Since signing for Arsenal in 2006, Abou Diaby appears to have spent more time in the medical room than he has on the football pitch.
The French midfielder has picked up a total of 39 injuries in eight years at the club but, after eleven months on the sidelines, he made his return for Arsenal U21s the other night.
But it has now emerged that he picked up another injury, this time a groin strain, after just 45 minutes of football.
You just can’t make up how unlucky the 27-year-old has been with injuries throughout his career, and football fans on Twitter just can’t believe it judging by their comments on Twitter…
It’s always easier to replace the manager than it is to overhaul an entire squad. Something that won’t sit too well with David Moyes, as he seeks to repair his severely damaged reputation in English football.
Mark Bosnich is quoted as saying, “it has been obvious for some time that things are not quite right there,” while adding that Ryan Giggs has clashed with the manager over Moyes’ methods this season.
It adds further fuel to the fire started by Anderson after he secured a loan move to Fiorentina. The Brazilian midfielder has stated that many players were unhappy at Old Trafford and were looking for a way out – a comment he’d later go on to deny. Furthermore, the tension which appeared to rise between Robin van Persie and the manager fits the story that all is not well at Manchester United.
Moyes is already under enormous pressure. We may be at the point where there is little expectation in the manager turning things around, even with less than 10 games to go in the league, but instead simply enforcing a damage limitation policy. Things won’t get any easier with United set to meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League next month.
But while Moyes is struggling for results – a fact that may make his position untenable if matters continue to deteriorate – Moyes is also battling on another front in trying to win over the entire squad. The manager may suggest otherwise, but there is simply too much smoke from various sources for there not to be any fire.
It will make very little difference that Ryan Giggs is coming to the end of his playing career. The Welshman, per Alex Ferguson’s wish for the club to emulate the model of Bayern, will more than likely stay on in the coaching capacity he started this season. Players like Giggs and van Persie who have rocky relationships with the manager, spell little but future difficulties for the club if they retain Moyes. Will players want to come to United if there is a track record of the current manager falling out with members of his squad, and will he be able to convince them to stick around, especially in times of on-field crisis?
Everything points to an eventual exit for Moyes. It’s not working on the pitch, with United’s situation steadily getting worse rather than showing signs of improvement. If the manager has also lost key members of the dressing room, it makes it difficult to envision him succeeding, even if he does drastically improve his ideas to right the ship.
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With a tie enough for both teams to progress, a lot of pressure was off as long as Portugal didn’t win by a large margin. Thomas Muller was once again Germany’s scorer, netting just 10 minutes into the start of the second half. It was a tight game with the American side trying to find opportunities via counter attacking football with the European team pressure hard in search for more goals. The match ended with a victory to the Germans, although both contestants are through to the next round.
Portugal 2-1 Ghana
Even though Portugal orchestrated their first victory of the tournament, it was a little too late to make a big difference as Ghana joined in on the pair being eliminated. The United States got the edge over the European side due to their goal difference after point having four points from three games. John Boye’s own goal in the 30th minute gave Paulo Beto’s men a little hope for qualification, but Asamoah Gyan cancelled the lead at the 57th minute mark. Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in almost all of his teams attacking play and eventually sealed all three points for his nation with a strike on the 80th minute mark.
South Korea 0-1 Belgium
Belgium began slowly once again, leaving it late before clinching all three points from their final game of the group stages. The 1-0 win over South Korea meant they were through as they picked up maximum points from the previous encounters. The Asian side should have capitalized on the fact that their opponents had only 10 men for the entire second half after Steven Defour was sent off in the 44th minute for harsh tackle on Shin-Wook Kim. Divock Origi’s 77th minute attempt was pushed into the path of Jan Vertonghen, who slotted the ball into the back of the net with ease.
Algeria 1-1 Russia
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History was made for the Algerians after their draw confirmed their progress into the round of sixteen for the first time ever. Russia was desperate for a win as it would guarantee their progression, which looks set to happen after Alexandr Kokorin scored an early header in the 6th minute. The match took a huge turn when Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev failed to grab a set piece cross leaving Islam Slimani to head the ball home from six yards out. The score line sent the Russians packing while Algeria await their encounter with Germany.
Liverpool’s 3-1 loss at Manchester City on Monday night brought about plenty of problems for Brendan Rodgers, even after splashing out on two defenders and bringing in a third on loan. Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet were all accountable for the three goals conceded.
A major problem at Liverpool has been the lack of quality at defensive midfield. A quality addition for that role will certainly see the club improve on their defensive record of last season.
Brendan Rodgers has less than a week to address the defensive gaps in his squad and ensure Liverpool are capable of building on the season they had last term.
Here’s a look at five players who would help to strengthen the defence at Anfield.
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Alex Song
Football – Cameroon v Croatia – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group A – Arena Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil – 18/6/14Cameroon’s Alex Song (L) in action with Croatia’s Ivan RakiticMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Marseille are said to be the latest club interested in Alex Song, who will more than likely leave Barcelona before the window closes next week.
