Manchester United deny Moyes-Giggs rift.

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Mar 18, 2014

Media outlets are in a frenzy after comments made during her stint on Big Brother.

The 24 year old model revealed that she cheated on her Inter Milan boyfriend Saphir Taider in a foursome which included another unnamed woman, Mario Balotelli and his brother Enoch.

The claims were not broadcast by Big Brother, probably in the fear that doing so could open them up to legal proceedings but this is apparently not the first time Miss Graf has cheated on midfielder Taider with allegations that she had an affair with lower league striker George Alfieri and has reported also been ‘approached’ by Napoli ace Gonzalo Higuain.

Graf suggests the incident took place a week before she entered the Big Brother house. She also suggested Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain has “courted” her in recent times in an admission that is likely to create major headlines for the Serie A players in question.

This isn’t the first time Balotelli has been caught up in cheating claims. The Milan forward is said to have cheated on previous girlfriend Rafaella Fico for two years while he resided at Manchester City

However, It’s unknown whether Veronica Graf’s explosive claims are true, whilst Italy’s Big Brother censored broadcasting her statements on their TV show for fear of defamation claims

Written by Steve Milne

Liverpool Face Bundesliga Competition For Signature Of Roma Starlet Adem Ljajic

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Mar 18, 2014

The highly-rated Serbian international only joined the side from the capital last summer from fellow Italian giants Fiorentina following intense speculation, but he has so far failed to live up to his billing at the Stadio Olimpico.

And it is now believed that the 21-year-old could be made available this summer should the right offer come along, with both Liverpool and Manchester United keeping a close eye on his progress recently.

However, both side’s rebuilding plans could be scuppered by Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, as both sides have declared their own interest.

Dortmund are losing Robert Lewandowski at the end of the season and have fears that Marco Reus could also look to leave, though they have targeted former star Shinji Kagawa as a possible target.

Schalke on the other hand, are aware that starlet forward Julian Draxler will likely make his way out of the club this summer and they are preparing for that eventuality by keeping watch on Ljajic.

Written by Steve Milne

Three more players extend Arsenal stay

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal Football Club have announced that trio Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Gedion Zelalem have all signed new deals at the club, with the latter signing his first ever professional contract.

The three players have joined Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky in securing their future at the Emirates Stadium, and it is proving to be quite a few months for the North London club on and off the field.

Arsene Wenger’s men are in a great position in this season’s title race and they are also clear favourites to win the FA Cup after Manchester City’s shock exit at the hands of Wigan Athletic.

The news will be music to the ears of Arsenal fans as both Cazorla and Ramsey have been crucial for the club over the last season or two, and with Zelalem, he is highly rated and has been labelled as the next Cesc Fabregas.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Wenger, Cazorla and Ramsey have all spoken out about the new deals.

Arsène Wenger said: “We are very pleased that Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Gedion Zelalem have committed their futures to the Club. Cazorla and Ramsey are absolutely key players for us, and this news is a boost to the whole club. Gedion is very young of course, but he has shown already that he has fantastic promise, and we all look forward to his development with us.”

Ramsey said: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract. I’ve been here for six years and I’m so happy. I think we’ve shown so far this season what we’re all about and the direction that this club wants to go in. I want to be a part of that, and to be a part of something special at Arsenal. We have a great team which we believe can achieve great things.”

Cazorla said: “I’m so happy to have signed a new contract with Arsenal. This club makes me very happy – the manager, my team-mates, the fantastic supporters, the stadium and the whole organisation here.

“I have had a great time with the Club since joining nearly two years ago, and I think that we can be a big player in competing for the top trophies in years to come and that’s important for me. I have already had lots of good moments here and hopefully there will be many more to come.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

FA charge George Boyd with spitting at Manchester City goalkeeper

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Mar 18, 2014

According to the FA, the charge is in relation to ‘an alleged breach of FA Rule E1 [a] in that in or around the 68th minute of the game Boyd spat at Manchester City’s Joe Hart’.

The incident was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video, and Boyd has until 6pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to respond to the charge.

Hull manager Steve Bruce earlier this week defended his player, referring back to Boyd’s time as a non-league player with Stevenage, saying: “George is as honest as they come. He was playing non-league six years ago.”

Written by Steve Milne

Arsene Wenger to be given £100m Summer transfer kitty

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be given a £100million transfer kitty for the Summer in order to build yet another successful side.

