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After their somewhat lacking start to the season and the simply awful game at Old Trafford, people were questioning both Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, asking if it was time for the Frenchman to move on, and just how much could they actually accomplish this season – in short, times were not happy at the Emirates, and even certain sectors of the fans were voicing dissenting opinions.

Any realistic person would have known that following the departures of Cesc Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy, Arsenal would have struggled initially, having to come to terms with the loss of three very influential players – none more so than skipper Fabregas, who was the creative heart of their side, yet the patience vastly evaporated from supporters, with all kinds of negativity both in the media and stands, and following the humiliation against United, Wenger entered the transfer market in what was perceived as a flurry of panic – something the carefully spending manager had never done before.

In came Arteta, Mertersacker, Santos and Benayoun, and Wenger came out with the usual spiel of how the season was not over, and Arsenal still had plenty to offer. As it turns out, this seems to be the case, with Arsenal going strong in Europe and also making a comeback in the Premier League, with a top four spot looking more than a feasible achievement – especially when you look at the form of Chelsea and wonder if Newcastle can really last the whole season in the top four.

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Now, of course, the dissenting voices have faded away, yet did they really have anything to complain about at all?

Only Arteta out of the new signings has made any kind of significant impact, with Mertersacker in particular struggling with the nature of the Premier League, and whilst both Santos and Mertersacker look like players with potential, only the former Everton midfielder has had an immediate effect, so really did Arsenal have it in them all along?

The simple answer to this question is obviously yes – all teams go through bad patches, and it was unfortunate that Arsenal’s came at the start of the season – but there is plenty of time for their season to be turned around, and they are well on the way to doing that.

It is the all too familiar story of fans and media jumping on the negative bandwagon after a couple of bad results – Chelsea are the latest club to go through this, and after a couple of poor results – should they get them – City will also have to deal with this. It is very easy to forget that the season is 38 games, not 3, and a great start does not mean trophies, nor does a few defeats signify doom. Arsenal fans are realising this, prehaps they should pass it across London to Chelsea fans!

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed that former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will come out of retirement to sign with Arsenal for the rest of the season.The 41-year-old German joins as a free agent after retiring in 2010 following two seasons with Bundesliga club Stuttgart.Lehmann made 199 appearances for Arsenal between 2003 and 2008, winning the Premier League title in 2004 and the FA Cup in 2005.The move comes after injuries sidelined regular goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski, meaning Lehmann will be used as back-up for first-choice Manuel Almunia.Italian youngster Vito Mannone is out on loan at Hull City and also injured. “He will sign for us for the rest of the season because we have Wojciech out for six weeks, we have Manuel out for six weeks and we have Fabianski out for the rest of the season,” Wenger said.”So, we have no cover of any experience at all in the Premier League and that is why I decided to get Jens back to cover up Almunia and, of course, to give us some experience.”During his previous spell at the club, relations between Lehmann and Spaniard Manuel Almunia were reported to be tense. And Wenger revealed that Almunia was not consulted before the decision was made to bring Lehmann back.”No. You make your decision,” he said.”Much more has been said that what basically happened, like many times.””There is a lot of respect between the two goalkeepers and I personally think that Jens Lehmann will get the best out of Almunia because he will be showing every day that he is ready to fight for his place as he has always been doing and Almunia will be motivated by that.”Wenger confirmed that the former Germany international will be on the bench for the Premier League game at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dropped a major hint that he will end his managerial career with the Gunners.

The 61-year-old Frenchman has only another 12 months left on his current contract, but says that extending his reign at the Emirates Stadium is the most likely scenario.

He told The Observer:"I am at a stage where if I extend my contract it means I will finish my career at club level at Arsenal.

"If I go for a different challenge – I have been offered many challenges you know – it has to be now.

"That's a decision I have to make. But basically I have no desire to change from here. I have one more year and we are maybe thinking about extending it.

"I cannot see that my enthusiasm will drop, but I am not necessarily the same resistance physically as Alex Ferguson.

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"At 65 I will certainly move to some different job, unless I still feel like I feel today."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has denied charges of improper conduct handed down by the FA in relation to comments made after defeat to QPR a fortnight ago.

The Portuguese coach was incensed by referee Chris Foy during the 1-0 defeat, as the official sent off both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba, and awarded the home side a penalty.

“The ref was poor, very very poor. And it reflected in the result. I spoke to him at the end and I was very aggressive to him. I don’t care if he’s OK or not,” Villas Boas said as part of his post-match interview at the time.