A host of other Premier League clubs have been linked, including former club Arsenal, but Liverpool could also make use of the services of the Cameroon international.
Song’s ability to play at centre-back will also be seen as a plus for Brendan Rodgers, who, despite adding Dejan Lovren, still has defensive concerns.
Barcelona’s willingness to see of Song this summer will see him available for a bargain fee.
Benedikt Howedes
Football – Germany v Ghana – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 21/6/14Benedikt Howedes celebrates after Miroslav Klose (not pictured) scored the second goal for GermanyMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed LeicesterLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Liverpool have already signed three defenders this summer, but one more wouldn’t go a miss considering their defensive record of last season.
Benedikt Howedes has been on the radar of a few Premier League clubs following the World Cup, where he lined up on the left of Germany’s defence. The Schalke defender is a natural centre-back, but can also stand in at right full-back.
He’s experienced and would bring leadership to the squad at Anfield. The German international would be a big help during the team’s Champions League campaign.
Morgan Schneiderlin
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Liverpool return to Southampton in order to strengthen their defensive midfield position.
It’s been an area long in need of address at Anfield, with Lucas and Steven Gerrard the only options, and neither viable long-term solutions.
Schneiderlin has long been linked with a move this summer and would be a great addition at Liverpool. He’d come at a high price, but Brendan Rodgers has already hit the £20 million-mark three times this summer.
Sami Khedira
Whether it’s now or in a year, Sami Khedira will leave Real Madrid, but the preference of the European champions is a sale this summer, with Khedira’s contract coming to an end.
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The German international was reportedly close to a move to Arsenal, but Bayern Munich and Chelsea have also registered an interest.
Khedira is said to be available for a knockdown fee and would go a long way to helping Liverpool mount a challenge on the league title this season.
Asmir Begovic
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Simon Mignolet was criticised for Manchester City’s third goal in the 3-1 loss on Monday night, allowing Sergio Aguero to fire in from his near post. It hasn’t been the first time the Liverpool ‘keeper has been questioned, and a replacement, or at least a good backup, may be needed.
At this stage of the summer it will certainly be difficult to find a club willing to negotiate the sale of their goalkeeper, but an option could be Asmir Begovic, who was strongly linked with a move out of Stoke last season.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international is a step up in quality from Mignolet and would play a big role in shoring up the leaky defence at Anfield.
Few were predicting anything from Southampton this season. A host of big names (including their captain and top scorer from the last four seasons) departed over the summer, but from the exodus, ecstasy has gripped the South Coast club. Some wise additions and good showings saw the Saints enter their tie with Manchester City in second spot, and although they lost, third place after 13 games is some going!
Some tricky ties are coming up for the Hampshire outfit, but we think these three factors make them genuine top four contenders.
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Only conceded four goals at home all season
It’s quite bizarre to ready that Southampton have only conceded four goals at home all season! Yaya Toure’s driven effort was almost unstoppable, with the Ivorian’s goal following Charlie Austin’s for QPR at St Mary’s Stadium. With a solid base provided by the likes of Jose Fonte, Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama, the Saints have enough to stem the flow of goals, unlike some rivals…
The Tadic and Pelle axis
Tadic and Pelle were not at their best this afternoon, but the pair have been excellent this season. Summer arrivals to replace Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, the Italian and the Serbian have already notched a combined seven Premier League goals, while the latter has weighed in with six assists. Better than the men they’re filling in for…
Rivals all stuttering
It’s not wise to rely on other dropping points, but the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs are all stuttering right now, easing the pressure on Southampton. With such a buffer over their rivals right now, the South Coast side can afford a few losses on the upcoming run of tricky fixtures. However, some fans are a bit negative…
“We as fans of the club have endured three years of shame under Paul Lambert … We as fans believe that things will never change under Lambert, and are therefore calling for action.”
As this leading statement from an emerging ‘Remove Paul Lambert’ petition unceremoniously outlines, things aren’t going particularly well for Aston Villa and their increasingly under pressure boss in the 2014/15 Premier League campaign.
The Midlands based club currently sit 15th in the table just three points off the relegation zone, but perhaps even more alarmingly, with only 11 goals scored so for this season. That is a goal tally lower than any other team in the league which, with all due respect to Lambert and his desire to bring the glory days back to Villa Park, is simply not good enough for a team of the Villan’s stature.
In light of such a poor first half of the season, should the Villa Park faithful continue to demand more from their foundering side, or should they simply make do with what they have, and be grateful that they aren’t worse off?
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While staying in the Premier League would most likely be the minimum requirement for some Villa fans, their top-flight status has hardly improved under such lowly ambitions, and the fans therefore deserve better as a result. This is a club that is not only one of the first established major football teams across the land, but also has a history caked in silverware and strong traditions.
