Perhaps I should call this post guesses about the tactics and starting eleven against Swansea! After the recent overhaul of the squad it is hard to figure out exactly who is going to play or the tactical approach that will be used.

By and large, I don't expect a big change in the style of play.

Oh God! What does one say after a game like that. Great fighting spirit and a gritty display for a well-earned away point at a difficult venue? Terrible performance that shows the Gunners just aren't good enough anymore? I guess it depends on one's mentality and the spin that suits it. As mentioned in the preview, I wasn't expecting a win but a more assured performance would have been encouraging for the future.

Three points more than welcome but a great deal of work remains to be done.

Arsene picked the expected line-up, handing debuts to Mertesacker and Arteta. It was a strong looking side and almost everyone expected a win for the Gunners.

The Spaniard had an early chance to make his mark as he won a free-kick just outside the box in a central area.

Ok, before getting into the match analysis I just want to congratulate Blackburn Rovers and Steve Kean. They worked hard, took whatever came their way, and fully deserve to move up from the bottom of the table.

Now let's get on with Arsenal. What does one say after a performance like that?

Strong start. Eased off. Conceded a sloppy goal and some chances. Regrouped. Equalized. Pushed on and closed the game out by adding a couple more. Entertaining. Encouraging. Much needed.

It was a youthful line-up and an even younger bench. Le Boss also started with a fluid 4-4-2 giving Park and Chamakh having a great deal of freedom to move.

Robin van Persie has tipped Arsenal youngster Ryo Miyaichi to achieve greatness at the club given the Japanese starlet's work ethic and positive attitude towards the game.

Van Persie watched from the sidelines as Miyaichi and the rest of Arsenal's Carling Cup squad defeated Shrewsbury Town 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium but even before the kick-off, he only had good things to say about his prodigal teammate.

This will be a battle between teams placed 17th and 19th with the two leakiest defences in the League. Bolton have shipped just one less goal than Arsenal's 14. Neither team is on a particularly good run either and both have a Cup result to blame, at least partially. Arsenal have been unrecognizable since the Carling Cup loss while Bolton haven't been able to recover from the 5-0 hammering they got from Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final.

Wesley Sneijder has revealed that former Inter boss Jose Mourinho told him to snub a move to Old Trafford and continue to build his career at Inter Milan.

The Dutch international attracted massive interest from both the Manchester clubs, with United reportedly coming closed to sealing the deal on numerous occasions before it all fell apart at the closing of the summer transfer window.

Three games of the season have been played and the clubs have completed their transfer business till the winter at least. This seems like a good time to make predictions but this year I am finding it hard to develop any sort of conviction regarding the hopes of most of the top teams. There have been significant changes at almost all the clubs, the results of which will only be known in due course.

En su visita al Bolton Wanderers el delantero mexicano Javier "Chicharito" Hernández regreso a la senda goleadora iniciando de titular al anotar con el Manchester United en la Premier League, un doblete en la victoria de 5-0 del Manchester United.

"Chicharito" abrió la cuenta para los Red Devils al minuto 5, en un centro de Nani, que alcanzó a mandar el balón al fondo con una barrida que apenas elevo el balon al portero que quedo estupefacto y Chicharito festejo haciendo con su mano una letra C.

Arsenal visit Dortmund, the self-professed football capital of the world, to open a Champions League group phase that promises to be the toughest one in recent years. BVB are by far the best team from the fourth pot and could quite possible provide a sterner challenge than the other two teams in the group.

It'd be hard to find many teams that have had a more difficult start to the season than the Gunners. But few will argue that the next club to host Arsenal isn't facing desperate times.

As a Gooner one can sympathize with another club that is looking to do things the right way. The new owners don't seem to be very popular amongst the Ewood Park faithful but won my approval when they sacked Fat Sam.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester United v Chelsea, Tottenham v Liverpool, Fulham v Manchester City, Sunderland v Stoke

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League with four fixtures including Manchester United v Chelsea wrapping up the weekend's action

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-18 04:00:04 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

When it was first announced, not many would have thought an Arsenal V Shrewsbury tie in the third round of the Carling Cup will take on such significance. I shudder at the thought of elimination but given the recent form, and with the team finding new ways of gifting goals, it's not too hard to imagine.

After initially attributing Arsenal's shocking 4-3 defeat at Blackburn to fatigue and a stroke of misfortune, Arsene Wenger has finally broken his silence on what he thinks has led to the club's worst start in 58 years.

The Gunners have managed only four points from 15 in their opening five fixtures and their latest setback at Ewood Park caused many to wonder precisely what it is that continues to cause issues at the Emirates Stadium despite a host of major signings bolstering the squad at the transfer deadline day.

A review of Barclays Premier League sides in Carling Cup third round action.

Tres malas noticias para los pupilos de Alex Fergusson , Javier Chicharito Hernandez y Wayne Rooney salieron lesionados de este partido y ademas no ganaron y rompieron la racha perfecta o sea el record de 100% que tenian con el equipo del Stoke City quienes tomaron este partido como una victoria.

footyroom.

Manchester City found a way through at Etihad Stadium against a venerable Everton group, earning the 2-0 victory and a share of first place in the Barclays Premier League. City set up in the same formation they've used in the ...
This is a content summary. Visit http://www.epltalk.com to read the entire article

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Arsenal v Bolton, Chelsea v Swansea, Liverpool v Wolves, Newcastle v Blackburn, West Brom v Fulham, Wigan v Tottenham

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League where there are six fixtures under the spotlight at 3pm.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-24 04:00:06 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Arsenal v Bolton, Chelsea v Swansea, Liverpool v Wolves, Newcastle v Blackburn, West Brom v Fulham, Wigan v Tottenham

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League where there are six fixtures under the spotlight at 3pm.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-24 04:00:06 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Three goals. Three Points. Three Cheers.

