Benayoun Out With Injury

Arsenal's summer loan signing Yossi Benayoun will be out for around a week after picking up a "strain" in the clubs third round tie against League Two side Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.

The Israeli midfielder scored his first Arsenal goal in the Carling Cup tie, and announced his delight via his official Twitter account, but also delivered the bad news that he joins the Arsenal injury list, saying:

"So happy for the win yesterday and with my first goal for the club but very disappointed as I have a strain and will be out for a week or so."

Luckily for Arsenal and Wenger, Benayoun's injury is not too serious, and the 31 year-old attacking midfielder, who is owned by Chelsea, will only miss the Bolton game on Saturday and perhaps the Champions League group game against Olympiacos on Wednesday 28th.

Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Sebastian Squillaci, Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen remain injured for Arsenal. Read more about those players' injuries on Arsenal's official website here.

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Watch: Torres Miss vs Manchester United

Chelsea needed a goal. Manchester United were still two goals ahead, but another Chelsea goal could change the game. Suddenly Rameires threads a ball through the United defence to a striker who cost £50 million. He is one-on-one with the David de Gea who he cleverly shifts around with apparent ease. He has an open net before him. What happens next?

 

I forgot to mention. The striker was Fernando Torres.

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PICTURE: Cole "Tackle" on Hernandez

Courtesy of http://lockerz.com/s/139904516

Manchester United came out on top in a dramatic game at Old Trafford, but United will be hoping Javier Hernandez will overcome this challenge from Ashley Cole late in the second half. As United's Mexican striker struck a rebound into the side netting, Ashley Cole came in with a lunging challenge which could have been very dangerous indeed.

Sir Alex Ferguson described it as a "shocking tackle" and that Hernandez may be out for a couple of weeks.

Hernandez was treated, clearly in a lot of pain, but was able to hobble off of the pitch to be substituted by Dimitar Berbatov. Cole was yellow carded, but no penalty was given.

Match report to follow.

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Another Who "Dreams" Of Playing For Arsenal

It seems to be the classic line when either a player has just joined a new club, or if he is pushing frantically for a move. It's a favourite among the players, is lapped up eagerly by the fans and is very pleasant for the clubs confidence and ego. So as the player will be pleasing pretty much everyone, why not use the endearing story that it is a "dream come true" to represent their new club?

The former West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder, who has joined Arsenal on loan for the season, Yossi Benayoun, has given us an insight into what goes on his head when it is upon his London based pillow at night, following in the footsteps of another new Arsenal signing in Joel Campbell.

The Israeli spoke about his hopes that he may stay at his "dream" club Arsenal beyond the end of this season, as well as wishing to win some silverware at the Emirates. Having played a part in only two games for the club since his loan, the Arsenal manager Wenger believes it is too early to consider a permanent deal, but Benayoun is eager to impress. He said:

"For me, the main thing is concentrating on having a good season and trying to take this opportunity with both hands. I’m sure, if I do well, the connection will continue together."

"Especially when you get to a big club, you want to win trophies. I was very close with Liverpool and was also very close with West Ham. When you reach a club like Arsenal, you dream about winning trophies and I’m sure we have the quality to do it." 

"It is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I have been lucky enough to play for a few big clubs in my career and when I got the chance to play for a big club like Arsenal, it was like a dream come true."

He may be "sure" that Arsenal have the quality needed to win some trophies, but other are not so optimistic. A nightmarish start to the Premier League season has seen a little relief with the clubs first win of the season against Swansea, but performances will need drastic improvement to challenge the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City who have started so well.

Benayoun's admission that it is a "dream" to play for Arsenal will make him a little more popular with the fans, but something that will see him rise higher in their estimations is if he were able to help them to a first trophy in six years. If he can do that in his first and perhaps only season at Arsenal, he will certainly be living the dream.

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The Great Football Experiment

Some believe that with the right training, you can achieve anything, and Ivory FC, a First Division side of the Brentwood Sunday League in Essex, who describe themselves as "the home of sexy football," are hoping to discover if that really is true.

