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Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Wenger: 'Stupid' changes not needed

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Updated Apr 23, 2011 6:02 AM ET
Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal do not need an influx of big-money signings and says radical changes would be "completely stupid".
Although the Gunners extended their unbeaten run to 16 Barclays Premier League games following a pulsating 3-3 draw at north London neighbours Tottenham, they have won only three of the last nine.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Wed., Apr. 20

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23

Sun., Apr. 24

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

Those missed opportunities have seen Arsenal now slip down to third place on goal difference behind Chelsea, trailing leaders Manchester United by six points.
Wenger has again been forced to defend the make-up of his young team in the wake of another capitulation, having led 3-1 at White Hart Lane just before half-time.
However, although the Arsenal manager is reported to have £40million available should he wish to improve the squad this summer, Wenger insists major surgery is not necessary.
"I feel there is always a need to improve the team, but if you look at our season you cannot come to the conclusion we need a massive change. That would be completely stupid," he said.
"We live in a world where when you are the second best by a little everybody says you are rubbish. It is not true. That is the modern world, but it is not the reality.
"We are there, but because we have not won trophies people destroy us completely."
Wenger added: "What is good in our world is that everybody is bankrupt, but the guy who doesn't spend is an idiot."
Arsenal, who moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, may not currently have the financial muscle of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, both bankrolled by wealthy owners, but Wenger's men have remained competitive on the pitch as they look to qualify again for the Champions League.
"We decided to develop our own players because we cant buy players like Ronaldo, who cost £85million," Wenger said.
"The way to fight against these teams is to build our own team with our philosophy and then try to make them."
Wenger continued: "Our target was to build a new stadium without dropping from the top.

"We knew it would be a difficult period for four or five years, so we had to make a decision how can we maintain the top with less money available.
"For me we did well. Now, of course, people become impatient.
"I can understand that completely because I am impatient as well - that is why you see me agitated."
Wenger has certainly been animated on the touchline recently - having a heated exchange with Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish at the final whistle last weekend and heading onto the pitch to confront officials over the amount of added time when his side had conceded a late penalty moments after netting one themselves.
While the 61-year-old admits he can never switch off from football he insists he has no thoughts of calling quits just yet.
"I am stressed of course, you cannot care about things and not be stressed - your stress as well is linked with the uncertainty level, and in football, the uncertainty level is very high, so that creates of course a tension," he said.
"But I am perfectly happy in my job when I see my team play football on Wednesday night, I cannot be enjoying the game.
"I am not as much a prisoner of the whole tension created by the media. I can take a distance with that quite easily."
Arsenal head to Bolton on Sunday afternoon, by which time they could have fallen further behind both United and Chelsea.
Wenger, though, is convinced if his men can now win each of their remaining fixtures - which include a showdown with United at Emirates Stadium on May 1 - then that will be enough for a first title since the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/2004.
"In our plan, we have to beat Manchester United, but not even for sure because they can drop points as well.
"However, you would consider that is a certainty and that is where we can show it - but let's win the next game and that is when we go to Bolton."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

De Jong: Top four is main focus

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Updated Apr 23, 2011 9:57 AM ET
Nigel de Jong believes Manchester City are hitting form at the right time, but admits reaching the Champions League is the main goal.
A place in the FA Cup final - and a chance of securing their first major trophy in 35 years - has been secured on May 14 following the victory against Manchester United at Wembley.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Wed., Apr. 20

