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Thierry Henry 'certain' to join Arsenal on loan, says Arsene Wenger

Henry's last appearance for Arsenal was against PSV Eindhoven in March 2007

Thierry Henry will sign a two-month loan with Arsenal if insurance can be arranged with the New York Red Bulls, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The former Arsenal captain, 34, has been training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Gunners boss Wenger said: "For two months it certainly will happen. I don't take care of the agreement and insurance and that is not completed.

"We cannot announce anything [now] because the paperwork is not done."

With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, the Frenchman would offer back-up to captain Robin van Persie.

Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, with 226 goals in 370 appearances for the club before he moved to Barcelona in June 2007.

HENRY TIMELINE

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• Aug 1999: Signs for Arsenal from Juventus for £10.5m
• Feb 2007: Scores 226th and final goal for Gunners in draw v Middlesbrough
• June 2007: Joins Barcelona for £16.1m
• July 2010: Signs for New York Red Bulls on "multi-year contract"
• Nov 2011: Begins training with Arsenal

Wenger said: "To cover for two months is ideal. He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.

"He has exceptional talent and is a very intelligent man. It can only be positive.

"He still has class, pace and quality. He is here to help the club he loves. But we must not put too much pressure on him, he is 34. He needs two good weeks' work. He is here to help - not suddenly be the main player."

The French forward does not have to return to the New York Red Bulls until March, which means he could feature in seven Premier League games, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as FA Cup ties and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.

If agreement is reached with the Red Bulls, he could feature in Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds on 9 January.

A statue of Henry was recently installed outside the Emirates Stadium.

Gibbs suffers setback

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Kieran Gibbs has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation.

The 22-year-old full-back has been sidelined ever since being forced under the knife in November.

He has struggled to regain match fitness, forcing him to spend a longer than expected spell out of Wenger's plans.

It was hoped that he would come back into contention for Wednesday's trip to Aston Villa, but the Gunners have announced that he has been dealt another untimely blow.

"Kieran Gibbs has unfortunately had a setback and he is not back yet," Wenger told the club's official website.

"It's very disappointing because we had good hope that he would be back for tomorrow's game, but he is not available."

Returns

Arsenal have, however, received better news regarding the fitness of back-up goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi.

The pair have been nursing knee and ankle injuries respectively, but both are closing on a comeback.

"Ryo is joining in normal training on Friday, so he is completely back from injury," said Wenger.

"Fabianski has practised today (Tuesday) and should be available for next week

Arsenal v Wolves Boxing Day clash in doubt

Fans may struggle to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day

Arsenal will decide within 48 hours whether to delay their Boxing Day match with Wolves to 27 December because of a proposed tube strike.

Trade union Aslef has announced industrial action that could disrupt the London underground system.

A club spokesman told BBC Sport: "Arsenal are considering postponement to 27 December as one of the options."

Chelsea say they are monitoring the situation ahead of their Boxing Day derby against Fulham.

Arsenal are wary of the travel disruption a strike could cause to the 60,000 fans who have tickets to their 1500 GMT kick-off, and their 1,000 matchday employees.

Drivers have planned a 24-hour walkout on Boxing Day and on three other days over the next two months.

LONDON BOXING DAY GAMES

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• Arsenal v Wolves (1500 GMT)
• Chelsea v Fulham (1300)
• Watford v Cardiff (1200)
• Millwall v Portsmouth (1300)
• Leyton Orient v MK Dons (1300)
• Brentford v Bournemouth (1500)
• AFC Wimbledon v Oxford U (1215)
• Dagenham & Red v Barnet (1300)

A statement on Arsenal's website read: "We would like to make all supporters aware of the situation surrounding our proposed home match against Wolves on Monday, 26 December.

"The club is fully aware of the proposed industrial action on London Underground on Monday, 26 December.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, together with all the relevant agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Underground, the FA Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Islington Council.

"The paramount concern to Arsenal Football Club is the duty of care we have towards the Arsenal supporters, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters, matchday employees and indeed everyone who is planning to attend this match."

Aslef's 2,200 members agreed to strike on Boxing Day, 16 January, 3 and 13 February in a ballot last week.

The decision is being challenged by London mayor Boris Johnson in the High Court and there is hope that an agreement can be reached to prevent the strike.

Chelsea's 1300 GMT meeting with Fulham could also be affected, as could Football League games being held at the homes of London clubs Watford, Millwall, Leyton Orient, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon.

JT: I’ll be OK for Spurs cruncher

TRAINING SCARE ... John Terry is helped away from an open training session

JOHN TERRY has been cleared to lead Chelsea at Spurs this week despite a public injury scare.

