World Cup 2006

How to win a Cup Final in Europe

2006-05-17T02:35:00.000-07:00

So how do you win a European final? As Arsenal's clash with Barcelona draws ever closer, we're taking a trip down memory lane to show you how.

Parma, with Tomas Brolin, Faustino Asprilla and Gianfranco Zola in their prime, were the overwhelming favourites when Arsenal met them in the Cup Winners' Cup Final in Copenhagen, but George Graham's team pulled off a shock triumph.

Alan Smith's left-foot volley bounced in off the post to give Arsenal a first-half lead and a sterling defensive effort, plus some vital saves from David Seaman, secured victory against the odds.

Wenger backs Arsenal to triumph

2006-05-17T02:31:00.000-07:00

Wenger backs Arsenal to triumph

Uefa Champions League final

Arsenal v Barcelona

Stade de France, Paris

Wednesday 18 May, 1945BST

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident his team can beat Barcelona in Paris to win the Champions League.

He said: "I always believed there was something special about this team. They have a combination of humility, hunger, strength, togetherness and talent.

"We have worked hard and improved a lot - now we want to finish the job.

"When you get to the final you want to take the cup home and I am convinced we are ready for the challenge. We have peaked at the right moment."

Wenger believes his side's victory over Real Madrid in the first knockout stage gave his players the belief that they could lift the trophy despite their patchy form in the Premiership this season.

Jose dismisses Simao link

2006-05-17T02:29:00.000-07:00

Chelsea manager Murinho has dismissed rumours suggesting Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa is about to move to Stamford Bridge.

The Benfica star was a target for Liverpool last summer and in the January transfer window, but a deal could not be negotiated and he eventually ended up playing a major role when the Lisbon club knocked the Reds out of the UCL.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is still believed to be keen to land the 26-year-old, but press reports suggested the Premiership champions were poised to win the race for his signature.

Real Madrid finish second despite another loss

2006-05-17T02:27:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid lost 4-3 at Sevilla but still finished second in the Primera Liga as Osasuna beat Valencia 2-1 to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their last games of the season on Tuesday.

Goals from David Beckham put Real two up inside 26 minutes but UEFA Cup winners Sevilla stunned the visitors by scoring four times before the break to take control of the game

Zinedine Zidane, in his last match as a Real player before retiring, pulled a goal back in the second half.Real finished behind champions Barcelona with 70 points to earn a place in next season's Champions League group stage.Valencia were third with 69 after Savo Milosevic and David Lopez scored for Osasuna, who came fourth with 68.

Wenger - Fitting script for departing Bergkamp

2006-05-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

The last act in the dramatic career of Bergkamp will be written on Wednesday and, according to Arsène Wenger, the script is almost perfect.

The Dutchman will retire after the Champions League Final against Barcelona in Paris, bringing the curtain down on a 20-year footballing life that has been full of wonderful goals and silver-lined with trophies. Bergkamp was not signed by Wenger but is the epitome of the side he has created — stylish, technical and professional. The manager feels that a swansong in Europe’s top club game could not be more fitting.

“You can say that Dennis has battled for 10 years to get us where we are," he said. "So I am especially happy for him to be in the Champions League Final on the last day of his career. It could not be a better script for him.”

Gilberto warns: There's more to Barca than Ronaldinho

2006-05-17T02:21:00.000-07:00

Midfielder Gilberto has warned his Arsenal team-mates not to become obsessed by Ronaldinho in tonight's Champions League final against Barcelona.

The match at the Stade de France in Paris has been billed as a clash between the best two players in the world, in Ronaldinho and Arsenal's Thierry Henry. But Gilberto revealed there was no way he would be given the job of man-marking his Brazilian teammate with whom he will team up when Brazil attempt to defend their world crown in Germany next month. Gilberto said: ``To stop him we need to stop all of them. If we do our job like we have done in the last couple of games we have a good chance. ``I have never played against Ronaldinho. I have only played with him for the national team. Arsenal have never asked me to mark man for man.'' Gilberto's powerful presence, however, will be crucial in protecting Arsenal's defence from a Barcelona attack which is regarded as the most lethal and exciting in club football.

Wenger confident of Paris win

2006-05-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

Wenger is confident of his team's ability to overcome "the best team in Europe" in tomorrow's Champions League final.

He said: "I always believed there was something special about this team. They have a combination of humility, hunger, strength, togetherness and talent.

"We have worked hard and improved a lot - now we want to finish the job.

"When you get to the final you want to take the cup home and I am convinced we are ready for the challenge. We have peaked at the right moment."

After victories over European giants Juventus and Real Madrid, Wenger says the confidence level in his young squad has never been higher.

Wenger added: "The biggest enemy of every sportsman is confidence. It goes so quickly.

"There were times when this team lost complete belief.

"They were difficult times but I could always rely on the experienced players not to give and rebuild confidence.

"I have tried to convince these players they are top quality. I am happy to have been proven right but this is another step we want to take.

"Barcelona are a very good team but playing at our best we can beat them. Even if it is the best team we will play in the Champions League this season, I still believe we can do it."

Wenger is also hoping for an entertaining final in tomorrow's match, with both teams known for their stylish attacking play.

Wenger continued: "I love football and I think everybody in Europe wanted this final. It is a pleasure for people who love football.

"It could be a crazy game if there's an early goal but it's difficult to predict. In a final the game can be locked for a while but at some moment it will open up."

Puyol: Henry's no one-man team

2006-05-17T02:18:00.000-07:00

The 28-year-old defender is likely to be given the unenviable task of marking Henry in Paris, but knows that Arsenal are far from a one-man team.

"You cannot focus just on one player because there are many great players who will be dangerous," said Puyol.

"Arsenal are a strong team defensively, in that all their players work very hard and they break forward very quickly."

He continued: "We know that we are capable of winning every title that we go for.

"The challenge is to work hard and not become complacent, because that would be our undoing. As usual, we intend to keep possession and work as a team.

Going to the Game: Barcelona vs Arsenal

2006-05-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

A good flight, a great lunch and then to the Champions Festival at the Eiffel Tower.
As you can see from the photograph the sky in Paris is overcast.
It's warm and sticky with speckles of rain blown by a blustery wind.
The local forecasters don't all agree but it's likely to be similar weather on Wednesday for the final.

I've met supporters of both teams - and both sides are forecasting a high scoring match.
Josep and Eduard who I talked to over a beer in a brasserie are convinced Barca will win by four clear goals.
Ronaldinho is the greatest they said - and next year Thierry Henry will be with us.
Words no Arsenal fan wants to hear.

Kevin from north London believes the Gunners will win 3:1 but he also admitted he fears - lose or win, Henry will be heading for Spain this summer.

This is yours truly, Bill Hutchison standing alongside the 'Cup with the Big Ears'
The Champions League Trophy - which is on display at the Champions Festival.
It's an awesome feeling just being close to soccer's holy grail
What it must be like to hold it high as the captain of a winning team defies the imagination.

Toni is a happy, smiling Barcelona fan I talked to at the airport and then met again at the Champions Festival.
Toni is certain Barca will win 3:1 - it's my photo editing that reduced his winning forecast by one.
I'm sure he'll forgive me - as long as his team wins.

An Arsenal fan gets in to the swing of things with the UEFA mascot.

Sir Alex still searching for Keane's replacement

2006-05-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he has been forced to look abroad in a bid to fill the void left by Roy Keane's departure last December.

Over the past 25 years, United have relied on the battling qualities of Bryan Robson, Keane and, to a lesser extent, Paul Ince to provide the driving force from midfield. However, Ferguson believes there are no such players available in Britain at the moment. Lyon's £24million-rated midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is reportedly top of Ferguson's wanted list, while Villarreal playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and Valencia's Aldo Duscher have also been linked with a move to Old Trafford. But while Ferguson hopes he can recruit a foreign replacement to match Keane's playing ability, the United boss accepts finding one with the same leadership qualities will be almost impossible. Ferguson told MUTV: 'It's not easy to replace Roy Keane, just as it wasn't when Bryan Robson came to the end of his career. We looked for a new Bryan Robson and fortunately we were very lucky to get Roy Keane. 'That scenario is on us again. We've got to get a Roy Keane and we've got to complete that quest in terms of getting that type of player who can influence not just the dressing room but also on the field 'We have some ideas in mind in that respect, maybe not exactly a Roy Keane-type but players who would add to the midfield. 'One of the benefits of Roy was, even though he was from the Republic of Ireland, it was like he was British, so there was no problem in terms of his culture and the language. He was a Manchester lad really, we brought him here from Nottingham at a young age. 'In the present situation where we're looking for a Roy Keane there is no-one, absolutely no-one, of that type in the English game. There are some good players in the English game but not a Roy Keane-type. 'So when we look abroad we have to take into consideration that he's not going to be a Roy Keane in terms of his influence in the dressing room because of culture, language, things like that. 'It will be a different type of player but hopefully it will be somebody who has the qualities that we need.'

Barcelona v Arsenal (Wed)

2006-05-16T03:03:00.000-07:00

Uefa Champions League final

Arsenal v Barcelona

Stade de France, Paris

Wednesday 17 May, 1945BST

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could face a dilemma if central defender Philippe Senderos and stop-gap left-back Mathieu Flamini are declared fit.

Senderos (knee) and Flamini (hamstring) should be back from injury and will be challenging Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole for starting places.

