Drogba gets three-match ban

Didier Drogba was today given a three-game ban following the coin throwing incident against Burnley in the Carling Cup last week.

The Ivorian forward was quite rightly banned for the incident in which he threw a coin into the crowd after having the coin thrown at him by a Burnley fan.

Drogba also stuck his finger up at the fans before throwing the coin into the crowd.

A three-game ban seems to me like a let off for Drogba, Robin Van Persie was given the same ban for his 'elbowing' incident on Thomas Sorensen against Stoke.

To actually swear at fans and throw a coin into the crowd, does not seem to me to equate to barging into a goalkeeper. I'm not defending Van Persie's actions by any means, he was rightly sent off, but the incidents are in my opinion completely different in terms of their severity.

Once again Chelsea seem to have been let off by the FA, I'm sure I don't have to remind Gunners fans of the Carling Cup final of 2007!!

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa, Saturday 15 November 2008

Just when you thought it was safe to relax and look towards challenging for the title, somehow Arsenal contrive to lose for the
second time at home this season. The truth is the team never really looked like
beating a strong Aston Villa side.


In his programme notes Arsene Wenger said:

"I believe that the team has learnt tremendously from our earlier disappointments this season, and complacency is not a danger when you face Villa because they are a good team, and are fifth in the league."

You wonder if he actually showed the notes to the players because complacency
was the undoing of the team against Villa.

On a high after the win against Manchester United and the kids' performance against Wigan in the week, Arsenal fans and players were buoyant once again. The crowd expected the players to concentrate on a game which is arguably, the fight for the crucial last Champions League spot, even at this stage of the season. We all know that Aston Villa are a strong team, who like to play football at times but can also be very solid.

In truth the crowd didn't help matters, right from the start there was no atmosphere, and Villa's fans could be heard in full voice for most of the game.

It was a bright start for both sides, Ashley Young shot straight at Manuel Almunia in the first minute, and Theo Walcott raced down the right wing and put in a dangerous low cross which Nicklas Bendtner couldn't quite reach, Cesc Fabreags also took a shot from outside the area, which was spilled by the normally reliable Brad Friedel, William Gallas tried to reach the rebound but the referee blew for a foul.

Another foul was almost very costly a few moment later, as Ashley Young tricked his way through in the box and Walcott brought him down, penalty. With Villa's regular penalty taker, Gareth Barry receiving treatment it was the responsibility of Ashley Young to put Villa one up. Almunia guessed right and saved low down to his right, the defence scrambled the ball away.

This was lucky escape but they didn't seem to learn from it, Steve Sidwell, a former Arsenal youth team product, was unmarked as he shot inside the area, lucky for Arsenal it was straight at Almunia.

It was 0-0 at half-time but although Arsenal had a few chances during the first period, Villa were looking more likely to score.

After the break, Vila continued to cross the ball into dangerous areas, but Almunia was up to the task and was proving a menace to Villa's attack.

Wenger decided to change the shape of the side, as he brought on Emmanuel Adebayor in 61st minute for Abou Diaby, who had been playing as the second striker and then replaced Nicklas Bendtner, who hadn't had the most productive afternoon, with Carlos Vela, star of the midweek mauling of Wigan.

Within minutes of Vela's introduction, Villa were one-nil up. With Bacary Sagna lying injured in the Villa half, Ashley Young burst down the Villa left, and with no right-back Gallas had to cover, Young whipped in a dangerous cross and Gael Clichy, who had Gabriel Agbonlahor behind him, headed into his own net.

Agbonlahor raced off and celebrated in front of the Arsenal fans, which apparently is a yellow
card offence, but was not punished by Mike Riley on this occasion.

Sagna left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Kolo Toure in 70th minute.

Adebayor had a guilt edged chance when Clichy crossed into the box and the Togolese marksman headed the ball into the ground, it bounced up and hit the outside of the post.

Arsenal were starting to find their feet and Carlos Vela ran through the Vila defence and was brought down on the edge of the box, with Arsenal fans shouting for what looked like a certain
foul, Riley played on and Villa's clearance was fortunate enough to find Agbonlahor who held off Gallas' challenge to head down and hit a low shot past Almunia. Again the England under-21 raced off to the corner and celebrated in front of the fans, he was mobbed by the Villa players and seemed to stay there for an age. As he slowly walked back tot the centre circle Riley booked him.

Arsenal were now facing their fourth defeat of the season, and the crowd and players didn't seem to believe there was any way back.

The game petered out and Aston Villa, deservedly had earned three points to move level on points with their opponents.

Arsenal deserved what they got, and you may say this is sour grapes, but i hope the referees sort out their inconsistencies in booking and decisions it's slowly ruining the game, rant over!

Is Stelling going to be the new face of Countdown??

I was shocked to read that everyone's favourite presenter, Jeff Stelling, is tipped to become the next presenter of... Countdown!

