Despite a 6-1 thrashing of Southampton on Saturday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels the future will be even more exciting for Arsenal fans as he praises his adaptable squad.
Wenger lost Robin van Persie and Alex Song in the summer but their replacements were the catalyst in the Gunners impressive display at the Emirates Stadium that ensured Arsenal remain unbeaten so far this season.
Wenger told talkSPORT that the fans are in for a pleasing time in the future if things plan out the way they should.
“It’s exciting because we have a good combination of youth and experience, of pace and technique. It’s very interesting. The crowd feels it and you see that the crowd gets behind the team,” he said.
“You feel there is something positive coming out of the team, a positive energy and that is the most pleasing thing for a manager.
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“They want to [win] they have a good bond, a good attitude and you feel as though there is potential there.”
It’s not a path that many footballers choose to travel but leaving the champions of England and returning home to the North East is something that suited Adam Johnson down to a tee. His bit part role at Manchester City certainly illustrated his immense talent but it also stunted his progression due to a lack of regular football.
Thankfully any fears over the winger becoming the latest home grown talent to fall fowl of a big money move have been put to bed thanks to Martin O’Neill’s inspired summer recruitment efforts and his £10m signing has become an instant fans favourite at the Stadium of Light despite hardly featuring for his new side this season.
As a local lad with red and white connections, his signature had been coveted by the Black Cats ever since his rise to prominence with rivals Middlesbrough and his protracted arrival via the Etihad Stadium has certainly excited supporters. Football FanCast’s Alex Churcher caught up with Adam, promoting the new Medal of Honor Warfighter, about settling in at Sunderland, playing for the national team and the upcoming North East derbies against Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Hi Adam, so tell us a bit about the event you’re currently attending. Are you any good at Medal of Honor?!
I am here promoting the new Medal of Honor game, I’ve been having a few goes but it’s hard to get me off it! I’ve been having a good day and having some banter with a couple of lads. This is the new one but I used to play the one before that, it gets quite addictive and my girlfriend kills me for being on the computer the whole time! I really enjoy the shooting games because I’m not that good at the football ones strangely enough!
From one battlefield to another, how are you settling in at Sunderland?
Yeah I’ve settled in pretty quick, obviously it’s like being back home for me. All the family are here so it’s been pretty easy for me. It wasn’t like changing clubs because it’s sort of like coming home.
Since you’re a local lad, you must be looking forward to your first Tyne-Wear derby in a few weeks?
It’s all that gets talked about up in the North East and obviously if I’m lucky enough to play in the one in a couple of weeks, it’s going to be a massive occasion. I’m really excited about it, I’ve heard the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable and for me these are the sort of games you want to play in as player.
Funnily enough because you grew up in the region fans have heard differing rumours about your boyhood allegiances. Is the Johnson family split or do you all support Sunderland?!
Well now that I’m a Sunderland player, they’re the only results that matter to me but I was sort of split as kid growing up. I came through the ranks at Middlesbrough and I played for Newcastle between the age of 9 and 11 years old during the Ginola and Asprilla era. Still my family are all Sunderland fans and the first game I went to was a Sunderland game so there’s enough support between everyone!
There’s a tough match against Manchester City first, are you looking forward to returning to the Etihad Stadium this weekend?
Yeah, I’m looking forward to going back, it’s going to be a tough game but I think its nice going back to an old club and seeing old faces and friends so I’m really looking forward to it. I keep in touch with most of the lads, a lot of my closest friends are still there and we went through a lot growing up, winning the league and playing for England together.
Any incentive to prove Roberto Mancini wrong for selling you?!
Well I don’t know about proving him wrong or anything but I want to do well and play well for Sunderland. I don’t think I need to prove anything, Mancini would honestly say I did well for him, we had a chat and he understood I wanted to play regularly which was great so there were no hard feelings.
Good to know you’re looking forward to the game, how’s the thigh injury coming along?
Yeah it’s almost there now, I was bit frustrated over recent weeks not being able to play and it wasn’t really improving but it seems to be getting better now. I played on Saturday and I felt good, a bit unfit and lacking match sharpness, but it’s good to be back after a frustrating start.
Congrats on making it into the England squad. Are you looking forward to the qualifiers or are you cautious about suffering a recurrence of your injury given what happened last time?
Obviously I love playing for England. I had to drop out of the squad for the last International through my injury so I was gutted about that but it’s nice to be back in and get back involved straight away. I’m excited to meet up with the England lads and hopefully get another couple of caps.
Back to domestic action now and it’s been hard to assess Sunderland’s season so far. Some fans have been concerned by the lack of goals while others are happy the side is still unbeaten and looking solid defensively, how do you rate the team’s start?
