Shay Given admits he must quit Aston Villla to get back into the Republic of Ireland squad, but has denied asking for a pay-off.
The 37-year-old said over the weekend that he intends to leave Villa this summer after spending the season playing second fiddle to Brad Guzan.
Given has three years left on a lucrative five-year contract he signed in 2011 when he joined from Manchester City and will have to take a pay cut if he is to find another club.
His £60,000-a-week wages mean that the remaining value of his contract is over £9.3m, but Given has denied reports that he will negotiate a £5m pay-off to get off Villa’s books.
“It’s a relief to think about moving to a club where I can play first-team football, because I found it hugely frustrating sitting on the bench for most of the past season,” said Given.
“Ideally, I’d like for that to be with another Premier League club, but nothing is guaranteed I suppose. I just want to be able to prove to people that I’m still a good goalkeeper.”
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There could be interest in taking him on loan from several rival Premier League clubs but Villa chief Paul Lambert is keen to reduce his wage bill and the preferred option would be a permanent departure.
Tottenham have lit the fires of this summer’s transfer window in England with one of the best deals so far. Sure, there isn’t much of a comparison in terms of spend to what Manchester City paid for Fernandinho, but the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder’s compatriot could be viewed as the better deal of the two, with Spurs more than getting their money’s worth for Paulinho.
We’ve been over this before with Andre Villas-Boas and his preference for a three-man midfield, and despite failing to secure Joao Moutinho either last summer or this year, the Tottenham boss will be more than happy with a midfield that is shaping up to be one of the best in the Premier League.
[cat_link cat=”tottenham” type=”list”]
The trio of Paulinho, Sandro and Mousa Dembele is one which combines, power, drive, a degree of creativity, and a near-impenetrable shield ahead of the back four. It’s sometimes overlooked but Spurs could have Brazil’s World Cup midfield pairing, although Luiz Gustavo will have something to say about that.
It’s an enormous surprise that no other team in the Premier League even appeared to be in the hunt for Paulinho. Manchester United could certainly have done with his services, while the Brazilian is an obvious upgrade on John Obi Mikel in the Chelsea midfield. Fernandinho caught plenty of attention during last season’s Champions League, but how much will Manchester City rue the choice of taking him over Paulinho? (Perhaps not too much if Fernandinho makes a smooth transition; they’re not struggling for cash.)
A point worth considering, however, is how much this will impact the other midfield names at Tottenham. Lewis Holtby was brought in last January as a player who is best suited to the position behind the striker. Over the long term, the German could end up further back in the midfield and add even more creativity among the two Brazilians. Yet that may take some time and the drawback to any of this will be in allowing Holtby to adapt to a slightly altered position on the pitch. The team’s need for pace on the flanks would negate his need in either of the wide positions over the traditional options available to Villas-Boas. Much of the same can be said for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who is also best played in an advanced midfield role.
For Tottenham as whole, though, this should be viewed as another outstanding acquisition, and one that more that affirms the club’s status and ability in European and world football.
The additions of Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen will do a lot for Tottenham’s ambitions moving forward, as both players are more than capable of turning out for some of the biggest and best teams in Europe. The signing of Paulinho shows that last summer’s business was no fluke, and although it may have been difficult for some Spurs fans to see the merits of Dembele and Lloris in particular last summer, it just adds to the growing reputation and ability of the club, both on the pitch and off.
In terms of what Tottenham are capable of next season, the addition of Paulinho will help to make up plenty of ground as they chase a top four spot. For those who caught some of the Brazilian’s performances at the Confederations Cup, there were obvious flashes of brilliance. He will be an asset at both ends of the pitch for Tottenham.
On the transfer front for the remainder of this summer, the capture of the Brazilian will just act as a signal to some of Europe’s very best who are yet to decide on a possible offer from Tottenham. That includes a couple of strikers from La Liga.
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How important will the signing of Paulinho prove to be for Spurs?
Liverpool have been pragmatic thus far in the transfer market, uncharacteristically so in a way. Now it’s time for more of the same.
