Mirror Football

Nobody wants to meet Messi in Champions League draw, says Thierry Henry

David McDonnell and Darren Lewis — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:13 GMT

Barcelona are still the team everyone fears, says French star

Arsenal should pray to avoid Man United in Champions League, says Oleg Luyzhny

David McDonnell and Darren Lewis — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:04 GMT

Former Double winner thinks his old club would do better against foreign opposition

Arsenal and Man City target Yaya Toure rules out move to Premier League

John Cross — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:45:01 GMT

Barcelona star won't be following brother Kolo to England

Why genius Mourinho must be the next Man United boss

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:30:54 GMT

Jose Mourinho is more than a manager. He is the man.I told you here last week that Real Madrid should move heaven and earth to make him their next boss, but after his triumphant return to Stamford Bridge I've got something even bigger in mind.There are persistent rumours linking Jose with Liverpool but I think he would be crazy to go there if Rafa Benitez goes. They need more than the four world-class players Fernando Torres is asking for and that makes it too big a rebuilding job with owners...

3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - March 18, 2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:41:30 GMT

OK, so you've done your wages betting on three-legged nags down in the west country and, consequently, are facing a weekend sniffing turps rather than out on the lash. But things ain't all that bad. We're still here every afternoon to cheer you up...1) MirrorFootball's current favourite thing out there in internet land (apart from MirrorFootball, of course!) is the official website of one Andrey Arshavin. The slightly stern looking Russian Gunner is, in fact, quite clearly bonkers in the nut....

Strawberry blond? Who are you kidding! The best Ginga XI of all-time

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:15:12 GMT

So, ladies and gentlemen, here it is... the best Ginga XI - EVER!In honour of Paul Scholes scoring his 100th Premier League goal for Man United recently, we wanted your nominations for a team packed with carrot-topped heroes.Thanks to all of you who sent us your suggestions via Twitter and Facebook.There will be another one later this week, so keep an eye out on our Twitter and Facebook pages for the details.But now, without further ado, here is the definitive all-time Ginga XI...Goalkeeper: ...

Champions League special - Martin Lipton rates the remaining eight runners and riders gunning for the European Cup

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:01:13 GMT

So now it's down to eight, a rather different-looking elite to the one we had all expected.No Chelsea, no Real Madrid, even if the possibility of a repeat of Barcelona's Roman orgy at Manchester United's expense is still there.But when UEFA plot out the final steps along the road to the Bernabeu in Nyon tomorrow, that will not stop the excitement from mounting.With six countries represented in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the unfamiliar names mean that the draw could look decid...

10 things we learned from watching Barcelona vs Stuttgart

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:56:09 GMT

Barcelona turned in a masterclass of football last night as they eased into the Champions League quarter-finals and reaffirmed their position as tournament favourites. Messi brace puts Barca through The Catalans would like nothing more than to be the first team to retain the trophy for 20 years, especially since the Final is being played at the Bernabeau - Real Madrid’s backyard.There is simply no better team to watch in world football. MirrorFootball’s Richard Arrowsmith picks out ten points...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:51:28 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror:Chelsea planning dream team pairing of Drogba and Torres Abramovich will stick with Ancelotti and bankroll £140million summer spree Villa target £9m deal for Spurs ace - Exclusive Wolves star Hahnemann targets survival and a new deal Interest grows in QPR's Alejandro Faurlin Riera's broadside at Rafa's 'sinking ship' Gary Johnson faces Bristol City axe Other rumours and gossip:Pavlyuchenko pledges future to Spurs Mancini reassures Toure over Man City future Villa to ...

The full-backs shouldn't be the fall guys for Arsenal

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:02:45 GMT

Arsene Wenger has pulled off a minor miracle this season even by keeping Arsenal in a three-horse title race.The Gunners' crippling injury list, coupled with having smaller resources than Chelsea and Manchester United, make the achievement all the more impressive.But there are two players who deserve even more praise than most because they have been pushed to the limit over the past few months.They are the team's full-backs, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy, who have been horribly exposed at time...

Clichy: Bring on Barcelona

Darren Lewis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:47 GMT

Arsenal star wants a Champions League final showdown with Thierry Henry

Chelsea transfer special: who will join in the summer - and who will leave?

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:43 GMT

Following their ignominious Champions League exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, Chelsea are making plans for a massive overhaul of their ageing squad in the summer.Here MirrorFootball's Martin Lipton casts his expert eye over the players who could be coming and going in the next transfer window.The Wish ListFernando Torres (Liverpool)Liverpool’s fight for fourth will determine if the Spaniard is available but Abramovich has already tried to sign him onceChelsea planning dream t...

