Messi in India: Fantasy for fans comes true

New Delhi: The best footballer in the world is in India. Lionel Messi is in India.
Here. Now.
Take a minute and let those words sink in. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? 

It's hard to explain to non-football fans the rush of excitement and euphoria that a chance to see Messi in action brings. Imagine if Sachin Tendulkar hadn't been born in India. Imagine if you could only watch him play on television. Imagine never getting even so much as an opportunity to see him live on the field. And then imagine, if one day your wildest dream came true, and the 'God of Cricket' came to play in your city!

As in cricket, in the football circles too there is plenty of debate over who the greatest player of all time is. But there is no doubt now that Lionel Messi is the best of our generation, and by some distance. He can no longer be compared to contemporaries like Cristiano Ronaldo, as successful as the Portuguese has been. Instead, the debate is now over his place among the pantheon of all-time greats, such as Pele and Diego Maradona.

The list of his achievements is so long, the mind boggles! Since making his debut in the 2004-05 season and becoming the then-youngest player to ever score a league goal for Barcelona, Messi has gone from strength to strength. In the past three seasons, he has scored 138 goals in 159 games for his club, the fulcrum of an all-conquering side that amassed 11 trophies in that time, including three league titles and two Champions League crowns. He has an El Clasico hat-trick to his name, besides scoring in both the Champions League finals. And who can forget his goal against Getafe in 2007, which was similar to Maradona's famous strike - the ‘Goal of the Century’ - against England in the 1986 World Cup?

Last season, Messi became the first player to score 50 goals in a Spanish campaign, finishing with 53 goals in 55 games. The diminutive forward has begun this season in form as well. In four games so far, he already has six goals and two trophies (Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup). He is the youngest player to win the Ballon d'Or twice, besides winning a host of other awards confirming his status as the world's best player. Is there really a need to say more?

The joy derived from watching Messi's genius cannot be measured in mere numbers, though. He is easily the most breathtaking player on the field, inspiring awe with his vision, skill, intelligence, and, above all, creativity. His goals may get all the attention, but his control of the ball, his precise passes and valuable assists, his high-speed runs and turns that flummox even the best of defenders and his ability to do things with the ball that one would not imagine is even possible... Opponents can only admire the brilliance of the man who can change a game in a matter of seconds. Indeed, at times Messi is simply unstoppable!

If there is one thing that can possibly be held against the man who has already achieved everything possible with his club, it is his relative lack of success with the national side. A succession of managers have failed to get the best out of Messi at the international level, with Argentina making quarter-final exits in both the 2010 World Cup and the Copa America this year.

None of this will dampen the passionate fervour of fans in Kolkata though. Argentina, along with Brazil, are two of the most-supported teams in the 'City of Joy', and though it is 'just a friendly', there is a lot to look forward to. The match against Venezuela will be Messi's first as captain of Argentina and also the first for new coach Alejandro Sabella. Several other top players and familiar names will also be in action, including Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Javier Mascherano.

All eyes, though, will be on the 5'7" Argentine. In a cricket-dominated country, it is almost beyond belief that football fans have a chance to see one of the finest footballers in an international game, that too in his prime. The anticipation is almost unbearable!

He has been called a "genius" by Maradona, a "sensation" by Johan Cruyff and a "PlayStation footballer" by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. It is now our chance to witness Messi's magic and brilliance.

The best footballer in the world is here. India and Kolkata are ready!

Cesc Fabregas: "With Messi it’s easier being a striker than making goals"

The author of the second goal against Villarreal has a total understanding with Messi. Messi’s pass made Cesc's goal tonight.

Since he came to Barça, Cesc Fabregas has scored 3 goals in 4 games, 1 in the League, 1 in the European Super Cup, and the 3rd in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. In the last 2 games, on Friday in Monaco, and at the Camp Nou tonight, Cesc scored from a Messi pass. It’s a connection that provides excellent results.

The Academy, the basis of this connection

With regard to the Cesc and Messi partnership, Fabregas explained that: "I know him so well. I know how he plays and what he’s going to do. It's easier to be a striker with him than making the goals". One of the reasons for the great understanding between them is that "we’ve been educated in the same way. A lot of training sessions, a lot of games, lots of years, and we play from memory".


Easy adaptation

Cesc’s adaptation, therefore, has been more than satisfactory. Cesc said that "they’re helping me a lot. It’s fantastic playing with them. For me it’s a pleasure and an honor to be part of this team".

Here we reproduce statements from more players, after the game.

Lionel Messi:

(Goal number 101 at the Camp Nou): "The important thing is that the team has won a difficult game, especially after the Super Cup"

"Cesc came from here, so we said he would adapt easily, and he’s demonstrating that it’s true"

"We hope to carry on doing the same things, and calmly. We’ve started well, despite it being a tricky fixture"

Thiago:

"I’d like to thank my teammates for a job well done"

"Luckily I'm scoring and we have to make the most of that"

"Barcelona and Madrid are the 2 top teams ... we’ll try to win everything".

"We played really well as a team. A great job done together”.

Arsenal Complete £10m Signing of German International Per Mertesacker

Skysports.com understands Per Mertesacker has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

The giant Werder Bremen centre-back is in London ahead of what is reportedly a £10million transfer on a three-year contract.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger turned his attention to Mertesacker, who has entered the final year of his contract in Germany, after deciding Bolton’s Gary Cahill was too expensive.

Having seen his defence ripped to shreds by Man United and noted that his centre back options were severely limited, Arsene Wenger has wisely opted to bring in the hugely experienced centre back Per Mertesacker. The 26 year old German international may well be the ideal partner for reliable Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen.

With 75 German international caps to his name, 6ft 6in Mertesacker arrives in the Premier League with a lot of know how and Wenger will hope that his arrival will signal a big improvement in his defence after seeing his side concede their highest Premier League total last term in over a decade.

The likes of Sebastien Squillaci, Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have all failed to consistently perform and this left Wenger with no choice other than to invest in reinforcements and Gunners supporters will surely be happy that the Arsenal boss opted for an established performer rather than his usual policy of drafting in youngsters or those who are not exactly household names.

Stats reveal Barça superiority

One look at the stats shows just how dominant Barça were against Villarreal in the league opener.

► Barça enjoyed nearly 75% of possession.

► Barça made 981 passes, against Villarreal’s 313.

► 70% of possession occurred in Villarreal’s half.

► Keita made most tackles -12.

► Thiago made most passes (108 successful out of 120).

► Barça have won 28 out of their 30 opening day games at home.

► The 5-0 result is Barça’s best result against Villarreal, beating the 2006/07 4-0 win.

► It was the first time Barça opened their league campaign with a 5-0 win.

► It’s the sixth 5-0 win of the Guardiola era, following the victories over Almeria, Deportivo, Seville, Madrid and Real Sociedad.

► The three players who joined the first team squad this summer - Thiago, Cesc and Alexis – all scored.

► Leo Messi has scored in all three competitions he’s taken part in this season- Spanish and European Super Cups and La Lliga.

Arsenal Prepare £25m Bid to Sign Serie A Playmaker as Samir Nasri Replacement

Arsenal are reportedly readying a bid for Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik as Arsene Wenger looks to find an able replacement for French international Samir Nasri. The Slovakian international has been previously linked with the North London club and now the Gunners boss is ready to make an offer for the 24 year old before the transfer window shuts.

Wenger had been targeting Lille youngster Eden Hazard to fill the spot vacated by Nasri but having snatched South Korean Park Chu-Young from under the Ligue 1 side’s nose it seems hugely unlikely that the French side will be willing to do business with the North London club.