More than 2,000 Blues fans saw their captain limp out of an open training session at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

But the club last night insisted Terry will be OK for Thursday's crucial clash with Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Terry, already feeling a sore knee after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wigan, went down clutching his right ankle after blocking a powerful shot.

The club's medical team initially feared he had suffered serious Achilles damage as he was helped off the pitch by two physios.

But later treatment confirmed Terry had merely suffered a pinched nerve and should be able to resume training today.

Boss Andre Villas-Boas is hoping centre-half David Luiz and midfielder Ramires will also be fit to return at White Hart Lane after missing the trip to Wigan.

Striker Daniel Sturridge, who scored at the DW Stadium, said: "Saturday's draw was upsetting because we worked so hard but conceded a goal right at the very end.

"It was frustrating for everyone and it's important we bounce straight back, which we will.

"We have stepped up to the challenge in the last few weeks and will continue to fight for the Premier League title.

"It is the best league in the world because every team in the top six can still win it. We are one of those six teams and I believe we can win it.

"There are still five months to go and people would be stupid to assume Chelsea are out of the title race.

"We are going to fight to the last game. We are a close unit and Saturday was just a bad day for us."

Song suspended for Aston Villa match

Alex Song will serve a one-match suspension when Arsenal face Aston Villa on Wednesday night after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

However, contrary to some reports, Mikel Artetawill be available for selection at Villa Park.

The Spanish midfielder received his fourth booking of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium - one of which came while playing for Everton in August.

Ex-Italy player Cristiano Doni arrested over match-fixing

Doni, 38, played for Italy at the 2002 World Cup

Italian police have arrested 17 people in connection with a match-fixing and betting investigation.

Those arrested include former Atalanta and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni.

The arrests were carried out in several cities in Italy after an initial investigation by magistrates in the northern city of Cremona.

CRISTIANO DONI

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• Has played nearly 300 games for Atalanta, scoring more than 100 goals.
• Made seven appearances for Italy between 2001-02.

Those arrested and accused of match-fixing had contacts with criminal groups in Singapore and Eastern Europe, according to police.

The investigation was a follow-up to a previous one earlier this year by the football authorities, which led to suspensions and bans for several players, including Doni.

According to police, several other players and former players from the second division (Serie B) were also arrested, as well as the manager of a seaside club and a former trainer of fourth division Ravenna.

Atalanta matches in Serie B were among those under suspicion, although three Serie A matches involving other clubs from the same period were also investigated by the operation, named 'Last Bet'.

Roy Keane hits out at Fergie

ROY KEANE has launched an astonishing attack on former boss Alex Ferguson.

Keane blasted back in a bitter war of words with Ferguson — accusing his ex-manager of trying to turn Manchester United fans against him.

And the legendary former United skipper claimed Fergie had not always acted in the best interests of the club.

Keano went on to insist the level of Ferguson's success was down to players like him putting 'bodies on the line'.

He also claimed United threatened legal action after an interview in 2008 when he criticised their handling of his exit from Old Trafford.

Keane pointed to Ferguson's row with Irish shareholder John Magnier over racehorse Rock of Gibraltar when suggesting the United boss does not always do what is best for the club.

He said: "People say Ferguson always does what is right for Man United.

"I don't think he does. He does what's right for him.

"The Irish thing, I was speaking to the manager about it. This didn't help the club, the manager going to law against its leading shareholder.

"How could it be of benefit to Man United?

"It wasn't and we know what happened in the end. What was that all about? Power and control."

Despite winning seven Premier League titles together, Keane's relationship with Fergie has totally broken down since he left the club in 2005.

And the row escalated after Keane criticised United's youngsters when they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages earlier this month.

Fergie then questioned Keane's own managerial record.

His ex-boss also wrote in his programme notes that his side were getting stick 'even from people we thought were perhaps on our side'.

But Keano said: "You could question every pundit's managerial skill in relation to Ferguson's and we're all going to come up short.

"But I would also say that without players like myself, maybe he wouldn't have such a good managerial record because it's soon forgotten that we put bodies on the line for him."

The recent clash was sparked when Keane revealed his shock at Phil Jones saying he was relaxed before the decisive Euro defeat to Basel this month.

At the time, Keane, 40, said: "I'd be getting hold of some of those lads, saying, 'You'd better buck up your ideas'."

That is when Fergie responded with his 'on our side' comments.

And Keane added: "There was an angle there of trying to get the fans to look differently at me and I thought, 'I can't have that'. I thought it was ridiculous. I can hardly do TV wearing the United scarf.

"And if telling the young players to pull their socks up is such a hard thing to accept, I ask myself what kind of world are we living in."

Keane reckons Fergie is still trying to 'control' him despite leaving the club.

