On the back of an excruciating week and season as a whole for Arsenal fans, there could be some light at the end of a very gloomy tunnel in North London. It surrounds their talismanic captain Robin Van Persie and his future at the Emirates. Just where would the Gunners be without the stream of goals as scored by the Dutchman this term, in a side which more than ever needs a shot in the arm. Van Persie is reportedly ready to start preliminary negotiations surrounding his future at the club. It could just be the biggest deal that Arsenal make in years.
Arsenal fans haven’t had much to cling onto this season but the small token of Van Persie’s intentions to at least listen to the club’s stance, speaks volumes in the hearts and minds of all connected to the club.
Arsenal already pays their top earners significantly less than at other top Premier League clubs such as Manchester City whereby Samir Nasri found the grass isn’t always greener this summer. But Van Persie is undoubtedly a world class talent and at a time whereby Arsene Wenger needs him more than ever, the club are ready to break the bank and improve his pay packet to some £100,000 a week; a £20,000 advance on his current salary.
Arsenal indeed recouped some £55 million in the summer from the departures of messrs Fabregas and Nasri, and whilst the club continues to be linked with names such as Eden Hazard, Yann M’Vila and Matias Suarez, the first cash priority should be the keep hold of Van Persie, and build the squad around their captain.
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The Gunners keep finding themselves in this kind of transfer quandary whereby their best talents are being poached each summer and Van Persie could even find himself in a similar position to Nasri. This is as, if a new contract is turned down, there would be robust reasoning to keep hold of the striker and let him leave for nothing in 2013, as Arsenal fans all realise they need his attributes more than at any other time.
Arsenal fans would have experienced many jibes this season such as ‘one man team’ but amidst the juvenile nature of this chant, there is some credence there. The Gunners second highest scorer is Theo Walcott on just six goals and the overriding notion is that when Van Persie doesn’t score, Arsenal simply doesn’t win.
Van Persie himself is currently enjoying an injury free season; something of a rarity during his time in North London, and his consecutive participation has finally yielded the goal tally many always thought he was capable of after signing from Feyenoord some eight years ago.
But with a CV of injury snags and an age of 29, despite his scintillating form, potential summer suitors may not pay as much as you would think for the Dutchman’s services.
Sticking with Arsenal may be his best bet, but Van Persie and Arsenal fans alike will desperately want to see mass change this summer, with the likes of the underachieving Djourou, Fabianski and Park Chu Young shipped out and experienced pro’s brought into the ranks; something as discussed recently be ex-Gunners Dennis Bergkamp and Emmanuel Petit.
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So the question remains; deal or no deal? For Arsenal and Robin Van Persie, this deal could be the biggest in years.
Do you think Robin Van Persie will sign his new Arsenal deal? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
Footballers are not renowned for their trend setting abilities and being on the cutting edge of what is cool, particularly in the ’80s. We have seen mullets, shorts getting that little bit shorter and as we evolved into the Premier League era little was to really change on that front. Patrick Vieira brought the slapping a lump of Vicks onto the front of the shirt, Robbie Fowler had the nose plaster and more recently Gareth Bale has found some use for electrical tape, other than to protect wires within your home.
So as a homage to all that is truly naff and has graced the land of football is this top ten of the worst football fads and please feel free to add any you think I have missed in the comments section.
Click on Patrick Vieira’s Vicks stained shirt below to view the gallery
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that he has been surprised by the amount of coverage given to the Wayne Rooney-Manchester United contract story this week.
After seeming set to leave Old Trafford, the 24-year-old England forward has penned a new five-year contract with the Red Devils, a move which caught many off-guard, but which did not surprise Wenger unduly.
He said:"Once the club came out and said that they couldn't find an agreement, it was a message that they wanted to sell.
"Certainly Rooney has got the guarantees he wanted – you can translate that like you want, but that's it.
"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was of no interest to me. When I saw the headlines I just turned the page.
"I was never really interested in that story because what happened with Wayne Rooney happens to every club, every year – plenty of times.
"Just because he has a different name it was certainly a story, but it is a super-classical story which happens in every club, every week, so I could never understand what was really special in this case."
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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said that he was not too surprised that Rooney had eventually opted to stay put, adding:"I'm not surprised. Manchester United are happy to keep a fantastic player.
"I think that Rooney did a fantastic job for Manchester United and in the future I think he will do the same."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
In order to take that next step, Tottenham Hotspur need to strengthen their squad to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men finished third in the Premier League table last season, and have secured Champions League football for the last three campaigns in a row.
