FOOTBALL ARENA

FAREWELL VAN PERSIE

2012-08-16T09:02:00.000+01:00

John Cross column: Robin van Persie's departure will be seen as betrayal and he can forget a hero's return but at £24m it's good business for Arsenal

"Van Persie is 29, had one year left on his contract, has a poor injury record and the only surprise was that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was willing go above £20m to get his man"

So that's it. He's gone. Robin van Persie is leaving Arsenal for Manchester United.

But the deal is one Arsenal quite simply had to do. It was £24m now or lose van Persie on a free transfer in a year's time.

It was no longer just because van Persie wouldn't sign a new contract. The Arsenal love affair with the Dutchman had finished. Everyone says it would all have been forgotten the moment he scored a late winner. But I think it runs deeper than that.

Fans knew he'd flirted with the (Red) devil, insulted the club with his ridiculous statement and there was no way back. Can you just imagine what his first set of captain's programme notes would have been like? "It's been an interesting summer..."

Or would he have used them to criticise the club's direction again? While the players still like and respect him, as a figurehead van Persie couldn't be seen as captain even if he was well regarded in that role by his team mates.

Cesc Fabregas did something similar in 2010, but never went public with his desire to leave. Everyone knew but he kept the armband, stayed another year and then went to Barcelona. Fabregas remains popular.

But it's all over for van Persie and the fact that he went to Manchester United rather than abroad will ensure he will never be remembered as an Arsenal legend. Shame.

He is 29, had one year left on his contract, has a poor injury record and the only surprise was that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was willing go above £20m to get his man. At that price, it is good business for Arsenal.

Sadly, van Persie's heroics last season will be instantly forgotten. I liken it to two players from the 80s: Liam Brady remained a hero despite going to Juventus. Frank Stapleton became public enemy number one by going to Manchester United.

Stapleton was seen as greedy. Brady was forgiven because Juventus were one of European football's super powers at the time.

I've spoken to lots of people about van Persie and many think it's worse him going to Old Trafford than Manchester City. I can't quite get the argument.

Arsenal and United have been rivals for longer. Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been at loggerheads for much of the past decade or so. But it's not as if van Persie is swapping Arsenal for Tottenham, the real arch enemies.

Either way, it's seen as a betrayal and van Persie can forget a hero's return. He's off to try and win some trophies.

Samir Nasri blamed everyone but himself for Arsenal failing to win trophies. At least van Persie kept up his end of the bargain.

However, Arsenal have shown ambition this summer. They've brought in Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski who are three top quality players: internationals and exciting, forward thinking players.

One in, one out: Van Persie has gone but Lukas Podolski is among those Wenger has brought in

Lots of people keep telling me that Cazorla may even just be the best Premier League signing this summer.

It strikes me that even if Alex Song follows van Persie out of the club to Barcelona, if Arsenal bring in a top quality midfielder to bolster the ranks and do a defensive job, then the club will actually have a stronger overall squad than last season.

Arsenal have scouted Yann M'Vila and been after Nuri Sahin. I was also reminded the other day just how much depth they have in midfield.

Mikel Arteta and Cazorla must surely start the season as part of the central midfield trio. Arteta was magnificent last year, Cazorla will operate as a playmaker in the ten role.

Then you've still got Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong. Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere to come back. There's no doubt that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is seen as a central player in the longer term.

If Arsenal sign a direct replacement for Song, then the midfield will be stronger. If also they play two deeper lying players with Cazorla in front, then it may offer more protection and options.

Last season, so much emphasis was put on van Persie. This season, if you have Theo Walcott on the right, Podolski on the left and Giroud through the middle then it gives Arsenal a better all round attacking threat.

They have also got Gervinho and Andrey Arshavin, both of whom have been flying in pre-season. Arsenal look stronger.

So, while the sales may be painful, the current team hasn't delivered trophies. So it's time for a change, a new era and Arsenal will be hoping the new players provide a new-look squad which can enjoy success.

Pep Guardiola to review Barca tactics after Chelsea defeat

2012-04-25T15:34:00.002+01:00

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola says the Champions League semi-final defeat by Chelsea may force his side to change their tactics, but insists they played "exceptionally well" in defeat.

"I've transmitted this crazy theme of 'you have to go out and attack, attack, attack'," said Guardiola.

"Maybe it's a lesson for the future? We have to find the way to attack better."

The 41-year-old said he would decide whether to renew his Barcelona contract in "the next few days".

He added: "We'll talk about everything and then take a decision because it's evident that it's time to."

Guardiola has had a series of one-year contracts at the Nou Camp since first taking up the reins in 2008 and had been linked with the Chelsea job in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas's departure from Stamford Bridge in March.

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

2011-12-30T18:18:00.003+01:00

17 of 20

Thierry Henry 'certain' to join Arsenal on loan, says Arsene Wenger

2011-12-30T12:38:00.002+01:00

Henry's last appearance for Arsenal was against PSV Eindhoven in March 2007

Thierry Henry will sign a two-month loan with Arsenal if insurance can be arranged with the New York Red Bulls, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The former Arsenal captain, 34, has been training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Gunners boss Wenger said: "For two months it certainly will happen. I don't take care of the agreement and insurance and that is not completed.

"We cannot announce anything [now] because the paperwork is not done."

With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, the Frenchman would offer back-up to captain Robin van Persie.

Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, with 226 goals in 370 appearances for the club before he moved to Barcelona in June 2007.

HENRY TIMELINE

Aug 1999: Signs for Arsenal from Juventus for £10.5m
Feb 2007: Scores 226th and final goal for Gunners in draw v Middlesbrough
June 2007: Joins Barcelona for £16.1m
July 2010: Signs for New York Red Bulls on "multi-year contract"
Nov 2011: Begins training with Arsenal

Wenger said: "To cover for two months is ideal. He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.

"He has exceptional talent and is a very intelligent man. It can only be positive.

"He still has class, pace and quality. He is here to help the club he loves. But we must not put too much pressure on him, he is 34. He needs two good weeks' work. He is here to help - not suddenly be the main player."

The French forward does not have to return to the New York Red Bulls until March, which means he could feature in seven Premier League games, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as FA Cup ties and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.

If agreement is reached with the Red Bulls, he could feature in Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds on 9 January.

A statue of Henry was recently installed outside the Emirates Stadium.

Gibbs suffers setback

2011-12-20T18:23:00.001+01:00

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Kieran Gibbs has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation.

The 22-year-old full-back has been sidelined ever since being forced under the knife in November.

He has struggled to regain match fitness, forcing him to spend a longer than expected spell out of Wenger's plans.

It was hoped that he would come back into contention for Wednesday's trip to Aston Villa, but the Gunners have announced that he has been dealt another untimely blow.

"Kieran Gibbs has unfortunately had a setback and he is not back yet," Wenger told the club's official website.

"It's very disappointing because we had good hope that he would be back for tomorrow's game, but he is not available."

Returns

Arsenal have, however, received better news regarding the fitness of back-up goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi.

The pair have been nursing knee and ankle injuries respectively, but both are closing on a comeback.

"Ryo is joining in normal training on Friday, so he is completely back from injury," said Wenger.

"Fabianski has practised today (Tuesday) and should be available for next week

Arsenal v Wolves Boxing Day clash in doubt

2011-12-20T08:53:00.002+01:00

Fans may struggle to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day

Arsenal will decide within 48 hours whether to delay their Boxing Day match with Wolves to 27 December because of a proposed tube strike.

Trade union Aslef has announced industrial action that could disrupt the London underground system.

A club spokesman told BBC Sport: "Arsenal are considering postponement to 27 December as one of the options."

Chelsea say they are monitoring the situation ahead of their Boxing Day derby against Fulham.

Arsenal are wary of the travel disruption a strike could cause to the 60,000 fans who have tickets to their 1500 GMT kick-off, and their 1,000 matchday employees.

Drivers have planned a 24-hour walkout on Boxing Day and on three other days over the next two months.

