As Arsenal head towards the business end of the season, their manager Arsene Wenger has said that the Gunners should be optimistic about their chances.

The North Londoners will face Sunderland on Saturday at the Stadium of Light, with their aim being to keep pace with their city rivals Chelsea.

So there were some very interesting results around Europe this weekend with the major stories making the headlines being Inter's 4-0 loss to Roma in the Serie A and Chelsea's surprising 3-3 draw at home with United.

Coming off the back of 3 poor results, Inter desperately needed a win to ensure they broke into the top 4 spot.

A goal from Sergio Ramos was enough to gave Real Madrid a slender 1-0 win against city rivals Getafe to maintain their seven-point lead over title rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish Liga.

The visitors dominated possession but created few clear-cut opportunities and the match was eventually settled by Ramos's 18th-minute goal, the Spanish international defender meeting Mesut Özil's corner with a flying header that powered into the top right coner.

Keep calm and carry on isn't just a greetings card company, it's a quintessential English saying that Oxlade-Chamberlain adheres too.... In an interview with Sky Sports, The former Southampton Academy graduate stated that, "I have to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard." An attitude most 18 year olds may push aside [.

When Atletico Madrid sold Sergio Aguero to England's Manchester City during the summer, there was all sorts of rumors that Aguero really wanted to move to city rivals Real, but that Atletico refused to sell him to their bitter rivals.

There were also rumors at the time that Aguero was only heading to Manchester for a season and that in 2012 he would be heading back to the Madrid, this time to play for the the white side of the capital.

Eight days ago, Inter were flying high off an extraordinary run of seven straight league wins, including victories against city rivals Milan and fourth place Lazio. The club had a midweek fixture in the Coppa Italia against Napoli, only to lose in controversial fashion once again to the Partenopei.

Seven days ago, Inter were flying high off an extraordinary run of seven straight league wins, including victories against city rivals Milan and fourth place Lazio. The club had a midweek fixture in the Coppa Italia against Napoli, only to lose in controversial fashion once again to the Partenopei.

The transfer window came to a close yesterday with some very interesting signings across Europe. Once again attention was centred on the EPL where a host of clubs were keen on bolstering their squads for the remainder of the season.

However, it was to be a bitter sweet day for league leaders Manchester City who despite capturing Roma midfielder David Pizarro on loan, suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Everton.

Man City were 3-2 winners over Tottenham thanks to a late Mario Balotelli penalty that ensured the Citizens remain top of the Premier League with a 3 point advantage over their city rivals United.

But once again City striker Balotelli is making the news for all the wrong reasons. Despite netting the last minute winner, the 21 year old Italy international,was 'lucky' to be on the pitch after stumping on Scott Parker.

Arsenal 1 (Van Persie 71) Man United 2 (Valencia 45, Welbeck 81)
(Premiership)

The bare facts make for grim reading. Defeat to United leaves us fifteen points behind them, and eighteen off the pace set by their city rivals. Our own neighbours remain ten points above us despite their loss earlier in the day, and that critical fourth spot is still an elusive five points away.

The current table shows Inter in 5th place yet the Nerazzurri have a greater chance of competing for the league title than Udinese or Lazio who are currently above them in the standings. Inter's players have the necessary experience and the quality players to challenge for titles while both Udinese and Lazio are lacking in terms of experience and the killer instinct needed to win difficult matches.

There is a long way to go in the Premier League title race, but the battle between Manchester and north London this weekend could prove pivotal.
Top plays third and fifth plays second as competition at the top hots up. Manchester City put their 100 per cent home record on the line when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while cross-city rivals Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal just hours later.

Milan lost the weekend event 0-1 to city rivals Inter and word on the street is Pato ain't going anywhere soon as owner Silvio Berlusconi has sent the word down he wants two upfront and that means, for the time being, a Ibra-Pato partnership must bloom. Team vice-president Adriano Galliani was quoted on the club's official website as saying, "We're still five points ahead of.

Inter's slender 1-0 victory over their city rivals Milan last night threw them back in the title race. A 65th minute goal from Diego Milito was enough to hand Claudio Ranieri's men win the 204th edition of the Derby Della Madonnina.

Juventus who were level on points with Milan before last night's round of fixtures also failed to make most of their match against Cagliari as they were held to a 1 all draw at the Juventus stadium.

League leaders AC Milan host their cross city rivals Inter Milan in the 204th meeting between them at the San Siro. Though Milan leads with the most number of wins in all meetings, there really is nothing to separate both sides.

Milan have won 72 of all the 204 meetings just one more than Inter with the pair each having scored an 279 goals in all meetings.

League leaders AC Milan host their cross city rivals Inter Milan in the 204th meeting between them at the San Siro. Though Milan leads with the most number of wins in all meetings, there really is nothing to separate both sides.

Milan have won 72 of all the 204 meetings just one more than Inter with the pair each having scored an 279 goals in all meetings.

Courtesy of MilanChannel Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives us a few words on the coming Milan derby against city rivals Internazionale with much praise for defender Thiago Silva
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit www.serieaweekly.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

The latest from the Carlos Tevez transfer saga reveals that the striker has reached an agreement with Italian giants AC Milan. According to Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani, an agreement between Tevez, City and Milan has already been reached.

Of course this only creates more controversy as Milan's city rivals Inter are also thought to be still interested in Tevez despite Milan's arrangement.

Italian league action resumed yesterday after a short break with a couple of interesting results. Inter Milan began the year with a resounding 5-0 hammering of Parma at the San Siro while high flyers Lazio were thrashed 4-0 by Siena.

