The fourth round of group stage matches took place this week and a number of teams booked their places in the knockout stages. Although after this round of games there are no perfect sides left in the competition.

Bordeaux dominated Bayern Munich for a second time in a fortnight. They beat the Germans 2-0 with goals from Gourcuff and Chamakh which puts them in the knockout stages.

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All of a sudden, it seems no-one wants to win Ligue 1 this season. Every time a team rises to the top of the pile, they quickly lose their next game and fall from grace again.
Such is the case for Lyon who recently replaced long-standing leaders Bordeaux at the top end of Ligue 1. Their trip to Nice seemed barely troublesome after beating Liverpool in the Champions League last week, but they hadn't accounted for the home side's desperate need for points. Click to continue reading...

British football magazine FourFourTwo, just published (in the November issue) the list of the "100 Best Players in the World." The choices are based on the input of the magazine's journalists. Of course it will lead to all kinds of debate as "lists" are always subjective and don't mean anything beyond getting fans talking.

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It was quite the week for French teams in European football where Lyon showed incredible poise and Hugo Lloris certainly scored some points as the # 1 goalkeeper for France for the World Cup...it was also somewhat poetic justice to see a team Houllier successfully coached for 2 years beat Benitez's Liverpool at Anfield. Click to continue reading...

The World Cup qualifiers handed two wins to France and a ticket to the playoffs in November. The feat was celebrated like a resounding success despite the overall weakness ofGroup 7. France will find out on Monday if they play Ukraine, Ireland, Slovakia or Bosnia Herzegovina...it could be 1993 all over again. Click to continue reading...

Wenger targets Italian trio.

Italy Under-21 international Angelo Ogbonna has insisted he knows nothing about reported interest from England.

The 21-year-old defender has come through the youth system at Serie B Torino and is now attracting admiring glances from both Italy and abroad.

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Two freebies on Wenger's wish list.

The chase for Marouane Chamakh has of course continued unabatedly for some time now and the latest chapter of the move for the Moroccan came when Bordeaux's top brass accused Arsene Wenger of unsettling their top striker, something that our boss strongly denies.

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Welcome to another instalment of Thank Gooner it's Friday... where FTK gives his assessment of news and views that have impacted on Planet Gooner. This week appears less provocative than usual, but I'm sure that my ability to create controversy where none exists will change that. The week started with a 4 nil thrashing of Wigan with the prospect of extending our goal difference even more tomorrow with our trip to Fulham.

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I find myself somewhat *boilked* this morning. Stupid Arthur.

Arsene Wenger's normal pre-game press conference took place yesterday instead of today as Arsenal were celebrating the official opening of Highbury Square. Last time I saw Highbury it was all bockety and muddy and a bit sad looking, will have go take a look next time I'm over.

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Afternoon all,

the findings of the last 24 hours have shown that A) Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud is an idiot. B) Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud is stupid, and C) Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud needs to be put to sleep like a rabid dog.

He has accused the boss of distracting Marouane Chamakh and making his interest in him public before talking to Triaud:

"What I do not like in the behavior of Arsene Wenger, who is doing this again today, is that at the beginning, he declared his interest in Chamakh, a long time before calling me, then he ended up doing so.

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Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has expressed his anger at Arsene Wenger for 'unsettling' Les Girondins striker Marouane Chamakh during his summer pursuit of the Moroccan frontman. Despite Chamakh's eagerness to join the Gunners', Triaud believes that Wenger was waiting to see what happened with his squad before making a firm offer. Click to continue reading...

January move unlikely, free transfer in the summer a sure thing?

Fulham v Arsenal tickets still available Click Here

Bordeaux have ruled out in-demand striker Marouane Chamakh leaving in January.

The French-born Morocco international was linked with Arsenal and West Ham in the summer, but a move failed to materialise.

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Anyone see that new Matt Damon movie...? Anyways:

• Real Madrid's transfers have them in crazy debt.
  
• Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti wants new deals for Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.
  
• Arsenal reconsidering a move for Chamakh.
  
• Viduka's Aussie move is unlikely.

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The transfer window has barely shut and we have an agonising ten weeks until the open sign is displayed, but this has not stopped the speculation starting once again.

It is no secret that Wenger tried to sign Marouane Chamakh this summer, the two clubs could not agree on a fee. Arsenal offered a fee in the region of £5million, whilst Bordeaux wanted double that price for a player who is out of contract next summer and stated his intentions on wishing to join Arsenal.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Well, that was a stroll in the sunshine at the Emirates yesterday if ever I saw one. And one player strolling with great purpose was Emmanuel Eboue, who had plenty to be pleased with after nudging a goal in the Gunners' comfortable 4-0 triumph over Wigan.

For it was against Wigan last season that Eboue, on as a sub, was himself subbed, and the decision by Arsene Wenger was applauded and he left the field to boos.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE The Adebayor-gate affair rumbles on this morning, insiders, as Cesc Fabregas breaks his silence on the stamp that left him with peaking a three-inch gash on his right calf.

The Sun pictures the wound and quotes him: "I think this is a red card here.

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There have been several reports recently that Alisher Usmanov will announce any day now that he has acquired Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's 15.6% share in Arsenal. This will take Usmanov's holding to over 40%, resulting in him being obliged to make a formal offer for the club.

The Board, namely Peter Hill-Wood will make statements to the effect that the club is not for sale, despite the fact the Hill-Wood sold his shares in Arsenal many years ago to David Dein!

