Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill admits that the Black Cats will have their hands full when they entertain Arsenal at the Stadium of Light today, particularly given the dexterity of Gunners youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The teenage sensation has quickly become a fan favorite at Arsenal, setting up Robin van Persie's equalizer in the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United and then displaying his scoring abilities by netting twice in last weekend's 7-1 destruction of Blackburn.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is optimistic that manager Pep Guardiola will put sign a contract extension soon.

Guardiola is known to prefer signing rolling one-year deals and with his current contract expiring at the end of the season, the former Barca skipper has yet to give any clear indications on his future at the Nou Camp.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has backed tomorrow's opponents Arsenal to silence their critics, making it clear that the Gunners have sufficient talent to prevail at the Stadium of Light.

Arsene Wenger's men are three points adrift of fourth-place Chelsea and have relied heavily on the incredible form of skipper Robin van Persie, who scored a brilliant hat-trick in last weekend's 7-1 rout of Blackburn.

Alan Shearer has spoken out today and he thinks Newcastle have a decent chance of making the European Championship League qualification this season, by finishing 4th top of the Premier League. Alan Shearer Newcastle legend Of course Alan was the Newcastle skipper when they last took part in the Champions League, when the great Sir Bobby Robson [.

Fabio Capello resigns as England coach- Italian gaffer quits before Euro 2012 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Fabio Capello resigns as England coach- Italian gaffer quits before Euro 2012 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter England manager Fabio Capello has put in his papers months before the team travels to Poland and Ukraine for the 2012 European Championships.

No news of Vincent Kompany's knee injury until right before kickoff meant fantasy managers were left frustrated as the City skipper missed out on a clean sheet and 6 fantasy points this past weekend at home to Fulham. The 6.6M ... Continue reading →

Today (Wednesday) the FA and Fabio Capello are expected to meet over the John Terry situation, and it appears that neither side is willing to concede anything to the other.

Capello will be asked by Football Association chairman David Bernstein to explain why he committed a serious breach of FA protocol in his explosive Italian television interview on Sunday.

Their is a lot of uncertainity over who will be the next England Captain after John Terry was sensationally axed from the position last week. Favourites for the job United's Rio Ferdinand ruled himself out of the running while Man City's Joe Hart has down played his chances of replacing Terry.

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-Perhaps the most positive item of the day: Chairman Tony Fernandes tweeted today would stay with QPR even If relegated:
- "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project. RT @QPRReport: @tonyfernandes @Amit_Bhatia99 @Ruben_E_G What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season - Tony Fernandes February 5 Tweet
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- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard.

I hate to start these things on a down note, but today I feel I have too. As most know, Wednesday in Port Said Egypt a riot broke out at a Egyptian Premier League match. At the least 74 people lost their lives midweek and hundreds were injured after a match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly.

Former USMNT boss and current Egyptian National Team coach Bob Bradley watched the events unfold on TV as he was getting ready to attend another match that day.

Attack is the best form of defence Barcelona skipper Carlos Puyol got momentarily confused during last night's match against Valencia and thought he was his FIFA 12 alter ego being controlled by a fearless seven-year-old. The veteran stormed out of defence and threw two outrageous roulettes to beat two defenders!

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has dismissed suggestions that the club approached Manchester City over the weekend with a proposal to swap Andy Carroll for exiled Argentine Carlos Tevez.

Carroll, who has struggled continuously with form and fitness since his £35 million move from Newcastle United in last year's January transfer window, recently spoke about his determination to make a mark at Anfield.

German forward Lukas Podolski, who has been linked consistently with Arsenal in recent weeks, has chosen to focus on his future in the Bundesliga rather than talking up a move to the English top flight.

The 26-year old Podolski appeared on Arsenal's radar in this month's transfer window after disagreements with FC Cologne's management late last year.

With Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard being subbed off during this afternoon's FA Cup fourth round tie and briefly wondering who would be his stand-in as captain, Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck kindly offered to take-up the armband. Gerrard didn't take-up his offer.

There are a number of indications from the Arsenal camp that there won't be any major signings arriving at the Emirates Stadium for the remainder of the winder transfer window.

For starters, manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear that the return of Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs to full training diminishes the need to seek a new full-back.

Kompany takes a tumble With all the recent talk around Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany relating to the dangers of two-footed tackles, one of the most perilous aspects of football has been overlooked: running backwards. The Belgian found out the hard way just how difficult it can be to run backwards when he was fouled [.

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has sent a strong message to the club's doubters, asserting that for all the criticism over their massive spending spree and unproven title credentials, the Citizens have delivered on the promises made to him.

Speaking ahead of the decisive leg of City's Carling Cup semifinal against Liverpool tonight, Barry revealed that he strongly considered moving to Anfield in 2009 before choosing the Eastlands based largely on a commitment to build for the future.

Norwich City have completed the signing of Jonny Howson from Leeds United. A fee was agreed last week, but the Canaries have now confirmed the transfer after the midfielder completed his medical at Carrow Road.

Those who assess in play betting strategy note how the signing is one of many Norwich have made from outside of the Premier League as they build a strong squad to continue the success Paul Lambert has already brought to the club.

Coke-d up spot-kick row Bury captain Steven Schumacher and midfielder Giles Coke were both booked after a row over who should take a penalty during their 3-2 win over Yeovil. Having won the spot-kick, Coke grabbed the ball with the intention of taking the penalty. Skipper and usual penalty taker Schumacher attempted to pull rank, [.

Kenny Dalglish may have threatened to axe some under-performing players in the Liverpool squad following Saturday's humiliating 3-1 loss to Bolton but he has firmly maintained his support behind winger Stewart Downing.