The FA investigated the ex-Porto trainer’s comments, and deemed them to be fitting of improper conduct, with the charges handed down earlier this week.

However, the Stamford Bridge club have rebuffed the charges, with Villas Boas making a retort to the governing body.

“With regards to the FA charge against Andre Villas-Boas for remarks he made after the QPR game, the manager is denying the charge against him and has submitted his response to the Football Association,” a statement from Chelsea reads.

The game was shrouded in controversy, as John Terry was accused of making racist comments aimed at Anton Ferdinand in the same fixture.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The new season of the Chinese Super League kicked off in uncertain fashion on Friday – without a major sponsor.Tyre manufacturer Pirelli ditched its contract with the league and national broadcaster China Central Television is refusing to show the matches.

The league has been hit by a series of scandals in recent years.

Several senior officials from the Chinese Football Association have been arrested over match-fixing allegations.

Top referees have been sacked for taking bribes and even players have been tainted by claims of corruption.

The national team has not helped either – years of poor results have seen China drop to 76 in the FIFA rankings.

Highlights of the opening round included home wins for Hangzhou Lucheng and Tianjin Teda.

Defender Marko Zoric scored the only goal in the 34th minute as Teda beat Shenzhen Ruby 1-0.

Hangzhou Lucheng scored a goal in each half in their 2-0 win over Nanchang Bayi.

Uruguayan midfielder Paulo Pezzolano opened the scored in the 12th minute and veteran Honduras midfielder Ramirez made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.

Han Pen gave Shandon Luneng a first minute lead in the 3-3 draw with Chengdu Blades.

Australian midfielder Brendon Santalab equalised in the 11th minute but Wang Yongpo restored Luneng’s lead with a goal on the half-time whistle.

Santalab struck again in the 65th minute but Brazilian striker Obina made it 3-2 to Luneng three minutes later.

Blades ensured a share of the spoils when Australian Adam Kwasnik equalised 11 minutes from time.

Shanghai Shenhua and Qingdao Jonoon also shared the points in a 3-3 draw.

Argentine striker Luis Salmeron scored twice for Shenhua, in the sixth and 48th minutes with Brazilian striker Eber responding for the visitors in the 38th minute.

Leo San made it 2-2 in the 67th minute before Colombia’s Duvier Riascos restored the home side’s lead in the 70th minute.

Zou Zheng earned Jonoon a point with a goal in the last minute.

Newcastle United have completed the signing of former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling.

Gosling, 20, has penned a four-year contract at St James' Park to become the second new signing since the Magpies secured promotion back to the Premier League.

Fellow midfielder James Perch arrived from Nottingham Forest earlier in the month.

"It's a brilliant move for me. Now that the deal is done I just can't wait to get started," Gosling to his new club's official website.

"I've played at St James' Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere. Playing there in a black and white shirt is something I've thought about already and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people.

"The gaffer Chris Hughton and all of the lads have been great with me and made me feel really welcome since I arrived and hopefully I can repay the faith that they've shown in me."

Gosling left Everton in controversial circumstances at the beginning of July.

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The Premier League were asked to make a ruling after the England Under-21 international was not given a new contract offer in writing.

The club claimed that they offered Gosling a new deal verbally, but nothing was put down in writing by the required date.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has admitted that he is ready to fight for a place in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting XI, amid increased competition for places in the Premier League champions’ forward line.

The Mexico international had an impressive maiden season in England last term, exceeding expectations to become a mainstay in the Old Trafford outfit’s frontline.

However with the emergence of Danny Welbeck, and Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen also in contention for a place alongside Wayne Rooney, Chicharito knows he will have to be at his best to play.

“It’s not a problem,” the 23-year-old told Inside Inside.

“I’ve come to learn that there will always be competition, at any club. You look around on the training pitch and there are almost 30 players, but only 11 can start a game. So it’s tough.

“You’ll always have disappointments. It helps you improve, though. On the training ground everybody wants to do their best, they want to prove what they can do and earn a spot in the team,” he stated.

Despite having a frustrating start to this campaign through injury, Hernandez is happy to be playing for United.

“It’s unbelievable,” he continued.

“In some ways I’m still getting used to wearing this shirt and being around these incredible players, seeing my name on a Manchester United teamsheet… it’s amazing.