LONDON BOXING DAY GAMES

Arsenal v Wolves (1500 GMT)
Chelsea v Fulham (1300)
Watford v Cardiff (1200)
Millwall v Portsmouth (1300)
Leyton Orient v MK Dons (1300)
Brentford v Bournemouth (1500)
AFC Wimbledon v Oxford U (1215)
Dagenham & Red v Barnet (1300)

A statement on Arsenal's website read: "We would like to make all supporters aware of the situation surrounding our proposed home match against Wolves on Monday, 26 December.

"The club is fully aware of the proposed industrial action on London Underground on Monday, 26 December.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, together with all the relevant agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Underground, the FA Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Islington Council.

"The paramount concern to Arsenal Football Club is the duty of care we have towards the Arsenal supporters, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters, matchday employees and indeed everyone who is planning to attend this match."

Aslef's 2,200 members agreed to strike on Boxing Day, 16 January, 3 and 13 February in a ballot last week.

The decision is being challenged by London mayor Boris Johnson in the High Court and there is hope that an agreement can be reached to prevent the strike.

Chelsea's 1300 GMT meeting with Fulham could also be affected, as could Football League games being held at the homes of London clubs Watford, Millwall, Leyton Orient, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon.

JT: I’ll be OK for Spurs cruncher

2011-12-20T08:38:00.000+01:00

TRAINING SCARE ... John Terry is helped away from an open training session

JOHN TERRY has been cleared to lead Chelsea at Spurs this week despite a public injury scare.

More than 2,000 Blues fans saw their captain limp out of an open training session at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

But the club last night insisted Terry will be OK for Thursday's crucial clash with Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Terry, already feeling a sore knee after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wigan, went down clutching his right ankle after blocking a powerful shot.

The club's medical team initially feared he had suffered serious Achilles damage as he was helped off the pitch by two physios.

But later treatment confirmed Terry had merely suffered a pinched nerve and should be able to resume training today.

Boss Andre Villas-Boas is hoping centre-half David Luiz and midfielder Ramires will also be fit to return at White Hart Lane after missing the trip to Wigan.

Striker Daniel Sturridge, who scored at the DW Stadium, said: "Saturday's draw was upsetting because we worked so hard but conceded a goal right at the very end.

"It was frustrating for everyone and it's important we bounce straight back, which we will.

"We have stepped up to the challenge in the last few weeks and will continue to fight for the Premier League title.

"It is the best league in the world because every team in the top six can still win it. We are one of those six teams and I believe we can win it.

"There are still five months to go and people would be stupid to assume Chelsea are out of the title race.

"We are going to fight to the last game. We are a close unit and Saturday was just a bad day for us."

Song suspended for Aston Villa match

2011-12-19T13:20:00.000+01:00

Alex Song will serve a one-match suspension when Arsenal face Aston Villa on Wednesday night after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

However, contrary to some reports, Mikel Artetawill be available for selection at Villa Park.

The Spanish midfielder received his fourth booking of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium - one of which came while playing for Everton in August.

Ex-Italy player Cristiano Doni arrested over match-fixing

2011-12-19T13:18:00.000+01:00

Doni, 38, played for Italy at the 2002 World Cup

Italian police have arrested 17 people in connection with a match-fixing and betting investigation.

Those arrested include former Atalanta and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni.

The arrests were carried out in several cities in Italy after an initial investigation by magistrates in the northern city of Cremona.

CRISTIANO DONI

Has played nearly 300 games for Atalanta, scoring more than 100 goals.
Made seven appearances for Italy between 2001-02.

Those arrested and accused of match-fixing had contacts with criminal groups in Singapore and Eastern Europe, according to police.

The investigation was a follow-up to a previous one earlier this year by the football authorities, which led to suspensions and bans for several players, including Doni.

According to police, several other players and former players from the second division (Serie B) were also arrested, as well as the manager of a seaside club and a former trainer of fourth division Ravenna.

Atalanta matches in Serie B were among those under suspicion, although three Serie A matches involving other clubs from the same period were also investigated by the operation, named 'Last Bet'.

Roy Keane hits out at Fergie

2011-12-19T08:48:00.002+01:00

ROY KEANE has launched an astonishing attack on former boss Alex Ferguson.

