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BREAKING: Walcott out Gnabry starts for Arsenal v Stoke

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been forced to make a quick a quick adjustment to his starting lineup as Theo Walcott is ill and will not start against Stoke City.

Walcott was initially named in the Arsenal starting team, but a very late team change sees the England winger dropped from the team and 18-year-old Serge Gnabry comes into the starting team to make his debut, while 31. Ryo Miyaichi has been drafted into the squad to replace Walcott.

Meanwhile, Wenger has been talking about his new signing Mesut Ozil recently and the Gunners boss looks ahead of the German home debut.

“There’s a lot of expectation when you make a big signing like that, but hopefully he is used to that and I hope he doesn’t put too much responsibility on his shoulders,” he told reporters in his pre-game interview.

About the return of striker Nicklas Bendtner in the squad, Wenger said: “Bendtner has worked very hard and deserves a place on the bench today.”

Midfielder Mikel Arteta is also on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury.

“Mikel Arteta is just a little bit short but it’s good to have him back also.”

Arsenal v Stoke City

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Gnabry, Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud
Subs: Vermaelen, Arteta, Viviano, Monreal, Jenkinson, Miyaichi, Bendtner

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters, Walters, Nzonzi, Adam, Wilson, Arnautovic, Jones
Subs: Whelan, Pennant, Palacios, Crouch, Etherington, Sorensen, Ireland

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Nani signs new five year contract with Manchester United

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MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — English Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United have announced that Nani has signed a new five year contract on Thursday.

Nani, despite failing to hold down a first team position at Old Trafford last season, has decided to extend his contract with the club to June 2018.

Manchester United manager David Moyes was delighted about the deal.

“I’m really pleased Nani has re-signed for the next five years,” Moyes said on Manchester United website at www.manutd.com.

“He has great ability and experience beyond his 26 years. I’ve been impressed with his approach to training and look forward to working with him in the coming seasons.”

The Portuguese winger, who signed for United in May 2007, has already won four Barclays Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League crown in his six seasons with the club and he too is excited about his future with the Premier League champions.

Nani also said on www.manutd.com: “Playing at United has been a fantastic experience for me. When I came to the Club, I never imagined the success we have enjoyed.

“Training every day with top players who want to win trophies every year is a great motivation to me.

“I’m very happy that the new manager has shown this faith in me and I’m looking forward to helping the team compete for more honours this season.”

Villas-Boas warns Tottenham to offer Bale contract or risk losing him to Real Madrid

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Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale linked with move to Real Madrid

LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Tottenham manager André Villas-Boas has warned the club to act quickly in offering star player Gareth Bale a new contract, following reports that the player could be interested in leaving for Real Madrid.

Bale had a spectacular year in the English Premier League [EPL] with Tottenham, but wants to test his skills playing against the best in Europe and Champions League football is the only way to do so.

Tottenham had a very impressive campaign this past season, but finished fifth in the EPL and thus failing to qualify for the Champions League for next season, which has hurt Bale in every single way possible.

The Wales winger is now a major target for all the top European clubs, but it is believed that Real Madrid has taken a special liking for him and there are reports claiming that he could be tempted in moving to Spain.

The rumours have left Spurs boss Villas-Boas unsettled and according to The Sun, the talented manager has made a fresh plea to club chairman Daniel Levy to give Bale a new deal.

It was only recently that Bale’s agent revealed that Spurs have not moved to discussed new contract for the player as yet and stating that he’s not for sale doesn’t guarantee that he will stay.

Reports claimed that EPL sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, along with French outfits PSG and Real Madrid are the top clubs interested in Bale’s signature and his agent Jonathan Barnett can see why.

“If Florentino [Pérez, the Real president] is interested in Gareth Bale, it would be an honour and we’d listen,” Barnett said.

“But his contract is with Tottenham. We aren’t free to talk with anybody at the moment, that’s the point we’re at.

“I can understand a lot of teams are interested in him. He’s a great player but he has a contract with Tottenham.

“I don’t know if there has been a bid [from Real]. What I do know is that the player has three years left on his contract.”

Argentina vs Venezuela: Live Score Updates, Team News

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(Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi and Argentina will be looking to go back to the top of the South American World Cup qualifying group with a win over Venezuela on Friday night.

Argentina will be without Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, who are both injured, but have field a strong team that should take all three points.