In the short term, the club may believe it to be in their best interest to hold on to Luis Suarez for as long as it takes – and that could mean so they don’t sell to Arsenal, or until Real Madrid come in with a bid worth considering. Over the long term, however, the Suarez saga represents a shackle preventing the club from continuing to strengthen and brushing away the dust from previous failed transfer outings.
Similarly in the argument against Arsenal signing Suarez, what good does it do for a club who finished seventh last season to keep hold a their star player who can’t play until sometime in late September/early October? The battle could be as good as lost then, by which time what does it matter if the Uruguayan comes back, scores a mountain of goals and gets his transfer next year? Don’t we just write this coming season off? Unless, of course, the Europa League is to everyone’s fancy.
And I’m still beating the drum of the fact that Suarez isn’t the only striker in the world capable of doing what he does. He isn’t the end of the road for Liverpool, just in the same way Fernando Torres wasn’t. The club are in transition – that hellish phase that normally amounts to a lack of serious excitement in the transfer market – but it’s the way football works, and it’s certainly the way it works when you make such unforgiveable mistakes with a sizeable transfer budget.
But who cares if it’s £35 – 40 million? The likelihood is that Liverpool are not going to get much more than that because the market dictates the price. In this case, there are only two reported clubs interested in the player. One, Arsenal, are said to have bid £40 million, but Liverpool, rightly, don’t want to sell domestically. Why then would Real Madrid bid even higher? The La Liga club are sitting pretty knowing that a want away striker is likely to fall into their lap because the selling club don’t want to sell to a league rival, even if their bid is a little higher.
So here’s the thing: Liverpool can remain resolute, fight the battle for the underdog in another David vs. Goliath transfer saga (though are Arsenal to be considered a Goliath? I’m not so sure), or they can get rid for a reasonable price – because £35 – 40 million is a good price for almost any world-class player – and restock and rebuild accordingly.
This is just another occasion where the whole thing about “no player is bigger than the club” is taking a hammering. Every Liverpool fan now, I’m absolutely sure, will support the line that the club comes first. But how much good will it do to keep Suarez for a protracted period of time just to make a point? It’s easy to forget that Liverpool could come away from all this looking like the better of all three (or four) parties. Civil war is breaking out among Arsenal fans over Suarez; the media in Madrid can and likely will slaughter the player if he pulls one of his tricks in Spain; all the while Liverpool get a healthy cash injection and replace smartly.
And that’s the end goal, to break into the top four this season or get as close as possible to continue the ascent the following year. Based on what we know now, Suarez is most certainly not going to be a part of it. There are strikers in Europe who can do a lot for Liverpool now and who look to the prospect of playing in the Premier League over the Champions League. Even Suarez himself was signed when Liverpool couldn’t offer Champions League football.
Remaining strong in the face of unsettled players and circling giants will only be of benefit for so long. Was it worth Tottenham’s effort to draw out the Luka Modric saga last summer, by which time they had little opportunity to bring in adequate replacements for that specific position? There is still a month and change left for Liverpool to carry on in this diligent fashion. Why scupper that over a transfer fiasco that only has one outcome?
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Should Liverpool draw out this Suarez saga or get rid quickly?
We all know that World Cups are where the best players from all over the world can come together and show case their talents, exceeding expectations and doing their fellow countrymen proud.
But every now and then a new star is born at a World Cup, one who was almost unheard of before hand but instantly becomes the name on everyone’s lips as he fires his country to World Cup glory (or almost).
There have been some gems that have come out of World Cups in the past. Most have gone on to become superstars within the game, while others enjoyed their moment in the spotlight before fading away in to the darkness, never recreating their World Cup heroics.
Click on Roger Milla below to see the top FIVE top arrivals on the World Cup scene.
Manchester United look set to blow all their near rivals out of the water with the announcement of a new money spinning sponsorship deal. The Manchester giants are closing in on a £300m deal with American manufacturers Nike. The negotiations were first revealed by Charles Sale’s Sports Agenda at the start of September. And the five year-deal, which The Sun report is set to be announced on Friday, will more than triple the annual amount they receive under their current contract.