Hamsik has been a huge success in Naples and has become a virtual ever present over the course of his four seasons at the Serie A side and it highly unlikely that boss Walter Mazzarri would consider selling the former Brescia man unless the player himself pushed for an exit.

The Arsenal board appear happy to hand Wenger a sizable transfer budget and will allow him the use of all the money raised from the sales of Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy, which brought in around £60m and the Emirates Stadium side are ready to offer around £25m for the goal scoring attacking midfielder.

After such a poor start to the season Wenger knows that he must improve his squad if he wants to push to end a six year silverware drought and he also knows that this could be a pivotal season individually and failure could bring an end to his 15 year reign at Arsenal.

It may take some persuading to convince Hamsik to move as he appears settled at Napoli, who he helped secure a Champions League spot for the coming season.

Arsenal smash transfer record with £35m playmaker bid

Arsenal have made a bid of 40m Euros - approximately £35m - for Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Mario Gotze, according to German publication Kicker.

Arsenal are bidding to strengthen in the final days of the transfer window, and will look to spend the £60m acquired from the sales of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas on Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young, with the remainder earmarked for the 19 year-old Gotze.

However, Borussia Dortmund have reportedly rejected Arsenal's huge offer, which would eclipse their previous transfer record of around £15m spent on Andrei Arshavin.

"We know that Mario is very interesting for teams from Pot 1 [of the UEFA Champions League]," said Dortmund Sporting Director Michael Zorc.

Those of course include Arsenal, but it is difficult to see Arsene

Wenger raising his bid beyond the 40m Euros offered already.

Arsenal swoop for Santos and Malouda

Wenger storms into the transfer market after United humiliation

Arsene Wenger stormed into the transfer market by making a double swoop ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.

‘The Sun’ reported that the embattled Arsenal manager had a £6.2 million bid accepted for Brazilian left-back Andre Santos.

Santos, 28, has played for Brazil on 22 occasions and joined Fener from Corinthians in 2009.

Then he lined up an £8 million move for Chelsea’s French midfielder Florent Malouda.

Wenger is desperate to strengthen his squad after Sunday’s humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United.

He has also offered £7m for Chelsea's Brazilian centre-back Alex and is keen on his midfield team-mate Yossi Benayoun.

And with the transfer window closing on Wednesday night, he has not given up on Bolton defender Gary Cahill.

The deal has been agreed with Turkish side Fenerbahce for Santos, 28, and will be completed subject to a medical.

Alex has proved his pedigree in England while 25-year-old Cahill - rated at £16m by Bolton - is a top Premier League defender.

Malouda, 31, also has years of experience in the top flight.

Chelsea want £10m for Alex, 29, but the Arsenal board believe they can land their man for less.

QPR have joined Blackburn and Norwich in the race to sign Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury.

Samir Nasri says he left Arsenal for Manchester City at right time as former club can no longer compete for titles

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri believes though Arsenal remain a big club they can no longer compete financially with the Premier League elite, the politics of the club forcing Arsène Wenger to gamble on youth while top talent like Cesc Fabregas is lost.

Nasri's move earlier this month was the second significant departure from the Emirates this summer following Fabregas’ transfer to Barcelona, and the Frenchman feels he is now at a club on the cusp of creating history.

Nasri’s debut for City, a 5-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday, was in stark contrast to his former club’s 8-2 annihilation at the hands of Manchester United, and the 24-year-old does not believe Arsenal are in a comfortable enough financial position to rectify their situation.

"Arsenal remains a big club, but the building of Emirates Stadium changed a lot of things,” Nasri told L’Equipe.

“It has changed the ambitions, so far. But it is not Arsène Wenger, it is the club's politics, the officials.

"Arsenal doesn't have the same funds. They can't make the same coups as before in the transfer market. They are rather forced to sell their best players and bet on young ones.”

Speaking about his own departure, he added: "My decision was made in June. I wanted to leave after our difficult end of season. Arsene wanted me to stay. I'm glad Arsenal got a good sum. I prefer to leave like that than at end of my contract. I did the same with Marseille

“Yes, it was [the right time to leave], there are sure signs. The departure of Cesc to Barcelona is one of them. The defeat against Birmingham in the League Cup final was very harmful for the minds. Today I feel like I’m in a team where I can win titles.”

Yet to win a major trophy, Nasri turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United earlier this summer saying he wanted to be a part of making history.

"From the start there was unanimity about my arrival at Manchester City," he said.

"The coach, the executive director Garry Cook and chairman Khaldoun al-Mubarak, I felt everyone wanted me.

"The players teased me for my first training session. They said: 'You needed time to come. We are waiting for you for one month and a half'. I know most of them, playing against them.

"Training with all those good players every day, I will improve. During sessions, there is a big intensity. At Arsenal it was already good, but here it is an upper level.

"When we finish the session with a match, you really feel like you're in an official competition. There are 22 players of a very high level. In the Premier League, very few clubs can show such wealth."

Tottenham close to completing Scott Parker deal and have no intention of selling Luka Modric, says Harry Redknapp

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has handed in a transfer request after Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp revealed his side were "very, very close" to signing the England international.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Redknapp was hopeful of wrapping up a reported £6million deal for Parker, with the written request seemingly moving him a step closer to the Upton Park exit door.

Parker, who was encouraged to move by England manager Fabio Capello following the West Ham's relegation, told his club's website: "I have had a fantastic four years at West Ham United and will never forget all the support I have had from the fans and everyone associated with the club.

"The manager and board have tried hard to convince me to stay but, at this stage in my career, I need to be playing in the Pre

"I hope the fans will understand and respect my decision and I wish the club every success in their fight for promotion this season."

Redknapp said of long-time target Parker: "He's a good player. I think he's what we need. He's a good lad, great attitude.

"Footballer of the year last year and he'll be a good addition for this team - no doubt about that.

"He's a good character, a fantastic person, a proper family man, a real good pro. He'll be great around the place for us."

Redknapp confirmed he expected more ins and outs at White Hart Lane before the transfer window closes tomorrow night, with Alan Hutton and Peter Crouch both in line to be sold.

Tottenham remained adamant the duo would not be joined by Luka Modric, despite the midfielder's desire to join Chelsea.

There were conflicting reports today over the Blues' attempts to sign Modric, some describing them as dead and others suggesting a last-ditch cash-plus-Yossi Benayoun bid was on the table.

A part-exchange deal had also been mooted in Spurs' pursuit of Parker but Redknapp today revealed youngster Jake Livermore would not be a makeweight in any remaining negotiations.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's very, very close. I don't think it's too far away now. Hopefully, it will get done today.

"Jake's not going to West Ham. They were interested in Jake but, in the end, the chairman dealt with it and just did a straight deal with West Ham.

"They've been good to deal with as well, West Ham. It's all gone through very smoothly so not a problem."

As well as adding players, Redknapp has been trying to trim his squad all summer and it looked likely today that striker Crouch and full-back Hutton would be allowed to leave.

Redknapp had previously insisted he had no intention of selling Crouch, who Press Association Sport understands is the subject of a bid from Sunderland.

He has also been heavily linked with Stoke and is a rumoured target for QPR.

"A few clubs want him but we'll have to wait and see with that one," said Redknapp, who last week signed Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City.

"It's up to Crouchy. I've had Peter at a few clubs. Good player, great guy as well.

"But I suppose with Adebayor coming in it's an area that we're a little bit overloaded in and he's one that people want.

"So if we could do a deal with someone then it's a possibility."

