Gooner Lad

Wenger, who last week predicted a “worst case scenario of three weeks out” for Fabregas after he tore a hamstring against Aston Villa, now looks set to be without the midfielder for the rest of the month. News of the 22 year-old’s extended absence has been compounded by the departure of Alexandre Song, who yesterday left to join Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations, which leaves Wenger short of regular first team options for Arsenal’s Premier League tie against Bolton tomorrow at the Emirates.

Looking to leap-frog Manchester United to go second in the table it is a crucial tie which could also move Arsenal to within a point of leaders Chelsea. Easing Wenger’s problems however is the potential return of Nicklas Bendtner who has vowed to solve the club’s striking problems.

Champions League draw: David Beckham to make Manchester United return with AC Milan

David Beckham has been granted his wish of making his first return to Old Trafford in nearly seven years after AC Milan were drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.

In another mouth-watering tie at this morning’s draw in Nyon, Jose Mourinho will face his former Chelsea side after Inter Milan were paired with Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Arsenal, meanwhile, face a two-legged tie against Porto with all three English clubs playing the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.

original source the telegraph

MARK Hughes sent Arsenal spinning out of the Carling Cup last night – then blasted Arsene Wenger for refusing to shake hands at full time.

Second-half goals from Carlos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss sealed Manchester City’s passage to the semi-finals and a mouthwatering clash with city rivals United.

Hughes was celebrating a famous victory at the end but hit out at Wenger and called on the Frenchman to be “more gracious” in defeat.

It appeared the Arsenal boss had been angered by Hughes wandering into his technical area during the goalless first half which led to an angry exchange between the pair.

Aggrieved Hughes said: “At one point I was over on his side of the technical area and he seemed a bit aggrieved by that. But I think he is probably more aggrieved because he lost.

“I have been to the Emirates and been beaten 6-2 but I still offered my hand at theend.It is the least you can do.

read more here at – The Daily Record

LONDON (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti has rubbed salt into Manchester United’s wounds over their controversial defeat at Chelsea by suggesting Arsenal are just as big a threat to his side’s Premier League title ambitions.

Chelsea’s 1-0 win, sealed by John Terry’s late header, allowed Ancelotti’s men to open a five-point lead at the top and left his United counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson, once again aggrieved over his side’s treatment at the hands of a referee.

While Ferguson admitted his side now face a tough task in attempting to close the gap on a Chelsea squad that is becoming as rich in confidence as it is in experience, Ancelotti was quick to underline the unexpected vibrancy of Arsenal’s challenge as a reminder of the dangers of complacency.

“If Arsenal win their game in hand, they will be within two points of us,” he said when asked to speculate on whether the title race was now a two-horse affair.

“I think also Arsenal is doing very well.

“A five-point lead is important, but at the same time, not so important. We have 30 points in 12 matches but we know the season is very long. We have to stay focused.”

Chelsea fans’ optimism that Ancelotti could emulate Jose Mourinho in wresting the Premier League trophy away from Old Trafford will have been encouraged by the fact that, three months into his first season in England, the Italian has now master-minded wins over both United and Liverpool.

more here at eurosport

Gunners Manager Arsène Wenger expressed his frustration with his side conceding a late goal against Dutch team AZ Alkmaar.

Arsenal were leading 1-0 for most of the match and could have killed off the game on several occasions if not for woeful finishing.

Wenger, who turns 60 on Thursday, also admitted that his side were still learning from their Champions League experiences.

However, the Gunners remain in a strong position in Group H after three games, and are still unbeaten.

Wenger said: “In the Champions League you need focus for 93 minutes – we made one mistake and paid for it.

“You know that in the last five minutes of a Champions League match, anything can happen.

“They have thrown everything forward and I felt they could only score on a set-piece – and that is what happened.

“It is frustrating because we looked closer to scoring a second than conceding, but credit to them, they did fight well and went until the last minute.

“You do not need to give a free-kick away on an offside in the last minute.

“We were largely in control, but as long as you are not two goals in front, that is the problem.

“We are still learning and are still in a strong position. We have three games left, two at home, and I believe to win one game will qualify us.

“What I want is for us to continue to play like we do, focus to play better. In football, you have to produce the maximum result with your game, and tonight that did not happen.”