Arsene Wenger hopes Saturday’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa will restore a sense of calm and normality to the Arsenal camp after what has been a testing week for the club.
“I hope this gives us a bit more quietness for us to prepare our next game. It was a very important day for Arsenal Football Club,” the Arsenal manager said.
“We went through some difficult times so it was important first to show that we are united, determined, and focused to win the game, and we were.”
FA chief in Moore admission
The English FA “could have done more” to help 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore after he retired, the organisation’s current chairman David Bernstein has admitted.
Writing in a column for the Sunday Times 20 years to the day since Moore died from cancer, Bernstein said:
“Bobby was the man who led England to our ultimate moment of football glory.
“I am aware the Football Association has been criticised over its treatment of Bobby once he retired from football.
“It saddened me that this is the case and while I am not privy to exactly to what happened at the time, it is clear to me the organisation could have done more.”
Heynckes annoyed
In spite of a 6-1 win over Werder Bremen, which opened up a 17-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes still found something to quibble about at the end of his 1,000th Bundesliga game as coach.
The record Bundesliga champions tore Bremen apart, leaving them with an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table as they close in on a 22nd title.
“What annoys us a little is that we conceded a goal,” Heynckes said.
“We had not counted on that. During the interval, we said to ourselves that it was important to keep a clean sheet, but we can cope with that.”
No complacency, warns Carrick
Manchester United, 12 points clear of rivals Manchester City at the top, may already have one hand on the Premier League but Sir Alex Ferguson is ensuring complacency does not creep in, according to midfielder Michael Carrick.
“We’ve got a job to do and the manager said that we need to take it game to game and just win the next game if we can,” he said.
“You can’t look too far ahead because it can come back and bite you.
“We’ve got the experience around the place and obviously the manager sets the tone. I think you saw against QPR it was just about that game, getting the result and moving onto the next one.”
Redknapp job is safe – QPR boss
QPR chairman Tony Fernandes expects manager Harry Redknapp (picture) to stay at Loftus Road whatever their fate at the end of the Premier League season.
QPR, seven points adrift of fourth-bottom Wigan, have 11 games remaining to save themselves from the drop, with the odds-on their survival prospects lengthening.
Fernandes wrote on Twitter: “I am optimistic as ever. I’m still smiling. Its the next 8 games. Lots of good things.”
He added: “Good chat with Harry on the future come what may.
“We know what we have to do. Many points to play for.”
Doubts over Roma Sheikh investor
Unicredit bank have confirmed they have doubts over Roma’s new investor, Sheikh Adnan Adel Aref al Qaddumi al Shtewi.
Roma have reached a preliminary agreement with the Sheikh who has pledged to invest €100 million in the club.
After scrutinising his business interests, the Italian media have expressed concerns as he has been living in the country for over 20 years and yet has hardly made any investments.
Roma are still partly owned by the Unicredit bank as part of the deal that saved the club from bankruptcy.
“By Monday (today) or at most Tuesday, the Sheikh must prove he has the cash to invest,” Unicredit vice-director general Paolo Fiorentina said.
Palermo confirm Gasperini return
Palermo last night sacked Alberto Malesani after just three games in charge to hand the job back to Gian Piero Gasperini.
The rumours had been in the air after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Genoa left them bottom of the Serie A table.
Last night, Palermo issued a statement confirming Gasperini’s return after Malesani was relieved of his duties.
Under Malesani, Palermo drew three matches in a row.
“We have regret considering Malesani is a good person and an excellent coach.
“We thank him for his efforts,” read the statement.
“The decision made seems to be the only one to take in this difficult moment.”