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Arsene Wenger has stated that Arsenal have only themselves to blame after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Gervinho opened the scoring for the home side after only eight minutes, but Mick McCarthy’s men stood firm and equalised before the break through in-form striker Steven Fletcher.

Despite Nenad Milijas being sent off late in the fixture, The Gunners could not find the winner and the spoils were shared, much to Wenger’s frustration.

“A second goal would have killed the game off,” the French coach told Sky Sports.

“But I believe it was a question of us not making a mistake until half-time, and not to let them back in the game if they have something to hang on to.

“If they had to come out a bit more, it would have been a different story. That is where we still lack a bit of maturity, because look at how we lost the ball just before the corner.

“And how we played them on, I think we can only blame ourselves because we have not done well on that.

“We had a bit of bad luck with one or two decisions going against us, and their goalkeeper had an outstanding game. We gave absolutely everything to win the game and I believe it’s important to keep the spirit,” he concluded.

The draw means that Arsenal remain in fifth place, and Wenger’s men wrap up 2011 by hosting QPR on Saturday.

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By Gareth McKnight

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There is a lot of hype over the approaching summer transfer window in world football with clubs expected to spend and improve on their squads, especially in the English Premier League. But whilst the media constantly generate rumours on players going here, there and everywhere in multi million pound transfers, there isn’t so much focus on any potential bargains.

A number of players are out of contract come May/June 2011 and it appears most of them are waiting to see what offers come in before they put pen to paper with their current club or a new club altogether. In some cases, it’s the club that don’t see a future for the player and they’ll be hoping to impress other managers with the run-in of games to the end of the season.

But what are some of the best potentially free agents that could turn up at your club this summer? Last year we saw the likes of Tottenham Hotspur gain the experience of William Gallas for free and despite his Arsenal and Chelsea connections, he’s certainly proved a bargain.

So join me for the Top 10 out of contract players this summer, there’s certainly a variety in class. Of course there will be an honourable mentions list but for any omissions, please feel free to comment below. Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter too.

Click on Robert Green to see the top TEN Bosman deals to be had this summer

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Manchester City winger Adam Johnson is hoping he has done enough to force his way into the England starting line-up during the current international break.

The 23-year-old wideman has responded to being left out of the World Cup squad for South Africa with two eye-catching substitute displays in the Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Johnson bagged his first and second international goals in the double-header with what has been the perfect response to manager Fabio Capello following his summer snub.

The former Middlesbrough youngster is now hoping to take the next step into the starting line-up.

After scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Basel, Johnson said:"The aim is to make a contribution. You're disappointed not to be starting.

"You want to do your best when you come on and try to push to get into the starting XI.

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"I've tried to do that and I've got a couple of goals to show my efforts but it's up to the manager."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

In a game that could prove defining in their respective seasons Bolton and Blackburn go head-to-head in an epic relegation six pointer at Ewood Park.

Steve Kean is under huge pressure to turn his side’s campaign on it’s head and lift them out of the bottom three. It’s been reported that this game will determine Kean’s future at Ewood Park with the clubs owners supposedly weighing whether to sack their second manager in the space of the year after defeat to West Brom on Saturday. The coach turned manager has been walking the tightrope ever since he replaced Sam Allardyce last December and is now on the brink of losing his job after collecting just 32 points from the 37 games he’s taken charge of. Performances haven’t exactly been terrible this season with Rovers usually losing by the odd goal and rarely finding themselves on the end of a hiding. However in a results driven business playing well whilst losing games isn’t going to keep you in the top flight and Kean is likely to pay the price for that. His cause hasn’t been helped this season with injuries decimating his back four and he goes into the game against Bolton without five first team defenders. That means the onus will once again be placed on Yakubu to score the goals necessary to ensure all three points. The Nigerian hasn’t scored in the last couple of games since scoring four against Swansea but he is sure find the net coming up against the Trotters brittle rearguard.