The attacking strike force, which is led by Barcelona forward and captain Messi, also includes Gonzalo Higuaín and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Fernando Gago, Walter Montillo and Javier Mascherano will play in midfield, with Ezequiel Garay and Pablo Zabaleta leading the backline.

Forward Rondon will have to be marked very closely by the Argentina defenders, as the Venezuela frontman is capable of putting teams on the back foot if he’s given too much time and space.

He’s currently the leading scorer for Venezuela in the qualifiers with three.

Argentina v Venezuela

Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Montillo, Lavezzi, Messi, Higuain.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Sosa, Maximiliano Rodriguez, Basanta, Clemente Rodriguez, Palacio, Ever, Guinazu, Ponzio, Di Santo, Andujar.

Venezuela: Daniel Hernandez, Alexander Gonzalez, Vizcarrondo, Tunez, Cichero, Lucena, Rincon, Frank Feltscher, Arango, Seijas, Rondon.
Subs: Morales, Rolf Feltscher, Velazquez, Evelio Hernandez, Miku, Perozo, Pena, Cesar Gonzalez, Otero, Francisco Flores, Martinez, Romo.

Referee: Vitor Hugo Carrillo (Peru)

Bale better than Messi, Ronaldo right now – Dawson

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Gareth Bale is the best player in the world at the moment, this is according to Tottenham teammate Michael Dawson.

Bales has been in the form of his life at the moment, which seems him being compared to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

And after netting another goal on Sunday to take his tally to 20 for the season, Dawson commented that the winger, at the moment, is even better than the Real Madrid and Barcelona stars.

“Gaz (Bale) is up there with Ronaldo and Messi in terms of ability,” said Dawson in a promotional interview for Topman.

“He’s one of the best players in the world at the moment, and probably the best in the world for me right now.

“Some of the things he does would have Ronaldo blush.

“His goal this season against Norwich where he picked the ball up in his own half and dribbled past all those players before having the calm and composure to put in the bottom corner.

“… He’s been brilliant and credit to him.”

Bale and Tottenham are currently sitting third in the English Premier League standings and looks set to win of the Champions League places for next season.

Manchester United want to keep Nani – Fergie

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MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has signal his intentions to keep winger Nani at Manchester United, but stating that the English Premier League leaders want to keep the Portuguese.

Nani’s future at Manchester United has been in doubt since the start of the season and purchase of Wilfiried Zaha was a sure sign his time at Old Trafford was almost over.

However, Ferguson has admitted that the club wants to keep Nani, whose contract expires at the end of next season, and revealed that talks are ongoing with the player’s agent to secure a new deal.

“We want to keep him, there’s no doubt about that,” Ferguson said on Manchester United official website at www.manutd.com.

“He’s capable of scoring incredible goals. His goal against Everton, when he dinked the keeper after playing a couple of one-twos, was incredible.

“And the goal against Tottenham the year before, where he dinked the goalkeeper after playing a one-two, was another one.

“The boy has an incredible talent for winning matches. He’s one of the best match-winners in the game, and I include the whole of Europe in that.”

Wood, Knockaert back: Leicester City v Wolves, Scores

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(Sporting Alert) — Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has make four changes to his side for tonight’s npower Championship clash with Wolves at King Power Stadium.

Follow Live Score Updates Will Be Here…

Amongst those coming back is top goalscorer Chris Wood, who started on the bench, but came on to scorer the equaliser in the FA Cup draw at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Wood was being bothered by a knee problem.

Also coming into the starting lineup is French winger Anthony Knockaert, who passed a late fitness test on his ankle.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson had said he was hoping for Knockaert to be available and the boss is now happy to have the midfielder back.

Elsewhere, Danny Drinkwater and David Nugent also return to the first XI after sitting out the Huddersfield Town game.

Leicester City v Wolves

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert, King, Drinkwater, Marshall, Wood, Nugent
Subs: Logan, Vardy, Dyer, Waghorn, Gallagher, Wellens, Futacs

Wolverhampton: Ikeme, Foley, Batth, Berra, Ward, Doumbia, Henry, O’Hara, Sako, Sigurdarson, Ebanks-Blake
Subs: De Vries, Edwards, Peszko, Davis, Doyle, Margreitter, Cassidy

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)

Manchester United Transfer News: Zaha to join EPL side in July

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MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — English Premier League side Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace in July.

