Posts Tagged ‘Arsenal’

U.S. Soccer, United Kingdom

Dempsey-Gazing Provides New American Pastime

There’s a new event that has sports fans in the United States buzzing with excitement. It performs especially well in the coveted males 18-49 demographic, and its numbers see a high spike among those who identify themselves as casual or passionate fans of soccer.

Gather ’round the tele, kids. It’s time for some Dempsey-Gazing.

As you probably already know, Clint Dempsey is having a fantastic season in the Barclay’s Premier League with Fulham. As his goal tally continues to rise faster than the price of unleaded gasoline, fans and members of the media speculate more and more and Dempsey’s future.

You may have heard he has one more year left on his deal with the Cottagers, but he’s said hoping to play Champions League football. Fulham’s options appear to be sell him this summer and reap a financial gain or keep Dempsey another year and then lose him on a free transfer.

Dempsey has also said he’d prefer not to relocate his family. This has led many to conclude that Dempsey is bound for Arsenal, Tottenham or perhaps even Chelsea this summer – a prospect that seems to have the American soccer community in a tizzy. (more…)

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News in brief

News and Views for Friday, February 17

While rumors are floating about a possible return to MLS with Vancouver (a story countryman Jay DeMerit doesn’t believe), Carlos Bocanegra is focused on his current side’s performance following a trying week for the club.

Eddie Johnson is set for his return to MLS, while Luis Robles path to the US isn’t quite as clear.

Brian Ching, meanwhile, is back in orange in a deal that appears pretty one-sided.

In need of some MLS action? Check out the first LA derby of the season – a 3-2 win for the Galaxy.

LA Galaxy owners AEG could soon become EPL owners, as management looks set to make a bid for ownership of Tottenham.

All your weekend soccer here.

Global Soccer

Fresh off rumors of a possible deal to join Spurs, Lille starlet Eden Hazard has revealed his interest from Arsenal as well.

With Chelsea manager Andres Villas-Boas struggling to keep the Blues on track, Didier Drogba has voiced his support for the embattled boss.

Need some help picking a Bundesliga side to support? Click here for some help.

Guus Hiddink has joined the growing list of stars headed to billionaire-backed Anzhi Makhachkala.

More bad news for Arsenal fans.

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News in brief

TUES September 13 (AM): Champions Leagues, Gyan gone, EPL looking at NFL

The CONCACAF Champions League group stage continues tonight, but not before UEFA’s Champions League begins the same stage.

In the local version the Los Angeles Galaxy are in Morelia to take on Monarcas. The fans there know and love Galaxy star Landon Donovan. And by know and love I mean absolutely hate his guts. Nevertheless, Donovan says he takes it all in stride and won’t be too impacted by the crowd as he seeks to lead his club to a dominant lead atop Group A.

The Group B leaders, the Colorado Rapids, welcome a Bob Bradley-less Santos. Permanent coach or not, Santos and the Rapids are the best two teams in the group and Gary Smith will put out a strong 11 in hopes of getting a nice cushion.

Across the Atlantic, Arsene Wenger has expressed concern that his club is falling behind other big name teams, namely Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, because of a lack of finances. Things have been grim for Wenger lately, and might continue to go south with his team taking on Dortmund later today.

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News in brief

WED. Aug 31 (PM): Transfers Deadline, Holden’s Back, and Bradley

The most exiting day for soccer fans when the best match is a Carling Cup match between Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers is almost over. With money, players, and agents busy traveling across Europe here are some of today biggest transfers. By the way Leyton would go on to win the match 3-2 with a goal by Stephen Dawson in the 90th minute.

Arsenal spent the day trying to improve their squad signing Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun, and Mikel Arteta. The new players for Arsenal will be much needed help for a club that is struggling. The question will still remain if they are good enough to help Arsene Wenger keep his job.

Craig Bellamy is heading back to Liverpool, and Raul Meireles is leaving Liverpool to play for Chelsea. 

A smart move for Michael Bradley with the American midfielder moving to play for Chievo. Serie A should be a perfect fit for Bradley’s talents.

The strangest transfer of the day goes to Manchester City signing Owen Hargreaves.

Stuart Holden returned to action playing for the Bolton reserves after his horrific knee injury. It will be good to see Holden  wearing the USA kit soon.

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10 Kit Essay, United Kingdom

Welbeck injury provides reprieve for Sir Alex’s forward “problem”

Sir Alex Ferguson has a problem. He just has too many awesome forwards. He said as much last week, and that was before his team went and put up 8 on Arsenal, a tally high enough to beat most Big Ten football teams.