The Sunday League team, who are yet to win a trophy since their formation in 2007, recently won Nivea for Men's 'Great Football Experiment' in which the Ivory FC squad will be the subject of intense training by three of England's top former footballers.

Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins, ex-Liverpool and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, and former England manager Terry Venables will train "not the most talented bunch in the world" in an attempt to create a side capable of defeating a team of England legends in December.

The Ivory side will be helped with top class preparation on par with that of professionals, with training sessions with FA and England coaches, support from top physio's, advice on nutrition to keep them in shape, and a brand new Umbro kit, just to give them that all important look of professionalism.

However, despite experience at the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, the coaches may have a rather large task at hand. With a player who "refuse to play in matches, just in case he gets injured,"one nicknamed "The Monster" as he "terrifies all strikers and buffets," and one who lives by the motto, "passing and turning up on time are for wimps," this isn't going to be easy.

Terry Venables was optimistic on his new sides chances of turning from a Sunday League team into world beaters (or close), saying: "It's not going to be easy, but if the lads listen, learn and put in 100% commitment, we might just surprise a few people."


Keep up to date with the latest on Ivory FC's progress here, and why not have a look at the clubs website to find out about the individual players, their fixtures and results here. DBS Football will be keeping you up to date on the clubs progress to see if preparation really can be everything.

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The Sickening Thought of Fabregas At Chelsea

If Liverpool fans had an appalling disgust which turned their stomachs seeing Fernando Torres wearing the blue of Chelsea, just think of the unimaginable repulsion Arsenal fans might feel if they were to set their eyes upon their talismanic captain, Cesc Fabregas scurrying around the pitch wearing the Chelsea kit. That tiny strip of red around the neck of the Chelsea strip would be a sickening reminder of the wonders Fabregas produced at the Emirates with his vision, creativity, and an innate understanding of timing and space being used against Arsenal for the blues.

That would be the situation if the current Arsenal captain would agree to a reported move worth £50 million funded by Chelsea's billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich. Several newspapers have splashed the news across their back pages, with Arsenal fans, and perhaps even Barcelona fans feeling their heart skip a beat or two before realising that it must be just another ludicrous rumour which, even if it were true, Wenger and those in charge at Arsenal would never agree to.

Fabregas would surely not disrespect the club he has stayed so loyal to for so long by moving across London to join his clubs relatively local rivals while joining his compatriot Fernando Torres in attempting to lift the Premier League trophy.
The Daily Mail says: "...billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly set his sights on gazumping a rival bid from Barcelona and will launch a £50m bid for the Spain international in the summer."

Football is dominated by money. Some club owners give it away like cheap sweets, footballers take it and ask for more like little children, and football agents take up the parenting role by telling their clients what they should and shouldn't be having. Surely though, players like Fabregas, who clearly love football, and have loyalty tattooed into their hearts do not find money as the main attraction to play for a club.

Fabregas has been loyal to Arsenal, but has an obvious love for Barcelona - a love he cannot really be blamed for. He was a Barcelona supporter as a child as he grew up there, and they now play some of the best football with the best players in the world while they win trophies left right and centre; currently sitting comfortably top of La Liga - he has reason to be attracted to them.
Apart from a slightly improved chance of winning the English Premier League and a bigger salary, I can't think why the little play maker would want to go to Chelsea from Arsenal.

In the end, it is all about the players decision, and, in conclusion, any possible move to Chelsea is pretty much out of the question for Fabregas if he keeps to his word. Remember:

“If I decide to leave Arsenal, it will be to wear the shirt of Barcelona

and

“If I leave, it will only for Barcelona. I just wish to leave, whether they [Barcelona] want me or not,”

Marek Hamsik to Man Utd or Chelsea?

Despite being treated to a January transfer window filled to the rim with big money, big name, controversial moves here, there, and everywhere, the next transfer window is already being eagerly anticipated with rumours starting to fly around like paper aeroplanes in an unruly classroom. They just can't be stopped. Even if the player involved in a rumour has only recently signed a new contract with his club, they are linked to moves away. Probably because money is far more powerful than loyalty nine times out of ten in today's footballing, business-like world.

