Window of opportunity December 22, 2010 ARSENAL Budget: £25-30m, hypothetically, but not expected to be stretched Areas of weakness: A leaky defence is sorely missing Thomas Vermaelen, and with his return date still unknown the clamour is growing for Arsene Wenger to sign another centre-back Targets: Everton defender Phil Jagielka, the subject of a failed bid in the summer, and highly-rated [...]
Pietersen advocates seasonal sledging December 22, 2010 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen claims he won’t be holding back on the verbals, despite his attempts at sledging backfiring in the third Ashes Test. Pietersen and James Anderson attempted to get under the skin of the previously wayward Mitchell Johnson in Perth, but the Aussie paceman responded with a devastating spell of hostile swing bowling [...]
London’s festive sporting highlights December 22, 2010 WITH the weather having potentially put paid to any pre-planned foreign-based festive frolics, City A.M. has heroically rescued Christmas by pointing you in the direction of some of the sporting highlights the capital will be hosting. FOOTBALL Pivotal games at the top and bottom of the Premier League will be staged in London this weekend. [...]
Weather woes likely to deplete Barmy Army at MCG December 22, 2010 ENGLAND supporters fear their numbers will be depleted for the potentially decisive fourth Ashes Test as snow chaos prevents fans from flying out to Australia. A record crowd of more than 90,000 is anticipated for the match in Melbourne, which begins on Boxing Day and could see England retain the urn with victory. But the [...]
FA chief wants English boss December 22, 2010 FOOTBALL: New Football Association chairman David Bernstein has declared his intention to hire an Englishman as Fabio Capello’s successor. Bernstein beat ex-Arsenal director David Dein to the role yesterday and used his first interview to discuss the national team. “If he was English that would be preferable for obvious reasons and I think there is [...]
Attwood facing Six Nations ban December 22, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Gloucester and England second row Dave Attwood is facing a lengthy ban after being cited for stamping. La Rochelle complained about Attwood’s clash with Petrisor Toderasc during the French side’s 24-18 Amlin Challenge Cup win on Sunday. President Vincent Merling said: “Some of his teeth are smashed. It’s very serious.” Attwood, 23, played [...]
Momentum won’t win you back the urn, declares Cook December 21, 2010 ENGLAND vice-captain Alastair Cook believes the destination of the Ashes will have nothing to do with the myth that is momentum. Australia are claiming a psychological upper-hand following their crushing Third Test win in Perth, which leveled the series at 1-1 with two to play. But opening batsman Cook (below) is confident England won’t be [...]
Usmanov hints at £700m Arsenal offer December 21, 2010 ARSENAL’S second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has reignited the battle for ownership at Emirates Stadium by declaring his intention to move to the brink of launching a formal £700m takeover offer. Russian billionaire Usmanov already owns almost 27 per cent of the Premier League outfit, but wants to increase that to 29.9 per cent – [...]
City star Balotelli: I’ve never heard of Jack Wilshere December 21, 2010 HE MAY be rated one of the best young players in the world, but Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has escaped Mario Balotelli’s radar. The £24m Manchester City striker revealed his ignorance of the 18-year-old England midfielder after beating him to the Golden Boy trophy, an award for the best player aged under 20 handed out by [...]
Henson enjoys capital gains December 21, 2010 SARACENS recent signing Gavin Henson is yet to make his debut for the club, but the Wales international is already thinking of extending his stay in the capital beyond the end of the current season. The 28-year-old (right) is set to make his eagerly awaited first Sarries appearance at Wembley in the Boxing Day clash [...]