Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

After last week's tumultuous events concerning the departures of Sebastien Le Toux and Faryd Mondragon from the Philadelphia Union, and the cancellation of the WPS season, this week's installment of the Philly Soccer Show podcast slows down the pace with a look at the Union as they begin training camp in Orlando.

So much for the new number 9.

Less than a week after the Revolution announced the signing of Colombian striker Jose "Pepe" Moreno their biggest offseason signing so far - it appears that the 30-year-old has cold feet about coming to MLS.

Citing his desire to play alongside recent Once Caldas signing Dayro Moreno and displaying a renewed sense of appreciation for the Manizales-based side, the 6-0 striker has reportedly reneged on playing in Foxboro, at least for the time being.

Some players want to leave, Arsenal will be going places this summer, the English NT is filled with jerks... your usual cup of Arse here at the Offside

We start today's blog with a subject Arsenal fans are always delighted to hear about: player departures. Park Chu-Young has indicated that if keeps getting ignored for play action, he might leave in the summer.

After winning MLS Cup, earning a place in the Champions League and become the MLS equivalent of a SuperClub, the LA Galaxy had questions to answer at the end of 2011.
The possible departures of David Beckham, Juninho and the confirmed loss of Donovan Ricketts raised questions. Add to that the threat of extend loans from Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy had quiet cause for concern.

Written by TotalArsenal

Arsenal does not really do transitional seasons, or does it? Somehow, through the magic of Wenger, we have been able to rebuild squads and first teams without losing sight of silverware and European football in every single season the Frenchman has been at the helm.

I wondered being honest, how long it would take until we heard from either Nico Anelka or Alex after their departures from Chelsea back in last month's transfer window and it hasn't taken long.
The Sun over here in the UK leads with an interview Anelka has given about the end of his Chelsea career and claims he was left to rot with the reserves.

Sometimes items from Soccer America can be a total miss but check out today's MLS Confidential on the Galaxy. For anyone out there that couldn't get how the LA Galaxy was able to squeeze in Edson Buddle to their salary cap, check this article out.

By bringing back Edson Buddle into the fold, even if he costs slightly more than the $178,488 salary he earned in 2010 before leaving for Germany, the Galaxy probably hasn't crunched its salary cap to any great extent, because of player departures as well as amassing allocation money.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Several Union players talk about preseason training at YSC SPorts last week. The team landed in Orlando on Sunday.

Danny Califf, acknowledging that only he and Brian Carroll are the only players remaining on the Union who are older than 27, tells MLSsoccer.

You have to fill a 25 man squad with somebody and given the three major loan departures and one permanent sale earlier this week, perhaps it's no surprise at some of the names being included by Spurs this week.

In addition to those departures, Tom Carroll and John Bostock also went out to Derby and Sheffield Wednesday respectively so are David Bentley, Bongani Khumalo and Simon Dawkins literally there to ‘make up the numbers?

I do have a soft sport for Thai Port but as they go into their third final appearance in three years next week against Buriram PEA they don't look to have much of a squad left for next season.
The exodus started during the mid season break when their coach Sasom Pobprasert moved to First Division side Buriram, taking three players with him including Sompong Soleb.

Ah, it's been nice to have a weekend without Forest to spoil things, hasn't it? Well, if you brush aside the whispers of who's leaving and when. So far the only confirmed news on that score are Leicester and their bids for Wes Morgan but, of course it would certainly be the Forest way to pave the way for departures as the transfer window draws to a close and we're not able to replace any outgoing players [.

Arsenal relying on van Persie and midfield strength to beat Manchester United - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

In August Manchester United and Wayne Rooney inflicted a resounding 8-2 defeat on Arsenal, with Rooney netting a hat-trick. However, since then it is Robin van Persie who has lit up the Premier League.

Inter has tabled a £20.7m bid for the serial wantaway but Claudio Ranieri's statements show he remains unconvinced of Tevez's value to the team.

"There is balance now and the team has become solid. So we need to understand how much this lad can give and how much he can take away.