Getting to this rumour, and Manchester United are still searching for that special talent (and they need to be special) to replace Paul Scholes in the centre of the United midfield. Charlie Adam of Blackpool was linked to a move in January, but Sir Alex Ferguson recently accepted that Blackpool needed him for the rest of the season for them to stay in the division.

Nuri Sahin, the German born Turkish international playing his football for Borussia Dortmund is also rumoured to be interesting Sir Alex with his creative ability, passing, awareness and vision that have made Scholes such a great player.

Stephen Defour, again, another name that Ferguson is keen on. It is well known the admiration Ferguson has for the Belgian midfielder as he wrote him a get well soon letter after the Standard Liege play maker broke his leg in 2009.

But it is Marek Hamsik, the Slovakian 23 year-old who is apparently bleeping loudly on the Manchester United radar. Hamsik has received wide admiration for his ability on the ball and has been linked to many a top club including Chelsea and Liverpool, while the player himself said it would be "difficult to say not to Manchester United". In an interview, Hamsik praised the English League and the atmosphere in England while his agent claimed that a move is a "possibility".

The price? Well, you don't have to know much about football to know that even average players are currently being sold for well over what they should be realistically being valued at. That's not to say that Hamsik is average, but £35 million is a lot of money for a player unproven in England and would be one hell of a risk for that amount.

Having said that, Chelsea are also strongly linked. They just paid £50 million and £25 million for Torres and David Luiz respectively. They don't mind a risk or two (or three) it seems. The price is so high because Hamsik signed a contract extension at his Italian club Napoli only recently, and to buy that contract obviously increases the asking price.

I can't see Ferguson spending £35 million on Hamsik, despite his obvious talent. I am also unsure, as many people are about this UEFA fair play money rule. How can Chelsea get round it if they splash another ludicrous amount to add to the £75 million they have already spent, when this is exactly the kind of spending that UEFA were supposedly trying to stop.

It is just a rumour.

Suarez - Torres Partner or Replacement?

Just when things were looking good for Liverpool, along come Chelsea to ruin it. Liverpool have had a bid accepted for Ajax striker Luis Suarez, a top quality proven striker that could be the perfect foil for the out of form Fernando Torres. But while the Liverpool fans had a chance to imagine the beautiful link up and combination play that Torres and Suarez could perform together, banging in goal after goal and rejuvenating the Liverpool side to pull them back up the table, Chelsea bid a tempting £35 million.

Those dreams have been interrupted, temporarily at least, as Torres has apparently asked Liverpool not to just dismiss the offer, but to listen to it - to consider it. The offer has of course been rejected by Liverpool who value their star striker far higher than £35 million, but if Torres wants reconsideration, his heart and head can't be in the cause. His performances on the field suggest exactly that, with him dipping in and out of matches and not performing anywhere near the quality expected of him.

Since writing Torres has submitted a transfer request, and had it rejected by Liverpool. A Liverpool statement read:

"Torres has this even submitted a transfer request - this request has been rejected."

Some reports suggest that Chelsea will return with a renewed offer of £40 million and English striker Danny Sturridge. In Torres' current poor form and irritating knack for picking up strangely soft injuries this is certainly an offer that should be considered. The Reds have been linked to Danny Sturridge in the past, with the former Manchester City man reportedly asking to go out on loan to Liverpool for more first team opportunities. Sturridge is a very promising young striker, and has the ability to easily nail his name to the Liverpool team sheet on a regular basis, with Liverpool's attacking force still low on numbers despite the excellent addition of Suarez. They would then also have the £40 million to do what they like with; bring in a new left and/or right back, a winger and a creative midfielder, all involved in the process of building a new team for Kenny Dalglish.

If it is true that Torres has effectively asked to leave, it is a doubly big blow for Liverpool who thought the addition of a big name striker would persuade Torres of the high future aspirations of the club. Torres must know that he isn't playing well, and his team have been playing much the same for the whole season, so a way out for him to a club who, although not having a great second half of the season, look more likely to nick a Champions League spot, is an improvement.

