Juventus’ crash in the Champions League, that is to say the biggest failure in history of their playing in Europe is the result of many things; the club lost its identity in the last few years and the thing that best depicts the big fall are the Brazilians in the team. It was no coincidence that the players from Brazil avoid coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is cold in Torino, you see the see only on pictures and the wind from the Alps destroys your will to samba. Football is seen as hard work and having fun on the pitch is illegal. The only thing that matters is a win, the lower the score- the better. Juventus’ philosophy (Juventus news) and the winning mentality were often breaking the clubs with objectively stronger squads. Precisely this self-confidence helped...

The window has shut and once again Arsenal fans are left scratching their heads.  Where has our team re-building gone, were we really that close to success last season that we did not need to add to our squad? Arsene said, after the purchase of Vermaelen that he would like two more players in before pre-season training starts.  He then intimated that once Adebayor leaves, then Chamakh is a target.  Rumours and stories had us link with Hangeland, Chamakh, Melo, van der Vaart and Matuidi.  In the end we did not buy anyone.  Some stories state we were not prepared to pay the extra £7million to secure both Chamakh and Matuidi.  We had offered £5million for Chamakh and £6million for Matuidi, their clubs wanted £10million and £8million respectively.    If this is true this is very...

The title race will be solved by Inter or Juventus this season. Milan will have nothing to do with it and seven days before the start of the season soccerpie gives you the comparison of three biggest Italian clubs. Inter – life without Ibrahimovic Inter are certainly starting the new season as favourites for lo scudetto, however the difference in the quality is not so big anymore, as Juventus are reinforced and much stronger. Mourinho lost Ibrahimovic, who never excelled in big matches, but he was the decisive factor against smaller clubs. Etoo is not the same kind of player; Italian champion lost a lot with Swede’s departure. They are still looking for the offensive midfielder and the first target is Sneider but he is too expensive. They are also thinking about Van der Vaart or...

This season promises to be a pivotal one in the reign of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Wenger has been one of the most influential managers in Arsenal’s history but for the first time last year there were rumblings of discontent from the fans. In the build up to the new Premier League season the Arsenal manager has again been bullish about his side’s prospects. Speaking in the Guardian today Wenger said: “I have the project here that I started four years ago and I wanted to reach the end of it… The team we have now gets there, and by that I mean it wins the Championship. At 22 or 23 I think a team is mature enough to deliver and it is a massively important year for our club. I am conscious of that.” Bold stuff from the Gunners boss, but following a summer...

It seems that the wandering time, transition period after relegation to the second league and breaking legs on Italian countryside is finally over. Over the last two years, after returning to Serie A, the biggest Italian club were searching for their identity. Delusions like Claudio Ranieri or bad moves on the market cost them dearly, but they have learnt the lesson. Juve are back to their principles, which is bad news for other Italian clubs. The most obvious signal that things are falling into place is their purchase in the transfer window. Together with Real Madrid and Manchester City, Juventus have spent the most money on the market but unlike mentioned clubs they bought what they lacked in the club. Felipe Melo and Diego arrived, which solved the biggest problem-the lack of...

A guest post from Aaditya Gupta this morning: Over the 2008/09 season, no player has been more controversial in terms of popular opinion as Denilson. Everybody, from bloggers, to the press, to my neighbour’s dog, to the tramp outside Stamford Bridge, to the fish in the Thames, has an opinion about him. There are people who put him at the level of a headless chicken and there are others who call him the new DM legend at Arsenal. Let us examine from both sides. Denilson is too small to be a defensive midfielder in such a physical league. He gets muscled away by opponents. Most of the time, he stands and watches as the man he was supposed to be marking beats him for pace and strength. He loses the ball far too often and he only knows how to pass sideways. Hold on a sec there! Sure,...

Ciro Ferrara had big gaps to fill after taking over the reigns at Juventus but it seems that he has managed to build a very good team. The Old Lady have secured the services of Barcelona defender Martin Caceres and the Uruguayan defender will be club’s last signing of the transfer window. Even though the player had been expected to arrive on loan deal, Juventus had to buy his contract of Barcelona for €12 million. The 22-year-old defender arrived to Barcelona from Villarreal for a fee of €16 million but he wasn’t given a real chance to prove his qualities and transfer to Juventus will be a great career move for one of the hottest prospects in European football. Caceres is essentially a centre-back but he can also play in any other position in defence and this versatility will earn...