It almost sounds like some sort of clever prank, like a viral marketing campaign sure to reveal some sort of punch line sooner or later. Side after side in the EPL need forwards. Arsene Wenger would probably swear off puffy jackets for good to get someone in the squad to complement Robin van Persie. Stoke and Fulham don’t seem to even have any forwards on their roster. Swansea is yet to score in three matches. (more…)

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News in brief

MON Aug. 29 (AM): Big Wins, John, Cunningham, and Blatter

8-2. 8-2. While Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene left many parts of the East Coast in ruins, Arsenal – far away from the winds and rain - were left devastated by a rampant Manchester United Side. 8-2. Not since 1896 had Arsenal given up as many goals. The thrashing has Gunners legends upset, Pep Guardiola defending the coach, Arsene Wenger “hurt,” and additions needed by the end of the transfer window on Wednesday. One addition will do little to calm the growing lack of confidence Arsenal fans have for their boss. Park Chu-young joins from Monaco.

Not to worry, though. Arsenal will also be selling another defender.

United wasn’t the only club in town enjoying the weekend. City and newcomer Samir Nasri crushed Tottenham and want-away Luka Modric.

Not to be outdone by the British giants, Real Madrid debuted with a 6-0 win over Real Zaragoza. Kaka, among the scorers, has revealed he doesn’t expect to head anywhere in this transfer window.

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MON Aug. 22 (AM): Arsenal, Keane, MLS, Europe, and More

Arsenal saturates the Monday news, if only to give Gunners fans more things to worry about. Arsene Wenger has been suspended for two more European matches following his antics in the first leg of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Udinese (their only goal of the year so far). Another star looks set to depart the Emirates, and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini insisting that he not take place in Arsenal’s Wednesday’s upcoming fixture: the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Udinese. With all the money the Gunners are amassing, Yann M’Vila is the latest rumored player to be heading to London.

In MLS action, LA new boy Robbie Keane got things started in a very non-Fernando Torres sort of way. The former Spur and the 10th highest scorer in Premiere League history took just 21 minutes to tally his first goal of the season. Highlights here.

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FRI Aug. 19 (AM): Conrad, Dempsey, CCL, John, and More

It’s the end on an era. On Thursday, Jimmy Conrad, announced his retirement. In a career spanning 13-seasons with the Kansas City Wizards/Sporting KC, the charismatic Conrad won one MLS Cup (2001), on MLS Defender of the Year award (2005), and was part of the MLS Best XI four times (2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008). Conrad made 27 appearances for the US Men’s National Team, scoring one goal in an US friendly against Mexico.

Two goals from USMNT forward Clint Dempsey have Fulham on course to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League. Here are the goals.

Goals from Ryan Johnson and Julian de Guzman propelled Toronto FC to a 2-1 victory over Panamanian side Tauro. The win gave MLS a clean sweep in the first matches of the CONCACAF Champions League group stages. Highlights of the match here. Standings here.

Another MLS star could be headed to the Premiere League. FC Dallas’ defensive stalwart, George John, is the subject of a substantial bid from Blackburn Rovers. Jurgen Klinsmann may need to take note, as the Greek National Team is also monitoring the central defender.

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South of the Border, United States

Report: Arsenal Eyes Costa Rican Joel Campbell

TRAVIS CLARK – While the transfer market has been relatively quiet on the American front, another rising CONCACAF star looks poised to make a major move abroad.

Reports from Costa Rica suggest that 19-year-old forward Joel Campbell is nearing a move to Arsenal, with the star of the Ticos’ Copa America campaign attracting interest from the North London club. The report states that Arsenal executive Richard Law has already arrived in hopes of wrapping up a deal soon.

Campbell is part of Costa Rica’s young and experimental side sent to play at Copa America in place of Japan this summer, and was also the leading scorer at the 2011 Under 20 CONCACAF Championship, with six goals. He’ll be a part of Costa Rica’s U-20 World Cup campaign that starts at the end of July.

Currently under contract with Deportiva Saprissa – a familiar foe to MLS observers – Campbell has also spent time on loan with domestic club Puntarenas. The move would be a massive step up for him, although it’s hard to see him earning a work permit, given that he only has five appearances with the full national team as of Friday. If they do sign him, he’ll likely end up on loan somewhere in Spain for a couple years.

Video highlights of Campbell are after the jump. (more…)

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News in brief

FRI. July 1 (AM): Arsenal transfer moves, Neymar, WWC action, MLS

Despite being on the brink of losing several stars, Arsenal is bringing in a few big names as well. Lillle striker Gervinho claims his move to London is as good as done, save for a few details, while Uzbekistan midfielder Odil Ahmedov has also been linked to the club.

After being linked to some of Europe’s biggest clubs, it now appears as if Neymar will not be leaving Santos after all. Both the club president and Neymar’s agent have said that a transfer is no longer likely. Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro called Neymar’s move “non-negotiable” and said he will do everything he could to hang on to the striker. (more…)

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