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“Some days I wake up and I just can’t believe it. I’m living in this great country, playing for the best club in the world in the best league in the world. I’m so thankful for that,” the South American finished.

By Gareth McKnight

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There was no change at the top of the FIFA world rankings in March, with Spain, the Netherlands and Germany still occupying the top three spots.A total of 55 friendly matches were taken into consideration for the latest edition of the rankings, with Argentina moving into fourth place courtesy of their 2-1 win over Portugal to be the top-ranked South American side.Brazil slid one spot to fifth after a 1-0 loss to France in Paris, while England remain sixth and Uruguay seventh.Croatia improved to eighth place at the expense of Portugal, while Serbia’s 2-0 win over Israel secured them 20th place.Italy climbed to 11th place, level with Norway, and Japan climbed two places to 15th on the back of their triumph in the Asian Cup.Ghana are the highest-ranked African nation, down one spot to 16th place, and Jamaica were the biggest climbers – jumping 11 spots to sit in 48th position.

Coach Vicente del Bosque admitted Spain were far from at their best as they booked a first-ever place in the World Cup semi-finals.

The European champions reached the last four after a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

A game of two missed penalties and a solitary effort from the sharp-shooting David Villa brought life to an otherwise drab contest.

Oscar Cardozo missed a second-half penalty for the South Americans and Xabi Alonso followed suit for Spain before Villa's decisive strike in the 83rd minute at Ellis Park.

Spain will now face an impressive Germany side in Wednesday's second semi-final.

"In my time a Spanish side never felt so uncomfortable or passed the ball so inaccurately," explained del Bosque.

"But now it's an absolutely marvellous moment for Spanish football and our game is at the very top.

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"We didn't play a terribly good match today but we are happy and we know we have the necessary resources to face any rival including Germany.

"It's a great moment for Spanish football. We beat Germany in the final of the Euros but they are among the elite teams and I think that speaks volumes for European football."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Rumours are spreading once again this week that Manchester United are reviving their interest in Juventus’ winger Miloš Krasić. Given that the Salford-based club have a habit of signing a replacement player a year or two before the incumbent in that position departs – think Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, Wayne Rooney replacing Ruud van Nistelrooy, and now Phil Jones taking over from Rio Ferdinand – should we be reading into these rumours that Krasić is the answer for the Ryan Giggs conundrum?

Allow us for a second to assume that the rumours are genuine. Allow us also to point out that Krasić would not be a direct replacement for the veteran Welshman – he is, after all, right-footed. But there are several comparisons between the two. Both are inventive playmakers who are equally comfortable operating in the middle of the park or hugging the touchline; while Giggs has moved inside primarily to make room for the likes of Nani and Ashley Young on the left, Krasić has grown up occupying both roles.

Both men are prodigiously talented in the fine art of delivering the killer pass. In his first season at the resurrected Juventus last year, Krasić was a near-constant in the first team and delivered numerous assists from the very start of his time with the club. At 38, Giggs is still one of the most revered passers in the Premier League and Manchester United will once again turn to him this season when they are in need of a moment of magic.

What might appeal to Sir Alex Ferguson the most, though, is Krasić’s record as a winner. The Serbian has proven throughout the course of his career that he can contribute to a successful side. In a six-year spell at Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, Krasić was part of a team that won nine domestic titles (including back-to-back league crowns) and the 2005 UEFA Cup. In 2009, he succeeded one Nemanja Vidic as Serbian Footballer of the Year.

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Ferguson will doubtless understand that, with Giggs surely reaching the latter part of the autumn of his career, and Paul Scholes having retired in the summer, the time is right to find a new midfield talisman. At 26, Krasic is somewhat older than most of the players Manchester United have signed in recent transfer dealings, but he comes with a proven track record, six years’ experience playing in one of the most physical leagues outside the UK, and as an established international.

Krasić’s ability to provide a replacement for Giggs would somewhat depend on where he slots into the side. Ferguson’s gradual but seemingly inevitable switch to a 4-5-1 presents three positions Krasić could fill, in central midfield, on the right wing or behind the striker (although United tend to favour fielding a second centre-forward in that position).

With the already enviable array of attacking talent on show at Old Trafford, a role in central midfield would allow Krasić to spray passes in all directions for the likes of Nani, Young and Antonio Valencia to chase after; playing him on the right would mean more headed opportunities for Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney. Either way, we all know Ferguson would relish the challenge of finding room for another creative mastermind in a midfield already bulging with ideas.

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