So, Suarez may not even get the chance to play alongside Fernando Torres despite his multi-million pound move, and may have to settle for either David N'gog or Danny Sturridge.

I can't really see Torres moving to Chelsea, mainly because Liverpool will do everything they can to keep him. If Torres wants to go and makes it very clear he wants to go, then a deal would look more likely, but with the limited amount of time before the window shuts, Liverpool's stubbornness to keep their star strike should be enough to fend off pursuers for at least the summer window.

This is yet another transfer saga ready to drag itself through every news source possible until the summer, unless of course Torres dismisses the rumours and expresses his loyalty to the club. I hate hearing that ever familiar line we hear from footballers that although very true, is also very uninspiring not at all reassuring for fans: "Anything can happen in football".

Tottenham v Man Utd - Will the Unbeaten Run Be Broken?

Tottenham will take on Manchester United on Sunday in a bid to jump above Chelsea and go fourth in the table whilst breaking United's 25 game unbeaten run. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four home matches in the league against big four opposition, but will they be able to defeat the League leaders who beat them in a controversial 2 - 0 win earlier this season? They will certainly be looking for revenge.

Tottenham fancy themselves too, and probably with good reason. United have not been playing their best football, especially away from home - recording only two away wins in the last nine away games. Their home form and lack of losses is what is keeping them top. However, the away form must improve, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that the improvement will start with a convincing win at Tottenham.

The Spurs manager said:

"I couldn't see them remaining unbeaten. It's not impossible but I don't see them doing that. I don't see that they are on another planet to the other teams. They are favourites to win the league but not to go unbeaten."

"They haven't hit the heights this year, but they keep winning games and they haven't been beaten. We are playing well. We are a better team than played United last year. We have got every chance. We are at home. We will give them a real game."

The matches between these two team are often littered with controversial moments and often prove to be brilliant entertainment, as both sides love to attack and believe they can win. Tottenham and England defender Michael Dawson will be doing his best to prevent the United attack grabbing a winning goal on Sunday, and he also believes that his teammates are good enough to defeat United:

"Yes they're on a good run and are top of the form table for a reason. But, hopefully, on Sunday we can be the first team to beat them. We want to win things and that means the title. We want to be contenders year after year. And to do that you have to beat the likes of United."

He will be up against a particularly experienced attacker in Ryan Giggs. The Welsh veteran may not have the speed to get around as many players as he could when his sparkling career began, but he can still influence his teammates with his hardworking culture and natural skill. An appearance for Giggs will take his appearance count reach a massive 600 - only 6 appearances away from fellow United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. He is now 37, but his career glides on, and last week played the whole 90 minutes, which impressed his manager:

"His [Ryan Giggs's] fitness was fantastic last week, he was going for the whole 90 minutes up and down the pitch, and he's been doing that for two decades... There is no other player that's ever done that or ever likely to do that... He's quite an amazing man"

His old team mate, David Beckham will not be making an appearance however. He has been training with Tottenham, but a signing has not been completed and doesn't look as if it will be, so none of his trademark crosses will be dropping into the United box onto the head of Peter Crouch, or Spurs' top scorer this season, Rafael van der vaart. The Dutchman has scored 9 league goals, and will be a big threat to United's back line which may contain fellow countryman Edwin van dar sar and Nemanja Vidic after returning from injuries.

Gareth Bale will be threatening the young Rafael on the left wing, which should prove a tough test for the Brazilian who has started to play a lot more for United as Gary Neville eases out of the United team, looking set for retirement. Rooney could be back for the Red Devils, so there will be no lack of attacking football from both sides.

With Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea already recording wins this week-end, both teams need the win. Tottenham have the home crowds support and the motivation of breaking the 6th longest unbeaten run in Premier League history, while United will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, and keep that brilliant run going.

I'm looking forward to it.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Verge of Arsenal Move?

The Daily Mail claim an "exclusive"  in relation to the young Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who has been compared to Theo Walcott and is close to a £5 million move to Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has apparently had to move for the 17 year-old after he attracted interest from top Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, and are now the favourites to sign the League 1 starlet because of the Gunners previous dealings involving Theo Walcott.