The Gunners are still fighting for the Premier League title as well as being favourites to win this year’s FA Cup, and the club are desperate to keep their improvement going by giving more funds to Wenger, who is set to sign a new contract at the club once the current campaign ends.

The Frenchman is about to take charge of his 1,000th game at Arsenal and the board are confident that he will pen a new deal at the club and he will also be given a whopping transfer kitty in order to bring in new faces in the Summer.

It is believed Arsenal will be looking for a right-back, just in case Bacary Sagna leaves, a goalkeeper due to Lukasz Fabianski leaving and also a world-class striker.

It is unknown what goalkeeper The Gunners are looking into, but according to reports, they are heavily interested in Borussia Dortmund right-back Lukasz Piszczek and also several top-class strikers including; Mario Mandzukic, Jackson Martínez and Diego Costa, as well as renewing their interest in Julian Draxler.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Nicklas Bendtner wants 100% pay-rise

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is wanting a 100% pay-rise from his next club, according to numerous reports.

The Danish international will be leaving The Gunners this Summer once his current deal expires, and he is reportedly holding out for a club who will be willing enough to meet his demands of £104k-a-week.

If Bendtner is lucky enough to be offered that much money from his future employers, he will earn a 100% pay-rise from his current deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old was wanted last Summer by newly-promoted sides Hull City and Crystal Palace, but due to his excessive wage demands, the proposed deals both fell through.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal eye Bacary Sagna replacement

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal have made Borussia Dortmund right-back Lukasz Piszczek their number-one target if they lose Bacary Sagna on a free this Summer.

The Frenchman is set to leave the club on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the season, and after two offers from the club have been rejected by the player, it looks like he will be leaving come the Summer with Inter Milan and Galatasaray both interested in his services.

According to reports, Sagna wants a three-year deal worth around £120k-a-week, but Arsenal are only willing to offer him a two-year extension worth £75k-a-week.

Fearing that the right-back will leave, the club have put together a replacement list and Dortmund-star Piszczek is top of their list.

The 28-year-old is also attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and due to the German outfit losing several of their star-names, the Pole could be yet another one to depart with Arsenal preparing a £7million bid.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Hart faces no action over altercation.

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Ben Reardon

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Mar 18, 2014

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will face no further action from the FA, over an incident with George Boyd at the weekend.

Hart squared up with the Hull striker during City’s routine 2-0 win over Hull at the KC Sytadium on Saturday.

The keeper accused Boyd of diving, when the former Peterborough striker went down over Hart’s outstreched leg.

Hart was then booked by referee Lee Mason for the offence, however, George Boyd will have to wait to hear the verdict for his actions.

Pictures appeared to see the striker spit in the direction of Hart, although Hart said after the game he did not feel he had been spat at by Boyd.

The FA will wait for Lee Mason’s match report, before coming to a conclusion to the matter.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Abou Diaby fighting for return

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has insisted that he’s never even considered quitting the game despite numerous injuries keeping him out for the majority of his career in England.

The Frenchman is aiming to return to action before the end of the season, as the club aim to end their current trophy drought, with both the FA Cup and the Premier League still in their sights.

Diaby hasn’t been in action since last March due to a serious knee ligament injury, and it is another injured added to the long list that that haulted his career in North London, but despite the continous blows, the midfielder has refused to give up and is still hopeful of making a return.

“I never had such a long break,” Diaby told France Football. “I never had a knee injury and it is really weird. You can feel physically there is something different.

“But I learnt a lot from my injuries. I can keep things in perspective.

“Even now I am very close to the end of my specific work, I keep things in perspective.

“I can master my impatience. I want to be back being strong, very strong and perfectly at ease in my body.

“I work hard without asking questions. I work hard because I know in the end I will play again.

“I am still a high level footballer in my mind, otherwise I would have given up. But I never think to give it up.

“It doesn’t mean I never had difficult moments, but I have always bounced back. Some people experience much more difficult things in their lives. I know my reward will be to have fun playing again.

“I will take stock with Arsenal medical staff early in April, but I hope to resume collective training sessions very soon.

“My priorities? Feeling fine and play again before the end of the season.

