Is it time for Arsene Wenger to take on a new “project”?

IT IS the time of the season where rumours of arrivals and departures abound, and the latest speculation is about Arsene Wenger’s possible departure to Real Madrid.

Now the Frenchman had been routinely linked to various top jobs in the past, including the Real job a few years ago, and usually he would clear up any doubts in a jiffy by declaring his loyalty for Arsenal.

Not this time though.

When asked to comment on Real presidental hopeful Florentino Pérez’s plans to revive the “galacticos” era at the Bernabeu, Wenger said: “With Florentino Pérez in charge, the project he has put forward would be ­interesting for any coach but I would prefer not to comment on this.”

When asked if he intends to honour his contract, which runs till 2011, he said: “In general I usually stay until the end of my contract.”

In general?

Wenger has faced fierce criticism in recent weeks for sticking to his youth policy at Arsenal, which has resulted in a third consecutive trophy-less season, having some of the brightest young talent in English football now.

“You sit here, you are in the last four in Europe, and every day you feel you have killed someone. It is unbelievable. If you do not take a distance with it, you think: ‘What kind of world do we live in?'”

The question now is – do you think Arsene Wenger should move on to a new project, or should he stick around at the Emirates Stadium to see his youth policy bear fruit?

Arsenal an average club?

Has Wenger opened mouth and inserted foot? (Picture: AP)

They were dismantled by Man United in the Champions League and yesterday by Chelsea in the Premiership.

Arsene Wenger still insists that his Arsenal side are not too far from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United though and any one who has seen the Gunners in recent games will be hard pressed to see where the Professor is coming from.

What would Fergie’s and Wenger’s starting lineups be like tomorrow morning?

(Picture: AFP)

SIR ALEX Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are set to renew their long-standing rivalry tomorrow morning (Singapore time) as Manchester United face Arsenal in the first-leg Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford.

The two managers have fought epic managerial battles since the Frenchman took charge of the London club in 1996, with sly jabs thrown in either direction from time to time.

And given the recent circumstances, it would be interesting to see how both managers will select their starting lineups.

For United, the spotlight will fall squarely on its front-line. United’s Wayne Rooney and company had to rely on the introduction of Carlos Tevez against Spurs to spark a stirring second-half comeback. The 4-2-4 formation – with Rooney, Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo – tore into the Lilywhites’ defence and put five past a hapless Heurelho Gomes, who had been outstanding in the first half.

United certainly need to score goals, given that they are again faced with the unfamiliar situation of playing at home in the first-leg, but Fergie will surely remember how Arsenal dominated the midfield in their 2-1 victory over the Red Devils earlier this season, and scheme to prevent a similar situation.

For Arsenal, changes are afoot, with Andrei Arshavin cup-tied and Robin van Persie and Eduardo doubtful due to injury. Wenger has been quoted as saying that he is considering moving Samir Nasri – the star of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over United last November – to a central holding midfield position or the left flank to plug the gap left by Arshavin’s absence.

If you were Ferguson or Wenger, how would you select the players for your starting lineup, and what formation would you use?

It all boils down to Arsenal and Spurs

The fate of the Premiership title this season lies in the hands of Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas. (Picture: AP)

AS THE dust settles upon the humiliating 4-1 defeat of Manchester United by Liverpool on Saturday night, the Premiership title race seems to have become a little tighter, a little more exciting, since Chelsea and Liverpool have closed the gap at the top to just four points.

Even though United still have a game in hand over their closest rivals, there are still 10 games to go and history has proven that anything can happen, even if you have a 12-point lead in January.

Arsenal and Spurs may just be the clubs that could decide the destination of the Premiership trophy come May.

Has Hiddink really got the Chelsea dressing room under control?

Salomon Kalou and William Gallas – foes now, teammates next season?
(Picture: Reuters)

SALOMON Kalou has caused a stir among Chelsea and Arsenal fans by saying that he is a fan of Arsene Wenger and is very open to playing for the current Arsenal manager (see story here).

The 23-year-old made the comments right after Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League, and hot on the heels of recent revelations of a fractured Chelsea dressing room under the reign of former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

While Didier Drogba has whined – one too many times – about wanting to leave in the past, and shocking rumours of a player mutiny (with Drogba, Petr Cech and Michael Ballack being fingered as the main culprits), Kalou is the first player outburst to come out of the Chelsea dressing room since the arrival of Guus Hiddink.

Should Rafa risk playing Gerrard tomorrow morning?

CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard has been included in the squad that will face Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow morning (Singapore time), raising the possibility that the inspirational midifielder will take the field for the first time in three weeks since injuring his hamstring.

Should Rafa risk playing Gerrard, who has an impressing scoring record in Europe but has yet to complete a full training session since his return from injury?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Knowing Benitez’s emphasis on the Champions League, Gerrard will probably play some part of tomorrow morning’s tie, but it might not be the best option, given the state of Liverpool’s domestic challenge.

Should Wenger get rid of Adebayor after this season?

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger may be ready to get rid of chief striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the close season, according to a Daily Star report.

The “Professor” is said to getting increasingly disillusioned with the Togo striker this season, after blocking Barcelona’s bid last season. The Catalan club is reportedly set to launch another bid at the end of the current season in a bid to replace Samuel Eto’o, who could be on the way to Inter Milan.

Should Wenger let Adebayor go and refresh his strike-force, possibly with Real Madrid’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?

Are Man United “untouchable” this season?

MAN United extended its lead at the summit of the Premiership table early this morning, brushing Fulham aside easily with a 3-0 victory.

In the build-up to this game, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has declared the Red Devils currently “untouchable”, and Sir Alex Ferguson has also said that the title race is now down to his United team and Liverpool, with Chelsea blowing their chances after sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari.

While some critics are saying that Man United are due for a bad patch soon, after a nine-game winning streak (the last time they failed to collect three points was against Spurs in December) and a 14-game unbeaten run.

Are Man United “untouchable” this season? Let’s play it by the numbers.

Can Eduardo save Arsenal’s season?

STRIKER Eduardo marked his return from a horrific leg injury in style, scoring two goals to help Arsenal breeze past Cardiff in a 4-0 FA Cup victory early this morning (Singapore time).

The Croatian’s return came at a time where the Gunners are lying fifth in the table – currently out of contention for a Champions League berth – and goals all but drying up, with just one goal in their previous four games in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger’s team is also missing presence of playmaker Cesc Fabregas, while new recruit Andrei Arshavin has not tasted action at the Emirates since moving from Zenit St Petersburg in the January transfer window.

Could Eduardo be just the man to save Arsenal faltering season?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Yes he can. The Brazilian-born Croatian was showing so much promise last season before he had his leg broken in a clash with Birmingham’s Martin Taylor a year ago.

Up to the Birmingham game in Febuary last season, Eduardo was joint second on Arsenal’s list of top scorers in all competitions, tying with Fabregas with 12 goals. Emmanuel Adebayor topped the list with 22 goals up to the point.

Interview with Letter of the Weekend winner Firdaus Jasmin

When and why did you start supporting Newcastle?

I started supporting the Magpies since the 1995-96 season when they signed the legendary French winger David Ginola and the Duke of Tyneside, Sir Les of Ferdinandshire.

This may sound funny, but honestly back then, under the guidance of the Messiah Kevin Keegan, watching Newcastle was like watching Barcelona. All Newcastle fans could proudly held our heads up as having the team that played the beautiful game the way it ought to be played, with abundance of attacking flair and scoring loads of goals. In fact, I would not be surprised if Arsene Wenger based his current Arsenal team from the Newcastle team back then.