Are Arsenal about to say goodbye to another of their enfant terribles?  Reports in to Il Corriere dello Sport claim that Arsenal have agreed a fee of €9million for Eboue with Fiorentina. Eboue was rumoured to be part of the deal to sign Felippe Melo but that deal did not materialize, instead Fiorentina have returned to offer Arsenal a cash offer for the Ivorian right-back. Eboue did not have the best of times last season and with the acquisition of Arshavin and return of Rosicky, he will be restricted to a bench role at best. Eboué’s agent, Pascal Boisseau says it is just a matter of time. “In the next few days we will speak with Arsenal about Emmanuel’s future. He is fine in London, but we will see,” Boisseau told fiorentina.it. “Fiorentina are not the only team who...

Dominican Republic police have been torturing people with onions to get information about crimes, a human rights group has alleged.The National Commission on Human Rights has documented dozens of cases in which police forced the vegetables into victim's mouths, said Joselin Melo, the organisation's vice president.The technique makes people feel as if they are asphyxiating - but some had onions stuffed into their rectums, she claimed.Allegations of torture involving suspects and inmates have been well-documented in the Caribbean country, Ms Melo said. But it was the first time the commission had heard about onions being used as weapons, she continued."They have specialised in this technique. It appears that the onion has given them results," Ms Melo said.Pollice also have hit people with...

After losing the race for Filipe Melo to Juventus, Arsenal turned their attention to Blaise Matuidi, or as the French call him, ‘next Makelele’. The 22-year-old player came to prominence thanks to impressive displays for Saint Etienne and considering that he rejected the offer to extend his contract, which runs out in 2011, Matuidi is likely to join Arsenal very soon. His father has Angolan origin, whereas his mother was born in France. Matuidi started playing football in a private football academy and he played for Creteil in Ligue 2 at just 16 years of age. Good performances earned him a transfer to Troyes, where he made a lot of progress under coach Jean-Marc Furlan. After a couple of years in Troyes, he joined more ambitious Saint Etienne, where he managed to earn a starting berth...

So where to begin, where to begin. First up, I picked up a small brochure…Just joshing… Robin van Persie has signed a new contract – HUZZAH! Well, OK, so it was leaked over the weekend but we never heard from the man himself so he made up for lost time: I’m so happy to have signed a new long term contract. I’ve been at the Club for five years now and there really is a great feeling here at Arsenal. We have a top class manager, a squad full of superb young players, a world class stadium and brilliant supporters. Arsenal Football Club has a very bright future and I want to be part of it. My heart is with Arsenal and I just can’t picture myself in a different shirt. I just can’t see it now because I love this Club so much. If you look at the last five years, look at...

Sky Sports have been reporting that not only that Arsenal are interested in signing St. Etienne’s midfielder Blaise Matuidi, but that the player is in England at the moment.  They go on to day that the play is in England with his agent and has been shown around Arsenal, and I do not think they meant a stadium tour!  For a player to be shown around another club’s stadium and training facility unless that club is Manchester United to whom taping up is second nature, it can only meant that the clubs have agreed a fee.  St Etienne would have given the player permission to speak to Arsenal. Terms must have been discussed and a medical cannot be far away. Matuidi is a 22 year central midfielder standing at 5ft 9in, no giant.  He has expressed an interest and desire in joining Arsenal...

• Dutch striker Van Persie signs long-term contract• 'Arsenal have a bright future and I want to be part of it'Robin van Persie has agreed a new long-term deal with Arsenal, the club has confirmed. The 25-year-old Dutchman was the Gunners' leading scorer last season with 20 goals from 44 appearances.While the terms of the new contract for Van Persie, who joined Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004, have not been disclosed, it is believed to be worth around £80,000 a week, which would make the Holland international one of the highest-paid players at the Emirates."I have been at the club for five years now and there really is a great feeling here at Arsenal," said Van Persie. "We have a top-class manager, a squad full of superb young players, a world-class stadium and brilliant supporters....

You know that Football is coming home when pre-season training begins and very reassuring it was too that Rosicky and Eduardo were amongst those participating. The official site has the photos here but then you knew that anyway, didn’t you. It might help with a wider screen in some instances which begs the question as to which of our ’stars’ has been fiddling with their scales at home. Still the fines for returning overweight will no doubt be beneficial to whichever charity receives such largesse. Away from the business end of football, the sweet smell of the countryside surrounds the latest transfer talk. At least the rich farmyard aromas anyway. The cries for a defensive midfielder have gone unheeded since Felipe Melo signed for Juventus which is nice for him....

