Arsenal Premiership: Blackburn given a lesson

Arsenal Premiership: Class gap a chasm as Blackburn given the run-around

Arsenal and their Premiership ambitions were given a huge boost after this performance. Star of the show, was England man Walcott.

Walcott’s pace and vision made the opening goal for Robin van Persie and his continual pacey runs constantly showed up the immobile Blackburn defence and midfield. Arsenal confirmed that more than ever the Premiership 'big four' and the rest have a massive gulf in class.

Walcott's substitution in the second half left it to Emmanuel Adebayor, who promptly helped himself to a hat-trick. You got the thought, that this game may even have prompted Ince to even consider the possibility of switching to the basket case that is St James’ Park.

However at Blackburn, he at least has his fate in his own hands here and you don't meet Arsenal storming the Premiership every week.

Walcott apart, Arsenal went coasted through the game and passed their way past Blackburn with a minimum of physical or mental effort.

Blackburn briefly sensed they were still in contention only for Adebayor to deliver a reality check after a glorious phase of possession by Arsenal just before half-time. That made it 2-0 and there was only one outcome after that.

Arsenal really will be a Premiership force again this season, despite the higher resources of rivals. You can't help thinking that the Premiership is lucky to have a club like Arsenal to act as a counterbalance to the unseemly way some clubs are run. Arsenal are a club truly built on the values of the beautiful game!

Wayne Rooney: goals will come with a partner

Wayne Rooney's goals will come if he gets some forward help

Wayne Rooney goals will flow if Sir Alex fixes the errors of his ways, by buying Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been remarkably confessional in the build-up to this season. Maybe his age is showing, but he admitted to Sir David Frost that it had been a mistake to sell Jaap Stam to Lazio in 2001 and then later, during the club's tour of South Africa, he conceded that errors had been made in his deployment of Wayne Rooney.

Pity no one asked him about his decision, two summers ago, to sell Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. Was that a mistake too?

Ferguson may never say it was but he appears to regret letting the prolific Dutchman go. Why else would he be pursuing Dimitar Berbatov with such vigour? Upon signing him - and United are confident they can do so this week for about £25m - the Bulgarian will be expected to provide everything Van Nistelrooy once did - an outlet for the side's dynamic and willing runners, a target for those able to play a raking pass from deep, and of course goals. Despite his current lack of "focus", a record of 46 goals in two seasons proves the 27-year-old Bulgarian is more than capable of supplying those.

Oh how Wayne Rooney will be glad of a good old fashioned strike partner. He must have been willing Manchester United to buy anybody to play off this summer, rather than plough the lone furrow up-front again. Peter Crouch, Dean Ashton, Emile Heskey............alright, Emile is stretching it a bit, but I'll bet he'd have been happy with Peter Crouch!

Wayne Rooney should enjoy his football and his goals, much more this season, now it appears certain Berbatov is on his way. Footy Focus online has never been convinced that Wayne Rooney will get goals while playing upfront alone, and Man U's rivals will be sorry its about to end!

Football News: Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Unstoppable momentum grows

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is gathering inevitable momentum with increasing reports in the media fuelling the circus around his move.

Latest reports have Scolari and Calderon urging him to 'be strong' and that Manchester United 'can't hurt him'! All silly season stuff really, and what's all been seen before as countless others have done what Ronaldo is now doing ie dig his heels in and force Manchester United to sell him to Real Madrid.

It's the sad but inevitable route many transfers take in modern football, and the Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga is no different. Just the money involved is bigger than ever before! Eighty million really is nuts!

Bernd Schuster has come out and said Real Madrid will do 'whatever it takes' to get Ronaldo from United. That appears to be an eight million transfer fee, and 182 grand a week! The interesting part will be if the Glasers become as relentless as Real Madrid and leave him in the stands. There was an interesting article in the Times the other day, where an employment lawyer basically said that a deal will get done as Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Manchester United will all realise that lawyers will be the only winners if it goes to court.

