Barclays Premier League

[Kralik]

Arshavin to Arsenal???!?

That was the last thing I expected to read when I visited Skysports.com today.. Last I heard (or read) his deal with Real Madrid was more or less done! But they are saying his name again with Arsenal a lot.. and everywhere.. lets wait and see.. I'm sure he is a good player.. but not in a Cesc kind of position.. he is striker and therefore more of an attacking midfielder like Nasri or where Diaby is played as 5th midfielder (just behind the strikers).

Wenger says he wants 2 midfielders :D which is great.. he says one will replace Cesc while other will replace Theo and Rosicky so that means other is a winger.. he also says he has a lot of youngsters so these will be 2 players who can just come in and play.. meaning experienced players.. which is an amazing turnaround from the stubborn *** that he was being.. I hope at least one of these will be someone who hasnt played in UCL this season so he can play for us..

[Zickar]

No doubt!! To be where we are with the players we have is amazing.. hats off to where ever its due.. but not to Wenger this season.. I was a big AW fan at the start of this season but this season it seems the guy has lost it!! He is stubborn and childish.. There isnt one game so far where after we lost Wenger came out and the guy admitted his mistakes and that the team was not good enf.. no! he blames the opposition.. makes crazy allegations.. is just not ready to admit we need players.. after watching the Villa game, I'd say Arsene.. instead of these excuses why dont you buy two good centre backs, a couple of great centre midfield players, 2 wide players with vision and range, and a goalscorer instead of Bendtner? We should have picked up three points against Liverpool but Djourou was sleeping for that long ball and the ever experienced Gallas did not need to make that tackle on Agbonlahor yesterday.. compare our squad to other top4 clubs and we are weak in every area except our forward line.. but the the guys are still not that far off from the top.. seems to me they want to win but need help.. winter transfer window opens for specifically that reason.. get them some experienced help Wenger! We can still do a double if not triple.. FA Cup and UCL!!

I hate to admit this coz I was never a Flamini fan.. more so after he left.. but the guy brought out the best in Cesc.. and thats what Cesc missed this season.. a partner.. I can see Xabi Alonso or Veloso doing the same for Cesc but thats after Cesc comes back.. right now we need someone to replace him.. Yaya Toure perhaps? So Yaya to replace Cesc.. Alonso and Veloso to partner him.. and centre midfield would become stable.

I must say I share your views on Wenger ... Its time he moved on ... Not necessarily away from Arsenal but away from the managerial role ... Maybe he can take a place on the Board , maybe become our Chief scout or something but it just seems he just can't do it anymore, he's grown very stubborn and sometimes has blind faith in some players that amazes me like Nick and Abou Diaby ... It seems all he does is just choose the starting elevn and that seems all, he does nothing on the pitch to show you he's managing a team

I must say that we have improved Hugely since Djourou came in and Gallas was stripped of teh armband, we still have a long way to go but our defending against high balls has got much better, if we had Djourou at Villa we might have salvaged those three points , Song looks like a good tackler but like you said Experience is vital at this point, Right now we have a lot of good players but they lack the experience and maturity to flourish, having a couple of experienced players would really help them, I mean after all if we get an experienced player whose 27 or 28 years old he'll be gotten rid off before he turn 30, we all know how itchy Wenger gets towards players who turn thirty

We should just start wining, I don't care if we win the title anymore cause its looking impossible TBH with Pool's form but going on a winning spree will really boost our confidence and maybe win us something else like the Champions league or teh FA cup ,... Wenger should buy this january , he should buy big time, Besides the obvious teenagers he'll probably bring in I think he should buy two experienced players .. two defensive minded players of great experience ... Its up to Wenger to see who's available but Alonso might be good, I wished we had signed milner before Villa did, he's a tough lad, I'm always amazed by the number of players willing to play at Arsenal, its just that wenger doesn't pay :D

[rajputwarrior]

Liverpool captain Gerrard in custody after bar fight

9 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was in custody Monday after being arrested following a fight at a bar on Merseyside, reports and a police source said.

