Van Persie blames Howard Webb for Holland’s defeat

Everybody in the world is in agreement that Spain fully deserved to beat Holland in last nights World Cup Final, but Robin Van Persie, along with a few other Dutch players, think that Howard Webb was instrumental in the Spain win, especially in the events leading up to Spain’s winning goal.

Van Persie was especially scathing about the English referee’s performance. “What was this man doing?” he said. “He made three big errors in extra time of a final! Believe me, this really hurts.

“Even after Heitinga’s red card I still felt we could be world champions. With penalty kicks we’d at least have had a 50% chance.”

“Iniesta should not have been on the pitch because he kicked Van Bommel. He also should have shown Puyol a second yellow card for trying to knock down Robben. The referee has been decisive.”

Wesley Sneijder was even more critical of Webb. “He has robbed us!” he ranted.

“This really is a disgrace to football. It really shouldn’t have happened. First I shot a free kick that hit the wall and then the Spanish keeper touched it before going behind. What does the referee do? The whistle was not for a corner.

“In the following attack, Iniesta is at first offside. Webb doesn’t whistle and then Iniesta gets the ball and scores,”

They can say what they like. I don’t think they will find anyone outside of Holland that are likely to agree with them!

From justarsenal.com

World Cup 2010: Robin van Persie fit to face Uruguay in semi-final

Robin Van Persie has been cleared to face Uruguay in the World Cup semi-finals despite injuring his left elbow against Brazil.
Great h-arm: Holland striker Robin Van Persie lies in agony after injuring his arm during the 2-1 win over Brazil Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Holland team spokeswoman Monique Kessels said Sunday a scan had showed that the injury was not as serious as first feared.

"It was his elbow. I don't know the exact results of the scan but it's good news for us," Kessels said.
Defender Joris Mathijsen is also fit to play, Kessels said, despite being a late withdrawal before Friday's 2-1 quarter final victory over Brazil because of a right knee injury.

"The injuries to both players are not that serious," Kessels said.

"Van Persie trained but not with the group, so that he did not have any physical contact with the other players. Mathijsen also trained on his own his own but later joined in with the others."

Although Van Persie has been cleared to play, his form at the World Cup has not been as good as the Dutch had hoped. He has started all five games but has been taken off each time and scored only once, in the team's 2-1 final Group E victory over Cameroon.

Van Persie has been unable to produce the form he shows for Arsenal, despite scoring four goals in three warm-up games.

In the 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the last 16, Van Persie appeared upset at being replaced, and reports in the Dutch media said he had indicated that Wesley Sneijder should have been taken off instead. Sneijder went on to score the second Dutch goal.

From telegraph.co.uk

Arsenal World Cup Match Day 18: van Persie, Nervous Dutch Advance

For a man renowned for his love of details, it makes me chuckle a bit to think of Arsene Wenger leaving his Blackberry in London. It’s something you or I might do…in a fit of rush to get to the airport, something’s always going to be forgotten. But for Arsene Wenger, a man who lives, eats, sleeps and breathes statistics and details…well, it just makes Le Boss seem a little more like the rest of us, no? In any event, the Great Blackberry Debacle seems to have been sorted and it appears we’re on the verge of adding Laurent Koscielny to the squad from Lorient. I won’t have too much comment on the addition, nor will Andy, until it’s officially announced on the dot.com. But in reviewing a few things about our new man, he certainly put up some stellar statistics last season and if the Lorient supporters’ reactions to his performances are any indication, well, we might just be getting another Vermaelen along the back four. I won’t complain at all if that’s how he works out.