This all comes after the summer in which Premier League rivals Arsenal announced their new deal with Puma, one that now looks set to be eclipsed. Did the gunners sell themselves short?
It is easy to be a little influenced by the current league standings, indeed in footballing terms of late Arsenal have definitely been a class above. For fans that envisage Arsenal returning to the big time, the announcement that United can still draw upon so much more will surely frustrate.
But this isn’t some financial blunder by Gazidis and co, it is something that makes a lot of sense. When a company like Nike sponsor a club they aren’t backing them to win the league, they are trying to get the best exposure for their brand. In world sport there are few bigger clubs than Manchester United, and this is just a harsh reality that teams like Arsenal have to accept.
United are able to draw upon the biggest fan base in the world, mass audiences in places like Asia and America with everyone trying to get their hands on that famous shirt. The appeal of Manchester United won’t be lost overnight, and their value to sponsors is still very much intact for the time being.
Arsenal’s £30m a year deal looks pretty miserly compared to that of their Manchester rivals, but in world terms it is a significant piece of business. Only Chelsea and Real Madrid can say they have bigger kit deals, and for a club like Arsenal who don’t have the same global appeal or trophy haul, I would actually suggest it represents an impressive piece of business from their perspective.
Arsenal are a club on the verge of something big here, and if their potential can be converted into silverware then they will be able to battle with United on the financial playing field. Until then they are going to have to accept that they are one amongst a number of other big clubs that are playing for the still sizeable leftovers.
So when Arsenal turn out with Puma on their famous shirts it shouldn’t be with any sense of failure at all. Gazidis has ensured that Arsenal have the financial muscle to compete with the very best, and they have a deal which gives them an incredible platform for the future.
Earlier in the season, Thierry Henry, a guest on Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League group game away to Napoli, spoke about the need for partnerships on a football pitch. The Frenchman was obviously drawn into a discussion about Mesut Ozil and he went on to compare the German with former Gunner Robert Pires.
Arsenal’s win against Hull on the weekend gave fans a reminder of what this team were like in the early stages of the season. The returning Ozil not only complemented Aaron Ramsey, who himself returned from a long layoff the game prior, but provided options all over the attacking third.
The point of Ozil isn’t to add too much defensively, and in turn it isn’t to label him a luxury player. The German gives this Arsenal team purpose and direction, of which they’ve been completely lacking for the past six weeks.
He built a strong partnership with Ramsey in the midfield, working to bring others into play. If Ramsey is the engine, tying the midfield and attack together, then Ozil adds the artistry and invention. The opening goal by the Welshman was excellent and evidence of the importance of both midfielders. Ozil was forced wide but turned back on himself and played in Santi Cazorla, who put Ramsey through on goal.
What has been crucial in the pair’s recent return is the production of Lukas Podolski in front of goal. The former Bayern forward may not be the quickest or the most mobile, but he will thrive off the service of others.
Once again, there are partnerships that come from this. Arsenal have been without a consistent goal threat during the second half of the season. What they haven’t lacked is a player who can score goals, as Podolski has shown, but rather someone who can work with him in the final third.
Ozil’s intelligence sees him drift about the pitch in search of openings and points where he can shift the game, either in tempo or direction. Even with Ramsey, Arsenal need Ozil to offer that intelligence to their play. He’s always an option for the other midfielders, who often looked as though they weren’t sure what they ought to be doing. Arsenal’s game needs a runner like Ramsey, as well as Podolski to finish the chances. But it requires the ingenuity of a player like Ozil for the attacks to be put into motion.
Going into the final four games of this season, Ozil will prove vital. Time and again the topic of confidence comes up with Arsenal, and the playmaker will offer that in abundance. We may not be seeing goals or direct assists (second assist may be the fitting term), but the lift Ozil has given this team is enough to merit his £42 million price tag. No other player in the team can get Arsenal playing the way they did against Hull.
