Jose: 'money Can't Buy This'

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Ivorians Anger Wenger

Arsene Wenger has criticised the Ivory Coast for banning Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue from playing in Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Cardiff - with just a couple of hours' notice.

Arsenal were warned by FIFA just 90 minutes before kick-off at Highbury that they risked handing the game to Cardiff if they fielded the two Ivory Coast internationals.

The Gunners' boss said: "It is completely unbelievable. It's like you play the European Championship now and then the World Cup this summer. When they come back, they will be dead (physically) as the tournament is very intense in a different climate and there's all the travelling."

Wenger had hoped the Ivory Coast would delay their call-up to the African Nations Cup finals beyond Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final tie against Wigan, let alone Saturday's FA Cup tie.

However, his request for a delay was refused as the Ivory Coast stuck rigidly to FIFA's 14-day call-up rules ahead of the tournament in Egypt, with Didier Drogba also barred from playing for Chelsea.

That led to a hasty revision of the Arsenal team-sheet, with youngsters Johan Djourou and Kerrea Gilbert being drafted into the starting line-up at short notice ahead of the 1pm kick-off.

Wenger revealed: "At the team meeting at 9am on Saturday, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue were both in the team. But I had to pull them out at 11.30am as the Ivory Coast banned the players from playing and refused to give in.

"They threatened to go to FIFA if we played them. We asked FIFA and they said that if we played them, we risked losing the game. I didn't want to take that chance so I pulled them out.

"It's quite amazing when you get to a period where there is no common sense at all. We pay the players to play for them and they can ban the players we pay from playing for us - at a period where they're not playing at all.

"They're making so-called medical tests in Paris, but it's just 50 minutes away from here by plane and we just wanted the players to go after playing."


http://fs.football365.com/Teams/Arse...y_173714.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Weakened Gunners Lose Campbell And Van Persie

Arsenal have been rocked by new injury blows to Sol Campbell and Robin Van Persie.

Already deprived of Kolo Toure because of African Nations duty, fellow centre-half Campbell has been ruled out of the Gunners' Carling Cup semi-final first leg with Wigan due to a 'slight knock', while Van Persie has been ruled out after suffering a small crack in his toe.

However, the official Arsenal website says that 'the injury to the 22-year-old Dutchman is not considered serious and will only keep him out for the short term.'

Arsene Wenger has been boosted by Jose Reyes' recovery from the injury which forced him off at half-time on Saturday against Cardiff, but the Arsenal manager says, "I will rest a few players so we will have quite a young team."

Thierry Henry, rested at the weekend, is also omitted from the squad that will travel to Wigan, but Wenger has opted to draft in first-team regulars Gilberto, Mathieu Flamini, Freddie Ljungberg, Alexander Hleb and Francesc Fabregas.

Meanwhile, Wenger says he is unconcerned about being paired with 'bogey team' Bolton in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Londoners have lost their last two Premiership matches at the Reebok, but did win 1-0 at Bolton last March en route to lifting the cup.

"It is ok for us," said Wenger. "We won there 1-0 last year so we have good memories. We will go there and try to do it again."


http://fs.football365.com/Teams/Arse...y_173791.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Fa Cup Fourth Round Draw

Arsenal face a tough test in the fourth round of the FA Cup, travelling to the Reebok Stadium - a place where they haven't had the greatest joy over the last few seasons.

The winners of Manchester United's third round replay with Burton Albion will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Chelsea will make either the small trip to Millwall or a longer trek to Everton.

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth will host the European Champions Liverpool, while Newcastle will travel to Cheltenham or Chester.

A potential West Midlands derby is a possibility - if West Bromwich Albion can overcome Reading and Birmingham can beat Torquay at the second attempt.

The full draw:

Stoke or Tamworth v Barnsley or Walsall
Cheltenham or Chester v Newcastle
Coventry City v Nuneaton or Middlesbrough
WBA or Reading v Torquay or Birmingham
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Leicester v Southampton
Bolton v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Port Vale
Brentford v Sunderland
Man City v Wigan or Leeds
Millwall or Everton v Chelsea
Preston v Crystal Palace
West Ham Utd v Blackburn Rovers
Colchester v Derby
Charlton v Leyton Orient
Wolves v Burton Albion or Manchester United



http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_173757.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Unhappy Players Can Leave - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits he will listen to offers for any player who wants to leave Stamford Bridge.

But having secured the loan services of midfielder Nuno Maniche from Dynamo Moscow until the end of the season, Mourinho's squad is now back to its full quota and it is unlikely that either Wayne Bridge or Robert Huth will be allowed to move on during the current transfer window.

"Anyone who isn't happy here can leave," said Mourinho. "I know Wayne Bridge needs to play football but Chelsea need to win matches. I will keep my word to my players, I will keep the squad of players that I trust unless somebody shows me they are not happy or wants to leave."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has already issued guarded warnings to Bridge that he must be playing regular first team football before the end of the season or he can forget being part of his World Cup gathering.

But Mourinho is reluctant to let either player go out on loan while his side are still challenging for success on three fronts - the Barclays Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions League - and will not let their individual desires affect his plans.