Angry, frustrated, disappointed. Once again Arsenal fans are left let-down, once again we are promised things will change and once again it is groundhog season for Arsenal, and we haven't even entered the annual departures of the close season.

Where do we start? It is obvious that things went wrong in the summer with Wenger anticipating that both Nasri and Fabregas will not leave these were the hopes of a man living in a dream land.

Arsene Wenger has yet again re-iterated that he is in desperate need of a left-back that is ready to play in the Arsenal first team straight away, and the Lyon defender Aly Cissoko definitely comes into that category. The Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas said yesterday: "Possible winter departures? That doesn't mean we don't have any [.

There was good news coming out of the TFC universe today as Joao Plata left the loan category and signed for Toronto. The deal was described as "multi-year" and no dollar amount was mentioned.
I like Plata, you have to admire the energy and dedication that he brings to the field. I am still convinced that he should be used as a super sub more often.

Many of Spurs' fringe players have been linked with a move away from the club and generally speaking, rumours about possible departures for the likes of Vedran Corluka and Steven Pienaar have been met with a clear ‘no' from Harry Redknapp.

That hasn't been the case with Gio Dos Santos however and after the manager is believed to have vetoed a last minute move in the summer, it now seems that he is finally prepared to let the Mexican go.

It's a depleted side that will step out on the park to face Cheltenham in the FA Cup tomorrow but we do know that Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon will play at least.

Elsewhere, injuries and loan departures mean that Harry will pick from whoever is available, while looking for a chance to rest some of his more influential players

It's great to have Michael coming back, he's been out quite a while now," said Harry Redknapp about tomorrow's likely skipper.

If it had not been for such a difficult start to the season, Arsenal would now be fighting for the title.

And, that includes the loss of points against Wolves at home (unfortunate) and Fulham away (well deserved). The last few games have been disappointing, but Arsenal have gathered 29 points in their last 13 games and during the process it was able to pre-qualify for the CL against a very good Udinese, and win their CL-group against strong opposition with style and dominance.

Glory Glory Leeds brings a mixed show this week despair at a hammering at Barnsley, more doubts over the manager's future and a massive sigh of relief at the win against Burnley to start 2012! We have loads of listener emails this week to read out (again thanks to all who take the time to send them!

Liverpool is preparing a £24 million bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent as they seek to put an end to their low-scoring ways.
The Reds have found the net just 24 times in their 19 Premier League matches this season. Leaders Manchester City has scored more in nine away fixtures.
Bent as the ideal solution to the problem and is set to test Villa's resolve with a bid.

So here we are, nearly halfway through the 2011-12 season. Arsenal have play 17 league matches with Wolves coming up next on Tuesday. It was originally scheduled for Monday on Boxing Day, but due to the London Tub Strike, it has been rescheduled. The halfway mark of the season has QPR coming to the Emirates and but this time we hope to have completed the mid-season review.

Day eleven. Guided by a star of wonder, the SPL Advent takes a trip to Perth.
Perhaps we should all read a Christmas lesson from the good book of McDiarmid Park.
St Johnstone have lost both a talented young manager and a steady, long-serving chairman this season.
And, so far, it's been more evolution for revolution.

Harry Redknapp has hinted at another quiet January for Spurs fans but is this just a smokescreen or will the dealings at White Hart Lane next month really mirror those of 2011?

In goal, there are no immediate problems but if Heurelho Gomes does leave, it may make sense to look for a permanent replacement for Brad Friedel now, rather than later.

Premier League half-term fans' reports: Arsenal to Manchester United

Part one of the Observer fans' network's review of the 2011-12 season so far ARSENAL: 6/10 Bernard Azulay, GoonersDiary.blogspot.com It feels as if the mettle we've displayed in our recent run of form was forged in the debacle of the opening weeks of our campaign, when we struggled to cope with the departures of Fábregas and Nasri, together with the absence of Vermaelen and Wilshere.

Good morning,

it's interesting to read this morning Arsene Wenger talking about the financial might of Man City, and then how those comments are interpreted across the media. Obviously we've taken quite a bit of City's money over the last few seasons and that has led many to think that Arsenal are open and willing to sell any player to them provided the price is right.