After the disappointing last season, Juventus officials have been very busy during this transfer window and they managed to sign a couple of great players. After Diego and Cannavaro, Old Lady won the race with Arsenal to sign excellent Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo, who will join the club in exchange for €20 million and Marco Marchionni. Juventus have produced a real coup by signing 26-year-old Felipe Melo, who largely impressed playing for Fiorentina last season. Great performances in Serie A have earned him the starting place in Dunga’s Brazil and a lucrative transfer to one of the biggest Italian clubs. Arsenal were thought to be winning the race when they offered cash (around €20 million) plus Emanuel Eboue to Fiorentina, but it seems that Juventus were quicker and they...

There is plenty of mis-truths being thrown around over Melo.  The Italian press are stating that Juventus are in talks to buy the Brazilian midfielder and thus thwarting Arsenal’s attempts at luring Melo to the Emirates. But once again in step Fiorentina, and they dismiss all these rumours and skulduggery. There is one thing to say about Fiorentina, they are acting as gentlemen, and also putting Arsenal fans at ease with each press release. They have once again categorically stated that Arsenal are the only club with whom they are in talks with and that Arsene Wenger has asked to speak to the President of the club to discuss matter further.  Fiorentina are interested in Eboue that is certain.  Wenger must realise that £15million plus Eboue is a price worth paying if it means we can...

Good morning, good morning, good morning, good morning. Is it a good morning? I am not sure it is on the transfer Phil Ochs front. Following on from yesterday’s story – and I use that in the loosest possible sense of the word – that AC Milan were preparing a bid of £20m for Adebayor with a Flamini thrown in for good measure, this morning it is the turn of the Red Top In Chief to quote an ‘Arsenal insider‘ and note that Fabregas is off to Barcelona for £40m. I love use of the phrase ‘Arsenal insider‘ because it is all open to interpretation. Is it someone who works in the club or has some hack just wandered into The Emirates and stood there saying, “I’m inside Arsenal and the club will accept a £40m bid for Fabregas. Run with that...

The confusion over the potential transfer of Felipe Melo has been somewhat clarified by Fiorentina with an official statement.  The Italian club has stated that Melo has not signed for Juventus. The club has made it clear that there is only club that has made an offer for Melo, who recently signed a new contract that included a release clause of £21million.  That club is Arsenal.  Fiorentina have not stated what the offer was, but they have asked for Emmanuel Eboue to be included in any potential deal, thus reducing the transfer fee. Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino made a statement saying: “In case the footballer has already reached an agreement with any club, the release clause fixed with the player himself is €25million. We would not contemplate any exchange,...

Well, any expectation of a quiet weekend were thankfully dashed with Fiorentina’s official statement that Arsenal were the only club which had made an official bid for Felipe Melo. The statement was an interesting exercise. The first aspect is that it was issued in response to speculation in the Italian media that the player had agreed terms with Juventus. Given that it is not unusual by any stretch of the imagination for that scenario to arise, what did Fiorentina hope to gain from their utterances? I guess the best is that they get a bidding war between Arsenal and Juventus, going above the €25m release clause. That seems unlikely for knowing that the value of a bid has to reach that level, there is no incentive for either club to exceed it. Acknowledging that Arsenal has...

Oh dear Arsene, what are you going to do? Felipe Melo has signed a new contract extension, which explains the transfer buzz that was created around him, at Fiorentina to whom will you turn now that your primary target has probably got a hugely inflated escape clause surrounding him? Well, step forward Lorik Cana of Marseille. Don’t hold the fact that Tottenham are reportedly interested, against him; even ‘Appy ‘Arry can be right sometimes. You’ve got loads of room at London Colney now that eight youngsters have been released so what is stopping you? After all, a million of the YouTube generation cannot be wrong. Can they? Things may be moving along as we speak in any case. Arsene was quoted in French newspaper, Le Dauphine , so he must be in France either sorting...

So the news from Italy is that Felipe Melo has a signed a new contract at Fiorentina.  What does this mean?  There has been so much traffic over a proposed transfer to Arsenal that it cannot all be dismissed as ideal cyber-space talk.  Something must have been going on in the background and something might still be happening. We are mere mortal and all we can do is merely speculate, but players have signed new contracts with teams as a way of giving their current clubs a larger transfer fee.  Admittedly this is not normally done in the same transfer window, but I do not rule out the possibility of this happening.  By signing a new contract Fiorentina can demand say £20 million, as opposed to his buyout clause of £14 million. This is a story that has some more distance to run;...

Could this week be the most exciting week in Arsenal’s transfer history? With the Confederation’s Cup over and Brazil crowned champions, it is time to see if Arsenal’s pursuit of Felippe Melo is indeed a true pursuit or merely more newspaper talk.  Arsenal are reported to have offered Phillipe Senderos as part of the deal, but Wenger will not accept Fiorentina’s valuation of £21 million for the Brazilian international.  With pre-season training due to start next, Arsene will be looking at securing the signature of the Brazil central midfield enforcer sooner rather than later. Of the transfer stories this is the more realistic. Now we enter the field of Sunday newspaper fantasy. The Sunday Times says Wenger is ready to bid Karim Benzema in the knowledge that the 21-year-old...