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Of course, it’s not to discredit the player on the other end of the pass. Ozil needs runners like Ramsey in order to be effective. But with both now back in the team and having picked up where they left off, suddenly Arsenal’s end of season doesn’t look so daunting.
Arsene Wenger is either throwing us off the trail (the apologists like to call it a smokescreen), or he’s telling us exactly what’s going to happen.
The Arsenal manager last week spoke of stability and that his side were close. He added that he didn’t expect a large number of signings this summer, hinting that the theme of three maximum could be continued, while sounding out the difficulties the World Cup will create during the transfer window.
Off the bat, stability can be used with one intention but interpreted as another. For those whose glass is half empty, stability means the club aren’t planning to do too much. Just as Mesut Ozil’s blockbuster signing last summer failed to disguise what was yet another poor period of business throughout, this summer is likely to feature one or two names that won’t really rock the boat, firstly in upsetting the balance of the squad but mainly in damaging the accounts.
Arsenal may be two or three signings away from sustaining a title challenge up until May, but that doesn’t take into account those who are leaving on free transfers this summer. It doesn’t take into account the fact that the team have only three natural centre-backs, with no one in the reserve team good enough to step in during an emergency. It ignores that Theo Walcott may miss the start of next season, and that most players will have to treat a World Cup hangover.
Wenger said that the window may only start to come alive around July 15th, which sounds awfully similar to his comments in previous years about a bankrupt Europe and a cold market. It’s not really an excuse for inactivity across the market, just a passable enough excuse that explains Arsenal’s inactivity.
This is a team who suffered at the start of this season through ill preparation. At time of writing, Arsenal are five points off Liverpool in first place. Those three points which were lost against Aston Villa on the opening day could have been quite useful.
But again, things like that aren’t taken into account. Wenger’s general comment on the summer transfer period seemed to echo the stance of past years: a lack of motivation, resting on laurels, getting by with the hope things will fall into place in your favour.
For those who want to take a realistic look at this Arsenal team, at least five players need to arrive this summer in order to turn a March imposition into title success in May. Five at the very least, and that’s being conservative. Someone at the club, probably Ivan Gazidis, needs to tell Wenger to stop dictating the terms of the summer. Stop finding excuses to halt the progression of this team.
There may be a feeling among some that Arsenal have gotten away with this season, snatching fourth when not too long ago it seemed likely they’d be preparing to play their European football on a Thursday night.
The manager has spoken about injuries, which is fair. How much further up the league table would Arsenal be if Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, and Ozil hadn’t been injured for so long? It’s a problem that needs to be addressed, but another problem is the lack of quality in reserve. A lack of quality may be a stretch; a lack of variance may be more fitting.
It only takes a couple of injuries for this Arsenal team to become worryingly one dimensional, and it’s not something that can be effectively resolved by going blindly into this summer.
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Wenger will hold his cards close to his chest, as he’s always done. A couple of obvious addition may be completed in the near future. Loic Remy and Carlos Vela would be big helps next season, and they could both be signed for a combined £16 million. Remy and Vela – and Lukas Podolski ahead of the European Championship in 2012 – show that deals can be wrapped up before the start of a summer tournament.
The hope is that Wenger has altered his ways this year and that his statement on the summer is indeed a smokescreen that keeps the club’s business well disguised. If not, it’s set to be another frustratingly long summer.
West Ham are a club with enormous potential.ÂUpton Park enjoys sell-out 35,000 crowds on a weekly basis, hosting one of the most passionate and militant fan-bases in the country. Furthermore, the East Londoners plan to move to a new home in 2016, the Olympic stadium, which is expected to significantly increase the club’s revenue.
But performances on the pitch in recent years haven’t quite reflected the Hammers’ almighty scope for growth. After continually bouncing between the Premier League and the Championship, Sam Allardyce has spent the last few campaigns using an attritional brand of football to solidify the Irons’ top flight status.
Perhaps that potential can be unlocked via the transfer market, a theory Big Sam Âappears to be subscribing to, having made five signings already this summer in the form of Diego Poyet, Enner Valencia, Cheikou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate and Aaron Cresswell.