Downing cost the Reds £20 million during the summer transfer window and despite showing sparks of brilliance, the England international has yet to score or provide an assist in his Liverpool career.

Initially it appeared that Robin Van Persie had been so averse to Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's substitution against Manchester United because he had set a goal up for him moments earlier. But it has now emerged that the Arsenal skipper's angry reaction at the youngster being hauled off was due to the fact that he is [.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has made it clear that he wants to follow up his impressive Premier League debut against Manchester United by starting regularly for the Gunners.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was preferred to the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun as he was surprisingly named a started for the visit of the defending champions.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the club's 8-2 defeat away to Manchester United five months ago will have no impact on their preparation for this Sunday's rematch at the Emirates while skipper Robin van Persie strongly feels otherwise.

Speaking to the club's website ahead of United's trip to North London, Wenger explained that no matter what, his side cannot reverse the disaster that occurred in Manchester last August and hence, they must look at Sunday's match as a new opportunity altogether.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged the media to stop focusing the spotlight heavily on John Terry as the Blues skipper returns to QPR next Saturday for the first time since being accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in October.

The Rangers won the ill-tempered clash 1-0 as Villas-Boas saw two of his players dismissed, leaving the visitors to fight with nine men for most of the afternoon.

By Chris Wright

"I fart in your general direction!"

Eric Abidal's second goal in over five seasons at the club saw Barcelona come from behind to snatch the victory in last night's Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg El Clasico in the Bernabeu.

Under-pressure Liverpool striker Andy Carroll admits that the return of skipper Steven Gerrard has boosted his hopes of performing more consistently for the Reds.

Carroll, who was signed for over £35 million from Newcastle United last January, has scored only four times in 25 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, leading to continuous criticism from both within and outside the club.

QPR skipper Joey Barton has expressed his disappointment at an unlikely cameo appearance in Paris Hilton's Twitter photo. The pair shared a FHM cover, which "Model, Actress, Singer, Brand, Business Woman, Fashion Designer, Author, Philanthropist" Hilton has chosen as her profile picture. But bad boy Barton is not impressed.

Kenny Dalglish says news that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has committed the rest of his career to the club is "fantastic" and believes the inspirational midfielder will be key to his side's chances of silverware and a top-four Premier League finish this season.
The Reds finally have Gerrard back in their side following an injury-plagued 12 months and he looked close to his best when scoring the vital goal from the penalty spot in the 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final, first leg win at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Arsenal were dealt yet another blow in their bid for a top four finish as a dismal 3-2 defeat away to Swansea City leaves Arsene Wenger's men with a lot of work ahead of them.

Goals from Scott Sinclair (penalty), Nathan Dyer, and Danny Graham ensured that the Swans overcome impressive goals from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott either side of the interval.

By Alan Duffy

Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Fulham Premier League 14th January 2012

Steve Kean watched his side produce a superb battling performance at Ewood Park on Saturday, a performance which ultimately moved Blackburn out of the relegation zone for the first time since September.

Premier League Preview: Upset at the Bridge and a third defeat for United? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

With Tottenham tied on points with Manchester United and City hitting a bump in form, the title race is becoming more wide open, and in turn it leaves three teams three of the original Big Four, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea fighting it out for the fourth place.

Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie believes that club legend Thierry Henry's decision to join his beloved club for a second time shows how brave he is.

The Frenchman recently put pen to paper on a short term loan deal with the Gunners and scored the winner in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat of Leeds United on his second debut at the Emirates.

Liverpool's iconic captain Steven Gerrard has committed his future to the club after signing a new contract that will see him end his career with the Reds. Gerrard is one of those few players who have remain true and loyal to their club and though he has struggled with injuries for most of the season, this news will most definitely be welcomed by all fans.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish feels captain Steven Gerrard fully deserved to be rewarded with a new long-term deal at Anfield.
The England international put pen to paper on a contract extension on Merseyside on Thursday, the terms of which were not disclosed by the club.
The 31-year-old, who has spent his entire career with the Reds, finalized the deal less than 24 hours after scoring the only goal in their 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final first leg victory at Manchester City.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was involved in an angry tunnel exchange with Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard after Wednesday night's 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
The pair clashed twice, the second particularly fractious, with Gerrard annoyed at Mancini's response to a late tackle by Glen Johnson on Joleon Lescott.

Glen's in good Kompany terrible tackle by soccermr With a huge degree of inevitability following Vincent Kompany's red card at the weekend, a Manchester City was on the receiving end of a two-footed challenge in last night's match against Liverpool. And it went unpunished. Glen Johnson dived into a challenge with Joleon Lescott.

Real Madrid will allow Esteban Granero to leave the Santiago Bernabeu on loan this month, with the midfielder a reported target for Liverpool.
The 25-year-old has made only five appearances for Real this season and is desperate for more regular first-team action.
According to SER Deportivos, Los Blancos are now offering Granero to potential suitors, with a view to a loan agreement for the remainder of the season.

Video- Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott two footed challenge Carling Cup Liverpool Man City is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Video- Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott two footed challenge Carling Cup Liverpool Man City is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott ( video below) was the subject of a fierce debate between Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini after [.

Every now and then a player emerges who is capable of dividing the sports fans into two camps: lovers and haters. At the European Cup of 2000 in Holland/Belgium, the Feyenoord skipper demonstrated his Bosvelt shuffle in De Kuip and allowed Kluivert to score another goal.

At the EK in Portugal [read more]

LFC: Kompany blow for City

Manchester City will be without influential skipper Vincent Kompany for both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool, after the FA rejected an appeal against his four-match ban.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2012-01-10 15:41:13 from: Liverpool FC

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