The fight took place overnight in Southport, near Liverpool in northwest England, hours after English Premier League leaders Liverpool won 5-1 away to Newcastle United on Sunday, with Gerrard scoring two goals.

"Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street," said a spokesman for Merseyside Police, without officially confirming England midfielder Gerrard's identity.

Gerrard was arrested at around 2:30 am local time (0230GMT) after a disturbance at Southport's Lounge Inn. By the end of the afternoon he was still in custody, as police continued questioning the six detainees.

A 34-year-old local man, whom sources later said was a DJ at the Lounge Inn, a restaurant which doubles up as a music venue, was taken to hospital with injuries to his face.

But these were not believed to be life threatening, the spokesman added.

The six men included a 28-year-old man from Formby, north of Liverpool, as well as other men aged 33, 31, 29, 19 and 18. Gerrard is 28.

Gerrard's wife, and the mother of his two daughters, Alex Curran left a coffee shop near the police station where he was being questioned shortly after 2:30 pm (1430GMT) Monday.

Curran, a model and fashion columnist, refused to answer questions from reporters before driving off in her car.

Meanwhile the sister of the Lounge Inn co-owner, Dario Curcillo, said Gerrard had been there to celebrate his team's win over Newcastle.

"As far as I know he comes here regularly and it was just a normal night at the bar," she said. "I don't know anything about what happened last night."

She added her brother was unavailable for comment.

A spokesman for Liverpool Football Club declined to confirm or deny that Gerrard was involved.

Southport, a prosperous seaside town, is known as somewhere where footballers from nearby Premier League clubs such as Liverpool go to socialise.

Gerrard, who has played 70 times for England since making his international debut in 2000, is not renowned for off-field indiscretions.

However, in 2001, he was spotted out drinking 11 hours before he was due to meet up with the rest of the England squad and had to apologise to then national manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Liverpool head into the New Year with a three-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

Gerrard, speaking after the Newcastle match, said: "This is the best team I have played with.

"If we want to stay at the top and be involved in this title race we have got to deal with the pressure."

Liverpool won the last of their record 18 English titles in 1990 and keeping star player Gerrard fit and available is widely considered essential if they are to win the Premier League this season.

In April, Gerrard's father revealed how a Merseyside "underworld" figure had threatened to shoot his son.

Born in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton, Gerrard has only ever played professional club football for Liverpool, for whom he made his debut in 1998.

Three years ago he inspired the team to come from 3-0 down at half-time to beat Italian side AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul, as Liverpool reclaimed European club football's most prestigious trophy.

Last year Gerrard signed a contract keeping him at Anfield until 2011 and this October saw him score his 100th goal for Liverpool.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...EV9qp1xAbJ2qq4g

that sucks...

[Rappy Veteran]

Naughty Naughty

With all celebs and sports people he will get bailed and it will go away.

[Martyn]

No one knows what happened.

More than likely he was out with a few mates (and perhaps not even drinking any ale), when some soft Evertonian had a pop at him. His mates then probably decked the lad, as I doubt Stevie would be stupid enough to get involved.

Anyway...they should have learnt from his song... "...he's big and he's ****ing hard..."

[Mike]

No one knows what happened.

More than likely he was out with a few mates (and perhaps not even drinking any ale), when some soft Evertonian had a pop at him. His mates then probably decked the lad, as I doubt Stevie would be stupid enough to get involved.

Anyway...they should have learnt from his song... "...he's big and he's ****ing hard..."

i'd usually agree but he's been charged now according to the bbc: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7804056.stm

[Martyn]

The club is still keeping it very hush, hush. But it is a shame, as our club should be concentrating 100% on football matters at the moment.

The England footballer Steven Gerrard was charged early this morning with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged nightclub brawl, Merseyside police said.