Keane blasted back in a bitter war of words with Ferguson — accusing his ex-manager of trying to turn Manchester United fans against him.

And the legendary former United skipper claimed Fergie had not always acted in the best interests of the club.

Keano went on to insist the level of Ferguson's success was down to players like him putting 'bodies on the line'.

He also claimed United threatened legal action after an interview in 2008 when he criticised their handling of his exit from Old Trafford.

Keane pointed to Ferguson's row with Irish shareholder John Magnier over racehorse Rock of Gibraltar when suggesting the United boss does not always do what is best for the club.

He said: "People say Ferguson always does what is right for Man United.

"I don't think he does. He does what's right for him.

"The Irish thing, I was speaking to the manager about it. This didn't help the club, the manager going to law against its leading shareholder.

"How could it be of benefit to Man United?

"It wasn't and we know what happened in the end. What was that all about? Power and control."

Despite winning seven Premier League titles together, Keane's relationship with Fergie has totally broken down since he left the club in 2005.

And the row escalated after Keane criticised United's youngsters when they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages earlier this month.

Fergie then questioned Keane's own managerial record.

His ex-boss also wrote in his programme notes that his side were getting stick 'even from people we thought were perhaps on our side'.

But Keano said: "You could question every pundit's managerial skill in relation to Ferguson's and we're all going to come up short.

"But I would also say that without players like myself, maybe he wouldn't have such a good managerial record because it's soon forgotten that we put bodies on the line for him."

The recent clash was sparked when Keane revealed his shock at Phil Jones saying he was relaxed before the decisive Euro defeat to Basel this month.

At the time, Keane, 40, said: "I'd be getting hold of some of those lads, saying, 'You'd better buck up your ideas'."

That is when Fergie responded with his 'on our side' comments.

And Keane added: "There was an angle there of trying to get the fans to look differently at me and I thought, 'I can't have that'. I thought it was ridiculous. I can hardly do TV wearing the United scarf.

"And if telling the young players to pull their socks up is such a hard thing to accept, I ask myself what kind of world are we living in."

Keane reckons Fergie is still trying to 'control' him despite leaving the club.

He revealed: "I spoke to Alex about management before I left United. The two words he always used were power and control. I understand power and control over people inside the football club.

"But not power and control of people who've left the club.

"He's trying to have power and control over me but I left Man United six years ago."

He added: "People say he stood by me in difficult times.

"But he didn't when I was 34, not when I was towards the end and had a few differences with (assistant boss) Carlos Queiroz. All of a sudden then, 'Off you go, Roy, and here's the statement we've done.'"

As for getting threatened with legal action by United, Keane said: "I count my blessings to have played for Manchester United.

"All of my family are United fans and I don't have any bitterness towards Man United, please let's make that clear.

"But when you get a letter from lawyers representing the club, you wonder what it was all about."

Fergie aims to top his birthday joy

2011-12-19T08:44:00.003+01:00

ALEX FERGUSON wants the perfect 70th birthday present on December 31 — to be top of the table.

Manchester United went to the summit for four hours yesterday after winning 2-0 win at QPR.

Fergie said: "If we're up there on New Year's Day, we'll relish that.

"Hopefully by then we can be around the top of the league.

"The important thing is to be involved at the top in the second half of the season."

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were enough to wrap up victory at Loftus Road.

But Ferguson was far from impressed with the number of chances which went begging.

He added: "It was a good performance but I thought we were wasteful with a lot of the chances.

"Of course that's a concern because we should have had it won by the 30-minute mark. But their keeper made two great saves and we missed some other chances.

"If you'd asked before the game if we would have taken a 2-0 win, of course we would.

"But on the evidence of today, we should have scored a lot more goals and that kept QPR in the game."

Fans shop Darren Bent – for shopping as Aston Villa lose!

2011-12-19T08:42:00.001+01:00

DARREN BENT apologised to Aston Villa fans last night after going shopping while his team were losing to Liverpool.

England star Bent missed the clash with an injury but came under fire on Twitter and Villa fans' sites after a picture of him out shopping yesterday was posted online.