So the plan by Sherrif Fatman to become a Man of the People is to be given serious consideration this week at the Board meeting. Quite right too for a Rights Issue in the broad terms that Sherrif mentioned is not a bad idea, as it would theoretically give supporters the chance to buy shares. Where the waters turn murky grey is Fatman underwriting it, ie guaranteeing to buy any shares that are not purchased, a nice back door way to gain a bit more influence at the club, may be even being put into the position of bidding for the club as a result. Quite what the legalities of it all are enough to send lawyers into an orgasm over the size of the bills that they will be able to issue for services rendered. Depending upon which media outlet you believe, the Arsenal Board are either not against...

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva says he has urged his Brazil team-mate Felipe Melo to join the Gunners this...

Following last week’s declaration by respected French journalist  Philippe Auclair that Arsenal are close to signing Morocco striker Maraoune Chamahk, another well respected journalist Gabriele Marcotti has made revelations about a potential Arsenal signing. Talking on talkSPORT, Marcotti indicated that Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo will sing for Arsenal once the Confederations Cup is over.  Arsenal have been linked with the tough, no nonsense, rugged midfielder for some time.  Fiorentina are looking at accepting Phillip Senderos as a makeweight in the deal following the Swiss international’s successful year long loan spell in Serie A. Marcotti went on to state that Fiorentina have accepted an offer from Arsenal. Marcotti is a well respected and well connected journalist, he is a man...

Fiorentina's defensive midfielder Felipe Melo had a fabulous 2008/09 Serie A season. Inter and Arsenal are both link with a 15 million pounds transfer for the Brazilian. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the hunt for a defensive midfielder and could see Melo as an ideal acquisition. The defensive midfield role has never been adequately filled after Gilberto left. As often...

Transfer News Arsenal news this morning by the impending arrival of Thomas Vermaelen. The soon to be former Ajax centre back has declared that he is to fulfil a childhood ambition to play for Arsenal: This is one of the most beautiful days of my life. When a club like Arsenal knocks on your door, you just go. I am so proud to be signing for Arsenal. They are a fantastic club and I have enjoyed watching them since I was a child. Arsene Wenger stands for good, attacking football and dares to work with young talent. That appeals to me enormously. It is nice to see that the player wants to play for Arsenal, has the desire to do so and is not afraid of the challenges which lie ahead. Physically, it will be an eye-opener for him when Kevin Davies eventually clatters into him although I am sure...

Arsenal Fixtures 2009/10 With the fixture list published, the new season seems somewhat nearer. Finishing in fourth place means that a list which will carved up is already subject to amendment as the Bolton clash now seems likely to take place near to Christmas. It leaves an unenviable start. Three of the first four fixtures are away from The Emirates and in the corresponding clashes last season, two points were gained. Add in the visit to Fulham and that two points fails to increase. A season-shaping start in many respects yet a good one for it gives the squad the opportunity to get into the groove straight away. Each team who has genuine title aspirations will believe that theirs is an advantageous set of fixtures, enabling pressure to be applied at varying points of the season. Arsenal...

Another day in the transfer market, so it must be a new target for Arsenal.  Today the Daily Mail has Arsenal preparing a bid (I love the thought of Wenger, Gazidis and Friar sitting over a PC and typing out a bid) for Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo.   The price is £15million (it appears that this is the going rate for players) despite the fact that Fiorentina have a bid of £15 million plus a player on the table, Arsenal are supposedly offering less! Latest developments according to Tribal Football (a valued source of all transfer stories) Fiorentina are interested in Senderos.  If Fiorentina are serious about Phillipe, than cash plus player deal could be o nthe cards. Melo has been on Wenger’s radar for some time now, he sees him as the enforcer we need and with his disciplinary...

Not much going on this morning with the news about to be dominated by the release of next season’s fixtures. I guess it makes the football seem nearer but hell, there is still two months to go before the big kick-off. Next summer, we’ll be moaning that there is too much football with the World Cup and Premier League season starting soon after that finishes. Bitchy bunch, aincha. Even by the standards of the transfer claptrap, yesterday was top notch. Within hours of reports appearing that suggested he would not rebuff the fluttering eyelashes of Florentino Perez, Bacary Sagna denied he was considering leaving Arsenal. It was an interesting step to take for the player releasing the rebuttal through official channels rather than via a media interview, as is normally the case....