Barcelona are giving forward Lionel Messi as much time as possible to recover from a thigh injury.

He has not played for two months because of the problem.

BIG MATCH NOTES

Undefeated sides clash in Champions League final

When Arsenal and FC Barcelona meet in Saint-Dénis on Wednesday, two undefeated sides will contest the final of this season's Champions League.

The two teams have recorded eight victories and four draws each in their first 12 matches.

It is the third time since the competition began in 1992 that two teams have reached the final unbeaten.

This also occurred in 1992/93 and 93/94. In the former final, Olympique Marseille beat AC Milan by 1-0.

Milan made amends in style the next season by beating Barcelona 4-0.

Arsenal retain watertight defence in knockout phase

Arsenal have not conceded a Champions League goal since 27 September 2005.

The sequences of 10 consecutive clean sheets and 919 minutes without letting in a goal are both Champions League records.

Rijkaard can join exclusive club

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard won the Champions League three times (1989, 1990 and 1995) as a player and hopes to join the short list of Champions Cup/Champions League winners as player and trainer.

Only four people have done this - Miguel Munoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff and Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti was the last to accomplish the feat and he was one of the players who partnered Rijkaard as a player, winning the 1988/89 and 1989/90 Champions Cup trophies with AC Milan.

In the latter final, Rijkaard scored the only goal of the match as the 'rossoneri' overcame Benfica.

By 1995, Rijkaard had returned to the club where he started his professional career, Amsterdam-based side Ajax.

In the final against former employer AC Milan, he provided the assist for Patrick Kluivert's match winner.

Arsenal can complete a set of European silverware

If Arsenal beat Barcelona, they will add the missing piece in a set of European silverware.

In 1969/70, Arsenal's Fairs Cup win gave the Londoners their first European honours.

In 1993/94, the Gunners added the Cup Winners' Cup to their trophy cabinet.

Only four clubs, including Arsenal's opponents Barcelona, have won all three European competitions at least once.

Barca have won the Champions Cup/Champions League once, the Cup Winners' Cup four times and the Fairs Cup/Uefa Cup three times.

The other teams that have completed the set are Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus and therefore Arsenal can become the first English club to accomplish the feat.

Neither finalists have fond memories of shoot-outs deciding finals in European competition

In the 1979/80 Cup Winners' Cup final, Arsenal were denied by another Spanish side - Valencia - in a penalty shoot-out.

After 120 minutes of football, the match was scoreless. Valencia's Mario Kempes and Arsenal's Liam Brady both missed the opening spot-kicks.

The following nine were converted before Graham Rix saw his attempt parried by Valencia goalkeeper-turned-hero, Carlos Pereira.

Barcelona were involved in the most embarrassing penalty shoot-out, from the point of view of the takers at least, in the 1985/86 Champions Cup final.

Barca custodian Urruti saved the first two attempts by Steaua Bucharest, but surrendered two goals after that.

All four Barcelona penalties were saved by Steaua goalie Helmuth Ducadam, who became a European legend overnight.

In the final of the 1999/2000 Uefa Cup, Arsenal's shootout woes made Galatasaray the first ever Turkish winners of European silverware.

Gala goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel saw Arsenal's Davor Suker and Patrick Vieira both hit the woodwork, as his team mates made no mistake from the spot.

Definitions of terms used:-

Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992/1993.
Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955/1956 including qualification matches.
European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League).
Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.

Head-to-Head

FC Barcelona and Arsenal have met each other twice in Europe. In the 1999/2000 Champions League first round group phase, these sides drew 1-1 at the Camp Nou, but the Spaniards won 2-4 in London.

Arsenal players Thierry Henry, Fredrik Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp were involved in both encounters. Barcelona's Gabri made one substitute appearance, whilst Xavi and Carles Puyol were on the bench for both legs.

Barcelona have played 51 European matches against clubs from England and have won 24, drawn 14 and lost 13. The Spaniards have outscored the English clubs by 101-63.

Barca have been eliminated from European competition by English clubs on six occasions. They have eliminated English clubs from the knock-out stages 12 times.

The Catalan-based club have met English opposition in three European finals. After winning the Fairs Cup in 1958 and 1960 by defeating London XI and Birmingham City respectively, the Catalans lost the final of the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup against Manchester United (2-1).

Arsenal have played 20 European matches against clubs from Spain and have won seven, drawn five and lost eight.

Arsenal have been eliminated from European competition by Spanish clubs on three occasions, including the lost Cup Winners' Cup finals to Valencia (1980) and Real Zaragoza (1995).

Arsenal have knocked out three Spanish clubs from European competition, including Real Madrid in this season's Champions League second round.

European history

The best result by Barcelona in the Champions League is finishing runners-up to AC Milan in 1993/94.

In 1992, Barcelona won the Champions Cup. They have also amassed four Cup Winners' Cups, three Uefa Cups and two European Super Cups.

This is Barca's 10th season in the Champions League.

Arsenal's best result in the Champions League is reaching the final of this year's competition.

The Londoners are making their eighth appearance in the CL main competition.

Arsenal's European trophies are the 1969/1970 Fairs Cup and the 1993/94 Cup Winners' Cup.

Current European form

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 12 Champions League matches. Their last loss was the 4-2 defeat at Chelsea last season.

Barcelona's club record unbeaten run in the Champions League stands at 16 and was set between May 2002 and April 2003.

Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in their last four CL matches, thereby equalling the club record for most successive clean sheets in the Champions League which was set between February and March 2003.

Together with Arsenal, Barcelona are the only unbeaten team in this season's Champions League.

Arsenal's undefeated run in the Champions League is now 13 matches, which is a club record in the competition. The club record in European competition stands at 16 and was set between September 1993 and April 1995.

This Champions League season, the Gunners have so far won eight matches and drawn four, outscoring their opponents by 14-2.

The only players that have scored against Arsenal this CL season are Nelson Ferreira (FC Thun) and Markus Rosenberg (Ajax).

Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 10 CL matches. The previous CL record was held by AC Milan, who kept seven clean sheets in the 2004/05 season.

The 10 consecutive clean sheets also mark an all-time record in all European competitions. The previous record of nine was set by Ajax in the late 1980s.

The 919 minutes without conceding a goal is also a Champions League record, clearly ahead of Ajax's run of 658 minutes without conceding a goal, set in 1996.

Player and disciplinary info

Rafael Marquez, Carles Puyol and Mark van Bommel (Barcelona) will be suspended if they receive a yellow card.

Arsenal's Kolo Habib Toure and Matthieu Flamini will be suspended if they receive a yellow card.

Xavi is the most experienced Barcelona player with 57 CL appearances.

The other players in the Barcelona squad with at least 50 Champions League matches are Carles Puyol (56) and Deco (52).

Ronaldinho and Deco are the most prolific goalscorers in Barcelona's squad with 11 career goals in the Champions League. Samuel Eto'o is on 10 goals.

Ronaldinho (seven) and Samuel Eto'o (five) are Barcelona's top scorers this Champions League season.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is the only Barcelona player to have played in every Champions League match this season.

Van Bronckhorst was signed from Arsenal in 2003. He played 11 Champions League matches for the Gunners.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been in goal for seven of the 10 clean sheet matches and also kept a clean sheet in his last match before this season's run - the 1-0 win against Bayern Munich.

In total, Lehmann has kept goal for Arsenal for 745 minutes without conceding a goal. This is a CL record previously held by Edwin van der Sar, who in the 1995/96 season did not concede a goal for 658 minutes while playing for Ajax.

The last player to score against Lehmann was Hasan Salihamidzic in the 65th minute of Bayern's 3-1 victory against Arsenal in last season's Champions League.

Thierry Henry is Arsenal's most experienced player and top scorer in this competition with 78 matches and 41 goals. His 69 matches for Arsenal in the competition are the most by an Arsenal player.

Henry has scored 49 goals in all European competitions and can become the seventh player to net 50 times if he scores against Barcelona.

Fredrik Ljungberg has made more appearances in the Champions League than any other Swede (59).

Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast, 36) and Lauren (Cameroon, 53) are also the CL record appearance makers for their countries.

Cesc Fabregas is the only Arsenal player to have appeared in every Champions League match this season.

Henry clinched his fourth English top scorer title this season by netting 27 goals in the Premiership.

Other miscellaneous facts

FC Barcelona have already clinched the Spanish league title.

Arsenal ensured themselves of Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the Premiership.

How can Arsenal beat Barcelona?

2006-05-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

Barcelona

After seeing off Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal, Arsenal have just one more obstacle to overcome in their quest to become European champions for the first time.

But what an obstacle. Barcelona, La Liga champions and widely regarded as the finest club side on the continent, will stand in Arsenal's way at the Stade de France.

On paper, Barca are a formidable force with Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco, Giuly and Xavi offering pace, power and flair going forward, while Carlos Puyol marshals a defence which has conceded just four times in this season's competition.

So how can Arsenal penetrate such powerful opponents in Paris? Who do Barcelona fear in the Arsenal side? How will the Final be won and lost? We asked Inigo Gurruchaga of El Pais for his expert insight ahead of Wednesday's big game.

Inigo, Barcelona will start Wednesday's Final as favourites to win. But do they have weaknesses Arsenal can exploit?

"Their weakest point is in the full-back positions, where they don't have the same marking disciplines as they do in other areas of the pitch. The former Arsenal boys, Silvinho and Van Bronckhorst, are very good going forward but they are not natural defenders. The same applies to Presas Oleguer on the right, he is a super player but is more fragile defensively. Barcelona have very good defenders in the centre and Edmilson offers extra protection as the holding midfield player, but they can be exploited on the wings.