Abramovich will stick with Ancelotti and bankroll £140million summer spree

Martin Lipton — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:28 GMT

Owner desperate to inject young blood into ageing Chelsea squad

Song: 'Belief is the key to title challenge'

Darren Lewis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:10 GMT

Arsenal star insists Gunners never know when they are beaten

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Wednesday, March 17

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:08:50 GMT

It's almost Guinness o'clock! But if you've already exhausted our amazing St Patrick's Day Irish football legends archive special, then here's some ace footy vids to help while away the time until you can stuff your face with potato and cabbage and fall down drunk in the street in the name of religious martyrs.1) Following hot on the heels of Alan Shearer's legendarily brusque newspaper interview last week, we present further evidence that Wor Alan could well be the most curmudgeonly man in f...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:38:26 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror:Real Madrid target Ashley Cole Davenport seeks clean break from West Ham Blades set for sweeping cuts if promotion bid fails - Exclusive Arsenal given Fab fitness boost - Exclusive Hull appoint Dowie as new manager - Exclusive Beckham feeling 'positive' after surgery - but doc says World Cup return unlikely Portsmouth set for Premier League points penalty What's wrong with Steven Gerrard? And could he be about to leave Liverpool? From today's other papers:Arsenal t...

Roll up, roll up... get your bottled atmosphere here

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:02:15 GMT

The National Trust has hit on the wheeze of selling bottled fresh air to gullible townies. This has got some hard-up chairmen thinking they might be able to cash in on this emerging market by selling bottled atmosphere. Too many grounds these days rely on loud-mouthed MCs and rock music to work their crowds into a frenzy. The chairmen are thinking they could provide an alternative by capturing the atmosphere at big games and flogging it off to other clubs. The way it would work is that a numb...

Arsenal given Fab fitness boost - Exclusive

John Cross — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:53:17 GMT

Gunners captain will return to action against West Ham this weekend

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, March 17

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:56:36 GMT

Day one of Cheltenham is over, and already the Mirror Football shirt is lost. With nothing left to play for except the fun of seeing how many days Alan Brazil will miss of his TalkSport show due to extreme thirst, we're taking solace in these brilliant football videos from the interweb.

1) Not sure, but we THINK this might be a foul...

Arshavin reveals accident

Pa Sports — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:31:02 GMT

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin was unhurt after being involved in a traffic accident on Monday.Team-mate Nicklas Bendtner had what an ambulance spokesman called a "very lucky escape" earlier in the season when he crashed his Aston Martin into a tree - but Arshavin's collision was minor in comparison and only led to a damaged bumper.Arshavin, who was with his wife Julia, revealed the accident on his official website.The incident coming two days after the 28-year-old Russia international score...

Why I'm convinced Arsenal can win the title - I've even bet my dinner on it

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:38:17 GMT

Since the start of the season I've had a friendly wager with my Mirrorfootball colleague John Cross that Arsenal will win the title.Dinner in an expensive restaurant will be coming my way should Arsene Wenger's men prevail and I am already making a date in my diary to accommodate Crossie.Partly because there is now an invincible spirit at the heart of the Gunners' title drive which saw has seen them over the line on several occasions this season in the kind of game they used to lose last term...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:59:01 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror: Spurs agree £6m deal for Brazilian wonderkid Grant refuses to commit to Pompey - Exclusive Beckham: I'll be back Campbell wins legal battle with Portsmouth I should still be Chelsea boss says Mourinho Hull want Hughes to replace sacked Brown From today's other papers:Calum Davenport has played his last game for West Ham. The defender is back in training after suffering leg wounds in a stabbing last year, but the Hammers are desperate to cut costs so have agreed...

Scholes: 'We can win every game to take title'

David McDonnell — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:00:34 GMT

Midfield ace sets United team-mates maximum points target

Campbell wins legal battle with Portsmouth

John Cross — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Ex-Fratton Park star will be paid £1.7million in wages owed

Beckham blow opens the door for England's left-sided trio

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:50:18 GMT

As the World Cup door slammed shut on David Beckham, opportunity knocked for others.And while Fabio Capello admitted his sadness at losing one of the key components of his plans for South Africa, the England boss will expect those who have their chance to benefit from Beckham’s heartbreak to show they are ready to step through the open portal.For four players in particular, Beckham’s anguish represents their chances, either to confirm their status in Capello’s eyes, or make him blink and take...

