http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/ John Cross Trinity Mirror Trinity Mirror http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/Arsenal-column-Why-Arsene-Wenger-deserves-at-least-as-much-leeway-as-Liverpool-managers-routinely-get-by-John-Cross-article863005.html Arsene Wenger reckons Liverpool fans should be envious of Arsenal. And it would appear that even Reds fans agree. After Liverpool's goalless draw with Tottenham on Monday night, one radio phone-in was besieged by callers saying they wished Kenny Dalglish had signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rather than Stewart Downing. Remarkable considering Liverpool are pushing for fourth, have reached the Carling Cup final and put themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But as keyboard warriors look to... Arsene Wenger reckons Liverpool fans should be envious of Arsenal. And it would appear that even Reds fans agree. After Liverpool's goalless draw with Tottenham on Monday night, one radio phone-in was besieged by callers saying they wished Kenny Dalglish had signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rather than Stewart Downing. Remarkable considering Liverpool are pushing for fourth, have reached the Carling Cup final and put themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But as keyboard warriors look to... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:02:51 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/Arsenal-column-Why-Arsene-Wenger-deserves-at-least-as-much-leeway-as-Liverpool-managers-routinely-get-by-John-Cross-article863005.html 2012-02-08T21:02:51Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-Why-AC-MIlan-s-Kevin-Prince-Boateng-could-scupper-Arsenal-s-dreams-providing-his-sex-life-allows-By-John-Cross-article862997.html Kevin Prince-Boateng is the most unlikely AC Milan dangerman. But Arsenal had better hope that the ex-Spurs midfielder does not recover in time from injury for the second leg let alone next week. Former Portsmouth midfielder Boateng has been fantastic for AC Milan this season, dominating in midfield and also scoring a terrific goal against Barcelona in the Champions League in November. Boateng has also provided off the pitch entertainment. He's managed just 15 starts partly due to the fact th... Kevin Prince-Boateng is the most unlikely AC Milan dangerman. But Arsenal had better hope that the ex-Spurs midfielder does not recover in time from injury for the second leg let alone next week. Former Portsmouth midfielder Boateng has been fantastic for AC Milan this season, dominating in midfield and also scoring a terrific goal against Barcelona in the Champions League in November. Boateng has also provided off the pitch entertainment. He's managed just 15 starts partly due to the fact th... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:01:47 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-Why-AC-MIlan-s-Kevin-Prince-Boateng-could-scupper-Arsenal-s-dreams-providing-his-sex-life-allows-By-John-Cross-article862997.html 2012-02-08T21:01:47Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-If-Andrey-Arshavin-thinks-London-s-bad-he-should-get-a-load-of-Makhachkala-by-John-Cross-article862996.html No wonder Andrey Arshavin would rather wait on a summer return to Zenit St Petersburg than jump into a move to Anzhi Makhachkala this month. Mega rich Anzhi have already signed Samuel Eto'o on fortunes and are going for more. But all the players train and live in Moscow and are flown in for games because Makhachkala is not a great place to live, apparently. So Arshavin may have complaints about London, but Makhachkala is so unwelcoming that the players do their best to go nowhere near it. Apa... No wonder Andrey Arshavin would rather wait on a summer return to Zenit St Petersburg than jump into a move to Anzhi Makhachkala this month. Mega rich Anzhi have already signed Samuel Eto'o on fortunes and are going for more. But all the players train and live in Moscow and are flown in for games because Makhachkala is not a great place to live, apparently. So Arshavin may have complaints about London, but Makhachkala is so unwelcoming that the players do their best to go nowhere near it. Apa... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:44 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-If-Andrey-Arshavin-thinks-London-s-bad-he-should-get-a-load-of-Makhachkala-by-John-Cross-article862996.html 2012-02-08T21:00:44Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-Arsenal-column-Why-I-fear-Arsene-Wenger-s-transfer-inactivity-will-cost-the-club-fourth-place-article860494.html Arsene Wenger is making a habit of tying himself up in knots. Here he is on Arsenal's outstanding prospect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and his belief that he can reach the very top" "He is in the first team at 18 and if you look at many the top players around - John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and people like that - they were all playing at the top level by the age of 18." A lovely compliment to Oxlade-Chamberlain and richly deserved because he has the potential to be a star for Arsenal a... Arsene Wenger is making a habit of tying himself up in knots. Here he is on Arsenal's outstanding prospect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and his belief that he can reach the very top" "He is in the first team at 18 and if you look at many the top players around - John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and people like that - they were all playing at the top level by the age of 18." A lovely compliment to Oxlade-Chamberlain and richly deserved because he has the potential to be a star for Arsenal a... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:48:53 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-Arsenal-column-Why-I-fear-Arsene-Wenger-s-transfer-inactivity-will-cost-the-club-fourth-place-article860494.html 2012-02-01T22:48:53Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-column-Why-it-s-the-Arsenal-fans-who-don-t-know-what-they-re-doing-not-Arsene-Wenger-article857421.html There is one chant that really sticks in the craw. Arsene Wenger had it ringing in his ears at the Emirates on Sunday and  Mick McCarthy had to suffer it at Molineux three months ago. You know the one. It goes: "You don't know what you're doing." McCarthy got it when he was 2-0 down at home to Swansea, made a double substitution and Wolves ended up snatching a 2-2 draw. Wenger suffered it when he replaced Arsenal's best player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with public enemy number one Andrey Arshav... There is one chant that really sticks in the craw. Arsene Wenger had it ringing in his ears at the Emirates on Sunday and  Mick McCarthy had to suffer it at Molineux three months ago. You know the one. It goes: "You don't know what you're doing." McCarthy got it when he was 2-0 down at home to Swansea, made a double substitution and Wolves ended up snatching a 2-2 draw. Wenger suffered it when he replaced Arsenal's best player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with public enemy number one Andrey Arshav... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:01:02 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-column-Why-it-s-the-Arsenal-fans-who-don-t-know-what-they-re-doing-not-Arsene-Wenger-article857421.html 2012-01-25T23:01:02Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-column-Why-it-s-time-for-Fabio-Capello-to-replace-Ashley-Cole-with-Leighton-Baines-article857420.html Ashley Cole has been the best left back in the world for many years. But amid Chelsea's many problems, his lack of form has been alarming. I'm a huge fan of his tenacity, defending, ability to get forward and tackle the best wingers in the world. However, if players are judged on form, then Fabio Capello should pick Leighton Baines ahead of Cole in the build-up to the Euros. And I never thought I'd say that. Baines is a terrific defender, excellent left back and superb crosser of the ball. In... Ashley Cole has been the best left back in the world for many years. But amid Chelsea's many problems, his lack of form has been alarming. I'm a huge fan of his tenacity, defending, ability to get forward and tackle the best wingers in the world. However, if players are judged on form, then Fabio Capello should pick Leighton Baines ahead of Cole in the build-up to the Euros. And I never thought I'd say that. Baines is a terrific defender, excellent left back and superb crosser of the ball. In... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:00:04 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/John-Cross-column-Why-it-s-time-for-Fabio-Capello-to-replace-Ashley-Cole-with-Leighton-Baines-article857420.html 2012-01-25T23:00:04Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-by-John-Cross-Why-Arsene-Wenger-s-stubborn-refusal-to-spend-his-35m-kitty-could-cripple-the-club-article855111.html Arsene Wenger is as stubborn as much as he is a perfectionist. Wenger never wants to pay over the odds for a transfer even if it might be the missing piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal. Neither will he compromise on players. The Arsenal manager always wants them to be perfect. An admirable stance, but they can't all be Bergkamp, Henry or Pires. Furthermore, the more fans, the media and even his peers tell Wenger he should spend big, the more determined he becomes to prove everyone wrong by doing... Arsene Wenger is as stubborn as much as he is a perfectionist. Wenger never wants to pay over the odds for a transfer even if it might be the missing piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal. Neither will he compromise on players. The Arsenal manager always wants them to be perfect. An admirable stance, but they can't all be Bergkamp, Henry or Pires. Furthermore, the more fans, the media and even his peers tell Wenger he should spend big, the more determined he becomes to prove everyone wrong by doing... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:00:25 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-by-John-Cross-Why-Arsene-Wenger-s-stubborn-refusal-to-spend-his-35m-kitty-could-cripple-the-club-article855111.html 2012-01-18T23:00:25Z true