Bolton have endured an awful season to date slumping to the foot of the table after losing 13 of their 16 games this season. The manner in which they lost at Fulham on Saturday will have annoyed Owen Coyle who continues to shoulder the burden of his side’s spiritless performances. The Scot admitted that their current position is ‘absolutely killing him’ and losing to Rovers could just tip him over the edge. Defeat would certainly enhance the prospect of relegation considering West Brom are the only team in the history of the Premier League to beat the drop despite being bottom at Christmas. That same fate is unlikely to befall Bolton if they continue to play like they did at the weekend with the Cottagers easing to a 2-0 success. The lack of cohesion in defence and midfield along with a disturbing bluntness in attack made it another difficult afternoon for Coyle and co. The former Burnley boss needs his brood of experienced players to stand up and be counted with captain Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill, Nigel Reo Coker and Jussi Jaaskelainen all proven top-flight performers. Starting at Blackburn on Tuesday night would be the best Christmas present they could give their manager.

Blackburn 19th : 10 points

Team News: Blackburn have been crippled with injuries over the last few months and news that Scott Dann will be out for six-weeks with a groin injury will hit them hard. He joins Ryan Nelsen, Gael Givet, Martin Olsson, Junior Hoilett and Michel Salgado on the sidelines.

Key Player: Yakubu

The Nigerian has been a revelation since his switch from Everton in the summer giving Blackburn a goal scoring edge up front. Yakubu has made a career out of scoring goals and his habit of finding the net on a regular basis will be key to Rovers pulling away from danger going into the New Year.

Bolton 20th : 9 points

Team News: Bolton have David Wheater back from suspension but are still without seven key players. Gretar Steinsson and Chris Eagles could earn recalls after their bright displays at Fulham.

Key Player: Kevin Davies

If there was ever a time Bolton needed their inspirational skipper to step up then it is now. Davies has been a virtual bystander in the past couple of weeks as the Trotters continue to flounder with age seemingly catching up on the 34-year-old. Boss Owen Coyle needs Davies to start exerting more influence in games if they are to stand a chance of pulling away from danger.

PREDICTION

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With so much riding on this game it’s likely both sides will sacrifice all defensive tactics and go out to win the game. Bolton have won only twice on their travels this season whilst Blackburn have lost six of their eight home games. For me the latter is the more likely of the two records to be broken on Tuesday night.

Score: 1-0

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%image% Stan Kroenke’s attempt to take control of Arsenal looks set to falter after Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov refused to sell his shares.American businessman Kroenke increased his stake in the English Premier League club to 62.89 per cent this week after agreeing to purchase the shares of board members Danny Fizsman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith.

The deal obliged Kroenke to make a cash offer for all remaining shares in the club.

Usmanov, who has previously expressed an interest in a full takeover of his own, appears unlikely to part with his 27 per cent stake in the club.

“I’m not going to sell my stake,” Usmanov said.

“I love Arsenal, that’s why I’m a shareholder.”

Usmanov’s investment company Red and White Holdings bought into Arsenal in 2007 after purchasing the 14.65 per cent held by former vice-chairman David Dein for 75 million pounds.

He increased his stake further in 2009.

The Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST), which opposes sole ownership of the club, welcomed Usmanov’s stance.

“AST welcomes Red and White Holdings’ (Usmanov’s investment company) commitment to Arsenal and calls on all shareholders to work together,” AST said in a statement.

“Their priorities should firstly be making Arsenal a successful football team, secondly placing no leveraged debt on the club or taking dividends and management fees out of the club, and thirdly helping supporters be directly involved in the club’s shareholding.”

“Arsenal is too important to be owned by any one man.”

Kroenke already owns NBA franchise the Denver Nuggets, MLS team Colorado Rapids, NHL outfit Colorado Avalanche and NFL club St Louis Rams.

He agreed to purchase Fizsman’s 16.1 per cent and Bracewell-Smith’s 15.9 per cent for 11,750 pounds per share, or 234 million pounds in total.

The deal values the club at 731 million pounds.

The sight of a tearful David Beckham being carried from the San Siro pitch with a ruptured Achilles prior to the World Cup will have moved many people but the question that will now undoubtedly be posed is whether Beckham will ever grace the highest domestic level again.

When he sustained his injury against Chievo Verona, the inevitable outpour of sentiment and deep sympathy greeted his World Cup absence but cast that aside and you were left to contemplate the cruel veracity that England lost a fringe player.

Beckham, for all the glamour, has perhaps now seen the struggle with the same injury that denied him the dream chance of representing England at four World Cups end his career of top-flight football.

