Gazidis: Arsenal are strongly placed to succeed over the long term

The Gunners chief executive believes that the sometimes-criticised approach taken at the Emirates Stadium is paying off, following a pre-tax profit of £36.6 million for 2011-12

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes that the club’s latest financial figures show that the Gunners are well-placed for success over the long term.

The American claims that the pre-tax profit of £36.6 million demonstrates that their model for running the north London side, which has been criticised in recent years, is paying off.

Wages at the Emirates Stadium increased from £124m to £143m from 2010-11 to 2011-12, but Gazidis insists that the Gunners are in ready to fulfil Uefa’s Financial Fair Play guidelines aimed at forcing European clubs to live within their means.

Clubs, fans and other stakeholders in the game are demanding a more rational financial approach and this reinforces our conviction that our club is strongly placed to succeed over the long-term,” Gazidis said in a statement.

“We have qualified for the Champions League for the 15th season in a row whilst off the pitch we have a business strategy and infrastructure that is helping us to grow our revenues.

“This revenue growth will provide sustainable funds for future investment in the team whilst keeping within the Uefa Financial Fair Play requirements. We can and will forge our own path to success.”

Arsenal sit in fifth place in the Premier League, having remained unbeaten through their first five matches of the new season.

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/27/3408215/gazidis-arsenal-are-strongly-placed-to-succeed-over-the-long

O’Neill demands Cattermole improvement following League Cup red card

The Sunderland manager remains an admirer of the midfielder’s quality but insists that he must change his poor disciplinary record after being sent off against MK Dons

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has acknowledged that captain Lee Cattermole‘s disciplinary problems must be addressed.

The 24-year-old was sent off for the seventh time in his career on Tuesday after a reckless challenge on Adam Chicksen in the 2-0 victory over MK Dons in the third round of the League Cup.

Cattermole will now sit out Sunderland’s next three games, including the clash with arch-rivals Newcastle on October 21.

“I have had a wee bit more time to reflect on it, and certainly Lee has as well – he’s got most of a month,” O’Neill told Sky Sports.

“He is obviously very, very sorry, but ‘sorry’ doesn’t help us now, not only over that particular game itself, which we could have lost, but the games coming up now.

“We will see, but again, there are many qualities to him for one so young as a captain of the team. But you just can’t be stepping over the mark like that.”

O’Neill insists, however, that he remains an admirer of the midfielder’s qualities as a player and captain despite acknowledging the need to improve his temperament.

“He does so many good things for us, both as a player and as a captain as well,” he claimed. “But you can’t be that rash. You can occasionally, but you have got to learn, and more so than ever before now.

“You can’t be lunging in at players, your foot off the ground, now. You can hurt an opponent, that’s obviously the problem and that’s why referees are, in the main, cracking down on it.

“If you overrun the ball, sorry, you will just have to let it go. Let it go and don’t be lunging in to try to win it and the possibility of being sent off the pitch.”

 

This can also be found on http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2920/league-cup/2012/09/27/3407948/oneill-demands-cattermole-improvement-following-league-cup

Vaughan playing catch-up to get back into Sunderland team

The 29-year-old reveals his frustrations after suffering a groin injury on the eve of the Black Cats’ tour to South Korea, which ruled him out of most of pre-season

Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan admits that he is facing an uphill task to reach the same level as his midfield rivals after recovering from a hernia operation.

The 29-year-old Welshman suffered a groin injury on the eve of the Black Cats’ first match on their pre-season tour of South Korea and returned to action for the club’s Under-21 side in a 2-2 draw against arch-rivals Newcastle on Tuesday, playing the full 90 minutes.

Despite his comeback, Vaughan believes that he is playing catch up with his team-mates after missing such a large chunk of summer training and expects a tough task to get back in the starting XI.

“Pre-season was very frustrating for me,” the former Blackpool man told the Sunderland Echo.

“I finished the season with the injury and, for one reason or another, it didn’t get sorted during the summer break. It was tough to have the operation at that time, but I’ve just got to get back into it now.

“It is tough when you miss pre-season. You come back and the rest of the players are much further ahead fitness-wise.

“You’re playing catch-up the whole time so you know it’s going to be a couple of months down the line before you’re at the same level.

“But the season is halfway through by then. Players are playing for their place during pre-season as well and putting ideas in the manager’s head. You miss that opportunity which can be frustrating.”

Vaughan scored two goals in 27 outings for the club in his maiden year at the Stadium of Light and hopes to fight his way back into the team soon.

“There’s obviously quite a few central midfielders at the club and we’ve all got different attributes. But hopefully I can get a chance and hold my place in the tea

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/21/3391763/vaughan-playing-catch-up-to-get-back-into-sunderland-team

Baines: Anichebe ready to come in and fill anybody’s boots at Everton

The 27-year-old has been impressed with the Nigerian striker’s start to the season and believes he will be an able replacement for injured forward Nikica Jelavic

Everton defender Leighton Baines has heaped praise on team-mate Victor Anichebe following his impressive start to the season.

