A manager's success is directly tied to the players he recruits, so naturally, the manager needs to make his money count. Clubs always have reservations about making money available to their manager, especially when players like David Nugent are bought for £6 million, but these ten buys were truly divine.

It's that time of the season when the player of the season awards start being handed out. It's also the time of the season when us fans argue about who has been the best player in each of the positions. It is unlikely that any two fans would select an identical ‘team of the year' [...]

For some reason, I don't know why, readers were interested in our section on the best right-backs of the 2007/08 EPL season. Because of this interest, here is an updated list of the top right-backs of last season. Tottenham's Alan Hutton only played 12 games so he is not included, though he will certainly be in the 2008/09 list - he creates more opportunities for teammates than anybody on the below list - as will new Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa.

Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner has shaken off an ankle injury to start for his country in their World Cup Qualifier against Hungary tonight. Speedy winger Theo Walcott claims a surprising start in England's WCQ versus Andorra at the Olympic Stadium. Johan Djourou continues in defence for Switzerland v Israel while Arsenal's French trio Bacary Sagna, William Gallas [.

Arsenal will continue their pre-season preparations today after receiving some promising news from Bacary Sagna. The 25-year-old right-back is expected to be fully fit by August 16 after hurting his ankle at the end of last season. I will be...

More World Cup Qualifiers means more recaps. I think Abby will have some post gushing about Theo Walcott, so I'll only briefly mention him here. And post a picture. Lot of Gunners in action, and from what I've heard, no major injuries.

Robin Van Persie
Started and played 69 minutes for the Netherlands in their 2-1 win against FYR Macedonia.

Previews of the weekend's fixtures courtesy of The Sun, The Telegraph and Sky Sports. The Injury Front Michael Owen does it again. I guess it's comforting Beye, Gutierrez and Martins are coming back...then again, maybe not. If Kinnear can stay calm about this, it will be the first sign of hell freezing over.

Things were looking up for Arsenal midway through the second half of their game against Chelsea on Sunday. Bacary Sagna had headed the Gunners into the lead and it looked as though they were on their way to a priceless victory. However, we all know the way the game turned out and, what's worse, the [.

Yesterday was the first day of pre-season training for Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor. He was not wearing the black and red of AC Milan, nor the famous Blaugrana of Barcelona but the red and white of Arsenal. After months of speculation over the striker's future, sparked public displays of a desire to move elsewhere and [.

Aston Villa are considering a bid to sign Arsenal full-back Justin Hoyte, according to reports. The Times claims Martin O'Neill is on the lookout for a right-back and Hoyte is leading the list of candidates, with Middlesbrough's Luke Young the other target. Hoyte, 23, has struggled to affirm himself at the Emirates, with Bacary Sagna Arsene Wenger's [.

Sunderland have joined the race to sign Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte. The 23-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular spot under boss Arsene Wenger and is behind Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboue in the pecking order at the Emirates. Aston Villa and Middlesbrough have also been credited with showing an interest in the Leytonstone-born full back.

Soccerword's Premiership Team of the Week - 01

Goalkeeper: Shay Given, Newcastle

Defenders: Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea), Vedran Corlucka (Man City), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Mikel Arteta (Everton), Deco (Chelsea), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Strikers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham)

Honorable Mention: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Dunn (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Julian Faubert (West Ham), Darren Fletcher (Man United), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

With Gilberto on his way out the door, the welcoming distraction of the annual Barnet friendly is this weekend. Wenger has named his squad which includes the likes of Vela and Ramsey. Full list for those uninterested in following the link:

Manuel Almunia (GK)
Nacer Barazite
Nicklas Bendtner
Gael Clichy
Denilson
James Dunne
Rui Fonte
Gavin Hoyte
Justin Hoyte
Henri Lansbury
Vito Mannone (GK)
Havard Nordtveit
Abu Ogogo
Aaron Ramsey
Mark Randall
Paul Rodgers
Bacary Sagna
Jay Simpson
Rene Steer
Wojciech Szczesny(GK)
Armand Traore
Carlos Vela
Theo Walcott
Jack Wilshere

Some familiar names, some ones that I've never heard of.

New captain Francesc Fabregas led his side to their first victory in almost three weeks last night as the Spaniard masterminded the Gunners' 1-0 triumph over Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev. Following a contentious drop ball, Fabregas hit a forty-yard pass to substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner, who controlled the ball on his chest before coolly finishing [.

Soccerword's Premiership Team of the Week - 01

Goalkeeper: Shay Given, Newcastle

Defenders: Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea), Vedran Corlucka (Man City), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Mikel Arteta (Everton), Deco (Chelsea), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Strikers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham)

Honorable Mention: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Dunn (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Julian Faubert (West Ham), Darren Fletcher (Man United), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)