Right. Back to the 2010 World Cup. Match Day 18 brought Robin van Persie and Netherlands to the pitch against Slovakia. On paper, this really shouldn’t have been much of a match. Arjen Robben got the start for the Oranje, and all the attacking pieces were in place for a comfortable Dutch victory. But this was not a great possession match for Netherlands. Slovakia controlled quite a bit of the time, albeit a lot of midfield possession and few actual attempts on goal, but the Dutch had difficulties pushing on with sustained pressure (especially in the first half). I have definite concerns about Netherlands going forward. As I mentioned briefly from their last match, they need to tighten up at the back four, and they have some formation problems up front. Yes, all the pieces are there, but I’m not sure all the pieces are in the right place or are working together properly. There are times when the Dutch look nervous or annoyed with each other on the pitch. The attack breaks down too easily or the finishing isn’t there and the defense wobbles in a way that a more proficient squad than Slovakia would make the Dutch pay dearly. A squad like…Brazil, whom the Dutch face in the quarterfinals. Back to this match though, and it was Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder netting goals for Netherlands on 18 and 84 minutes, respectively. Slovakia’s Robert Vittek became their all-time leading scorer with a 90+4 minute penalty kick.

Netherlands


Frustrating Day Ends With Second Half Sub


Robin’s getting frustrated. You can see it on the pitch, and you could see it as he protested to gaffer Bert van Marwijk as he was subbed off for Klaas Jan Huntelaar on 80 minutes. As usual, Robin got the start up top flanked by Kuyt and Robben, with Sneijder at ACM. One positive thing I see is how easily Robin switches back and forth between the central role and wide right. That can only be a good thing for the upcoming Arsenal season as I expect that will happen as a regular tactic in our attack with either Chamakh or Bendtner in the flanking position. van Persie’s first real chance on goal came on 7 minutes, when Kuyt lofted in a cross from the left third to RVP in the box. It was a good chance at a header, but the pass was tipped by a Slovakian defender just as it came to van Persie and went past the touch line for a corner. A few minutes later, controlling and turning superbly just outside the box, Robin dribbled into the left area and fed Sneijder nicely for a shot, but the keeper was up to the task and made the save. Netherlands continued to mount rather mediocre pressure on the Slovakian defense, but there was no joy to be found for the Arsenal striker. Just before halftime, Robin got off a chocolate-legged attempt on goal, but like much of the Dutch attack it was pretty feeble. On 58 minutes van Persie took a nice free kick from about 30 yards out on the right that tested the keeper, but again, no joy for our man. With relatively little to show for his 80 minutes, Robin was subbed for Huntelaar. One gets the feeling that, while van Persie is the central striker, he’s not the central focus of the attack and I think this is starting to grate on Robin a bit.

From arsenalfcblog.com

Cole not set for United

Cole is a free agent after he failed to agree a new contract at Chelsea.

The midfielder, currently in South Africa with England, has insisted he is leaving talks of his future down to his representatives.

Arsenal and Manchester City emerged as favourites to sign Cole earlier this summer, but lately it was Man United who were widely reported to have won the race to land him on a free transfer.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said earlier this week that he felt a deal to take Cole to United was all but done.

But now Sky Sports sources understand that Cole will not be heading to Old Trafford this summer.

From skysports.com

Gourcuff expects Koscielny exit

Promising defender set to agree Arsenal move

Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff has admitted he expects Laurent Koscielny to join Arsenal this summer.

Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed an approach for the 24-year-old centre-back.

Koscielny is still under contract with the Ligue 1 side but they could be forced to let him move to England if Arsenal meet their asking price.

Lorient picked Koscielny up from second division side Tours FC last summer and Gourcuff is readying himself to go scouring the lower leagues again.

"Laurent will leave," Gourcuff told L'Equipe.

Pay
"If Arsenal really want him, they will pay the right fee.

"To replace him we will do what we're used to doing - even if the transfer fee will not be re-invested on a new central defender."

Lorient could also see Arnold Mvuemba move on with this summer.

They hope to agree a new deal with the 25-year-old midfielder, who is now a free agent, but he has also been attracting interest from Bordeaux, Monaco and Paris St Germain.

But Gourcuff has already begun to compensate for the loss of Koscielny with Arsenal youngster Francis Coquelin set to join Lorient on loan.

The France Under-19 international will have medical before putting pen to paper with Les Merlus, who resume training on Monday

From skysports.com

England abate the burden on Arsenal supporters

Well what a amount of debris our civic ancillary dished up endure night. My actual column bout acknowledgment was all about acrimony and disappointment rather than analytic assay – just like if Arsenal accept a poor game. Of advance it’s all football and not hasty that the affect is agnate if watching England as watching Arsenal.