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The window has shut and once again Arsenal fans are left scratching their heads. Where has our team re-building gone, were we really that close to success last season that we did not need to add to our squad?

Arsene said, after the purchase of Vermaelen that he would like two more players in before pre-season training starts.

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Will there be a flurry of transfer activity on deadline day at Arsenal?

Philippe Senderos has left it late to find a new club and the rumours are that either Portsmouth or Hull City  will make a move for the Swiss international. This is a mighty drop after playing for AC Milan and Arsenal, but with no other takers and Senderos being sixth choice after Gallas, Vermaelen, Djourou, Silvestre and Song, it is best if the Swiss stopper moves to a team that will give him regular football.

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Hello people, hopefully you will have a good Bank Holiday Monday and spend it wisely.

Not that much on transfer gossip this morning apart from what was said yesterday about Chamakh and Viera. One small bit about Blaise Matuidi and how St Etienne want £8 million and how Wenger will not pay that, but that's a very small story in the general scheme of things.

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Hi everyone hope you've had good weeks up to this point and will be looking forward to the Celtic game tonight to probably see a few young guns in action.

But what has caught my eye today is a few journalists predicting Arsenal to be in action on transfer deadline day and throughout the week prior to it, I'll explain:

The Dail Mirror's Football Spy

From his insider knowledge or it could be what he just made up he is predicting 2 Arsenal moves in the last week of the transfer window:

Blaise Matuidi

This story has ran for ages and you all know who he is by now so I won't bother with huge details but he's a Defenesive Midfielder with a great talent.

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We start off with a move for a 35 year old that the whole world was talking about:

• Manchester City sign Sylvinho.
  
• Anelka pledges self to Chelsea.
  
• Puyol does the same with Barca.
  
• Manchester United after Modric?
  
• Julio Baptista is not EPL-bound.

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Chamakh has been linked with a host of Premier League teams

Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh has made a good start to the Ligue 1 campaign, scoring 3 goals in 3 games for the club. Â This form has seen him linked with a host of Premier League clubs, but is he really good enough to be considered by Premier League teams as a solid option?

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Alright all,

we host Pompey today for the first home game of the season in our new Arsenalised stadium. There is a chance the team could remain the same for the first three games of the season, I'm expecting an unchanged side of:

Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, van Persie.

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Your first look at the rumour, innuendo, injuries and team news ahead of tomorrow's pre-match press conferences.
Zola closes on Chamakh

Meanwhile, left-back Herita Ilunga's facial injury means he is rated as doubtful to face Tottenham on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park.

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Marouane Chamakh is finding out that Bordeaux is a club that has shackled him to his final year of contract. Cue Sepp Blatter and "slavery". He is in danger of missing out on West Ham as Les Girondins is set to reject their 8million euros offer.

"West Ham are the latest to come in. It's only in the past week that they have shown an interest.

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Couple Americans to start it off:

• Arsenal to sign a young Yank?
  
• Freddy Adu's move to Denmark falls through. God save him.
  
• Greek dude says he's joining Liverpool.
  
• Fulham complete Duff move.
  
• Kevin Davies, the Bolton captain, signs a new deal.

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Reports in France suggest the deal is off, but Marouane Chamakh continues to show Arsene Wenger exactly why he was interested in him in the first place. Moroccan forward Chamakh bagged two goals  for Bordeaux during their 3-2 league win over Sochaux. Check out the goals below, and give your feedback on whether or not Wenger should [. Click to continue reading...

Ligue 1 started with a bang and some 24 goals. Lyon already showed their limitations with a very laborious draw while Bordeaux and Marseille showed that, yes, they were the team to beat. Meanwhile, only 3 correct predictions for week 1. Ouch!
Not much luck for Lens last weekend who tied the game before half-time but managed to take 2 goals in extra time courtesy of Marouane Chamakh and Yohann Gourcuff. Click to continue reading...

Afternoon you lot,

last night I heard that Theo Walcott is a doubt for the England game tonight, I heard this off a correspondent close to the England team and works for Radio Five Live. In the case he is going to miss the game, it will make him a doubt for the game against Everton this weekend, making him our FIFTH injury, and thats before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

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It's a quickie today as, basically, there is nothing to talk about.

Vieira has somehow 'snubbed us' according to the net, must have been by not managing to get us to make any contact with him over a possible move and will be staying at Inter.

The papers say we've bid £8million for Chamakh, Bordeaux say we haven't, I say who cares!

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Afternoon all,

the build up to the big kick off could not be any slower, the players have flown out all across the globe to play for their countries in pointless internationals where no doubt at least three of them will return injured.

I really don't see the point of pre-season international games, what are they going to achieve?

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Afternoon all,

generally its another of those days where we are just waiting for something to happen, in a way its similar to last season when we waited right up to the transfer deadline and still nothing happened.

I still feel this summer will be different, and Wenger will buy, however I have a feeling we are waiting for Champions League qualification before splashing some of the 40 odd million we got from the sales of Kolo and Ade.

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Days away from a new Premier League season and reporter Oscar Chamberlain takes a closer look at the up and coming stars ready to make their mark this term.

Jack Wilshire (Arsenal)

You only need to speak his name around an Arsenal fan and they will tell you how much is expected of him in the coming season.

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Laurent Blanc's title winning side got off to a flyer against Lens beating the newly promoted side 4-1. Some great finishes in this one, especially from Brazilian Wendell and Arsenal target Chamakh puts away a nice finish and then celebrates in a half assed manner.

Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager!

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