"The goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, is another possible weakness. There is a lot of pressure on him in every match. He is a very self-assured man but there have been games this season when he has been at fault and he doesn't have the stature of his team-mates. He's not in the Spanish squad and there is pressure on him performing in a big match like this."

England v Spain has been a common theme in European competition this season. What factors will decide Wednesday's game?

"Traditionally the question has been about which team imposes its rhythm on the game. There is a slower pace to the Spanish game, they wait and wait to find an opening, and some English teams in the past have been hypnotised by that. When Manchester United lost 4-0 in the Nou Camp, they were unable to find their rhythm, they couldn't measure their runs. But when an English team can put in place a high-tempo English game, Spanish teams can be blown away, they cannot cope. It's more ambiguous with Barcelona v Arsenal, but the rhythm of Arsenal's game is faster and if they can impose that then Barcelona will have difficulties."

How do you expect Barcelona to approach the game? Which Arsenal players do they see as the greatest threat?

"I think there is one big question for Barcelona and that is to stop Cesc Fabregas. Putting pressure on him in midfield will be the main focus for Frank Rijkaard. Deco and Edmilson will need to pressure him as soon as he has the ball and try to stop him finding his passes. Barcelona's aim will be find opportunities and stop Arsenal's counter-attacking game. The conducter for Arsenal has been Fabregas and it is a beautiful thing for Cesc because he comes from Barcelona and he ends the season against his childhood team, but they will look to break him. He looks for Henry and that is the point where Barcelona will have to put pressure on him. I think Villarreal did well, they gave him no space. Fabregas is a crucial link for Arsenal to move forward and Deco in particular will look to stop him deep in the Arsenal half."

How is Fabregas perceived in Barcelona and Spain?

"First, I should say that he was unknown a year ago. People ask who he is because they had not seen him play in Spain before he went to England, like for example Gaizka Mendieta or even Lauren and Reyes. They knew those players' background but Cesc was unknown because he hadn't had an opportunity at Barcelona. Now he is in the Spanish national side and there is a great curiosity about him. They have not seen him a lot and there are questions about how good he is. There is no resentment about him leaving, he is not seen as betraying Barcelona, he has taken the decision to have a beautiful life in London. It was a justified calculation to leave Barcelona because he had Xavi and Iniesta - both young players - ahead of him."

Arsenal aim to upset the odds

2006-05-16T02:57:00.000-07:00

Arsenal are in the Champions League final for the first time in their history - but they face a tough task in Paris when they play Barcelona.

The in-form Catalans recently retained their Primera Liga title and start Wednesday's game as favourites.

But can the Gunners expect to upset the odds? BBC Sport investigates how the omens are shaping up for the Gunners.

CAPITAL GAINS?

It may seem surprising that Arsenal are the first team from London to reach the final of the European Cup or Champions League.

But in the competition's 50-year history, only five countries have had a team from their capital city take the honours.

Spain leads the way, with Real Madrid's nine triumphs, which makes them by far the competition's most successful club.

Amsterdam-based Ajax have four wins - although some may argue whether they qualify as a capital city club.

Although Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, the seat of government of the country is based elsewhere, in The Hague.

Lisbon-based Benfica earned back-to-back triumphs for Portugal in 1961 and 1962 but have not taken the crown since.

Crvena Zvezda, better known in English as Red Star Belgrade, lifted the crown in 1991. Now the capital city of Serbia and Montenegro, Belgrade was also the capital of the former Yugoslavia when the club won.

To date, the only other capital city club to lift the European Cup was Romania's Steaua Bucharest, who beat Barcelona on penalties to triumph in 1986.

Capital city clubs who have made it to the final and flopped are Partizan Belgrade (1966), Athens-based Panathinaikos (1971), Atletico Madrid (1974) and Roma (1984).

Despite their reputation as footballing powerhouses, England, Italy, Germany and France have never seen a team from their capital lift the crown - a fact Arsenal will hope to change.

Verdict: Bad omen

FIRST-TIME NERVES?

The 50 finals of the European Cup and Champions League have been contested by 37 different teams representing 13 different countries.

Of those 37 teams, 22 lost on their first appearance in the final. Only 15 teams have won on their first final appearance.

And there are some big-name casualties on that list.

Barcelona were beaten on their first appearance in the final in 1961 against Benfica - and AC Milan (1958), Ajax (1969) and Juventus (1973) also lost.

Others, such as Eintracht Frankfurt (1960), Panathinaikos (1971), Leeds (1975) and Malmo (1979) have never repeated their trip to the final after losing at their first attempt.

Verdict: Bad omen

ENGLISH HEART?

Much has been made of the continental flavour of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side.

Their only regular English starters are Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole and injury has reduced both to bit-part players since the turn of the year.

But Arsenal can take heart from the fact that English clubs have by far the best record in Europe when it comes to first-time appearances in the European Cup final.

ENGLISH FINALISTS

There has been an English club in the final on 12 occasions

In those finals, the English club has won 10 times

FOUR different English clubs have won - more variety than any other European nation

Manchester United (1968), Liverpool, (1977), Nottingham Forest (1979) and Aston Villa (1982) all won in their first appearance in the final.

Of the English debutants, only Leeds, beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich in 1975, did not taste success.

The first-time record of Spanish clubs is not great. Real Madrid won the inaugural tournament in 1956 but Barcelona (1961), Atletico Madrid (1974) and Valencia (2000) were first-time failures.

Italian clubs are among the biggest in European football but as first-time finalists they have not performed well. Their sole success (Inter Milan in 1964) contrasts with five failures - Fiorentina (1957), AC Milan (1958), Juventus (1973), Roma (1984) and Sampdoria (1992).

Four different French teams have reached the final and all lost on their first appearance. Stade de Reims (1956), St Etienne (1976), Marseille (1991) and Monaco (2004) were the unlucky outfits.

Even the ice-cool Germans have not fared so well. Bayern Munich (1974) and Borussia Dortmund (1997) won on their first final appearance. However, Eintracht Frankfurt (1960), Borussia Moenchengladbach (1977), Hamburg (1980) and Bayer Leverkusen (2002) slipped up.

Verdict: Good omen

LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS?

The European Cup was only open to domestic league winners and the cup holders from 1955-56 until 1991-92.

WE AREN'T THE CHAMPIONS

1998-99: Manchester United
Finished 2nd in previous season

1999-2000: Real Madrid
Finished 2nd in previous season

2000-01: Bayern Munich
Finished 2nd in previous season

2002-03: AC Milan
Finished 4th in previous season

2004-05: Liverpool
Finished 4th in previous season

(Champions League winners who were not domestic champions)

Since the introduction of the Champions League in 1992-93, the competition has grown and teams that do not win their domestic league can enter.

The 13 Champions League campaigns to date have led to domestic champions crowned as winners on eight occasions.

On the other five occasions, a club that did not win its domestic league triumphed in the cup.

Arsenal were runners-up to Chelsea last season and must try to emulate Manchester United in 1999, Real Madrid in 2000 and Bayern Munich in 2001, who all won the competition after finishing second the previous season.

Barcelona qualified as champions, which would seem to give them the edge in terms of the overall history of the Champions League - but recent years have been favourable to clubs that did not top their domestic league.

Verdict: The jury is out

PAIN IN SPAIN?

Since the inception of the Champions League in 1992-93, English clubs have taken on Spanish clubs 66 times.

And it is very much advantage Spain.

BARCELONA v ENGLISH CLUBS

Played: 20

Won: 10

Drawn: 7

Lost: 3

(Champions League matches played since 1992-93)

Of the matches, Spanish clubs have won 28 times, compared to English clubs' tally of 18 - with 20 draws.

Plenty of English clubs have taken a beating against Spanish opposition, with Barcelona being punishers-in-chief.

The Catalans famously dished out a 4-0 humiliation to Manchester United at the Nou Camp in November 1994.

They beat Arsenal 4-2 at Wembley in October 1999 and thrashed Chelsea 5-1 in Barcelona in the quarter-finals in April 2000, overturning a 3-1 deficit in the process.

A 4-0 rout of Leeds United came in September 2000 and they beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield in the second group stage in November 2001.

Even the few English wins have not been entirely glorious.

ARSENAL v SPANISH CLUBS

Played: 14

Won: 5

Drawn: 4

Lost: 5

(Champions League matches played since 1992-93)

Newcastle's 3-2 home triumph in the group stage in 1997-98 was memorable in itself - but both clubs crashed out in the group stages.

Chelsea's 3-1 home win over Barca in the 1999-2000 quarter-final was undone by that 5-1 extra-time reverse in the Nou Camp.

Only the Blues' 4-2 home win over Barcelona in the 2004-05 quarter-final proved significant, helping them to a 5-4 aggregate win.

Verdict: Bad omen

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Will Henry (left) or Ronaldinho be celebrating at the final whistle?

Many column inches have been written about the link between Paris and the two big stars who will be on display in the final.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry is returning to his home city, while Barcelona's Ronaldinho first moved to Europe in 2001 to play for Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent two seasons.

Both will want to be the returning hero - but as a four-time European Cup final venue, Paris has been kind and cruel to English and Spanish clubs.

Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 there in 1981 to lift their third European Cup at the expense of the Spanish giants - but it was also the venue of Leeds' 2-0 defeat by Munich in 1975.

Real Madrid beat their compatriots Valencia 3-0 in the all-Spanish final of 2000, while the Galacticos saw off Stade de Reims in the first competition back in 1956.

Verdict: The jury is out

THE VERDICT

There is no denying that the omens justify Arsenal's tag of underdogs for the final.

The bad outweigh the good by three to one, with two split decisions.

Happily for the Gunners, omens do not always prove decisive - and they need look no further than last season's final for inspiration.

Liverpool were second favourites going into the match against AC Milan. And even hardcore Reds fans pretty much gave up as their side trailed 3-0 at half-time.

What happened afterwards - Liverpool fought back to 3-3 before winning 3-2 on penalties - is part of European Cup folklore.

And Arsenal will hope to become a part of that on 17 May.

Dixon bullish over Arsenal hopes

2006-05-16T02:23:00.000-07:00

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon has tipped the Gunners to beat Barcelona in Wednesday's Champions League final.

Dixon's confidence over Arsenal's chances in the final in Paris is also based on the way the Gunners have reserved their best performances this season for Europe.

Henry was born in the Les Ulis suburbs of Paris and one of the final's sub-plots will be whether the showdown will be the French international striker's final match for Arsenal.

The 28-year-old striker has yet to renew his contract, which ends in 2007, and has repeatedly been linked to Arsenal's Champions League opponents Barcelona.

Henry has said he will make a decision over his Arsenal future before the start of the World Cup on June 9.

In 1995 Dixon played in a second successive European Cup Winners' Cup final, although his memories of that occasion are altogether less happy.

Arsenal lost to Real Zaragoza in Paris in the Parc des Princes stadium after Nayim's astonishing lob over David Seaman in the game's final minute of extra-time.

Eleven years on, Dixon is anticipating Arsenal will be making a very different sort of history by winning the Champions League for the first time.

Fabregas: Arsenal are special

2006-05-16T02:20:00.000-07:00

Fabregas is the new fulcrum of a dynamic and mobile Arsenal midfield.

Fabregas has established himself as a key member of an Arsenal team who are about to contest their first Champions League final.

But the young Spaniard says that it was a difficult choice to make when choosing to leave his former club Barcelona for Arsenal.

Fabregas said: "It's very difficult to leave a great team but I knew I was going to join a great team as well.

Although it was difficult initially, Fabregas eventually settled in London and is enjoying life in the English capital.

Fabregas said: "If my experience was bad for in England, everyone would say 'why did you go? You're crazy' but no-one says that now.

"Everyone says 'can you find me a team in England, it looks easy'.

"It looks easy because I'm playing in the Champions League final and people think it's a good decision."

Gilberto included in Brazil squad

2006-05-16T02:16:00.000-07:00

Midfielder Gilberto Silva has been called up by the Brazillian national team for the World Cup finals in Germany.

Brazillian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named a superstar squad earlier today.

Goalkeepers

Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)

Defenders

Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Olympique Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders

Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians)

Forwards

Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Olympique Lyon)

Red Bulls to host Bayern Munich

2006-05-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

The New York Red Bulls will face FC Bayern Munich in an international friendly match at Giants Stadium on May 27, the team announced Friday.

Bayern Munich, the 2005-2006 German Bundesliga champion, features German national team goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Dutch striker Roy Makaay. The match will kick off at noon.

Shearer testimonial photos

2006-05-15T02:56:00.000-07:00

A huge banner of Alan Shearer hangs outside St James' Park ahead of the testimonial match in his honour

Empty seats are filled with masks of the Newcastle hero shortly before the turnstiles are opened at the ground

Thousands of fans spell out the name of the Newcastle record goalscorer as he emerges onto the pitch

Both Celtic and Newcastle form a guard of honour next to Shearer's famous shirt number etched into the turf

Shearer kicks off the encounter against the Scottish champions and is then immediately substituted

In an opening half of few chances Jean-Alain Boumsong manages to shield the ball from Celtic's Dion Dublin

The incredible atmosphere continues throughout the half-time interval as Paul Gascoigne takes part in a penalty shoot-out

The fans are rewarded in the second half of the match as Albert Luque gives Newcastle the lead

Shearer steps of the bench to score the winner from the spot after John Hartson's header had inspired Celtic

The 35-year-old celebrates in familiar fashion as he scores for the very last time in front of the passionate Geordie fans

Shearer returns for an emotional chat with Ant and Dec where he says that he is thrilled to have "lived the dream"

Deco warns Arsenal: 'Barca know how to defend'

2006-05-15T02:48:00.000-07:00

Deco believes Barcelona are better equipped to win the Champions League this season after becoming more defensively minded over the last year.
Last season the Catalan side were knocked out of the competition after conceding four goals to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
That defeat, coupled with a loss to Real Madrid the same year, led to claims Frank Rijkaard's side lacked the tactical expertise to claim Europe's biggest prize.
However, this year a more resilient Barca have shown an ability to defend slim leads as they have progressed all the way to the final, where they will face Arsenal on Wednesday.
Barca demonstrated their new-found defensive nature in the re-match against Chelsea, winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge before progressing with a 1-1 draw at home. Although Rijkaard has retained an attacking 4-3-3 formation, he includes a defensive player in either Thiago Motta or Edmilson in midfield and also has told forward-minded players like Deco to do their share of defending. In defence he has also preferred Oleguer Presas at right-back ahead of Juliano Belletti, who is known for his forward runs which often leave space at the back. Barca are known as a team of stars but Deco insists at the heart is a strong team spirit.

Road to Paris

2006-05-15T02:43:00.000-07:00

Arsenal get their Champions League campaign underway with a 2-1 win over FC Thun thanks to Dennis Bergkamp's late goal

Markus Rosenburg scores for Ajax during Arsenal's 2-1 win in Amsterdam, the last goal they let in on the way to the final

Thierry Henry surpasses Ian Wright as Arsenal's leading goalscorer with a spectacular brace against Sparta Prague

Robin van Persie nets a brace against Sparta at Highbury to give Arsenal a place in the last 16 of the Champions League

Robert Pires scores a late penalty as Arsenal beat FC Thun 1-0, a club record sixth consecutive European win

Arsene Wenger sees Thierry Henry miss a penalty as his side draw 0-0 with Ajax at Highbury in their last group game

Thierry Henry celebrates after scoring a wonder goal at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the first leg of the last 16

Jens Lehmann makes a stunning double save in the second leg as Arsenal draw 0-0 with Real Madrid to progress

Cesc Fabregas stars against Juventus in the quarter-finals, scoring the first and setting up Thierry Henry for the second

Pavel Nedved sees red at the Stadio Delle Alpi as Arsenal keep another clean sheet to comfortably make it to the semi-finals

Play is halted in the semi-final against Villarreal as a squirrel makes an unexpected appearance by the North Bank

Kolo Toure is mobbed by his team-mates after giving the Gunners the lead just before half-time against Villarreal

Jens Lehmann is the hero in the semi-final second leg at El Madrigal saving Juan Roman Riquelme's last-minute penalty

Lehmann's heroics seal victory for Arsenal - the Gunners will face AC Milan or Barcelona in Paris in the final on 17 May

Jose hails Ballack arrival

2006-05-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

Jose is looking forward to Germany captain Michael Ballack joining the Premiership champions.

Mourinho said: "I'm very happy with the conversation I've had with Michael and the reasons why he decided to come here.

MICHAEL BALLACK

Reyes loving it in London

2006-05-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

Reyes says he is more than happy in London and dismissed reports of him returning to Spain next season.

Reyes has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but maintains that he is happy at Arsenal and wants to play at the new Emirates Stadium next season.

Reyes said: "I have to admit at the beginning of my stay in England, I did struggle a little bit and I thought about leaving the team.

"Now, with the help of my family and colleagues, I am very happy here and don't want to leave.

"No particular player helped me - we all help each other and I could not single out one person from my family because they all helped as well.

"Privately, they were telling me England is not such a bad place and just because I didn't speak English, it shouldn't be a barrier for my happiness at Arsenal.

World Soccer Week-End Wrap and League Standings

2006-05-15T02:39:00.000-07:00

Apart from some unfinished business in Spain's Primera Division the major European Leagues have all concluded the 2005-2006 season.

Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Lyon, PSV Eindhoven and Juventus all retained their respective Championship titles although Juve's 29th triumph may be the subject to the outcome of court proceedings - following allegations of match fixing.
Liverpool won a brilliantly exciting FA Cup Final by defeating West Ham on penalties after a 3:3 draw, while in Scotland Hearts eventually defeated little Gretna - also after a penalty shoot-out - to lift the SFA Cup.
In Portugal, FC Porto edged past Vitoria Setubal 1:0 to complete a Cup and League double.

Galatasaray defeated Kayserispor 3-0 to take the Turkish League Championship while FC Zurich's 2-1 road victory at Basel gave them their first Switzerland title for 25 years.
On Sunday, Shakhtar Donetsk overcame Dynamo Kiev 2-1 to clinch their second successive Ukrainian league title.

In the race to clinch money-spinning places in next season's european tournaments, Werder Bremen finished second in the German Bundesliga and clinch automatic qualification to the Champions League after defeating rivals Hamburg 1:2 while at the other end of the table FC Kaiserslautern, Cologne and MSV Duisburg were all relegated.