Well it’s always good to be unbeaten no matter what level you’re playing at because it brings confidence to the team, I don’t mind if we’re not scoring goals as long as we’re winning. Winning 1-0 and being solid at the back is good but I think a few more goals will come as the team comes together and gels a bit more. If you look at our fixtures we’ve had a couple of tough games against Liverpool and Arsenal so I think it’s a good start for us.
Given the competition in the Premier League, what do you think are realistic ambitions for Sunderland this season?
I’m not too sure to be honest! I think it’s difficult to say and it’ll be few months down the line before you find out who’s going to be whereabouts. Then you can have a look and see where you can push to but I think a top 10 finish is something Sunderland should definitely be looking at. Hopefully then we can see where we can go from there.
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Perhaps a Cup run then?! Are you looking forward to facing another of your old teams Middlesbrough soon?
Yes it’s another great game I’ve got to look forward to, I’ve got some really good games coming up for me and it’s nice to play against the side where it all started as not many players get the sort of chance they gave me.
I suppose you and Lee Cattermole must be excited about it then?
Yes we are to be honest, we were having a bit of banter about it the other day and we’re looking forward to playing our old team as we still have old friends there and people who we grew up with so it’s going to be a good day for us.
Finally, since you’re promoting Medal of Honor, does the team play much and who would win out of you and the lads?!
Well I’m going to be getting a few copies for them so we’ll probably be playing online against each other. I’m not sure who’s actually any good but Fletcher thinks he’s good on the computer so he might be a dark horse!
Adam Johnson was having a first look at Medal of Honor Warfighter, in which gamers can go head-to-head with the world’s best special forces. Medal of Honor Warfighter is on sale from 26th October on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. For more information and to pre-order, visit uk.medalofhonor.com.
Manchester United are looking to negotiate Nike’s biggest-ever sponsorship deal when renewal talks open in February.
The kit supplier’s 13-year partnership with the Red Devils expires in 2015, but talks about renewing the deal between the brand and the Premier League club are set to commence this winter, according to the Daily Mail.
Their current contract is estimated to be worth around £303m and United chief of staff Ed Woodward, who deals with commercial activities, is looking for a major increase.
The club will be sure to point out that football shirt sponsorship has increased massively since the initial agreement.
The Old Trafford club have negotiated a 2014-15 deal with American car manufacturer Chevrolet for an annual £52m, a six-fold increase on the Vodafone deal that coincided with the origins of Nike’s partnership.
Although the figure is unlikely to increase by the same amount, it is expected that the price-hike will be significant and Nike will be keen to remain aligned with one of the biggest sports teams in the world.
With the financial power held by Premier League rivals Manchester City, United will be keen to maximise their income to keep pace.
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The club also slipped behind great rivals Liverpool in the kit sponsorship war of late, as the Mersey men penned a bumper-deal with Warrior sports.
The looming threat of Financial Fair Play makes negotiations at board level almost as important as fortunes on the pitch for United and all of their rivals.
Tuesday the 30th October 2012 is a very special night in the history of English football. In a season where football has been surrounded by negative publicity regarding diving, racism and players being injured by supporters, Arsenal’s 7-5 victory at Reading last night reminded us all why we love the beautiful game as much as we do.
On the eve of Halloween, the game produced one of the freakiest score lines in the history of football in this country. The 12 goal thriller broke the record for the most amount of goals scored in a League Cup tie since its inception.
The game was incidentally not the first encounter featuring 10 goals or over in a competitive match for referee Kevin Friend. He has officiated in another of the top 10 incredible score lines in English footballing history. I will have incredible respect for those who can guess which one before encountering the list.
So enjoy the top ten craziest score lines in the modern history of English football by clicking below
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Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman to have made the 23 man shortlist for the prestigious award which is once again dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona stars.
Despite five Premier League stars such as Champions Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli along with United teammate Robin Van Persie also being shortlisted, Rooney is the only representative England have for the award which will be presented in Zurich on 7th January.
Despite Fergie lauding praise on Rooney and fellow forward RVP claiming that “The best quality both of them have is that they can turn a game,” and Rooney showing his versatility in midfield, it seems hard to look past bookies favourite Leo Messi for a fourth consecutive award and even if you can there is a certain Cristiano Ronaldo waiting behind him with the two players being hailed as “from another planet” by Jose Mourinho.
Other notable inclusions on the list include former Chelsea hero Didier Drogba and “ indescribable” Columbian striker Ramadel Falcao who coach Simeone claims is “among the three best players in the world” meaning Rooney faces stiff competition to even make the top three.