Campbell expects tough run-in

Pa Sports — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:21:02 GMT

Veteran defender Sol Campbell has warned Arsenal's youngsters not to expect an easy ride as they battle to land the Barclays Premier League title.The Gunners are very much in the hunt for a first championship since Campbell led the 'Invincibles' of 2003/2004 following a last-gasp 2-1 victory at struggling Hull on Saturday, where Nicklas Bendtner's stoppage-time goal paved the way for the Tigers to dismiss manager Phil Brown. Only two points now separate the top three, although Chelsea have pl...

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Monday, March 15

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:49:53 GMT

As the nation's tanning salons and karaoke bars shut as a mark of respect for Phil Brown, here's another selection of brilliant football videos.

1) Not the greatest of weekends for David Beckham. He's out of the World Cup and, to add insult to injury, Brazilian Baiano's ripped off his greatest moment in Paulisto's win against Prudente.

I'm backing 'The Arse' to come from behind in the title race - and that will really hurt

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:16:05 GMT

Manchester United dismissed Fulham on Sunday with another wave of Rooney’s magic wand.United climbed back to the summit of the Premier League having fallen into third place after Saturday’s fixtures.The title race is revving up. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are almost inseparable in games played, goal difference and points accumulated.Scanning the remaining eight games for United and Arsenal, and the remaining nine for Chelsea, you’d be hard pushed not to believe that Arsenal have t...

Ask John Cross your football questions in our live webchat on Monday lunchtime

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:00:52 GMT

Want to talk about the weekend's football? Want to get something off your chest? Want to ask something about your club? Want to know about life as a leading football journalist?Then join Daily Mirror football writer John Cross, our king of the back page exclusives, online on Monday from 12.30pm-1.30pm in our Monday Mouth-Off series - the new place for you to chat with Daily Mirror reporters about everything that happened on another wild weekend in the Premier and Coca-Cola Leagues.To ask a qu...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Monday's papers

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:45:18 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror: Liverpool set for cash boost - but still face losing Torres Birmingham owner vows to spend big this summer Beye escapes O'Neill wrath after admitting he wants to quit Villa Parker not giving up hope of England World Cup call-up Beckham's World Cup dream ended by torn Achilles tendon From today's other papers:Trying to sign Wayne Rooney and linking him up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has beocme an "obsession" for Real Madrid, says pres...

Bendtner: I feared Sagna had suffered Ramsey-like injury

David Anderson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:00:46 GMT

Gunners star feared team-mate had been seriously injured by George Boateng's knee-high challenge

Bendtner looks in good Nick to be a Premier League superstar

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:52:38 GMT

Nicklas Bendtner will be a Premier League superstar one day - and I look forward to him continuing to prove his critics wrong at Arsenal.The Danish striker scored an injury-time winner at Hull on Saturday to add to his hat-trick in the Gunners’ Champions League thrashing of Porto.And it is about time Arsenal fans ate some humble pie over their treatment of him.Bendtner’s heroics go to show that, of the 60,000 fans at the Emirates, only the 30,000 or so who would have got into Highbury appear ...

Stan Collymore's hero and villain of the week

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:45:07 GMT

Hero of the week: Nicklas Bendtner. Four goals in a week should keep the Arsenal striker’s detractors quiet.

Villains of the week: Wigan’s team. They let their club down badly in a relegation scrap at Bolton.

The wit and wisdom of Alan Shearer, plus more madness from Andrey Arshavin

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:39:56 GMT

Alan Shearer’s reputation as a fun-loving chap who doesn’t take himself too seriously has been bolstered by a recent interview. The highlights:Q: When you were a youngster what was your favourite cartoon?A: Cartoons? I didn't watch cartoons, I was too busy playing football.Q: Apart from a football, did you have a favourite toy when you were a child?A: Yes, a goalpost.Q: Apart from football paraphernalia, did you have a favourite toy when you were a child?A: No, like I told you I was too busy ...

Wenger takes heart from late winner

Pa Sports — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:51:02 GMT

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal's last-gasp 2-1 victory at 10-man Hull could go a long way to delivering a first Barclays Premier League title since 2004.Nicklas Bendtner struck in stoppage time as the Gunners kept pace with Chelsea at the top of the table, although they have played a game more than their rivals."It's maybe not good for my heart, but for the championship it's not bad," Wenger said after Arsenal's fifth straight win. "We have eight games to go, we are in there, why should we no...