Scotland star Hutton has fallen right down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and has been linked with Aston Villa, who sold Luke Young to QPR at the weekend.

Redknapp insisted he did not know if Villa had made a bid, but added: "Alan's a good player. He's been away playing for Scotland and (Villa boss) Alex McLeish knows him, so it may well be a possibility I suppose."

Tottenham were also linked today with a cash-plus-Sebastien Bassong deal for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, while Sulley Muntari's agent claimed they were interested in the Inter Milan midfielder.

Everton to consider selling £8m star to bitter rivals Liverpool

Liverpool are plotting a shock bid for Everton star Seamus Coleman, after Toffees manager David Moyes refused to rule out player sales due to their financial position.

The Blues are currently unable to bring in new signings at Goodison Park as the Merseysiders have reached their overdraft limit and even if the club did sell some of their better players to raise funds then that cash would only go to paying off bank debts.

Moyes and the Everton board have grown increasingly anxious with financial situation and could give themselves room to breathe by offloading several stars before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday with bitter rivals Liverpool ready to take advantage of the situation.

While key duo Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka have been strongly linked with Arsenal, Kenny Dalglishs interest in Coleman comes as somewhat of a surprise.

But according to sources close to the Reds boss, the Scotsman rates the Republic of Ireland international very highly and is considering a £8m bid for the right-sided player, who can operate as a full-back or in more advanced attacking position.

Everton will be reluctant to sell the versatile 22-year-old, especially to their Merseyside neighbours, but the Blues may be forced to cash-in on the youngster if they cannot offload another one of his stars this week.

"Everybody's got a price - Fabregas, Ronaldo, you name it. If anyone bids big enough I'm sure we'd take it. I'm not daft," Moyes told Sky Sports.

Dalglish's monetary situation starkly contrasts, he is being encouraged to carry on spending by owners Fenway Sports Group - despite spending over £50m on transfers this summer.

Having signed Stewart Downing to operate on the left-side, Dalglish wants a similar potency on the opposite flank to provide wide-service to strikers Luiz Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Coleman certainly fits the Anfield club's policy of buying young talent with a potentially higher sell-on value, but a move between the Merseyside rivals will always be a controversial one.

The former Sligo Rovers may feel a move across the city would benefit his long term career plans by aiding his ambitions to one day play in the UEFA Champions League.

Harry Redknapp: Luka Modric asked not to play against Manchester City two hours before kick-off

Harry Redknapp has revealed that Luka Modric remains so unhappy at Tottenham that he came to see him just two hours before kick-off on Sunday and asked to be omitted from the team that was mauled 5-1 by Manchester City.

Modric has made it clear that he wants to join Chelsea and, with a final £40million bid expected within the next 48 hours, he arrived at White Hart Lane and informed his manager that he did not want to play.

Redknapp was taken aback by the request as Modric had made himself available on Saturday morning and he duly told the Croatia international that he was needed.

“His head’s not right again,” said Redknapp. “He came to see me at 12pm, probably 11.30am, and he told me he didn’t feel his head was right. I told him he needed to play. I had injuries in midfield. He’s our main man.

“His head’s been turned. It’s probably been turned again Saturday night. We all know what goes on in the game. Anyone who thinks he’s not being told what’s going on is dreaming. Something happened. I don’t know what. He was OK to play Saturday morning.”

Redknapp declined to specifically blame Chelsea for the situation, but did refer to the influence of agents or advisers. He also reiterated his belief that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy would continue to resist all offers from Chelsea.

“He’s getting advised maybe not to play,” said Redknapp. “We’ve seen it before. Someone’s in his ear. That’s how this game works, isn’t it?

“I think, at the moment, while he still sees a chink of light to go to Chelsea, he’s probably doing what he’s being told the best idea to get to Chelsea is. The chairman has said he’s not for sale. Once the window’s shut, he’s here, isn’t he?”

Redknapp, though, was scathing about the impact of all the uncertainty this summer. As well as Modric, Peter Crouch has been strongly linked with a move away from Tottenham. Redknapp is also still trying to make new signings and is now hoping to conclude deals for Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Lassana Diarra.

“I feel we’ve had a terrible pre-season,” said Redknapp. “There’s been a feeling round the place. It’s not been right.

"People going, people wanting to go. Crouchy to Stoke in the papers every day, and we have to play him. He thinks, 'do they want me?’ I don’t know where that’s come from. It’s all been a bit unsettling.

“The place needs a little bit of a lift now, and I’ve told that to the chairman. I feel we have to freshen the place up a bit.”

Having begun the Premier League season with respective 3-0 and 5-1 defeats against Manchester United and Manchester City, Tottenham’s woe was compounded by news that Rafael van der Vaart has a torn hamstring and so faces a lengthy period out.

Redknapp had likened Manchester City to Barcelona before Sunday’s game, with the comparison briefly vindicated by the performances of Edin Dzeko, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Sergio Agüero.

Nasri said that City had sent “a signal” to the rest of the League but manager Roberto Mancini was guarding against complacency and made a pointed reference to the lapse that allowed Tottenham their consolation goal. “We need to pay more attention in this position,” he said.

Arsène Wenger refuses to consider quitting despite Arsenal's 8-2 defeat to Manchester United

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger underlined his intentions to stay at Arsenal despite their dramatic 8-2 defeat to Manchester United, and refused to admit that new signings are the answer for his faltering team.

Wenger admitted he had been left embarrassed by the size of the defeat, but with the pressure mounting on him denied he would quit his post.

"You feel humiliated when you concede eight goals," he said.

"It was a terrible day for us, it was a combination of an under-strength team and weakness.

"We collapsed physically in the second half."

Asked if he might think about resigning during the forthcoming international break, he was initially coy, saying: "I believe we have a break before the next game."

He then ruled out the possibility, adding: "No, not at all."

With three days to go before the end of the transfer window Wenger is under pressure to bring in new names, although he was again guarded about the addition of any players.

"I know that in England when you lose a game signings are always the solution," he added.

"We had eight players out today. Anybody would suffer with eight players missing."

Arsenal to Complete Confusing £4m Signing: Wenger to Bring In Monaco Striker Park Chu-Young as Nicklas Bendtner Replacement

Monaco striker Park Chu-young is set to complete a move to Premier League side Arsenal this weekend.

The South Korea captain had been close to signing for French side Lille, but will now travel to London for a medical in the next 24 hours.

Park, 26, who was a former target for Premier League rivals Fulham, will cost the Gunners betwen £3m and £5m.

“From what we understand he could be at Arsenal. Everything had been agreed.” said Lille president Michel Seydoux.

“We haven’t had a telephone call, nothing. Lille are baffled.”

Lille were surprised on Saturday at the disappearance of Park, who failed to show up for the second part of his medical, having agreed terms to join the French champions.

Park had been due at the northern French side to continue with the pre-signing examination, which he had begun on Friday.

Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2: match report

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday Aug 28 2011.

After their most humiliating result since the days when the Queen Vic was a monarch and not a pub, Arsenal stand at a crossroads and their greatest fear must be that Arsène Wenger will blindly lead them up another cul-de-sac.

Arsenal’s manager, patently in denial at his squad’s deficiencies, must change direction. He must start buying experience to protect and educate his youngsters.

Arsenal were unbelievably embarrassing, a disgrace to the shirt, with players like Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin so poor it was astonishing to think they are actually internationals.

So wretched was Arsenal’s display that the club’s top brass vacated their directors’ box seats before a final whistle that must have sounded like the Last Post.

The only ones with Arsenal connections who emerged with any credit were the away supporters who kept singing, kept backing the team even as Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, a boyhood Gunners fan, mercilessly shredded their defence.