In Spain, the final european berths will be decided on Tuesday when Osasuna (5) host Valencia (3) and Real Madrid (2) travel to Sevilla (4).
Valencia are one point behind Real Madrid while Sevilla and Osasuna both have 65 points.
CD Alaves, Cadsiz and Malaga drop out of the Primera Division.

Lille clinched a Champions League third qualifying-round berth after a 2-2 draw at Rennes in France Ligue 1 while Lens defeated Nantes 3:1 to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Olympique Marseille could only tie 1:1 with L1 runners-up Bordeaux and miss out on the major european competitions - although they will play in the Intertoto Cup.

Next up for soccer fans is the mouth-watering Europan Champions League Final match between Barcelona and Arsenal at the Stade de France in Paris, on Wednesday 17th May.
Not to be missed.

Wenger calm on player exodus fear

2006-05-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

Wenger is aware he could lose his major names in the summer

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he is ready to deal with the summer exit of some of his key players but is firmly focused on Champions League glory.

Arsenal face Barcelona in Wednesday's final in Paris - potentially the last game for Thierry Henry, Ashley Cole and Robert Pires.

Midfielder Pires, who has only been offered a one-year extension to his Gunners contract, will make a decision over his future after the Paris final.

Wenger so hard to please

2006-05-15T02:32:00.000-07:00

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he won't be fully satisfied even if his side win the UCL final against Barcelona in Paris.

Wenger is hoping to make Wednesday night the highlight of his illustrious time in charge of the Gunners, but admits that unless he could win the competition every year he still wouldn't be totally happy.

ARSENE WENGER

"My career will never be good enough because that is the way I am," Wenger admitted.

2006-05-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

West Ham boss Alan Pardew was proud of his players' efforts despite their heartbreaking FA finals loss on penalties to Liverpool.

The Hammers led 3-2 going into injury time at the end of the 90 minutes, only for Reds skipper Stvie G to blast home an astonishing 35-yard effort that took the game into extra-time and, ultimately, a penalty shootout which Liverpool won 3-1.

ALAN PARDEW

Juventus Clinch 29th Serie A Title

2006-05-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

David Trezeguet scored his 23rd goal of the season in the 23rd minute of the game to give Juventus victory over Reggina at the Stadio Comunale and clinch a 29th Serie A title for the Bianconerri.
Alessandro Del Piero doubled Juve's score in stoppage time (90+1) but by then the scudetto had already been won.
Juventus finish the season three points clear of rivals AC Milan who defeated AS Roma at the San Siro.
With the game tied at 1:1 after 90 minutes, Milano edged past the Romans in stoppage time - with a goal from Brazil striker Marcio Amoroso (90+1')
Fiorentina took fourth place thanks to a win at Verona - which puts the Viola in the Champions League next season.

Uncapped Ribery and Chimbonda in France squad

2006-05-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

France coach Raymond Domenech bowed to popular demand by picking Olympique Marseille's Franck Ribery in his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals on Sunday.

Arguably the finest player in Ligue 1 this season, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder is being hailed in France as the new Zinedine Zidane but had so far been overlooked by Domenech. Ribery is one of two uncapped players on Domenech's list with Pascal Chimbonda, a 27-year-old defender who plays for Wigan Athletic in the Premiership.

Missing from the list are Arsenal's Robert Pires and Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly, who will face each other in the Champions League final on Wednesday at the Stade de France. The 32-year-old Pires, who won the last of his 79 caps for France in October 2004, has had a good season for Arsenal but has had a difficult relationship with Domenech since publicly criticising the coach's tactics. Domenech said that World Cup and European championship winner Fabien Barthez would be his number one goalkeeper at the World Cup ahead of Olympique Lyon's Gregory Coupet. Barthez is one of six survivors from France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad with Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, Zidane, Henry and Trezeguet.

Goalkeepers: Fabien Barthez (Olympique Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon), Mickael Landreau (Nantes)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle United), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan Athletic), William Gallas (Chelsea), Gael Givet (Monaco) Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Mikael Silvestre (Manchester United), Lilian Thuram (Juventus) Midfielders: Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris St Germain), Alou Diarra (Racing Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Juventus), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid).
Strikers: Djibril Cisse (Liverpool), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille), Louis Saha (Manchester United), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Sylvain Wiltord

Chelsea call Ballack press conference for Monday

2006-05-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Chelsea are set to complete the free transfer of Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack this weekend and will hold a news conference with the player on Monday.

The Premiership champions announced the Stamford Bridge news conference on Sunday but gave no details of any contract. Ballack, a superb all-round midfielder, played his final match with German champions Bayern on Saturday and was jeered by the team's fans. In his four years at the club he won three Bundesliga titles and three German cups. Ballack joined Bayern having helped Bayer Leverkusen to the 2002 final of the Champions League. He was first linked with a move to Chelsea in February but denied British newspaper reports that he had signed a four-year deal with the club worth £25million. However, as the season progressed it became increasingly obvious that he would join up with coach Jose Mourinho at the club funded by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Theo Walcott: Shock call-up

2006-05-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson admits his idea to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup was met by a stunned silence from his England coaches.

The Swede shocked the nation last week when he picked 17-year-old Walcott ahead of established Premiership stars like Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent. He told coaches Steve McClaren and Sammy Lee about his plan during a telephone conference before he announced his squad.

The England boss admits it is a risk to plunge Arsenal kid Walcott into the world's biggest football tournament before he has even kicked a ball in the Premiership.

The England manager had never seen Walcott play in a competitive game and he expects rival managers to be scrambling for video footage of the teenager in action. He took advice from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and is convinced the rookie striker can be a secret World Cup weapon.

Reds hail hero Reina

2006-05-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

Reds hail hero Reina: "Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina was the toast of the Red half of Merseyside after his penalty shootout heroics sealed a thrilling FA Cup final win over West Ham."

Beckham expecting Rooney to miss finals

2006-05-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

England captain David Beckham has played down Wayne Rooney's chances of being fit for the World Cup and urged the Manchester United striker not to risk his future by coming back too soon.

Beckham bounced back from a metatarsal injury to play in the last World Cup, but had longer than Rooney to recover.

On the plus side, Real Madrid midfielder Beckham has rubbished suggestions England are a one-man team and believes there is enough strength in depth to win the World Cup without Rooney. He added: 'We'd rather have Wayne in the team on and off the pitch. He's great off the pitch and everyone knows what he can do on it. But we've got other world-class players. A lot of them are club captains and have won huge games.

Huntelaar: Failed to make squad

2006-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Holland coach Marco van Basten has challenged Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to prove he was wrong after omitting the freescoring Ajax forward from his squad for the World Cup.

Huntelaar was the leading scorer in the Eredivisie with 33 goals for Ajax and former club Heerenveen in the 2005/06 season but, despite his lack of international experience, his admission was a shock in light of recent remarks by Van Basten that implied that Huntelaar would be making the trip to Germany. Van Basten was the first to admit that the 22-year-old Huntelaar could consider himself unfortunate.

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar).
Defenders: Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam), Khalid Boulahrouz (SV Hamburg), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Philip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax Amsterdam), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg).
Strikers: Dirk Kuijt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ryan Babel (Ajax Amsterdam).

No one will believe Theo is this quick

2006-05-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson has said that nobody will believe how quick Theo Walcott is when the teenage sensation makes his World Cup debut.

Walcott has never played a Premiership game for Arsenal, nor has he played any first team football at all, hence Eriksson labelling the former Southampton winger as "an unknown quantity".

Pires has said that Walcott is quicker than Henry, and Eriksson believes Walcott will surprise many with his pace.

Eriksson said: "I might be the only one with tapes. The other managers will have to find out about him.

"He will be someone they have never met before, they never saw him play football.

"They have probably heard that he's quick but when they see it they won't believe he is that quick."

Eriksson also revealed how assistant England coaches Steve McLaren and Sammy Lee were speechless when informed of Walcott's inclusion.

Eriksson added: "There was silence at the other end.

"Sammy and Steve can't say anything because they have never seen him play.

"If you only have to take 14 players, I wouldn't have done it but you take 23 and a standby list so why not?

"I think everyone is looking forward to it because it's something fresh."

Wenger: I'm still crazy

2006-05-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

After securing fourth spot on the last day of the season with a 4-2 in over Wigan Athletic, Arsene Wenger says he is not feeling any pressure at the moment.

Arsenal's win over Wigan, coupled with Tottenham's loss against West Ham, meant that Arsenal are guaranteed Champions League football from the competition's group stages next season.

Arsenal have been in sensational form in Europe, and are about to contest their first ever European Cup final, against Barcelona on May 17. Arsene Wenger thinks it could be Arsenal's year.

The French coach quipped: "You thought I was crazy - and I still am!

"We were out of the championship race very early, and maybe subconsciously we have chosen this competition.

"I felt that in the Champions League we had a good start, that concentration was fully there and that we had the potential as well.

"If you are in there every year then some will go better for you than others."

With pressure off Wenger and Arsenal to secure Champions League football next season, Wenger feels Arsenal will be able to play their natural game at the Stade de France.

The Arsenal boss said: "We will be able to play with less negative pressure.

"The biggest problem we have in football is 'if we do not, then what happens?'

"I feel Middlesbrough played a bit like that [in the UEFA Cup final], with a hand-brake in the first half because they knew it was a game they could not miss."

Ballack Set For Chelsea Switch

2006-05-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Chelsea look set to complete the signing of Michael Ballack on Monday.

