Wenger unveils new Arsenal signing

Mesut Ozil became the latest Arsenal star to pick up an injury this season as the Gunners’ woes – and casualty list – continue to grow.

The Germany international is unlikely to play again until 2015 after being ruled out for 10 to 12 weeks with a partial knee ligament tear suffered against Chelsea.

Ozil’s setback means he joins, among others, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey on a treatment table that might need reinforcing.

Arsene Wenger has previously admitted being concerned by his side’s bad injury luck, and had appointed a new fitness guru, Shad Forsythe, in the summer, and will surely be keeping his fit players wrapped in cotton wool from now on.

Arsenal have also been given a scare by the news that Laurent Koscielny has withdrawn from the France squad, with the centre-back continuing to nurse a long-standing Achilles problem.

Thursday, October 9, 2014 14:00

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Congraziano Pelle: Balotelli given the boot by Italy

Mario Balotelli has endured a miserable start to the 2014-15 season since joining Liverpool and has now been snubbed by Italy, in favour of Southampton's in-form striker Graziano Pelle.

Pelle has scored four Premier League goals for the Saints this season, while Balotelli is yet to hit his first domestic goal for the Reds.

As a result, he has lost his place in the Italy squad. "Mario has started a new path," Antonio Conte said when asked about his decision. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool," said the former Juve boss.

"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad. I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different. Graziano represents what I've always said. Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player who in two years has scored 50 goals.

"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League after an adventure in Holland.I am curious to see him from close quarters in order to understand if he can help us. He deserved this call-up from all points of view."

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 11:51

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'Soft' Liverpool fall to Basel defeat

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard labelled his side 'soft' after the Reds fell to a 1-0 loss to Basel in Switzerland.

Paulo Sousa's side are building something of a reputation for defeating English sides, having beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham in the last few years.

This win leaves Brendan Rodgers' side struggling to qualify with two games against Real Madrid around the corner and plenty of work still to be done.

In another game Arsenal's Danny Welbeck scored a hat-trick on Galatasaray to secure a win to his team.

Thursday, October 2, 2014 13:30

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PSG out to stop Messi and Neymar in Champions League clash

PSG coach Laurent Blanc has called on his side to be “aggressive” if they are to beat Barcelona when the two sides clash in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French champions have started the season slowly and will also be without talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the Parc des Princes.

Barcelona, who knocked PSG out of the competition in the quarter-finals two seasons ago,  thrashed Granada 6-0 last time out and will again look to Lionel Messi and Neymar for the goals in Paris.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:31

Julia Roberts Caricature

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