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Elsewhere in the shortlist for the coaches award the Premier League is represented by Di Matteo who guided Chelsea to the biggest prise of all last season along with Fergie and rival Roberto Mancini who will all face stiff competition from Spanish national manager Del Bosque and the Special One himself Jose Mourinho.
Schalke’s star striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could soon be on his way to the Premier League.
The Dutchman’s contract expires in the summer, and his agent has now announced that Huntelaar is weighing up his options regarding next season – but he will have made a decision by the start of the January transfer window.
The 29-year-old has been on the radar of many European clubs for his sublime finishing. Last season, Huntelaar recorded an outstanding 48 goals in 47 games for german club Schalke.
This campaign, the Holland international has been less prolific, scoring just three times in the Bundesliga, but has netted four in four appearances in the Champions League.
Referred to as the Hunter, the 6 foot 1 forward is used to moving clubs, with his longest stint being the three years he spent at Ajax from 2006 to 2009. He then moved to Real Madrid, who paid £17million for his services, but left after half a season to join AC Milan for a year, before signing for Schalke in 2010.
Huntelaar’s decision to not already extent his expiring contract has alerted a host of clubs, including Juventus, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, however, agent Arnoldus Oosterveer has informed the press that his client remains undecided over his future.
“Klaas has not decided” Oosterveer told calciomercato.it.
“He’s had offers from England, Italy and Spain. It’s also possible he could stay in Germany.
“He wants his future planned by the winter.
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“In the next 45 days he wants to know his next project and it will be decided by his football ambitions and not by money.
“His dream is to fight to win titles in Europe and to have chances to be successful, because today he is one of the best strikers in Europe” he added.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has lauded David Moyes and his Everton team ahead of their clash this weekend by claiming they are good enough to finish fourth.
Mancini’s men have proved just how tough Europe’s top competition can be this season by going out at the group stage, but the Italian believes Everton could surprise a few by qualifying.
“Last year, they were so-so, but I think Everton have started this season really well,” Mancini told the Daily Mail.
“They could end up with a Europa League place, but I actually believe they have the quality to finish fourth. They are a strong team with a strong future, so why not?
“I think (facing) Everton is difficult for everyone, for us, for Manchester United, for Chelsea. Because every game they play against a top squad, they play very, very well. Every match we play against them, we have a problem.
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“I think that tomorrow will be the same. For the top team to beat Everton, it is difficult. They always play 100 per cent, and you beat them only if you play a fantastic game.”
Everton manager David Moyes wants defender Phil Jagielka to fill the void left by Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgian will serve a three game ban for his head-butt on Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross, leaving a gaping hole in the Toffees’ attacking set-up.
Fellaini has been key for the Merseysiders this term, contributing goals and assists from a more advanced position.
Moyes is aware that the midfielder will be missed, and has singled out England international Jagielka as the man to step up in his absence.
The 30-year-old is far from prolific – scoring just six times for Everton in 190 games – but he feels that he can take inspiration from his manager, who had a superior conversion rate in his playing days:
“Obviously the gaffer was a centre-half himself, who always tried to score goals, so he’s always giving us plenty of stick about not getting more,” he is quoted by The Mirror.
“I don’t know how many he scored, but sometimes it’s ‘do as I say not do as I do’!
“But we’re a team and it’s not just down to the forward players.
“If I can chip in with a couple of goals as well, that hopefully might help us.”
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Although it’s only a short-term measure, Moyes will be aware that Fellaini could leave the club in the near future, meaning he will need an adequate plan in place.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with switches to Chelsea and Arsenal.
Sunderland are hoping to tie up the £5.5million capture of Swansea striker Danny Graham before the transfer window shuts on Thursday, the Daily Mail understands.
Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill wants to bring Gateshead-born Graham back to the North East in order to strengthen his front line and relieve the scoring burden on top scorer Steven Fletcher.
The 27-year-old’s future at the Liberty Stadium has been the subject of intense speculation for much of January now after finding his playing time significantly reduced following the arrival of manager Michael Laudrup in the summer and that of Spanish striker Michu.
Norwich also want to sign the former Watford and Middlesbrough man but it now seems he is destined for the Stadium of Light after O’Neill was impressed with his scoring run over Christmas.
Hamburg midfielder Paul Scharner is also close to joining Sunderland after his agent claimed the 32-year-old, who has struggled for form and fitness since leaving West Brom in the summer to move to the Bundesliga club, would spend the rest of the season on Wearside.
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Deal broker Valentine Hobel said: “Paul wants to show next season what he can do for HSV but for that he needs match practice and that would probably be at Sunderland.”