Stelling, the legend of Soccer Saturday on Skysports is apparently in the running to host the gameshow made famous by Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman. To the relief of all football fans the 53 year-old Hartlepool fanatic will still be hosting the saturday afternoon result show.

Let's just hope a contestant by the name of James Brown doesn't appear on the channel 4 programme, prompting the usual response from Stelling, the audience wouldn't know what's hit them!

Is time running out for Mark Hughes?

Not for the first time, money could be downfall of another young british talent, and this time it's a manager. Mark Hughes arguably one of Britain's best managerial prospects, is under immense pressure at Manchester City.

With Samba stars, Robinho, Jo and Elano in their squad along with good talent from their own youth ranks in the form of Micah Richards, Joe Hart and Steven Ireland, Hughes is expected to guide the team to a European spot at the end of the season.

Despite the good form of Robinho and Steven Ireland, results have deteriorated in recent weeks, culminating in a 2-1 home loss to Tottenham yesterday, the Arab owners must be running out of patience with the ex-Manchester United star.

Hughes should be given time to cultivate his team, they've shown glimpses of becoming a top four team and they just need the consistency. They have, in my opinion, one of the best young managers around and should stick with him. There is no doubt that Manchester City will become one of the top clubs in England given their financial clout, I just hope it's with the Welshman still in charge.

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, Saturday 8 November 2008

Scanning the 'papers in the last few days I was led to believe that Arsenal are doomed, and Arsene Wenger is losing the plot, that they can play pretty football but can't fight and win scrappy games. The mood reflected this before kick-off with a number of Gooners fearing for the worst against the current European Champions.

The teams took to the pitch, and after a minute silence for remembrance day, the players took their positions for kick-off. Soon the crowd were silenced once again as Mikael Silvestre laid a back-pass horribly short to Manuel Almunia who could only smother the ball on the ground and in the process, conceding a free-kick inside the box. Luckily for Arsenal fans Man United couldn't make the most of the opportunity.

Manchester United's front line of Berbatov, Rooney and Ronaldo were causing havoc with Arsenals defence being severely exposed at times. Wayne Rooney could have put Man United two up but had his first effort saved and he skied the second one.

But all of a sudden the air of vulnerability seemed to disappear through the drizzle and escape the Emirates. Niklas Bendtner should have put Arsenal into the lead after he rose unmarked to meet a pinpoint cross by Gael Clichy but the Dane could only head over the bar.

With the rain now getting heavier, it was left to a Frenchman to make sure the Arsenal faithful were signing in the rain. In the 22nd minute, Cesc Fabregas floated a free-kick into the area and it was cleared by Nemanja Vidic but only as far as Samir Nasri who picked up the loose ball on the edge of the box and shot through a crowd of players. The shot took a wicked deflection off of Gary Neville's leg and wrong-footted Edwin Van Der Sar.

The game had come alive and the attacks kept coming from both sides in what was fast becoming the best game of the season to date. After Park had his shot saved by Almunia, Diaby went through and was brought down outside the area, only for Howard Webb to judge the challenge a fair one.

At the break the fans were gathering their breath after a thrilling first-half, however there was plenty more to come.

Three minutes after the restart, 'Le Petit Prince' scored his second. After a 15 pass move, Fabregas picked the ball up in a central position and fed Nasri with a typically exquisite pass, the Frenchman shifted the ball to his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the corner. The fans went wild and suddenly they started to believe once again.

If they needed to be brought back down to earth however, the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo in a goal-scoring position is surely a shot of reality, but the world player of the year somehow missed the target.

Despite the best efforts of the crowd and Arsene Wenger on the touchline, the players gradually dropped deeper through the sheer attacking might of Manchester United. Wave after wave of attack was thwarted by Arsenal's defence. On a better day the visitors could have scored a hat-full but last-ditch defending and unusually poor finishing from the Champions meant that they were staring into the barrel of their second league defeat of the season.

Carlos Tevez was brought on along with Rafael and Ryan Giggs with around quarter of an hour left, and Theo Walcott was replaced by Alex Song and the injured Almunia replaced by Lukasz Fabianski in goal.

With just over a minute left, Rafael the 19 year-old Brazilian right back picked the ball up on the edge of the area and volleyed a left-footed shot past Fabianski into the bottom corner; game on.

Memories of the Tottenham game were haunting Arsenal fans, and every time an Arsenal player got the ball they were urged to run to the corner, however in true Arsenal style they tried to net a third. After six minutes of deafening whistles, Howard Webb finally blew the whistle to end this exhilarating game.

Arsenal fans were ecstatic and they seem to have a new hero in Samir Nasri. who seems well on his way to becoming as popular amongst Arsenal fans as the last French winger to arrive from Marseille, a certain Robert Pires.