“I don’t think I will be scared to play. I trust my body. Nowadays I feel strong, but I know coming back to London I will also have some changes. I am watching closely my diet and recovering periods.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsene Wenger to await outcome of crucial fixtures before signing new Arsenal deal

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Mar 18, 2014

The Gunners hierarchy are confident Wenger will sign a new three-year deal but Standard Sport understands there is a slight concern at boardroom level over the delay to accept an offer that has been on the table for months.

Wenger is eventually expected to commit his future to the club but it is believed he could now wait until next month or even the end of the season with Arsenal fighting to win the Premier League and FA Cup.

The 64-year-old has publicly maintained that results would be the principal factor in his decision and bringing an end to the club’s nine-year wait for a trophy would be a significant platform upon which to launch the next phase of the club’s development.

However, Wenger is also thought to have been shaken by the vitriolic reaction among some sections of Arsenal supporters, having faced sporadic chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” last season and anger on the opening day of this campaign against Aston Villa amid frustration at a lack of spending.

The mood has since changed due to Mesut Ozil’s £42.4million arrival and the team’s impressive campaign in which they lie just four points behind leaders Chelsea, who they face at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with a game in hand.

Wenger is thought to be acutely aware that it is possible that criticism could return should the club fall short this season and so he is prepared to gauge both his team’s performance and the fans’ response before resisting the overtures of a number of clubs, including Barcelona and Paris St-Germain.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis was adamant Wenger will stay when speaking at the announcement of Arsenal’s £150million kit deal with Puma in January and even if the Gunners end the season empty handed, it will still be a huge call for the Frenchman to walk away.

Written by Steve Milne

Inter Milan line up summer swoop for Chelsea midfielder

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Mar 18, 2014

The San Siro club, who were taken over by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir earlier this season, want to strengthen their midfield and believe they may be able to land Mikel, 26.

The Nigeria international, who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2006, has seen competition for his central-midfield berth increase.

The arrivals of Marco van Ginkel and Nemanja Matic, in addition to the continued presence of Frank Lampard and Ramires, means Mikel has only managed only nine league starts.

Sources in Italy claim Chelsea have slapped a £12.5m price tag on the anchorman, while Inter are hoping they can negotiate a cheaper price.

Mikel has won a glut of silverware during his time in west London, including one Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.

Written by Steve Milne

Arsene Wenger is a legend, says Rosicky

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Mar 18, 2014

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has hailed ‘legendary’ manager Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman prepares to take charge of his 1,000th game as manager of the North London side.

The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea for a massive title-race clash on Saturday, and it will be a serious milestone reached for the Frenchman, who has now been at the club since 1996.

Wenger celebrated his 999th game in charge by beating fierce-rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and goalscoring hero that day, Tomas Rosicky, has hailed Wenger as a true legend not just to Arsenal, but to the whole sport.

“It is absolutely unique,” said Rosicky.

“I don’t think that anyone will repeat something like that again. He is a legend for this club.”

“I would love to win a trophy with Arsenal,” added Rosicky. “This is why I came here and I still believe I can do it here. That’s why I am still here.

“Our win at Spurs may have knocked their challenge for fourth place, but I don’t think like that. My goal is to win the league. I am not looking for a top-four finish – my goal is to win the league.

“I am staying here, I love this club and that was always my goal. It still is and I will give absolutely everything I can to achieve my dreams.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liege wonderkid keen on Gunners move.

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Ben Reardon

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Mar 18, 2014

Standard Liege striker Michy Batshuayi has aleted Arsene Wenger and Arsenal to a possible transfer in the summer, by stating that he admires the Gunners playing style.

The powerful 20 year old has been in superb form for his club, scoring 19 goals for the title chasers.

The striker, who has a contract until 2018, added fuel to the fire by stating that he would like to play in either England or Germany.

‘Unfortunately I do not think I’ll stay [at Standard past the summer],’ he admitted on Belgian TV.

‘Many things can happen but I am someone who has ambitions. I want to progress as quickly as possible. I’ll make a choice with my agents and my family. I must consider my choices carefully.

‘I have not yet signed anywhere yet.

‘I am interested in the German and English championships. They are physical and technical championships.

‘Personally, I like Arsenal. There is a good philosophy at the club where trust is given to young players. This is a very technical team playing good football, and since I was little this was a team who I liked.’

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Manchester United plan double swoop on Atletico Madrid

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Mar 18, 2014