Chamberlains dad, Mark, a former footballer and winger himself, has worked with both Walcott and of course his son, and thinks - with probably a hint of bias, that his son is overall, the more gifted; ‘I’ve worked with both. As an all-round technical player Alex has more to offer.’

Liverpool had also been strongly linked to the young winger, as new manager Kenny Dalglish looks for support for under performing Fernando Torres. A figure of £10 million had been suggested, and that is the price that the buying club will probably, in the end have to pay, considering the amount of games he gets and so on. It seems a steep amount for such a young player who is unproven at the highest quality to me, but I'm sure I will be proved wrong.

Do Arsenal need Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain though? They have Walcott already, and both players play in the same position and from what I hear have pretty much the same qualities. They both started off at Southampton and both claim the one and two spot in the Southampton statistics of youngest appearance maker. Lets hope that the player, no matter if he does jump ship to Arsenal or not, can show the potential that his father, the Southampton coaching staff and scouts of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all obviously see.

It has been said that Theo Walcott would have benefited from staying at Southampton a few seasons longer instead of jumping into such a higher League so soon, and that way, he may have gained more experience and made a bigger impact at Arsenal. Perhaps Arsenal, if the deal does go through should consider loaning Chamberlain back to Southampton or a Championship side for first team football.

United's Night as Arsenal, City & Chelsea Fail to Win

Arsenal and Manchester City had the chance tonight to gain valuable ground on the now comfortable leaders at the top of this years very close Premier League, Manchester United. Neither team took their chance, and the game ended in a dull stalemate, mainly thanks to the incredibly negative, defensive performance from Manchester City.

They have one of the best squads in the whole League, with some fantastic attacking players with good strength in depth, yet City manager Roberto Mancini seems reluctant to show his attacking players off. Tevez played up front on his own for the whole game, and had next to no chances. Three defensive midfielders for City too, with Yaya Toure switching from his current attacking form, to slotting in with Barry and De Jong to stop any Arsenal attacks. With their four at the back and three just ahead, even Arsenal's renowned passing ability, could not cut through the opposing defence.

The tale was attack against defence, and it only produced a dull, unimpressive stalemate, with few highlights. Arsenal hit the post a couple of times in the first half, but chances were so few as City got into their defensive mode, that the only exitement worth mentioning was the two sending offs, after Sagna and Zabaleta squared up and pushed against each-others heads with anger. It really summed up the frustration of Arsenal and all in the crowd, although Zabaleta seemed quite pleased with himself.

To Chelsea now, and if there were doubts as to whether they were out of the title race at the start of play, they can probably count themselves out now, bar a complete shambles of a run of results from the top three - which is unlikely to say the least.

An early Boswinga own-goal saw Wolves hang on for the rest of the match to take all three points ahead of supposed title challengers Chelsea. The Chelsea of last season would have at least managed a late equaliser, but it was not to be, and Carlo Ancelotti's job is as unstable as ever at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool lost 3 - 1 to Blackburn. I assume you will have worked out that the result doesn't make Roy Hodgson any more popular than he was before, and it is likely that he may be out of a job very soon. Gerrard got the only Liverpool goal, won a penalty and missed it very late on. It sums up Liverpool's season so far really. I have supported Hodgson as  don't believe he was being judged fairly, with supporters looking for immediate solutions to quite obviously large problems within the club both off the pitch and on it. However, I can't see Hodgson surviving this one - and if he does survive a little longer, he will see his side face Manchester United in the F.A Cup. I imagine a win there still wouldn't save him from the sack but playing as they are, a win is unlikely.

They didn't play, but all this is good news for Manchester United. Now two points clear of City, having played two games less, and four points clear of Arsenal having played one game less. Chelsea are nine points behind United and out of the title race - so is this title United's to lose now?

Honda & Sturridge Want Liverpool Move

More January transfer news now, and this time over at Liverpool where Hodgson is scouring the world for players who can turn his fortunes around - with the help of his director of football strategy whose name seems to be everywhere in relation to Liverpool transfer targets, Damien Comolli. It has emerged today that Liverpool are the front runners to sign both Keisuke Honda of CSKA Moscow, and Danny Sturridge of Chelsea, as both players are reportedly keen to play at Anfield.