However, it has been a decade since the North London outfit took home a trophy.
United, Liverpool and Arsenal have already signed up new faces this summer, but Tottenham are yet to get their chequebook out.
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It is no huge surprise given that in recent history Spurs have left it relatively late to get deals over the line.
Chairman Daniel Levy is not the easiest negotiator in the world as he is never prepared to pay over the odds for a transfer target.
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The club have been linked to numerous names over the past few weeks and months, but nothing has yet come to fruition.
Fans have been tweeting their thoughts on the laboured window.
Aston Villa have hit a rough spot in their bid for Premier League promotion as recent results have not gone their way.Steve Bruce’s team were on a seven-game winning run when they were halted by Fulham in a 2-0 defeat a few weeks ago.On Tuesday night, the Midlands outfit rescued a 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Villa Park thanks to Lewis Grabban’s 66th-minute penalty.On Saturday, the Championship outfit will take on Sheffield Wednesday on home turf, with the aim of getting back on track.At the moment, Bruce is struggling with numerous injury problems to his squad.There is some good news, though, as 19-year-old attacking player Callum O’Hare has been included in the travelling party.[ad_pod ]The youngster has played 103 minutes of Championship action so far this season across four substitute appearances.In that time, O’Hare has created one assist, and also started four games in the club’s cup competitions.Fans have been left very excited buy the news that the Solihull-born player could feature this weekend.
Villa currently reside third in the table, four points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.
Alan Pardew’s bacon may have been saved for another week by Papiss Cisse’s late two-goal come-back to draw against Hull City on Saturday, but the Newcastle manager’s position is still verging towards untenable.The former West Ham and Charlton gaffer’s Tyneside tenure has been riddled with controversy, ranging from rumours that he first met Mike Ashley in a casino to receiving a seven-game touchline ban for head-butting David Meyler last season, and the Magpies now find themselvesÂat the bottom of the Premier League table with just three points from five games and a goal difference of -5.The supporters want Pardew sacked, or at least 86% of them do, according to a poll taken at the end of last season. And with that scenario becoming increasingly likely, it’s time for the Toon army to start getting excited about potential successors to their under-fire manager.So without further ado, here’s FIVE likely Pardew replacements that will leave the Magpies faithful dreaming of former glories once again.
His attritional philosophy may often divide opinion, but Tony Pulis has to be considered a strong candidate for any managerial vacancy outside of the Premier League’s top six.
The 56 year-old built Stoke City into the mid-table powerhouses they are today, and performed nothing short of a miracle at Selhurst Park last season by masterminding Crystal Palace to an eleventh place finish in the top flight, earning him the 2013/14 Manager of the Season award.
He picked up the Eagles in November 2013 at the foot of the Premier League table with just seven points on the board – a situation not dissimilar to where the Magpies currently find themselves.
Most importantly for Newcastle fans following their slump into the Championship in 2009, relegation-threatened 2012/13 campaign and current demise this season, Pulis boasts the impressive feat of having never been relegated as a manager, throughout spells with Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Plymouth, the Potters and Palace.
But the former defender left the South London outfit by mutual consent at the start of the current campaign, reportedly due to a dispute over transfer policy with co-Chairman Steve Parish, so it remains to be seen if he’d be willing to work with Mike Ashley, who has infamously dominated Newcastle’s recruitment throughout Alan Pardew’s tenure.
The Tynesiders will have to act quickly too; Pulis has strongly been linked with the vacancy at Cardiff City, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s resignation last week:
DAVID MOYES
David Moyes may have endured a horror-story ten months at Manchester United, leading the Red Devils to the worst title defence in Premier League history since the 38-game season began, but his prior accomplishments with Everton have not been forgotten.
The Scot transformed the Toffees from relegation candidates into top six regulars during his eleven years at Goodison Park, in that time winning the 2003, 2005 and 2009 LMA Manager of the Year awards.
That level of consistency – Everton finished outside of the top seven just three times under Moyes – is exactly what Newcastle need to bring them back towards former glories, and the 51 year-old’s ability to work with modest resources will particularly strike a chord with Mike Ashley.
The former Preston boss needs to rebuild his reputation after the hellish United stint, and following rejection from Galatasaray earlier this summer, will be prepared to take on a less coveted club.
But Moyes was on £4million-per-year at Everton and £3.5million-per-year at Manchester United, so the Newcastle owner will likely have to pay a premium rate for his services.
