Arsenal new-boy Gervinho says that the club needs leaders like captain Robin van Persie to stay if they are to overcome their trophy drought. The Gunners were forced to offload Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy this summer, having not won a trophy since the FA Cup triumph of 2005. And, with Van Persie’s contract running out in the summer of 2013, speculation is rife that the Dutchman may…
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claims Sir Alex Ferguson is his inspiration as he prepares to take his team to Old Trafford to face the champions on Sunday. City are top of the table with a two-point advantage over Ferguson’s team after eight matches. They beat United in the FA Cup semi-final on the way to winning their first silverware in 35 years and are expected to launch a sustained…
Ex-Arsenal captain Frank McLintock has admitted that the current squad of Gunners is the worst he has ever seen. Although the North London side managed a 2-1 win over Olympiakos to get their UEFA Champions League campaign back on track on Wednesday night, McLintock was far from impressed with how frail the Gunners were in defence. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “When you look at the team overall at the…
Yossi Benayoun has revealed that he held talks with Liverpool prior to making a move to Arsenal on deadline day. The Israeli left the Reds to join Chelsea during the summer of 2010, but injuries prevented him from getting his career going at Stamford Bridge and his former club were keen on bringing him back this summer. “I had a few good options from clubs in England and outside,” Benayoun…
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is “happy at the club” and may even stay at Eastlands long term, according to his representative Kia Joorabchian. Tevez, 27, spent most of the summer angling for a move away from City, but a proposed £40 million-move to Corinthians fell through and Inter Milan’s advances were rejected. And with the transfer window slamming shut on Wednesday, Tevez’s temporary future will be with Roberto Mancini’s…
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has jumped to the defence of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the Gunners’ humiliation on Sunday. Wenger fielded an unfamiliar side at Old Trafford for their clash with champions Manchester United – handing starts to Carl Jenkinson, Armand Traore and Francis Coquelin – and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won 8-2, handing a crushing blow to Arsenal. Wenger has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks, following…