He was slammed for not being at Villa Park and the £24million striker was branded a mercenary.

Bent later apologised on Twitter, saying: "Nothing is more important to me than playing football. Sadly injury meant I wasn't able to do that today. Gutted not to be involved.

"I hope to be back very soon. Watched the majority of the game on TV. Never knew popping out would cause an issue and for that I apologise."

Villa boss Alex McLeish insisted Bent's omission was down to an injury he picked up in training last week.

McLeish was clearly angry at suggestions there could be another reason for Bent being left out.

He said: "He has a thigh-cum-groin strain. He did it the other day.

"He came off the pitch on Tuesday immediately after he had a shot at goal. I knew then.

"I don't know why there's a conspiracy theory. Do you think I would leave Darren Bent out of this game?"

Champions League draw

2011-12-16T12:35:00.001+01:00

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG v BENFICA

CSKA MOSCOW v REAL MADRID

BAYER LEVERKUSEN v BARCELONA

BASEL v BAYERN MUNICH

MARSEILLE v INTER MILAN

AC MILAN v ARSENAL

NAPOLI v CHELSEA

LYON v APOEL

Balotelli in new Man City bust-up

2011-12-16T11:13:00.002+01:00

MADCAP Mario Balotelli has been involved in another training-ground bust-up, this time with Micah Richards.

The pair had to be pulled apart during a practice match at the end of Manchester City's training yesterday — despite being on the same side.

Richards complained the Italian striker was not trying hard enough, before Balotelli criticised a pass by the right-back. The pair then went for each other.

Our pictures show Richards, 23, being held back by James Milner and Yaya Toure, while Vincent Kompany calms down Balotelli, 21.

HOLD-UP ... Richards is restrained from confronting team-mate Balotell

Boss Roberto Mancini then told Balotelli to apologise to Richards, which he did.

Balotelli is no stranger to training-ground bust-ups at City's Carrington base.

Last December he tussled with former City defender Jerome Boateng after taking exception to a tackle from the now Bayern Munich player.

In April he clashed with Kompany after again being angered by a challenge.

Then in August Balo and Aleksandar Kolarov squared up to each other, too.

He also caused a melee at the end of City's FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United when he angered Rio Ferdinand.

Last night Richards played down the incident and insisted the two had buried the hatchet.

Richards wrote on his Twitter account: "Me and Mario are all good. These things happen in training and we shook hands after. It shows passion."

CALM DOWN ... Richards is stopped in his tracks

Liga - Barcelona's Villa breaks leg

2011-12-15T13:23:00.000+01:00

Barcelona striker David Villa has broken his left shinbone in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd in Yokohama.

The Catalan club confirmed soon after on their website that Spain's all-time record scorer had "suffered a fracture to the tibia in his left leg".

2011-12-15T11:07:00.002+01:00

Photo of the day...

Is that...a cleaner? Wow!

Sorry peeps, i know this does not relate to football but i just had to post it

(Culled from Linda Ikeji Blog)

Barca strike back over Oriol

2011-12-15T08:48:00.002+01:00

TALENT ... Oriol Romeu

BARCELONA have fiercely disputed claims that Oriol Romeu is at Chelsea for keeps.

And they have reminded Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas that Romeu had a buy-back clause inserted in his contract when he left the Nou Camp.

In fact the Catalan giants insist they can re-sign the midfielder, who left Barca for £4.35million in August, for £9.5m next summer or £13m the following year.

Their reaction came after Villas-Boas suggested Romeu's long-term future is at Stamford Bridge whether Barcelona want him back or not.

AVB, 34, had said: "The option states that Barca can only buy back if Chelsea agree to sell.

"There's always time needed for you to adapt to the Premier League but Oriol and Juan Mata, who we signed from Valencia, have adapted pretty well."

Romeu, 20, started his fifth consecutive game in the holding midfield position for Chelsea in Monday's 2-1 home win over Manchester City.

But a Barcelona source insisted: "The future of Oriol is in our hands and not Chelsea's.