The powerful Nigerian has netted twice in just three appearances for the Toffees this term, and Baines believes the 24-year-old is starting to show his best form for the club.

The England full-back is equally confident that the hitman will prove an able replacement for star striker Nikica Jelavic, who is currently nursing a knee injury suffered in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Monday.

“Victor’s starting to grow into the role he needs to be in at the club,” Baines told Sky Sports.

“We want to get behind him…We don’t know what the situation is with Jela, but Victor is definitely more than capable of coming in.

“There’s not a centre-half in the world who isn’t going to find him a handful when he’s playing like that [against Newcastle].

“He’s ready to take on the role if needed. He’s ready to come in and fill anybody’s boots.

“Victor’s more a beast than a man at times. He can be a great asset to us and if he gets the chances he can show what he’s done in the glimpses we’ve seen him this season.”

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/20/3391643/baines-anichebe-ready-to-come-in-and-fill-anybodys-boots-at

‘Key player’ Dzeko won’t leave Manchester City for Juventus, insists Vieira

The Premier League champions’ football development executive rubbishes rumours that the Bosnian striker is set for a move to the Serie A giants after his goal against Real Madrid

Patrick Vieira has quashed rumours of Edin Dzeko leaving Manchester City with Italian giants Juventus the latest to be linked with the striker.

The Bosnia international, who joined City from Wolfsburg in January 2011, was strongly connected with a move away from the Premier League champions in the summer but the club’s football development executive indicated that any interest shown in the forward man by the Serie A holders would be a waste of their time.

“Dzeko to Juve? For us he is a key player,” Vieira told Tuttojuve.com.

“Did you see that goal he scored against Real Madrid [on Tuesday]? I’m sorry for the Bianconeri fans but the extraordinary strikers do not move from Manchester.”

Dzeko has enjoyed a fruitful start to the season with three goals in five appearances in all competitions, with a total of 28 goals in 68 games for City since his move from Germany.

The forward’s strike against Los Blancos on Tuesday ended up being in a losing cause as the Spaniards came back to win 3-2 in the Champions League encounter.

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/20/3391427/key-player-dzeko-wont-leave-manchester-city-for-juventus-insists-

 

Allardyce: There’s more to West Ham than Andy Carroll

The 57-year-old manager has urged his squad to show they can cope after the on-loan Liverpool striker was ruled out of action until mid-October with a hamstring injury

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has called on his side to prove their strength in depth in the absence of on-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

Carroll is expected to return to the side after the next international break but the Hammers are no closer to knowing when also-injured midfielder Jack Collison will make a comeback.

And Allardyce has challenged his squad to prove they can cope with injuries during the tough run of games which lie ahead.

“It depends on the likes of Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga stepping in and doing the business, making sure we use the strength of the squad when we need to,” Allardyce told Sky Sports.

“We have only got two players injured at the moment, a lot of other teams in the Premier League have more. If that continues, it will help us to be more and more consistent.

“Andy Carroll has only played 68 minutes for us. We have conceded just three goals, all at Swansea, and kept clean sheets in the other games.

“It is not all about Andy, but it is about us trying to perform as a team again on Saturday against Sunderland.”

Despite his bullishness, Allardyce did admit that the fitness of Collison is a major worry, with an ongoing knee problem preventing the midfielder from playing.

“Obviously Jack is a big concern because he has not kicked a ball for us yet since the end of last season,” Allardyce added.

“He was a major influence in our promotion year so we would love to get Jack back as quickly as we possibly can.”

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/20/3391313/allardyce-theres-more-to-west-ham-than-andy-carroll

Hodgson offers Owen England incentive to revive career

The Three Lions boss tells Stoke City’s new striker that, if he continues to play regularly and score, there is every chance of a future international recall for the 32-year-old

 

England manager Roy Hodgson has challenged Michael Owen to make a sensational return to the national side after more than four years in the wilderness.

he 32-year-old netted 40 times in 89 appearances for England but his last appearance for the Three Lions came in March 2008 against France.

After arriving at the Britannia Stadium following a struggle to find first-team football at Manchester United, Owen could yet make his way back into international contention.

“Any player, be he Michael Owen or anyone else, who is on fire, scoring goals and playing extremely well in the Premier League every week, they are going to come to our attention,” the Three Lions boss told reporters.

“We look at all players. I have chosen players so far on what I have seen in the Premier League over the last couple of years.

“I like Michael. Like all football lovers, I admire what he has done in the past.

“He’s had a wonderful career, it’s disappointing he hasn’t played as many games as he would like in the last couple of years.

“Now, hopefully, he will get the chance and we will wish him well.”

 

This also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3841/world-cup-2014/2012/09/16/3379833/hodgson-offers-owen-england-incentive-to-revive-career

 

‘Repeating last season’s Champions League triumph will be mission impossible for Chelsea’ – Souness

The former Liverpool skipper warns that the Blues will not be able to repeat their “lucky” feat from last season, especially without the influence of Didier Drogba in attack

Graeme Souness, a European Cup-winning captain for Liverpool in the 1980s, believes that Chelsea have no chance of retaining their European title if they stick with the same counterattacking tactics that they employed successfully last season.

