ARSENAL shareholder Alisher Usmanov has splashed some of his considerable cash on a new luxury yacht...no doubt tempting Gooners to dream about the money he could fork out on players.

Usmanov has, it is being reported, handed over some £65million on the craft, which includes a swimming pool, a helicopter pad, a gym, a luxury dining room and cabins for 20 guests.

There is still no word about the negotiations between Arsenal and Robin Van Persie, but the reports are saying that he wants Arsene Wenger to prove that Arsenal can compete for trophies next season. Funnily enough, this is not the first time that Robin has been offered a contract extension, and neither is it the [.

Arsenal are showing interest in Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele, according to reports.

The Belgian has been a key player for Martin Jol's side this campaign, and Arsene Wenger could consider launching a bid in the region of £10 million for him.

The ex-Alkmaar playmaker has had another imprressive season racking up two Premier League goals and two assists along the way.

Having decided to part company with Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool now face the very real possibility that some players could look to leave with defender Martin Skrtel considering his future.
The centre-back, who was awarded the Liverpool player of the year, has revealed that he wants to know if the clubs ambitions will match his own after a difficult league campaign.

Martin Skrtel's agent has confirmed he plans to hold talks with Liverpool FC over the defender's future.

Skrtel has been one of the Reds most consistent player this campaign and was rewarded for his fine form by being named the club's player of the season.

The 27-year-old has two years to run on his current contract and Skrtel's representative, Karol Csonto, has admitted he will discuss Liverpool's plans as they get ready for talks on a new deal.

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has ruled out a return to Feyenoord in the immediate future because he feels it would be a step back in his career.
Kuyt, 31, is almost certain to leave Anfield this summer after struggling to hold down a first-team place under manager Kenny Dalglish.
Last month, the Holland international was seen having talks with Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel, sparking reports he would sign for the Rotterdam club.

Chelsea's ambitions of a top-four finish were ended in emphatic style after they lost 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield tonight.

The convincing win and performance by Liverpool had to have Kenny Dalglish and the Liverpool fand wondering why they had not played like that on Saturday in the FA Cup Final when Chelsea beat them 2-1.

Chelsea‘s ambitions of a top-four finish were ended in emphatic style after they lost 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield tonight.

The convincing win and performance by Liverpool had to have Kenny Dalglish and the Liverpool fand wondering why they had not played like that on Saturday in the FA Cup Final when Chelsea beat them 2-1.

By Max Grieve

With apparently false obstinacy, both red and blue repeated the tired lines. "We'll pick a team that will do this club justice," said Dalglish. His captain nodded in approval: "We've got the game against Fulham, and then we can get ready for Chelsea".

The rich get richer as Premier League leaders Manchester City have inked massive new six-year kit deal with Nike worth £120million.

The contract, which will come into effect in the 2013-14 season, replaces the Premier League leaders' existing deal with Umbro, who are now owned by Nike.

The rich get richer as Premier League leaders Manchester City have inked massive new six-year kit deal with Nike worth £120million.

The contract, which will come into effect in the 2013-14 season, replaces the Premier League leaders' existing deal with Umbro, who are now owned by Nike.

Dortmund are champions. Kaiserlautern are relegated. Both just awaiting official confirmation. But still plenty to play for in between the top and bottom.

A good bench is a sign of continuity.
Bayern Munich's ambitions to beat Mainz at any cost with a make-shift squad was greatly diminished by Dortmund's win over Schalke earlier.

Note: This piece first appeared on Set Piece Goal

Just out of curiosity I opened Google and typed "Cristiano Ronaldo is a" to see what results the search engine would give. Needless to say, it completed the sentence by suggesting the words "cheat" or "prick". Google suggested the same for Ashley Young, Steven Gerrard, Thierry Henry et.

By Alan Duffy

Newcastle United 2-0 Liverpool Premier League 1st April 2012

Returning to Newcastle for the first time since moving to Anfield, misfiring Liverpool striker Andy Carroll once again failed to live up to even a bit of the £35million paid for him by Kenny Dalglish.

szólj hozzá: M3-3S Highlights

The Sunderland result just might prove crucial in deciding City's title hopes. Utd face Blackburn, a match they are almost sure to win which could stretch the lead to five points.

Three things to take from this match. The petulant and self destructive display of City's players on the pitch will be seen as a major factor in their thwarted ambitions.

Chelsea appoint John Terry as player-manager as Terry promises 'no slipups' in Champions League - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Roman Abramovich Chelsea have appointed John Terry as player manager with immediate effect, with the board highlighting his fantastic team talks and tactical input from the sidelines as the core reasons for making this decision.

Arsenal's summer signing Andre Santos has revealed that he has been thrilled with the treatment he has received from everyone at the club and has chosen the Gunners faithful for special praise after recently returning from a long injury spell.

Brazil international Santos, signed from Fenerbahce seven months ago, briefly showed glimpses of his talent before being sidelined towards the end of 2011.

Andy Caroll has admitted that he is feeling the nerves as Liverpool prepare to play Newcastle on Sunday in what will be a vital game for both clubs ambitions of achieving a top six finish.
Liverpool are currently eight points behind Newcastle who are level on points with Chelsea after a fantastic season that has seen Alan Pardew's side shock most pundits and observers.

Conventional wisdom suggests we either flame out in style, or rise to the occasion that awaits. I tend to be optimistic when it comes to matters of the heart, and therefore would assume Chelsea could meet expectations and deliver a rousing victory tomorrow. But consecutive poor displays- losing to Manchester City (deservedly) and toiling to a point with Tottenham (undeservedly)- seem to have evaporated all those good vibrations.