Arsenal will consistently appear afore England in my heart, but I’ll watch a bold in the esplanade and acquisition myself advancement one aggregation to win even admitting I’ve never apparent them play before.

All this got me cerebration about the parallels amid a poor England achievement and a poor Arsenal performance.

The big catechism that applies to both is….. are the players to accusation or the manager?

Did Capello become a bad administrator in the endure week? Do we accept a altered Arsène Wenger in allegation compared to the one who orchestrated the Invincibles?

The England ancillary lacked balance. Players were played out of position – Gerrard advanced left; Heskey just a allurement for the continued brawl with no end product; Lampard there just for his reputation. Joe Cole was the alone amateur accessible who could aftermath some abracadabra and he was larboard sitting on the bench. I’m 100% abiding that if Theo had been on the bank he would accept been brought on endure night, but he wasn’t even in the band – BIG mistake.

The administrator acutely bootless to say anthing to accomplish a aberration in his half-time aggregation allocution and he didn’t baddest the players from the bank who were able of axis the bold around. I don’t buy the altercation that the players are overpaid prima donnas who couldn’t care. To me they looked like they capital it too much, were afraid of abortion and could not handle the burden admitting their abundance of experience. I accede Capello to be the a lot of amiss for England’s poor performance.

Arsenal too accept been accusable of fielding abandon that abridgement antithesis and application players out of position. We accept favoured players who by all accounts are ablaze in training but abort to carbon that anatomy in matches. We accept looked clueless and defective in a plan B, so logically, one would apprehend to accord a lot of of the accusation to the administrator – and as we are all aware, abounding supporters yield that appearance to extremes.

Here I anticipate the allegory avalanche down. Unlike Capello, Arsène is accountable to a Board who’s aboriginal affair is the approaching and banking adherence of the club and possibly if I am cynical, the abeyant approaching amount of their investment. The bonbon coated PR that Arsenal agitate out is aboveboard aimed at giving the bulletin thay wish us to absorb rather than a accurate annual of activitiues abaft the scenes and Arsène is a assurance in that process. I accept he is currently authoritative statements apropos transfers that he knows are absurd to appear true.

Yes Arsène has fabricated some amazing aggregation selections and persevered with players who abounding accept will not accomplish the grade. Sometimes as in the case of Alex Song, he has been accepted appropriate andin added cases the board is still out. But he is the administrator and he is paid to accomplish those decisions.

Some of the media mongrels are already calling for Hary Redknapp to alter Capello. Although I’d like to see it artlessly because it would be abundant to apprehend all the whinging totnum fans, I don’t accept he has adeptness to administer abundant aloft the Championship.

So acknowledge you actual abundant Mr. Capello, you accept fabricated the cocky flagellation of getting an Arsenal adherent in the alteration window just a bit added tollerable. I admiration if Mr. Wenger has a wry smile on his face if he assemblage the angry accusation that his aeon Domenech and Capello are getting subjected to.

Defender atrocious for move to Arsenal

Lorient apostle Laurent Koscielny has appear that he is currently in negotiations with Arsenal in commendations to a move to the Premiership.

Manager Arsène Wenger has ahead declared that he wants to recruit new defenders afore the end of the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Koscielny has said that he's already met with Wenger, and is atrocious not to absence out on the befalling to move to North London.

The 24-year-old said: "Arsenal are one of the better European clubs, who plays in the Champions League. I anticipate it's a acceptable club to advance further. I do not wish to absence this opportunity.

"They accept contacted my representitives this week. I met with Arsène Wenger, as did my agents afterwards the end of endure season. It went well."

With a amount of axial defenders accepting larboard the club after accepting their affairs renewed, a accomplice for Thomas Vermaelen is crucial.

William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre accept all larboard Arsenal as chargeless agents.

From arsenalFc

Bendtner still confident, but Alex Song’s Cameroon in disarray

Todays bold amid Denmark and Cameroon should be a adventitious to see Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner play in absolute opposition, but it is now ambiguous whether they will both be on the pitch.

Bendtner played adjoin Holland for an hour admitting his beam injury, but is still hopeful he can play some allotment of todays bout as well. He thinks that his Denmark aggregation were a little afflicted in the 2-0 accident to Robin Van Persie’s team, and they can accomplish up for that defeat today.

“Everything looked beneath ascendancy until we gave abroad an simple goal, an own goal. It’s not something to abide on.” Bendtner said.

“I’m assured we will do bigger adjoin Cameroon because we acquire a acceptable team.”

He was again asked if he anticipation it would be difficult to play adjoin his Arsenal team-mate Song. He replied: “Alex had a acceptable division so will be a boxy opponent. But it’s not just him we acquire to play, it’s the accomplished team.”

Well the acceptable account for Bendtner is that he apparently WON’T acquire to face Song, as the in-form midfielder was demoted to the bank in the defeat adjoin Japan, and the accomplished aggregation seems to be up in accoutrements about drillmaster Paul Le Guen’s approach and aggregation selection.

Samuel Eto’o complained bitterly afterwards the Japan game. “Cameroon chose to appoint Paul Le Guen as administrator and it is up to him to face up to his responsibilities,” he said. “After the World Cup he will acquire to acknowledgment for his decisions. I played area Paul told me to, arresting the abut … I am the best striker in the history of Cameroonian and African football, but I acquire to play area the drillmaster tells me to. I’m answerable to acquire difficult situations.”

Achille Emana, who was aswell larboard on the bank adjoin Japan, has alleged for his administrator to reinstate himself and Song aback into todays team.

“The adolescent players cannot bear the array of burden that comes with arena in big tournaments,” Emana said. “That is why we are ambrosial on the administrator to amend afore the next game.”

As both teams absent their aboriginal games, the also-ran today will be as acceptable as on the even home, and at atomic one added Arsenal amateur will be starting their summer holidays early, forth with the Gunners French contingent…

Wenger and Dion Dublin disagree on Walcott

Arsène Wenger seems to be the only person who thinks Theo Walcott should have gone to the World Cup.

The Arsenal boss believes his player had the quality to make an impact for England, and was surprised to find out he wasn't included in Fabio Capello's squad.

However, the Frenchman is backing Walcott to bounce back from this disappointment.

He said: "I must say that it was a big surprise and it was sad aswell. Theo is not only a quality player but he can have an impact when he comes on. However you have to live with the verdict.

"I've had a little text exchange with Theo and he will bounce back. In fact I think it will make him even more determined for next season. He is a very level-headed guy and very strong."

Dion Dublin disagrees, and thinks Walcott doesn't offer enough as a winger for the strikers in the box.

The former Man Utd and Aston Villa striker was not surprised to see Walcott dropped, as he believes there are several superior players who can play in that position for England.

He said: "Talking strictly as a centre forward, I need an end product, I need crosses in the box as a centre forward.

He added: "If you've got Theo, Lennon and Wright-Phillips, who's going to give you the best end product? As a forward I would probably have left Theo at home for that reason. All of the other reasons he would have made it in, but Mr. Capello knows his players better than anyone else."

From arsenal-mania.com

Fabregas claims to concentrate on national team now

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas recently said that he is focusing on the national team commitments and he is not concerned right now with the media news that he may move to Barcelona after the World Cup 2010 concludes.

23-year-old Cesc Fabregas is playing for Spain in the World Cup as midfielder.

He said, “I am isolated from it all and I am not thinking about anything else apart from the national team,” Fabregas said, as quoted by the Press Association. I have come to play a World Cup, which is the best thing possible for a player, with the same excitement that I had at the World Cup in Germany when I was 19.”

He also added further that he is hungry of doing something important and he will give everything for it with lots of desire and making sure that competitiveness and hunger did not lack in him.

Fabregas has the credit of 6 goals in fifty games for Spain. His debut was in 2006.

From arsenalspot.net

Song left on bench as Cameroon lose to Japan

Alex Song was not involved as Cameroon suffered a 1-0 defeat to Japan on Monday.

Paul Le Guen opted to leave the Arsenal midfielder on the bench and the 22-year-old did not see any action as Keisuke Honda's first-half strike earned Japan three points in Group E.

It was the first time Cameroon have lost their opening game at a World Cup.

The result means defeat to Denmark on Saturday would take The Indomitable Lions' fate out of their own hands and could end their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 if other results go against them.

From Arsenal.com

Arsenal to plan £4million bid for Nigerian keeper

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is rumoured to be considering a move for Nigerian international keeper Vincent Enyeama. The north London manager was apparently already an admirer of the Hapoel Tel Aviv goalie who had impressed in Europa League action last season during wins over Celtic and Rapid Vienna and his latest display against Argentina has further illustrated the 27 year old’s ability at the highest level.

Wenger is keen to sign a new keeper after seeing Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski put in a series of woeful performances last term and has been linked with moves for a number of potential replacements including Hugo Lloris and Joe Hart.

Enyeama has helped his Israeli side to the league and cup double last term and is known for his penchant for taking penalty kicks and has been linked with a move to La Liga in recent months. The Nigerian is thought to be available for around £4m.

Source: Caught Offside Blog

It appears very likely that Wenger is looking for a new keeper who is old enough not to inhibit our young goalies coming through the ranks and perhaps why he is ignoring such talents as Lloris and Neur of France and Germany. If Wenger has seriously looked at the Nigerian stopper before then this could seem real and his game versus Argentina was great however Wenger will not buy based on the world cup alone; I still believe he will be more tempted by Schwarzer should he be able to get him.

From arsenaltransfers.co.uk

Preview: Netherlands - Denmark

The Dutch masters will face Danish dynamite at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Fans of the beautiful game will keep an eye on Dutch stars Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder who won't get support from Arjen Robben who has recovered from a hamstring injury but is not ready to face Denmark.

Danish coach Morten Olsen will put his trust in the strong centre halfs Simon Kjaer and Daniel Agger who will have to stay focused for more than 90 minutes as they face one of the world's best forward lines. Liverpool winger Dirk Kuyt and Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart will feature alongside Sneijder and Van Persie who will get support from Bayern München captain Mark van Bommel and Manchester City pitbull Nigel de Jong.

Oranje will hope to continue the outstanding form of their preparation matches in which they stunned Mexico, Ghana and Hungary. Denmark doestn't have the backing of great friendly results considering their disapponting displays against Australia and South Africa.

The Netherlands are favourite in their group with Denmark, Japan and Cameroon battling for second place. However, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has warned his players ahead of the crucial first match.

"A lot of people will probably think that we will make it to the next round without too much trouble. However, our opponents shouldn't be underestimated," said Van Marwijk.

Star player Nicklas Bendtner is sidelined with an groin strain and won't be able to help his side against Oranje. He did had some mental support for his teammates: "It's important that we stay realistic. Of course we're going there to win the tournament, but having said that, we don't have the same means as other big countries," the Arsenal striker said.

"However, we'll do our very best. Denmark have produced plenty of upsets in football history, so why not again?"

Bendtner is expected to miss Denmark's against Holland

Striker Nicklas Bendtner is expected to miss Denmark's against Holland on Monday, with coach Morten Olsen admitting that it would be 'a dream' to expect the 22-year-old to be ready.

The Danish international has been struggling with a groin injury since the end of the domestic season, and hasn't been training with the rest of the Danish squad in the World Cup.

Olsen said: "We'd love to have him back of course but I think I would be dreaming to have him back. I don't think he will play.

"Surely we hope to have him back (sometime during the World Cup), he is good player, a talented player and we hope."

Bendtner added: "You want to be 100 percent but you have to take it day-by-day and see what happens.

"No, I am not confident I will play (against the Netherlands), I will take it day-by-day then see how it works and see what happens.

"I am still missing a few things and it is not great but we will see."

Denmark will travel to Johannesburg on Saturday ahead of their Group E opener on Monday against the Netherlands.

However, striker Robin van Persie is expected to lead the Dutch attack in that same match


Written by Jonathan Chong