We at Footy Focus reckon it's a done deal. Ronaldo will move to Real Madrid, and Manchester United will get a stash of cash to replace the forty goals a season! It's a well worn path and Manchester United have time and again been in Real Madrids place. Thats life Fergie!

Football News: Ronaldo to force his way to Madrid?

Ronaldo to do 'all in his power' to move to Madrid

In a depressingly familiar tale of player power, reports are emerging that Cristiano Ronaldo is to do 'all in his power' to get his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

'Sources' also briefed in the media that Ronaldo considers Real Madrid a bigger club than Manchester United, and that he has never been enthused with life in Manchester.

Given Ronaldo signed a new, improved deal a little over 12 months ago, it all has the familiar depressing ring of contracts not being worth a carrot, as player power rules.

Manchester United will be further enraged that FIFA have cleared Real Madrid of any wrongdoing in their conduct and relentless pursuit of Ronaldo.

It seems the saga is beginning to play out to its inevitable end, and that Ronaldo will move to Madrid after the European Championships, much to the dismay of Manchester United and it's supporters. There is a slim chance the Glazers might do what they say, and stop Ronaldo's Madrid move, and let him 'rot in the stands'. Now that would be fascinating to see!!

Football News: Real want Ronaldo to strike

End-game becomes a farce as Real Madrid urge Ronaldo to go on strike

The Sun and Tribal Football are reporting that Real Madrid are urging Ronaldo to go on strike, to force Manchester United's hand over Ronaldo's proposed transfer.

Real Madrid president, Calderon is being quoted via second hand 'sources' that they want Ronaldo to go on strike at Manchester United until the transfer window closes on 31st August.

It's all becoming very nasty, sad and disappointing really. A lot is just newspapers filling the column inches, but there can be little doubt Real Madrid have turned Ronaldo's head, and both are now trying to engineer a move.

As we've said before, wouldn't it be great if just for once a club stood up to a player and let him either stick to his contract or as Ferguson put it, 'rot in the stands'. It would be fascinating if the Glazers and Manchester United really did refuse to buckle to Real Madrid and Ronaldo.

Whether Ronaldo moves to Real Madrid or not, its once again showing the money driven, dark side of football. We can only hope Manchester United back up their words with action. More power to their elbow we say!!

Arsenal News

Arsenal News: Wenger and the boys getting lampooned big time!


Quality bit of Arsenal lampoonery. Seen this on a Liverpool forum - its absolutely quality!! No idea what it is but I think its great! Seen it here Hopefully Arsenal fans will laugh at it too in amongst all the bad news surrounding their team!

Not quite Arsenal news in the true sense but a good laugh all the same

Liverpool Crouch hints at Exit

Peter Crouch hints at Liverpool exit and doesn't expect to start against Arsenal

Peter Crouch gave the clearest hint yet that he is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer. Talking ahead of the Liverpool vs Arsenal Champions League tie, he admitted that the lack of football this season has led him to consider his future, despite their being an offer on the table from Liverpool.

Crouch said:"It's pretty clear I probably won't start," he said.

"Obviously if the manager plays one up front, he is more than likely to go with Fernando - and rightly so, he's been fantastic this season.

"Before when he was rotating at least I was getting a game here and there. But the manager's obviously stuck with a formation now that seems to be working, and credit to the players that have been playing in that system

"We have certainly been playing well and I think we have got a great chance of going through to the semi-finals now in Europe.

"But for me, I will just have to obviously keep working hard and try and change his mind."

Crouch revealed: "It can be disheartening, but you have to keep going.

"I am one of those players that will keep going, I keep working hard in training, and, if called upon then hopefully I'll do what I did at Arsenal.
"At a big club there is always that pressure. Even if you start every game, if you don't perform, you know you are going to be out.

"But maybe me more so, with the fact that I haven't played that much this season, so, when I do, I have to make sure that I do well and do the business to try and stay in."

We at Footy Focus are at a loss why Crouch has not played more this season. Persisting with the immobile and ineffective Kuyt and Voronin, when Torres was injured or rested beggared belief and cost Liverpool vital points. It would be madness to let Crouch go! He's a 20 goal a season man!!