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One of the canniest pieces of business so far during the January transfer window saw Chelsea snap up Newcastle striker Demba Ba for just £7m, activating a release clause in his contract in the process while ushering Daniel Sturridge out of the exit door and towards Anfield for £12m, but which club really got the better deal? Let’s take a closer look…
After the club’s transfer policy in the summer seemed to be geared entirely around getting the best out of struggling £50m striker Fernando Torres, bringing in the creative triumvirate of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Victor Moses to compliment the existing presence of Juan Mata, the Spaniard’s inconsistent form has necessitated a move for Ba this window.
Torres has stated that since Rafa Benitez came into the club on an interim basis that he thrives on more direct service, thus negating all of the work that had been put in to try and make him a success one last time, contradicting his earlier statements that he does well with tippy-tappy players around him along the way. It’s clear now that he’s a write off and in order to maintain their third-placed league position a move for the Senegalese frontman made sense.
Given that he’s just 27-years-old, Ba seems a natural out-and-out goalscorer less reliant on a particular type of service while also boasting a fantastic record of 36 goals in 66 top flight games before his switch to Stamford Bridge. Indeed, the only baffling aspect of the deal is that nobody fancied signing him earlier. The fact that he’s already struck 13 league goals this season for a struggling Newcastle side speaks volumes for his ability to cope under pressure and he seems content to lead the line either on his own or as part of a partnership. At just £7m, he’s a darn sight cheaper than making a move for long-term transfer target, Atletico Madrid forward Falcao, midway through the season. All in all, a sensible deal in the short-term and long-term by the club; a signing that can have an impact right away and doesn’t need to adjust to the demands of English football.
Moving swiftly on to Sturridge’s switch to Merseyside and the £12m paid for him was widely seen as an expensive gamble on a relatively unproven English player; a rehash of a failed and flawed transfer policy from the past two years with an inflated price in tow due to the nature of his passport. The 23-year-old is seen as a selfish, arrogant egotist and his reported demands over guarantees concerning a central striking role had a knock-on effect in that it moved Luis Suarez away from a position where he has been so dangerous, consistent and effective these past six months. A gamble in every respect.
Nevertheless, there’s a feeling that while the move was a risky one that could potentially backfire, given his bright start it could just as easily prove to be a brilliant piece of business at the same time after he went on to score three goals in his first three appearances since completing the switch, becoming the first player to do so since Ray Kennedy did back in 1974. As starts go, it hasn’t been a bad one.
A lot has been made of the dummy assist for Suarez’s goal against Norwich at the weekend during the 5-0 demolition at home, with that sort of telepathic connection rarely seen in such a fledgling partnership. Perhaps too much hay has been made at this point, but these are exciting times for Liverpool fans in that they finally have a strike partnership of sorts that looks sure to cause even the biggest of teams in the league problems, as they proved during the second half of the away 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It’s been noted that the one time Sturridge has been granted an extended spell through the middle in the top flight was during his successful loan spell away at Bolton to the tune of eight goals in 12 league appearances back in 2010-11. He clearly has some rough edges to his game that still need ironing out, namely his penchant for trying his luck at goal from ludicrous angles when the pass looks the better option (an affliction Suarez also suffers from) and that truly awful body-popping celebration he does, but he offers a direct, pacy and strong outlet up top and he provides manager Brendan Rodgers with plenty of options given his versatility.
There’s a sense that Ba will never quite be top dog at Chelsea simply because he lacks the crucial currency of status and is merely a dependable and hugely effective back-up striker for when the club inevitably does make a move to replace Torres in the summer with a glitzier name. That in itself is not a bad thing; it’s a squad game now and a club like Chelsea can expect to play in 60+ games a season across all competitions and someone of Ba’s calibre will most certainly come in handy, but he’s hardly the missing piece of jigsaw. His willing running means he will always have an impact, either from the start or off the bench, but is he the long-term solution to bridging the ever-increasing gap between themselves and the Manchester duopoly at the top? You’d have to say probably not.
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Sturridge on the other hand appears to fit Rodgers style down to a tee and when he’s fully fit and had a full pre-season behind him in his new surroundings, he looks as if he could potentially cause plenty of damage in tandem with Suarez. For far too long now Liverpool have been dependant on just one or two players to provide the brunt of their attacking threat, but the England international could remedy that situation once and for all. His face didn’t quite fit in at Chelsea, but it’s a different story entirely now.
Often with transfer deals it’s tempting to get bogged down in the monetary value of them rather than analysing and assessing what impact they can have on the teams that they represent. As the old adage goes, a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, and with the Ba and Sturridge deals, it would be useful to use the evidence before our eyes rather on the balance sheet to judge their influence in the future.