With that in mind, here’s FIVE signings that could transform West Ham, propelling them up the Premier League table.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON MAROUANE FELLAINI TO REVEAL
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MAROUANE FELLAINI
Despite the glaring inadequacies of Marouane Fellaini’s first season at Manchester United, summed up in the below vine:
I still believe the Belgian lankster would be an exceptional signing for most Premier League sides, including West Ham. It wasn’t long ago Fellaini was considered to be one of the best midfielders in the top flight, in no small part due to a return of eleven goals and five assists during his final campaign at Everton, the highlights of which are viewable below:
//www.youtube.com/embed/mZFuxC1bdUk?rel=0
And although the Hammers are keen to branch out from their attritional roots this summer, there’s no doubt the 6 foot 4 afro-bearer would be a perfect fit for Sam Allardyce’s more traditional style.
Furthermore, Fellaini appears unlikely to survive the change in regime at Manchester United this summer:
The Daily Express believe the Red Devils will sell for around £15million, but Fiorentina have emerged as the Belgium international’s likeliest suitors:
ASHLEY YOUNG
Another Manchester United misfit who could have considerable impact at Upton Park is much-maligned winger Ashley Young.
You can’t imagine Big Sam taking too kindly to the 29 year-old’s regular Tom Daley impressions:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LVtYWd5TRS4?rel=0
//www.youtube.com/embed/UF3QJvHApTI?rel=0
But regardless, recent speculation suggests the Hammers are already planning a loan bid for the former England international:
On his day, Young can be unplayable. Just take a look at this sensational strike from last season:
And he can produce that kind of thing on a semi-regular basis for West Ham, the winger could prove to be an astute addition.
YEVHEN KONOPLYANKA
Another wideman believed to be firmly in the Hammers’ transfer crosshairs is Dnipro talisman Yevhen Konoplyanka.
Also a long-term target of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, the Ukraine international would be a sensational coup for the East Londoners. Just take a look at this wonder-strike against England from back in 2012:
The 24 year-old was in strong form last season, particularly in the Europa League…
…where he absolutely destroyed Tottenham’s Kyle Naughton:
But recent speculation suggests West Ham have been put off by Dnipro’s £12million demands for Konoplyanka:
MATHIEU VALBUENA
Pint-sized midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is by no means a natural fit for West Ham’s direct style, but I guess that’s kind of the point. Resultantly, and with the European elite seemingly shunning the 29 year-old, it’s believed the Irons are preparing a bid:
The France international produced good form last season and transitioned his displays into the World Cup, as seen below:
…where he netted against Switzerland…
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…and produced this enticing assist to Paul Pogba…
And after announcing his intentions to leave Marseille earlier this season:
L’Equipe believe he could be available for as little as €7million.
JORDON MUTCH
Cardiff City youngster Jordon Mutch may not be a top flight star just yet, but his first Premier League season suggests the midfielder has a bright future ahead of him.
The 22 year-old was in great form for the Bluebirds last season despite often featuring from the bench, as detailed below:
This last-minute winner against Fulham particularly stood out:
And Mutch comes with strong pedigree, having represented England at U17, U19, U20 and U21 level.
Furthermore, following reported interest from Sunderland, Cardiff have placed a more-than-reasonable £5million valuation on the goal-scoring midfielder.
Football Fancast hooked up with Hull City midfielder, Republic of Ireland international, infamous adversary of Alan Pardew’s forehead and devoted FIFA enthusiast David Meyler, ahead of the launch of FIFA 15.
It was a fantastic season for Hull City last year; Premier League survival, an FA Cup final and qualification for the Europa League. What was your personal highlight?
There were quite a few; scoring at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final, playing in the FA Cup final, beating Liverpool 3-1 at home at Christmas time. I’m trying to build on that this year, that’s the main aim.
And it must have felt particularly special for you – I understand you thought your playing days were over at one point after a horrific knee injury, the second of your career, back in 2011?