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Arsenal vs Liverpool: Part 2 Premier League

Its Arsenal vs Liverpool Part 2, in the Premier League

Back to the Emirates we go for Arsenal vs Liverpool, this time in the Premier League. Liverpool find themselves not for the first time, in a game they can afford to lose as they chase European glory and fourth spot in the Premier League.

I find this really frustrating as a Liverpool fan. Oh to be in Arsenals position, fighting for the title and European glory. Yes it's tougher but it's what it's all about - it says it all that this is a bigger game for Arsenal than Liverpool.

Adebayor is likely to feature for the Arsenal despite having an ankle knock. Meanwhile Rafa Benitez is for the first time in a number of games, set to rotate his Liverpool side. Kuyt, Torres, Gerrard and maybe Hyppia are all set to be rested, with the likes of Finnan, Pennant, and Benayoun all pressing for a start. Maybe even Peter Crouch, Liverpool's forgotten man may get a game!

My preferred line-up, given Tuesdays game coming up would be: Reina, Finnan, Skrtel, Hyppia, Riise, Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Lucas, Pennant, Crouch. Benayoun could play the link between midfield and attack, with Aurelio and Pennant the wingers. Radical - yes but a much more balanced teams than what Rafa often serves up.

Footy Focus prediction: I'd love Liverpool to surprise everyone by going out performing well, and winning, but I can't see past Arsenal. Arsenal need it that much more. This is a Saturday lunchtime game. with Arsenal and Liverpool being broadcast around the globe by SKY.

Football News; Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Liverpool tighten their grip on fourth place

Liverpool ultimately edged past Everton, thanks to Fernando Torres, in a Merseyside Derby that perfectly encapsulated why these teams lie fourth and fifth.

Liverpool with aspirations of the title, showed why their title challenge petered out long ago. A bright opening, some excellent football and a great goal petered out, into what was at times a nervy finish, as for the umpteenth time this season they failed to finish off opponents they had dominated.

Everton meanwhile, after being overrun for the first half, hung in there, and clawed their way back into the game. In the second half they at least held their own with Liverpool, and arguably looked the better side, without looking likely to score.

Torres, and Gerrard were again prominent for Liverpool, with Torres scoring the opening goal after only six minutes. Alonso dispossessed Everton's Yakubu at the second attempt in the 18 yard box, Kuyt helped the ball on, and Torres took two touches to dispatch it past Tim Howards right hand post, to put Everton behind. Goal number 28 for him, and Liverpool again can only be grateful their much maligned owners funded Torres purchase.

Ryan Babel also caught the eye, but too often failed to deliver when in good positions. More than once his final ball was wanting and he is fast becoming a frustration. Liverpool are hoping he can be a modern day John Barnes in his pomp, all power and pace, but his crosses and choice of pass/ shot at the crucial moment are woeful at times. That said he seems to be one goal, and a lot of confidence away from exploding into life.

For Everton, their main attacking threat came from Yakubu (more Lenny Henry, than Theirry Henry as one wag has put it) and Arteta. Missing Cahill, and with Anichebe on the bench, Everton struggled to really unsettle Liverpool's backline.

Overall, Liverpool vs Everton was a good but not great game. Liverpool deserved their win, but showed why they are still way off the pace in the Premier League title race. Everton, showed last season was no fluke, and can be satisfied with their progression this year. Liverpool now look odds on to gain that coveted Premier League fourth position again and maybe Rafa Benitez can continue his reign!

George Gillett - relationship with Tom Hicks 'untenable'

Gillett claims death threats and relationship with Hick untenable

George Gillett speaking on a radio station in Canada, has claimed he has been recieving death threats from Liverpool fans. He also claimed his partnership with Tom Hicks has completely broken down.

He said: “We get as many as 2,000 emails a week. I would say 95% of them have been directed at some of the comments made by my partner and 5% aimed at both of us, ’Go home Americans’." He added: “The fans don’t want him to have even one share of my stake in the club, based on what they are sending to me. As a result of that we have received many phone calls in the middle of the night threatening our lives - death threats.”