Steve Bruce
Once harangued out of the Sunderland dugout for being a ‘fat Geordie b*****d, Newcastle United boss could well be the managerial role Steve Bruce was born for.
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He’s enjoyed consistent Premier spells with Birmingham, Wigan Athletic, the Black Cats and now Hull City, guiding them to Europa League qualification via the FA Cup last season, and as a boyhood Toon supporter, would gloss over many of the entrenched issues between Mike Ashley and the fanbase.
The 53 year-old admitted in November 2013 his regret in not becoming Newcastle boss when the opportunity arose during his St. Andrew’s days, but he also labelled recent links with the Magpies post ‘disrespectful’ last week.
And although he appears to have the firm backing of the tabloids, who have lined him up rather vigorously as Alan Pardew’s replacement, Bruce made further suggestions he’d turn down the Tynesiders this weekend by backing their under-fire manager:
Also tied down to a long-term contract with the Tigers, Ashley would have to fork out a significant compensation sum to even hold talks with the former Manchester United skipper.
NEIL LENNON
Neil Lennon left Celtic on his own terms at the end of last season, after claiming three consecutive SPL titles, two Scottish Cups and masterminding some of the most memorable European nights in the club’s history – including this Champions League victory over Barcelona:
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The northern Irishman’s move to English football feels inevitable and he was linked with a plethora of managerial vacancies in the Premier League and Championship throughout the summer, including Norwich City and West Brom.
No club has taken a punt on the 43 year-old just yet, and admittedly, a lack of experience in the English top flight will work against him. But the former Crewe and Leicester City midfielder boasts enormous potential as a manager and his feisty passion will certainly gain the support of the Toon Army:
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That being said, Mike Ashley needs to act quickly – Lennon has been linked to both the Cardiff City and Fulham posts:
FABRICIO COLOCCINI
Could this actually happen, or is it simply a Toon Army fantasy? For that matter, would it even be a good idea?
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Either way, The Telegraph claim Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini is amongst the contenders to take over from under-fire manager Alan Pardew:
The 32 year-old is an absolute novice in managerial terms and probably envisages his playing days lasting a little longer, having eyed a prodigal-son return to Argentina with San Lorenzo back in January.
But he’s also seen as an adoptive son of the Tyneside community, with his floppy hair iconic and the defender boasting over 200 appearances for the Toon. Here are some of the highlights from his seven-year spell:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ykWrCSHoDEo?rel=0
It’s the kind of cost-cutting measure Mike Ashley tends to go for and the exact same decision Swansea City made regarding Gary Monk last season. The Welsh side are now fifth in the Premier League table.
But the Argentina international has been as instrumental as anybody in Newcastle’s plight over the last few seasons, enduring questionable form and rarely showing the organisational qualities expected of a captain centre-back.
I’m sure Magpies fans would prefer to see some leadership from the pitch before he moves to the dugout.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his side’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Schalke was a “fair” result for both teams.
The Gunners were two goals up after 30 minutes, but let their advantage slip coming away with a single point.
Although they occupied a commanding position, the Frenchman believes that there were many positives to take from the encounter:
“With all the stick we got after Saturday’s game, it was important to show a good response and I think we did that.” He told SkySports.
“It was a difficult game – a good one as well, both teams played very well.
“It was unfortunate that we conceded that goal before half-time, and in the last minute we had the chance for 3-2, but overall I think a draw was fair.
“At 2-0 you have not won the game in the Champions League.
“German teams have physical quality and technical quality and they never give up, so I never felt the game was over.”
Theo Walcott missed a good chance late on which midfielder Mikel Arteta admitted was a big moment in the game:
“Considering we were 2-0 up, it can’t be good for us. We had the last chance too with Theo.
“We were unlucky to concede just before half-time. It was a completely different game, but that happened. But this is not an easy place to come. We’ll take the point.”
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Arsenal took the lead through Walcott after quarter-of-an-hour before Oliver Giroud doubled the advantage with a fine header on the 26 minute mark.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s clinical strike made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time and Peruvian winger Jefferson Farfan completed the comeback with a deflected effort after 67 minutes.
According to Sky Sports News, Middlesbrough have made a bid in excess of £5m for Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
What’s the story?
McNair only made 16 Championship appearances for Sunderland last season, but he managed five goals for the relegated Black Cats.
Brighton & Hove Albion are believed to be interested in signing the 15-time Northern Ireland international, with the Seagulls said to have had at least one bid rejected.