The German international is out of contract atBayern Munich and has been linked with a move to Chelsea for some months.

MICHAEL BALLACK

The transfer has looked in doubt on several occassions, but now it has been revealed that Ballack will appear at a press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

He played and scored in Bayern's 3-3 with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and blamed the club's management for the poor reception he got during the match from fans.

Lyon eye Van Nistelrooy-Diarra swap deal

2006-05-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

Lyon have indicated they may be prepared to do a deal with Manchester United for midfielder Mahamadou Diarra - in part exchange for out-of-favour striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been to watch Mali international Diarra, who he sees as a long-term replacement for Roy Keane who left United by mutual consent last November. The French champions are believed to want £25million for the 24-year-old, but club official Bernard Lacombe has indicated they may accept a cash-plus-player deal involving Van Nistelrooy. 'It is sure Lyon are interested in Van Nistelrooy,' Lacombe told the Daily Star. 'For the moment we have not officially negotiated with Manchester. It will be a complicated financial deal unless we can exchange one of our players they are interested in, like Diarra.' Van Nistelrooy appears to be on his way out of Old Trafford after he was left out for the final Premiership match of the season against Charlton and then banned from appearing in Keane's testimonial against Celtic last week.

Shevchenko not for sale

2006-05-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is adamant Andriy Shevchenko has not submitted a formal transfer request and insists the club will do their utmost to keep the Ukraine striker from Chelsea's clutches.

Shevchenko told a press conference yesterday of his desire to leave the San Siro with the Premiership champions quickly installed as favourites to sign the 29-year-old. But Galliani made it clear today that the former Dynamo Kiev star has not put his request in writing and that the club would fight to keep a man who has scored 19 goals in 28 league appearances this season and another nine in the Champions League. Galliani, in charge of the day-to-day running of the club owned by Italy's outgoing prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, told www.acmilan.com: 'Berlusconi's Milan has never sold a player for money.

'Shevchenko has a three-year contract and from our point of view he will remain at Milan. We talking about the player who has scored the most goals for Milan in the last 50 years, we are talking about a great player. 'If Shevchenko asks for a transfer, we will face that problem. I must be clear that Shevchenko will not be sold.

Espanyol avoid relegation; Barca lose

2006-05-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

King's Cup winners Espanyol escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth on Saturday after a dramatic stoppage time goal from midfielder Ferran Corominas earned them a 1-0 win at home to Real Sociedad.

Fellow strugglers Alaves looked as if they were the team that would avoid the drop after they took a 1-0 lead against Deportivo Coruna, but Corominas's late strike destroyed their hopes of survival and sent the Basque team down.

Dimitry Piterman's side will join Malaga and Cadiz in the second division next season. UEFA Cup winners Sevilla continued a week of celebrations and boosted their hopes of earning a place in the Champions League when they beat a second string Barcelona 3-2. Barca, resting eight first choice players for Wednesday's Champions League final against Arsenal, fought back from two goals down to level at 2-2, but a late strike from Sevilla striker Kepa earned the home side a vital win. The victory put the Andalucians into fifth place in the table, level on 65 points with Osasuna. Valencia are in third on 69 points and Real Madrid are second on 70, 12 behind champions Barcelona. Osasuna host third-placed Valencia and Sevilla entertain second-placed Real Madrid on Tuesday with the runners-up spot and the final Champions League berth still at stake. Villarreal, who lost to Arsenal in the semi-final of the Champions League, beat Racing Santander 2-0 at home to guarantee themselves a seventh-place finish and a berth in the Intertoto Cup.s.

google

2006-05-14T02:28:00.000-07:00

A quick analysis of Barcelona and Arsenal search trends reveals a very interesting result

Barcelona leads in all spheres and regions.

Anyways from today there will some analysis on different teams and will also be posted along with the intepreted results before any match to make it a bit more interesting and hopefully to get some idea as to what is going to happen before a match starts. There will be nothing subjective but we will have some numbers to do the talking.

In case you want to help please ping projecttester@gmail.com

More to come shortly...

Bergkamp: Seize the day

2006-05-14T02:22:00.000-07:00

Dennis Bergkamp is urging his Arsenal team mates to seize the day against Barcelona when the two sides meet in the Stade de France on May 17 to contest the Champions League final.

Bergkamp himself has never won the Champions League and wants to complete his illustrious trophy cabinet with the biggest prize in club football.

He said: "As a more experienced player, you realise how important it is.

"I have told a few of the guys over the past weeks that this could be the only Champions League final they ever play in - there are no guarantee.

"I know how hard the club have worked for this, I have been there throughout those seasons.

"We had played probably the best football in Europe at some stage and got knocked out in the quarter-finals.

"I am sure all the players will realise that this could be a one-time in your career.

"So you have to focus - first of all enjoy it but as well you have to try to give everything to win it.

"I hope I will be involved in a playing way as well."

Bergkamp is also happy with Arsenal being the underdogs in the final, with many tipping Barcelona to be crowned champions of Europe when the full time whistle blows in Paris next week.

The Dutchman reckons that this scenario plays well into the Arsenal's gameplan.

Bergkamp added: "There is some pressure on Barcelona because they have to show they are a great team, which they can do.

"But we have caused a few upsets this season and so have got the confidence as well."

Toure will be happy to let Campbell take the lead in Final

2006-05-13T23:54:00.000-07:00

will be happy to hand the lead reins back to the more experienced Sol Campbell if they are paired together for the Champions League Final on Wednesday.

The England defender has only played five games since February 1 and even broke his nose during that time. Campbell’s return dovetailed with a knee injury to the unfortunate Philippe Senderos. The Swiss centre back is racing against time to make the Final but, should he not, Toure will be happy to play second fiddle.

Hopefully, the likes of Eboue, Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and, at 25, Toure himself will be the mainstays of the Arsenal backline for years to come. Whatever happens in Paris, the Ivorian believes this will be the start of something big at Highbury�?� sorry Emirates Stadium.

Barthez bows out at Marseille

2006-05-13T23:46:00.000-07:00

France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez confirmed on Saturday he was leaving Olympique Marseille.

"Tonight, it's tough," Barthez told French channel Canal Plus after playing his last game for Marseille.

Marseille were held to a 1-1 draw at Girondins Bordeaux and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

It remains unclear what Barthez, 34, will do next season.

He may call it a day, sign for a foreign club or return to Toulouse, were he started his professional career in 1990 under the guidance of Elie Baup.

Former Manchester United keeper Barthez won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France but is vying with Olympique Lyon's Gregory Coupet to be his country's number one at the World Cup in Germany starting on June 9.

Barthez first joined Marseille in 1992, denying AC Milan striker Marco van Basten twice in his side's 1-0 victory in the 1993 Champions League final in Munich.

Barthez then left for Monaco in 1995 before spending three seasons at United from 2000 to 2003.

He returned to Marseille in January 2004.

Way to dress for cup final

2006-05-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

outfit worn by Gretna' manager, Rowan Alexander at today's
Scottish Cup final

Reds win FA Cup final

2006-05-13T22:32:00.000-07:00

Liverpool won the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties after an action-packed clash with West Ham United ended 3-3 after extra-time at the Millennium Stadium.

The opening to the game gave few hints to the drama to follow, but once the deadlock was broken after 21 minutes it was a rollercoaster ride all the way.

GERRARD AND BENITEZ

A Jamie Carragher own goal gave the Hammers the lead, as the Reds defender turned a Lionel Scaloni cross into his own net.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0 as Jose Reina spilled a Matthew Etherington drive from 20 yards and Dean Ashton was on hand to bundle home the rebound.

However, Liverpool were back in the game four minutes later as Steven Glong pass played in Djibril Cisse and the Frenchman crashed home a superb right-foot volley.

The Hammers kept their advantage until nine minutes into the second half when a quickly-taken free-kick caused chaos in the box and Gerrard flashed home a blistering right-foot shot from 12 yards out.

Just as Liverpool thought they had the upper hand, West ham retook the lead as Paul Konchesky's cross from the left sailed over Reina and dipped just inside the far post to make the score 3-2.

That looked like being the winning goal until Gerrard produced an astonishing injury-time match-saver, latching on to a loose ball all of 35 yards out, he drilled a howitzer of a shot beyond the despairing dive of Shaka Hislop.

Extra-time proved to be far more sedate, with both sides having a number of players suffering with cramp.

However, with seconds left to play a free-kick into the box forced Reina into a desperate finger-tip save against an upright and Marlon Harewood sliced the rebound wide with the goal gaping.

That ensured a penalty shootout and Reina was again the hero as he saved from Bobby Zamora, Konchesky and finally Anton Ferdinand to hand the Reds some silverware and leave the Hammers heartbroken.

Pires close to Arsenal exit

2006-05-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Arsenal's French international Robert Pires could quit the Champions League finalists if the London club does not offer him a new two-year deal.

The 33-year-old, who will be out of contract in the summer after six years with the Gunners, admitted the one-year offer on the table is still short of what he wants.

Pires admitted that other clubs have shown an interest but he denied reports that he had signed a pre-contract agreement with Villarreal.

"The situation is quite simple at the moment, we have got the final coming up and we are going to focus on that and afterwards I'll decide whether I am going to stay or leave," said Pires who has attempted to play down transfer talk ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona next week.