Well, I am sitting here in a cabin at the smoky mountains and everyone with me is keen to move out into the forest so I will keep this short.

I thought both teams started brightly. Bolton came with a plan to press Arsenal all over the pitch, a plan that has worked for many teams, and a high-ball strategy (let me not call it long ball) that almost reaped instant dividends.

Manchester City's eventful week went from bad to worse when the club confirmed that Carlos Tevez has been suspended until his alleged refusal to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich is fully reviewed.

The joint Barclays Premier League leaders suffered a humbling 2-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena as German international striker Mario Gomez once again proved his mettle.

When it rains, it pours, eh!

Most parched Gooner hearts will welcome the flash flood of signings we've seen in the last two days. A striker, two creative players, a centre-back, and a left-back cover almost all requirements that have been floating around in fan conversations. Or one could say two international captains, a club captain, and a couple of seasoned pros tick some of the experience and leadership boxes that have been vacant.

Liverpool striker David N'Gog has completed his deadline day move to Bolton.
The French striker, who joined the club from Paris Saint Germain in 2008, has failed to live up to expectations and following the signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January, has found his first team opportunities limited.

The transfer day deadline was a flurry of activities and I loved it! Sitting down sifting through TFB4's twitter page, there was a feeling of major surprise signings and it did take place albeit in small measures. I compiled The Flat Back Four's top five most intriguing transfer signings.

Well, it's hard to refuse when a team like Chelsea comes knocking at your door. Even harder when possibly the best Portuguese coach in the business wants you. Extremely irresistible when Chelsea can offer you first team playing minutes and Champions League football. Thus, Raul Meireles weighed up his options and decided to join the Andre Villa-Boas Chelsea evolution.

Premier League clubs spend record £710m on players

Analysts have revealed that 2011 was a record year for Barclays Premier League transfer spending, with a staggering £710million being spent over the course of the year.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-01 14:08:30 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has revealed the Bluebirds tried in vain to keep Craig Bellamy from the clutches of Liverpool on deadline day.
The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at his hometown club from Manchester City, but was unable to help them secure a passage into the Barclays Premier League.

Watch Live Barclays Premier League Matches on www.FoxSoccer.tv

IF you're looking for a reliable and 100% official live web stream of the popular EPL games as they happen then you can't go far wrong with an account from www.FoxSoccer.tv and a USA VPN account from www.

Rooney, Suaraz, Carroll, Aguero, Young, Gerrard and Silva the Premier League brightest stars

The Barclays Premier League season is under way and some of the greatest footballers in the world a few of them new to the English game have made a stunning impact. Here, Sportsmail's team of writers select the players who they think will stand out from the crowd in this campaign.

Like most fans, and quite probably Arsene Wenger himself, I wanted to see decisive action from the Gunners in the transfer market. Sort out the situation with those who want to leave, sign replacements in time, have a good pre-season, and start the season with confidence and stability. I will be surprised if anyone, irrespective of their feelings towards the manager or the board, disagrees with that.

Steven Gerrard eyes Tottenham return

Steven Gerrard is eyeing the Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham in a fortnight's time as a possible comeback date as the Liverpool skipper edges closer fitness.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-03 13:56:47 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott admits that Arsenal's struggling squad needed a boost following a shockingly poor start to their Barclays Premier League campaign and hopes that the quintet of the club's deadline day signings will turns things around.

Walcott, who was a part of the Gunners side that was humiliated throughout their 8-2 defeat to Manchester United eight days ago, insists that the belief within the team remains strong despite the disappointment that filled the dressing room in the aftermath of the Old Trafford fixture.

Steve Clarke believes Liverpool has every reason to be satisfied with their start to 2011-12.
The Reds have picked up seven points from a possible nine in the Barclays Premier League, while they also made sure of a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over Exeter City.
A stylish attacking verve has characterized Liverpool's performances this term - and Clarke feels everyone within the camp can feel pleased with their efforts thus far.

Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher believes that despite the club's failure to finish within the top five positions in the Barclays Premier League in the last two seasons, this could be the year it all changes for the Merseysiders.

The Reds endured a frustrating period towards the end of Rafa Benitez's reign before things appeared to have hit an all-time low under Roy Hodgson last year.

It was 50/50 in the end if Nicklas Bendtner would secure his loan move away from Arsenal to get regular opportunities in the Barclays Premier League. NB52 ended up heading North-East, to Sunderland. The club have made some decent signings this summer with John O'Shea, Wes Brown and playmaker Sebastian Larsson coming into Stadium Of Light.

Former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The two Spanish giants lost just six games between them last season and third place Valencia finished 25 points behind champions Barcelona.

I wrote earlier that former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The dominance of Barca and Real derives in part from their control of revenue from TV rights, which gives them a far bigger share of the pot than rivals in other major European leagues.

Former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The two Spanish giants lost just six games between them last season and third place Valencia finished 25 points behind champions Barcelona.

I wrote earlier that former Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano believes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will abandon La Liga for a European league if their dominance of La Liga continues.

The dominance of Barca and Real derives in part from their control of revenue from TV rights, which gives them a far bigger share of the pot than rivals in other major European leagues.