It wasn’t nice, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. At times, when you’re going through a long injury, you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. But when you have big moments like that, playing in an FA Cup semi-final, scoring in it, playing in front of 90,000 people at Wembley in an FA Cup final, it makes going through those injuries worth it.
How did you all react to coming so close in the FA Cup final after going 2-0 up? Did the defeat take a while to get over, or were there positives to be taken out of it?
Oh it was heartbreaking. We were completely gutted to lose from 2-0 up. Santi Cazorla scored just as we approached half time. If we’d got to half time at 2-0 it would probably have been a different game. We could’ve held onto something. We worked so hard all afternoon so obviously it was just heartbreaking when Aaron Ramsey scored in extra time.
How about locking heads with Newcastle manager Alan Pardew?
Well, to some people it’s a big thing but I was more disappointed that we lost the game 4-1. I was quite fortunate that I was going on international duty the next day so I could focus my attentions onto something else. I played against Serbia just a few days after so I didn’t think too much of it at the time. Obviously it was a complete shock but it’s forgotten about – he’s apologised. I’ve certainly moved on and I’m sure he has too.
Speaking of the Magpies, Hull visit Tyneside on Saturday. You must be aiming for a win with all the turmoil surrounding Newcastle at the moment?
We’re eying the win especially because we beat them there last year. It’s going to be tough but we’re looking forward to the game. We’re going there to get three points and that’s all we’re looking for. It’s not going to be an easy game because St. James’s Park is always a tough place to go, but I feel we’ve more than got the beating of them at home.
It’s been an exciting summer for Hull fans – the club have spent around £40million bringing in thelikes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Mo Diame, Michael Dawson and Abel Hernandez to name a few. Is this evidence of how ambitious the club has become over the last few years?
Of course, every year we’re trying to build, trying to improve on last year, trying to improve on the year before. It was a fantastic year when we got promoted and obviously we had another excellent year after by staying in the Premier League and getting to the FA Cup final, but we’re looking to try and build on that again – we’re not resting on our laurels.
It’s going to be tough but that’s why the manager’s made those signings, to strengthen the squad. We’ve got so many players to play in so many position and everybody’s up for it. It’s good; it’s what [Steve Bruce] thinks we need in this competition. We’re all striving to push one further on and that starts with three points at the weekend.
And can you feel the benefits of added competition on the training pitch?
As I said, players like that, I would never be against them joining our squad. We all get a bit sharper – a bit better – because of it. Competition is always good. We just need to pick up points as quick as we can.
Clearly, the owner has great faith in Steve Bruce by letting him spend so much, which isn’t necessarily the case at a lot of Premier League clubs nowadays. Does that positivity trickle down to the dressing room too?
Of course, the owners have great faith in the manager just as all the players do after what he’s done in the last few years. Everyone plays a big part; the owner keeps the phones ringing, the manager gets the players to play how he wants. We’ve done that over the last few years, and we want to do the same this year.
Where do you think Hull can go this season? Top half?
Up and around 10th is what we’re aiming for. I predicted 12th last year, hopefully we’ll be around twelfth or tenth this year. The squad is definitely better now with the players we’ve brought in, so I think that’s a realistic target and what we should be aiming for.
Things are going pretty well for the Republic of Ireland too – how’s working with Martin O’Neill again?
It’s good. Obviously we had a good start to the Euro qualifiers beating Georgia 2-1 away. We’ve got Gibraltar coming up too which will be another tough game but we’re looking forward to it. It’s an exciting time for Irish football, with the manager coming in and picking Roy [Keane] as his assistant. A lot of people are really excited for us.
And speaking of Roy Keane, is he the fearsome taskmaster he’s often made out to be?
Well I played under Roy at Sunderland and people read too much into things. He was an exceptional midfielder and he’s won everything. He’s someone you know you can trust. You look at how he’s helping Aston Villa [as assistant to Paul Lambert], they’ve started competing as well – they’ve had a fantastic start. He’s been good for us, with the manager, trying to make us push on and qualify for the Euros.