A night to remember. A moment to savor. A season to endure. More, after the jump:

Defying Expectations

Twenty-four hours later, I'm still coming to grips with the realities that lay bare in front of us. The word epic gets bandied about far too often for incorrect situations, but it may well be the only apt adjective to truly describe what was an unforgettable night at The Bridge.

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Five things Liverpool can improve on other than points - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

"What other areas are there to improve on – apart from points?"

From any other manager, these would their famous last words. From Kenny Dalglish, however, it's merely an affirmation that Liverpool as a club has improved from last season.

The Portland Timbers have been very active in the off season. Any regular reader here or in any of the other Timbers focused communities can tell you that. Despite what EA would have us believe, the depth the Timbers have added is staggering. Where last year there was a clear first team player for each and every spot, this year it feels like every position is up for grabs between players of equal quality.

I have been reading various comments and articles in the press and the media ever since AVB was sacked on Sunday by Roman Abramovich. As per usual with our club and the job, when it's up for grabs we are reading all sorts of names being linked with the club.
What has made me laugh is these out of work managers who have "put themselves forward" for the vacancy in the last two days with the hope that Roman employes them.

I have been reading various comments and articles in the press and the media ever since AVB was sacked on Sunday by Roman Abramovich. As per usual with our club and the job, when it's up for grabs we are reading all sorts of names being linked with the club.
What has made me laugh is these out of work managers who have "put themselves forward" for the vacancy in the last two days with the hope that Roman employes them.

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs and manager Arsene Wenger have assured supporters attending tomorrow evening's Champions League second leg clash against AC Milan that the Gunners will be firing on all cylinders to mount a comeback from the 4-0 first leg defeat that left them on the verge of exit last month.

So, it's the same old then. Tired, embarrassing shit.

Right man, wrong time

Andre Villas-Boas sacked. How fucking shocking.

Let me see if I can predict our immediate future here. Shouldn't be so hard considering this has become a regular occurrence on Fulham Road over the past eight or so years.

Euro 2012 is a good 100 days away but tonight's match between Germany and France can easily be billed as a semi-final or even final meeting at the tournament! Meister-Coach Joachim Loew is trying to get people around him to sit down, but you get a sense that he wants to beat the French real badly, especially since Germany hasn't beaten France since 1987.

Athletic Bilbao's ambition to maintain their fourth place spot was held at El Madrigal after Marcelo Bielsa team's only grabbed a point against home team Villarreal, forcing the Basque side stuck at fifth place until another week.

The Yellow Submarines' Brazilian striker, Nilmar was the main culprit that held Bilbao's mission as the forward scored the equalizing goal which simply canceled out the visitor's earlier lead.

By Alan Duffy

Queens Park Rangers Fulham Premier League 25th February 2012

Current QPR boss Mark Hughes left Fulham after only a year in charge, after suggesting that the Cottagers didn't match his ambitions.

A great deal has been written about the perceived troubles at our beloved club, almost seven years without a trophy, the inability to retain our best players, the difficulty in signing top drawer talent and moving on the under-performing squad members.

Image via Wikipedia

All of the above are valid reasons for some fans to feel aggrieved and to call for change or in some cases even revolution.

A great deal has been written about the perceived troubles at our beloved club, almost seven years without a trophy, the inability to retain our best players, the difficulty in signing top drawer talent and moving on the under-performing squad members.

Image via Wikipedia

All of the above are valid reasons for some fans to feel aggrieved and to call for change or in some cases even revolution.

After being dumped out of the FA Cup, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has revealed that his major goal now remains to finish the season in a top four spot. The Gunners 4-0 loss to Milan in midweek European action seems to have really knocked the wind out of their sails and probably did more damage to Wenger's chances or remaining as coach beyond this season.

C'mon 'Arry break out in a smile now!

Harry Redknapp's been found to be as clean as a whistle. The three week trial which took place at Southwark crown courts came to an end as both Redknapp and his former Pompey boss, Milan Mandaric were cleared of tax evasion charges with the prosecution building their case around the Peter Crouch sale which involved two transfer amounts totaling £189,000.

Ruud van Gol is the autumn of his career. He has found his final destination, lowered his ambitions and lives in realism. "I'm nearing the point where football is costing me more than it yields, in energy terms. If that is the case, I call it quits. I do look [read more]

Fine margins

February and all we've collected from 2012 is a solitary point in the league. Unfortunately for a club the size of Arsenal and the ambitions that we harbour, that is not good enough. 7th is where we are right now in terms of the league standings and hopes of staying with the top pack and clinching that vital Champions League position is not mathematically out of grab.

One thing I have noticed in recent weeks is the lack of real chances we are creating for ourselves. The thing is, because of this happening, the likes of Danny Sturridge (as he demonstrated yesterday) have taken a selfish approach to his game and is shooting whenever he gets the ball in or around the box rather then lift his head up and look for a killer pass or to create a chance for someone else.

Arsene Wenger has openly spoken of his delight about Arsenal's thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 win to progress to the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Aston Villa but refuses to discuss the half-time conversation with his players.

The Gunners were 2-0 down heading into the interval following goals from Richard Dunne and Darren Bent but two second-half penalties from Robin van Persie and a deflected goal strike from Theo Walcott completed a memorable triumph.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover will try to trip up Nurnberg for their first league win since October while the trio of Americans at Hoffenheim will try to trip up Dortmund's title ambitions.

Midfield Hernanes The Brazilian playmaker was undoubtedly Lazio's best signing of last season. He has continued his excellent form into the new season, operating in the heart of Lazio's midfield and supplying new-boy Miroslav Klose with the service that has helped him notch up 9 goals so far. If Lazio are to pursue success in the Europa League along with their ambitions to claim a Champions.