According to Sky Sports News, Boro have offered more than £5m for the versatile midfielder as Tony Pulis’ side look to boost their squad ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Pulis led Boro, who have also been linked with Robert Huth, into the Championship playoffs last term, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
The former Premier League club will fancy their chances of launching another bid for promotion next term, however, and McNair would boost their challenge.
Would McNair be a good signing?
In short, yes. McNair broke into the Manchester United first team in 2014, and made 27 first-team appearances for the Red Devils before joining Sunderland in August 2016.
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McNair missed the start of last season with a serious knee problem, but showed his class upon returning to fitness, and ended the campaign with five Championship goals.
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It is going to prove almost impossible for Sunderland to keep him following their relegation to League One, and McNair would be a fine signing for Boro. Indeed, if they can sign him for just over £5m, it could go down as one of the best deals of the summer.
The 23-year-old is capable of playing in a number of positions in both midfield and defence, whilst he has already shown that he can hold his own at Premier League level, let alone in the second tier.
Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has admitted that he would select Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane ahead of Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Southampton legend based his decision on current form, as Kane seems to be unstoppable in front of goal.
In fact, the 24-year-old has scored 37 goals in all competitions this season, while Ronaldo is 12 behind with 25 to his name.
The Portugal captain is widely regarded as one of the world’s best, and it is difficult to argue given that he has won five league titles and three Champions League crowns.
Kane is yet to win any silverware with Tottenham, but over the last few years he has been the driving force in the club’s Premier League campaigns.
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The North London outfit finished third and then second in the past two seasons, and even though they are likely to be fighting for a top-four finish this season, Le Tissier thinks that on current form, Kane is better than Ronaldo.
While speaking to Sky Sports News, the retired footballer said:
“Right now, on this season’s form, I would take Harry Kane. Ronaldo has done it over a longer period of time and there is many a season you would pick Cristiano over him. But this season, Harry has stepped it up another level. He has been brilliant for the last three or four years but this season he has taken it up a notch.”
Maybe it’s the boredom of being away from the pitch and the day-to-day of being associated with a football club, but Paul Scholes hasn’t taken long or shied away from getting stuck in to a number of topics.
And what’s the problem with that? Would we prefer sterile, safe punditry? Scholes, whether or not we agree with him, has generated debate.
Scholes held no punches in his assessment of Wayne Rooney, citing that the player had peaked at 26 and may not be around too much longer after he turns 30. It’s an interesting angle. England has a player who should be among the best in the world but isn’t even the best in his own league. There are at least five players who you’d consider better than Rooney in the Premier League, and that’s without giving it much thought.
But Scholes has dug into this debate and offered something genuinely useful. Rooney isn’t the player we thought he’d become. There was plenty of discussion about whether Rooney should be dropped from England’s World Cup team in Brazil, and Scholes supported the idea by suggesting the player’s irregular form and overall disappointment for the national team didn’t warrant an unconditional starting place.
There isn’t really much of an issue with Scholes being candid on topics that do matter. Since retiring (for the second time), he’s completely abandoned his quiet on-pitch demeanour. And isn’t this the kind of former player we ought to be listening to? Scholes is lauded as one of the best products this country has produced, so good that the England team’s visceral approach to the game couldn’t accommodate him.
Jack Wilshere has been another disappointment for the most part. Scholes’ critique of the Arsenal midfielder wasn’t off by any means. And so what if he ruffles a few feathers? If it gets Wilshere playing better and improving on his current game then there really is no harm done. Wilshere and Scholes were said to have had a private conversation following, and during his game for England against Costa Rica in Brazil, Wilshere did show plenty of signs of promise for what could come next season.
Scholes’ latest offering is on Manchester United’s £34 million signing of Luke Shaw. We’re all thinking it: it’s an insane amount of money to spend on a teenager, let alone a teenage left-back. The wider issue is what such signings – the high value placed on English players – does for the national team, with teams looking abroad for cheaper alternatives.
In addition, Scholes isn’t wrong for wanting a 30-goal centre-forward for over £30 million.
Scholes’ input since hanging up the boots for good has been edgy and enjoyable. Why lament the abundance of boring coverage but then question the input of someone who’s willing to offer something interesting?
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We don’t really need consistency from Scholes in him replicating his quiet nature on the pitch to his assessment of it. They’re two completely different worlds.
Scholes has offered interesting insight to the game. We don’t have to agree with everything he says, but there’s no harm done in him disrupting a market saturated with generally boring or, at times, pointless statements on the game.