Both domestically and in Europe, Aston Villa have developed a reputation as an important club with an important heritage throughout the years. They famously remain one of the few teams never to be relegated from the Premier League, and while that may seem like somewhat of a throwaway comment in today’s game, the magnitude of that statement takes on new meaning when looked at from a historical perspective.
Yes – trophies and silverware have hardly been a common occurrence down at Villa Park in recent seasons, but this doesn’t mean that the fans aren’t aware of where their club could be, and where it actually is in reality.
Even within the current confines of the modern game, where teams who haven’t been taken over by obscenely rich investors can’t consistently compete at the very top, the lack of backing given by Villa chairman, Randy Lerner, during the summer transfer window seemed nothing short of silly. The likes of Joe Cole, Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho had all been moved on by Premier League clubs in the recent past for not making the grade, so the fact that they are now being paid by Aston Villa must have come as a shock for fans of Lambert’s struggling side.
Lerner’s apparent desire, yet inability to sell the club has also thrown a few spanners in the works. He may not be the most hated chairman in English football, but his current stance with the club has perhaps left Aston Villa in a transitional state that won’t be easy to rise out of.
Back to matters on the pitch however, and although Christian Benteke’s long-term injury certainly hasn’t helped Villa’s cause, 11 goals from 22 games is concerning to say the very least. The fans have a right to be angry at such a lowly statistic. Football is ultimately meant to be entertaining, and as Leicester City have scored almost double Villa’s total despite languishing at the foot of the table, the Villa park faithful must be wondering just what has gone so wrong this season.
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The team just don’t seem to be responding to Paul Lambert’s style, and with the club’s official October goal of the month competition having to be scrapped due a distinct lack of entries, it’s hard to know whether or not this club want to take the rest of the season by the scruff of the neck, or are just simply happy to plod along while aiming for mid-table obscurity.
Whatever becomes of Aston Villa’s fortunes in the next portion of the 2014/15 campaign, hopefully for the fans’ sake, something can drastically change at this increasingly stagnant club. More investment, more passion, and perhaps even a change in manager, may all be required if Villa are to truly return to the good old days, and really give their heritage the respect it deserves.
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has slammed journalist Piers Morgan for his constant criticism of Arsene Wenger, labelling the Gunners fan and former chat show host an ‘incredibly pompous individual’, reports the Independent.
Morgan has become well known for his tirades against the Arsenal boss on Twitter.
He was amongst a number of Arsenal fans to react furiously to Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat at home to Monaco.
The 3-1 loss is already being labelled as one of the worst performances since Wenger took over at the club in 1996, and means his side will have to score at least three goals in the return leg if they are to make it to the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in five years.
Wenger has taken plenty of criticism since the result, with Morgan once again calling for the Frenchman to be sacked.
But Gunners legend Wilson has defended Wenger, and launched his own attack on Arsenal’s most outspoken supporter.
“I would like to say this about Piers Morgan,” Wilson said.
“He claims to be an Arsenal fan, but if you’re a supporter of a club you have to be through thick, thin, laughter, smiles and tears. He has never been a proper fan.
“I see him on Twitter and he drives me mad. He’s an incredibly pompous individual and he has no understanding of what it is to be the manager of a football club. I can only tell you this about Arsene, and I am biased to a degree, but i’m not stupidly biased. You will not find any manager ever, more dedicated to doing his job than Arsene.
“With him it’s always about the man before the player and that’s very rare for a manager. His first concern is about you as an individual rather than you as a player. Always has been and always will be.
“He’s been there for a long time with incredible glory times, league titles, appeared in a Champions League and FA Cup finals. He’s changed the club totally.
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“Above all that thought he’s a really decent human being, who cares.”
Morgan responded with a series of tweets in which he claimed to be ‘hurt’ by Wilson’s comments.
“I love @Arsenal with a passion. Disagree me over players/manager etc. But NEVER doubt my devotion to the Club. That hurts. #afc”
Even when things are going well for Arsenal which, despite the #WengerOut tweets still doing the rounds, they’re; the Gunners are well on course for a second place finish in the Premier League and a FA Cup Final title which isn’t a bad season for anyone. However, you always feel that Arsene Wenger’s side are never too far away from total capitulation whether that be down to their defending, over reliance on certain players or, in this case, injuries.
Mathieu Debuchy joining Arsenal was seen as a sensible bit of business for Le Professeur in replacing one of the best right-backs in the league when Bacary Sagna went off to join Manchester City’s bench, however, the Frenchman has spent a couple of lengthy spells on the sidelines.
In fact, the former Newcastle United man is looking at another spell in the treatment room after Wenger revealed the player has suffered a hamstring strain.
Although the news will be gutting for the Gooners, it does look like they’ve got a huge talent in the making in Hector Bellerin.
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Naturally, though, the Arsenal faithful took to Twitter over Debuchy’s latest setback: