Gunners legend returns

(05-10-2010) Manager Arsene Wenger has allowed former Arsenal star Robert Pires to train with the North Londoners. The French midfielder is currently without a club after leaving La Liga side Villarreal. Pires enjoyed a sensational career at Arsenal from 2000-2006 scoring 62 goals in 189 appearances. He was signed by the Gunners for £6m from Marseille, replacing Marc Overmars who had left for Barcelona for a record £25m. The 36-year-old won two league titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal and was named the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year in 2002.

Kuyt apologises to suffering Reds fans

(05-10-2010) Dirk Kuyt has apologised to Liverpool fans following the club’s wretched start to the season. The Merseysiders currently languish in the relegation zone after picking up a single win in their first seven matches. They crashed to an embarrassing home defeat against newly promoted Blackpool on Sunday. "It was really, really disappointing. It's probably one of the hardest defeats I've had to take since I've been here and we're sorry for the fans,” commented Kuyt on Monday. "The first thing we have got to do is make sure we start winning games again and then we can begin to take things from there.” He added: "It's frustrating that we have got the international break now because we will have this result hanging over us and everyone in the dressing room wants to put it behind us as quickly as possible.”

Schwarzer’s dream move back on and other red-hot gossip

(05-10-2010) Mark Schwarzer could yet realise his dream move to Arsenal. The Australian was heavily linked with a move from Fulham to the Emirates in the summer as a replacement for the Gunners bumbling goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski. Fulham have now indicated that they will listen to offers for the 37-year-old in January. Elsewhere, Chelsea are set to fight Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in the race to land Marseille defender Taye Taiwo; Arsenal will offer £13m for Anderlecht's promising young striker Romelu Lukaku; Manchester United are continuing to track Aalesunds' Denmark international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard; and Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar has admitted he may have to leave the club after growing frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at White Hart Lane.

Gunners lack killer instinct – Wenger

(04-10-2010) A lack of killer instinct in front of goal is worrying Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Speaking after watching his charges dominate large parts of Sunday’s clash with EPL leaders Chelsea – and then finishing on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline – Wenger said: "We have to be more clinical to win championships. We can't lose a game like that.” Goals by Didier Drogba five minutes before the break and a late Alex free-kick saw the Blues extend their lead at the top of the standings to four points. Added Wenger: "Their strikers were more clinical than ours and that made the difference. We had the chances but we need to score. I feel sorry for my team because they had an outstanding attitude. "We dominated the game, surprisingly easily, but we go home with zero points.”

Hodgson to fight on as fans call for Kenny

(04-10-2010) Liverpool fans have heaped more pressure on under-fire manager Roy Hodgson by chanting the name of Kenny Dalglish after the Reds shock loss to Blackpool on Sunday. The 2-1 setback at Anfield left the Merseysiders mired in the relegation zone following their worst start to a season in 56 years. Hodgson however has vowed to fight on. "The fans are frustrated at the moment - there are a lot of things happening and it's understandable they are frustrated,” he commented afterwards. "I am the manager, I am the one who has to take responsibility and I have to accept their right to aim their frustration in my direction.” He added: "I had very good moments with Fulham in May and some very bad moments now. But after 35 years in football I don't think that I have suddenly lost my ability as a manager."

Rafa talks up his Reds legacy

(04-10-2010) Rafael Benitez believes he left Liverpool in good shape when he jumped ship in the summer. This despite watching his side finish a disappointing seventh in the EPL and miss out on a Champions League spot. The club’s struggles have continued under new boss Roy Hodgson. "I was very clear that when I left we had a better squad than we had in the past, and a better team,” Benitez told Irish newspaper Sunday Independent. "We left a good team, a very good team. A lot of people are talking about the legacy but the legacy is fantastic. When I left the club, Mascherano, Benayoun and Riera were there, along with Carra (Jamie Carragher), Gerrard, Spearing, Darby, Insua, Cavalieri and Shelvey.” Added the Spaniard: “"They cannot talk about legacy when Christian Purslow (managing director) and Hodgson signed seven players. They have already changed the squad."

Giggs maps out his future

(04-10-2010) Ryan Giggs harbours ambitions in management and wants to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements in the game. The 36-year-old Welsh winger, who is in the twilight of a glittering career, believes taking over as Old Trafford boss would be 'the ultimate' even if it means doing an apprenticeship at a lower level. "I think I will probably finish my career here,” commented Giggs on Sunday. "I am at an age now where it is coming to an end pretty soon. I cannot see myself dropping down leagues and playing at a lesser level.” He added: "If you do decide to go into management, for me the ultimate jobs are Wales and Manchester United, purely because I have played for my country and for the team I supported. Those two would be the best ones for me."