Zaha, who is being taunted as one of the brightest young prospects in England, had attracted attention from several EPL sides, including Arsenal.

However, the 20-year-old highly-rated winger has decided to join Manchester United, and he will do so in the summer after finishing up the rest of season with Crystal Palace.

“Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha have reached an agreement for the player to join Manchester United in July 2013,” the club said in a statement on its official website at www.manutd.com.

“The player is having a medical in Manchester today (Friday, January 25).

“There will be no further comment by any party until Wilfried joins United in July 2013.”

Crystal Palace, in the meantime, confirmed that Zaha has agreed personal terms with the EPL leaders, but as expected, he has been loaned back to them for the remainder of the season.

“I feel this is a great deal for the club and the player,” Palace co-chairman Steve Parish said on Palace’s official website at www.cpfc.co.uk.

“We would like to thank Wilf for all he has done for the club and we all wish him well when he joins Manchester United in the summer.

“It was essential to Wilf and ourselves that he stayed at Palace for the remainder of this season to help the club with its main aim of promotion to the Premier League.”

Zaha, who won his first cap with the England national team in November, has been tipped to have a very productive career under Sir Alex Ferguson and he’s delighted about the move.

“I am delighted to be joining Manchester United and ending the recent speculation,” Zaha said.

At the same time, he’s also looking to play at his best for Palace until the time comes for him to move on.

“I would like to thank the owners at Palace for making the move possible, however my focus for the next five months will be solely at Crystal Palace,” he said.

“I have been at Palace for more than 10 years, I will always love the club and I want to help get them get back to the Premier League, particularly for the fans who have always been so good to me.”

Manchester United manager Ferguson is also delighted to have struck a deal for Zaha and tips him to develop at Old Trafford.

“As we like to do, we sign young players with potential,” the manager said.

“We can also develop players well here. That’s proved to be the case many times.

“Hopefully the boy will enjoy it coming here when he eventually does join us in the summer.”

The tweet that earlier claimed that Zaha was heading to the side that leads the English Premier League standings has now proven to be correct, despite being reported as a fake account.

Wilfried Zaha To Join Manchester United This Week – Reports

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Wilfried Zaha Will Leave Crystal Palace And Join Manchester United, Transfer Rumors Are Saying. But From All Indications, It Seems He’s Certainly Leaving For Real.

LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Crystal Palace star winger Wilfried Zaha is set to join English Premier League leaders Manchester United this week, reports in England are saying.

Championship side Crystal Palace had stated that any reports linking Zaha to a departure from the club were just football transfer gossip, but The Sun is now reporting that the targeted winger will join Manchester United in the current transfer window.

In fact, the paper claims that Zaha will join Sir Alex Ferguson side this week on a £12million fee.

The 20-year-old has been the transfer target of several clubs in the domestic league, and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has apparently admitted to being powerless to stop him from leaving.

Holloway was quoted as saying, “After what he did against Stoke at Selhurst Park the vultures came in for him — what can I do about it?

“People should be talking about him. He can play anywhere he likes, he is that bloody good.”

Jose Mourinho sticking by decision to drop Casillas

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MADRID (Sporting Alert) Headline hitting coach Jose Mourinho has hit back at those who criticized him for dropping captain and No. 1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas, stating that no one player is bigger than Real Madrid.

Mourinho has been firmly criticized over his decision to drop Casillas in Real Madrid’s defeat to Malaga in the last outing before the winter break, and the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager pulled no punches in his come back comments.

“I don’t see [Casillas] as a monument. For me the monument is Real Madrid and the Real Madrid coach must always do what’s best for the team,” the Real Madrid manager Mourinho said in Dubai, where he was collecting the 2012 Globe Soccer Coach of the Year Award.

“It’s as simple as that. I don’t see the need to kick up a fuss or talk about monuments or any of that stuff”, he added.

Mourinho showered praises on winger Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that he’s a “star” but added that no one player makes up a club.

The Portugal coach also spoke about the responsibilities of managing a big club.

“A coach goes through good spells and bad spells,” he said. “It’s not easy to be in charge of a squad with 20-25 players, all from different countries.

“Football must be the most important thing in their lives, and you have to hammer that home.

“My main goal is to keep my players motivated on a day-to-day basis.”

Real Madrid are 16 points behind leaders Barcelona in the Spanish Premier League and seven points behind second place Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho’s side is in third.

He’s already given up on retaining the title his team won last season.