Arsenal 0-0 Fenerbache, Wednesday 5 November 2008

There was a feeling of doom and gloom surrounding the Emirates last night after Saturday's shambles at Stoke, and the players must have sensed the displeasure amongst the fans as they put on a rather uninspiring display.

Having beaten their Turkish counterparts in a scintillating display to win 5-2 in Istanbul, many fans could be forgiven for expecting another rout.

Aaron Ramsey was included in the starting line-up, playing on the right in place of the injured Theo Walcott and he acquitted himself well, always looking for the ball and making clever passes. It is easy to see why Wenger was so intent on securing the 17 year-old Welshman's signature in the summer. He reminds me so much of Fabregas when he burst onto the scene at a similar age, quality players, whatever their age, seem to have unlimited time on the ball.

Arsenal started brightly and were busy around the edge of the box. As always, however, it was the final pass which let the players down on more than one occasion. Robin Van Persie, in the news at the weekend for 'elbowing' Thomas Sorensen against Stoke, looked sharp, and his quick turn and shot really should have put the Gunners 1-0 up at half-time but Volkan, the Fenerbache goalkeeper tipped the shot onto the bar.

The second half saw much of the same with Lukasz Fabianski a virtual spectator, and Arsenal pressing for a goal.

Bendtner and Ramsey were replaced by Vela and Diaby and the latter almost scored with a header from a Van Perise corner, but it was just a bit too high of the target.

Mikael Silvestre was taken off with a suspected broken nose at the end of the game, which is worrying for Arsenal fans ahead of the clash with the Frenchman's former employers Manchester United on Saturday.

Let's hope that the players can raise their game for Saturday's match otherwise Arsenal's season could be over before its' even started.

Diego Maradona named new Argentina coach

Jimmy Greaves said: "Football is a funny old game" and if you ever need any evidence to back it up surely Diego Maradona's appointment as Argentina national coach yesterday is all the proof you need.

Admittedly Maradona was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and despite his many shortcomings (I'm sure most of you saw him being escorted off of the pitch during the 1994 World Cup for testing positive in a drugs test), he was a magnificent player to watch; but would you really want him as your manager?

Sir Alex Ferguson said last week that Carlos Tevez is excited at the prospect of being managed by the 48 year-old. I'm sure many players would want to play under the man who helped to win them the World Cup in 1986 but can it work?

It is fair to say that Maradona's previous two spells in management with Textil Mandiyú and Racing Club de Avellaneda did not go according to plan, but at that time, his personal life was not exactly in good shape.

After his near-death experience it is claimed that he is mentally and physically up to the job, and he has help in the form of his former 1986 national team coach Carlos Bilardo.

The Argentinian public on the other hand, although idolising the former number 10, were against the appointment. As Matt Dickinson noted in his article in The Times last week, 70% of the public are against the appointment according to two national newspaper online polls.

Then there are problems with some of his players;
The man labelled, like many, as the "new Maradona", Sergio Aguero, is about to become the father of Maradona's first grandchild. If his relationship with Maradona's daughter goes 'tits up' what are the chances of one of Argentina's most promising young players being excluded from the national team.
Arguably the best player in the world for the last two seasons, Lionel Messi has been criticised recently by Maradona, who said that he is too selfish! (Hmmm a severe case for pot and kettle me thinks.)
Maradona also said recently that Argentina are "Javier Mascherano plus 10". Not the best way to breed confidence in your players.

Whatever happens I will be following with a keen interest. Argentina were my hot tips to win the 2010 World Cup, they certainly have the players to win it, but is this appointment going to destroy any hopes of Los Albicelestes lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in South Africa?




There is also a good discussion on Maradona's appointment on last weeks Football Weekly by the Guardian

European round-up: Hoffenheim who?

There was a familiar look about the majority of Europe's top leagues at the end of this weekends fixtures but in the Bundesliga a new kid on the block is stealing all the limelight.

The usual scenario of Bayern Munich and a few other usual candidates fighting it out for the title seems to have been upset this year by TSG Hoffenheim, who walloped Kalsruhe 4-1. Bosnian, Vedad Ibisevic added to his growing reputation with 2 more strikes to keep them top of the Bundesliga. Meanwhile Bayer Leverkusen remained second with a 2-0 win at home to Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich are in third with a 3-1 home win against Bielefeld.

In Serie A, AC Milan went top with a 1-0 home win against a confident Napoli side, displacing the surprise package of the season so far, Udinese who could only draw 2-2 at home to Genoa.

In France Lyon extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 4 points after their 2-0 home win against Le Mans. Marseille replaced Bordeaux in second with a 3-1 against St Etienne, with Bordeaux losing 1-0 away to Nancy.

Spain's Primera Division continues to look exciting with Barcelona taking top-spot after their resounding 4-1 win away to Malaga in somewhat farcical conditions, it seems that the rain in Spain goes to the coasts too! Previous leaders Valencia lost 4-2 at home to Racing Santander which put them initially down to 3rd and then 4th after Real Madrid's draw away to Almeria.

