In the preview of tomorrow's game I touched on news of a possible return to the line-up for Robinho, and the Mark Hughes has spoken of this possibility:

"He is back training with the group, which is pleasing from everyone's point of view," said Hughes. He is travelling with us and we will make a decision [on his fitness] tomorrow.

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Long, long ago, when the world was still new, there was once an Arsenal blog, written by an American. It was updated daily with all the latest news, transfer stories, and thoughts on Arsenal. It was called The ArseNole. And now, The ArseNole is back. That's right, after a shocking absence of over a month, I've made a return to the blogging realm, since there is finally a lot to talk about. Click to continue reading...

The injury to young Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs is not as bad as initially feared the club has confirmed.
The England U21 international was thought to have broken a bone in his foot whilst on international duty on Tuesday but further assessment has revealed that he only sustained bruising and will most likely miss just this weekend's clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Click to continue reading...

Former Arsenal star Robert Pires has his fingers crossed that the Gunners can overcome their usual ‘November curse'.
Generally, Arsenal are struck down by poor form and injuries in November which goes a long way to wrecking their title hopes and it hasn't begun too well this time around either with the injury to key striker Robin van Persie and the absence of fellow strike man Nicklas Bendtner. Click to continue reading...

1. Another Revamp: A lot is being asked of the squad in camp, needing a quick reshuffle and integration of players from Slovakia to Denmark. Clint Dempsey and Steve Cherundolo started against Slovakia but won't be available against Denmark. Cherundolo's absence in particular means reshuffling the defense. Click to continue reading...

Sorry I haven't been around lately, it's been a bit hectic over here recently. Luckily it was an international break and nothing much happened in my absence, but I now dutifully bring you what did.

As you may have read in TheSpoiler (highly recommended by the way), Darius Vassell, ex-Man City striker, has been experience a few bumps over in Turkey.

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One of head coach Bob Bradley's many experiments in the US' 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Saturday was giving forward Eddie Johnson a second look after more than a 12 month absence from the national team. Click to continue reading...

A brief statement on Arsenal's website updates RVP's status. He will be traveling back to London this week and resuming his care with the Arsenal medical staff at London Colney.

They also confirm the 6 week convalescence period.

Elsewhere in the Arsenal blog world:

Arseblog mentions, the silver lining is the pretty straightforward series of fixtures till Xmas other than Chelsea and Liverpool (both clubs have their injury woes too).

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Happy Monday to you from a very wild and rainy Dublin.

Still lots of misinformation abounding regarding Robin van Persie's injury. This morning's Sun says he could miss the 'entire season' and says Arsene is 'gutted' but the news from the player himself isn't so bad. The Dutch FA have confirmed that there's a 'partial rupture' of his ankle ligaments but there's no requirement for surgery, which is a good thing.

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By 1970's GoonerAfter Bendtner's groin injury was announced I was beginning to worry as to what would have happened had van Persie suffered an injury himself! He is prone to do that I was thinking....In his absence I would not have hesitated to blow young Bendtner's trumpet. He has improved in leaps and bounds this season and would have been ideal to take over from van Persie and show what he can Click to continue reading...

Liverpool are ready to poach Eduardo from rivals Arsenal in a £10million deal.
The 26-year-old Croatian forward is unhappy that he has still to be offered improved terms at the Emirates.
His contract has just over 18 months to run and that has alerted Rafa Benitez, who desperately needs to strengthen his attacking options. Click to continue reading...

I've written before about how good an interview Stephen Ireland is, always providing a great insight into situations with an honesty rarely offered by footballers.
There are a couple of features today in The Telegraph and The Guardian in which Ireland discusses - on the eve of Ireland's World Cup play-off with France - his continued absence from the international scene, and despite reports that have hinted at a return he firmly closes the door on a potential return:

But while admitting he will watch Giovanni Trapattoni's team tackle the French when he returns to Manchester, Ireland has emphatically ruled out the possibility of an about-turn on his international retirement and insisted that the hate mail does not concern him.

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Video goal highlights from the Brazil vs England international football friendly in Doha, Qatar on November 14, 2009, Saturday. Game kicks off at 17.00 GMT. Wayne Rooney is set to captain England in the absence of John Terry. Brazil vs England highlights and team lineups to be updated. Related posts:4-0 England Slovakia goals- Highlights All the [. Click to continue reading...

Amazingly, reports in the press today suggest that Lucas Lieva has been the subject of transfer inquiries.Frankly, I am stunned that the lad is even being pursued by other clubs.After a completely uninspiring start to his career at Liverpool, where he couldn't make a tackle, couldn't pass the ball to a team-mate and was roundly booed by the Anfield faithful every time he was near the ball, the lad is now coveted by some clubs in Europe. Click to continue reading...

Just a week or so ago I wrote on here claiming we needed to be more patient with Nani, following a string of frustrating games with the odd flash of something good. We've spent a lot of money on the lad and he should be given a fair run in the team before he's out on his arse.

But unfortunately for Nani, he couldn't just be patient and see what the manager's plans were for him.

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When Liverpool paid Portsmouth £18m for Glen Johnson more than a few eyebrows were raised and plenty of those raised were from us Reds fans. The more Johnson plays for Liverpool though the more you can see that he is becoming worth every penny that we paid for him as he adds a whole new dimension to the Reds side. Click to continue reading...