Manchester United were so good with a breathtaking, chance-taking display of football. United versus Arsenal was Total football versus total chaos.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men used to bully Wenger’s physically; now they bully them with the ball, utterly destroying them with their speed of mind and feet.

The worst tackles came from Arsenal and Arshavin in particular. With Carl Jenkinson dismissed, Arsenal have three times as many red cards as points this season.

Even as the scoreline resembled a tennis score and then worse, bringing Arsenal’s heaviest defeat since 1896 and Loughborough Town, the away fans kept up their chant about “we love you Arsenal, we do”.

If only the players had shown such defiance.

Adding insult to ignominy, Rosicky, Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh loped straight to the tunnel at the end. Arsenal’s captain, Robin van Persie, commendably shouted at them to return to acknowledge the fans’ support.

So riven with problems anyway, Arsenal cannot risk a gulf growing between dressing-room and terrace.

The problems are so obvious, so frequently stated: Wenger’s transfer policy is patently wrong. He needs a centre-half like Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka yet announced Sunday night that he was closing in on South Korean striker Park Chu-Young. Hardly the Cavalry.

Wenger also needs a club official to nudge him into action in the transfer market, moving early on targets, even moving if the Frenchman feels the fee is £2 million or £3 million too dear.

By prevaricating, and now with £60 million-plus from the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, they may have to pay a premium. How Arsenal miss David Dein.

Wenger pointed out that he lacked 10 players here but ambitious clubs have deep squads. United were also without absentees like Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia.

Arsenal started with Francis Coquelin and Armand Traoré and had players like the Dutch Under-17 midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup and the French Under-20 Gilles Sunu on the bench. United had Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs in reserve.

United were swiftly into their stride, ruthlessly exploiting Arsenal’s myriad flaws, Phil Jones showing his class with a strong run from the back. And so the red waves began rolling, relentlessly, drowning the visitors.

It was not simply that United were sharper. Arsenal were so lethargic. Rosicky wimped out of a 50-50 with Danny Welbeck. When they did contest the ball, Arshavin left his foot in on Jones.

Arsenal couldn’t keep up with the Jones’. The life began draining from their body. When Anderson scooped the ball over Arsenal’s defence, Johan Djourou froze, allowing Welbeck the time and space to loop a header over Wojciech Szczesny: 1-0.

Hope briefly sprung up for Arsenal when Howard Webb rather shredded the conspiracy theory that he favours United by giving a penalty against them.

When Jonny Evans pulled and tripped Theo Walcott, Van Persie took responsibility for the penalty but his low kick was well saved by David de Gea.

United responded strongly with Young curling in a brilliant goal: 2-0.

The Stretford End began serenading Wenger with “you’re getting sacked in the morning”. Arshavin could have joined the spectators after a filthy challenge on Young. Welbeck did go off, his hamstring tweaked.

United enjoy such strength in depth. Javier Hernandez simply came on to assist Rooney. The England striker, in imperious form, then began his hat-trick with his 150th United goal, a marvellous free-kick: 3-0.

A lapse of concentration by Evra and Jonny Evans allowed Walcott a glimpse of goal, although De Gea should have stopped the shot: 3-1.

Still United tore into Arsenal. Chris Smalling, excellent throughout, slid a perfect first-time pass behind Traore for Nani. Arsenal’s cadaver twitched with life occasionally, and De Gea saved well from Van Persie, but the burial continued. Rooney swept in another magnificent free-kick: 4-1.

There was more. Smalling and Rooney combined to release Nani, who calmly beat Szczesny: 5-1.

And the pain intensified for Arsenal. With 20 minutes remaining, Ji-sung Park played a 1-2 with Young before sending a left-footed strike flying between Djourou’s legs and past Szczesny: 6-1.

Arsenal’s corpse twitched once more. Jenkinson had refused to give up the fight, raiding down the right when opportunity arose. From his cross after 74 minutes, Jones headed back but the young full-back simply nodded across for Van Persie: 6-2.

Jenkinson lasted only three minutes longer. Already cautioned for a foul on the speeding Young, a defender playing non-League a year ago was then caught out by the pace of Hernandez.

Walcott dropped to right-back, and his inevitable lack of experience in the position saw him concede a penalty when tripping Evra. Rooney drilled in the penalty: 7-2.

There was still enough time for Young to score again, curling a shot around Djourou and past Szczesny: 8-2. The last rites were read. Hold the obituary page.

Wenger's heaviest defeats

Jan 2008: Tottenham 5 Arsenal 1Wenger tried to shrug this League Cup semi-final defeat off as irrelevant as Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner lost their cool and fought on the pitch.

Feb 2001: Man Utd 6 Arsenal 1
Wenger’s previous nadir at Old Trafford, a dreadful beating courtesy of Dwight Yorke’s hat-trick, Roy Keane’s powerhouse performance and some wretched defending from the likes of Igor Stepanovs.

Nov 2000: Spartak Moscow 4 Arsenal 1
The heaviest defeat in Europe under Wenger’s stewardship came in freezing Russia, with Marcao causing havoc to a rejigged back-line. Arsenal were eventually beaten in the quarter-finals.

Nov 1999: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 5
Arsenal’s worst home defeat under Wenger, albeit in the League Cup and with a severely weakened team featuring the likes of Nelson Vivas, David Grondin and Christopher Wreh.

Russian Side Anzhi Target £35m Move Arsenal and Man United Pair

They are thought to be ready to offer up £15m for Andrei Arshavin and £20m for Dimitar Berbatov.

Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala are keen on bringing in two more high profile players this month and have earmarked moves for Arsenal winger Andrei Arshavin and Man United bench warmer Dimitar Berbatov. The Dagestan based side have recently purchased Samuel Eto’o from Inter Milan and Yuri Zhirkov from Chelsea and are keen to add more top class names to their line up and have seemingly endless resources with which to do so.

Arsenal winger Arshavin has looked out of sorts over the past 18 months or so and may be tempted by a move away from the Emirates Stadium as the North London club goes through something of a crisis at present. Arsene Wenger may also be ready to cash in on the 30 year old having seemingly ran out of patience with the former Zenit St Petersburg man.

The Russian international winger has only been selected of late due to lack of alternatives and if Anzhi make a substantial offer then the Gunners boss may elect to take the money as clearly at this stage in Arshavin’s career this may be the last time Arsenal can a significant fee for a player that cost £15m two and a half years ago.

Dimitar Berbatov has seen his first team chances greatly reduced this season, the emergence of Danny Welbeck and last season’s performances from Javier Hernandez will leave the Bulgarian struggling to find his way into Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team picture, especially as Wayne Rooney has hit the ground running this term, netting five goals in his first three Premier League games of the season.

Anzhi Makhachkala are keen to make an impact in the Russian Premier League this term having finished last season in 11th spot. With captain Roberto Carlos on board and other experienced players on board, boss Gadzhi Gadzhiev will hope to steer his side towards the top end of the table, having only gained promotion to the top tier in 2009.

Owned by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, 118th richest man on the planet according to Forbes, Anzhi find themselves in fifth spot and will be looking to secure a finish that will guarantee them European qualification for next term.

Messi leads Barca to Super Cup win over Porto: Barcelona 2 - Porto 0: match report

Read a full match report of the European Super Cup match between Barcelona and Porto in Monaco on Friday August 26 2011. 

Europe continues to reverberate to the patter of tiny feet. Fine goals from Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas brought Barcelona a deserved, often thrilling Uefa Super Cup victory over nine-man Porto. Fabregas has now won two trophies in 10 days, a contrast to his barren, six-year run at Arsenal.