"At the moment I don't know what I am going to do. Arsenal has been a fantastic club to me at every level but I need to think whether I'm going to stay here or go to another country.

"Arsenal's offer was a one-year contract - the same thing they offered Dennis Bergkamp.

"But I'd like a firm offer of two years. I need to think about the offer that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have made. I will sit down after the Champions League final and do that.

"It is said that I'd signed for Villarreal, but I can't guarantee this is true. I've received offers, but it's possible I could still stay with Arsenal."

Pires does not know whether he will be included in Wenger's starting line-up for the final in Paris even though he has played in all but one of their home games in Europe this season.

"The final is very important for all the players. Arsene Wenger has to make his decision and I have to respect his choice," said the Frenchman.

"But in Europe this season I've played all the home games except the Real Madrid match. I played against Juventus and Villarreal. These were massive games and I was pleased to play in them. We will have to see."

Arsenal will be considered as the underdogs against Barcelona but Pires says that will suit them.

The Gunners over came both Real Madrid and Juventus after being cast in a similar role.

But the French winger knows they will have to improve on their performance against Villarreal in the second leg of the semi-final to stand any chance of winning Europe's top prize.

Pires said: "We know the Villarreal game was the worst we'd played in the Champions League this season.

"Without a fantastic performance from Jens Lehmann we would not be here talking about the final.

"We know we were almost knocked out and that Barcelona are favourites and we are the outsiders."

A bit about Pires

ull name	Robért PíRES
Position	Left Midfielder
Born	29 October 1973, Reims
Country	FRANCE
Height	185 cm / 6 feet 1 inches
Weight	74 kg / 163 lb

What a shame if he leaves

Sven's Masterstroke

2006-05-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

It has been done to death but Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the World Cup in Germany is worthy of further discussion because of a few notable names. And I would like to set the record straight as to why a certain former Southampton star deserves to wear and England shirt.

If anyone has been reading my blog since the start of the 2005/2006 season, then you would know I have been banging the Walcott drum for sometime. Read any of my blogs in November of last year for example. Ok, I also said that Ronaldinho would join Chelsea in January but I did state that Walcott would move to either Chelsea or Arsenal in a big money deal during the transfer window and then go on to the World Cup.

Let's be very precise about Walcott's role in this tournament because I feel there has been too much over-reaction to his inclusion. Walcott on this occasion is no Pele. The greatest player of all time played in the World Cup in Sweden during 1958 as a 17 year-old and set the world alight. Pele would have appeared much sooner than the third game against the Soviet Union but could not because of injury. His late introduction to the tournament was not tactical but enforced. Walcott may be 17 and included in a World Cup squad but that is where the similarities end. Pele had already enjoyed a couple of seasons at Santos where he was already a star and had made his international appearance for Brazil a year before the big tournament. He had pedigree.

Also, do not compare Walcott's inclusion to Rooney's call up to Portugal 2004. Rooney had already shown Premiership credentials and shown an ability to handle the best. Walcott has not played a minute for Arsenal in the Premier League and only managed thirteen starts for Southampton in the Championship at the beginning of the season.

So, what do we compare Walcott to?

Well, let's have a look at what Sven likes to do and the traits of a good cup team. Darius Vassell's 22 appearances in an England shirt can be thought of as very encouraging - one of the few to shine on the international stage and not as much at the domestic level. Vassell was an England under 21 international when he was called up for the World Cup and despite a couple of starts for his country, thanks to injuries in the squad, he was most impressive coming off the bench. Think about what happened to England against Portugal in 2004's quarter-finals. Wayne Rooney injured himself in the 27th minute, which meant Vassell had to play a larger part of the game then the manager would have hoped for. When Scholes, Beckham and Lampard got tired Eriksson would normally opt for an impact player full of pace to take the strain from these weary midfielders. The Swede did not have that option. I am not blaming England's defeat on a tired Vassell on that occasion because the defence was all at sea but a player with some spark in the latter stages would certainly have changed the destiny of that encounter.

So Eriksson has plumped for young Theo Walcott to be that impact player. At 15 years of age Walcott smashed his school's 100m record with a time of 11.5 seconds. He is said to be even quicker than Thierry Henry, whom he trains with everyday, and so fast that on one occasion a cameraman was so fazed by his pace he missed a certain darting run by the youngster. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp famously said that when Walcott walks through a puddle he does not even make a splash.

Walcott also comes highly recommended by Arsene Wenger. Now, just quietly, if Wenger says that someone is world class then it is most probable that the player is indeed, er... world class. The Frenchman invited Eriksson to a couple of training sessions so that the England manager could get a glimpse of the raw talent. He must have liked what he saw. But hang on. If Wenger thinks that the sun shines from every part of Walcott then why has he not even given him one second's worth of Premiership of Champions League experience you may be asking? I suggest that is like comparing apples and pears. Wenger's Arsenal has been in some almighty tussles over the closure of the season with some important games to be played. A check on Arsene's squad at times sees the likes of Ljungberg, Van Persie, Bergkamp, Djourou on the bench - all proven international players. Wenger admitted that he if were allowed more players on the bench then Walcott would be there. That is where England can benefit. Far from being restricted to naming 16 players on match day, Eriksson has the beauty of selecting from 23 players. Which is why naming Walcott is such a masterstroke.

Trinidad and Tobago sets Cup roster

2006-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago finalized its 23-player World Cup roster.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Shaka Hislop (West Ham United), Clayton Ince (Coventry City).

Defenders: Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Cyd Gray (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Avery John (New England Revolution).

Midfielders: Silvio Spann (unattached), Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Aurtis Whitley (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Evans Wise (Waldhof Mannheim), Densill Theobald (Falkirk), Carlos Edwards (Luton Town), Russell Latapy (Falkirk).

Forwards: Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Stern John (Coventry City), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton FC), Collin Samuel (Dundee United), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy), Anthony Wolfe (Jabloteh).

World Soccer : Top Games in Europe This Weekend :

2006-05-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

taly Serie A
A crisis-ridden final weekend of league soccer in Italy where officials from Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina along with Italy's World Cup referee Massimo De Santis are being investigated over potential match-fixing, following alleged evidence gathered from telephone taps.
The entire Juventus board resigned Thursday after The Italian Football Federation revealed it is investigating the content of tapped telephone conversations - allegedly involving the Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi talking of refereeing appointments for games with a Federation administrator responsible for selecting match officials.

Against this background, Juventus - only three points ahead of second placed AC Milan - will attempt to clinch their 29th Serie A title at 14th ranked Reggina.
No chance of a penalty or a timely dismissal then. Eh Ref?

AC Milan face a stiff test when they host AS Roma (5) at the San Siro.
To clinch the title the Rossoneri must win - and Juventus must lose.
Milan are missing defenders Paolo Maldini and Jaap Stam while Andriy Shevchenko is doubtful (knee injury) - so winning will not be easy.
Roma, trailing fourth ranked Fiorentina by two points, must win if they hope to overtake the Viola and qualify for Champions League football next season.
Star striker Francesco Totti could make his Serie A return after being out since February with a broken ankle - which would be a great confidence- booster for the Giallorossi.

Fiorentina travel to Verona to play Chievo (7) where they simply cannot afford to drop points.
If Roma win at the San Siro and Fiorentina only manage to draw at Verona, the clubs will finish level on points - and Roma will clinch fourth place thanks to a better goal difference (+29 to + 23).

Note: After crowd trouble between supporters of Reggina and Messina two weeks ago Juventus play Reggina at the neutral venue of San Nicola in Bari.

German Bundesliga
Bayern Munich safely wrapped up their second successive German Cup and League double last week but the final day of the Bundesliga season has two white hot fixtures in view.
At the top of the table, second placed Hamburg host third ranked Werder Bremen in a match that will decide which club finishes second and wins automatic qualification to the Champions League - while down in the basement Wolfsburg and Kaiserslautern meet at the VW-rena looking to avoid relegation.
Werder Bremen are one point behind Hamburg and Kaiserslautern are one point behind Wolfsburg.
High stakes for all four clubs, ona weekend where the winner takes all.

Spain la Liga - Primera Division
Barcelona and Sevilla play a catch-up match on Saturday with champions Barcelona resting eight players ahead of their Champions League final against Arsenal next Wednesday.
Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Ludovic Giuly Deco, Carles Puyol, Edmilson, Rafael Marquez and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have all been given the day off but Spain midfielder Xavi is included to help him regain full match fitness.
Sevilla have a chance of rounding of a great week after lifting the UEFA Cup , banking maximum points to keep them in the running for a Champions League berth.

With Sevilla hosting Real Madrid and Valencia traveling to Osasuna on Tuesday 16th, the focus of this weekend is on which team will join Cadiz and Malaga in the segundo division next year.

CD Alaves, currently in 18th position could escape relegation if they defeat Deportivo la Coruna (7) and 17th ranked Espanyol lose at home to Real Sociedad (15).
A draw for Espanyol would ensure their top-flight status - even if Alaves win as the Catalan club has a better head-to-head record.
Looks like Alaves will be going down.

France Ligue 1
In France the battle for european places will be decided on the final day of the season with third placed Lille looking for a road victory at Rennes (5) to keep Marseille (4) at bay.
OM have a tricky trip to Bordeaux (2) to negotiate as they attempt to overtake Lille - but after Lille's 4:0 demolition of Lyon last week, the northern club must start favorites to claim the third Champions League berth.
But it will be no easy ride for Lille as Rennes have a chance of overtaking Marseille to qualify for a UEFA Cup spot.