He revealed: "I spoke to Alex about management before I left United. The two words he always used were power and control. I understand power and control over people inside the football club.

"But not power and control of people who've left the club.

"He's trying to have power and control over me but I left Man United six years ago."

He added: "People say he stood by me in difficult times.

"But he didn't when I was 34, not when I was towards the end and had a few differences with (assistant boss) Carlos Queiroz. All of a sudden then, 'Off you go, Roy, and here's the statement we've done.'"

As for getting threatened with legal action by United, Keane said: "I count my blessings to have played for Manchester United.

"All of my family are United fans and I don't have any bitterness towards Man United, please let's make that clear.

"But when you get a letter from lawyers representing the club, you wonder what it was all about."

Fergie aims to top his birthday joy

ALEX FERGUSON wants the perfect 70th birthday present on December 31 — to be top of the table.

Manchester United went to the summit for four hours yesterday after winning 2-0 win at QPR.

Fergie said: "If we're up there on New Year's Day, we'll relish that.

"Hopefully by then we can be around the top of the league.

"The important thing is to be involved at the top in the second half of the season."

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were enough to wrap up victory at Loftus Road.

But Ferguson was far from impressed with the number of chances which went begging.

He added: "It was a good performance but I thought we were wasteful with a lot of the chances.

"Of course that's a concern because we should have had it won by the 30-minute mark. But their keeper made two great saves and we missed some other chances.

"If you'd asked before the game if we would have taken a 2-0 win, of course we would.

"But on the evidence of today, we should have scored a lot more goals and that kept QPR in the game."

Fans shop Darren Bent – for shopping as Aston Villa lose!

DARREN BENT apologised to Aston Villa fans last night after going shopping while his team were losing to Liverpool.

England star Bent missed the clash with an injury but came under fire on Twitter and Villa fans' sites after a picture of him out shopping yesterday was posted online.

He was slammed for not being at Villa Park and the £24million striker was branded a mercenary.

Bent later apologised on Twitter, saying: "Nothing is more important to me than playing football. Sadly injury meant I wasn't able to do that today. Gutted not to be involved.

"I hope to be back very soon. Watched the majority of the game on TV. Never knew popping out would cause an issue and for that I apologise."

Villa boss Alex McLeish insisted Bent's omission was down to an injury he picked up in training last week.

McLeish was clearly angry at suggestions there could be another reason for Bent being left out.

He said: "He has a thigh-cum-groin strain. He did it the other day.

"He came off the pitch on Tuesday immediately after he had a shot at goal. I knew then.

"I don't know why there's a conspiracy theory. Do you think I would leave Darren Bent out of this game?"

Champions League draw

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG v BENFICA

CSKA MOSCOW v REAL MADRID

BAYER LEVERKUSEN v BARCELONA

BASEL v BAYERN MUNICH

MARSEILLE v INTER MILAN

AC MILAN v ARSENAL

NAPOLI v CHELSEA

LYON v APOEL

Balotelli in new Man City bust-up

MADCAP Mario Balotelli has been involved in another training-ground bust-up, this time with Micah Richards.

The pair had to be pulled apart during a practice match at the end of Manchester City's training yesterday — despite being on the same side.

Richards complained the Italian striker was not trying hard enough, before Balotelli criticised a pass by the right-back. The pair then went for each other.

Our pictures show Richards, 23, being held back by James Milner and Yaya Toure, while Vincent Kompany calms down Balotelli, 21.

HOLD-UP ... Richards is restrained from confronting team-mate Balotell

Boss Roberto Mancini then told Balotelli to apologise to Richards, which he did.

Balotelli is no stranger to training-ground bust-ups at City's Carrington base.

Last December he tussled with former City defender Jerome Boateng after taking exception to a tackle from the now Bayern Munich player.

In April he clashed with Kompany after again being angered by a challenge.

Then in August Balo and Aleksandar Kolarov squared up to each other, too.

He also caused a melee at the end of City's FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United when he angered Rio Ferdinand.

Last night Richards played down the incident and insisted the two had buried the hatchet.

Richards wrote on his Twitter account: "Me and Mario are all good. These things happen in training and we shook hands after. It shows passion."

CALM DOWN ... Richards is stopped in his tracks

Liga - Barcelona's Villa breaks leg

Barcelona striker David Villa has broken his left shinbone in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd in Yokohama.


The Catalan club confirmed soon after on their website that Spain's all-time record scorer had "suffered a fracture to the tibia in his left leg".

Photo of the day...

Photo of the day...

 

Is that...a cleaner? Wow!

Sorry peeps, i know this does not relate to football but i just had to post it 

(Culled from Linda Ikeji Blog)