The Frenchman is struggling to win over some sections of the Gunners’ support, having seen his side drop from first to fifth in alarming fashion in recent weeks. Arsenal may be in the FA Cup final but, as they prepare to face West Ham in a vital London derby in Tuesday night, there is a distinct, unwelcome air of uncertainty pervading the corridors of the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger has…
A bitter battle involving a Cesc Fabregas, a London property tycoon and his Lebanese ex-wife has reached the Court of Appeal. Elie Taktouk, 38, objects to having to shell out for a home for Daniella Semaan when her new boyfriend, Barcelona midfielder Fabregas, has millions to lavish on her. Photographs appeared of 38-year-old Miss Semaan on holiday with the former Arsenal hero in Italy emerged months after the couple had…
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has made his side’s intentions clear at the Club World Cup – victory. The European champions open their campaign in Japan against AFC Champions League winners Al Sadd of Qatar on Thursday in the semi-finals, with questions being asked in the press over the importance of the competition given the La Liga outfit’s already congested fixture calendar. But Guardiola – who guided Barca to a win…
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes his team can regain top spot in La Liga from rivals Barcelona by Christmas. Mourinho’s side lost 3-1 at home to Barcelona on Saturday and also gave up top spot on head-to-head results to the Nou Camp side, who have played a game more. But Mourinho believes that game in hand, against Sevilla, could prove crucial. Mourinho said: “If we beat Sevilla we will…
Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas has defended himself of accusations that he racially abused Freddie Kanoute in their 0-0 draw with Sevilla. The ex-West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur forward was sent off after a confrontation during the goalless draw with the Catalans, and Fabregas was embroiled in controversy as it was claimed that he spat racial insults at Kanoute. However, according to reports in the Sun, the ex-Arsenal captain refuted the…
Barcelona says further medical scans have ruled forward Pedro Rodriguez out for up to three weeks. The Spain international twisted awkwardly on his left leg in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Granada and immediately came off with an ankle injury. Further scans performed on Wednesday revealed that Pedro will be out from two to three weeks. Barcelona is already without injured players Alexis Sanchez and Gerard Pique, while Carles Puyol was…
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…
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…