Lille are two points ahead of Marseille while Rennes trail OM by one point.
A draw will be good enough for Lille but not for Rennes - and only a victory will help Marseille.

Who will win WC

2006-05-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's Holland of course. Under MvB, the Oranje boys have been just awesome. The only blot was the draw with Germany...but home and away wins against the Czechs and a stunning record under MvB show that they are gelling very well as a team...a quality the lack of which cost previous Dutch teams badly...

Remember 1988. Germany+van Basten = Holland Champions...
2006 will see a repeat...

Ron hails Henry class

2006-05-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho has again urged Arsenal master Henry to join him at the Camp Nou for next season.

The two will come face to face in the Champions League this week, with Henry still to decide whether to remain with the Gunners or try his luck elsewhere.

RONALDINHO

"Henry has quality and he would make any team better," Ronaldinho said.

"He is so good technically and has great pace and force. He has the characteristics of a player who could adapt to any team in the world.

"But I'm not thinking that in the final I can impress him and convince him to join us. That's not my priority.

"It won't be me that makes the decision for him. But I can say that it's always a good thing to have great players in your team and that is what we have here.

Henry: Let Theo grow in peace

2006-05-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Thierry Henry has called on the English media to leave Theo Walcott alone to allow the Arsenal and England teenage sensation the chance to reach his full potential.

The spotlight has been on another one of Arsenal's lightning quick forwards, only the player in question is a 17-year-old who could travel with England to the World Cup finals.

Henry said: "I think you know he is a special talent, as you can imagine.

"If he is in the squad he must be pretty special and I can tell you he is special.

"But I think one thing you can help the kid is to leave him alone.

"I know it will be difficult but that is the only way you can do something out there for him.

"The guy has no fear, but once again it's difficult for me to talk or anyone to talk about what he is going to do, it is only him who can show us what he is going to do.

"But what I am saying to you is on the other side he must be relaxed and be left alone if you want him to be at his best."

Henry: London is my true home

2006-05-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

In a hint that he would find it hard to leave London, Thierry Henry said that he considers London his true home.

The French striker was receiving the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year Award for a historic third time last night.

Henry said: "People have a go at me in France because when I mention home I mention London.

"In this country you live and breathe football and that is something that is missing sometimes.

"Some youngsters do not love the game any more.

"They love what is around the game, but not the game itself.

"But you always have to have respect for the game and the game will give you something back as it has given me back something today."

Arsenal fans would be hoping that Henry agrees to an extension to his current deal and leads Arsenal into their new Emirates Stadium next season.

Henry has previously said that he would come to a decision about his future before the World Cup finals.

Arsenal also take on Spanish champions Barcelona next week in Paris in the Champions League final, a game that Henry is determined to win to make history.

Henry continued: "What I am especially proud of is that I am the first person to win the Footballer of the Year trophy three times.

"It is always pleasing to be the first to achieve something - it is a little piece of history.

"My hope now is that the team goes on to create history of their own by becoming the first ever Arsenal side to win the Champions League."

Re-live Arsenal's road to the Final

2006-05-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Pires puts aside future plans to concentrate on Barcelona

Robert Pires will not let talk about his future interfere with preparations for the Champions League Final.

It is possible that Wednesday’s clash with Barcelona could be the 32-year-old’s last game in a six-year spell with Arsenal. He is out of contract in the summer and has been talking to other clubs for sometime, including vanquished Semi-Finalists Villarreal. For his part Arsène Wenger is hopeful Pires will stay.

“The situation is quite simple at the moment,” said the French midfielder. “We’ve got the Final coming up and we’re going to focus on that and then afterwards I’ll decide whether I’m going to stay or leave.

“At the moment I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. I can say that Arsenal has been a fantastic Club for me at every level and in every sense but I need to think as to whether I’m going to stay here or try going to another country.

“But I think at the moment we need to really concentrate on the Final and we need to be allowed to do that because we’re going to have to do absolutely everything we can to win the Final. My personal situation will come afterwards.”

Pires feels Arsenal are coming good at the right time and, although he accepts few people thought they could reach the Paris showpiece, Wenger’s men could just nick it.

“We’ve been on a very good run in both the League and the Champions League,” said the former Marseille midfielder. “I think we’ve showed that no matter what happens we can recover from it.

“Obviously we’ve finished fourth in the Premiership. That was our objective because we’ve got into the Champions League for next year and I think we’ve surprised a lot of people and a lot of teams - Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal — in the competition this year.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to make it to the Final but it often happens that a dark horse gets there. I think that if we carry on playing as well as we’ve been playing recently then we’ve got a really good chance.”

Henry proud to be leading Arsenal

2006-05-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

Thierry Henry says he is proud to be leading Arsenal out in the Champions League final in his home city of Paris.

The Gunners take on Barcelona on May 17 in what is arguably the biggest game in the club's history.

Henry is determined to make history for Arsenal, saying: "When you are in the final of the Champions League you are not thinking about whatever is around, you want to win the thing.

"We are all proud, of course I am proud to have reached finally the Champions League final with Arsenal for the first time in their history, and for me to lead the team out in Paris will be a special moment."

Henry also reflected on Arsenal's close finish in fourth position, just 2 points ahead of arch-rivals Tottenham.

The Arsenal captain had no sympathy for Tottenham, believing that they had assumed that they had fourth spot tied up.

Henry added: "But on the other side we were more than happy to finish fourth because that is the best we could have done at the time because we dropped so many points, and what a great pleasure to finish just above Spurs.

"I think they were dancing before the end and I always say you have to dance at the end, not before the end of a competition, that's why I don't like to talk before any competition."

Why an English Manager will not necessarily Work

2006-05-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

Passion, Pride, grit and determination. These are some of the essential qualities that the British press believes that Sven lacks in order to succeed as the England Manager. Little do they know that the problem does not lie in the lack of fire within the "gaffer" himself, but in the technical ability of the players he has on hand.

I distinctly remember after Euro 2000, and Alan Hansen was asked by the BBC why England were knocked out. His response was blunt, simple, and brutally truthful. They're just not good enough. And that is the truth. English players are just not good enough. I am not saying that any one of the English players in the squad are not good players, but they are not all great players. This is much more important than a fiery tempered manger who gets the Tea Cups shaking in a half-time team talk.

If you look at the premiers, and you ask yourself who are the most technically gifted players, they are all foreign - in my opinion. People like Henry, Makelele, Pires, Gilberto, Okocha, Zenden, Robban, Duff etc... These group of players possess more skill, flair, and technical ability than most English players. For years, the British strength in Europe was hard work and determination. Now, European nations have that installed in them just as well as British players, and I think England has fallen short when it comes to the rest when you talk about craft, skill, and ability. Also, if you look at the England team, I can only think of one player who is comfortable on both sides (left and right) and that is Paul Scholes - he is retired from international football.

True, there are some great individual performers in the team. Wright Phillips is an excellent player, but he does not have that extra something special that the likes of Ronaldinho, Zidane, and Figo have. One of the biggest flaws in English players is the absence of someone who can operate on the left hand side of midfield. The one man who could have done it for my money, Scholes, has quit. England do not have somebody who can fill the void on the left hand side of midfield. Great international teams either have somebody in that position, or they integrate a quality right footed player who can come in on his right foot and deliver adequately on his left if needed. England do not have this. It is that simple.

So when you talk about an English manager making a difference because he "understands what the public demands" with regards to showing compassion from the touchline and the press room, that is just utter rubbish. We seem to have completed a 180 degree turn in 5 years. 5 years ago, the public demanded someone who could communicate with the players with a more astute and intellectual manner, as apposed to the gung ho, all out stle that King Kev deployed amongst his players. And let's be honest, this whole fiasco about the players having power, the same has been said before. The rumour was evident in 1990 in the Robson era, and again in 1998 when Hoddle dumped Gazza from the squad, and in 2000 when Keegan stuck with a "lifeless" and dogmatic 4-4-2 formation that opponents read far too easily.

Furthermore, I do not think that the majority of the English managerial contingent is experienced enough abroad to manage the national side. Curbishley, Allardyce, Pearce, and Bryan Robson have never tasted European soil as a manager. Mclaren on the other hand has - but appointment would be unwise considering the inevitable hangover from the Erikkson era; the players would be unlikely to respond to Mclaren because of his previous connections with England. Someone brand new would be best suited if Sven does leave in the not too distant future.

My Perfect choice, Sir Alex Ferguson. He would probably be the last name on the FA's list, and every English supporter's nightmare, but the tempered Scot would be perfect in the England hot seat, simply because of his canny ability to manage and deal with that kind of pressure. Ferguson would never give into either the media or the players over team selection or tactics, and he certainly would have no problem in axing some of England so called "definite starters" like Beckham, Gerrard, and Lampard if it meant getting a result or being better for the team on a whole. Erikkson would never dream of dropping Becks. Imagine if Eriksson dropped Beckham, and England lost , he would most probably be out of a job. If the latter happened under a Ferguson reign, the Manchester United Manager would get on with it and not be bothered by what the public and press think. Sure, Fergie has made some unbelievable mistakes in the past, the sale of Jaap Stam an obvious error, but his bravery to do what is best for the team in his own mind is what would make him successful at England, although I am sure he would rather manage the side who finish bottom of the conference than become the English Manager. Scotland would never forgive him if he won England the world Cup.