Given that both Benitez and Houllier have recieved equally distasteful remarks, painted at the clubs training ground, due to results floundering, we are not surprised the Americans are getting nasty phonecalls. The whole episode is a mess really and can't come to a conclusion quick enough for either the Americans, the fans and staff of Liverpool FC.

Barcelona want Liverpool's Benitez

Barca making eyes at Rafa as Rijkaard is eased to the door?

Reports are surfacing in the media of Barcelona wanting Rafa Benitez to replace Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona. Apparently the board is split, some wanting Jose Mourinho, while an increasing number would like Liverpool's Rafa Benitez.

It all seems a bit fanciful, and is tabloid column filler, on the back of the takeover uncertainty at Liverpool. If Rafa is to leave Liverpool in the summer, it seems more likely he will be pushed, and given his mixed record, its unlikely someone like Barcelona will be in for him.

Like Liverpool and Mourinho, his future is far from clear, but the destination of Barcelona to us seems unlikley. Watch out for it on the Liverpool Echo or Post website - if it's on there then the story has legs!

John Arne Riise payslip

Riise's payslip on the 'net!

Talking of John Arne Riise (see previous post), just in case you didn't see it, here's his supposed payslip.

120,000 pounds per month! Look a the tax - ouch! Fifty thousand plus in tax!

DIC Liverpool takeover back on

Credit Crunch opens the door, with DIC confident of a deal for Liverpool within the month

Long-time pursuers of Liverpool, Dubai International Capital are reportedly set to be within three or four weeks of making a bid for complete control of Anfield.

DIC is set to offer £400million for Liverpool FC, and would also bring in a minority investor. DIC, who lost out to Gillett and Hicks in the race for Liverpool last year, are said to be confident that Hicks will sell now, despite Hicks recently being adament he won't sell at all.

Although DIC, which is the private equity investment arm of the Dubai government, realises it is paying a high price for Liverpool – Gillett and Hicks bought the club for £219m 13 months ago – it believes it will be a price worth paying.

A source is quoted as saying: "It's not a cheap deal and Hicks is holding out but there is confidence that it will now finally happen."

DIC, whose chief executive Sameer Al-Ansari is a life-long fan of the club and who will join the board, has ambitious plans which could include involving some of its other investment vehicles in an attempt to raise its profile.

The hotel group Jumeirah could be used as part of the development of a new stadium. A wide-ranging review of the club, and its revenue streams, will be conducted.

DIC's confidence appears to stem from claims that some of the loans Hicks used to buy Liverpool are due to be refinanced again soon with the American money markets now less welcoming to big loans as a result of the credit crunch.

Chelsea vs Arsenal

Make or break for Grant and Wenger in a Stamford Bridge six-pointer

It's the mother of all weekends in the Premier League as the top four face-off in the battle for the Premier League title.

At Stamford Bridge its a true six-pointer for the stumbling title-chasers Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea shared an astonishing 4-4 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane, despite being 3-1 ahead. Avram Grants team again folded in a high pressure situation. In games against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United they've failed to win. Also in the League Cup final against Spurs and again last night in a must win game, if they had Premier League aspirations, they also failed.

Grant made substitutions which instead of turning the game their way, turned it away from them at crucial times. Leading 3-2, after winning 3-1, he tried to close the game out by bringing on Costa as a sweeper. Instead, Chelsea lost their shape and Tottenham equalised. Again leading 4-3 after Joe Cole scored a superb goal, he brought on Ballack, Chelsea got caught cold, and that was it at 4-4. It said it all that Berbatov, who was excellent throughout, almost grabbed all three points at the death. As Rafa Benitez says, its all in the details.

Arsenal meanwhile, are on a run of draws, and the AC Milan game apart, have struggled for form and their goalscoring touch of late. Wenger knows this must be rapidly put right as the business end of the season is not the time to fade away. Now of all time Arsenal must find the free-flowing football which has earned them so many admirers this season.