"We could re-sign the kid in accordance with the deal and do not understand what Villas-Boas is saying.

"We are not at all surprised by Oriol's good Premier League displays.

"He is a player with a great future and we watch his progress day by day, week to week."

To avoid any further controversy over Oriol's future, Barca have sent a note of confirmation to Chelsea chiefs.

Spurs chase Nigeria starlet

2011-12-15T08:47:00.000+01:00

TARGET ... Raheem Lawa

TOTTENHAM have their eye on Nigeria Under-23 star Raheem Lawal.

The attacking midfielder hit a hat-trick two weeks ago as Nigeria's Olympic team beat Algeria 4-1.

Lawal, 21, who plays for Spanish Third Division leaders Atletico Baleares, said: "Lyon have indicated interest, as have Tottenham and Zamalek of Egypt."

Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto has got a three-match ban for failing to show for Cameroon's recent friendlies in Morocco and Algeria.

Alan Shearer: RVP may take my record – but Arsenal must not lose him

2011-12-15T08:45:00.000+01:00

ROBIN VAN PERSIE will take one of my records away from me before the end of the month.

I'm pretty sure of that and I'll be the first to congratulate him.

He will beat my total of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year — a record, by the way, I was unaware of until it was mentioned to me on Match of the Day at the weekend.

I set that mark back in 1995, when I was with Blackburn.

But records are there to be broken and I can think of no better striker than the Dutchman to write his name in the history books.

He has answered a lot of questions over the last 12 months with 33 goals in 32 Premier League games — and not just as his team's main striker but as Arsenal captain.

He has shouldered both of those responsibilities and replied to his critics by doing the hardest job in football, putting the ball in the net on a regular basis.

People have argued with me that strikers don't make good captains because it is hard to influence the team when you are leading the line.

I don't go along with that. I managed it OK.

There are different types of skipper and Van Persie is not the roll-your-sleeves-up type who offers loud vocal encouragement.

He is someone who leads by example with the excellence of his performances. Team-mates will always be inspired by that kind of skipper.

We have always known he was a top player.

There have been nagging doubts in the past about his fitness and his ability to play a long spell of games without interruption.

He has put that right over the last year and proved beyond doubt he is up there with the world's best.

Van Persie can score goals any way you like. He puts away headers, tap-ins and rockets.

The volley which won the game against Everton last Saturday was, I suppose, a definitive strike by the in-form Arsenal man.

Now he has four games left this year to get the record — trips to Manchester City and Aston Villa and home clashes with Wolves and QPR.

What we have to remind ourselves is that he carries the burden of getting most of his team's goals on his own shoulders.

No disrespect to his team-mates, and I know that football is a team game, but he has won so many games and secured so many points that it is hard to believe the Gunners' season would have turned around so dramatically without him.

He plays a lone role most of the time and that makes a difficult job even harder.

Arsenal tend to play with two wide men with Van Persie often isolated up front on his own. That's why his achievement is extra special.

I was fortunate enough to have strike partners like Chris Sutton and Mike Newell at Blackburn and Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley at Newcastle.

It didn't make scoring goals easy but it helped to have quality players like those to share the load.

Van Persie thrives on going it alone and his overall movement and knack of getting into the right place at the right time is a vital part of his game.

I have to say also that he has been excellently managed by Arsene Wenger.

ROBIN RELIABLE ... Van Persie has been lethal

The Arsenal boss has left Van Persie out of some games to give him a rest and taken him off in quite a few others to ensure the demands of a long season are not too great for him.

If you ask me what his valuation is in the current market, that's a tough one. You have to remember that he has only 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates and that will affect the price Arsenal could ask for the Dutchman.

They would have to accept a lot less money if he were heading for his final year without a new deal in place.

But if you were to put him in the same situation as Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll, who left Liverpool and Newcastle respectively in mid-contract, then you would have to put him in a similar price range as those highly-priced strikers.

To Arsenal, he is simply invaluable because his goals have been so productive in terms of games won.

For them to even consider selling Van Persie would be unthinkable and I am sure Arsenal will be doing all they can to get him to sign an extended contract.

