Arsenal have two visits to Sunderland on consecutive Saturdays in different competitions and both have the potential to improve the season but could also make it far worse. The focus for now, obviously, has to be on the more immediate fixture that is the upcoming League meeting.

It would be an understatement to suggest that Martin O'Neill has turned the fortunes of the Black Cats around.

Clearly, every game is a very tough one for Arsenal on current form. Will the team get its first League win of 2012? Doesn't seem like it if we look at the manner in which Arsenal have dropped points in recent games, or the way Blackburn came from behind to win at home earlier this season, or the fact that Steve Kean is yet to lose against Wenger or Ferguson in the Premiership (2W, 2D)!

A dictionary definition of "hope" is: "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."

In recent games there have been certain Arsenal players who, when they receive the ball, induce in me the opposite of hope.

What I mean by this is the very personal effect they have on me when watching the game.

A dictionary definition of "hope" is: "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."

In recent games there have been certain Arsenal players who, when they receive the ball, induce in me the opposite of hope.

What I mean by this is the very personal effect they have on me when watching the game.

For the full quote sheet, click here:
U.S. Men's National Team head coach JURGEN KLINSMANN On the game against Panama:
"I think we saw a very close game, a very tight game which we luckily won because Panama didn't finish off the chances that they had.

By 1970's Gooner Savic is a young 21 year old Manchester City centre back. He has been a starter for his team in recent games because the first team choice centre backs Kolo Toure (Afica Cup of Nations) and Kompany (red card) are unavailable. The young lad has looked out of sorts. His mistakes are costing Manchester City.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called on his team to raise their game as his club pursue victory in their League Cup campaign and continue to cling on to their fast fading hopes of Champions League qualification. Gerrard's side have struggled in recent games in spite of heavy investment in the squad by manager Kenny Dalglish at the start of the current campaign - and even a recent return to fitness and form of the talismanic Gerrard has not been enough to stop the club sliding to 7th in the Premier League table.

Morning all,

and let's start with some good news, for a change. Word is Thomas Vermaelen could be in line to play against United later on. He trained with the first team yesterday and assuming all went well it means he'll start the game at left back. It'll certainly add some solidity to a back four which could really do with it at the moment, but we ought not to forget that our defensive issues aren't simply the domain of that group of players.

Fernando Torres has certainly been putting in the hard work on the training pitch for Chelsea, with this hard graft appearing to pay dividends in recent games during which he has almost been able to capitalise upon the absence of Didier Drogba by displaying a few good performances up front, but Torres has still failed to win over the Chelsea fans by doing the one job that is expected of him: scoring goals.

The most frustrating thing is that, after a disastrous start to the season, we had done the hard bit.

Written off by everyone, we somehow battled back up the table, all the way to the top four.

A team that seemed to have been cobbled together off the back of Steptoe and Son's wagon on the last day of the transfer window was starting to look like it could really do the business.

Match report Video -

If defeat to Man City was as honourable as defeat can be, and defeat to Fulham as good an example of self-implosion as you're likely to see, yesterday's loss to Swansea is one in which we ought not to be churlish straight away and offer congratulations to our opponents for the way they played (in general).

As expected Gary Cahill has completed his £7 million move to Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers, apparently being given a contract worth £23 million.
In another quite interesting piece of speculation, Tottenham Manager Harry Redknapp has denied that the club are willing to swap Luka Modric for Fernando Torres at Chelsea.

An image used by Gold Flake cigarettes warning of the dangers of smoking bears the likeness of John Terry. The Chelsea captain is not amused and is planning legal action. There is no suggestion that Terry has a pack a day smoking habit other than that he appears winded in some of the recent games.

Well, that was frustrating, but let's start at the beginning (always a good place to start):
* We had, in many respects, an excellent first half. We raced out the box and dominated the game - I think we had something like 60% of possession at certain points in the first period, which is brilliant for any performance away from home.

I think right now as a Chelsea fan we want two things from today. First and foremost we want and desperately need three points and secondly, a performance would be nice!.
No one would have imagined that we would find ourselves in the position we are in at the moment and no one would have predicted the result on Saturday against Aston Villa.

Recent games have dealt with the notion of ‘Arry as a tactical buffoon in no uncertain manner. In days gone by the signing of VDV, the plan to loan Bale to Nottingham Forest and the instruction to Pav to "go out there and f***ing run about" did little for our glorious leader's reputation as tactical genius, and was grist to the mill of a whole army or interweb critics (mea culpa) who lambasted him for doing little more than closing his eyes, pinning a tail on a donkey and accepting the plaudits as his blind gamble paid off.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes Craig Bellamy is being unfairly treated by referees.
The Welshman has a feisty reputation and his manager fears that may be working against the forward after four bookings in as many matches.
Dalglish has been disappointed by the yellow cards Bellamy has received in the recent games against Fulham and Wigan, and the Scot hopes a pattern is not developing.

No Goals At Wigan

The lads warm up in Suarez shirts... Liverpool left the DW Stadium last night with just the one point after a resilient Wigan would not allow anything past them. The home side also had their fair share of attempts at goal in what was a pretty lively game for a 0-0 draw.

The lads warm up in Suarez shirts...Liverpool left the DW Stadium last night with just the one point after a resilient Wigan would not allow anything past them. The home side also had their fair share of attempts at goal in what was a pretty lively game for a 0-0 draw.
Liverpool started Luis Suarez and i think this was an excellent decision by manager Kenny Dalglish.

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea, Thursday 22nd December 2011, 8pm Kick off, Sky Sports 1 & HD1

Spurs are used to playing on a Thursday night this season. Of course the previous fixtures have been in the Europa League, now the Premier League are getting in on the action too.