Footy Focus can't help thinking rotation man, Rafa Benitez has a point but not the squad to do it! Liverpool are looking in fine fettle as the season comes to an end, while Chelsea and Arsenal are stumbling to the finish line!

Madrid to try for Ronaldo?

Silly season starts early as speculation links Real Madrid with a 50 million bid

Reports are surfacing of Real Madrid's board discussing how to make a major bid for Manchester United's jewell Cristiano Ronaldo.

AS says Ronaldo remains on Real president Ramon Calderon's shopping list, despite the recent public denials made by sports director Pedja Mijatovic.

To raise the cash for a £50 million-plus deal to buy Ronaldo they are considering selling the likes of Mahamadou Diarra and Julio Baptista. Liverpool have been linked with Diarra as a replacement for the much speculated about Xabi Alonso, while Baptista was also linked with Anfield.

Diarra is a quality player, however Baptista struggled at Arsenal so would likely command a much lower fee.

DIC clinch deal for 49% of Liverpool FC

Marriage made in hell? Hicks & DIC now the owners of Liverpool, as Gillett walks away

DIC have agreed a deal to purchase 49% of Liverpool FC from George Gillett. Gillett will also sell 1% of his holding to his partner, Tom Hicks, giving him technical majority control with a 51% holding.

The deal worth upto $170m was agreed late Friday, and Amanda Stavely, leading negotiations for DIC said "The legal documents have yet to be signed, but we're really pleased," said Staveley. "Of course we want to own Liverpool outright but this large stake is a great start."

DIC clearly have a long term goal to own Liverpool outright, and it is unlikely that they would be going down this avenue, unless they thought they could do so. However in the short term DIC need to agree on a partnership with Gillett's co-chairman and fellow American, Tom Hicks, who has made it clear he has no intention of giving up his control of Anfield.

It is understood that despite Hicks' angry media attack on Staveley on Saturday, he has not ruled out the possibility of a key meeting with DIC executives in Dubai today.

DIC to buy Gillett Liverpool share

DIC in for the kill as Gillett ready to sell and Hicks stands aside

George Gillett and DIC are moving ever closer to a deal for DIC to purchase his 50% stake in Liverpool. In dramatic developments, Tom Hicks has contacted DIC to inform them he will not stand in the way of the deal and has committed to undertake further discussions with DIC on the future of the club.

DIC are now increasingly confident that a deal will be done that will allow them full control of Liverpool in the near future, and events do now seem to be gathering rapid momentum towards a full DIC takeover. DIC had such faith a deal will be done, they dispatched a representative to Liverpool for the game against West Ham on Wednesday, to talk with fans groups regarding the future direction of the club.

These latest events will delight Liverpool fans who have rapidly lost all faith in the clubs American owners, after the covert meetings with Jurgen Klinsmann, the relatively low net transfer spending, and the loading of the club with debt after originally denying this would happen. Maybe the angry reception Tom Hicks Jnr recieved in the Sandon Pub and the fans protests have convinced them to abandon their investment with the tidy profit promised by DIC? Either way, DIC going public with comments on the discussions to date was a clear tactic to stir up more anti-Hicks and Gillett feeling, by giving the fans the possibility of DIC coming to the rescue.

It's a season of turmoil at Liverpool and a number of figures at the club now face very uncertain future. Rafael Benitez is by no means certain to stay in his job if DIC takeover. DIC are reportedly as unconvinced by the teams results as the Americans have been after another season of underachievement, and Jose Mourinho is looming large as an unemployed proven successor. Rick Parry must also now be wondering if he will be at his beloved Liverpool next season. He reportedly understands he may well be moved on if DIC take control, but would reluctantly do so providing the club are in good hands, and he does not consider Hicks and Gillett to any longer be the ones to take the club forward.