In what he termed as his best display ever with the club, a visibly happy Claudio Ranieri praised his side for their 5 star performance.

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss away to Newcastle last night at St. James Park to see their chances of moving level on points with their city rivals Manchester City go up in smoke.

In spite of the loss, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is still putting a brave face as he maintains that his squad can come back from their latest set back .

The transfer window is upon us and with a number of players set to move now and in the summer, we would like to take you through a list of the players who could potential leave their clubs when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

At look at the heavyweights making the list across the big clubs reveals that they are set to lose very influential players in the summer.

By Alan Duffy

Fulham Manchester United Premier League 21st December 2011

Manchester United kept up the pressure on their City rivals with an impressive performance at Craven Cottage against an admittedly appalling Fulham side.

Liverpool and Everton in fight to sign Irish wonderkid Rory Donnelly

Anfield club hope to beat city rivals Everton in the race to sign Irish teenage star Rory Donnelly.

View the full story here: The Telegraph

A news article on 2011-12-19 23:00:59 from: The Telegraph

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

Manchester City scooped all 3 points on offer in their weekend fixture when they beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Etihad stadium. A second half goal from David Silva was enough to see the Citizens maintain their lead atop the Premier League table.

Luck or no luck, statistically, the Gunners were the better side on the night, however, it was not enough to see them keep their amazing unbeaten streak.

With the FA Cup third round just around the corner, let's take a look at how the cup was won last season.
Arsenal and Manchester City were given scares by Championship sides on their way to the fourth round. The Gunners needed a late penalty to earn a replay at Elland Road, while City were taken to a replay by Leicester City.

Manchester United will be out for revenge when they take on cross-city rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup third round next month.

It will be the first time the two sides have met since FA Cup holders Manchester City stunned Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the league in October.

By Geoff Reid

Saturday
Arsenal vs Everton from the Emirates Stadium, London
After the 3-1 defeat away to Olympiakos in the Champions League during midweek where Arsene Wenger used largely reserve players, the gunners should be back to using the first team with the visit of Everton.

When the draw for the group stages of the Champions League was done a couple of months ago everybody expected Group D to be a clear path to the next stage for Manchester United and Benfica. The tables however turned last night when minnows Basel clinched the last qualification spot in Group C.

It will be hard to see Inter Milan pick themselves up from there latest setback after going down 1-0 to Udinese yesterday in a result that leaves them in 15th place on the Serie A table with 2/3 of the season left to play.

Currently 13 points off the pace set by leaders and city rivals Milan, Inter need to start wining if they are too force their way into the top half of the table.

Xabi Alonso has revealed that Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has still not returned to training ahead of Saturday's crucial La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon.

Ronaldo picked up an ankle injury following a strong challenge by Luis Perea during last weekend's ill-tempered derby win over city rivals Atletico Madrid.

News of a takeover any takeover will be perceived very well by supporters of Everton.

Owner Bill Kenwright is a Blue through and through, but he simply does not have the funds to keep the club competing at the level it has previously under manager David Moyes, which has seen the Merseyside club not only lag behind their city rivals Liverpool in spending on new players, but also the rest of the Premier League.

El Clasico showdown, Old Firm derby and lots of Man City action in December - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

There's only one more month left in 2011, and it looks like the year will go out with a real bang from a football standpoint.

December features several must-see matches, with a few that will have title implications on top of deciding bragging rights between fierce rivals.

Liverpool has been linked with a somewhat surprising move for Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe, who is currently on loan with Everton.
The Dutchman joined the Toffees on deadline day and will remain at Goodison Park for the remainder of the season at least.
Everton retain an option to buy Drenthe at the end of his temporary agreement, but Liverpool may reportedly move to scupper any proposed deal.

FC Barcelona handed surprise defeat against Getafe (Photo: DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images)

Barcelona saw their 27-game unbeaten streak come to an end, as Juan Valera's 67th minute header gifted Getafe a 1-0 victory at the Coliseo Alfonso Perez in Madrid.

The defeat marks the first time Barca have lost a match since April 30th, having gone unbeaten in 21 fixtures so far this season.

Manchester City escaped from Anfield with a point. The sky blues had taken the lead in the first half, thanks to Vincent Kompany's shoulder. Appreciated fortune. Moments later Liverpool responded in kind, thanks to an enormous deflection off of Joleon Lescott from Charlie Adam's wayward shot.

Real Madrid went six points clear of second place FC Barcelona with a 4-1 win over city rivals Atlético Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday. Adrian Lopez gave Atletico a suprise 15th-minute lead before goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was red-carded for a foul on Madrid striker Karim Benzema in the penalty box.

Barcelona are six points behind Liga leaders Real Madrid after a shocking 1-0 defeat at Getafe. Earlier in the day Real Madrid continued their dominance over their city rivals with a 4-2 defeat of Atletico Madrid who ended up with only 9 men after Thibaut Courtois and Diego Godín were both sent off.

It was a mixed week for Serie A clubs competing in Europe's top competition. An enthralling encounter with the world's best side ended in disappointment for AC Milan, while city rivals Inter did just enough to earn qualification into the knockout stages with a draw in Turkey. But for calcio fanatics, the highlight of this week's Champions League action came from a 2-1 contest at the Stadio San.

The Belgrade derby has some, shall we say, "behavioral issues" which require constant considerations. How best to combat a problem of lighting the stands on fire whilst also throwing Molotov seat cocktails?

Remove the damn seats.
Good in theory, questionable in its successful application.

Several Italian coaches have successfully worked outside Italy in the last few years including former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti who succeeded in achieving a historic double in his first season in charge in London by leading the Blues to the English Premiership title and the FA Cup trophy.