Welcome to The Yorkies' regular off-season rumour roundup - "The Rumoumeter". Too busy to keep your TFC ear to the ground every week? Just stop by the site and we will quickly show you what rumours are hot - and which ones have hit the back burner. Some of the rumours have weight - others little more than whispers; we take their temperature with.

Philadelphia Union

With yesterday's announcement that the Union had declined the option to re-sign Stefani Miglioranzi and Chase Harrison, the eyes of many Philly soccer followers turned to the other castoffs throughout the league and the possibility that the Union might find a worthy signing in Monday's Re-Entry Draft.

It's been widely anticipated that there would be some departures from White Hart Lane in the January transfer window but the name of Vedran Corluka hasn't always appeared on the lists.

Charlie had lost his place to Kyle Walker at the start of the season but injuries had also restricted his appearances.

This Is How It Feels
Napoli 2-1 Manchester City (22:11:11)
What's it like, as an away fan, to visit one of the most famous grounds in world football. One that houses fans so passionate and vociferous that the noise from a goal causes a seismic shift in the city? Lifelong Manchester City fan, David Mayor, reveals all.

FC Cologne forward Lukas Podolski has indicated that he will consider all his transfer options at the end of the current season, insisting that he can "fit into any side in Europe."

Podolski has been on the radar of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for quite a while and widespread reports in the English media suggested that Tottenham Hotspur were also keen on signing the Germany international.

By Chris Wright

Q: Why don't Arsenal score from corners
A: Because Van Persie takes them!

Q: What's the most popular item in the Arsenal club shop?
A: The Van Persie tea tray, because it carries 10 mugs!

By Joel Greenwaldt
Disappointment is really the only word that seems to come to mind when you think back on the 18-7 season opening loss the Baltimore Blast suffered at the hands of the Syracuse Silver Knights. The game was eerily similar to last season's 16-7 championship game loss to the Milwaukee Wave.

By Joel Greenwaldt
Disappointment is really the only word that seems to come to mind when you think back on the 18-7 season opening loss the Baltimore Blast suffered at the hands of the Syracuse Silver Knights. The game was eerily similar to last season's 16-7 championship game loss to the Milwaukee Wave.

The transfer rumours have been a little quiet for international week at a time when actual news is a little thin on the ground. However, as should probably be expected, those senior players who are currently out of the starting XI are all being linked with moves away.

Jermain Defoe has struggled to command a starting place this season, despite striking up an instantly successful partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor.

They may have suffered eight defeats on the bounce before – on two occasions in fact – but this latest nightmare run could prove terminal for Wigan's Premier League hopes.
Their latest defeat, at Wolves on Sunday, left them bottom of the Premier League without a win since August. Yes, it is only November, with plenty of football still to be played, and Wigan have always being among the favourites in the relegation betting in their seven year stay in the top flight to date, but the options available to boss Roberto Martinez and chairman Dave Whelan appear limited.

Can Arshavin step up to fill vacant Arsenal boots? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Andrei Arshavin has looked a shell of the former player that he looked in his debut season for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. Since the start of last season, however, his form has taken a downturn and rapidly.

Fiorentina wideman Juan Vargas is still reportedly being pursued by Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Peruvian's time at the Stadio Artemio Franchi appears to coming to an end after a disagreement with Viola manager Siniša Mihajlović.
And, according to reports in the Florence press, both Liverpool and Arsenal are keen to offer Vargas an exit route in January.

So another Arsenal AGM passes with more waffle than you would find in Belgium.

One thing we did learn was the need to oust Peter Hill-Wood from his role as chairman because, from what I saw, he was a joke.

I mean the old boy could barely read out the resolutions of the meeting from his notes and he missed out the agenda of re-electing Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder, on to the board.

Arsene Wenger is confident that club captain Robin van Persie will sign a new deal at the club.

The Dutchman, who has been sensational for The Gunners so far this season, has just 18 months left on his current contract. Despite last summer's high-profile departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, Wenger is sure the 28-year old will put pen to paper.