David Moores will also most likely be a victim of the boardroom power struggle regardless of wins. If Hicks gains full control, he is unlikely to survive given the soured relationship, and if DIC move in, they have already signalled their intention to bring in their own team

DIC Takeover - Liverpool fans urges Hicks & Gillett to sell

Liverpool fans stage half-time 'sit in' and send message across the Atlantic

Liverpool's fans staged a half-time 'sit in' during their Premier League 4-0 victory against West Ham and made a barrage of noise against Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. "Liverpool Football Club is in the wrong hands," fans sang while banners where unfurled that read read "Take ya bounty and get out of our club" and "Dubai SOS. Yank Out." Fans are upset that Hicks and Gillett, who bought the club in March, have saddled the club with debt and large interest payments, after denying they would do so, have failed to progress building a new stadium and sought to replace popular manager Rafa Benitez in a covert meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann.

 

There's no denying that this protest is exactly what DIC has sought to instigate, with its briefings and public comments to the media. Rather than this story coming to a rapid conclusion, it is only the beginning in an end-game DIC will hope see them gain full control of Liverpool. DIC are now seeking Gillett's share, while hoping to force Hicks into also selling via fan pressure. They are clearly seeking to exploit the fan's distaste for the Americans by increasing the protests against them, to the point where their position becomes untenable.

 

Hicks has repeatedly said he wants to keep is stake in the club, while Gillett has signaled a willingness to sell. However, Hicks has said he can block Gillett from selling. Also it is widely being reported that despite the public stance Hicks is continuing to talk to DIC. DIC clearly think they have a good chance of wresting control of Liverpool from Hicks and Gillett and are upping the ante' in their attempt to do so. Reports are now surfacing of an increased offer to Gillett, that would allow him to walk away with 80 million pound profit. Gillett is disputing this and puts the figure at 40 million.

 

This whole sorry, tawdry tale has some time to run yet and who knows the eventual outcome. As a Liverpool fan I only wish for a rich owner and stability!

DIC Liverpool takeover - midnight deadline or its off

DIC tell Hicks and Gillett its midnight or your dreaming

The battle to gain control of Liverpool is rapidly reaching a climax, with DIC telling Tom Hicks and George Gillett they have until midnight to accept their offer of 400 million or they will walk away.

DIC also upped the ante in their rhetoric, with Al Ansari accusing the American duo of being in dreamland in their valuation of the club. Reports are that they are increasingly bemused by the billion pound valuation of Liverpool, given that they paid little over 171 million for just over a year ago.

Our view is that this can't come to conclusion soon enough with hopefully DIC being the winners. That isn't anti-Americanism as some people have commented on this site. It's simply that DIC appear to have more investment clout than Hicks and Gillett. All Liverpool fans want is an investor to take the club forward, provide stability and enable them to compete with Europes best. DIC clearly seem the best placed of the two parties to do this.

Liverpool's Crouch & Mascherano: Waiting for Rafa to go & stay

Crouch and Mascherano have differing reasons to dither on their contract
talks
Peter Crouch and Javier Mascherano are both taking an inordinate length
of time to sign new deals at Anfield. Speculation that Crouch may invoke
the new rules that allow players to buy themselves out of their contract
at a value much less than they are worth on the open market, has forced
Liverpool to open talks with him about renewing his contract. Meanwhile
Javier Mascherano despite all the positive noises to the contrary from
both sides has still not signed a long term deal with Liverpool. Could
it be both are waiting until the summer when hopefully Benitez's and
indeed Liverpool's future is settled?

Crouch will clearly be hoping the manager is moved on and he can stay
at Liverpool under a new regime. Despite his goals record for Liverpool,
his number of starts has dwindled to the point where its' clear Benitez
no longer considers him one of his senior players. Benitez going is no
guarantee he will stay but its the best he's got, and given Arsenal,
Chelsea and Manchester United are not likely to be interested in him,
biding his time at Liverpool is his best chance of staying at one of the
'big-four' clubs.

Mascherano meanwhile may well be hoping the opposite, that is that
Benitez stays. He clearly has a lot of respect for Benitez after he
rescued him from his Upton Park nightmare, and gave him a start in the
Champions League final. Mascherano will be hoping Benitez is given the
go-ahead to remain at Anfield whoever the eventual owners become. That
said if he opts to leave their will be no shortage of takers for one of
Liverpool's few world/international class performers.