The Liverpool captain was charged with two other men who had also been arrested after a "disturbance? outside a late-night bar in Southport, Merseyside in the early hours of yesterday.

Gerrard, who has 70 caps for his country, was celebrating at the club in Southport when trouble broke out at about 2.30am on Monday.

It is understood that the alleged victim, Marcus McGee, who was a DJ at the club, was sitting behind the bar when Gerrard asked him to change the music. He is then said to have asked for the music card that operates the sound system. Mr McGee apparently refused.

Gerrard and five other men aged between 18 and 33 were arrested after the row. The Liverpool player was released from custody early this morning.

In a statement released at 2.20am, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29.

"The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23."

The spokesman said Gerrard and the two other men had been bailed and three other men who were arrested in connection with the incident were released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Mr McGee, a father of two who is thought to be a supporter of Liverpool?s great rival, Manchester United, was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for facial injuries before being released. His family said that he suffered a cut nose and swollen eye and was given four stitches. He also lost a tooth.

Gerrard, 28, who is married with two children, is understood to have been given permission by his club to attend the private party, hours after he had scored two goals in Liverpool?s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United.

A club spokesman said: ?Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last ten years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time.? He has the reputation of being a model professional who rarely drinks, and even more rarely stays out late.

Gerrard, who has captained England four times and is regarded as one of the world?s best midfielders, was appointed MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University Sources at the club suggested that Rafael Ben?tez, the club manager and a noted disciplinarian, would take disciplinary action only if Gerrard were charged with any offence. The footballer is due to play on Saturday, when Liverpool take on Preston North End in the FA Cup third round.

The Lounge Inn, a restaurant that becomes a nightclub later in the evening, remained firmly closed yesterday despite continuing to advertise its New Year?s Eve menu at ?59.95, but spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, surrounded by shards of glass.

Mr McGee?s mother, Patricia McGee, 61, said last night: ?He was only with his partner in the bar. I have absolutely no idea how he became involved in this. He was just out for a drink. The whole family is shaken up.?

John Watts, a lawyer whose daughter Eve was hosting a birthday party at the venue, said that Gerrard had been in good spirits during the night. He said: ?He bought a bottle of champagne for my daughter when he found out it was her birthday. It was a really civilised occasion in a middle-class bar.?

Had to be a Manc though didn't it...

[FaRSightxc2]

Actually been charged now according to latest reports.

I'm sure he will get off in the end though and won't miss any games.

[Rappy Veteran]

Yeah not due in court till end of January but its a slur against the player.

[Mike]

The club is still keeping it very hush, hush. But it is a shame, as our club should be concentrating 100% on football matters at the moment.

Had to be a Manc though didn't it...

I never got why clubs should say anything anyway, they aren't his parents/guardian/keepers/whatevers.

It also had to be scousers breaking the law didn't it? ;) Then again, no mancs are united fans are they?

[Kralik]

A club statement read: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."

Gerrard has been released on bail and will appear in court on Jan 23. The assault charge, under section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act, carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

The Liverpool captain had been celebrating Sunday's 5-1 win over Newcastle United, in which he scored twice, when a row is said to have broken out involving part-time DJ Marcus McGee about the music being played.

Gerrard is understood to have asked Mr McGee, a friend of the restaurant's owner, if he could borrow a swipe card which staff must use to operate the music system behind the bar. Mr McGee is said to have refused to provide his card.

Mr McGee, 34, a father of two, allegedly lost a tooth and needed four stitches to a head wound. He also suffered cuts to his face and a swollen eye.

He declined to talk about the incident as he recovered at his home in Southport, but his mother Patricia said: "He was just out for a drink with his partner and I have no idea how he became involved in this.

"He lost a tooth and the whole family is really shaken up. I'm looking after his two little girls at the moment and we just can't believe this has happened."

Gerrard, who lives in Formby, Merseyside, is a regular customer at the Lounge Inn.

