is off to Arsenal. David Woods has an “exclusive”. He “can reveal” that Arsenal are buying Sterling. He can also”reveal” that Liverpool are buying Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

Well, maybe.

Overlooking the obvious fact that this “exclusive” was first reported in a fact-free Daily Mirror story two weeks ago, the Star’s scoop contains not a single fact about either player. Woods says Arsenal would pay Walcott plus £20m for Sterling. Given the figure of £50m touted for Sterling, that values Walcott at £30m.

How he arrives at those sums is through the process of ‘guesswork’.

It is utter balls.

We do hear from Arsenal in the Sun, where team manager Arsene Wenger says:

“We have a core of five or six players who have been here for the last seven years and we wants to keep that nucleus.”

Does that group include Walcott, who joined Arsenal in January 2006? It’s unclear because the Daily Express quotes Wenger thus:

“We now have a core of players, a good balance of  players…who have been here for up to seven years and a few that arrived one or two seasons ago. We have a good balance.”

Walcott arrived at Arsenal nine years ago. Given how guarded and careful Wenger is with his words, it might well be that Walcott, who will have just one season remaining on his curent deal at this season’s end, is on his way out.

Such are the facts

 

 

 

 

Posted: 10th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Arsenal buy Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain for the second time

Transfer Balls: The Daily Express report Arsenal are in “pole position” to buy Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.

That is incredible news. Why? Because as we Sun readers know, Higuain already plays for Arsenal.

Two years ago the Sun told us that Higuain had joned the Gunners for a record fee.

 

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For those of you missed Mark Irwin’s scoop of July 2013, the good news is that despite a site redesign, the news of Higuain’s transfer to Arsenal remains a fact on the Sun.

 

 

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So much for the Sun. The Express is far more on the ball. Or not.

In 2014, the Express told us:

GONZALO HIGUAIN could be on his way to Arsenal… Gonzalo Higuain has hinted he could be leaving Napoli, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United all interested.

He never has played for Arsenal.

Such are the facts

Posted: 7th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment


Arsenal balls: Mesut Ozil makes mugs of the experts

Jamie Redknapp says Arsenal’s German midfileder Mesut Ozil “is something special and worth paying to watch”.

Redknapp tells his Daily Mail readers that “Mesut Ozil is an easy target for ex-pros and pundits…”

Adding:

“When things don’t come off for the German, people are quick to criticise. We do that too much in this country — looking at what people can’t do rather than what they can — and it’s where we go wrong so often.”

Well, going into Arsenal’s last match in which Ozil shone, Redknapp said Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson “will press hard and make sure Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla have no room to breathe.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 6th, April 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports | Comment