The only way anyone will be allowed to leave the club is if they make it quite clear to the Portuguese coach that they are unhappy and no longer wish to be part of his squad.

Time is running out for Bridge and German international Huth and although both started the FA Cup victory over Huddersfield on Saturday, neither are expected to be in action against Sunderland this weekend.

Indeed, Mourinho made it quite clear that he will not let his heart rule his head when it comes to team selection.

Mourinho added: "A Chelsea manager chooses, in his opinion, the players who are in better condition to play matches. Of course I want to help Bridge and give him some matches because he is a very good player who wants to come back to a high level. But if I feel that Gallas or Del Horno are the best options for me I cannot think with my heart."



http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_173781.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Arsenal Sign Adebayor

Arsenal have signed Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Monaco.

The gangly but skilful 21-year-old forward becomes Arsenal's second capture in the current transfer window after Arsene Wenger also completed the signing of Vasiriki Abou Diaby.

The Gunners will pay an undisclosed fee to the Principality club after signing the African on a "long-term contract".

Adebayor led his country to the 2006 World Cup - their first ever finals appearance - after top-scoring in the African zone.

Wenger said: "Emmanuel Adebayor is a great addition to our squad.

"He has shown in his performances with Monaco and Togo that he will add great quality to our offensive game. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs. We are looking forward to him joining the squad when he returns from the African Nations Cup."

However, Adebayor will not arrive at Highbury for at least a few weeks due to his participation in the African Nations Cup - though that did not taint the move for the player.

He said: "This is a great day for me. I am joining Arsenal, one of Europe's leading teams, with a squad containing so many great players.

"I am looking forward to working very hard for the team and I hope I can give the Arsenal fans a lot of enjoyment in the future."


http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_174272.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_174270.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Arsenal Complete Diaby Swoop

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of French Under-19 international Vasiriki Abou Diaby for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old central midfielder came through the youth ranks at Auxerre and captained the French side which won the Under-19 European Championship last summer, beating England 3-1 in the final in Belfast.

Manager Arsene Wenger feels Diaby can add an extra dimension to the Gunners squad. Wenger said: He is a strong midfielder and has shown huge potential during his time at Auxerre. He will be a tremendous addition to our squad."

The fee is believed to be in the region of #2million, and Auxerre revealed rejected advances from Chelsea to sign a four-year deal with the Gunners.

Diaby said: "I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal. The club has a great history and a squad which is full of high-quality players.

"This is a very exciting time for me and I am looking forward to a successful career here."


http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_174203.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

http://fs.football365.com/Home/Trans...ip/index.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Money Not Henry's Priority

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry claims he is not concerned about money as he prepares to begin talks over a new contract at Highbury.

The 28-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of next season, has dismissed suggestions he is hoping to secure a huge pay rise but says the club must be able to compete for trophies.

Henry told The Sun: "This is not about the money. Cash has never been my priority. It is more a matter of football and now the club must show me they can match my sporting ambitions.

"I am willing to commit to Arsenal for the rest of my career but the team has to be competitive.

"We need to build and the ball is in the club's court. I need to know the club's ambition."


http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_174278.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Awards For Benitez And Rooney

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has won his second successive Barclays Manager of the Month award.

Benitez's Liverpool side maintained a 100% record throughout December to extend their winning Premiership run to 10 matches.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney was the winner of the Player of the Month award.

The European champions conceded just one goal as they beat Wigan, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Everton and West Brom in a month when they also reached the final of the Club World Championship. The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

The panel's Nic Gault said: "If this form continues then the Anfield faithful will have plenty of reasons to paint the town red in 2006.

"Benitez's achievement of back-to-back wins throughout November and December is a massive achievement."

Benitez is the second successive back-to-back winner after Wigan's Paul Jewell scooped the prize in September and October.


http://fs.football365.com/Home/story_174266.shtml

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Barclays Premiership todays games and times.(saturday)

Barclays Premiership
Fixture 12:45
Man City 0 - 0 Man Utd
Fixture 15:00
Arsenal 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Fixture 15:00
Aston Villa 0 - 0 West Ham
Fixture 15:00
Charlton 0 - 0 Birmingham
Fixture 15:00
Fulham 0 - 0 Newcastle
Fixture 15:00
Liverpool 0 - 0 Tottenham
Fixture 15:00
Portsmouth 0 - 0 Everton
Fixture 17:15
Blackburn 0 - 0 Bolton

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

Barclays Premiership (saturday)

Barclays Premiership
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd full time
Arsenal 7 - 0 Middlesbrough full time
Aston Villa 1 - 2 West Ham full time
Charlton 2 - 0 Birmingham full time
Fulham 1 - 0 Newcastle full time
Liverpool 1 - 0 Tottenham full time
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Everton full time
Fixture 17:15
Blackburn 0 - 0 Bolton

[Rooz]

pitty ur not number 1 any more like us ! (chelsea for life)

[Iranian soccer fan]

Man United lost
Tottenham lost
Arsenal won SEVEN - NIL!!!

COME ON ARSENAL!!!!
thanks I4L

[IRANIAN_4_LIFE]

for the record Blackburn 0 - 0 Bolton that was the last match of the day.