His age and fading powers may mean he will never play for Milan or any big club again and new AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri fears this perception holds great truth.

He said: “I don’t think it’s possible that he will come back. He is recovering from a bad injury and at that age it is difficult to come back.”

Beckham himself admitted he was behind schedule for a return and he would not be able to play again until November at the earliest. This means missing the entire MLS season with LA Galaxy unless they reach the Play-Offs and this has resulted in links to the Premier League.

However, despite his enduring popularity as an ambassador for the English game, Beckham would surely turn down the chance to return to England as a bit-part player for West Ham United leaving English fans to instead revel in the majesty of his prime.

In 265 Premier League games at Manchester United he scored 61 goals, making himself Beckham the hero, Beckham the icon in the process. A move to West Ham United would surely be the wrong move?  A name like Beckham’s would attract welcome media attention at Upton Park for new owners David Sullivan and David Gold who are vying for the Olympic Stadium after 2012, as opposed to being for the right footballing reasons.

My deep respect for Beckham as a professional has never diminished through the years and is typified by his display of remarkable fortitude in returning to the England set-up we thought he had left in 2006 but the sentiment from the new AC Milan coach rings true.

Despite this belief, it does not impede a feeling of great sorrow that such an illustrious career was ended within in a split second in a loan spell that was meant to help Beckham not endanger his career.

With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Championship side Cardiff City piled more misery on lowly Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, as the home team defeated the Premier League basement dwellers 2-0 in Wales.

Veteran Scottish striker Kenny Miller opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, before Anthony Gerrard doubled Cardiff’s lead early in the second period.

The defeat leaves Steve Kean with a disgruntled and frustrated Lancashire fan-base to deal with, and attention will now turn to picking up points in the Premier League to avoid being bottom at Christmas.

The Scottish coach was clearly disappointed with the result, but admitted his team selection was effected by the upcoming league clash with Swansea on Saturday.

“The side we put out tonight was with one eye on Swansea at the weekend,” he told Sky Sports.

“I felt that we started the game very well. I felt the first 15 minutes we had the best two opportunities and then when Cardiff managed to score they had a good period

“I took the decision to make five changes and on top of that we have (Christopher) Samba and (Martin) Olsson back so we will have seven faces fresh for Swansea.

“Saturday’s a massive game for us and a game we need three points from; obviously I’ve got one eye on it.

“We’ve some very good games at home coming up, teams that are within touching distance of us and these are our cup finals, the league games coming up are all cup finals,” he concluded.

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Cardiff supporters meanwhile will be dreaming of glory, as they enter the semi finals draw for the cup, and are joined in the hat by Liverpool, Manchester City and either Manchester United or Crystal Palace.

By Gareth McKnight

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Spain will be eager to preserve their perfect record in the Euro 2012 qualifiers when they meet the Czech Republic in Granada on Friday.The defending world and European champions sit atop Group I with three wins from as many games, while their opponents lie in second place, having recorded two victories and a loss.

Spain will be without Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez for the Friday’s qualifier, with Andoni Iraola, Javi Mart?nez (both of Athletic Bilbao) and Valencia’s Juan Mata being drafted into the squad in their place.

Puyol’s absence is likely to see Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos move into the centre of defence to partner Gerard Pique.

Spain playmaker Xavi will make his 100th appearance for the national team against the Czechs, while David Villa, who has scored two goals so far in qualifying, will equal Raul’s record tally of 44 goals for the country should he score on Friday.

Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque has labelled his Friday opponents “one of the best teams in Europe in recent years”.

“They are our biggest threat. They have great physical and technical qualities,” Del Bosque said.

The Czech Republic welcome back Galatasaray forward Milan Baros from injury; the former Liverpool ace is expected to provide a much-needed scoring outlet.

The 1996 European Championship runners-up have registered only three goals in qualifying so far and will be eager to have Baros back in the fold.

The fixture will pit Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech against his new club team-mate Fernando Torres, and Cech was keen to point out he has never finished on the winning side when facing the former Liverpool favourite.

“He (has) beat me in every game we played in as opponents,” Cech said. “I hope it will be different on Friday.”

