Wenger juggling Arsenal’s defensive ranks September 15, 2014 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he may be forced to throw untried Spanish full-back Hector Bellerin into the firing line during his side’s daunting Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund tonight. The depleted Gunners head to Germany with their defensive options stretched after France’s Mathieu Debuchy sprained his ankle against Manchester City on Saturday, with [...]
Rodgers aiming for knockouts on Euro return September 15, 2014 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers insists anything short of the knockout stages will be deemed a failure as his side make their long-awaiting Champions League return against Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets Razgrad at Anfield tonight. The five-time winners have not featured in European football’s premier competition since 2009 and have been drawn alongside star-studded Real Madrid and [...]
Premier League: Angel delight as Di Maria stars to trigger United’s renaissance September 14, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 QPR 0 MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal insists the blue touch paper has finally been lit at Old Trafford after his rejuvenated side clinically dispatched QPR yesterday to secure the Dutch tactician’s first win since taking the managerial reins. Record signing Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera both netted their first [...]
Welbeck ready to prove Van Gaal was wrong September 11, 2014 STRIKER Danny Welbeck insists he is straining at the leash to occupy the centre ground and escape the shackles of an unselfish past when Arsenal host reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Emirates tomorrow. The 23-year-old has endured consistent flack for an indifferent goalscoring record during his time at former club Manchester United [...]
Chelsea V Swansea spread betting September 11, 2014 IT’S NO surprise to see title favourites Chelsea sitting atop the Premier League, but a few eyebrows would have been raised if you’d suggested that last year’s 12th, Swansea, would be fighting for top-spot, having also claimed three wins from three. The two sides face off at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and you might be surprised [...]
Arsenal beer price: Fans spend more on pint of beer than Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea followers September 11, 2014 Arsenal fans must pay more for a pint of beer than any of their Premier League rivals, with pints at the Emirates Stadium priced at £4.30. Supporters at Anfield, meanwhile, can enjoy a drink for £1 less when toasting the Reds' latest exploits. Manchester United and Manchester City also pay under £4 for a pint, [...]
Spurs to leave the Lane as new stadium plans hit more snags September 10, 2014 A LEGAL wrangle is set to see Tottenham Hotspur rendered homeless after the club was yesterday forced to tear up plans over the proposed timing of a move to its new stadium. The news comes as a bitter blow to the north London side which had hoped to be fully installed in a fresh 56,250-capacity [...]
Maestro Ramsey keen to douse injury concerns September 10, 2014 INFLUENTIAL Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has moved to deflate concerns the ankle injury he sustained on international duty will sideline him from the Gunners’ pivotal Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday. The 23-year-old picked up a knock on the controversial artificial pitch at the Estadio Nacional as Wales began their Euro 2016 qualifying [...]
As Manchester United projects falling profits, will its big spending on players restore its fortunes? September 10, 2014 Trevor Birch, a partner at BDO and former chief executive of Chelsea Football Club, says Yes. The club is a commercial phenomenon in footballing terms. It’s just reported annual revenues of £430m, increasing commercial revenues by £135m since 2007. It generates astonishing positive cashflow and, as a self-financing business model, continues to be almost untouchable [...]
Manchester United is a commercial phenomenon – and will remain so September 10, 2014 Manchester United FC is a commercial phenomenon in footballing terms. It has just reported annual revenues of £430m and increased commercial revenues by £135m since 2007 – a staggering achievement. It generates astonishing positive cashflow and, as a self-financing business model, remains almost untouchable in the football industry, certainly in the UK. Where the club has [...]