In Holland three teams are tied on 19pts at the top of the Eredivise after leaders AZ Alkmaar drew 3-3 away to Heerenveen and Ajax and NAC Breda both won their games 2-0 away to Twente and 1-0 at home to Groningen respectively.

Joey Barton, pushing his luck

How many more chances does Joey Barton need?

The Newcastle midfielder was on the back pages again this morning after helping Newcastle to a much-needed win against high-flying Aston Villa, and getting himself embroiled in more controversy in the process.

Barton appeared to push Gabriel Agbonlahor in the face during the match which Newcastle won 2-0 to move off of the bottom of the league. The incident was not seen by officials, but disciplinary action could take place once Steve Bennett's referee's report and videos of the incident have been seen by the FA.

The ex-Man City midfielder proclaimed his innocence in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle saying “Nothing has gone on, people are making a mountain out of a mole hill."

Barton already has a 6-match suspended sentence lurking over him and it only seems a matter of time before the combative midfielder is on the back pages once again.

Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, Wednesday 29 October 2008

Taking my seat at the Emirates, the atmosphere was building, but i couldn't help but think it was less tense than previous north-London derbies. Maybe this was because of Tottenham's perilous position at the foot of the table or because of the late kick-off. The fans obviously didn't know what was coming.

What followed was arguably the most entertaining game between the two sides since the 5-4 game this time four years ago.

The Arsenal players looked a bit nervy at the start and Spurs capitalised on it when in the 13th minute ex-gooner, David Bentley, was allowed oceans of space in midfield and after one touch to flick the ball into the air, he unleashed a dipping 40-yard shot. It came down with snow on and we all thought it would be an easy catch for Almunia but he seemed stranded, and all the memories of Nayim came into my head as the net bulged, one-nil to Tottenham.

After the stunned silence the crowd rallied their troops and finally Arsenal were starting to play their usual high-tempo game, with Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie causing problems for the away defence.

In 37th minute it was 1-1, Robin Van Perise floated in a pinpoint ball from a corner and Mikael Silvetre beat Heurelho Gomes and Jermaine Jenas to the ball to head into the far corner. Cue pandemonium at the Emirates, it ended 1-1 at half-time.

The whistle blew for the second half and within a minute Arsenal had gained the lead. As the fans slowly filtered in from their half time libations, Van Persie again put in another precise ball from a free-kick and William Gallas stole in between defenders to nod down and past Gomes' desperately flailing hand. Suddenly all the late-comers rushed in cursing the fact they missed the goal. They didn't have to wait too long for another though.

In the 64th minute Samir Nasri was put through on goal and he tried to emulate Carlos Vela's chip against Sheffield United, he chipped Gomes but it wasn't going to reach and Emmanuel Adebayor and Alan Hutton rushed in to follow up, Adebayor got the crucial touch to make it 3-1. The home fans could now breathe easily, or so they thought.

Within 4 minutes Darren Bent who had sneaked on as a replacement for the ineffective Roman Pavlyuchenko capitalised as Almunia spilled a long shot from Tom Huddlestone, and tapped into the net. 3-2

Within a minute though Arsenal had regained their two-goal advantage, Adebayor picked up a loose ball and threaded a pass across the box to the unmarked Van Persie, who dispatched a thumping shot past Gomes, surely that was the game tied up.

Arsenal continued to play their attacking game and Tottenham looked demoralised, Van Persie missed a gilt-edged opportunity as he followed in on a cross from Nasri. Eboue, Diaby and Song were sent on to replace Walcott, Van Persie and Nasri respectively to tighten things up. The opposite happened, Arsenal seemes to lose all shape to their team and with the threat of Walcott gone they started to play a bit but surely it was too little too late for Spurs.

With half of the away support gone, Gael Clichy made an uncharacteristic mistake in the 89th minute, when he dallied too long on the ball and Jenas nipped in and ran about 15 yards without being closed down, he then unleashed an unstoppable shot from just outside the area which flew past Almunia. We were entering stoppage time and all Arsenal needed to do was to keep the ball as they usually do so well.

Whether it was inexperience or nerves, the Arsenal players wanted to keep on going forward. When Luca Modric picked up a ball outside the area there was no-one there to close him down and the Gunners fans looked on in stunned silence as he hit the post, Almunia was on the floor and Aaron Lennon, a substitute could hardly believe his luck, as he could tap in for a very unexpected equaliser.

The remaining Spurs fans went wild and Harry Redknapp and his coaching staff couldn't hide their excitement. They had stolen the most unlikely of points, Arsenal deserved more for their play but if they continue to play with complacency and arrogance they will continue to be beaten by and draw with clubs they really ought to beat.