Czech coach Michal Bilek stressed the importance of neutralising the Spanish passing game by keeping a compact shape when the World Cup champions are in possession.

“They are beatable from time to time, it is possible to achieve a reasonable result against them,” Bilek said.

“We need to tighten up the space in our own half and make it impossible for their key players to pass the ball. We will aim for quick counter-attacks after winning possession.”

Terry Neill was once a centre-back at Arsenal and also became the clubs manager during the years of 1976-1983, but after retiring from the game all those years ago, what has Neill been up to?

I feel it only right that we take a look back at what the Northern Irishman achieved during his playing and managerial career:

The former Northern Ireland international signed for the Gunners on December 1959, where he spent one year in the youth ranks before making his senior debut on the 23rd of December against Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 18.

In the 1964/65 season, Neill established himself as one of the youngest players in Billy Wright’s team, playing in either the centre-back or full-back role. Wright’s successor Bertie Mee kept Neill in his plans when he took over in 1966. During this decade Terry Neill became a regular for the Gunners, appearing in over 40 games for three consecutive seasons, as well as playing in the 1968 League Cup against Leeds in which Arsenal lost. Cementing his place in the Arsenal line-up, Neill was also an intricate apart of the Northern Ireland set-up.

The centre-back made 59 appearances for his country during the years of 1961-1973, and was also given the captaincy in 1968. Neill was an intellectual and uncompromising centre-back who also possessed flair and physicality.

Terry Neill was diagnosed with Jaundice which restricted the defender’s appearances for both club and country in the 1968/69 season. Evidently, the centre-back missed the 1969 League Cup final against Swindon Town, in which Arsenal lost. Incapable of regaining his first-team place at Arsenal, Neill only managed to make 25 appearances in the 1969/70 season and soon became a bit part player for the club. During his 11 years at Arsenal, the centre-back made 275 appearances for the club and scored a total of 10 goals along the way.

In 1970, Terry Neill signed for Hull City as a player-manager at only the age of 28 (one of the youngest ever managers in the history of the game). A year later the defender also became player-manager of his country. Neill made over 100 appearances for Hull City during the years of 1970-1973 and a year later signed for Tottenham. Neill spent 2 years at White Hart Lane before taking over at Arsenal from Bertie Mee at the age of 34 (the clubs youngest manager to date).

During his 7 year reign at Arsenal, Neill guided the North London club to a trio of F.A. Cup finals (1978, 1979 and 1980) where they won the 1979 one. Arsenal also managed to reach the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1980 but sadly lost to Valencia on penalties. This was the best Neill could do and was unfortunately sacked in 1983 after a League Cup exit to Walsall.

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Terry Neill retired from the game at the age of 41, and has since opened up several sports bars in Hendon and Holborn in Central London. In his spare time the former Arsenal player-manager also appears on Arsenal TV where he commentates on games. Neill is also well respected amongst the Arsenal faithful and at times loves to go and see the current squad at the Emirates.

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Manchester City midfielder James Milner has stated that the team spirit at the club is excellent, and this could be a key reason for the side’s success.

The Etihad Stadium outfit sit on top of the Premier League, are unbeaten and five points clear of cross-town rivals Manchester United.

Despite a number of controversial players causing problems in the past, Milner has hailed the squad’s togetherness.

“We’ve a good bunch of lads and there’s always banter going on. We enjoy ourselves,” he told Mirror Football.

“That’s important – the spirit – because when things aren’t going well on or off the field, you need to pull together for that last-minute winner or to grind out a result if you’re down to 10 men.

“That’s when wanting to run that extra five yards for your team-mate comes into it,” he stated.

Despite an influx of high profile foreign players, Milner feels that the English core to the side could be the recipe for success.

“Look down the squad list, it’s full of top players.

“We’ve a good core of English players, which you need, just as you need a core of Italian players in Italy, say, but we’ve got good foreign players as well.

“We want to win and it’s exciting times here. We won’t get ahead of ourselves, but we all want to create history for this club and to win trophies.

“I’m here to win the medals I can look back on when my career is over. I hope the FA Cup is just the first of many.

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“It was great for our fans – sharing a city with a club that’s done so well over the years has been tough on them. Now it’s down to us to get on a par.

“They [Manchester United] have set those standards and we have to match them,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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