The Europa League champions lost their shape, resilience and discipline late on but Barcelona were again magnificent.

Messi’s first was sumptuous and Fabregas’ second was expertly taken, and brilliantly made by Messi.

The DJ played “Mr Brightside” at the break and it must have been in tribute to Messi, who changed his boots on Stade Louis II’s poor pitch and was soon seizing on Fredy Guarin’s nightmare backpass.


Messi ran straight at Helton, seemingly turning the Porto keeper to stone as he dropped a shoulder and swept the ball effortlessly around him. Messi’s finish was typically accurate, the ball stroked at an angle in to the net.


Barcelona’s fans loved another reminder of their No 10’s brilliance, celebrating wildly, some lighting flares, others waving their shirts manically above their heads.

They had enjoyed other first-half moments as their idols racked up 70 per cent possession, notably a wonderful dribble by Andres Iniesta when he seemed to use Porto players as cones in a training session.

English interest in proceedings strayed further than the sight of Fabregas starting on the bench. Joao Moutinho’s involvement did not cup-tie Porto’s attacking midfielder as Uefa designate the Uefa Cup a “free match”, effectively a friendly. This may surprise Paul Scholes, who was sent off in this fixture and served his suspension in the Champions League.

Moutinho would be eligible for the Champions League if Chelsea decided to quicken their interest this week. Moutinho certainly impressed in the opening stages, one curling shot bringing a fine save from Victor Valdes.

Chelsea are also pursuing Alvaro Pereira, Porto’s talented left-back, who was rested here.

Fabregas eventually arrived with 11 minutes remaining, and was promptly felled by Guarin. The former Arsenal midfielder was again used in a more attacking role, pushing on to support Messi and Alexis Sanchez.

Porto cynically tried to stop Barcelona, and Rolando departed for two yellows, both fouls on Messi.

Before Guarin also departed, for a straight-red offence on Javier Mascherano, Barcelona had added a second, a thrilling moment for Fabregas. When Messi crossed from the right, Fabregas chested the ball down and belted it right-footed into the net.

Tendulkar, Zaheer in 2011 ICC Test Team of the Year

Dubai: Senior Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan earned a place in the ICC Test Team of the Year, chosen by a specially appointed selection panel headed by West Indian legend Clive Lloyd on Friday.
Four countries are represented in the 12-man line-up and Tendulkar made the side for the third year in a row, having appeared in the ICC World Test Team of the Year 2009 and 2010.

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn also featured in the World Test team for the fourth year running. He was a member of the ICC World Test Team of the Year 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Steyn`s fellow teammates -- Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis -- along with Sri Lanka`s Kumar Sangakkara, and England duo of Graeme Swann and James Anderson all appeared in the side for the second year in a row.

Former Sri Lanka skipper Sangakkara is named as captain of the team.

"The selection of this year`s Test team was a difficult one with so many worthy candidates available to fill just 12 places," said Chairman of the LG ICC Awards selection panel, Clive Lloyd in a media conference while announcing the short-lists for the LG ICC Awards 2011 scheduled to be held in London on September 12.

"The team has a formidable line-up that bats well down the order and has bowlers with the ability and form to dismiss any opposition twice on any surface," he said.

The shortlists of the Annual Awards, to be held in association with the Federation of International Cricketers` Associations, was announced after vote by an independent 25-person academy in each category.
The academy includes a host of former players, respected members of the media as well as representatives of the Emirates Elite Panels of ICC Umpires and ICC Match Referees.

The long-lists were made by a five-man ICC selection panel chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. The panel also includes former captains Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan and England`s Mike Gatting and New Zealand`s Danny Morrison and South Africa`s Paul Adams.

Based on the period between August 11, 2010 and August 3 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

Shortlists of nominees for LG ICC Awards:

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year: Hashim Amla, Alastair Cook, Sachin Tendulkar, Jonathan Trott.

ICC Test Player of the Year: James Anderson, Alastair Cook, Jacques Kallis, Jonathan Trott

ICC ODI Player of the Year: Hashim Amla, Gautam Gambhir, Kumar Sangakkara, Shane Watson

ICC Emerging Player of the Year: Azhar Ali, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Wahab Riaz

ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year: Ryan ten Doeschate, Hamid Hassan, Kevin O`Brien, Paul Stirling

ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year: Tim Bresnan, JP Duminy, Tim Southee, Shane Watson.ICC Women`s Cricketer of the Year: Charlotte Edwards, Lydia Greenway, Shelley Nitschke, Stafanie Taylor

David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year: Aleem Dar, Steve Davis, Ian Gould, Simon Taufel

ICC Spirit of Cricket: M S Dhoni, Jacques Kallis

LG People`s Choice Award: Hashim Amla, M S Dhoni, Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Jonathan Trott.

Somdev to play Murray, Sania faces Peer in US Open

New York: India`s top singles player, Somdev Devvarman has drawn world No 4 Andy Murray, while Sania Mirza will face Israeli Sahar Peer in their first-round matches of the US Open beginning on Monday.

Ranked 64th in the world, 26-year-old Somdev will face an uphill task to advance beyond the first round against the in-form Murray.

The one at the Flushing Meadows will be the first meeting between the two.
The Indian`s record this year is solid, with a run through qualifying to the third round in Indian Wells in March the highlight, while last year he won the gold medal in the men`s singles tournament at the Commonwealth Games.His fighting ability and a liking for hardcourts should pose a few problems for Murray, who has again been placed in Rafael Nadal`s half of the draw.

Mirza, who is coming to New York following a string of losses in first rounds and qualifiers since her comeback post Wimbledon, is also expected to find the going tough against Peer.

Arsenal Plan Record Breaking £22m Bid for Lyon Playmaker Yoann Gourcuff

Arsene Wenger has long been linked with interest in French international Yoann Gourcuff and will look to make a significant bid, in the region of £22m, for the Lyon midfielder. The Arsenal boss is keen to bring in a player who he feel can effectively replace Cesc Fabregas and has earmarked a move for the 25 year old.

Gourcuff is in his second season at the Stade Gerland and may well be tempted by a move to the Emirates Stadium after seeing his Lyon side fail to claim the Ligue 1 crown in three successive seasons, something of a slump given that the club had won the previous seven titles in a row.

Wenger knows that this season may well be make or break after six seasons without silverware and is therefore ready to splash the cash accrued from the sales of Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy. Arsenal are looking for a creative presence who can effectively link midfield and attack and believes that Gourcuff may be the man for the job.

Gourcuff first emerged on the scene as a youngster at Rennes and after two breakthrough seasons at the Britanny club the midfielder secured a high profile move to AC Milan which never quite paid off. Struggling with injuries and poor form it looked like the Frenchman was stuttering until a loan move to Bordeaux resulted in a superb season that helped secure a Ligue 1 title and a permanent move to Les Girondins but another year later when Laurent Blanc left club football for the national team post a move to Lyon followed.

Arsenal boss Wenger is willing to break the club’s transfer record to land Yoann Gourcuff and will hope that he can seal the deal before the transfer window slams shut. The fact that the Lyon man is currently sidelined with an ankle injury may actually help seal the deal as the player’s absence from the club’s Champions League qualifier with Rubin Kazan means that he is still eligible for the competition.

The player’s former Bordeaux team-mate Marouane Chamakh has recently stated that he would like to see Gourcuff move to the North London club and perhaps the Moroccan is about to get his wish?