The Blues won their first ever Champions League crown last May but the Scot reckons that that feat was the luckiest ever in the history of the competition.

“Chelsea got away with it last season and they can’t approach it the same way this time,” the former Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle manager told reporters.

“It is impossible. Nobody in the history of football has ever had that much luck.

“Chelsea fans have enjoyed the memory of lifting the cup but they wouldn’t have enjoyed the Barcelona and Bayern Munich games while they were taking place.”

Club owner Roman Abramovich has again spent big this summer, with the £32 million signing of Eden Hazard from Lille a major signal of intent for the Blues to build on last season’s success.

However, Souness maintains that Chelsea have no chance of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League unless they play in a more positive manner – and Fernando Torres scores the goals that departed club legend Didier Drogba had previously contributed.

He added: “Roberto Di Matteo can’t plan to repeat last season. Fair play to him for playing to Chelsea’s strengths, but I have concerns for Chelsea in all competitions this season because their get-out-of-jail-card, Didier Drogba, is playing his football in China.

“Even if Drogba hasn’t been able to do it for 90 minutes in recent years, how often did he save them by popping up with the vital goal, like he did in the final?

“I am hoping Fernando Torres can step up to the mark but they are some boots to fill, Drogba was the best centre forward of his type anywhere.

“Torres is playing with a bit more confidence now, he seems to be one of those players who needs to be loved to produce his best. But will he ever get back to his Liverpool best? I’m not sure.”

Chelsea begin their defence of the biggest prize in club football when they face Italian champions Juventus at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/09/16/3380015/repeating-last-seasons-champions-league-triumph-will-be

‘The gaffer has been top-class’ – Walker praises Tottenham boss Villas-Boas

The young England defender leaps to the defence of his Portuguese manager, insisting that it takes time for a team to gel, while believing that Spurs will hit form very soon

England full-back Kyle Walker has come out strongly in defence of manager Andre Villas-Boas despite Tottenham‘s shaky start to the Premier League season, insisting that he is the best man for the job.

Spurs travel to Reading on Sunday seeking their first win of the season, after accumulating just two points from their first three games, but the right-back is adamant that everyone is pulling together in the right direction despite some disappointing results.

Although Villas-Boas has won just three of his last 15 games in the English top flight, Walker is certain the 34-year-old former Porto and Chelsea manager is on the right track and that the tide will soon turn.

“The gaffer has been top-class tactically and, training-wise, it’s the hardest I can ever remember in my career,” he told reporters.

“Results may not have come but it takes time to gel. Personally, I don’t feel any pressure. If you feel pressure in football, you’re not going to play your best. Once we put into practice what we are working on in training, we could go out and beat someone 6-0. I’m certain it will come good.

“I was excited when he got the job. Chelsea are Chelsea; Spurs are Spurs.

“There has been no bickering whatsoever. The gaffer before was very old school but it’s modern-day football now. It’s fast, it’s quick, the tempo is frightening.”

Walker also revealed how fellow England full-back and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole praised the managerial quality of Villas-Boas, despite his ill-fated spell at Stamford Bridge, adding: “Ashley had nothing but positive things to say about him.

“I remember playing against Ashley when the gaffer was at Chelsea. He was incredibly difficult to mark because of the way the gaffer gets his full-backs playing.

“Jose Mourinho was known as the Special One – maybe he learned from him.”

 

This also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/16/3379925/the-gaffer-has-been-top-class-walker-praises-tottenham-boss

Mancini: Manchester City will be a top team like Real Madrid in 10 years’ time

The Premier League champions’ manager responds to opposite number Jose Mourinho, who had claimed that their money could not buy history ahead of their Champions League meeting

Roberto Mancini admits that his Manchester City side are nowhere near as big or successful as Real Madrid but expects them to be on the same level in 10 years’ time.

City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for their opening game in this year’s Champions League group stage, with the Italian hopeful that his team can put on a good display in the Spanish capital after suffering a disappointing exit in the same round last season.

Madrid boss Jose Mourinho — who once replaced Mancini at Inter — insisted ahead of the game that the Premier League champions’ money could not buy the history that his club boast.

Mancini reacted by telling reporters: “It’s clear we don’t have the history like Real Madrid but Manchester City have won some trophies.

“We want to win now. In the next 10 years we’ll be a top team like Real.”

The English title-holders have been linked with a swoop for Madrid’s Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has claimed to be “unhappy” at the Bernabeu and Mancini expects it to be tough facing the forward on Tuesday.

“If they leave Cristiano at home it’s better,” the City boss continued..

“Players like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are difficult to mark, these are players that score every game.

“It’s difficult because at this moment Ronaldo and Messi are the best players in the world.”

 

This can also be found on: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/09/16/3380239/mancini-manchester-city-will-be-a-top-team-like-real-madrid