Two players have been dropped from the original Bafana Bafana Squad and replaced. All but five are still to arrive in cap to prepare fro the friendlies against Japan and Jamaica later this month.

Every young boy kicking a tennis ball around in a dusty township street dreams of wearing the Bafana Bafana Jersey.

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I am Back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After a long hiatus , I have finally decided to restart my blog. At first, I thought will I be able to find the time to maintain a blog , but then I thought and thought more and said What the Hack !!! :) . Let's give it a try once more. Click to continue reading...

Cristiano Ronaldo is irreplaceable according to most pundits if not all of them; and the signing of Antonio Valencia in the summer wasn't to replace the talisman but was instead brought because of the quality in which he had.

Valencia only scored three goals for Wigan last year, and this time around with United, not even halfway through the season, he has scored that many.

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United will go into the international break ruing, what could have been, a draw (even, to the optimists, a win). Prior to the game, whilst I predicted a 1-1 draw, a nagging feeling told me a defeat to Chelsea was a perfectly possible and in a parallel universe, even deserving, given our recent form and I had my mind made up preparing for the worst.

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Today was a great result for us, it was, but...nah, I'm only messing. There is no but, I don't even care that we conceded late on. I knew we would, who didn't? We can concede as many as we like for all I care as long as we end up winning by three clear goals.

Wolves can bemoan their luck all they want, but if they hadn't have helped the ball on for the first two and if the ref hadn't blocked them off for the third we'd just have found a different way to score as we did sublimely with the fourth.

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"On the other side of things, Michael Johnson has had a massive absence from injury for a long, long time, so being in the squad will be a big lift for him."

Johnson's call-up comes after the 21-year-old recovered from a long-term abdominal problem that limited him to eight City appearances last season.

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If the Chicago Fire were hoping for reinforcements to bolster their chances against New England in Saturday's second leg playoff match, they'll have to look beyond Gonzalo Segares. The defender is currently listed as out for the upcoming do-or-die encounter set for Saturday at Toyota Park.

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Kieran Gibbs will cover Clichy's absence and Thomas Rosicky is back in training but will not play against AZ Alkmaar.
Arsene Wenger told at Tuesday's press conference ahead of the Champions League game:

We have some bad news.
Bendtner is quite seriously injured.

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Where do you draw the line when it comes to Fernando Torres' fitness? That's the question I've been asking myself ever since I wrote yesterday's piece on Steve Gerrard's absence from the squad for Wednesday night's European tilt against Lyon. I read, re-read, and then read Rafa's comments regarding the injury numerous times before coming [. Click to continue reading...

Franz Smuda called up his first ever squad as the coach of the Polish national team. There were a few surprises such as the absence of Shakhtar's Mariusz Lewandowski and the inclusion of the long time no seen Kamil Kosowski or less than impressive Janusz Gancarczyk. Smuda claims that the door is not closed for anybody and that no player is guaranteed future call ups.

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Mark Ogden writes for The Telegraph about Neville spoiling his legendary status.

Oliver Kay writes for The Times about Owen's increasing England chance.

The Mirror reckons Rooney's absence from training means his missus has gone in to labour how considerate of her to pick a non-matchday.

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Yeah, I know it's been a while. Two weeks without The Beautiful Game has probably driven some of you mad.
But I haven't been out as long as C-Ron. Word is he's missing tomorrow's UCL action, after reaggravating an ankle injury three weeks ago.
So clearly I'm absolved of the short absence. Click to continue reading...

By 1970's GoonerGranted Spurs were missing pace up front with the absence of Lennon and Defoe but I still think that we would have still run out easy winners in the end. They were facing two major problems. One was their inability to gain control of the midfield areas with Huddlestone, Palacios and Jenas unable to counter Song, Diaby and Fabregas. Click to continue reading...

...Liverpool beat Fulham today. Yes, the team is suffering from injuries but there is still enough quality in the squad to get a result.
Javier Mascherano summed it up perfectly during the week:
"The win [against United] is important, but it's only three points. We have to keep going. Click to continue reading...

A much earlier blog than usual as I'm heading Londonwards this morning for the game.

There's nothing new to report in terms of the team. Wenger confirmed Fabianski's injury and said he'd be missing for "three to four" weeks, which is no doubt a blow to him. He was giving nothing away when pressed about who would play today.

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TORONTO - Age appears nothing but a number for the beloved Captain of Pistolas FC Charles Eppich, as he continues to score goals in limited games, and remains the All-Time Goalscorer.
In fact he scored 2 goals in the finals to bring his 2009 tally to 6 and his all-time tally to 12.
But his absence from the roster during the Toronto Cup - an absence not brought on by availability - left many teammates and fans wondering about the status of our fearless leader. Click to continue reading...

Right then, it's one busy blog this morning so let's get right into it.

Just moments, possibly seconds, after an article appeared on the official site with Lukasz Fabianski talking about how delighted he was to be back, another appeared advising us that Lukasz Fabianski would be out for three weeks.

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I haven't been able to find highlights but I did find a video of all four goals. The emotionally unstable amongst us may not want to watch it as it's pretty depressing. As my father said the only positive thing to take away from that match is the fact that we can't do any worse on Saturday. Now I must say I didn't really expect a win, I don't think any Wanderer did, but 4-0?

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Hi folks sorry about the absence however due to unforeseen technical difficulty Dov and I have been...
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