There will be no shortage of takers if he does decide to leave because his reputation has soared so much in the last 12 months.

A lot will depend on how Arsenal's season pans out.

If they continue to progress up the Premier League, qualify for the Champions League again and go a long way in the European competition this term, then that will provide boss Wenger with some powerful ammunition to persuade his super striker to stay.

Top Prem scorers in a year

1. Alan Shearer (1995) 36

2. Thierry Henry (2004) 34

3. Robin van Persie (2011) 33

4. Alan Shearer (1994) 30

5. Les Ferdinand (1995) 30

6. Ruud van Nistelrooy (2003) 30

7. Alan Shearer (2002) 27

8. Matt Le Tissier (1994) 27

Kieran Gibbs set for Boxing Day return

2011-12-14T08:14:00.002+01:00

FIGHTING BACK ... Kieran Gibbs

KIERAN GIBBS is set to return for Arsenal on Boxing Day.

The left-back, sidelined since last month after a hernia operation, is back in full training and was hoping to play in Sunday's game at Manchester City.

But he is more likely to feature against Wolves in the holiday fixture at the Emirates.

Arsenal are planning a pre-season tour of Nigeria because the Emirates Cup will not be played due to the Olympics.

Marketing director Angus Kinnear, currently in Nigeria, revealed: "Arsenal have a very large fanbase here."

Harry Redknapp: Spurs want Carlos Tevez

2011-12-14T08:10:00.002+01:00

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is plotting a sensational move for Manchester City outcast Carlos Tevez.

Spurs have made enquiries about a £20million offer for the Argie rebel which could reunite him with on-loan City star Emmanuel Adebayor at White Hart Lane.

A source close to the talks said: "People at Tottenham reckon a deal like this could be bigger than anything since they signed Jurgen Klinsmann.

"There's definite interest. The big stumbling block could be whether or not City are prepared to do business with a team now regarded as one of their rivals for the title."

City want Tevez out after a string of run-ins with boss Roberto Mancini but the Italian is adamant only a permanent deal will do.

The striker's £198,000-a-week wages would shatter Spurs' pay structure.

But the insider added: "There are some who reckon Tevez signing would pretty much guarantee Champions League football and that it would be worth the investment."

AC Milan want Tevez on an initial loan deal and vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "We know we have the player's agreement but we hope he'll not agree with other clubs."

Nicolas Anelka to join Shanghai Shenua on two-year deal

2011-12-12T16:34:00.000+01:00

Anelka poses with Shanghai Shenhua shirt

Striker Nicolas Anelka will join Shanghai Shenua in January on a two-year contract after the Chinese club agreed a deal with Chelsea.

The 32-year-old was Avram Grant's first signing at Stamford Bridge in January 2008 and has scored 59 goals in 185 appearances for the London club.

His contract with Chelsea runs out in the summer and he had a transfer request accepted last week.

SPOTLIGHT ON SHENHUA

First football club in China to be independent of government
Well-known former players include Ruben Sosa, Carsten Jancker and Jorg Albertz
Former Crystal Palace, Dundee and Cardiff player Fan Zhiyi began his career there in mid-nineties
Hongkou Stadium has capacity of 35,000 and staged final of the 2007 Fifa Women's World Cup

Shenua have already put a picture of Anelka on the front of their website.

Anelka, who joined Chelsea in a £15m switch from Bolton, has been training apart from the first team since manager Andre Villas-Boas accepted his transfer request.

The Frenchman has scored only one goal in 15 games this season, with Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres preferred to him in attack.

ANELKA'S £86.8M TRANSFERS

Feb 97: Arsenal (£0.5m)
Aug 99: Real Madrid (£22.3m)
Jul 00: PSG (£22m)
Jun 02: Man City (£12m)
Jan 05: Fenerbahce (£7m)
Aug 06: Bolton (£8m)
Jan 08: Chelsea (£15m)

Shanghai Shenua but finished 11th out of 16 teams in the Chinese league last season.

They are determined to win the league and have already signed Brazilian forwards Cleo and Muriqui, as well as being linked with manager Jean Tigana and a host of other high-profile players, including Anelka's Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba.