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23

Sun., Apr. 24

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

City are also in contention for a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League for the first time.
Next up are struggling Blackburn on Monday at Ewood Park and De Jong said: "Our main goal is to finish in the Champions League.
"That game against United gave us a big confidence boost towards the next league game. It was a big statement and we have to maintain our focus.
"We have got better against United in the last year and a half. It is great, isn't it?"
City strengthened the squad in the summer thanks to the financial muscle of owner Sheikh Mansour and De Jong is not surprised they have had their ups and downs.
"We have come quite far as a team, " he said. "As people say, Rome wasn't built in a day.
"A lot of new players have come into in the squad, a lot of new cultures. It takes time but you can see towards the end of the season everything is fitting perfectly.
"The spirit has never been away and will never go away. Everyone is fighting for each other. You have bad periods and good periods and this is a good period for us."
Manager Roberto Mancini, normally so reserved, wildly embraced the players at the end of the Wembley showdown which set up a meeting with Stoke next month.
De Jong smiled and said: "It was normal. If you reach the final you all bond, including the manager.
"Everyone was happy not just him but the staff and the players. But we knew we could not celebrate too much as we have the final to come. Then we can go crazy if we win."
Italian striker Mario Balotelli looks set to retain his place ahead of Edin Dzeko as Carlos Tevez has a hamstring injury.
With defender Micah Richards also absent with a similar problem, Pablo Zabaleta is set to stay in the team following the Wembley triumph.
Mancini wants an action replay of the United game and added: "If we have the same situation we will win a lot of matches.
"That is important because we lost many points in the last month. We cannot think of the final now."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Ancelotti: Blues must believe

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Updated Apr 23, 2011 6:11 AM ET
Carlo Ancelotti wants Chelsea to believe they can pull off an unlikely Premier League title comeback - even if he is not convinced they will.
The Blues have given themselves a glimmer of hope of retaining their crown after almost halving Manchester United's lead over them to six points.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Wed., Apr. 20

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23

Sun., Apr. 24

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

The champions realistically need to win all five of their remaining games to stand a chance of overhauling United, who must take 10 points over the same period to be certain of a record-breaking 19th title.
Unsurprisingly, Sir Alex Ferguson's side are heavy favourites to get over the line, something Ancelotti has openly acknowledged.
But the Italian wants his players to keep the faith until it is mathematically impossible for them to catch the leaders.
"They have to believe that we can win every game," said Ancelotti, whose side face West Ham on Saturday and also host Tottenham before facing United.
"We have to believe that we can also win at Old Trafford, as we did last year. But this doesn't mean that we can win the title.
"The title is in the hands of Manchester United, we have to be honest.
"To be honest, I can say that I'd like to be in the place of Man United. If they don't lose total control, they can win."
Having lost last weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City before drawing 0-0 at Newcastle, United look vulnerable again ahead of their game against in-form Everton tomorrow lunchtime.
But regardless of whether they win, lose or draw, Chelsea simply must beat West Ham in the evening kick-off and Spurs a week later to stay in the hunt.
Even if United lose at Arsenal next weekend and against the champions the following Sunday, they will still be favourites, with Chelsea facing the tougher last two fixtures.
"At the end, we have a very tough game against Everton," Ancelotti said. "Usually, against Everton, it never was easy."
As well as United's blip, Chelsea's hope of a sensational comeback have been fuelled by their own good league form.

They have taken 19 points from 21 after recovering from their worst run in the league for almost 15 years, also getting over the crushing blow of crashing out to United in the Champions League quarter-finals.
"I spoke very clearly after the defeat against Man United because I think after that defeat it was a very good opportunity to show our personality, our character," Ancelotti said.
"It was easy to say, 'Ah, the season is over'. Instead, the players had a very good reaction.
"I think that everyone was looking at what the reaction of the Chelsea players was."
Ancelotti has also reacted with remarkable composure to a loss which left him appearing all but resigned to losing his job in the summer.
Having arguably blundered by picking Fernando Torres for the second leg at Old Trafford, the Italian's team selection and tactics have been virtually flawless since.
He looks almost free of the burden of worrying about his future, which could ultimately help spare him the chop if it helps secure the title.
"My emotion after the defeat against Man United was not so good," said Ancelotti, who was at pains not to transmit any negativity to his players.
"I don't know if they are looking at my reaction. My behaviour is always the same if we win or if we lose.
"I want to show my emotion and my emotion was to say to the players it was a good moment to show character, personality, attitude, spirit, as a team."
If any player has epitomised that, it is Didier Drogba, but the striker's red-hot form may not prevent Ancelotti gambling on resting him tomorrow and recalling £50million flop Fernando Torres.
That is despite seeing the same decision backfire spectacularly at Old Trafford.
Ancelotti, who also did not rule out ditching the 4-3-3 formation that has helped spark Chelsea's resurgence, said: "It wouldn't be easy to leave Drogba out, but there's a chance we could.
"It might be a good solution to give him the last 30 minutes of the game because he's fresh and fit."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Parker left 'speechless' by award