Arsenal to swoop for £37m Ligue 1 trio

Arsenal are to embark on a spending spree in the closing days of the transfer window.

Metro are reporting that manager Arsene Wenger is planning to go back to his homeland in France to secure the signings of Rennes Yann M'Vila, Marseille's Lucho Gonzalez and Sochaux's Marvin Martin. Wenger is armed with £60m in cash received from the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and is prepared to part with much of it to land his key targets.


Negotiations over the transfer of Lucho have been ongoing for a fortnight with the main sticking point being the type of move wanted by each party. Marseille and the player would prefer a permanent switch while the Gunners are looking at a season-long loan as they are reluctant to hand a longer contract to a 30-year-old. However, with the price at a mere £5m for a plyer with extensive Champions League experience during his time at Stade Velodrome and at Porto before that, Wenger is considering making Lucho an exception.

More pressing is the approach for midfield enforcer M'Vila about whom talks are at an advanced stage. Rennes are holding out for the maximum possible transfer fee and Arsenal are believed to be prepared to go as high as £22m to land the France international, a figure Rennes are almost certain to accept.

The move for Martin currently looks the most fragile with Sochaux hoping to make the kost out of Arsenal's bounty. A fee of £12m is wanted by the French club though Arsenal are hoping to pay just £8m . Negotiations are ongoing.

FA treat Manchester United 'like s***', says manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a withering attack on the Football Association, accusing the English game’s governing body of treating Manchester United “like ----”. 

The United manager’s relations with the FA were already fractured by a string of disciplinary summons, including his five-match touchline ban and £30,000 fine after criticising referee Martin Atkinson at the end of last season.

Ferguson was also charged with misconduct, before escaping with a warning, for praising World Cup final referee Howard Webb prior to the Old Trafford clash with Chelsea in May.

Wayne Rooney also received a two-match ban for swearing into a television camera at West Ham in April, while both Ferguson and United chief executive David Gill have since complained of overzealous treatment at the hands of English football’s governing body.

But Ferguson’s latest attack, which was prompted by the revelation that United would supply up to eight members of Fabio Capello’s England squad for next week’s European Championship, has left relations at a new low.

“[Having so many England players] is fantastic,” Ferguson said. “The FA may one day realise who has produced more players for their country than any other club in the world.

UEFA Champions League Draw: Manchester City Given Tough Group, Arsenal Face Marseille, Manchester United Welcome Benfica, Chelsea Clash With Valencia

Manchester City avoided a group of death in their first Champions League draw but Roberto Mancini’s side still face a baptism of fire.

City will come up against three tough opponents in Group A in Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli.

Manchester United were given an easy draw, in Group C alongside Benfica, Swiss champions Basle and unknowns Otelul Galati from Romania.

Arsenal have to overcome Marseille, Greek champions Olympiakos and a potentially tricky test against Borussia Dortmund – the club in pot four to avoid – in Group F.

Chelsea will face Valencia, the former club of new signing Juan Mata, plus Bayer Leverkusen – where Michael Ballack is now playing – and Genk from Belgium in Group E.

Group A:

Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, Napoli.

Group B:

Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor.

Group C:

Manchester United, Benfica, Basle, Otelul Galati.

Group D:

Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb.

Group E:

Chelsea, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Genk.

Group F:

Arsenal, Marseille, Olympiakos, Borussia Dortmund.

Group G:

FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, Apoel.

Group H:

Barcelona, Ac Milan, Bate Borisov, Viktoria Plzen.

National Cricket Academy has become a joke: Kiran More

New Delhi: Former national selector and wicketkeeper Kiran More lashed out at the Indian cricket board stating that National Cricket Academy has become a "joke".

"The biggest review the Indian board needs to do is at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). It has become a joke. The last time I was there, all the bowlers and batsmen were being just cloned mechanically. I was shocked. You can`t have everyone do the same thing," More lashed out during an interview with a sports website.

More questioned as to how many great players have NCA produced who are in the league of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar.

"How many cricketers has the NCA helped produce who are at the level of Anil Kumble or Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar? The NCA has failed in feeding good talent to the national team. It is time the Indian board seriously rethinks how the NCA is run," the former stumper didn`t mince words.

More feels that chairman Anil Kumble should get a free hand in running the NCA.

"Kumble should be given a free rein. He will make sure the right structure is put in place. You can`t just have coaches who are equipped with Level 1, 2 certificates. To an extent these guys can help, but you need national cricketers playing a bigger role," he said.

Roddick and Isner to meet in semi-finals of U.S. Open tune-up

(Reuters) - Andy Roddick and John Isner set up a mouth-watering semi-final between two big servers after the Americans won their respective quarter-final matches at the Winston-Salem Open on Thursday.

Top-seeded Roddick crushed seventh seed Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-1 6-4 while fourth seed Isner recovered from a shaky start to beat eighth-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 1-6 6-3 6-4.

Roddick enjoys a 3-1 advantage in career meetings with the towering Isner but he predicted a tough encounter in the last four with his six-foot nine-inch compatriot.

"It's just whoever can scrape a return back on a big point and hope that something good happens," Roddick told reporters after keeping his U.S. Open preparations on a smooth winning track.

"The biggest thing is you've just got to try and take care of your own serve. I don't often go into a match with the second-best serve but that will be the case tomorrow."

Roddick, whose buildup to the season's final grand slam had been interrupted by an abdominal injury, is bidding to reach his third ATP World Tour final of the year.

Isner was delighted to turn his match around against Baghdatis, who will be his first-round opponent at the U.S. Open starting at Flushing Meadows on Monday.

"It was the second time I've played him this summer and I've had good success," said Isner. "For sure I don't give any players rhythm because on my serve I'm keeping the points short.

"A lot of the guys like rhythm and Marcos is one of those guys. When he gets into a groove from the baseline, that's when he plays well and has good results."

Ninth-seeded Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who upset fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the previous round, ended his golden run on Thursday when he was beaten 3-6 7-6 6-2 by French qualifier Julien Benneteau.

AVB Talks About Luka Modric, Juan Mata And Possible Arrivals And Departures At Chelsea

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will be a busy boy in the next week until the transfer window closes.

The Blues boss is planning for new arrivals and departures, hopes to sign Luka Modric and has to integrate Juan Mata into his midfield.

Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, has contacted his west London rivals to reiterate there was no chance of them signing the Croatian playmaker.

But AVB was particularly coy over whether this will deter him from making a fresh bid for the 25-year-old.

“I just have to speak to the owner (Roman Abramovich) when this kind of thing happens, ” he said.

“When there’s an offer, there’s a counter-offer and then you reach an agreement. Modric’s name is already out too much in the press. Let’s leave it.

“He’s Harry Redknapp’s player. He’s not my player, unfortunately.”

Villas-Boas is also in the market for a left-back to provide competition to Ashley Cole and confirmed he had attempted a raid on former club Porto for Alvaro Pereira.

The Uruguay international did not travel to Monaco with the Europa League-winners for Friday’s European Super Cup clash with Barcelona following a £16.6million bid from Chelsea.

Villas-Boas insists he did not know why Pereira had been left at home but admitted the two clubs were “massively apart” in their valuations.

“He has tremendous influence in the Uruguayan international team,” said the Chelsea boss.

“He beat the record twice for games played in Porto – not last year because he had a shoulder problem.

“He has the versatility as well. He can play on the inside in midfield, on the left of midfield or at left-back.”

Versatility also attracted Villas-Boas to new signing Juan Mata, who yesterday completed the formalities of his reported £24million move from Valencia.