Arsenal's Andre Santos ruled out for three months

2011-12-12T16:31:00.002+01:00

Santos faces a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem

Arsenal left-back Andre Santos has been ruled out of action for three months with the ankle injury he picked up against Olympiakos.

The 28-year-old will require surgery after being forced off after 51 minutes of the 3-1 defeat in Tuesday's final Champions League group fixture.

The Gunners have confirmed Santos will have ligament damage in his right ankle repaired in Brazil this week.

Full-backs Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna are already injured.

Gibbs is recovering from last month's hernia operation and is not expected to return for at least another fortnight, while Jenkinson is out with a stress fracture to his back.

Sagna broke his leg in a defeat by Tottenham in October.

Thomas Vermaelen lined up at left-back in Saturday's 1-0 win over Everton as Arsenal fielded a back four made up entirely of central defenders.

Santos, who has 22 caps for Brazil, moved to the Gunners this summer from Turkish side Fenerbahce in a £6m deal
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2013 Nations Cup qualifying to precede 2012 finals

2011-12-09T15:40:00.002+01:00

The race to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa will begin in a month's time, two weeks before the 2012 finals get underway

Qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will start ahead of the 2012 finals, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has revealed.

The preliminary round's opening legs take place on 6-8 January, two weeks before the 2012 Nations Cup begins.

Meanwhile, the return legs of those ties will take place on 20-22 January, the same weekend as the finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon kick off.

The scenario has arisen as the finals are moving from even years to odd ones.

RACE TO 2013 NATIONS CUP

Round 1: 6-8 January & 20-22 January 2012
Round 2: 29 February & 15-17 June
Round 3: 7-9 September & 12-14 October

This action has been taken by Caf to ensure that the Nations Cup, which has been played in even years since the 1965 finals, no longer clashes with the World Cup.

The second qualifying round begins in late February before concluding in June.

Meanwhile, the third and final round of qualifiers will take place in September and October.

Only four teams will enter preliminary round one, with Seychelles taking on Swaziland and Sao Tome meeting Lesotho - with the winners meeting DR Congo and Sierra Leone respectively in the next round.

ROUND TWO OF THE RACE TO SOUTH AFRICA 2013

Ethiopia v Benin
Rwanda v Nigeria
Congo Brazzaville v Uganda
Burundi v Zimbabwe
Algeria v The Gambia
Kenya v Togo
Guinea Bissau v Cameroon
Chad v Malawi
Tanzania v Mozambique
CAR v Egypt
Madagascar v Cape Verde
Liberia v Namibia
Sao Tome/Lesotho v Sierra Leone
Seychelles/Swaziland v DR Congo

The second round intensifies the race to qualify for the finals in South Africa, with 28 teams clashing home and away, albeit with four months separating the ties.

It is at this stage that some of African football's superpowers enter the field, such as former continental champions Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria.

The third and final round of qualifying takes place in September and October, when the 16 teams who contest next month's Nations Cup enter the field.

Since 30 teams contest the final round, two finalists from Equatorial Guinea and Gabon must clash in this round
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United in Vidic out for year fear

2011-12-09T08:12:00.002+01:00

HOBBLING ... Nemanja Vidi

NEMANJA VIDIC could be out for the season, it emerged last night.

Skipper Vidic hobbled back home on crutches yesterday after being crocked as Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League against Basel.

Fears are growing in the United camp that he will be sidelined until at least April.

Vidic arrived back at Manchester Airport nursing a medial ligament injury after United's 2-1 defeat in Switzerland.

The 30-year-old centre-back went off just before the break on Wednesday night after tangling with Marco Streller — who inadvertently fell on the United star's right knee.

It is a major blow to United, who had enjoyed six clean sheets in eight games with Vidic in the side since his return from a calf injury.

The Serbian star will have a scan today to assess the full extent of his injury.

But boss Alex Ferguson was not optimistic after the match.

Vidic was replaced by Jonny Evans as United were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage for only the second time since 1994.

They are now in the Europa League with Manchester City for the first time in their history.