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Updated Apr 23, 2011 6:17 AM ET
Scott Parker is "over the moon" to be named as the Football Writers Player of the Year but says it will count for nothing if West Ham go down.
The 30-year-old has impressed this season despite featuring in a side teetering dangerously close to the Premier League precipice.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Wed., Apr. 20

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23

Sun., Apr. 24

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

As well as the FWA prize, Parker's club form saw him shortlisted for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award and establish himself in the England national team.
Parker - who started his career at Charlton before spells with Chelsea and Newcastle ahead of joining the Irons in 2007 - will receive the award at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 12.
Speaking on Friday, Parker said he is enjoying the best season of his career and admitted it is an honour to join the legendary Bobby Moore as West Ham's only FWA winners.
"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "It is fantastic to get the award.
"When I got the phone call to say I'd won it I was speechless really. I'm just really, really pleased.
"You're always surprised when you get awards - there's always an element of surprise.
"I feel like I have been playing some good stuff so I'm just glad that I've been picked and people appreciate what I've been doing.
"Normally it's at the other end of the league where the players are winning it," he added.
"There's probably a lot of other candidates - Charlie Adam, Gareth Bale - I'm really really buzzing that people are appreciating what I'm doing or what I have done, what I'm trying to do."
While looking forward to picking up the prestigious accolade for his personal performances, Parker maintained that he is focused on securing Premier League survival for West Ham.
"I stated recently the main focus this year is staying in the Premier League with West Ham and if we don't do it the personal accolades will be very, very disappointing," he said.
"Our main aim is to stay in the Premier League. We've got five big, big games left and hopefully we can get the points we need and stay in the league."
Parker struggled to put into words how well the season had gone on a personal note, although he had no such problems describing where West Ham's season had gone wrong.
He said: "I cannot explain to you the way it's gone for me on a personal level. Accolades and awards are massive...I'm absolutely over the moon.
"I'm playing well, obviously I wish we could be in a better position in the league but on a personal level things are going good for me.
"I need to keep continuing that, working hard, and staying on the right track.
"[As for the team's under-performance] it is not just this season," he added.
"Last season as well we had our troubles and it's gone into this season.
"We have got a very good squad and some very good players but for one reason or another we haven't picked up the points we need.
"If I could put my finger on it I would. We need to try to pick up some results. But we still have a chance."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Johnson: Reds will be a force

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Updated Apr 23, 2011 7:40 AM ET
Glen Johnson insists he has no regrets about joining Liverpool and claims the Reds will be "a force" if they add to their squad this summer.
The England international has endured long periods of frustration since making the move to Anfield from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Wed., Apr. 20

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23

Sun., Apr. 24

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

He could not help the Reds qualify for the Champions League last season under Rafa Benitez and was criticised by Roy Hodgson at the start of this term following a series of disappointing performances.
Injuries have also hampered Johnson's progress and he now finds his place under threat from youngsters such as Martin Kelly and John Flanagan.
However, the right-back maintains that he never looks back at the moment he came to the club and wishes he had made a different decision.
Johnson feels the Reds are heading in an exciting direction under Kenny Dalglish and new owners Fenway Sports Group, and is eager to play a part.
Asked if he had any regrets about joining Liverpool, Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: "No. Not at all.
"I definitely see my future here. It has never entered my head that I made the wrong choice.
"I am not the sort of person who, just because things are going badly, would jump ship.
"It was difficult for the club at the start of this season but we are over the hill now and everything is looking bright.
"The new owners coming in was like a cloud being lifted. Everyone feels like we are over the worst of it, we have fantastic owners, a fantastic manager and a fantastic coaching staff. With a few signings this summer, we will be a force."
Johnson knows from his time at Pompey how important it is to have stability at a club, and he is enjoying life with Liverpool since FSG took control.
"They have spent a lot of money," he said. "If it was me, I wouldn't spend that much unless I was dedicated to it.
"They do not want to be part of the club, they want to take it on. Why else would they buy it? It is exciting times.
"Kenny has brought the smile back to everyone's faces, and Steve Clarke [the first-team coach] has been fantastic.
"I feel a lot more settled now than I did. I had always lived in London before. It was a big change."

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

Rutashubanyuma · Apr 23, 2011

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