It was Chelsea’s first mega-money deal of a summer that had seen their transfer activity overshadowed by that of Manchester City, Manchester United and even Liverpool.

“Criticism was coming from all fronts at a lack of market activity, so you can lay off us now,” Villas-Boas joked.

“This will be one of the biggest challenges of his (Mata’s) career coming to the Premier League, and this is a step up for him, as he’s admitted.

Further arrivals would almost certainly trigger departures from Stamford Bridge, although Villas-Boas insisted he had no intention of letting Florent Malouda leave.

“As we are speaking about the number of goals and assists that Mata has made at Valencia, let’s speak about the number that Malouda has made for Chelsea,” AVB retorted.

“We can’t let ourselves sell talent of this quality.”

Newcastle's Joey Barton bartering over wages makes his agent rich

Joey Barton was tweeting on Thursday that he needed “some thinking time and space” and it was obvious he was referring to his move to Queens Park Rangers after being told he can leave Newcastle United. 

Newcastle will receive no fee for Barton — after he was informed he could leave for free — but the details of the deal offer an insight of the financial power wielded in such cases.

It’s perhaps not well known that when a player signs for a club, his agent’s fee often equates to a percentage of his salary paid over the course of the contract.

QPR’s initial offer to Barton is understood to have been £40,000-a-week plus a £1.5 million signing on fee — and a payment of £250,000 if the club avoids relegation. It’s thought that offer was then superceded by a significantly improved one — a straight £80,000-a-week to Barton in a three-year deal — which represents a significant increase on the £60,000-a-week he earns at Newcastle.

If correct, it’s a huge financial outlay for QPR — wages of more than £12 million spread over the term of his contract (it may be even more if he is granted a four-year deal). The agent, in this case, Willie McKay would then normally ask for 10 per cent with the club countering by saying they will only pay four per cent. Usually the two parties meet in the middle, five or six per cent.

So McKay, legitimately, could expect to receive more than £600,000 from the three-year deal — although an agent will ask for more if he has worked hard to make the deal happen. And given Barton’s reluctance that may well be the case with QPR.

Arsenal can make the Emirates special by winning trophies, says Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas believes that Arsenal must make the Emirates as “special’’ a home as Highbury, adding that the process will begin when his former team start winning trophies. 

Fabregas was not criticising his old club, simply reminiscing wistfully about Highbury, and his respectful stance towards Arsenal contrasted with Samir Nasri’s.

Nasri, rather messily, has triggered a debate about the atmosphere at the Emirates. On joining Manchester City on Tuesday, Nasri stirred annoyance amongst Arsenal supporters by claiming City’s fans were more “passionate” than those at the Emirates.

“Arsenal have good fans but they are not as passionate since they moved from Highbury to the Emirates,’’ said Nasri, who actually joined the London club after they moved to the new stadium in 2006.

When asked about Nasri’s take on Highbury and the Emirates, Fabregas replied: “I think you should ask the proper fans that pay every year for season tickets. I never felt as at home at any other stadium in the world as I did at Highbury but it was not my decision to move, it was the club’s decision. It was what they needed.

“Highbury was a special thing. Arsenal have to make the Emirates their own home now and with their own cabinet of trophies to start all over again.”

Guaranteed a warm welcome whenever he returns to Arsenal, Fabregas admitted he “became a bit scared” when his old team-mates initially laboured against Udinese on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy for Arsenal and their fans because they deserve to be in the Champions League. It’s a big boost for the club and the players because it is a very difficult season. I am sure from this they will get so much confidence they can move forward,” he said.

He has moved on, relishing life at Barcelona. “With this team you can just fight to the bitter end and give your all knowing that everybody trusts you and works together,’’ said Fabregas. “What I have found most striking in this side is that there’s great humility. They have won everything but still want to keep winning.”

In Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Napoli in the Joan Gamper trophy, Fabregas assumed the “false No9” role usually filled so elegantly by Lionel Messi. He scored and shone but modestly threw the praise back on his team-mates.

“They were always talking to me, telling me what movements they were making and I felt very comfortable, but the position you mentioned will be occupied for many years,” he said.At 24, Messi certainly has many more years.

Even with such talents at his disposal, Pep Guardiola voiced the humility and will to win inherent in his dressing room.

“We are not unbeatable,’’ said Barcelona’s coach. “We receive a lot of compliments because we have won 11 prizes in the last four seasons. We have to try and forget the past. It’s for the players to show the world they still have desire. For people to want to watch us play, and to switch on the TV to watch us, is the best compliment we can have.”

Guardiola emphasised that history demanded excellence from Catalonia’s current representatives. “I have always had ridiculously good teams,’’ he said. “This current squad needs to prove it on the pitch. This will be decided by history.’’

'India looked tired, under-prepared in Eng series'

Mumbai: Former captain Ajit Wadekar feels the Indian cricket team`s humiliating 0-4 loss to England in the recently-concluded Test series was a result of fatigue and lack of preparation.

"They had no time to celebrate the team`s World Cup victory. It was followed by IPL, the West Indies tour and then the tour of England. The body language was terrible. They looked tired," Wadekar said.

"They thought just by being No 1 in the world (in Test ranking) we can beat England, who looked a determined team and had prepared well for the series," he said.

Recalling India`s maiden series victory over England under his leadership in 1971, Wadekar pointed out that at that time, the team played nine tour games and won eight of them unlike the current outfit, which played only one warm-up game before the first Test at Lord`s.

Wadekar, who led the Indian team during the 3-0 series loss to England in 1974, recollected that like Dhoni`s men their team also coped with an unsettled opening pair and lack of sufficient practice.

"We played four practice games but most were rained off and we also did not have settled openers," Wadekar recalled.

"This team went in two batches, did not have enough time to strategise and get acclimatised. The opening combination missed the presence of Virender Sehwag (who missed the first two Tests recuperating from his shoulder operation). There were other injury issues too, including that to key bowler Zaheer Khan," he said.

Wadekar`s outfit went to England after three Test series wins in a row, including back-to-back triumphs in the West Indies and England in 1971 followed by a home series win over England in 1972-73, but was humbled 3-0 by the hosts.

"Cold weather made it difficult for our match winner Bhagwat Chandrasekar to grip the ball. And the BCCI (Indian cricket board) also, without my knowledge, had agreed to restrict the number of fielders on the leg side to five from the earlier six which affected our spinners` strategy," Wadekar recalled.

"There was also the issue of Sudhir Naik (who was accused of shop lifting) and the reception at the Indian High Commission (when the team landed half an hour late and Wadekar was asked to get out by the then High Commissioner B K Nehru and the entire squad also walked out) where our bus got stuck at the gate and we went half an hour late," he added.

Wadekar suggested that the BCCI should assert itself and get the Future Tours Programme amended so that the number of matches is cut down and top players are available for domestic cricket.

"In my days we learnt a lot from playing along side Polly Umrigar, G S Ramchand, Subash Gupte not only in Ranji Trophy but also in tournaments like the Kanga League. We learnt to build the innings. I`m sure the BCCI has enough financial clout to make changes in the Indian team`s international programme," he said.

Wadekar also wanted the present system of zonal representation in the national selection panel to be replaced by a three-member non-zonal committee with the members having played at least 25 Tests each.

"The zonal representation in the selection panel needs to be replaced by a three-member panel and each one of them should have played at least 25 Tests," he suggested.

Currently the BCCI appoints five paid selectors (who are paid Rs 40 lakh each annually) representing the north, south, east, west and central zones.

Wojciech Szczesny saves Arsene Wenger’s season

ARSENAL'S heroes produced a £25m Champions League save.

Goals by Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott saw Arsene Wenger's men home in their crucial play-off second leg.

But Wojciech Szczesny's superb second-half penalty save from Antonio Di Natale was the real key to a 14th successive group stage jackpot.

Under-fire boss Wenger said: "There is relief and pride. Szczesny's save was the turning-point because, at 1-1, it kept us qualified and you could see that mentally it had an impact on Udinese's belief.

"I would like to say our club is in a very strong position overall. For 14 years on the trot we have played in the Champions League group stage.

"We have a new stadium, a fantastic training ground, a very strong financial situation and a very strong team.

"Sometimes you have to take a distance from the catastrophies people have predicted. We live in a society where everyone has an opinion on everything.

"I'm like someone who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept someone can come into the cockpit and fly it better than I do. But that's our job and we must accept it.

"Of course I'm relieved. It was a massive game for us. Overall I feel we responded in a very positive way, even at 1-0 down. It was a fantastic second half and we had chance after chance. In the end it was a comfortable win in a very important game."

Wenger has been pilloried of late following the loss of Cesc Fabregas and now Samir Nasri and his continued failure to bring in new stars.

He added: "There may be signings but I cannot give you any names. I cannot lie and say we will sign players tomorrow because it is not true. But we are trying very hard."

Wenger has often been told he needs a new keeper. But Szczesny added to his growing reputation after 58 minutes with the score on the night on a 1-1 knife-edge.

Thomas Vermaelen was pulled up for handball in the area, yet Di Natale saw his spot-kick superbly turned over by Polish ace Szczesny's left hand.

Di Natale had given Udinese a 33rd-minute lead.

But Van Persie levelled on 54 minutes and 15 minutes later Walcott darted through to seal the tie.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal fail with Kaka loan move as Real Madrid insist on permanent deal Arsenal have had a loan bid rejected for Real Madrid midfielder Kaka.

Manager Arsene Wenger tried to act quickly to appease fans in the wake of Samir Nasri’s move to Manchester City, which followed Cesc Fabregas’s switch to Barcelona.

But his bid for the Brazilian former World Player of the Year on a season-long loan was dismissed.

Wenger must now decide whether to try and buy Kaka, with Real boss Jose Mourinho known to be keen to off-load him.

Real want to get his £153,000-a-week salary off the books. They will want at least £17.5million.

Signing Kaka, 29, would be a statement of intent by Wenger, although the Frenchman would be loath to spend so much on a player with little resale value.

Kaka is settled in Madrid but featured just 20 times for Real last season.

Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo have also enquired.

Alex Ferguson warns Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic

ALEX FERGUSON has warned Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic: You have a fight on to win back your places.

Ferdinand will be fit for Manchester United's home date with Arsenal on Sunday, following a leg injury.

Vidic, though, is three weeks away with a calf problem.

In their absence, young stars Phil Jones, 19, Jonny Evans, 23, and Chris Smalling, 21, excelled in the back four in Monday's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

The United team in that Old Trafford match was the second-youngest boss Ferguson had fielded in Premier League history, with an average age of 23 years 191 days.

And now Ferdinand, 32, skipper Vidic, 29, and the rest of the club's established stars know they have a new challenge on their hands to retain regular first-team football.

Ferguson said: "Rio and Nemanja are aware of the abilities of the young players. There is no question about that.

"When they are both fit, or one of them is, I will have a decision to make."

England boss Fabio Capello could reward Smalling with a senior call-up for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers, while Jones has been selected as part of Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad.

Smalling admitted: "I'd see an England call-up as a bonus.

"For now, I'm focused on cementing my place here at Manchester United.

"If I can do that, getting selected for England will be easier."

It is not just the established defenders who have a battle on their hands.

In midfield, 22-year-old Tom Cleverley has laid down the gauntlet to the likes of 30-year-old Michael Carrick, while Dimitar Berbatov, 30, watched as Danny Welbeck, 20, scored one goal and created another in the victory over Spurs.

Juan Mata: I’ll get Fernando Torres firing again

JUAN MATA has promised to get Chelsea striker Fernando Torres scoring goals again.

The midfielder, 23, completed his £26million switch from Valencia yesterday after agreeing a five-year-deal.

And Torres reckons Mata's move could kick-start his Stamford Bridge career.

Spanish ace Mata revealed this week he had snubbed interest from Arsenal and Tottenham to join the Blues.

And now he wants to help his countryman become more bullish in front of goal and lift silverware in the process.

Mata said: "Fernando got me excited about the thought of coming here.

"He said it would be good for me here and that me and him together could be good."

Mata's arrival will be a huge boost to Torres ? he has struggled to live up to his £50million transfer fee following his move from Liverpool in January. He scored just one goal for the Blues last season and has yet to get off the mark this term.

Mata's fee puts him in the top 10 for transfers paid by an English club.

He will be in contention to make his Blues bow at home to Norwich on Saturday.

And his introduction comes just 24 hours after Chelsea paraded £20m striker Romelu Lukaku and £4.5m midfielder Oriol Romeu.

Mata knows what boss Andre Villas-Boas wants from him in his Blue revolution.

The Spaniard said: "The manager said he wanted Chelsea to play more attacking football this season and that I would be a big part of that.

"Villas-Boas is someone who won almost everything with Porto last year and we are both here with the idea of winning lots this season.

"The plan is that I can play on either flank or even in the middle playing in between the lines of midfield and attack.

"I like to keep the ball and use it well.

"I am an attacking player and, above all, I like to set up goals and score them also.

"I want to adapt as quickly as possible to my new surroundings, my colleagues and this league.

"And I would love to win a trophy in my first season. If it can be the Premier League, then great.

"Right from the first moment there have been good feelings all around me here.

"Training has been great and the players are a great group to train with.

"Valencia was a big club but I have left to join a bigger club and it is all about the opportunity to win trophies and I have that here."

Mata admitted it was difficult to leave the Mestalla but it was time to move on. Valencia have cashed in after snapping up the youngster for nothing from Real Madrid's B team in 2007.

Mata said: "It's a new endeavour in my life, to develop personally and professionally. So I took the most logical decision.

"I spoke with president Manuel Llorente as I wanted to know if the offer was a good help for the club in economic terms.

"I came in at zero cost and I leave a lot of money behind.

"I can only give thanks to the club for trusting in me as a 19-year-old who came over from a Second Division club."

Former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has raided his old club for a FIFTH time.

Arnesen is now working for German club Hamburg in a similar role.

And he picked up defender Slobodan Rajkovic, 22, for an undisclosed fee yesterday.

The Serb links up with ex-Blues Michael Mancienne, Gokhan Tore, Jacopo Sala and Jeffrey Bruma.

Daniele De Rossi targeted by Man City as Mancini looks to continue spending

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini wants Daniele De Rossi to join Samir Nasri in a midfield dream team, capable of challenging on four fronts this season.

The Italian manager is on the verge of completing a £24million deal for Arsenal’s French playmaker, and already has Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Nigel De Jong and David Silva at his disposal.

But Mancini isn’t content to stop at just signing Nasri, and admits he’s also desperate to add Roma’s combative anchorman to his already bulging midfield.

‘I need something else in midfield because we have limited options,’ said the City boss.

‘Daniele De Rossi would be absolutely perfect for this team and I rate him as one of the best midfielders in the world.

‘But I also have the suspicion that he will stay in Rome his entire career, just like Francesco Totti has done.

‘I have Barry, De Jong, Milner and Toure - but if you consider the number of games in the league, the Champions League and the FA Cup that is not enough.’