Frank Lampard makes alot of the headlines in the press last night for two reasons. For coming off of the bench and scoring the winner from the penalty spot last night and also for his comments about being dropped to the bench for the last few games.
Speaking after the game last night and asked of his situation at the moment he said:

"I want to play, simple as that, I'm as fit as I've ever been.

This home game against Borussia Dortmund could turn out to be tougher than the away visit to Chelsea. It probably won't have as many goals and will be tighter in the middle, but from a physical and mental point of view the players will have to give at least as much if not more than that celebrated triumph.

Maxi, Bellamy and Suarez start for LFC v Chelsea

Kenny Dalglish has named his side to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Maxi Rodriguez makes a surprise but welcome return and Craig Bellamy starts the game with Andy Carroll on the bench. No room in the starting line-up for Jamie Carragher or Stewart Downing who are also both on the bench.

If one thing has become painfully obvious in the last month or two, it is that David Luiz is not a centre back. In Chelsea's recent games they have conceded goals like they haven't done in a long, long time. ...
This is a content summary. Visit http://www.epltalk.com to read the entire article

Rayo Vallecano have confirmed that a number of Premier League clubs have been attending their recent games.
Reports suggest that Manchester United, Liverpool and Cheslea have been checking on Rayo's midfield ace Michu, while Sunderland, Fulham and Everton were also said to be present.
Michu only joined Rayo in the summer from Celta Vigo, but he has impressed with five goals from midfield this term.

Rayo stars attract interest

Rayo Vallecano have confirmed that a number of Premier League clubs have been attending their recent games.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-11-10 13:26:29 from: Sky Sports

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

If you've watched Sydney FC in the last two seasons under Vitaslav - it has been boring. I love football - but it was dire!
So boring the fans deserted in droves, even after they clung on to win the Premiership in 2009/10.
Is this year Lavicka's last chance?
I still get the twitches when I think Sydney are playing.

OK, In an hour Chelsea take on Blackburn at Ewood Park in a game we simply have to win. Ideally we all want us to win well and keep a clean sheet but we have to face a harsh reality, do we settle for a win no matter what, even if it means we still concede?
We are nine points behind City and cannot afford to lose more points at this early stage of the season.

There is a mini-trend that Arsenal just have to curb. The Gunners have gone into the previous two international breaks on the back of defeats United and Spurs that have made the fortnight unbearable. It will be nice to have a positive feeling during the upcoming disruption. That means only a win will be the acceptable result at the Emirates against the Baggies.

Today the second leg matches of the Major League Soccer playoff quarterfinals begin. An ailing Colorado Rapids side visit Sporting Kansas City while everyone's favorite neighbors to the north, the Seattle Sounders, will try to dig themselves out of a three goal hole at home against Real Salt Lake.

Last night the soccer gods turned away from the Rapids. I'd say they were too busy with golden boy Tebow, but he might have had a worse day than the Rapids. As a Seahawks fan I feel no sympathy. :D A combination of a lack of offense and bad luck really destroyed Colorado's hopes of repeating.
The home side controlled play for most of the first half, but as we've seen in recent games, they could not convert that into goals.

Man U and Norwich ticket breakdown

Liverpool Football Club is pleased to provide a breakdown of tickets sold for our recent games against Manchester United and Norwich City.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-10-31 14:47:14 from: Liverpool FC

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

With the red cards, penalties and an own goal in the last two matches there isn't much that can be taken from the previous two meetings between these sides. Even the issue with the 2010 contests has been addressed, as the Seattle Sounders substitution patterns have dramatically improved in 2011 over previous season.

Good day to you. I was up late editing the upcoming Arseblog book so I'm a bit tired this morning. Nevertheless, a preview of this morning's game has to be written so we'll crack on with that.

The team news for today is that Thomas Vermaelen is in the squad. Arsene says he's a bit reluctant to use him so soon after Tuesday's comeback game but if I were manager I'd certainly start him today.

(Photo: Courtesy of MLSsoccer.com)

Geoff Cameron scored the tying goal for Houston at PPL Park on August 6th. Since then, the Dynamo have only lost twice and have gone undefeated at home. Cameron has moved from the midfield to the back line and rejuvenated the Dynamo defense. The team has not lost with him in the back and they shut out both Dallas and Portland on the road (!

When I saw the starting line-ups, my initial reaction was that this was going to be a very tough game that will demand a special performance from the Gunners if they were to qualify. After the final whistle, I doubt anyone will argue that it wasn't an exceptional effort from an interesting collection of young and experienced footballers in red and white.

Looks like Brett Holman might miss the next World Cup Qualifiers due to injury - so a chance for Timmy Cahill to come back in?
International football - players come and go pretty quickly.
Just five years ago, Cahill was a bench warmer for Hiddinks team in 2006 - he came on with explosive impact and now just five years later his international career is less secure.

Pete South reports on a couple of players who will be fans for the evening...

Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe have been left out of Fabio Capello's England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Friday.

Ferdinand has struggled with injury so far this season and only recently made his comeback for Manchester United against Stoke two weeks ago, and was a substitute in United's last Premier League encounter against Norwich.

A passionate defence of an underrated Gunner, who deserves more respect!

Marouane Chamakh is an enigma to me. My gut feeling tells me he is a very important player for us, and yet his performances to date have been regarded as unimpressive.

Comolli Scouting Dortmund Talent

Damien Comolli has been spotted at several of Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund's recent games, where he is believed to be running the rule over their starlet Mario Götze, among others. Comolli's most recent visit was just last Saturday, where he witnessed the home side put four past the lowly Augsburg, including one from 19-year-old Götze.