Wenger hails Gunners physical toughness

(02-01-2011) Arsene Wenger has praised his players for withstanding the bully-boy tactics of Birmingham. The Gunners beat the Blues 3-0 on Saturday in an ill-tempered match at St Andrews. "We were aware that we had to match Birmingham physically,” commented Wenger afterwards. "We were prepared today to face the challenges, physical challenges. We prepared ourselves as well not to lose our game plan, to be calm and to focus on putting the ball down and playing our game.” The result leaves the Gunners in third place on the EPL standings, two points behind leaders Manchester United but having played a game more.

Blues make surprise move and other red-hot gossip

(02-01-2011) Chelsea have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd. According to reports, the Blues are prepared to pay £2m for the 28-year-old Englishman who is out of contract in the summer. Birmingham and West Ham are also interested. Elsewhere, Liverpool are leading Arsenal in the race to sign Germany and Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker; Tottenham’s £15m flop David Bentley is set to move to Newcastle as Spurs make room for the possible arrival of David Beckham; former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen will leave Stoke for Swansea in January; and Aston Villa and Wigan want to sign Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan for the rest of the season.

I was wrong to question Fergie – Roo

(01-01-2011) Wayne Rooney has admitted he was wrong to doubt Sir Alex Alex Ferguson. The Manchester United striker questioned his manager’s transfer policy when demanding a move earlier this season. "It was nothing to do with me. It was probably wrong of me. I'm just glad it got sorted,” the 25-year-old told MUTV on Friday. Rooney also said he never considered joining another English club despite all the speculation in the media. "People said I was odds-on to go to Manchester City but there was no way I'd have gone there,” he added. "Liverpool? There was more chance of me going to City than there. They were the two I wouldn't have gone to. It was a big time in my career and I know I've made the right decision. I've made myself happy." Rooney signed a new five-year contract in September.

It ours to win – Wenger

(01-01-2011) The league title is "Arsenal's to win", reckons manager Arsene Wenger. The Gunners head into 2011 in third place, two points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a match in hand, and Manchester City, who have played two games more. Wenger however has complete faith in his young team who start the New Year with a trip to Birmingham swiftly followed by the visit of City on January 5. "It is Arsenal's title to win. We have to go on a run and be consistent," said Wenger on Friday. "The only thing we have learnt from this first six months is that the team who will be the most consistent, with great emotional stamina and resolve will win it.” He added: "It could be the league of the mentally strong. The teams who deal the best with that will certainly win it."

Life at the top excited City

(01-01-2011) Manchester City have enjoyed their brief taste of life at the top - and are hungry for more, claims the club’s tough-tackling defender Nigel de Jong. The Blues briefly led the EPL on Tuesday before neighbours United returned to the summit on goal difference. And they could be back there by this evening if the Red Devils slip up at West Brom and City see off Blackpool at Eastlands. "It was only for a couple of hours because United hadn't played at Birmingham. But we went top of the league and for us it was important,” commented the Dutch international on Friday. "We now have Blackpool at home on Saturday, so we have to keep the momentum going by winning that one too. It's all about seeing what each game brings us." City are level on points with United but have played two more games than their neighbours.

No January shopping for Red Devils

(01-01-2011) Manchester United will "definitely not" buy any new players in the January transfer window, says manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The 69-year-old Scot did however admit that he hopes to loan out Federico Macheda for the rest of the season to increase the striker's experience. And he confirmed that Macheda's fellow forwards, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf, will remain on loan at Sunderland and Blackburn respectively. Welbeck has enjoyed success at the Stadium of Light and Ferguson is hopeful Macheda could have a similarly productive time away from Old Trafford. "I had a chat with Federico and explained the Welbeck situation," said Ferguson. "It can pan out exactly the same for him. It would be the same thing, going to a club, getting that experience for six months and coming back to us a better player."

Golden Balls set for sensational return and other red-hot gossip

(01-01-2011) Premiership legend David Beckham is on the verge of a return to England and could sign with an EPL club as early as next week. According to reports, the 35-year-old midfielder’s current club LA Galaxy are likely to grant him permission to go out on loan within the next 48 hours. Elsewhere, Portuguese giants Benfica claim to have turned down a bid of £17m from Chelsea for Brazilian centre-back David Luiz, who they value at a whopping £43m; Aston Villa are set for talks with winger Ashley who is a £15m January target for EPL leaders Manchester United; Swiss international Valon Behrami could be on his way out of Upton Park, with long-time admirers Roma ready to make a £4.5m offer; and Sunderland are planning a £12m offer for Aston Villa's 26-year-old winger Stewart Downing.