Keisuke Honda represented his country, Japan in the 2010 World Cup and scored a couple of goals thanks to his amazingly powerful free kick technique. He currently plays his club football in Russia at CSKA Moscow, but his agent has suggested a move to Liverpool could be on the cards. Honda had previously been linked with a move to Arsenal, but a Liverpool switch is far more likely. Kees Ploegsma, the players agent, said that the move was only speculation at the moment, as the Reds have not made a firm bid, but Liverpool and the Premier League is where he wants to be:

“If he could move to a club like Liverpool it would be great, but the two clubs must come to an agreement first. The Premier League is a great competition which he would like to play in.”

The situation with the young Chelsea striker, Danny Sturridge is less clear, but it is thought that the 21 year-old has requested a loan move away from Stamford Bridge, with his preferred option being Liverpool. The former Manchester City player has made only 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring in none of them, and a good run in a team would do his confidence - and goal rate the world of good.

Once tipped to be the player of his generation, he is now a bench warmer for Chelsea, and seeking a temporary move away to prove he can handle the Premier League. No doubt he has potential, but if he isn't given the chance to show it, his talents will have been wasted.

Roy Hodgson will be keen to strengthen his attacking force, and with Honda being an impressive attacking midfielder and Sturridge being a classy striker with bags of potential, Liverpool will be moving in the right direction with these two signings.

Chris Samba is what Arsenal & Wenger are Looking For

Arsene Wenger's latest comments in relation to the January transfer window seem to strengthen the speculation that Chris Samba of Blackburn may be on his way to the Emirates.

Wenger said:

“As January approaches, I’m often asked about transfers. There is no definite situation either way, but first of all it depends if we find on the market what we think would really give us a plus.

“But I would advise you not to expect miracles in January – a high number of people have played in Europe so wouldn’t be able to help us in the Champions League, while clubs that have good players don’t necessarily want to sell them.

“So it’s highly unlikely that you just find a player you need in January. It’s not about spending money – it’s more about finding the right players to strengthen a squad that, in quality and numbers, is already very strong.”

Who has not played in Europe and is therefore not cup-tied to play against Barcelona? Who is a powerful, strong, athletic defender with vast experience as a natural leader - and a captain in the Premier League? Who has expressed his desire to leave his current club with the club seemingly resigned to letting him go? Yes, Congolese international Christopher Samba. Most of Wenger's issues with the January transfer market do not apply to this defender who would slot in nicely in Arsenal's back line and strengthen their squad depth.

Despite Wenger saying "It's not about spending money", Samba wouldn't cost the Arsenal manager a huge amount, with around £8 million the price being circulated.

There is that other possibility that Arsene Wenger doesn't feel like additions are needed, and after the 3 - 1 mauling of Champions Chelsea on Monday night, it is easy to see why. However, there are still critics who believe strengthening the sometimes suspect defence wouldn't do Arsenal any harm, especially when they will be up against an attacking force which has trampled the Arsenal defence with ease before, and is probably the best in the world. Barcelona.

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Watch: Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea

First Half Action and Goal

Second Half Action and Goals

"Arsenal Will Win the Premier League 2010/11"

According to my poll which has been open since the beginning of the season, and has registered 420 votes, Arsenal will win the Barclay's Premier League 2010/11.

The Gunners received 226 votes - 53% of the overall total, while Manchester United came in at second with 122 votes and 29% of the overall total.

Chelsea were voted in 3rd with 31 votes and 7 % of the total, and the rest you can see for yourself.

It must be said that the poll means absolutely nothing, but it is interesting to see what people think, so thanks for voting!

Tevez Withdraws his Transfer Request

The latest twist in the Tevez transfer tale is that the former Manchester United striker has withdrawn his request to leave City. A Manchester City statement read:

"Carlos expressed his absolute commitment to the Club and formally withdrew his transfer request. Carlos’ contract remains unchanged and both Carlos and the Football Club are keen to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead."   

So what has changed the Argentinians mind? Probably nothing at all. Earlier in the month he was absolutely certain he wanted to leave the club because he had fallen out with certain members of the club, and that there was no way he would re think his decision - thus handing in a transfer request. Clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea were reportedly ready to swoop for the uncommitted player who was also apparently thinking of retirement.

Now, just before tonight's game against Everton - at Manchester City's ground, he withdraws his transfer request and praised by his manager:

 "Carlos is a world class player whose contribution since he joined the club has been invaluable"

He may have changed his mind because he knows that if City want to keep him at the club, they will. They are under no pressure to sell as they don't need the money, and they certainly won't want to sell to a title rival in England. Or is it simply an attempt to avoid a frosty reception from the home crowd tonight aimed at the disloyal former captain? Rooney didn't totally avoid a controversial reception after his contract ordeal at Manchester United and there will be certain members of tonight's crowd that take a disliking to the Tevez situation.

Snow Ruins the Football Week-end As Matches are Postponed

Premier League Postponements

Arsenal v Stoke

Birmingham v Newcastle

Liverpool v Fulham

Wigan v Aston Villa

AND
NOW

Chelsea v Manchester United

A week-end of football is destroyed because of masses of snow falling from the sky and settling on and around the grounds - leaving the surrounding areas to dangerous for fans to walk along.
A Liverpool spokesperson said:

"Although the Anfield pitch is playable, the conditions around the stadium and further afield for people travelling to the match are such that the decision was taken, following police advice on safety grounds, to postpone the game. All existing tickets will remain valid for the rearranged fixture and supporters will be advised of the new date as soon as possible."

It is pretty much the same story everywhere else, with the club, referee or local authorities deeming the surrounding area of the stadium too hazardous, despite the best efforts of ground staff.

The postponement of the Arsenal game against Stoke is probably a big disappointment for the Arsenal fans in particular. They would have loved to give Ryan Shawcross a right old rollicking because of the Aaron Ramsey incident, but that will have to be delayed for a little while until a new date is figured out. Arsenal could have also taken advantage ahead of the Chelsea - Manchester United game on Sunday, as a win against Stoke would have put them top of the table, and therefore put more pressure on the two teams to win at Stamford Bridge.
However, now the big game between Chelsea and United has been called off a day in advance because of the weather. It may be seen as good news for some United fans, as it means Paul Scholes, who would have been still recovering from an injury on Sunday, should now be ready to play in the renewed fixture. This snow is changing everything.

Snow, snow, snow. How big a part could it play in the title race?

Arsenal v Barcelona, Man United v Mareille, Spurs v AC - CL Draw

Champions League last 16 draw

Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk

AC Milan v Tottenham

Valencia v Schalke

Inter Milan v Bayern Munich

Lyon v Real Madrid

Arsenal v Barcelona

Marseille v Manchester United

Copenhagen v Chelsea

First legs to be played on 15/16 and 22/23 February

Second legs to be played on 8/9 and 15/16 March

Watch: Tottenham 1 - 1 Chelsea

Tottenham 1 - 0 Chelsea - Pavlyuchenko

Tottenham 1 - 1 Chelsea - Drogba

Manchester United Target Schweinsteiger signs New Deal

Bastein Schweinsteiger, reported target of Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, has signed a new contract at Bayern Munich which runs until 2016. This news leaves Sir Alex Ferguson still looking for a central midfielder of real quality to come in and take the reigns from Paul Scholes in leading the United midfield line.

It had been widely suggested that the German was ready to leave Bayern for England, with him admitting that his brother begs him regularly to join the Old Trafford side, but this news has dashed his brothers (and United fans') chances of seeing the 26 year-old proudly wearing the red of United.

Schweinsteiger announced his future in a microphone after a win at the Allianz Arena. He told the fans:

"I have extended my contract and will stay at FC Bayern until 2016. Long live Bayern!"

United do look likely to sign Steven Defour of Standard Liege in the close future however. The Belgian has been a long term target of Ferguson and it is highly likely that the Scotsman will swoop for the central midfielder before any other team does as he looks to strenghten his midfield.


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