Beating Gerogia in such dramatic style, with a winning goal in the dying minutes, must have given a huge boost in terms or morale and what you think you can achieve as a group?
It was just relief because Georgia was such a tough place to go. Their fans made it very hard, especially when it was one-nil. It was a tough game, it took a moment of magic to win it, but a lot of games these days do take one player to make the difference. We’re very pleased Aiden McGeady came through for us that night.
I hear you’re quite a big FIFA fan. How much do you play? Could you rate your obsession out of ten?
Every day. I’d probably say ten.
Do a lot of the Hull lads play?
About six or seven play; myself, Tom Huddlestone, Tom Ince, Yannick Sagbo, Liam Rosenior, Jake Livermore and that new lad Abel Hernandez fancies himself quite a bit.
Who’s the best?
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I am.
And the worst?
Liam Rosenior.
Any sore losers?
We’re all bad losers, nobody likes to lose at FIFA. We’re all similar like that.
Do play Ultimate Team? Who’s in your team?
I do. I have all the best players, my team’s decent. Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, all Team of the Year, in-form Gareth Bale; I’m not messing about. Oh yeah and I’m top of division one!
Play as David Meyler in EA SPORTS FIFA 15, out Friday 26th September on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and all other formats. Pre order NOW to get your copy on #FIFA15Friday from easports
2014 has been a bit of a nightmare for Theo Walcott. The flying winger suffered an unfortunate knee injury during the momentous FA Cup win over Tottenham way back in January, and has since missed the Gunners’ successful top four finish and England’s World Cup journey to Brazil.
It’s been a long and rocky road for the 25-year-old, but the weekend win at home to Burnley marked the light at the end of the tunnel for Walcott, who came on for the last 10 minutes in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Despite nine months of rehabilitation, the former Southampton youngster was impressive in his brief cameo, forcing a good save from Clarets stopper Tom Heaton, hinting that none of the zip and flair has disappeared. Arsene Wenger has since said that the speedster is not yet at the end of his road to recovery, but the signs look good.
Coming back with Arsenal really beginning to kick into gear this season means that Walcott has the potential to drive the Londoners on to the next level. There’s no doubt that his pace has been missed at the Emirates Stadium – after all, any team would love to have the Three Lions star’s straight line speed – so with the extra injection of horsepower, Wenger will have another tool at his disposal.
It’s not just the Frenchman who will be thrilled by the return of Walcott, with Jack Wilshere having revealed a few weeks ago just how excited he, and his team-mates, is with the prospect of playing alongside the wide-man once again:
“I’ve never played with someone before who times their runs so perfectly and keeps doing it, time after time. It’s tough in a game to repeat those sprints 15 or 20 times but he does it, and it’s a dream for a midfielder.
“He gives us something different – he gives us pace. I know we’ve got Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who gives us pace but Theo gives you something different without the ball.
“He’s got physically stronger and he looks quicker than he did before – that might seem impossible but he does. He’s done a lot of work on his quads and his power so he’s going to come back fine.”
Pretty positive then. And it’s east to see why, with Walcott’s versatility and dynamism a timely boost as the season enters its crunch period. Now the yellow match day ball is back, winter is officially here, and the festive period means one thing in English football… hectic fixture lists. The cold dark nights in north London will be pierced by the floodlights from the Emirates, which will be the venue for a few encounters for Wenger and his team.
Rotating his squad will be key for the Gunners’ manager to maintain European and domestic aspirations, so having a player of the Englishman’s ability and adaptability is a massive boost. Able to play from either flank or as a striker, Walcott will provide cover and completion for a host of stars, and allow his boss to present opponents with new threats on a weekly basis.
With one of the strongest squads they’ve had for some time and one of the greatest managers in English football’s history, things really are looking rosy for Arsenal. And with a player of Walcott’s talents now back in the fold, the season looks set to get the real jump-start needed for success.
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Another FA Cup triumph? League glory? European achievement? Who knows, but the Gunners’ 2014/15 looks likely to get better and better in the coming months.