Hull 1-2 Arsenal: The Daily Mirror match report

David Anderson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:30:38 GMT

Last-gasp Gunners becoming the new Manchester United

Wenger admits broken-leg victim Ramsey 'bored'

Julian Bennetts — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:00:49 GMT

Welsh international struggling to stay patient at being stuck on the sidelines

Hull need Bullard's fighting spirit to survive, and Andrey should be more worried about the Russian press

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:55:51 GMT

Jimmy Bullard is the Norman Wisdom of football.Mad, bad, and dangerous to know.Now he’s offended the Womens’ Institute by scuffling with Nicky Barmby.That surreal episode proved the comic is a competitor. Hull need those instincts to avoid the financial disaster of relegation. They have all the hallmarks of the next Portsmouth.*******************************************************************Standing inches away from the World Cup filled me with a childish sense of wonder.You can’t touch, bu...

Theo Walcott: Arsenal want revenge against Man United

Marc Isaacs — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:45:17 GMT

Winger wants revenge in the Champions League after devastating defeat to United in last season's competition

Hull 1-2 Arsenal: The Sunday Mirror match report

Michael Morgan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:10:37 GMT

Gunners go level with Chelsea after Bendtner's last gasp strike

Hull 1-2 Arsenal

MirrorFootball — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:52:29 GMT

Bendtner's last gasp strike keeps Gunners in the title hunt

Gunners keep pace at the top

Pa Sports — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:51:02 GMT

Nicklas Bendtner struck in stoppage time as Arsenal kept pace with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 victory at 10-man Hull.The title-chasing Gunners went in front when Andrey Arshavin prodded in after 14 minutes but Jimmy Bullard levelled with a penalty after 28 minutes following a clumsy Sol Campbell challenge on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.Arsenal struggled to break down Hull following the 45th-minute dismissal of George Boateng but Bendtner earned a fifth straigh...

HT: Hull 1-1 Arsenal

Mirror Football — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:35:40 GMT

Bullard pulls no punches to peg back Arsenal

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:26:14 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror:Liverpool keeping a close eye on Alex McLeish's contract talks with Birmingham as Rafa Benitez continues to struggle at AnfieldEverton ready to offer TEN players new long-term dealsManchester City chasing Benfica strike star Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini tells Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop moaning over his new contract and focus on the fight for fourth spot From today's other papers:Real Madrid are said to have had informal talks with Manchester United over a ...

Fabregas: Time to step up

Pa Sports — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:11:04 GMT

Injured Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has challenged his team-mates to seize the opportunity to keep their Barclays Premier League title challenge alive with victory at relegation-battling Hull on Saturday night.The Gunners head to the KC Stadium without their influential midfielder, who has been hampered by a hamstring problem and did not feature in the 5-0 midweek Champions League victory over Porto.Arsene Wenger's men have put together a run of four straight league victories to haul themse...

How Wenger's transfer policy has been vindicated while Galacticos suffer

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:00:13 GMT

Last summer Arsene Wenger's traditional transfer window kicking was more vicious than usual.Oh how he was pummelled for selling Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure for huge mounts and replacing them with an unknown Belgian centre-half. Even Alex Ferguson claimed Arsenal were the Big Four team who looked most vulnerable. For many, the phrase "Arsene Knows" became "Arsene Knows Eff-all" and obituarists sharpened their quills.Meanwhile in Madrid, praise was lavished on the cavalier genius of Flore...

Pompey players are above the financial law as staff get the boot

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:58:08 GMT

Portsmouth have sacked 85 staff and cut the chief executive's pay by 40% before his departure as they club tried to drag itself away from bankruptcy.One set of employees who won't face redundancies or pay-cuts though, are the players. Not when there's an agreement between the PFA and the Premier League that their contracts are untouchable.The next time a player scandal breaks, and Gordon Taylor demands that footballers are treated like everyone else, I hope he remembers how he's helped make t...

Wenger warns Bendtner: 'You haven't made it yet'

Mike Walters — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:00:43 GMT

Gunners chief says striker has much to learn despite midweek Champions League hat-trick

The Premier League needs Jose back, and why I won't mind if Arsenal upset the odds

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:50:21 GMT

Jose Mourinho on the touchline at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night will be a must-see event in its own right.The Special One brings his Inter Milan team to Chelsea with a slender lead even if Chelsea should have got a better result in the first leg.But I fancy Inter to score, the game to go all the way to extra time and penalties and that will produce some brilliant Mourinho histrionics.The Premier League needs Mourinho back as quickly as possible because he’s pure theatre.****Chelsea were m...

Phil Brown insists Hull squad still united despite park brawl

MirrorFootball — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:34:10 GMT

Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby had to be separated by team-mates during a warm-down session at a park