Wow!! :o

[Martyn]

I never got why clubs should say anything anyway, they aren't his parents/guardian/keepers/whatevers.

It also had to be scousers breaking the law didn't it? ;) Then again, no mancs are united fans are they?

Very true, most people from Manchester support Man City.

Anyway, we did release a statement in the end...

A statement from the club said: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."

The most he will get is a fine and community service in my opinion, especially as it was Stevie's mates who apparently carried out the assault (smashing a bottle over the fella's head etc). Also, if you look at what happened at Woodgate/Bowyer and Wise, then a prison sentence would be laughable. More info on what happened...

Mr McGee, 34, lost a tooth and suffered cuts and bruises when he was allegedly set upon by the footballer and his friends after refusing to play Gerrard's favourite song while acting as a DJ in a bar in Southport, Merseyside.

Witnesses of the alleged attack said Mr McGee, a Manchester United fan, was in charge of a card which allowed the music to be changed.

They claimed Gerrard asked for a particular tune but was told that it was not club policy to play requests.

At that point the footballer allegedly pushed past Mr McGee, catching him with an elbow.

A police source said: 'Mr McGee retaliated and swore at Gerrard, which was when Gerrard's mates turned violent and assaulted him.'

Friends of the England star insisted he had been reacting to provocation and had thrown no punches himself.

[rajputwarrior]

everything should be okay, but chances are the british press are going to blow this out of proportion, i hear they like to do things like that...

[Rappy Veteran]

Well he's a top footballer so they are going to report it and try to get the most out of the story its probably the same if a big basketball player was done for assault in the US or Hockey in Canada.

[Martyn]

Stevie Gerrard twats Mancs :p

[Rappy Veteran]

Hopefully we can move on from this now and move back to the football :)

FA Cup this weekend!

I don't fancy our chances against Barnsley :laugh:

[Martyn]

Happy New Year Neowin!

Here is to Liverpool winning the title ;)

You'll Never Walk Alone

[FaRSightxc2]

Happy new year all!

Hopes for the new year:

Not to get relegated.

To get to the final of the CC

To get to a respectable round of the FA Cup

That Woolwich don't get CL.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

[FaRSightxc2]

First step towards hope three. :D

Beat a weak Wigan side 3-1 with a very well taken second from Pav who is beginning to show some form and looks like he is settling in. Modric was good and Gomes was very solid - he's got his previous lack of form out of his system and is really looking like a good 'keeper. Long may it continue!

Fingers crossed on the transfer front though as we are still very short...

[Martyn]

I was watching (periodically looking at the screen) the Spurs match with a few mates in Liverpool.

I might have been pretty drunk at the time (sobered up a bit now, or at least enough to spell), but Modric's goal looked like pure comedy at the time.

[Rappy Veteran]

It's certainly a great result for Spurs!, I think West Ham will narrowly lose today.

[fatboyuk]

Not strictly PL, but glad to see the return of Torres and the very unselfish way that Stevie let Torres score the second of the night.

I just hope that we can keep this up until the end of the season as well as winning a few more of the home games instead of the draws lately.

Must admit this is the best they have been for a while thanks to Rafa chilling a bit on the rotation.

Once Keane is firing on all cylinders (and from the start I said he wouldn't be settled until season 2 if he gets that far!), Torres and him will have a few goals out of the way.

YNWA - cmon the reds (thats the proper reds, not those funny reds from across the way ;))

[Martyn]

It was beautiful the way Gerrard played Torres in for that last season goal, I nearly shed a tear.

I've missed the lovin' between G & T.

[fatboyuk]

Just need to get Keane some of that Rafa love so he lets him play a few full games and its all going to go lovely :)

[Rappy Veteran]

I was made to eat my words tonight when West Ham won 3-0, it was a smooth performance that could mean we are improving and Carlton Sole scored...again...we must be going mad.